The notebook is a mess of unconnected thoughts. There are notes on temperatures, measurements, sketches of...machines? 'Devices'? It's hard to tell what most of them are even with the rambling, barely legible notes crammed into every margin. Then there's the pages of teeth, limbs, and scratched-out eyes. 'The whispers', apparently...seems like this guy couldn't go more than a few lines without mentioning them in some way.
Nothing I knew about him before made me think he was particularly stable, but this…? This is nuts.
I've gone through it at least ten times in the past day and a half, and I still don't understand. There isn't enough here to reach any conclusions; there are hints, bits and pieces, but nothing here is complete.
Maybe I should have stayed. Searched the place, really searched it. Hell, I had others with me. Maybe we could have set a trap. Put ourselves in a position where we could actually catch the guy. Yeah, either that or he would have turned the tables on us. Done something weird, like...breaking the mirror and sending us all into the Void, or stabbing Clockblocker and using the blood to...do...something.
...I've been looking at this damn notebook for way too long, and I'm definitely not finding any magical 'solutions' to the problem that this guy presents. So I need to change tack. Work things from a different angle. Or figure out what sort of angle I can work. Or...something.
My stomach growls. I groan and hunch over my desk, eying the notebook irritably before shoving it aside. Maybe what I need is to go get some lunch. Thinking on an empty stomach isn't helping anything.
I grab one of the journals I'd been keeping, on the way out. Because why not make it a working lunch?
It doesn't take me very long to cobble together a meal with whatever leftovers are in the fridge. And the distraction is welcome, even if it makes me feel...I don't know. Like I'm stalling out. Like I've lost my momentum. It's a feeling that makes it harder than I'd like to actually pick up my pen and open up my journal.
The Psycho-Tinker is my main problem right now; everything else seems to be stemming from that, along with the general issues cropping up in the city these days. There isn't much I can do about most of that, and I really don't know what I can do about him. So I need to find something that works. I need...more information? It'd be nice, but I'm not sure how to get it, besides going back to dig for more clues. Probably not a good idea, given how quickly this guy has pulled up stakes the last few times I took something from him…
Shit. I've been stealing from the crazy-man. No wonder he's after me.
Nothing for that now. I really need to focus.
What do I know? That's a good place to start. Actually, that's a great place to start. Just work the problem out on paper instead of trying to juggle it all in my head. It's not like it's going to hurt.
Alright, so, starting simple. According to Gallant, and backed up by what I've seen, this guy is a Tinker. He can make things like my mask, and he was working on some kind of boots...no, that's probably not important. He's a Tinker. He can make things that boost powers...no. Not powers, in general. At least, not as far as I know. The Charms boost my powers. That, and the fact that he somehow made a mirror into some kind of...portal, something that let me, and others, to see the Void, means the Outsider is deeply involved in all of this.
The Void portal, the Charms, the Runes, the Shrine. My Mark, my powers...and his too? The Outsider has been an obvious influence. Did he go to this guy too? I got several powers from him, so who's to say this Tinker is only aTinker?
No, that's too much speculation. No way to confirm anything there. That still leaves the Outsider as a big factor. Unfortunately that's not something I can really explore; he doesn't seem like he's particularly easy to reach. He's only ever contacted me, and I wouldn't know where to start looking for him. Can't ask him what the story is, can't ask him why…
Ugh. I go back up to where I'd put 'The Outsider' on my List Of Things To Worry About, and put a nice big question mark next to it.
Next concern. My blood. The vial I'd stolen back was big, but barely half full. I have this sinking feeling that wasn't always the case. So while I'd disposed of what was left, that meant he'd used it for something. Between the potential bullshit Tinkertech and what he'd done with that Bone Charm he'd had, that wasn't a good thing at all. And related to that...he'd wanted to know why 'they worked for me'. Assuming he meant the Charms...they didn't work when he used them? That might be a mark against the Outsider being the source of his powers, if that's the reason they do work.
