AN/ It's been a while since I last posted, huh? Well I've been a bit busy as of late. I had some work stuff IRL to deal with, along with toying around with an idea to write my first book. I just wrote the first chapter and there is some (P)atreon stuff to go with it. I'll post those details on my twitter if you're interested. So don't forget to read and review.


'How the hell did I? No, we pull that off?' I shuddered, wrapping my arms around myself as I slid down the wall, using it to support myself as I wrapped my arms around my legs.

When Lisa had come to me with this honestly insane plan, while I was amid a Tinker fugue. I have a plan; she said. I just need another focus, she said. You just need to build some defenses, she said. All you need to do is confront him, she said. I'll set him up. You just need to knock him down, she said.

Ha, I was pretty sure in that malleable state I would have agreed to anything if only so that I might get back to my work. It was to that end that I had focused a portion of my resources to the endeavor of building prototypes of two particular machine platforms. The scavenger and reclamation class Glinthawk, and the hunter killer class machine, the Stalker, from Horizon.

It was clear from my progress that I had barely enough time to actually build two of each of the prototype platforms as a proof of concept. That I had taken to calling a Glimmercrow for the flight capable platform, and the Prowler for the more stealth based land platform. They were both about half the size of their more conventional brethren, but they did, in fact, work as I had intended.

And that was before time constraints forced me to move on to constructing an actual Glinthawk and Stalker. I only had enough time to build one of each platform. Unfortunately, I had no choice but to go with their original base code that made them hostile to any human that approached them, save for myself. I lacked the time I needed to make them anything less than the murder bots, they clearly were.

I held no illusions that things between Coil and me were over. This was merely an armistice, the drawing of lines in the sand, and it was only a matter of time until one of us ultimately stepped over it. Lisa most certainly deserved a kick in the pants for taking advantage of me in my compromised state. Even if I needed to deal with getting the Undersiders out from underneath Coil, eventually.

Holding in my tears and sniffling a bit, I got to my feet. There was work to be done. I could feel Lisa's hesitance, her worry, her fear, through our link, that inexplicable bond we now shared. I sent her my reassurance that I was ok, if not stressed out. Then I got back to work on my magnum opus. It was far from complete, but it only needed a few more adjustments before it was ready for a test drive.

So I let time pass by as I continued to work, taking breaks when needed, and not letting my eagerness for my work get the better of me and slip back into a fugue state again.

When my next break alarm went off, it was five thirty in the morning on Monday. I stood up with a yawn. All that was left was to make sure everything was in order, then one final diagnostic, and finally a test run of the startup sequence. And Enki and the now online if not infantile Terra could handle that while I got some sleep. I had been active off and on now for the past sixteen hours of real time or another forty-nine days of accelerated time. And I could use some rest.

'Enki, Terra, I am setting up the final system checks. Please monitor them if you could?' I asked, because sentient or not, A.I. and V.I. or not, manners were important and not to be forgotten. As I set the diagnostic scans to run and scheduled the startup sequence test.

(Yes, of course Alex.) (as you wish, Mistress), the pair chorused at once.

'Please wake me if anything goes wrong.'

(Yes,) they said in unison once more.

I got up, stretched, letting out a mighty yawn, scratched an itch, then I crawled into the bunk that was generated from the wall.

]|[

I awoke some time later by Enki informing me that the diagnostic and start-up trial had gone off flawlessly. I grinned in satisfaction as I picked up my device for the very first time. Much like the Elenium Type 97 'Mobile Assault' Operation Orb and its twin core design, invented by Professor Schugel. My device had two cores that could run in tandem for a superior output during standard operation. But that was not all just like the type ninety five; it had an additional four cores that I could activate to boost my performance. And that was on top of fusing it with top of the line Ancient Belken, Mid-Childa, and Modern Belkan technology. The only thing I hadn't added was a cartridge system yet. I wanted to see how the device would handle the strain of the twin drive and quad drives first before I even thought about adding an ancient Belkan cartridge system. I had installed other tricks anyway, so I felt it could wait. Either way, I think that the good doctor would be proud whether or not he existed. That or he would be laughing his ass off.

Well, now is as good a time as any, I thought as I grinned with manic glee. Grabbing a knife, I pricked my finger, letting the blood well up, until a single drop formed. I let that single drop of blood laden with all my power fall upon the fractaline core. 'It's time to wake up.'

