Rifts in Caring
Chapter 1
Critter Heart Hyena's ears pricked up as she heard someone entering the safe house through the back door. She continued to sharpen her knife however, keeping her ears and nothing else focused on the door. Her position would allow her to see whoever it was before they saw her.
"OI see you love. X-ray vision. 'member?" Grinning upon hearing his voice, Critter sheathed her knife and stepped from behind the pillar to face Treasure Hunt Echidna, her boyfriend.
Propping on hand on her hip and allowing her tight body armor to show off her curves she faked annoyance, "You're four hours late."
He hardly seemed phased and dropped his pack to the floor, striding towards her. "Sorry Sheila. Forgive me?" His false eye sparked as he smiled at her.
Rolling her eyes she remained where she was a moment longer. "I suppose."
Trez had reached her now and settled his arms around her waist. "Ta love. OI missed you." Rather than responding, Critter gently pressed her mouth to his, kissing him for the first time in three weeks.
They had both been called off on separate missions. Trez was with a team looking for lithium crystals and was needed for his skills as an earth bender, while Critter had been hired by some government official to steal papers from an opponent. The separation was necessary but it never made it any easier for the two. Both spent the majority of the time worrying if the other would make it back to the rendezvous point in one piece.
Pulling back Trez ran his fingers down the side of Critters face. "Were you successful?"
She nodded. "Yup. with a bonus on account of my timely execution."
She held up her hand to show him a gold and silver ring that looked like vines intertwined. "Did you find lithium?" He nodded, rubbing his nose against hers and making her sigh. Returning to kissing the allowed themselves to forget the outside world momentarily.
"So why are we out here again?" Confidence Heart Fennec asked and she and Love Heart Bear trudged deeper into the forest
"I got a tip about more of our kind being in the area, and I can sense something, feels like one of us. The Coalition is pissed that some historical document were stolen in-transit, possibly for Lazlo but they can't prove anything."
"What! you're actually helping those fascist scumbag! Against Lazlo!" Confidence Heart seemed to flare up even from within her armor.
Love Heart raised his arms defensively, hoping to keep his lover calm, "What, no, I just got word of this and thought I'd check it out. At least they wouldn't think to check here. I just wanted to find others, Care Bears or Heartbound or whatever they call us now."
"Right, sorry..." Confidence Heart sighed, "At least the Coalition distrusts psychics too much to be able to track them like you do "So how close are they?" Confidence asked.
"You should be able to sense them soon, I don't quite know what we'll find though," Love Heart replied.
Critter and Trez were interrupted by their perimeter alarm going off. She snatched her gun from its holster and he moved to the control panel to check the monitors and on them Trez saw two heartbound creatures heading their way.
"We got visitors."
Critter joined him looking over his shoulder. Recognizing the two she chuckled and slid her gun away. "This should be interesting. I'll go out and meet them." Straightening her breastplate she headed for the front door and punched in the key to deactivate the security measures before stepping outside.
"You're right, I can sense them," Confidence nodded. An instant later a noise from nearby caused her to turn in the direction of the noise on reflex, "Seems like they know we're here."
"Let's try to avoid any problem, Cassandra," Love Heart said.
"Easy for you to say, you don't even need a second to pull out your sword," Cassandra muttered.
Love Heart sighed then called out, "Hello! Is anyone there?"
Critter walked calmly out from behind a batch of what looked to be forest. "No need to yell. Yeesh, do you want to let everyone in the area know we're here?" She folded her arms and raised an eyebrow at them.
"There's no one else around here, no one who would want you anyway," Love Heart answered. "I assume you're the thief we heard about, who was gutsy enough to steal pre-apocalypse historical notes from the Coalition."
She cocked her head in false confusion, "Thief? Me? I have no idea what you're talking about. I'm just a hermit living out here to escape the nonsense going on in what's left of civilization."
"You can't lie to us," Confidence Heart tapped her head, "We're both psychic. Not that we really care."
"I've been hoping to find others out here," Love Heart said, "I heard about the job you pulled, and I sensed the unique aura associated with our kind in the supposed crime area. At least this wasn't a wild goose chase."