Why make them, though? It's obvious that they do have some kind of effect, but if he can't actually use them, then there's no reason for him to...keep trying. Right. Duh. He's trying to make them work. He can make them work, maybe, with my blood…
I'm thinking in circles again. I make a note of that, and I'll come back to it later.
What else…? The Void? Definitely something weird going on, there. I remember...looking into that mirror was frightening. The fact that it wasn't reflecting us wasn't so bad, that wasn't anything that you wouldn't see looking at a...recording of a room, or something. Even with the whole 'everything is broken and blue' thing it had going on.
But there had been a reflection. I knew that. I'm not sure how, but I...knew, and I knew that we had to look away. I'd been afraid, when Victoria had kept looking. That certainty, that fear….those aren't good things, obviously, but it didn't really occur to me until now. Why was I so afraid? Why am I so sure that it was reflecting something? I didn't see anything behind me…
I set down my pen, slowly, frown at my journal as I poke my food around my plate. I didn't see anything behind me. It's a nagging sort of thought. I didn't see anything behind me.
A shiver goes down my spine, and I glance over my shoulder without thinking. Nothing there. Of coursethere's nothing there...now I just feel stupid. This stuff, this stress, is obviously getting to me. Obviously.
Still, I make a note of it. 'Paranoia inducing mirror' might be something not to discount.
Looking at my little 'list' doesn't really stir any grand inspiration. No earth-shaking realizations, no puzzle-pieces falling together. Probably not surprising, given they don't even take up a whole page. It's a frustrating reminder of just how little I actually know. Too excited about having super-powers to bother wondering…
I've lost my appetite.
What's left of my lunch goes back in the fridge. My journal goes in my desk upstairs, along with the notebook and the pair of Runes that I still haven't done more than look at. Then I'm digging out my mask, and shrugging into my much-abused sweatshirt. All I need is a little change in scenery. Sometimes the best way to work something out is to just stop thinking about it for a little while.
Should be easy enough, right?
xxxxxxxxxx
Two hours later, I'm feeling significantly more productive. Tracking the fourth group of Empire 'soldiers' trying to sneak through the military checkpoints into the Docks, after leaving the first three neatly trussed up...it should probably concern me more that this is my new idea of entertainment. But hey, I'm doing some good, getting some practice in on my baton-skills, and I've gotten my mind off troublesome things. That's a win.
Still, probably best to take a break after this group. 'Quit while I'm ahead', and all. I haven't really had to exert myself yet, but I can't really afford to be caught off-guard because I decided to waste all my energy on mooks.
I keep ahead of them until they creep around a corner. A moment later, I'm walking just behind them, stepping carefully to avoid any of the trash scattered on the pavement.
"I'm telling you, they'll have it fenced off. No way they're gonna go through all the trouble setting up a checkpoint and then leave an open alleyway so any dumbass can get around it."
"That's why one of our guys is gonna open up the back door of this store for us. Have you even been pretending to listen to me?"
"Hey, you never said anything about having another guy ready to help. That's on you…"
"How about the both of you shut up and focus? Kaiser wants the Docks secured before tonight, so we need to fucking get to it. Personally, I don't care how we get in, as long as we do."
Now that's very interesting. Troubling, too. Kaiser's making a push on the Docks? Why now, with the National Guard and Bakuda still in play? I frown as I pull out my baton, weighing it thoughtfully as I consider what that could mean…
A shrill ringing breaks the near-silence, and the four in front of me jump, even as I freeze.
"God dammit, Mark, what'd I fucking tell you? Mute your goddamn phone!"
"Hey, it's not me! I didn't even bring my phone."
I fight the urge to bash my head into the nearest wall as my phone continues to ring, extending the baton with a sharp flick just as one of the guys actually bothers to turn around. Being the closest of the bunch, he drops first, a sharp strike to the side of his leg sending him to his knees with a cry of pain. My much more careful back-swing catches him across the side of his head, and he hits the ground.