I watched on as its once amorphous form, once a vivid crimson, was dyed an azure blue, its structure taking on a more crystalline shape as it awoke at my command. Its form continued to shift until it became a deep blue gemstone necklace.

(salve mi dominus){hello my lord}, it chimed, (Designatio){Designation}

'Alexandra Miles,' I said with a soft smile.

(astipulatio){Confirmation}

'Now then, you need a name, don't you?' I said, more than asked.

(exspectantes designationem){awaiting designation}

'You shall be Cobalt Divider.' I declared.

(acceptatio){acceptance}

'Now start up.'

Now, from what I knew and understood, I knew that my barrier jacket and even my appearance could be altered. Either way, this went I just hoped that I wouldn't follow the trope of wearing a miniskirt into battle. I am eleven. I don't need nor do I want to have fan service panty flashes.

Contrary to popular belief from the moment that the magic formula spread out beneath me. The transformation happened in an instant. One moment I was holding a gemstone in my hand, the next.

I… was taller…?

And I sighed in defeat as I examined my new form. I was- I had… ugh… I had curves. While strangely this was something that did not bother me all that much, really. This was something I would have to get used to… Eventually.

I gave myself the mental equivalent of an awkward shrug. Writing it off as just another part of life. And got back to examining this new body with my hands.

Flawless skin, check.

Legs for days, that would be a check.

Rock hard abs that you could bounce a quarter off of? That, sadly, was not a check. While I had abs, they definitely were not of the rock hard variety. Well, they counted as a six-pack, if only vaguely, and that counted in my book. And that was all that mattered.

Idly I wondered how my ass looked as I felt up my unfortunately new bust. Fortunately, they were Nothing extreme, but neither was it small enough to be called unnoticeable. Was I being vain for checking out my new body? Ehh, probably. Was it creepy? That would be a definite no. This was my body…

Strangely, though, there was this itch that had been bugging me for the longest time now. I had tried to ignore it, hoping that it would go away. It did not.

Finally, I gave it up as a bad job. And gave into the impulse to scratch.

Tilting my head to one side, I ran my fingers through my hair, scratching that annoying itch to my heart's content. Sending pleasant shivers down my spine. It was so good I could purr if I was a cat. At least until my hand ran across a rather large lump at the top of my head, a bit more investigation revealed that it was in fact two lumps, not one…

And were they… fluffy?

'Enki! A mirror.' I practically screeched.

As the full body mirror emerged from the floor, I had to do a double take. One thing that I hadn't noticed in my self check up. Aside from the prominent cat ears at the top of my head, was my hair. Once a lustrous golden blonde was now as white as snow with black stripes throughout, very much like that of a tiger's stripes and bound by an elastic band. And my eyes were the most stunning of deep blue, very much like that of cobalt or a sapphire. God, a girl could get lost staring into eyes like these.

On top of that, I looked like I was at least in my late teens. Around nineteen. With how tall I was. As I did a little spin in the mirror, I found the answer to at least one question I had. My ass was positively flawless. It looked like you could bounce a coin off it. God, I looked like a fucking cat girl supermodel. A very tall, leggy six foot two sexy cat girl. I would have to beat the nerds off with a stick. I shivered in disgust.

And then just like that, like being splashed in the face with a bucket of ice water, the disgust returns. But Not for being in a girl's body, when I was originally a boy. No, it was never that. I was always adaptable. And if I really wanted, I figured that with my tech I could just as easily swap my gender if I really wanted. It was because for a moment, just a singular moment, I forgot… I forgot who I was. For a second, I was Alex, and not Will. In the excitement of my success, I had forgotten about my past, my family, my mom, my dad, my brother and sister. I forgot about them and I hated myself for it.

Even with my soured mood, I knew I needed to take more than a passing glance at my Barrier Jacket now that I was done with checking myself out and for once I thanked all the gods that I was not in a skirt of any kind. Even if the tiny black shorts I was wearing looked like they were painted on and the boots I was wearing went up to cover my shins, at least they did not have heels. And they paired nicely with my gray top, or rather, it would have paired nicely were it not for the glorified boob window. Thankfully, that was placed on my upper chest, so that very little actual cleavage was shown. And I had to admit that the blue jacket, fingerless gloves that bore the gemstone that was Cobalt upon my left hand. All said it was a nice touch.