"Psychics huh." She didn't look pleased at all by the idea. Her finger flinched toward an amulet around her neck but she seemed to think better of it. "Well you found us so the least I can do is let you in." Placing her hand on seemingly empty air she caused a door to open next to her. "Get in before someone else finds me."
"Relax, no one else followed us," Confidence answered as she walked past Critter.
"Don't mind her, thank you. Don't worry no one's going to be following, you're lucky the Coalition hates psychics," Love Heart added.
"Double lucky. They hate thieves too." She told him with a small grin. "And didn't anyone ever tell you it's rude to read someone's mind without their permission?"
"I know," Love Heart answered, "but I didn't read your mind, I sensed your emotions. You delivered that line about being a hermit with far too much confidence. If I had directly read your mind you would have felt me intruding into it."
"What can I say? Confidence is key in my line of work." Critter replied, closing the door as Love Heart passed through. As they walked the hall back to the main area, Critter stayed to the back. "Hope you don't mind the a little dust. We've been away for a while."
Trez still out of sight heard Critter use their code phrase and got into position. Flexing his fingers he called earth to him, forming it into several balls. These he kept floating ready to be propelled forward. As Confidence turned the corner, Trez sent one to however right above her head. "Hands where OI can see them."
Confidence Heart growled slightly but raised her hands in an instant then grinned. Love Heart did the same as he rounded the corner. "I take it you are an elemental fusionist, or 'bender' as you prefer to be called," Love Heart guessed.
The echidna nodded as Critters hand moved to rest on her gun. "Hold still please." As she spoke Trez's eye scanned the two, taking account of their weapons and where they were stashed. Finishing he gave a nod to Critter. "Now tell us again what you two are doing out here?"
"Looking for others like us, the Heartbound as we are called these days," Love Heart lowered his hands, "do you mind if I remove my armor?"
"Not at all. Go right ahead." Critter told him with a little grin. She moved to stand next to Trez.
"Thank you, this stuff feels like prison at times," Confidence's hands moves rather quickly across the armor she was wearing, undoing it, Love Heart moved more slowly yet removed the chest piece, revealing his black clothing underneath that still seemed to be clean. On the other hand Confidence's clothes seemed damn with sweat.
"When Lloyd sensed your aura, I attempted to foresee where you were and I saw this forest so that's why we came here," Confidence said as she slid out of her armor like she was taking off normal clothes, tossing the armor aside where it landed with an audible *thud*.
"Sensed? Foresee?" Trez looked to Critter for clarification.
"They're psychics." She crossed her eyes and stuck out her tongue briefly, making him chuckle. "That's why I don't wear full body armor. Just over the key places." In emphasis Trez let his arm settle around Critters armor free waist.
"Maybe for when you need to sneak but even a glancing shot from a laser could turn your body to paste if it hit an uncovered spot," Love Heart cautioned. "That's off topic. Did you know our race was once referred to as the Care Bears and Couins?" he asked.
Critter shook her head but Trez nodded. "Name hasn't been used in over a hundred years though mate."
"I remember when I was once called that," Confidence said, sitting down, "Even the humans I lived with called me that not so long ago," her eyes turned down.
Love Heart pulled out his shirt, revealing what appeared to be a second suit of armor underneath, "I remember all too well. I saw the bombs fall and the surge of magic when it returned to this world. I felt it too, when my powers awakened."
"Love Heart is my Care Bear name, but my master gave me the name Lloyd Terada, treated me as his son while I trained," Love Heart answered.
"I was called Cassandra by the humans I lived with. I never saw the heartbound homeland. It was Love Heart who gave me the name Confidence Heart Fennec," Confidence Heart added.
"I'm Critter Heart but if you ever call me that you'll wake up without your wallet. Just Critter is fine. And this is Treasure Hunt. He left the homeland just as soon as he could and hasn't really been socialized properly."
"Nice to meet you then," Confidence Heart said. "So what exactly do you both do in this world?"
Clearing his throat Trez replied, "Archeology an OI'm a fairly good treasure hunter. Get hoired by loads of proivate investers."
"And you already know what I do since you read my emotions or whatever." Critter was still displeased about that.
"Well excuuuse us," Confidence snapped, "this isn't exactly a friendly world to live in anymore or have you forgotten!"
Before anything else could happen, Love Heart placed a hand on Confidence Heart's shoulder, "Cassandra, please keep control."
