Day 2.4
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Composer
The conference room had grown silence since Miss Militia closed the door, leaving the two version of Taylor Hebert alone as the began to stare each other down. Well, as close to a stare down as someone could have with an expressionless mask. Something that irritates Taylor enough to have her grit her teeth and go offbeat with her pencil tapping.
How was she supposed to believe that the girl across from her was actually another Taylor Hebert? That she was truly in another reality. Just because the other girl had, very rudely, name dropped her mother's initials? And how easily she seemed to go with the PRT's explanation was just too Un-Taylor like for her to possibly accept. Or, maybe, it was just un-Composer like…
Everything about them just seemed too different for Taylor to even begin to believe that they could possibly be the same person. Even the way she sat there somehow irked her. Outside of Shadow Stalker that shouldn't have even been possible!
When her frustration finally boiled over she slammed her pencil to the table and demanded answers, "How did you know her name." It was not a question; it didn't even sound remotely like a question. It was an order given through clenched teeth.
One that Banshee, the supposed other Taylor, easily shrugged off and answered, "Because she was my mother too."
Rage swept through her, "Don't give me that! You expect me to believe this, this, charade!? That's we're the same person? That this is an alternate reality with its own version of me? I don't know about you but I paid attention in school, it's not possible, everyone knows it's not possible!"
Letting out a sigh the armored girl leaned back into her chair and motioned towards Taylor, "Fine, if you don't believe me then ask me something, anything. If I can't answer something then you'll know I'm a fake, right?"
Driving her pencil eraser into the table Taylor glared at the calm girl, "Fine! First question…."
Even as the questions spilled from her mouth the supposed other answered each one, nearly as soon as the third word was out her mouth. It was more than a little disconcerting, it almost made her believe she was talked to a disguised Tattletale.
Not yet convinced Taylor stated to irritably tap away with her pencil once again until a final request came to her mind. One the could dissuade most of her doubts, or at least her more likely to believe what was being presented to her.
Dramatically, mostly to vent off some of her emotions, she stood up from her chair and pointed her pencil in the girl's face. "If you're really me then show me your face!"
She knew it was a silly demand, childish even, especially considering all the Changers or Strangers in the world who could make themselves look like her. Or the Thinker who could figure out all those little details about her to answer the question…. But…. but… Something in her gut was telling that maybe it was all true. That the evidence in front of her maybe right, maybe.
With her declaration made she stood there, still pointing dramatically, at her silent companion. A companion who went still stiff at her demand, almost appearing to be shifting nervously in her seat.
"I'm not sure if that's a good idea…."
Tsking Taylor leaned forward with a scowl clear on her face, "And why not?"
Her following response did make some sense, "Besides that cameras in the room? I'm a Changer…. I don't exactly have any clothes to wear if I turn back."
"You don't have clothes?" Taylor's voice trailed as she let those words sink in, her face redding rapidly as they finally did. Even if it was a body she was familiar with, supposedly, she wasn't all that comfortable with the idea of seeing another girl naked in front of her.
On the other side of the table, Banshee just sighed, "I need to eat anyway. I'm going to ask the PRT agents for some clothes and a mask. Maybe see about some food too." Rising from her seat Banshee knocked on the door and gained the PRT officer's attention. With a few quick words, the officer nodded his head and left the room. "They said they'd be back in a few minutes."
Upon hearing those words Taylor slumped into her chair with an "Ah" not sure how to feel about the other girl's sudden cooperation. Or how easily she seemed to be going with the idea.
Composing herself, no pun intended, Taylor waited patiently with Banshee in another one-sided staring contest. It only lasted for a few moments but the growing discomfort and the remains of her frazzled emotions had her shifting awkwardly in her chair. It was almost a blessing when the PRT agents returned with a bundle of clothes and a few wrapped sandwiches, dropping them on the table quickly and leaving just as soon.
Once the men were gone Banshee picked up the bundle of clothes and hesitantly motioned for Taylor to come closer. "Can you, can you cover me?"
Modesty was apparently a thing for the other girl, not that Taylor could exactly blame her for that. So she stood up and did her best to cover the other girl's form from the cameras' sights, he back turned and her arms held wide. As Banshee began her change curiosity started to gnaw away at Taylor, especially when the sounds of the transformation reached her ears. She held up for all of thirty seconds before her curiosity broke her and she peeked over her shoulder, she really wished she hadn't.
Puke started to rise up her throat as she saw Banshee's features twist away, white metal and gray leather like material sinking away for pale pink flesh in a gruesome display that wouldn't be out of place in one of Stephen King's nightmares. The worst part was that she could not turn away from it, her mind just soaking in every detail as the minutes dragged on.
One thing Taylor was sure was that her next sketch was going to one of her most nightmarish yet.
She knew it was probably rude, definitely rude, to stare but she couldn't help it. She was too enraptured by the horrific process of watching Banshee's futuristic armor twist and melt away to reveal all too familiar features. A wide mouth, waves of curly brown hair, a nose that looked so much like her mother's.
