Tea kettle full, check. Snacks prepared, check. Taylor had decided to try her hand at actual hors d'oeuvres, and had a serving tray of deviled eggs and tiny, fancy sandwiches. Which were not really sandwiches, some of them. More parts of sandwiches, brought together in culinary brotherhood by a toothpick. Sunny had been making longing glances at her rice steamer earlier, but Taylor had been firm. Just enough fanciness to hopefully remind Battery and Purity of courtesy, but also not Asian in origin to put Purity on edge. Or Battery, actually— ABB territory and all.
Whether or not Sunny approved of her choice initially, the wolf was more than happy to taste-test (and purloin) her efforts. So that was a green light on that.
Taylor gave the tea-setting one more check, then glanced at her wrist. Then she went into the office to check the clock, because she was in her new winter skirts and wasn't wearing a watch. Cardigans weren't exactly traditional wear, but she wasn't exactly certified as a shrine attendant anyway. And it was cold out. Practicality trumped fashion in most cases.
"4:30, they'll be here soon. And it's already getting dark out! This is why I hate winter," Taylor grumped. Sunny, lying near the space heater, thumped her tail in agreement. "We should get some outdoor lights, huh? You ever see those… round lantern things, the paper ones? Think there's a sturdier version we could get?"
Musings on exterior decoration had to be put aside for the moment, as a flickering light outside heralded Purity's arrival. Taylor opened the door and waved to the glowing woman, ushering her inside. "Hello, Purity. You're early."
"I am, yes. Wanted to make sure there wasn't a Birdcage transport lined up." Taylor huffed, and Purity put up her hands. "Sorry, no offense. I know you wouldn't set anything like that up. Oh, and I wanted to hand this off to you, before I forget." She set a stuffed manila on the desk, which Taylor picked up and gave a once-over. It looked like the real estate research the Empire cape had promised, complete with typed notes explaining some of the finer points. Excellent. Taylor offered a thanks and put the folder in a nearby filing cabinet, to be perused at length later.
"You're welcome, Taylor. Let me know if you have any questions, of course, and I'll be happy to—" Purity cut off as the faint sound of a car door slamming shut outside reached them. Taylor moved around her pull aside the curtains on the window and glance out.
"Oh, there's Battery! And… Assault. Hm." Beside her, the corona of Purity's power brightened a bit. "Don't worry, I'll greet them and we'll figure something out, okay? Okay." Taylor didn't wait for a reply, instead straightening her shoulders and walking out of the office to meet her new guests halfway.
"Good afternoon, Battery, Assault. I'm glad you could make it." Taylor stopped in the middle of the path, and smiled at the Protectorate heroes. "We're in the office where it's warmer. Please, come in."
"Sure thing, Brushstroke," Assault's voice was a bit more tense than she remembered it. Well, even he had to have limits on playfulness, she supposed. And he would probably be more laid-back if he had more backup, so that was a point in Battery's favor for not bringing a full team, she hoped. Taylor led the pair back to the shrine's office, where Purity's nerves were already getting the best of her.
"It's great that you showed up, but I'd really like to speak to Battery alone, if possible." The glowing woman crossed her arms over her chest.
"You cannot expect to be trusted, Purity," Battery shook her head, and said, "You're one of the most dangerous villains on the East Coast. The Protectorate is not sending anyone to be alone with you."
Well this was off to a fine start. Taylor held up her hands and interrupted, deciding that defusing the situation was a bit more important than a little rudeness. "If I may— the office is private enough to muffle conversation, but it's certainly not soundproof against a call for help. And Purity is very obvious about using her powers, anyway. I could sit outside with Assault while you two have your talk. Would that be an agreeable compromise?"
There was a tense moment as both sides considered this, and to Taylor's surprise it was Purity who broke it first. "Yes— that would be fine. Thank you, Taylor."
Battery frowned, but nodded, and after a look voiced an agreement. Taylor put her Good Hostess smile back on, and quickly pulled a couple of chairs into place near the snacks and a fresh teapot. "Excellent. Please, help yourselves, honored guests. Assault and I will be outside— Sunny, you too." The wolf nodded and stood, then shook out her coat and padded out the door. Assault gave both Battery and Purity a stern look, then followed. Taylor paused long enough to grab a spare kettle and tea set. Being able to serve only one pot of tea at a time was simply not enough.
Taylor led Assault towards the bamboo gazebo, but the hero put his foot down and shook his head before they got too far from the office. "Nu-uh. Not leaving Battery alone, Brushstroke. We stay on this side of the path."