The fennec sighed and slumped back, "You're right Lloyd, sorry Critter."
"Ummm sure?" She regarded the fox as if she were going to flip again at any second. "I was kicked out back home because of my then hobby. Believe me I know how unfriendly it is. And there was a reason Trez searched you and we didn't take your word right off."
"A specifc one or just a general distrust of the world that everyone has" Love Heart inquired.
"We don't trust anyone except each other."
"An even that took awoile," Trez added.
"You can trust me," Love Heart replied, "I swear it on my honor as a Cyber-Knight."
Throwing her hands up Critter exclaimed "What is a Cyber Knight? I swear people just make up their own names for themselves for fun nowadays."
"I'd think someone in your line of work would at least have heard the name," Confidence rolled her eyes.
"I'm a knight and defender of the innocent, a psychic warrior who protects those who cannot protect themselves. I know it sounds cheesy but it's true. I used my powers during the dark age to help everyone who was forced to eke out a living in this wasteland and fighting demons, aliens, and other monsters," as if to prove his point, Lloyd extended a hand and a brilliant blue blade suddenly appeared in his hand.
Critter took a step back from the blade. "We call you lot something different in my line of work. Nuisances or Vetos. All depends on if the heist is blocked," she retorted.
"You might not have had contact with us before then. I have no love for the coalition and I only oppose those who would steal from the weak and defenseless. If you oppose the Coalition you can count us as friends," Love Heart dissipated his sword.
"My allegiance lies with the highest bidder," Critter told Love Heart.
"Do you mind if we spend the night?" Confidence Heart interjected.
Trez shook his head. "Go ahead. We are leaving tomorrow anyway."
"Mind if we accompany you?" Love Heart offered.
"Sure. We have nothing going on in the immediate future. After I drop off my latest er...drop something off in the next town." Pointing down a hall she continued, "There are some beds that way you can use."
"We only need one, but thanks," Confidence got up and stretched, "We haven't had a sheltered rest in a while."
"We'll see you in a few hours then, when we wake up," Love Heart added as he and Confidence headed down the hallway Critter had pointed out to them.
"Locking our door tonight?" Treasure Hunt asked.
Turning Critter murmured in response, "Don't we always."
Grinning he kissed her cheek. "See you in 10."
Grabbing his bag he disappeared down the opposite hall as Critter moved to lock down the safe house. Pulling her armor away she made sure the papers were safely tucked in their pocket before joining Trez.
As Love Heart reclined on the bed, he looked over at Confidence who was in the midst of undressing. "Do you think they're the only ones, or might there be more?" he inquired.
"There are more, I know it. But for now I can't say where or when we will find them. I'd much rather be concerned with tonight than anything else." Confidence smiled seductively, slid into bed and gave Love Heart a kiss.
"Alright, we'll discuss thing in the morning." Love Heart waved his hand and shut off the lights in the room.
The next morning Trez rose before Critter as always and went to the kitchen area to begin breakfast. Step 1: always turn on the coffee pot. The smell will wake Critter without any bloodshed. Step 2: toast for his vegemite and Step 3: see what else is left that is edible. Finding some powdered eggs and dried bacon he worked on making omelettes.
"Good morning." Confidence Heart had been seated nearby. She waved to Trez once he could see her.
"Sleep well?" He asked as he stirred the mixture. The floor vibrated slightly meaning Critter was beginning to make her way to the kitchen. Placing her mug within reaching distance of the machine her grabbed another and turned to Confidence. "Coffee?"
Confidence flinched as the word was mentioned, "I'll pass, sorry. And I slept well, Lloyd and I only need four hours a night if we have peace."
His eyes widened ,"That's it? Croikey OI jus fall asleep after four hours. And Critt-" On cue she came stumbling into the kitchen, bleary eyed and uncoordinated. Watching her make it to the coffee he returned his attention to Confidence. "Well there you go."
"Love Heart doensn't really sleep, he meditates; it rejuvenates his body and mind twice as fast as sleeping, though he is taking a normal sleep right now. He's still fairly ordinary but I could go three days before I felt tired." Confidence leaned back in her chair, "It's nice to sleep inside for once. I used to be agoraphobic and the outdoors still kinda bother me."
