This overlaps with 3.4 and 3.5.

Chapter 7: Not so fast!

Ooooh boy. Groggy when I wake up. How long did I sleep? Ugh, I don't remember when I got in...

Good night, though. Weird, but good.

Uuugh. This outfit desperately needs cleaning. It's a good thing this hotel is fancy enough to have laundry on-site!... wait do I have enough quarters? I'm not sure I have enough quarters.

Ugh, I do not have enough quarters.

Okay, shower, change into a different outfit, head out to break a fifty, go do my own laundry...

While I'm doing all that, I listen in on the city.

I'm still not sure what's going on with Leet. It still feels like he's an impossibly far distance away, well outside of my range and yet somehow detected by me anyway. Having slept on it, the headache he gives me puts in my mind of the braintwisting Ward -Vista? I think Vista was her name. She does some kind of space-twisting and I guess that's why she messes with my head. So... something to do with twisting space, then. That ball was an access point to some pocket space, I guess? Whatever is going on with Leet, he's in pain and miserable and feeling hopeless and scared. So I think he's trapped. 'kay.

Uber is in the PRT HQ. He's surprisingly cheerful and optimistic. Oh, he did go down before Leet did, didn't he? Huh. Either the PRT hasn't told him about Leet's Unfortunate (pffff Taylor, really?) Accident or I was right in my original thought that the two of them don't get along so well. Leeeeaning toward the first, given what I saw last night.

Lung is cranky. Soooo many possible reasons for that, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's cranky 'cause "Noh One" hasn't reported in for ages. That'd be funny. Oni Lee just keeps on trucking -oooh, whoever he's interacting with is having a bad day. Ya know, I don't think I've ever caught evidence of Oni Lee having a day job or anything. Wonder how he gets by. Just gets paid by Lung? Or something. Eh.

Pretty-sure-Velocity is gladhanding about the city. Not something he's done before while I've been here. Wonder why. Eeeeh. Whatever. Bored.

Okay, Ki- ugh. Um. Okay, do I call her Taylor or Monster right now? Screw it, Imma call her Taylor. She's... being all grim and trying to hype herself. Like. She makes me think of someone hyping themselves up to throw themselves off a cliff. That's... weird, given she's at home when this is going down. Then she's all dread and gut-roiling sickness on her way to the school. And much the same once she is there. PRT cordon is almost gone at this point, I think it's just like two guys and they're clearly not taking this seriously. I think one of them is hitting on someone, actually. Suppose they could actually be off-duty... which would mean there's only one PRT trooper doing the plainclothes protecting of Sophia. I think she knows it, too, 'cause she's ramping up anticipation anytime she's around Taylor. So probably plotting something she wouldn't have done when there was a more serious cordon. Honestly tempted to fuck with her just to drive home that she's not safe just because I haven't done anything to her in a while. Not sure when I'd fit that in... don't really wanna swing by the school itself, just 'cause Taylor might freak if she finds out, with this whole private/public life separation thing she's doing.

Okay, got my laundry finished, time to take back to my room- I haven't eaten anything. Goddammit. Okay, it's nearly lunch anyway. Why not.

Sort of funny how Taylor seems to have an affinity for hiding out on rooftops. Lunchtime at the school, she just goes to a roof. And broods. Sooo broody. Minor bit of amusement peeks in... Sophia and other girl are stalking the grounds... Hm. Hadn't thought about this before... but... is Taylor hiding from them? Didn't fit my mental image of her before and... well... she's not as murderous a badass as I'd thought before, but it's still weird to think of her as a hider. But she did flank Uber and Leet, sneak attack them. So I guess to her hiding isn't an act of cowardice, isn't backing down or losing a fight, it's... maneuvering to win the fight? So... maybe she's amused because she thinks they're looking for her and they won't be able to find her and so that's a "win" in her book?

Clearly I need to back away from the Killer mentality and readjust my mental models. Oh! This might be a hint why she hasn't just blendered the school! Maybe she's plotting, looking for a better opportunity to make a tormentor die without being caught. She's been patient, she maneuvers for advantage and then strikes. She's not impulsive, not like I thought she was. So maybe she's putting up with this crap because she's waiting for The Perfect Moment. Yeah, okay, that makes sense. Fits to what I've seen, and is badass, just in a different way. Cool.