Taylor paused, then turned back and nodded. "Sunny, would you grab a mat, please?" The wolf barked once in salute, then darted off towards the tea pavilion and, with a quick bite, started dragging a tatami mat out of the gazebo and over to where Assault waited. As soon as it was in place, Taylor set down the tea set, set out cups and a bowl for Sunny, and settled down on her knees at the end of the mat. "There, that should be agreeable, I hope? Then please, sit down."
Masks make it a little hard to judge expressions, but to her, Assault looked a little bit baffled as he settled on the mat. "This whole place is a little bit Through the Looking Glass, isn't it?"
"I'm not sure what you mean," Taylor said, as she poured the hero and Sunny some tea. "How do you take yours, Mr. Assault?" She added two sugar cubes to Sunny's, just as the wolf liked it.
"Plain is fine."
"As you wish." 'Through the Looking Glass,' huh? Well, it was as good a segue as any. And probably the best opportunity she would get. Taylor sipped at her tea, then looked over at her guest. "Though, I was hoping to ask you something, if you don't mind."
"Yeah?"
"I'm not sure how to put this, but... well, you're out and about as one of the Protectorate. Have you by chance seen anything… odd, lately?" Oh, stupid masks. Now what was that stare supposed to mean?
* * *
Welcome to the Parahumans Online Message Boards
You are currently logged in, Brandish (Verified Cape) (New Wave)
You are viewing: Threads you have replied to AND Threads that have new replies OR private message conversations with new replies Thread OP is displayed Fifteen posts per page Last ten messages in private message history Threads and private messages are ordered by user custom preference.
■ Topic: Introducing New Wave's newest member!
In: Boards ► Places ► America ► Brockton Bay
Glory Girl (Original Poster) (Verified Cape) (New Wave)
Posted on November 10, 2010:
All hail His Grace, Chekov of the House of Dallon, First of His Name, King of the Andals and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm.
Long may he reign.
(Showing Page 2 of 3)
► SuzieQ
Replied on November 11, 2010:
OMG
► Chuggawunga
Replied on November 11, 2010:
This. This right here? This is the best.
Come to think of it, do we have a Cape Pet Thread? If not...
► SuzieQ
Replied on November 11, 2010:
We do not. Let's fix that.
► IBelieveInHarveyDent (Cape Groupie)
Replied on November 11, 2010:
There's lot of pictures in the "Brushstroke & Good Dog" thread, but of course that's all dog, all the time. Not that it's a bad thing, but y'know, KITTIES
► Kid Win (Verified Cape) (Wards ENE)
Replied on November 11, 2010:
Oh man I am already jealous. That is a handsome cat right there.
I don't have any pets but I wish I did.
► EWilliams (PRT Office)
Replied on November 11, 2010:
I'll be sure to write a memo to update our records. Not an expert, but I'm guessing Chekov is a Master 3, Adorable 6?
► Glory Girl (Original Poster) (Verified Cape) (New Wave)
Replied on November 11, 2010:
Closer to Adorable 8. I present Exhibit A, the ongoing photo album compiled by loyal vassal and Royal Photographer, Ames. [LINK]
► Clockblocker (Verified Cape) (Wards ENE)
Replied on November 11, 2010:
Cape pet thread, eh?
I don't have any now, but I used to own a peach-faced lovebird. Cuddliest thing I ever met. I'll see if I can find some pics and scan them in later.
Edit: Panacea's into phtotography? learn something new every day
► LethalMayhem
Replied on November 11, 2010:
Well, you didn't hear it from me, but my sources say Armsmaster's had his eye on maybe getting a dog. Something like this maybe. [LINK]
(User was infracted for this post)
You know what you did. -Tin_Mother
► RainofDays (Cape Groupie)
Replied on November 11, 2010:
Is that a samoyed? IT'S SO FLUFFY I'M GOING TO DIE
► Myrddin (Verified Cape)
Replied on November 11, 2010:
So cute! Where'd you get him?