"Kind of a problem for someone who's always on the move," Critter said before taking a huge gulp of her coffee.
"She has gotten over it, as much as she can." Love Heart entered the room, wearing only his undergarments over the armor underneath. "She can't help it, she's a Crazy."
"You've heard of them right, insane nutjobs warriors who jump around the battle field, laughing like lunatics with giant metal studs sticking out of their heads?" Confidence added. "Cybernetically augmented to be super-human but their implants give them more random insanity as they get stronger: unable to lie, kleptomaniacs, thinking their power comes from an outside source."
"Yeah. Those I've heard of." The explanation had her squinting and holding her head. There was no way she was awake enough to be dealing with all these chatty kathy's. Continuing to drink her coffee she retreated from the room, not even bothering to say where she was heading.
Trez smiled apologetically at them, "Critt's not really a morning person." Going to the table he put plates down for them. "Tucker in."
"I was a wreck until Love Heart found me," Confidence said as she began to eat, "Not only did I have agoraphobia a while ago but I was afraid of insects, kept looking to die, I had panic attacks every day and I was obsessed with taking down the Coalition on my own, not to mention when I get frustrated I go berserk. Love Heart got me what help he could but if he hadn't come along I probably would have dove into the heart of the Coalition capital and died."
Trez shook his head at her story. "Rough sheila." Taking a bite of his eggs he continued, "You still got the-" he pointed to his head, indicating where metal plugs placed in a Crazy's skull would go.
Confidence Heart chuckled, "Most people don't know this but the implants are actually very small, about the side of the head of a pin. Those giant plugs are a leftover from the original process where the implants were huge. Most Crazies just insist on the giant metal plugs for recognition because without them there's no real way to tell that they are crazies. I... didn't want that recognition, I'd hoped once my original mission was complete that I could just settle down and not use my power, avoid the insanity that comes with this."
Nodding in understanding he took another bite of breakfast he tried to forestall conversation for as long as possible. Looking to the door he hoped Critter returned soon.
"Not much of a talker, are you?" Confidence commented, "I should probably go apologize to Critter."
"Na she's all roit. Loike OI said, she isn't a morning person. It's better ta let her come roun' on her own."
"I'm not a morning person either, by habit, but by choice I have to be." Love Heart rubbed a couple dents in the armor he was still wearing from the previous night, "This is the first time I've been able to relax at all in months."
Confidence gave a small laugh then got up and gave Love Heart a quick kiss, "sorry about the dents from last night."
"It's fine I'm used to it by now." Love Heart just waved off the fennec's concerns.
After debating if he should ask or not for a moment Trez decided against it. "All right I'm more conscious than I was earlier." Critter announced while re-entering the kitchen. She had transferred her beverage to a travel mug which she was sipping from at the moment. Trez out of habit lifted his arms so Critter could sit on his lap.
"So you're a Crazy and you're a knight with 5,000 layers of armour. That should make for interesting traveling company."
"It's just the one extra," Love Heart said as he tapped his armor, "and this is grafted to my skin, even heals on its own. Mind if I have some coffee too?" he asked.
"Go for it." Trez made a face at the fact Love Heart's armor was grafted to his skin.
"As soon as you guys are finished we are going to head out. I have a sort of deadline to keep," Critter said.
"I'm good with just a quick drink," Love Heart got up and poured a small cup that he drank slowly. Confidence got up and pulled up her armor, buckling it into place while Love Heart finished.
Downing the last of her coffee Critter got off her boyfriend's lap, "Alright. See you in 15. Come on Trez, let's get dressed."
Grinning as she gripped his hand he turned to Love Heart, "Work work work."
Love Heart chuckled and tossed his cup to the counter, where it slowed to a landing without breaking, "I know the feeling. I'll be ready when you get back." Love Heart grabbed his own set of armor and began buckling it on.
Shortly after, the group had gathered outside of the safe house. Critter was back in her body armor, complete with sheathed knives on her thighs, gun on her hip, and a small silver object clipped to her belt. Her fingerless gloves outlined her hands as they fiddled once more with the silver pendant around her neck.
Trez was standing next to her wearing tan pants embedded with metal plates and an armoured shirt covered by a vest. His gloves were decorated in ancient runes. In his hands was a Stetson fedora. He was watching Critter fiddling with her necklace but saying nothing. "All right you two the town is about a two hour walk. Try to be as quiet as possible."