Lunch ends and I go... well. Honestly, I nap for a bit. I slept hard, but I was up a lot yesterday and I'm still a bit wrung out and if last night is a pattern I'm going to end up spending a lot of time working with Taylor at night, so. Might as well catch some Zs midday. Especially since... man. I couldn't have gotten a full night's sleep, actually. Why did I wake up so soon? Ugh.

Anyway, I nap. And wake up after a few short hours. So whazzup Taylor? Oh cool, you're still at school and now you're stressing like someone is actively stalking you with intent to kill. Wow. That's... weird. I mean, yeah, she's stressed sometimes while at school, but before it was mostly just crankiness, like everything is irritating and she was frustrated by feeling like she couldn't do anything about it etc etc. Right now she's acting like she is literally about to die.

Meanwhile, if we flashback to when she was going after Daddy, she was sort of vaguely nervous, a bit repulsed... but mostly just patiently waiting.

... 'kay.

More showering. Go out to grab a bite to eat. Listen in to Taylor going utterly and totally ballistic such that I'm surprised no one dies, while still at school. Weird. Eh, not my problem.

Doo doo doo, la la la. Food's good. It's fun listening in to the city, insane as it is. Ice cream is nice.

Last night was good.

... huh. Wonder where Taylor's going. Wait is she going to the PRT HQ?... nope. Going on past it. Still pissed off. Still murderous. Okay, outside city limits now, roughly, nowhere near any humans. Huh. Waaaaait a second. Is that where she went to call me, before? Did she?... did she leave the phone there? What the heck, Taylor. Why would you do that? Oh! Is that why she didn't just call me when she'd decided to take me aboard? Goddamn, I could've avoided so much trauma if she'd just remembered the cell phone, really? Really? Ugh.

... wait.

... does that mean she's intending to call me, while that pissed?

Uh-oh.

I get out my phone, careful to avoid nicking myself on my awesome knife, and head out to the café to go somewhere with some privacy. Phone rings once, and I answer. Be cheerful, pretend like you don't realize she's feeling murderous! "You need me, Boss?"

In a dead monotone she says, "I need to kill someone." Oh shi- "Someone who actually deserves it."

... oh. Whew. Okay. Don't need to make plans to flee the city. That's fine. She's just... bad at communicating. "Need me for my tracking services, gotcha. Anybody in mind?"

Waitin'.

Uh. What the hell navel-gazing is she doing now? I just asked for a target of interest and she's turning contemplative and a wee bit disgusted and sneering. The heck?

... still waiting.

Fuckit. "... Boss? You there?"

She startles. "Skidmark." Doesn't really show in her voice that she's startled. Good control? Or lack of affect? Something else?

"... who?" Seriously, I have no idea who she's talking about. Is that a name? I mean, really. Who would name themselves that? Roadkill is at least kind of badass sounding, but Skidmark... eeeh. A car power of some kind, I guess? Or maybe it's a speedy power that leaves marks? Wait, I don't know any speedsters aside Velocity in this city. Teleporters, yeah, and some people... fuckit, whatever.

Taylor has some self-recriminating stuff going on, not anything serious. Eh. "You familiar with the Archer's Bridge Merchants?" she asks, sound a bit less monotone, a bit more engaged.

Uh okay. Lemme think... I looked into crap in Brockton Bay... "Druggy gang or something, right?" Sounds vaguely familiar. Vaguely. Kinda.

"Right, yes. Well, Skidmark is their leader. Lays down zones that push things a particular direction, not much else to him as a cape." What, really? Lame. Lame power, lame name. "He's a scumbag, and he has no..." She trails off for a moment. Oooookay. "... no honor, I guess. Doesn't even participate in Endbringer defenses-" What's the relevancy of that? "-or otherwise make him worth tolerating. This is a dude who gets children hooked on-"

Yeah okay whatever. "Boss, I don't actually care. He's small-fry, but sort of important. That what you're saying?" Taylor grunts, and oh god flashbacks to Daddy. Mooooving on as fast as possible. "Got any idea what kind of personality he has?" Another long pause, while Taylor is all struggling with herself. Wow, whatever happened at the school musta rattled her badly. Or... maybe she's not nearly as together as I've thought she is. Hmmm.