Everything just formed together to build an all too familiar, all too naked, girl kneeling in front of her. It was like looking into a mirror, if the mirror made you look a whole lot more fit than you actually were. The sight was a bit disorienting.
Rolling her shoulders from the apparent discomfort Taylor Hebert asked, "Do you believe me now?"
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Marceau
It was still odd going to the Undersider lair and feeling like an invader. It had been her second home in her reality, her safe place when her family home felt too stifling and where she could go to be among friends. It had been a warm inviting place, now it left her feeling dirty.
"Marceau? Are you okay?" The Techno Queen asked as she walked up behind her. They had to dump the truck a few blocks away and stash the not so subtle parts of their costumes into discarded shopping bags found in the old truck. It made them look less obvious but it also made the two girls look like twins. It was surreal to be talking to someone who was basically a living reflection of her, she supposed it must have been how Amy felt with Amelia.
She wondered if the other Taylors felt the same.
"Only a little," She eventually responded, being truthful about how she felt. "I'm still feeling outside my depth right now."
"Reeeally know how you feel, but at least things are interesting, right?" She gave Taylor a smile topped with hopeful, almost puppy like, eyes.
Recovering a bit Taylor smiled back, "I guess so." She still let out a small sigh as the two of them followed Grue up the stairs. The Techno Queen was right that despite all the strangeness of the last two days things were still interesting, if not a little disturbing.
"You ready to meet another us?"
It was almost astonishing to see how hyper the other version of herself was, making her wonder just how different their lives really were. "Oh, I'm more than ready. What do you think they're like? I hope she's another Tinker."
Tinkers, while bullshit, were always useful. And having another one in their growing ranks would be a godsend in getting home. Then again the other Taylor had spent a good part of the morning blowing up a street, which wasn't the greatest of signs.
Taylor's ears perked as they reached the top of the steps, hearing voices raised in what sounded like a very intense argument. She wasn't only who was overhearing the argument either, nor was she was she the only one to react. In the corner of her eye, she could see the Techno Queen digging through her bag for her ray gun while in front of her Grue was tensing as if ready for a fight.
Opening the door, with barely any signs of hesitation or caution Grue stepped into the Undersider's flat and the argument could finally be clearly heard. Familiar and identical voices were trying to talk over each other as they bickered back and forth.
"-out what you're suggesting! You want us to break into one of the most secure places in the state and for what? Some girl who doesn't even know you? Who might not even be anything like the one you know?"
Keeping close together the three of them enter the den and were greeted by the sight of Skitter yelling at a Taylor in a red hoody, who seemed just as ready to scream her lungs out. "She's still my friend! And she could be your friend too! You just need to get to know her!"
Sneaking a glance at the rest of the room Taylor saw Starfield near shrinking into her seat while Regent looked on with an amused smirk across his face. Tattletale meanwhile was rubbing her temple with one hand and pressing a water bottle to her forehead with the other. Bitch was nowhere to be seen, probably out walking her dogs to get away from all the noise.
Once could not blame her. Taylor herself was half tempted to just turn around and walk away from what seemed to be a headache waiting to happen. Not that she had much of a choice in the matter as Regent wave at them and, very loudly, asked them to bring him a bowl of popcorn.
Looking at the new Taylor for the first time had sent her reeling. She looked like the villain from that Earth Aleph comic, Batman maybe, who had half his face burned off. It was more than a little disturbing to see on a copy of one's own face. It was enough to make Taylor flinch back but Techno Queen was not as reserved in her reaction.
Open mouthed she stuttered and pointed, "W, wh, what the hell happened to you face!?"
"Not this again!" The Taylor complained as she slumped back in an over exaggerated manner, "Accident happened, scars are cool, I'm better now… Hi, I'm Taylor! But you knew that already, obviously. You can call me Shy Girl though!"
"Good to meet you, I'm Marceau," Taylor said near automatically when confronted by the suddenly friendly girl. She seemed almost bipolar from the way her mood swung from anger to exasperation to excited in the span of a few seconds. She also didn't seem to have an idea of personal space as she swooped both Taylor and the Techno Queen into a big old hug.
The tight embrace did not stop the Techno Queen from giving her usual introduction, "And, umph, I am the Diabolical TECHNO QUEEN! It is good to meet you Shy Girl! … Could you put us down now?"
"Oh! Sure!"
Gently placed back on the ground the two Taylors took in a few lungfuls of air as they recovered from one of the tightest bear hugs of their lives. While they were recovering Grue went over to Skitter, to either check on her or to get an update on things.
"Everything alright?" He asked, his free hand clasping her shoulder.
"Things are a headache." The bug themed girl replied, rubbing her temples in a similar fashion to Tattletale. A moment later she glared at Shy Girl and nearly yelled out her next line, "She wants us to break Canary out jail."