That said, there was one feature I was eager to test out above all else…

Flight magic…

'Cobalt Divider, Wing Turbine!'

(Mass, Gravitas, Reductio, volatus, Levitatio){Mass, Gravity, Reduction, Flight, Levitation} (Volatus Turbine){Wing Turbine}

'I did it.' I inwardly squeal as my feet lift off the ground. And I am suspended in midair, my feet swaying freely beneath me. My cheer at my accomplishment lasted for all of about ten more seconds. Before up became down, left became right, Aaaand I promptly lost control.

With a shrill shriek of terror, I'm shot up into the air, where I collided harshly with the ceiling. On impact, I let a groan of pain slip through my lips. Just when I thought that this couldn't possibly get any more embarrassing Cobalt, the little bugger cut power to the spell.

When gravity reasserts control over me, it is swift, sudden, and abrupt. And I let out another shriek of surprise, clenching my eyes shut, when I plummeted, destined to impact with my console. Even with a barrier jacket, I knew this was going to hurt…

Huh? Where is the pain? I asked myself, as I worked up the courage to take a peek. To find myself suspended mid air just above the display.

(paenitemus domina){apologies, my lady} Cobalt chimes, (calibratiis requiratur){calibration required}

I nod my head in understanding, 'thanks Cobalt'. I sigh in relief as I am gently set down on my feet. 'We're going to have to work on that, you and I.' I grinned.

(intellexerunt){understood}

For now, I think a good use of my remaining day and a half would be target practice. 'Enki, set up the combat range, please'

(yes Mistress)

As I leave my lab, my heart is racing with anticipation. The feeling of power thrumming through my veins is indescribable. I was sure if I had a tail, it would be wagging. I step into an elevator that drops me deep into my tower. It opened on the lowest floor, at the base of my tower. Below even the lake and drydock. It had only a small antechamber before another door.

This floor differs from all the others in my tower, and on the other side of that door is a room specifically designed for heavy ordnance testing. The door clinks and clunks as it opens. It's the second most secure room in the tower. It had to be for what I planned. My lab needed a true dedicated range and combat field, after all.

The lights click on as I step in and the door seals shut behind me. And before me is a plain white wide open space. The ceiling, walls, and floors are made up of thick wide white panels made with processed and powderized Antinite, a substance I was able to craft early in the tower's construction with the Alchemist. Made to absorb and disrupt effects produced by powers.

Hard light targets pop up on the other side of the room from me.

'Alright Cobalt, let's start things out simple,' I hold out my hand, and tiny beads of light form in my palm.

(Fax Asteroides){Light Asteroid}

With but a thought, those beads of light fly Like bolts, they soar across the room. Spreading in a scatter shot. Each bullet soared past their targets to collide harmlessly against the wall.

(paenitemus calibratiis){apologies calibrating} Cobalt chimes at the miss.

'No, it's fine. It's not your fault. I need to work on my aim too.' I shook my head in the negative. 'Once more?'

(affirmativa){affirmative}

I let out a held breath in a long sigh, clearing my mind of any distracting thoughts. I focused only on the network, on the link between Cobalt and i…

I close my eyes and I breathe in and out slowly…

I feel the connection between us deepening our senses becoming one.

Six bullets of light form around my hand, one for each target. I exhale one last time… and like pulling an invisible trigger in my head; they fly.

They arch out, and as if reading a billion lines of code a second, I can see the exact calculations behind the trajectory we need in order to hit the target's dead center. Each time I make a mistake or lag behind, Cobalt is there to pick up the slack. And I do the same for Cobalt.

It feels like an eternity, but it's only the barest of milliseconds before they strike home. Each of the targets explodes into particles of light. And I grin at my success.

(scopum destrui){target destroyed} Cobalt chimes at our success.

We keep at it for a while longer; the calculations getting easier with time, before Cobalt chimes.

(alternis accendi optiones sunt utilis){alternate firing options are available}

I knew we had other options, but I hadn't wanted to try them out so soon, but if Cobalt felt he was ready… then so was I.

I grinned eagerly, 'alright then, let's try something non lethal first.' and as the list of the many 'spells' at my disposal scroll across an augmented reality screen. My eyes widen ever so slightly. The sheer breadth of options available to me truly astounds me, 'perhaps something good at taking down normals in a single strike.' I added as an afterthought.