Eventually she comes up with "Well, the gang includes a lot of homeless. Just looking for concentrations of homeless would be workable. Can you do that?"

I wrinkle my noise and try to not think too hard about how I'm standing like twenty feet from somebody who seems to be sleeping behind a dumpster. "... yyeeesss? Gross, but yes." Yay. Hunting down icky homeless people. Fun. Not.

"Where's most convenient for you to meet me at?" And now Taylor is starting to sound eager and wait a friggin' second does she mean she wants to meet right now?

"Wait, are we doing this in daylight?" I was sure she was all about the night. Totes Batmaning it up and all. (Even though she doesn't know the name, goddamn)

"YES."

Okay, okay, jeeze.

Okay,... um... squint. Yeah, let's go with those two streets over there. Nice little park. Well. Nice by Brockton Bay's standards, which pfff. I relay the street names to Taylor, she agrees to meet me there, and... yeah.

... time to wait, and start scanning for homeless-y people who behave like they may or may not have powers.

...

Great.

I'm waiting on a park bench, a scarf acting as a bandanna. Taylor liked it when I was wearing it, right? And wanted me wearing it while she went caping for... some reason. Not wanting me to see whatever the heck happened with her as I approached? Not like I'm in any danger hanging out in a park, blind, not with my powers. Not that anybody is bothering me right now, just some people getting a little confused, some a little fearful. Probably wondering if I'm actually a cape. (Which I am, but that's not why I'm wearing it)

Also, it's cool to, "Heya Boss," her as she's approaching while I'm 'blind'.

Ha! She startled! And she didn't get particularly mad or anything.

Yyyesssss. This can work. If I'm very careful... I can start trying to tweak her again.

... very, very careful.

... probably.

...

DOING IT ANYWAY.

She gets up close and pulls the scarf off. Awww. "We're just going to be two friends on a walk. Not costumed." Ooooh we're going to act like we're friends? Awesome. I can work with that.

Alright then. Sunglasses on, jacket inside-out, pull up skirt and pin it in place, let hair loose. No longer am I the Boss's professional and intimidating assistant! Now I'm just a random teenage girl hanging with her bud. Ooooh, and she's impressed. Nice. "So, any more specific ideas of what to be looking for?" 'cause yeah I've got a decent pool of ideas but... uh... there's a lot of them. And oh god I'm hoping she comes up with something that avoids poking hobos with sticks all day.

... and now she's staring vaguely at the sky and being contemplative. That's starting to get- "What are we calling you?" she asks, voice low and paranoia ramping up a bit.

Oh, I've got this. "I am Carlia Smithson, new friend to one Taylor Hebert. My boyfriend, now ex, was a jerk, and now we're out on the town to cheer me up, maybe you too given the day you've had-" Taylor doesn't like hearing me refer to that. Yeah, I know how shitty your school day was, though I wish I knew why you found it so miserable. "-even if our eyes are bigger than our wallets and we know it. We'll probably wander the town for a few hours, look at cool stuff, talk about whatever with each other, and then part ways once we feel better."

Haha! She's impressed again!... and a little creeped out. Dangit.

She spends a minute just thinking, but I leave it alone this time because it doesn't read like she's getting distracted.

Eventually she gives me a description to work with.

"I'm thinking he's probably acting angrier and tougher than he is, acting more confident than he is. Maybe is genuinely confident with non-parahumans, since he has a power and they don't. Overall more bark than bite?" Taylor is very hesitant all-around, very unsure of her description. And it's a pretty limited description.

I cover my annoyance, grabbing at one arm because we're being gal-pals, and... she flinches. Doesn't actually break away, but is clearly bothered. Doesn't like being touched? She didn't mind last night. After a second she starts walking, but she still doesn't pull her arm loose, and isn't having any reject-y feelings. Hm. Not sure what to make of this. I'm reminded I should be following her when her movement is starting to threaten to break the connection, and catch up appropriately, and then tug her -carefully- more to the right because I do have a few individuals who could fit and they're all right-ish.

From there I start up my Practiced Teenage Prattling routine, developed scientifically to act as a cover for when I'm going out with Daddy.

