The truth hurts, truly it did.

The fact of the matter was, unreliable narrators can sometimes make horrible mistakes. And I was a horrible and very unreliable narrator.

I had assumed that the group of teens, with attitude no less, that I was rescuing were an unknown independent vigilante group or perhaps a newly formed group of heroes.

I was wrong.

So, very wrong.

"S... say it isn't so," I could only look woe begone at Tattletale from where she sat sprawled out on the couch. She looked smug, so very smug at having broken my self imposed illusion. The clues and hints had been there. I had just willfully ignored them.

And thus, was I doomed.

She shook her head at my not quite question. "Sorry, Rose."

"But... but you looked like a group of heroes. You know, the tall dark brooding leader, the know it all, the homeless girl with a heart of gold and a group of nice dogs, and the snarky face of the group," I said as I gestured at them in the order that Grue had introduced his team as they stood around in the room. I could only sigh and cover my face once more with my hands. "Hollywood has lied to me. Again."

"Hey, Grue. I like this one," Regent said with a smile. "Can we keep her?"

"So, what now?" I frowned. "I mean, I'm not going to tell anyone else about your hide out. Because that'd be a dick move. But I had wanted to be a hero and and..."

"Yeah... that's going to be a problem, Rose," My eyebrow rose at Tattletale's reply. "See, there was a reason why we kind of had to run away after the PRT was called."

I nodded at her to continue.

"See, you kind of sided with us. And Hookwolf will say so to the PRT, and his minions as you called them are going to tell Empire Eighty Eight that the Undersiders just got a new scary member," Tattletale's voice was relentless.

I had to resist whimpering at this one. "But... I... this isn't fair. I just wanted to go out, stop some small crime... not..."

"That's true," She sighed at me. "Look, based on what I've seen. Just about everyone with common sense would want to snag you up. Why don't you join us?"

"What?" I had to blink at Tattletale. "But I'm suppose to be a hero."

"True, but doesn't it make narrative sense for an anti-hero to shine just as gloriously as a hero? If not more? A beacon of light in darkness," Tattletale smiled, the curl of her lips arcing just so that she gave the impression of a fox. I had to admit that her words made some sense, narratively. "And really, we're not villains or anything like that. What we are, are mercenaries."

"We have an unknown and mysterious employer," She wagged her finger as if noting down points for me. "We get paid well, with bonuses and such. More, we can refuse jobs offered to us. And it's not just that, we will end up in conflict with the criminals and assorted other gangs in the area."

"More than those points above, you wouldn't be restricted in how you do things. There would be no rules, no regulations, no paperwork," I had to nod, it did sound attractive. That and having a mysterious sponsor and boss, that screamed of a future plot hook, a Chekhov's gun as it were. One that I would be giving up if I didn't accept the offer. "All that would be required would be being successful. And success in this case means that people would pay attention."

As I nodded, I had the sensation that Tattletale was going to go for the kill. That sense of an ah ha! hung around her. If she was like me, she would totally be the detective in a mystery thriller who enjoyed revealing everything and spoiling everything for those who tried to hide their secrets.

There was also a sense of narrative weight as if I was suppose to like her, and accept what she said.

She smiled and leaned back into her sofa. "And really, no one says you can't be a villain that does a face heel turn at the appropriate time when the story calls for it, to become a hero that saves the day. Wouldn't that be a glorious surprise twist?"

I froze, the way that she was using story and narrative terms. "You're a thinker of some kind, aren't you?"

"Maybe. Maybe not. Who can say?" That lazy vulpine smile returned. "But seriously, you want in? You don't have to decide now. We can wait for you to do some thinking and research."

The slow nod I gave to Tattletale before I spoke up held the gravitas of deep thought. Her words were striking, designed to make me realize that I had no choice but to hew to her wishes. "I... I'll think about it."

With that I returned home, calling forth my wings as I walked out of the Undersider's lair. My, our sight telling us that there were no witnesses to observe as we took to the skies.

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Goblin Queen | Truth can lead to disillusionment

Worm / Exalted