The list narrows down to something more manageable. There are two 'spells' that catch my eye on that list. The first is Niflheim, a Wide-Area Deceleration Oscillation Type Magic. It's a spell capable of ignoring heat all together, using magic to uniformly cool down all the objects within a set area. As a result, an enormous mass of cold air, that contains a fog of liquid nitrogen, diamond dust, and dry ice particles, is formed in an instant. In short, it's a spell capable of cryogenically freezing a man alive in an instant. Something that in any other circumstance would kill someone out right. The other is Cocytus, a Mental Interference Type Magic of the Outer-Systematic Type that totally screams master powers. Due to the effect it has on the mind, by 'freezing' or shutting down the mind.

It's Niflheim that I selected. I thrust my hand forward. And Cobalt casts the spell.

(Niflheim)

The moment we cast the spell, information fills my mind, and I know intrinsically there is a part that I could say to unlock the true might of this spell. It's an aria. It's right at the tip of my tongue, but I hesitate.

The targets caught in the range of my attack are swallowed up by a bitter freezing cold. The simulated life signs of the dummies are stable, in a complete stasis. Even in the fog of liquid nitrogen. If I did not have the sensors I had, I would have thought that I had killed them with that.

'Now let's try something else… a composite bullet, perhaps.' I say, sending my idea to cobalt. 'So what do you think? Can we do it?'

(domina sum paratus){mistress, i am ready} cobalt chimes in response. (parare eminus bombardarum){ options for long range bombardment}

Another list pops up before my eyes. This one has guns on it, more accurately sniper rifles, three of them. An all-purpose rifle focusing on range, the Egret. Next was the Sniper with the most firepower, the Ibis. and lastly the Lightning. While it possesses low power, it has the highest muzzle velocity of the three Snipers and a high degree of accuracy. I hadn't thought that I was ready to use any of the weapon trigger type CADs as a medium for my power yet. 'Are you sure?' I asked.

(eminus bombardarum commendatur){long range bombardment recommended}

I nodded. Cobalt hadn't been wrong before… 'Enki a range extension, please.'

'Cobalt the lightning.' I commanded.

(gallery connectens dimensiva){connecting dimensional gallery}

Before my eyes, the Lightning appeared from my dimensional gallery, and the range extended. The Lighting in my hands is a thing of beauty, all smooth clean lines with a futuristic look to it. Lines along the rifle glow as I wrap my hands around the grip. It's so light that I barely notice it.

I take aim from a standing position. And Cobalt acts as my spotter.

It's two degrees up, to account for bullet drop. My hand is steady. I exhale and squeeze the trigger.

(Meteor + Niflheim) (glacies lancea){Icicle lance}

The target almost three hundred meters away is frozen solid by a lance of ice. Like before, all life signs are within expectations.

As much as I would like to continue practicing, I've been at this for hours and I think it's time for a break. The rifle in my hands vanishes back into my gallery. And the range returns to normal as I walk away. The door to the range opens, its heavy tumblers rumbling as it opens once more.

As I step into the elevator, I let the transformation drop, returning me to normal. Cobalt Divider is now a small crystal pendant around my neck. Just as the doors open, my stomach rumbles.

After a quick detour to the kitchen for a quick bite to eat, I got back to work. As much as I enjoy this time, I have all to myself the ability to just sit down and indulge in tinkering to my heart's content. As brief as it was, I enjoyed my time with the Undersiders, even if most of that time was spent walking on glass around everyone who wasn't Rachel or Lisa. Some more company would be nice, but sadly it'll be quite some time before Sister Ivry, Valkyrie Yuna, Hermit Mio, and E.M. Pino were ready. It will take longer still before Witch Regret is ready. Their bodies have long since been completed, but the code that makes them individuals, that has proven to be a bit more… challenging. So I keep at it, adding line after line of code for a while longer before I decide to tuck in for the night.