Taylor blinked at that, vaguely recalling the name from her own world. She didn't really follow the case but she knew some of the minor details of the pop star turned convict. Like that she had a Master power and that she had someone mutilate themselves. She also knew people who claimed that it had been an accident.
"Hey, I'm just trying to help a friend out!" Shy Girl should from across the room, and close enough to make Taylor thankful for her silence field.
"It's helping out a stranger your don't even know! You've already kidnapped Squealer and tossed her in our bathroom because she's apparently your 'friend' back in your world. But this is my world, my home, I have to live here after all this is done!"
Squealer was in the bathroom?
Off to the side Grue vocalized the same thing, "Why is a Merchant in our bathroom?" His voice sounding anything but friendly with its deep and flat tone.
"Uh, because she's my friend? Duh. Just because they aren't the exact same people doesn't mean I don't want to help them. They deserve just as much help as I gave my versions. I mean, I'm sure the other Taylors have people they want to help too."
Taylor did her best not to think about Amy at the girl's words but her mind just drifted there, much like it had been over the last few days.
Brian didn't seem to care, "It doesn't matter. We have enough heat on us as it is and this Squealer thing is just going to have the Merchants after us too. Worse, you brought her here so we can't even toss her out without someone coming after us.
Upturning her nose Shy Girl 'hmph'ed at the Undersider, "I'm not sorry." That response didn't go over well with the teen or Skitter.
Taylor decided to be a middle man and calmed down the situation, again.
"Let's all calm down for a bit okay?" Her quiet voice interjected, doing its best to cut through the coming verbal storm. "While it's a nice idea to help people here Shy Girl we really should be trying to get us all home first, don't you think?"
"It's not going to be THAT hard." Shy Girl said with a shrug and a wave. "My Guys are already on their way from my world and I'm sure they can help you guys get home too."
Fleeting and bare traces of hope mixed in Taylor's chest, as well as a good amount disbelief, as Shy Girl's words rung in her ears. She had people from her world already working to get her back? And they could bring them all back to their own worlds too? It was almost too good to be true.
Everyone seemed to feel the same way too or at least felt the same amount of disbelief she had. As evident by Starfield's hesitant question of, "You can get us home?"
"I don't see why not… give me a sec." Shy Girl closed her eyes, her face inquisitive for a moment before clearing away for a bright smile. "They said it would take a bit but it shouldn't be a problem. There are apparently 'streams' or something leading to this world, so if they follow them backwards they can bring you back!"
Starfield's smile was almost as wide as Shy Girl's but not all were convinced.
Crossing her arms Skitter glared suspiciously at the other girl, "And how did you know that?"
"Obviously, it was my power." Shy Girl said in a tone that screamed 'duh', "You have your bugs and I have my Guys. It's as simple as that. Now can we get back to helping Paige, pretty please?"
Moaning into her hands Tattletale spoke up for the first time, "Just do it. She's going to do it either way, with or without our help and shit is still going to come down on us because, well, she's Skitter. Better we do it now so we can at least control the damage instead of dealing with the mess when her 'Guys' get here. Besides it could be a good boost to our rep." The last part was thrown towards Grue like some sort of consolation prize. Once that that he was obviously considering.
"Paige is my friend and minion in my reality too so I vote we help her." Techno Queen said, sounding a bit more somber than usual. Shy Girl gave her a wide and bright smile that stretched the burned parts of her face too much for comfort.
Looking at the group and the indecision that was brewing in the room Taylor decided to say that had been constantly on her mind. "Amy," She said, gaining the rooms attention. "If we're going to be helping this world's versions of people we need to help Amy Dallon."
"I, no, you're kidding me!" Tattletale exclaimed, her voice nearly squealing with scandalized delight before she had to slump back into her seat from sudden head pain. "Ouch, but worth it. Oh, so worth it… I vote we at least help Amy."
Cheeks flushed Taylor tried not to meet Tattletale's, she remembered all the teasing her version of Lisa put her through after finding out about Taylor's oblivious was at least reprieved from some attention when both Shy Girl and Techno Queen put their votes their votes in to help "Pan-Pan/Dark Lady Plagg". And even Skitter seemed to be, reluctantly, behind the idea of helping the healer.
Alec raised his hand as well, "I have no idea what's going on but this, THIS, is pretty damn entertaining. I vote that you guys go for it."
Taylor couldn't help but notice how Alec didn't include himself in his vote. It became very apparent that all Alecs were jerks no matter the reality.
Eventually, Grue, the last man standing against the idea, sighed and said, "Fine, but we're playing this smart. Meaning we need Tattletale rested to gather info and call the boss, see if we can't get anything out of him for this. He owes us for all the heat he's brought on us for trying to steal that Tinker tech for him… Is there anyone else you guys want to add to your little list? I'd prefer to hear it now instead of later."
Delayed by a heavy dose of hesitation, most probably caused by irritation with her own world's Grue, Taylor eventually added a name. "Purity." Tattletale barely had time to contain her giggles before that headache kicked in again.