Love Heart and Confidence were both in their body armor. "Don't worry, we can be as quiet as mice. If we need to talk we'll just send you messages telepathically." Love Heart answered before lowering his helmet over his face.
"Oh good, that makes me feel so much better. Babe we clear?" Trez took a scan of the surrounding area, his electronic eye blinking.
Satisfied he nodded to Critter. "Cool, let's go."
Confidence Heart nodded as they set off, giving Trez's eye an odd look before turning her attention forwards.
"You takin a gander at moi blinker?" He asked with a smile.
"It just seems a bit odd; it's rare to see a bender, or any magic user, with cybernetic implants of any kind," Confidence answered.
"Ye got that roit, OI was injured during a dig a few years back. Tha docs said they could gimme a dead ringer falsy fer moi ol' eye but OI asked fer this. Lucky it doesn't affect moi bending."
"As long as you don't get any more you should be fine," Confidence replied. "So where are we going exactly?"
"I told you, I have to drop something off with the town magistrate. It won't take me long so you all can mess around in the town until I'm done." Critter did a cartwheel into a black flip.
"Fair enough." Love Heart nodded, "I'm interested in getting to know the both of you though so we're gonna be sticking around for a while."
"What would you like to know?" Critter asked, "We'll answer as much as we can."
"Well… how did you two meet?" Confidence asked.
Trez chuckled, "Funny yarn actually."
"Yeah, I was hired to steal a whole bunch of gems Trez had just uncovered."
"OI tracked her an then troid to recover moi treasure by using my earth bending." Turning to Critter he scowled at her, "Bloody sheila could take a hit though, an deal it back."
"Aww don't be sour. You ended up getting your shinies back and getting a first date with me. Sure it was a few weeks later but it happened and it gave you time to try and 'Critter proof' all your stuff."
His scowl didn't waver, "Still 'aven't managed to."
Confidence Heart laughed, barely suppressing an uproarious reaction, "Sounds like you two are close."
"Where did you get that necklace," Love Heart cut in, having been staring at the strange object around Critter's neck for some time.
"Sorry Lovey. You haven't known me long enough yet for that one." Wagging her finger at him as she said it, "Let's just say it helps me do what I do."
"I'll bet." Love Heart's expression had been unusually serious but he turned to face forwards.
"Don't mind him, he's a bit leery of mysterious artifacts." Confidence rolled her eyes.
"As he should be," Trez muttered making Critter glare at him.
"Trez, don't. Love Heart I promise it won't have any effect on you. It's tuned in to my energy waves only," Critter reassured him.
"Demon artifacts usually are," Love Heart replied. "Do you two keep vehicles stashed anywhere?"
Critter narrowed her eyes when Love Heart called her necklace a demon artifact. "No one ever said it was a demon artifact."
"Negative to the vehicles. We prefer walking," Trez said, trying t keep the conversation off the necklace.
"That's fine, Love Heart just hates being footbound, I can handle running," Confidence giggled slightly.
"I've seen a lot stuff in this last century, can't be too careful about some things," Love Heart replied. "So what are the strangest sights you two have seen on this new version of Earth?"
"Ummm I think some of the new type bars. The ones who offer hallucinogenic vapors to people instead of alcohol; those addicts trip out in crazy ways. You guys?"
"Those juicer guys for me," Confidence answered, "they hook themselves up to drug harnessses to make them into more-or-less drug powered super soldiers."
"The trade-off being that they only live five to seven years," Love Heart interjected.
"Things loike that are the reason Heartbound neva leave home anymore. OI haven't seen anyone other than you two in years," Trez voiced, keeping his voice low still.
"I wasn't aware the place still existed, guess with all the magic floating around they found a way to completely isolate themselves." Confidence sighed.
Critter gave a short laugh. "Are you kidding? The elders had like 13 different plans for just as many scenarios of the world going to hell in a hand basket. They gave up on here a long time ago."
"That's why I left. I thought there was still hope for this place, they told me that the love I had for sentient life blinded me to reality but I've never subscribed to that." Love Heart's voice was laced with some amount of disgust as he continued, "I feel like I've done more for this world in my life than the whole 'family' ever did."
