Lord Dominator stared at the gap in her teeth before closing her mouth into a frown. After figuring out how to use the digital mirror, she decided to inspect herself while drying off. It wasn't a pretty sight. She was missing a tooth and some of her hair had been torn out as a result of Lord Hater blowing up The World Eater. This was on top of the multiple bruises and fresh surgical scars that riddled her body. At least she was clean.
"Hey, V," Miss Tee called out. Or at least that's what Dominator thought her name was.
The woman had already redressed in her sweater and pants. On the doctor's bed, she had laid out fresh clothes. All of them seemed to be for Dominator, which bewildered the green woman. Lord Dominator shrugged off the thought, not wanting to waste Miss Tee's generosity while she could still use it.
With Miss Tee's help, Dominator got dressed. Bra and panties that fit disturbingly well, a grey t-shirt with a big, yellow X on the front, dark blue pants, and red sneakers. Despite how snug the pants were, Dominator was still able to move easily. She did wish she could have a black dress like her old one, but pants were probably better when on the move. The last piece was a navy blue, zip-up hoodie which Dominator left open.
Through the process, Miss Tee didn't seem all that scared of Dominator. After her stunt in the shower, the green woman thought her assistant would be slow and hesitant. Instead, she was efficient and smiled the whole time. There was a small tinge of fear in Miss Tee's eyes, but it was laced with something else.
Dominator's first thought was that the woman felt some kind of sympathy for her, but again shrugged it off. Lord Dominator didn't need anyone's pity. The only reason she was still hanging around was because of her injuries. As soon as she was fully healed, she was bailing on these losers.
Dominator took one last peek in the mirror before leaving with Miss Tee. She almost couldn't believe how normal she looked without makeup and armor. Gone was the intergalactic menace that committed planetary genocide purely for laughs. For the foreseeable future, she was V the common street thug.
The drugs the doctor gave her had worn off, allowing Dominator to walk around without help. She was still slow, as she would be for a while. She was just thankful to have her full wits again. Without the threat of bleeding out, Dominator could fully take in her surroundings.
The first thing she noticed was how dark the doctor's office was. It was clean, as the smell of sanitizer was ever present in the room. However, the only well-lit area was the surgical chair in the middle. Everything else was bathed in a dim blue from the sparse lighting fixtures.
It was also quite a large area, mostly open. Off in the corner was a row of lockers and a dumbbell set. She watched Jackie using the weights when she was still half out of it, but it was weird seeing them in a medical area. There was also a punching bag, so maybe the doctor was into competitive fighting?
The three locals were having a conversation that she paid no mind to, until her name was called.
"V," Jackie said, gaining her attention. "Did you…?" He held up one of her scavenged food items and pointed to her. Dominator wasn't sure what he was referring to and just raised an eyebrow.
"Food," he pointed to the package. "V," he pointed to her before making an eating gesture, "munch, munch."
Dominator wore a skeptical grin and she slowly nodded. Yes, she ate the food. Why wouldn't she? She was stranded in the desert on an unknown planet. Her confusion only grew when the doctor (Rikter or something?) let out a hearty chuckle.
"V. Look." Jackie pointed to a line of symbols on the back of the package. They were printed in black and stood out against the package's bright, neon coloring. Then he pulled out his pocket device and held it up. It displayed a similar string of symbols. Problem was that Dominator didn't have the slightest clue what the symbols represented. After receiving a very confused frown from her, Jackie explained further.
"Food. Munch, munch," he repeated the gestures before following up with a, "BLEH!" Jackie imitated a dry heaving sound while also gesturing away from his mouth. Dominator squinted at him before her eyes widened to resemble pink tea saucers.
Somehow the food had made her sick. Dominator wasn't clear on how it happened, but the food she ate before the bandit fight made her vomit. She blushed a little at the revelation, but it went away when Jackie lightly punched her arm with a reassuring grin. The two gathered her things, placing fresh clothes in one bag and bloody clothes in another, and were on their way.
The second thing Dominator noticed was how incredibly disgusting the city was. The instant Jackie opened the door; she was hit by the rancid stench of smog and rotting garbage. The smell was only made worse by the contrasting sanitation of the doctor's office. Dominator felt like she was stepping out of a shower and directly into a Fallian swamp pit.