... I have got to stop drawing parallels between Taylor and Daddy. So much ew. Stoppit, brain.

Taylor is clearly tuning me out. That's fine. Doesn't damage our cover and I'm not saying anything important, and -why is she spiking paranoia why is she giving me a sidelong look stop that seriously girl. Anyway. I keep talking and -oh jesus fucking christ. Ignore it Cherie! Ignore her stupid random spikes of paranoia. Just keep talking. It's fine. It's all good.

Oh hey she's trying to engage back! That's different from Daddy! Yes, say something bland about how pink is a nice color for drapes, you go girl- oh my god why is she having a depressive spiral why why why. Edge it off, do it carefully oh jeeze she's still getting worse let's point out that (filthy, rotting) apartment complex Target Possibility #1 is in, jam her blatantly with a tiny spike of triumph to communicate that the apartment building is the spot, and though she gives me a look it actually puts a stop to the stupid depression spiral and there's not that much actual irritation involved. Excellent.

From there it's getting into an alleyway that no one has a good angle to, saying, "Found him," and pointing the way. Smoke curling out of a window on the second-floor, and I can sense a dude who broadly fits the description she gave and I'm pretty sure is a parahuman. Not 100% sure. Could just be a gang member who got involved in parahuman fights, that happens.

"Close your eyes for a minute." Sure. Easy-peasy. Imma hum a tune to myself in the meantime. No wait she's tapping me on the shoulder being all embarrassed. 'kay, eyes open. Watch her as she pulls her hoodie up, hides her hair inside of it, and- "Can you go wait at the park we met at? I can find it again, pretty sure."

Alright fine whatever.

... this is not busting my murder-as-intimacy theory.

Alright, time to listen in as I walk.

Taylor... hops into the building after a bit. There's some relief. Confusion. Heavy disgust, now I'm really confused as to why me puking didn't gross her out, she's got the emotionally damped thing going on right now, this is very confusing. Also a spike of paranoia, which I'm going to assume doesn't have to do with me for sanity's sake. Okay, she's moving again, still incredibly grossed out. Cautious, careful, patient. She's in the zone, none of this stupid depressive nonsense. Niiice. Still a lot of disgust, but it's fading away into focus, analytical curiosity. Given she's barely moved, I'm pretty sure that's a focus thing, not her getting away from-

Okay dude no you are not attracted to me now is not the time. Off switch.

-the stench or whatever it is that's been grossing her out. I guess I was on the money as far as this guy being gross and all, though. She's... reacting with some growing confidence. Evidence this is 'Skidmark'? Unsure. Taylor being a little nervous, but only a little, stopped for a moment. Maybe considering opening a door or something, but worried about actually doing so? Bit more maneuvering... comes back to the point she was nervous at... has a spike of nervousness while the guy in the room reacts slightly, but, nothing more. Hm. Unsure if the guy is asleep or if Taylor's just being really sneaky. Taylor moves out, feeling some surprise, some being impressed. Hm. Kind of hoping she's impressed with me, but realistically she's probably impressed by something she just found.

More maneuvering, a lot more up and down. Why hasn't she touched the guy yet? I was expecting her to go in, maybe indulge in something indulgent, and then kill the guy. Or 'capture' him, I guess. She's confused... lotta confusion. I get to the park and start searching for a bench before she stops being confused, goes back to focusing. Wait no, some more confusion. Oh, the dude's gotten up and starting moving about. Focus. Confusion. Focus. Oop, Taylor approaches him and fight/flight kicks in!... but not a fight, even though maybe-Skidmark is scared and angry and Taylor's expecting a fight and they're practically right on top of each other. So basically either, like, a door, or Taylor has a Stranger component to her power I'm unaware of. Oooh, this metal bench is nice. The weather's decent, too.

Anyway, Taylor. She's disgusted again, nervous. Skidmark is... not stable. Aaaaand... now she's climbing again. Fast. Stops as high as I ever caught her going, so probably the top floor of the building? She's got an angle, I'm sure, because she's not acting like anything I'd expect for giving up. Just not sure what the angle is. Okay. She's doing something, careful and focused, and... Skidmark is freaked out. Really freaked out, trying to stoke himself into anger I think, but more afraid than actually angry truth be told. Aaaand now Taylor is grossed out again. More grossed out. And confused. Taylor is... coming down toward Skidmark... seems like he hasn't noticed her at all, though, even though she's going fast. She's not actually silent, I know. Well. Not entirely. Hm. Then again, she's not roof-hopping. Maybe it's harder for her to be quiet when she's sticking a landing?