"Don't be so harsh!" Confidence smacked Love Heart on the back of his helmet, which sent him flying several feet forwards.
"Dang girl. You've got an arm on you." Trez nodded in agreement.
"I'd like to say that's why I left too but like I said, I was kicked out," Critter said.
"I'm very strong, even for a Crazy, I could punch a hole in tank armor if I wanted." Confidence gripped her fist as Love Heart picked himself up. "So why were you kicked out again?" Confidence asked, looking at both of their new friends.
"I may or may not have been brought up on charges several times for stealing things from my fellow Heartbound. It's not that I needed their stuff it's just that I had nothing else to do to keep me occupied. The final straw was when I stole the ancient Caring Crystals. They didn't like that." She twirled a finger by her head, indicating how bad they lost it.
"And you Trez? Or would you rather not talk about it?" Confidence asked, tilting her head on one side.
Shrugging he replied, "OI just left. Nothin spectacular loike my sheila."
"Ahh, well where were we? oh right strangest sights," Confidence turned to the now fully standing Love Heart, "you've never told me the strangest sight you've seen, so what is it?"
Love Heart laughed, "Hah! A single strangest sight would be impossible: monsters, aliens, dragons, cyborgs, juicers, vampires, elves, demons... you name it, I've seen it and probably fought against or maybe alongside it too."
"See! Down here is much more fun. Those others don't know what their missing. Stinks about those cyborgs I never could stand them. Hey!"
Critter cried out as Trez grabbed her around the waist and kissed the side of her head. "Love you too love."
"I know how you feel." Love Heart smiled as they continued their walk, "I can understand a couple upgrades or prosthetics, even Cassandra's crazy upgrade isn't that big a deal for her, but I can never understand why anyone would want to hack off their limbs just for a mechanical upgrade. Worse are those people who have their entire bodies replaced with machines so they're little more than a brain controlling a giant robot."
Critter nodded. "Yeah I can think of much better ways to get 'upgrades' as it were. And they don't make you look like a walking pizza oven."
"Well we should probably keep moving, don't want you to be late for you appointment, eh Critter?" Confidence jostled the hyena carefully so she wouldn't knock her over.
"That would be awful! My rep would be absolutely tarnished! No one would hire me again and I'd have to get a-" she shuddered, "real job."
"Well let's get going then," Confidence took off at a jog, boosting ahead of the group.
As Critter took off ahead as well Love Heart stopped a moment then asked, "It begs the question, what constitutes a 'real job' in this world anymore?"
A few hours later they arrived at the edges of the town. "Alright guys this is where we part temporarily." Handing Trez a pouch she told him, "See what food we can get for that. I'll be back soon."
Nodding he leaned into her and they kissed quickly. "Watch yer back."
"Don't I always? You two good?" she asked her traveling companions.
"We're good," Love Heart nodded, "mind if I accompany you, Trez, or do you prefer to shop alone?"
Trez shook his head indicating he didn't mind. Critter waved and quickly disappeared from sight.
"I'll check out the local bars, maybe there'll be a juicer bar here." Confidence grabbed Love Heart and gave him a deep passionate kiss before taking off.
Trez raised a brow at him. "Croikey if Critt said good'day to me loike that every toime we parted nothin would eva get done."
"Heh yeah well, Cassandra and I keep each other sane." Love Heart scratched the back of his head. Chuckling Trez started to head to the town market.
Love Heart followed Trez and looked around, "At least this place seems free enough, no weird looks or dog boy's sniffing us."
"Aces to that." Arriving at the market Trez started looking at different meat options. "Wha kinda food di you and Confidence loike?"
"I like spicy food myself, not that it's easy to come by. I just eat whatever I'm given. Confidence likes dried meat usually. We're used to living off the land and trail rations so we're not too picky," Love Heart answered. "So how long have you and Critter been together?"
Bringing up a hand he counted briefly on his fingers, eyes cast upwards as he thought back. "Goin on foive years OI think. How 'bout you an yer ol' lady?"
"About seven years travelling, three years as a couple though. I spent the first four years taking care of her and helping her recover from whatever insanities she could recover from." Love Heart sighed then smiled, "It felt good to help someone who needed emotional support I guess, but I found her lying and bleeding in the middle of a bunch of mulched Coalition soldiers."