The walk to Jackie's car only made her lower her opinions more. It was too far to hold her breath, so Dominator did her best to breathe through her mouth. It didn't help. She just ended up tasting the pollution instead.
The city streets were just as sore on her eyes as they were on her nose. Everywhere you looked, litter was scattered across the ground. The uncaring people were just as disturbing. Off in a side alley was a man covered in grime and sleeping on a dirty mattress. Directly across the street from him was a pink lit building with scantily clad people dancing in the windows. Dominator assumed it was a strip club or brothel. Either way, she hated it.
As Jackie drove through the streets, Dominator was starting to wish she had landed near a different city. Advertisements were plastered on nearly every visible surface. On the buildings, on the bridge, on every single street corner. And most of them were extremely obscene.
One of the things that gave Dominator an advantage as a villain was her good looks. Lots of villains were evil geniuses with robot armies. She was smarter than all of them and hot to boot. Her sexuality gave her an extra layer of power. Dominator could use her feminine charms to lure the dumber villains into a false sense of security, removing obstacles with a fraction of the effort needed to brute force her way through. But when sex was for sale, that advantage went out the window. And in this city, it looked like everyone was buying.
The third thing she noticed was how unusually friendly people in the city could be. Or at least people from Jackie's part of the city. For one thing, Jackie was probably the nicest person Dominator had ever met, with the exception of Wander and Sylvia of course. In the couple hours that she had known him, Jackie had saved her life, taken her to a doctor, and now was giving her a place to stay. And he never stopped smiling, even after she punched him in the jaw. Jackie was Wander without the banjo and idiotic pacifism.
His neighbors were also unexpectedly kind, if a bit overly curious. As Dominator and Jackie approached his home, a group stopped them, hugging and shaking hands with the man. It wasn't long before Jackie pointed her out and tried to introduce them. She didn't bother remembering their names, or smiling for that matter. She didn't even want to shake their hands, but relented and hoped that Jackie was a good liar.
The group all smiled at her, as if trying to make her a part of their little group. Dominator just focused on not clobbering the one woman that wiggled her eyebrows at her. Instead, she tried to examine the implants these people had. All of them had something replaced, whether it was robot eyes, limbs, skin, or all of the above. And none of it seemed to serve any practical purpose beyond what a normal body was capable of. The implants were colored bright gold, red, and pearl, making it all resemble robotic jewelry more than anything actually useful like the bandits had.
Eventually, Jackie was able to shoo the posse away and lead Dominator inside his home.
"V," Jackie said. "Mama Welles," he introduced an older woman. "Mama, this is V."
Mama Welles was quick to welcome Dominator into her home. She shook the green woman's hand with both of her own before pulling Dominator into a quick, surprise hug. Dominator's annoyance at this turned to awkwardness when Mama Welles pulled back to get a good look at her. The old woman seemed to be stuck between happy amazement and terrified bewilderment. Thankfully, she stopped staring when Jackie caught her attention.
"No," Mama Welles scolded, slapping Jackie's hands away from the steaming pan on the table. The two bickered for a second before Jackie stepped away and led Dominator up the stairs
The stairs led straight into an office/storage room that had a bed in the corner. There was a single window with a desk next to it, books and papers stacked haphazardly on top. Against the opposite wall was shelving filled with boxes. It was bog standard, with the exception of a sink and mirror in the corner opposite the bed. Dominator placed down her bags and stared into the mirror, still trying to make sense of her new reflection.
"Hey, V," Jackie said. He had set up a cot for her to use, pillow and blanket neatly folded on top. "Home." He spread his arms wide, showing off his humble abode. All the posters and magazines scattered around were like an extension of him.
Dominator was pulled back to her own room, back on The World Eater. Most of her ship was built to be imposing, as all warships are. But she always had her own quiet area. A bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen. It was a normal living space where she could chill and practice her less villainy hobbies. And now it was gone.
Dominator forced a smile, as to hide her grief at losing everything she held dear. Jackie didn't seem to notice anything, but she knew the dork was just being polite. He was too good at reading her.
Jackie led her back down the stairs, and Dominator found herself sitting on a couch next to him. There was a second couch where Mama Welles sat. In between was a table with a pan and three bowls. Mama served them, filling the bowls with some mix of meat, plants, and grains. Whatever it was, it was light-years beyond the packaged, barf-inducing slop Dominator ate that morning. It was even better than her own cooking, as much as she didn't want to admit it.