... Skidmark turns around, still afraid and stoking his anger, but now there's another layer there, something careful and controlled. Taylor's feeling cautious, approaches carefully... focuses... some confusion and a bit of triumph... but also frustration. Hm. Not sure what to make of that.

Then Skidmark starts moving and Taylor freaks and Skidmark is exulting wait now he's confused and Taylor's calmer but confused as heck. Lotta confusion going on here, and I'm not even counting the guy who's been eyeballing me for a while who I keep chucking random minor feelings at just to watch him be confused by his own feelings. He makes great expressions. Ah, there's disappointment from Taylor. Not sure why. Okay, Skidmark is dropping toward her and she's angry and frustrated and he's exulting but insulted and also she's grossed out and now she's panicking. Like. Actually, fearing-for-her-life, panicking.

... starting to think I shouldn't have left her alone. Do I try to run back and intervene? I'm not strictly line-of-sight, I can get him through the wall, she doesn't ever even have to know, if things work out... but she's faster than me, way faster at times, and she's not stupid. Risky, if she's gonna go ballistic on me for disobeying. Okay, now things are just going fast and chaotic and I'm having a hard time parsing it. Oh, Skidmark didn't like that, whatever just happened, but it's a low-grade annoyance sort of thing, not like real fear or anything. Aaand now Taylor is motoring, but she's not at all happy about it. Oh, wait. I think that was Skidmark hitting her. Ouch. Okay, those must be some pretty badass ground-marks he does.

Okay, seriously. I push myself to my feet, planning to intervene, and... don't even get to the park's edge before Taylor has reverted to calm and in control while Skidmark is angry and... just sitting there. Taylor's having a bit of anger and frustration. Okay, Skidmark is confused. Angry and scared and bluffing. Taylor is... calm. Not her focused calm of before, but a casual calm. Very very strange.

Some stuff happens fast, Skidmark is amused for a moment, and then... horror. Fear. Nothing.

... well then! Our little Killer is all grown up. And this time there's no goddamn tinker shenanigans like how I can still detect Leet what is that shit ohmygod.

Taylor feels triumphant and oh boy I should get back to my bench and make like I never did leave it. And drive off that one guy I was toying with, who has been 'inconspicuously' following me. And now she's feeling a bit disturbed. Huh. Was Skidmark creepy in death, then? Oh hey I think that's a PRT truck I'm detecting heading her general direction -yes I am hearing the actual siren now, that's a PRT siren.

Okay, Taylor has some weird frustrated/angry moment on her way out. No idea why. Still, she seems to be doing better than before this went down, no depressive spirals and all. Awesome.

She gets to the park, still stewing, and... huh. She looks nice out of glasses. Not amazing, she's still not flush with feminine/masculine/androgynous beauty, but it makes her face look different in some nice way I can't put my finger on. Though she's clearly struggling a bit with them off. I've known blinder people, but it looks to me like anything too far out is basically incomprehensible to her, maybe even some problems closer up, not sure. She's still all frustrated and stuff, and it sort of peaks as she's getting close and... she's not talking, eyes darting to people nearby. Ooooh. Oh. She's nervous about actually talking about whatever her issue is while she's half-blind and all. Yeah, okay, fair enough. "I know a place."

Flinches again when I touch her. More nervous and all than last time. Feeling vulnerable with her glasses gone? But she doesn't break away or anything, doesn't freak, just follows me in silence while I take her to Casa Del Woof. AKA that one place with a whole lot of dogs one of the Jean-pals hangs out in fairly frequently. When we get there, Taylor gives me a funny look, all confused. I shrug. "Someone's keeping the dogs here. They're way on the other side of the city right now, feels like they're in a scrap actually, but the point is I know it's possible to get in here but also there's no one here right now."

Taylor accepts that readily enough. Then she psychs herself up, deep breaths and all. "Hit me with guilt." Pause. "As hard as you can."