"No kidding? That sounds loike a rough lot she's been dealt. It's a wonder she's as...er stable as she is." Picking up a package of steaks he moved down the line. "OI was so used to being alone OI took awoile ta say more than a sentence at a toime to Critt. Lucky for me she's patient when she wants something."
Love Heart spotted a jar of relatively cheap spices and examined them. "Pretty mild stuff, but it's better than nothing." He added it to their order, "She wasn't really stable even before she got her M.O.M. conversion."
"Mom?" Trez gave Love Heart a funny look.
"Mind Over Matter, it's what they call the crazy conversion. But yeah, Cassandra lost a lot of people in her life before, during, and after the apocalyptic dark age." Love Heart sighed sadly.
Sniffing a bunch of broccoli he flinched and returned it to the stand. "Critter doesn talk to anyone from back home. Not a one of them wanted anything to do with her after her banishment. It messed her up in a way too but not loike Cassandra course."
"I don't want to talk to any of them either, apparently my outburst right before I left caused a few others to follow after me. I heard Loyal Heart followed too. I haven't seen him since I left but that was a real shock when I heard about it. Guess he felt his loyalty should be with our original purpose instead of the elders themselves." Love Heart sized up some of the dried fruit on display, "Got any old friends you see around?"
"Moi best mate Jolly Heart calls now an again."
"I remember Jolly Heart, never really got to know him all that well," Love Heart mused.
As they approached the stall to pay for their food Love Heart stopped and asked, "Do you ever miss the old days, Treasure Hunt? Before the rifts, before the magic and monsters?"
He shrugged. "Some days. Not often." He fiddled with the fruit in his hand, "OI don't feel the same need ta help the people down here as you do I'm afraid. OI look out for my own an that's all."
"I'm not gonna preach about the great mission of our species or anything," Love Heart reassured him, "Everyone is free to choose their own path, I just hated when the elders decided that no one should be allowed to even try and help humans. Sometimes I miss the peace and calm of the world, but with the powers I've gained and the things I've done I wouldn't turn back the clock even if I could." Love Heart checked over the supplies. "Think this is good enough?"
"More than. Jus one more lil' thing." He filled a fairly good size bag with coffee beans before depositing it on top of the rest.
The man behind the counter grinned at him, "'Lo Trez. Made sure Critter is taken care of?"
Grinning back at him he replied, "No need to repeat last toime."
Laughing the man began to bag their stuff.
"I'm guessing Critter goes a little nuts if you forget her coffee," Love Heart surmised, moving to pick up the paid for supplies.
Lifting his sleeve Trez showed Love Heart a scar just inside his forearm. "One morning without it an this was on moi arm before lunch. It's loike a drug ta her."
"Ouch! I'm glad I have cyber armor." Love Heart searched around, "so do we look for Critter or will she find us?"
"She'll find us. OI learned early on not ta get involved in her business unless asked." Looking around he asked, "Should we look for Confidence?"
"No need to look, do you know where the local Juicer Bar is?" Love Heart asked, "Knowing her, she's off arm wrestling a titan juicer for kicks." Beckoning with his free hand he led Love Heart into the depths of the town.
Love Heart followed as they moved, "They seem to know you pretty well here don't they?"
"It's the town closest ta our safe house. We frequent it before every trip. They're good folk as far as folk go."
"I've definitely seen worse," Love Heart agreed. "Forgive me for asking, but do you and Critter ever plan to settle down, once you have enough saved up to raise kids?"
Trez clamped down on his emotions faster than a clam when a starfish was nearby. "No mate. It's not in the cards fer us."
Love Heart sensed the sudden flare of emotions from Trez without meaning too, but nodded, "I'd like a family someday too, but Confidence is afraid to even try."
"That's common so OI here. OI think based on her history ye need ta be patient with her and coax her along." Pulling an apple from the bag he munched on it. "OI don't think nippers would ever fit into our life style."
"It's not that, she's afraid she won't be able to control her strength. Remember when I said I found her with a bunch of mulched coalition soldiers?" Love Heart asked. Trez nodded. "Well I wasn't exaggerating. She was holding back when she slapped me earlier, and she doesn't exaggerate when she claims she can punch a hole in tank armor, and she isn't always in full control like she is now. I guess you can see where that goes."