It was all so weird to her. A week ago, Dominator was on the verge of total galactic destruction. This morning, she had murdered and looted a bunch of bandits and laughed while doing so. Now she was sitting in a stranger's home on a strange, new planet, and the host just gave her the best meal she'd ever had. The sudden shift was giving the Dominator cognitive whiplash.
Despite her internal confusion, she played the part. Dominator would return in time. Until then, she smiled. She laughed. She played the polite house guest. For the foreseeable future, she was V the common street thug. And when she had enough pretending, Dominator would sate her bloodlust.
"Where are you from, V?" Mama asked, scooping her cazuela de arroz into the bowls.
"Uh… V doesn't know English," Jackie said. "Or Español."
"No? What about her universal translator?" Mama raised an eyebrow at her son, skeptical at best.
"Glitched out. I'm taking her back to Vik's in a week. He said she needs to heal first."
"Very well," Mama relented. She knew when her son was lying, but didn't want to press the issue just yet. She passed a bowl to V and another to Jackie. "In that case, we can say grace and-"
"Mmm. Hm mmm," V moaned, her mouth already full of rice casserole. Her eyes had gone wide as she nodded in approval of Mama's cooking.
"Given the unusual circumstances," Jackie smiled, "I think El Dios will be fine with us skipping just this once." He joined V in eating, his grin growing wider despite his mother disapproving gaze.
Throughout the meal, Mama Welles grilled Jackie about V, forcing him to share everything that happened over the last eight hours. He didn't go into too much detail, sticking to the main events: going to the Sunset Motel, V getting chased down, shooting the last Wraith, taking V to Viktor's. Mama listened intently, while V crossed her legs and glanced between the two Welles with a lost curiosity.
"So you don't know anything about her?" Mama asked.
"I know she's a good shot, and one tough chica," Jackie said.
"That's what concerns me," Mama scolded. "I don't want you dragging her into your foolish antics."
"We're not going to get into any trouble."
"Is that so? Because all you can tell me is how good of a fighter V is." Mama turned to the question and smiled. "V, dear."
"Hm?" V perked up.
"This," Mama gestured around the room, "is my home. Jackie's home. Where is your home?"
"Home?"
"Yes, V. Where is your home?"
"Uh…" V froze up for a second, glancing at Jackie. He nodded in response, as if giving her permission to answer.
"Home," V said while pointing up at the ceiling. She said it so matter-of-factly that Mama wasn't sure she understood the question. "Home," V repeated, this time looking up with a small frown.
Jackie felt his heart skip a beat. While his mother took this answer as a result of language barriers, he knew that V understood. She was too expressive, too deliberate with her answer to have misunderstood. V's home was straight up, as in outer space up. He would have to confirm it later, but Jackie saw two possible explanations. Either V was born in a corpo space lab…
…or Vik was right.
Dinner became quiet after that. Usually, Jackie and Mama Welles would at least attempt a conversation. Today, they let any small talk fizzle out as neither trusted that the conversation wouldn't devolve into argument. It would be rude to fight in front of a guest.
After supper, Mama Welles washed the dishes while Jackie gave V a tour of the house. There wasn't much to show, given how small the Welles' family home was. Mainly, he just showed off the kitchen and bathroom. He also pointed out the door to his mother's room and made it clear that no one went in without permission.
The three congregated in the small kitchen. Mama Welles pulled three cans of beer out of the fridge, and handed one each to Jackie and V. She made small talk with her son, while V was content to stand off to the side. To Mama's amusement, V seemed confused by the beer's flavor but continued to drink it anyways. It wasn't long before V started to dose off with a stretch and loud yawn. She wandered away, leaving Jackie alone with his mother.
"Are you going to tell me what you are hiding?" Mama Welles asked, dropping the question on Jackie now that they were alone.
"Hiding? What you going on about, Mama?"
"Do not play dumb with me, Niño. I know when my son is lying to me. Out with it."
"Mama…," Jackie paused, trying to find the right words.
"You can trust me, Jackie. You know this."
"I know, Mama. It's just…" Jackie took a deep breath. "V is weird. And I don't think you would believe me if I told you."
"Try me," Mama crossed her arms and leaned back against the counter.
"Would you believe me if I told you V is a 'ganic?"