"Oh, shit-" Mook #2 takes a solid hit on the outside of his hip, cursing again and falling on his ass as he tries and fails to avoid it. Down but not out.
The next guy is quicker on the draw, and wow this is the worst time for me to think about puns, because he's pointing a gun at me. I move-
-closer, off to the side, giving me enough time to draw back and aim a downward strike across his wrist. The gun drops, but I don't bother feeling too relieved, focusing instead on shoving him back against a nearby dumpster and-
-putting myself behind the fourth guy. He has a gun too, and if I'd given him another few seconds, he probably would have shot me. Or shot at me. Maybe he'd have missed, or it wouldn't have been fatal? Because if he'd actually been about to kill me, I would have known…
Shit. I swing my baton, wince as the impact only just deflects his wild swing. The sting against my palm, the pain in my wrist and ache in my fingers, reminds me that yes, I've done this a few times tonight, and yes, I should be paying attention to the fight.
Head and face aren't great, ribs are iffy, gun's in play. I aim for his shoulder, because I've really got to make sure he isn't going to shoot me...and then the idiot tries to duck, and the baton cracks against his jaw. Cracks, because that was definitely something breaking. His cry of pain is alarmingly slurred as he stumbles back...and the gun comes up again.
I step to the side, then forward, then down, force him to try and track me...the gun goes off, sharp, loud. My ears ring as I hit the inside of his elbow, the gun slipping from nerveless fingers even as I drive my shoulder into his chest. He falls, and immediately starts dragging himself backwards to press against the alley wall. Going to assume he's down…
#2 is back up, at his point. #3 is crouched down, going for his gun again. I consider them both, take a deep breath, and-
-appear behind #3 before he can stand. I grab the back of his shirt, plant my foot against the dumpster, and push us both forward as hard as I can. We overbalance, fall, and I shove away from him-
-before dropping a couple of feet to the ground, only just avoiding an embarrassing spill. The Empire mooks aren't quite so lucky; between his forward momentum and the height I gave us when I teleported, #3 hit his buddy in what was basically a flying tackle, sending them both to the pavement in a tangled heap. At least one of them is unconscious, though I'm not sure which.
That leaves...none of them, actually. Other than the guy with the rapidly swelling face...and the blood dribbling out of his mouth. Shit, okay.
My phone starts ringing again, but I ignore it for the moment, move to the first guy I'd hit. He seems...mostly aware, still, and relatively unhurt. His eyes widen as he sees me approach, and he tries to scramble away. It's...annoying.
"Hey." He curses, as I appear and crouch in front of him, the weighted end of my baton bumping up under his chin. "You have a phone?"
"The fuck…?"
I give the side of his face a tap, and he hisses, falling over as he tries to duck away. "Do you have. A phone?"
He grits his teeth, glaring up at me...nods.
"Great. So call an ambulance for your buddy over there. Pretty sure he broke his jaw."
His eyes dart over to the man in question, and I take it as an opportunity to hit the rooftops again. To breathe, and let the buzzing energy dissipate a bit…
My phone rings. I almost tear the pocket off my sweater trying to get it out to answer. "What?"
"Whoa, wow. Okay. Hello to you too, Miss Grump." I can almost feel her giving me a 'look'. "What's got you so worked up?"
I almost say 'You', before taking another breath and reminding myself that I'm the one that didn't silence her phone before sneaking up on armed criminals. Victoria's just calling me. It's not her fault her timing sucks. "The Empire."
"Hmph. I'll allow it." There's a soft whuff, a creak. "What're those assholes up to now?"
"Trying to get into the Docks." I gesture vaguely with my baton, despite the fact that she can't see me. "From what I heard, Kaiser's making some kind of move."
"Shit. It never ends, does it?" She heaves a sigh. "One group goes down, the rest of them just have room to grow."
"Yeah…" Wait. "What do you mean 'when one goes down'?"
"The ABB." A pause, another creak. "Wait, you haven't heard? Seriously?"
"Heard what?"