"So she's afraid she'll go troppo on yer babe an tear it into lil pieces? Bloime. Sounds loike a nightmare. Poor gal."
Love Heart looked up as the bar came into view, "Mount Olympus..." he read the sign over the door, "Well Juicers are never subtle."
"Got that roit." Trez muttered. He didn't look thrilled about being here but he followed Love Heart in all the same.
As they approached the entryway, the bouncer held out a hand and gave them a disturbing smile, "Sorry, squishies, Juicers only."
"We don't want in, I just want to know if a Heartbound Fennec named Confidence Heart or Cassandra came in here," Love Heart inquired.
"Oh yeah, the hidden crazy." The bouncer nodded, "Yeah she's in there, wrestled Jax to the ground as an entry fee. Never seen a crazy that strong before. I can get her."
Trez scowled at being called a squishy but remained silent. As the bouncer left he asked Love Heart, "What's a hidden crazy?"
"A crazy who doesn't have the giant metal plugs sticking out of their skull," Love Heart answered.
"Roit. Makes sense." Taking another bite of his apple he waited for the bouncer to return.
"Here she is, she's sure a lively one." The bouncer returned with Confidence in tow, who was holding the upper portion of her armor across her back like a loose sweater.
"Whoo, this place is fun! I should come here more often." Confidence Heart grinned as she exited the bar.
"You're welcome any time, just watch out for Jax next time he can be a sore loser," the bouncer cautioned.
"Yeah yeah, I'll watch my back." Confidence waved the bouncer off, "so how was the shopping trip boys?"
"Almost as successful as yer romp it seems." Trez teased as he indicated the bag each of them was holding.
"Hey, I gotta find somewhere made of stuff tough enough for me to cut loose." Confidence grinned as she pulled her armor back on over her head, "so about how long till Critter's work is done do you think?"
"Any tic of the clock OI'm sure."
"Say that once more and It'll be true." Critter came up from behind them. "Don't tell me you were missing me already."
"How'd it go?"
"Easy. I gave him what he wanted and I got what I was promised." Opening her hand she revealed a card used to hold credits. "10000 credits thank you very much."
"Good score Critter," Confidence smiled, as her armor finally locked into place, "So where to now?"
She and Trez shrugged. "We have nothing planned. I wouldn't mind getting away from here though, just in case the little incident I was just involved in takes a turn for the worst."
"Hey, Squishies!" the four of them turned to see the bouncer from Mount Olympus standing behind them, "got some news that might interest you."
"I'm sorry what did you call me?" Critter's hands flew to her hips as she glared at the bouncer.
"Don't even try." Confidence's hand shot out to block Critter, "she's a juicer, she'd rip your head off if you tried anything."
"They call all non-augmented humans squishies, don't take it personally," Love Heart added, "But what did you have to tell us?"
"There's some rumors making the rounds about a nasty job pulled against the Coalition by someone fitting your descriptions. You should probably get a move on before bounty hunters or Dead Boys show up, just a fair warning. Sounds like you really pissed Prosek off good."
Her eyes shined. "Oh did I? Lucky me! I'm no crazy but I can candle bounty hunters just fine. Thanks for the concern." She sidled up to the bouncer, "Are they really calling my work nasty?" Trez shook his head at his girlfriends inflated pride.
"If you really lifted pre-rifts historical documents, yeah, Emperor Prosek treats those things like they're made of gold. Nasty news for them. Good job though, not many are brave, confident or stupid enough to pull that off, no offense. What was your name?" the bouncer asked.
"Critt is just fine. And when it comes to jobs I'm not picky. The more at risk the more fun for me."
"Well good luck Critt," the bouncer waved, then took off at high speed back to the bar.
"I guess our next destination is anywhere but here then," Love Heart said, "probably not a good idea to go back to your home, don't want to risk them tracking you back there."
"Like I said five minutes ago, right before big bad bouncer interrupted. Leaving was my plan all along." Rolling her eyes in exasperation she looked to Trez, "What do you want to do babe?" "Head north?"
"Sounds good, let's get going then," Love Heart nodded.
"The sooner the better," Confidence added.