"She's green. Looks like something out of a children's cartoon."
"All 100% natural," Jackie said, forcing a grin. He was starting to think this is how Vik felt earlier.
"And how exactly is that possible?"
Jackie shrugged. "My running theory is corpo experiment."
"More conspiracy theories," Mama Welles sighed, shaking her head. "Fine. Don't tell me. I need to get over to El Coyote soon. Try not to stay up too late. I don't need your imagination running any wilder. "
Jackie marched up the stairs, fresh beer in hand. He was tempted to go out, but didn't want to leave V all alone. He decided to just read a book instead. Question was would he read Ernest Hemingway or Ian Fleming? Probably Fleming. He could use a good spy novel.
Jackie was surprised to find V awake when he reached his room. She was staring into the mirror, bouncing her right leg as if filled with anxious concentration.
"Hey, V?" Jackie said.
"Aauh!" V practically jumped out of her skin as she turned to Jackie. In her shock, she threw the marker in her hand at Jackie, hitting him in the shoulder.
"Uh, you ok?" Jackie picked up the marker. When he looked back up, V's back was to him once again. She seemed to be shaking as she stroked her mohawk. "Come on, V. Talk to me."
Jackie walked to V's side. In the mirror, he could see that the green woman had drawn lines under her sad eyes, almost resembling tears. He was a bit bewildered by this as it seemed like the kind of thing an edgy teenager would pull, not a combat hardened alien.
"V," Jackie whispered. He went to put a hand on her shoulder, but the woman quickly turned to shove him away. Jackie anticipated her move, grabbing her wrist. She struggled, but couldn't break free.
"Stop. It." Jackie looked her dead in the eye, daring V to try something.
"No. Not cool," V mumbled. She stopped struggling. Jackie let go, letting her turn back to the mirror. She began speaking in her native tongue, staring down her own reflection.
Jackie walked over to the wall of boxes and pulled out one labeled 'RAGS'. Removing two cloths, he walked back over to the sink and soaked one. V stopped talking and glared at him for his intrusion into her space, but he paid no mind.
"Come on," Jackie said, taking V's hand. He gently led her over to the cot and they both sat down. With the wet rag, Jackie began to wipe away the marker. V tried to pull away, but quickly relented, allowing Jackie to clean her face. The whole time, V mumbled and cussed at him in her own language. Once he was done, Jackie wiped away the wetness with the dry rag.
"Mama," V spat, poking Jackie in the chest. But Jackie couldn't help but laugh.
"That's right. Mama raised a real man," Jackie said. He pointed at himself with his thumb and raised a seductive eyebrow. "Jackie Welles. Ladies' Man."
V deadpan stared at him for five seconds before falling into hysterical laughter. Once she started, Jackie couldn't help but laugh along with her. After they both calmed down, V let out another loud yawn.
"Get some rest," Jackie said, patting the cot pillow. He stood up, grabbed a book from his desk, and went over to his own bed. Propped up against the wall and a cold beer at his side, Jackie began his second reading of Ian Fleming's Thunderball.
Everything was quiet. The only sounds were Jackie turning pages and sipping on his beer. All was right with the world. That was until V started to toss and turn in her cot. At first, Jackie just thought she was trying to get comfortable. But as she began to do it more, he began to worry. Before he could ask what was wrong, V got up and made a beeline for his bed. Then she motioned for him to scoot over.
"You're not getting in this bed," Jackie said, shaking his head at her. That didn't stop V from plopping down and shoving him over with her whole body. "Seriously?! You're gonna make me spill my beer!"
Once she had enough room, V scrambled under the blankets and laid down next to him. Jackie cleared his throat, getting her to make eye contact.
"Warm enough?" Jackie asked, sarcasm dripping from his tongue.
"Hm?" V raised an eyebrow.
"Cold," Jackie pointed to his beer can and pressed it against V's cheek, drawing a whine from her. "Warm," he pressed his hand against her forehead.
"Warm," V nodded, snuggling in closer to Jackie.
"I have a girlfriend, you know," Jackie said. He wasn't the kind of guy to get into bed with a girl he just met. The position was made all the more awkward by the fact that he couldn't comfortably read his book without resting his arm on V's face.
"Warm," V repeated, not caring about Jackie's predicament.
"Careful. I might have to start calling you 'mi hermana'."
V didn't respond. She was already asleep.