"Don't you watch the news? No, don't answer that. And actually, this is fine." More movement. "You should come over and let me tell you all about how the ABB isn't gonna be a problem anymore. Also, I have a surprise for you."
The ABB...not a problem? "That's...both interesting and ominous." I consider, sigh, and move to the edge of the roof. "I'll be there in a bit."
"Awesome. Bring your stuff. If you don't already have it, I mean."
"Why wouldn't I-?" And she hung up.
I put my phone away, take a few moments to collapse my baton, and take a moment to stretch out a bit of the stiffness already threatening to settle in. It looks like I'll be paying the Dallon household another visit.
xxxxxxxxxx
She's waiting at her window, so I don't bother with the door. But I've barely gotten into her room before she's shoving a bundle of fabric into my arms.
"Here. You know where the bathroom is, right?"
I do, but… "What?"
"Go change, then come back in here."
And now I'm in the hallway. I'm...not sure how? Did I teleport again? Did Victoria teleport me? Probably not. "...change?"
Apparently the fabric is...clothes? I try to get an idea of just what it is I'm holding as I make my way into the bathroom, absently locking the door behind me. A couple pieces are obviously for under whatever it is, but the gloves and weird socks are throwing me...off. Oh.
It's a body-suit. Like...for a costume.
"I guess it's done, then." Holy crap, okay...so, I need to change. I can do that.
It takes a little bit for me to strip down, then to figure out just how to best get into the thing. It's very...snug, and the zipper is apparently in the back, which makes very little sense to me. I manage though. And realize, when I do, that I needed to put on the socks and gloves first. So that's an adventure and a half...but then I've got it all on properly, and I can take a little time to...well, not really admire it, actually. It's...much more form-fitting than I probably would have chosen. Not to mention, well...completely blank? Just a flat, dark gray.
So it's probably not everything. Obviously.
I pull my mask back on, tug at the strange, high collar, and gathered up my clothes...I'll give the suit one thing. It's not nearly as restrictive as I might have imagined. I guess we did make a big deal about how I needed to be able to move in whatever I wound up getting, but it's still good to know someone actually paid attention.
It's an awkward sort of shuffle back to Victoria's room, and I wind up enhancing my vision just to make sure nobody is about to stumble across me.
Nobody does. I slip back into her room without any trouble, hovering awkwardly by the door as Victoria undoes the latches on a hard-shelled suitcase sitting on her bed. She turns a bright grin on me, then, turning the case around. "Just toss your stuff in the corner over there."
Right. I move to drop my things in what looks like a recently cleared space, turn again, and nearly jump out of my skin when I see Victoria hovering right in front of me. "Shit…"
She smirks, and then all I can see is yellow as she presses...something against my mask. Some things. Yellow…
"Are these post-it notes?"
"Would you prefer duct-tape?" A hand grips my shoulder, and I'm steered back toward the middle of the room. "No peeking."
"Are you serious right now?"
"Super serious. You should get to see the whole picture, the first time you put this thing on."
I fight the urge to fidget, wind up picking at the spot where the glove meet my sleeve. Whatever this stuff is, it's pretty elastic… "This is my costume, right?"
"Mmhm."
"Well how am I supposed to put it on if you're not going to let me see it?"
The silence is not reassuring in the least.
And I think it goes without saying that getting dressed with your eyes covered isn't easy. Dressing in multiple, interlocking layers is another added challenge. Having someone dead-set on helping you dress yourself...
Honestly, the whole thing is ridiculous. And awkward. But after about ten minutes of blind struggling we're not ever going to talk about, ever again...everything is strapped, secured, and settled comfortably, and Victoria is pulling a hood up over my head.
"Okay, I think that's everything." Hands settle on my shoulders, turn me around, and push me forward a few steps. "Now that's a costume."
I guess that's my cue, then. I take a deep breath, roll my shoulders just to feel everything shift. And then I reach up, pull off the post-its...and blink at the unfamiliar figure in the mirror.