'kay, no prob. Guilt! Massive, massive guilt! Yep. Boss is crushed by guilt. Well. Actually, her face isn't really chan- "I know I'm be-"

Okay no. "I just did it." Power, are you lying to me? Guilt rays. Guilt rays.

"I don't believe you," she says with a mounting sense of horror, which is reflected on her face. GUILT RAYS. GUILT. Yes power, you are telling me it is working, but I am almost completely certain you are lying.

Uuuugh. "Seriously, I did. I don't know why it didn't work, but I pushed it and it didn't work." (Actually am pushing and not seeing an actual response, but whatevs... GUILT RAYS GODDAMMIT)

"Hit me with sadness." Okay fine.

Okay, this is working properly. I see her eyes doing that thing like she might shed tears, and she's biting her lip and lost in memories and acting a bit sad.

... but not as sad as my power is reporting. It says she should be a sadsplosion. Not sort of considering maybe crying in a few minutes.

What. The. Fuck.

"Did you do anything else?" she asks. Seriously. What are you, girl? "Happiness. Now."

Sure fine, let's go max, since nothing is fuck- OH MY GOD WHY IS SHE CLAMPED ONTO ME "You're my best friend, Cherie." WHAT THE FUCK TAYLOR. Why is being happy equate to lunging at me? I don't need flashbacks to the face incident! You know, the one that happened last night? Less than twenty-four hours ago! Down, happiness, down! Stop clamping stoppit!

... wait, she thinks I'm her best friend? Holy shit we've known each each for like one night. How lonely was she?

She lets go- wait no that was nice! Shit, is it too late to push her back up? Would that piss her off? Shit, she's already moving to some other possibility- and then she stops. Oookay. No wait there we go. "Fear."

...

Why would you want me to test that?

Okay, sure, fine. I already -fuck. Actually, I don't know, given my power is apparently misreporting its results on her. Yeah, let's test-

-off she goes to huddle in a corner, muttering terrified ravings I can't properly hear. Yeah, okay, test complete, that's about right for what I hit her with. Dial it down, off it goes. Then she just... pats her pants, getting some concrete dust off of them, and comes back like it ain't no thang. Wow. Badass. "Jealousy."

Sure oka AAAAAAA SHE'S CLAMPED ON ME AGAIN wait why would she clamp onto me if she was jealous? What is that? Owowowow let go let go dial her down!... and she lets go, feeling all embarrassed.

"Okay. Okay," Taylor says, most assuredly not okay.

"Bo- Taylor. Um. You- well, this is where other people would ask if you're alright, but uh, no, you aren't." She's not. This is worse than the depression spiral I cut off earlier. Um, do I-? "You're kind of... having a big breakdown. Um. Do, uh, should I just hit you with happiness again? I mean-"

She rubs away some of her tears, having apparently only just noticed them. Oh jesus she's getting murderous and sad and depressed and nope nope nope edge it off, faster! Faster! Aahhh okay she might be-

"Stop that." Shit. She means it, coldly focused murderpulse backing it.

Fuck.

Fine, push her back in the right area. Oh god no stop that. Okay, no, no, stoppit fuckit I hug her. Hugs. They make things-

"Stop using your power it's wrong that's wrong-"

-better goddammit stop that. I close my eyes very deliberately. "Not using my power." 'cause I can't affect her much at all when she's got this thing going on, and it's like, sight-based? Maybe? She goes calm and actually feels better and stops with the death spiral bullshit.

God.

After a minute she pulls away, and I start to ask her what that was about, but- "I want to stay at your place tonight." Whoa there girl! It's been less than a day and you're going that fast? Wow. "Can- can you call my dad and, um, tell him we're... having a slumber party or something? I- I just can't face him tonight. Tomorrow. Just... not tonight." What the fuck girl.

Oh dammit Jean-Paul's dog-pal is coming this way. Paste a smile on, do it Cherie. "Sure, I can totally do that, but we might want to get moving first. Whoever has been taking care of the dogs here is heading this way, and they're mad."

Taylor nods, and we leave, heading toward the hotel, while I start mentally rehearsing how I'm going to handle Taylor's dad while she's listening in to the phone call.

God this has been a crazy day.