► Glory Girl (Original Poster) (Verified Cape) (New Wave) Well. Carol Dallon calmly logged off of her computer, moved out of her home office and upstairs with smooth, tranquil movements, and knocked on her daughter's door to demand some answers with the utmost of serenity. "Victoria." "Oh, just a sec—" she called out, and a moment later the doorknob turned. Victoria's bright smile paled a bit in the face of her mother's anger. "Yeah mom?" "Victoria, I want you to explain something to me, please." "Sure, what's up?" "I was just on PHO, and I see you've posted a new thread," she began, "to introduce the newest member of our family. And I also see that you have not been forthcoming about it." "I'm not sure what you mean?" "Yes, you do. Brushstroke, Victoria?" "Well— yeah. I mean, I thought you knew. The hair and the bike are pretty distinctive, and…" Carol narrowed her eyes a little. Victoria saw and took a deep breath. "And I stopped by the Shrine to check it out a while back, and she confirmed it. She's the kitten peddler." "And you didn't think to tell me?" "What's it matter? She's an open cape, mom, like us!" "She has a Master Rating, that's why it matters!" Was she playing dumb? Master capes were a serious matter, and Brushstroke had been here, at their home. It didn't matter if she was an open cape or a peaceful one, that didn't make her a hero. "We have no idea if she did anything, and then you met with her, alone? Without telling anyone? And then you advertise it to the world on the internet?!" "Mom, calm down, it's not—" "Do not tell me it isn't a big deal, Victoria. Answer me, why did you do this? Why didn't you even mention it?" Her daughter was a social butterfly, to be sure, but she had to know better than to go behind her back when it involved capes, and— "Because— because I didn't want you to hurt Chekov, okay?!" Cold shock doused Carol's anger and prickled along her scalp. "What?" She felt Victoria's aura flare and pulse erratically as she gestured, upset clear upon her face and— and was she starting to cry? "I was worried if you thought— if you thought it was some kind of ploy, giving us Chekov, that you'd— give him to a shelter, or something! But everyone loves him! So I thought if— if I posted about him, and made it public, you couldn't just shove him aside." Victoria swiped at her eyes, and smeared her mascara along her cheek. She didn't seem to notice. "I just— he makes everyone so happy, I didn't want to risk anything." "Victoria, you… you thought I'd get rid of Chekov?" How could she? And how could Victoria think such a horrible thing? "I don't know! I don't know, so I wanted to make sure!" Carol Dallon calmly watched her daughter close the door, shutting her out. She moved back downstairs and back to her office with slow, tranquil steps. She sat down at her chair and stared at the blank screen in a numb mockery of serenity. That was… that was crazy. This was the sort of outburst she'd expect from Amy, not Victoria. Amy was much more prone to drama and teen angst than Victoria. It didn't make sense. What would even make her think that getting rid of Chekov was even an option? Carol knew she wasn't the warmest mother, perhaps. But she wasn't a tyrant. She had New Wave to run, and a law office to run, and a family to run. She had to keep them all afloat, keep them all safe. God knew Mark wasn't in the headspace for it, so the lion's share of stress fell to Carol. Of course she was a bit terse sometimes. But— Victoria thinking that she had to manipulate her, to keep the family pet? That was uncalled-for. As if summoned by her thoughts, the slinky form of Chekov jumped up onto her desk with a mew of greeting. He was starting to look like a cat, now, and not a ball of fluff with eyes. The half-grown kitten batted a paw at her keyboard for a moment, then simply flopped onto the keys and rolled over, as though to tell her there were far more important matters for her to be concerned with, such as scratching his belly. Carol obliged, her thoughts far away. Carol Dallon had a nightmare, that night. And while troubled sleep was not so unusual in and of itself, this was not a recurring dream she'd gotten to know. She was standing in the hallway of her home, the main thoroughfare between the rooms of the first floor. She recognized the pictures on the walls, though they were shapeless blurs of color when she turned her head. It was dark, all the lights missing, but she could hear voices from elsewhere in the house, and she followed the sound readily enough. The voices led her to the family room, where Victoria and Amy and even Mark were huddled on the carpet around a box full of plastic pieces. Some board game, pulled from a closet. The game held no interest for her, but the room was lit and occupied, so she stepped forward to join them. She tripped on a brick. Carol caught her balance, and shoved at the offending masonry with her foot. It clacked against another brick— the floor was littered with them, the connecting doorway stretched into a hall of its own to accommodate them. She stepped around them, but there were more, and when she looked up the door was full of them. All sorts of bricks—glass blocks, and clay, and cinderblocks—all piled up atop one another. The doorway was a wall, built up between her and her family, and she was on the wrong side of it. Carol woke up, safe in bed with Mark snoring next to her, and with the furry heat of Chekov curled near her neck. She grabbed the cat and he woke with a chrrrr, then yawned and stretched and twisted himself over like cats do. The kitten snorted at her chin, then sniffed at her cheek and found salt. Carol felt her breath shudder when she took it, and more heat escaped her eyelids. Chekov started licking at her nose and face, and though his rough tongue hurt, it left her clean.
Replied on November 11, 2010:
Brushstroke stopped by a while back, actually! Didn't know it was her at the time, but she'd found a bunch of itty bitty kitties and was trying to find homes for them.
End of Page. 1, 2, 3
You have logged out of Parahumans Online.