My first thought is that wow, I actually look like a Cape. The mask had gone a long way in that, and the bodysuit had been...well, cape-like. But I'd been running around in street clothes for the better part of two months. This...it's not brightly colored spandex or Tinker armor, but it'd be hard to mistake it for 'normal'.
The coat is, of course, the first thing anyone's going to notice. Charcoal gray, it's something like an old military coat, I guess? Long enough that the hem brushes my knees, belted at my waist, open in the front with a wide flap folded out to my left and a row of silvery buttons up my right side and shoulder. The heavy, folded cuffs are strangely stiff, and as I turn my head to get a better look at the close-fitted hood, I realize there's definitely something strange about it. Other than the fact that it's tall enough to brush my jaw.
No, it's more than just the collar. It's the way the whole coat feels. Something about the way it...sits across my shoulders."It's armored?" That must be it. I remember her fussing with it until something had clicked. "Seriously?"
"Not much. Just enough to make taking a hit a little easier." Victoria peers over my shoulder. "You've got some stab-proofing, but you're still barely bullet resistant. And that's really only as far as your chest goes."
"Right." There had been a bit of shifting and strapping that was probably a vest...and, speaking of vests. "I don't remember putting all of this on." 'This' referring to the vest...the non-bullet-proof vest. Suit vest? It's dressy, black, all accented with silver and settled over a heavy, gray shirt. Not the kind of thing that you just slip on, unless… "It's all one piece."
Victoria's grinning, at this point. "Yup. All the fancy-shmancy without all the fuss. Makes the armor a lot less obvious, huh?"
I guess it does...I turn, tilt my head, and tug at the leather gloves that cover the bodysuit's set. It looks...appropriately dramatic. "Huh…"
"Oh, yeah, also." I try not to flinch as Victoria reaches around me to tug at the flap on the front of the coat. "Just pull this up like so…" I blink, and watch as she closes the coat up; the buttons aren't buttons. Probably magnets, actually. The outward facing side of the flap has its own 'buttons' (matte black, rather than silver), so magnets make sense...I tilt my head back as Victoria tugs at my collar, something inside it shifting until it's 'buttoned' up, too, without actually closing any further than it already had.
Not nearly as ornate, like this. Which is the point, maybe? Although…it kind of looks like…
"I look like a mad scientist."
"Hey, you picked the mask. Take it up with the designer if you have a problem." Victoria just keeps smirking at me. "There's a couple belts for your batons and whatever other gear you might wind up picking up, but...yeah, overall? What do you think?"
What do I think? "I think...that it's amazing." It isn't very 'heroic', maybe, but that's fine. Actions speak louder than appearances anyway. Right now...right now, I'm not sure what to think. Beyond 'wow'. "Guess we can thank the Undersiders for something."
"Oh, I can't wait to thank them personally."
Right. Best to steer away from that a bit. I turn, waver slightly in my unfamiliar footwear. I've never really worn anything like them, and obviously I'll need to adjust...but I guess as far as knee-high leather boots go, they're not so bad? A few more steps, a turn to walk back, and I decide I've got nothing to worry about.
"So." I push the hood back enough to pull my mask off, take a second to comb my hair back into some semblance of order. "Belts?"
"Right." She nods, lifting into the air for a moment as she scans the room. "I...just had them. Hold on."
I shrug, and leave her to the searching as I head over to the corner with the rest of my clothes to retrieve the Bone Charms I'd been wearing.
Victoria doesn't look very happy about that, when she finally finds what she was looking for. The silence sort of latches on, and I try to ignore it as I thread the Charms on the narrower of the two belts.
"I'm not saying anything, you know."
Well, not until now, anyway. "I noticed."
"Now hurry up and get acclimated." She turns, picking up a bundle of bright white from her bed before brushing past me on her way to the door. "We've got a party to get ready for."
I nod, absently, pulling my coat open again...those magnets are pretty strong. That could come in handy later…
…
"Party?"
She's gone. I try not to panic.
"Victoria? What party!?"