]|[

I awoke on what was to be my last day inside accelerated space. Since I started this journey, it's been one hundred forty-one days. So I showered, brushed my teeth, put on deodorant, and slipped on my underwear. It doesn't take me long to figure out just what I would wear. I settled on a pair of black jeans. Among my selection of tops, there was this pink shirt with a silly-looking bunny on it. I remember Erik buying it for me. As stupid as it looked, I'm sure he would like it if I wore it. I decided that the Legend print hoodie also wouldn't be amiss, because New England weather was incorrect at the best of times and bitterly cold at the worst. And I hated the cold…

As for my hair, I decided I couldn't go wrong with pinning my fringe out of the way. As for the rest, a quick brush was all I needed. After that and a quick bite to eat, I headed for the exit gateway. When I stepped on the pad, it was seven thirty on the dot.

When I stepped out, I found Michael there waiting for me. I smiled and rushed over to give him a hug.

He grinned, returning the gesture. "So kiddo, ready to go to school?"

I nodded.

Once we were out the door and in the car. The trip to Arcadia passed by rather quickly. We had arrived at Arcadia before classes even started today, since today was an in-service day for teachers. So today was a half day today, and we had arranged to meet with Kaley, and my assigned speech therapist.

Getting out of the car, we entered the school through the front office. We walked down the halls amid the unusual silence of school halls devoid of children. With only the sound of my trainers squeaking on the tiled floors, echoing through the halls. If anything, it was the silence that put me more on edge…

After walking to the end of the floor we were on, Finally we arrived at the guidance counselor's room.

While I couldn't quite make out what was being said, I could tell that people were having a conversation on the other side of that door. Micheal knocked on the door, and we were told to enter.

It was Kaley who came to greet us first. Blocking my view of the other people in the room.

"How you doing, squirt?" She hugged me, making sure that she was the only one in my view, with Micheal at my back.

"So there is someone who I would like you to meet. Do you think you can handle that?" she asked.

I nodded in agreement. I was always an outgoing person, even as a child. My issue stemmed from my inability to speak. I had had no problems communicating, if it was only non-verbally to everyone I had met so far. Just last week I'd met Glory Girl a.k.a Vicky Dallon for the first time. And before that I had met with Lisa. and just recently I had even met the Undersiders. I felt if I could handle that, then I could handle this.

When She stepped aside, there were two girls there at the table, one with long dark brown hair. Freckles dotted the bridge of her nose and she had warm chocolate brown eyes.

The other was a Blonde, with wavy hair and green eyes. She, however, had a leg wrapped in a cast. And she looked rather displeased about the inconvenience.

I knew them even before the other therapist introduced us. What were Vista and Dinah doing here? Missy I could accept as a coincidence, but Dinah, she was a Precog… the chances that this was a coincidence were a rousing zero.

"Alex, I am Mirai Yashima, this is Dinah, and this is Missy." the only other adult in the room said as an introduction. She gave me a smile and kneeled down to my level. "Do you think you can wave hello?"

A moment passed, then another. I wanted to respond really I did, but at that moment it was like I was all alone. It felt like I was falling, sinking into a deep, dark abyss. How could I be so stupid? It was like I was back to the beginning all over again, starving in that dumpster. All Alone…

And then Cobalt chimed (Hera adsum){Mistress, I am here}

Saving me from my downward spiral, and the pounding of my heart in my head.

Reminding me I was not alone, when Micheal had saved me it had taken weeks before I trusted him, never mind how long it took for me to trust Kaley. When I met Lisa, she was as desperate as I was, and that helped. And Vicky was a god damned super hero. So were Carlos and the others. And Denis was just funny, and that made him easy to be around. No one in their group so much as batted an eye at my nonverbal communication. So why was it so hard to even wave at two girls my age?

It was hard but slowly, timidly. I waved my hand.

Missy smiled and gave me a jaunty salute of her own. And Dinah… Well, Dinah gave me a knowing look. One I knew all too well.

Well shit…

"Well, would you like to sit down?" Ms. Yashima asked me when I didn't move from my spot by the door. Completely unaware of part of the reason why I wasn't moving…

It took a moment, but eventually I started to move. My movements felt stiff, almost wooden. Like I was a puppet guided on strings.

I sat down in the seat furthest from the pair. I dared not make eye contact. Not with Missy, and especially not with Dinah. My heart felt like it was pounding, running a million miles a minute in my chest, just like my thoughts. It felt like my guts were lodged in my throat. I wanted to puke. Why was the world's second best Precog here? It couldn't be a coincidence, could it?

"You know I don't bite," Dinah teases, batting her eyes at me with a coy grin, "well much…"

My thoughts ground completely to a halt as I stare at her with a look of disbelief. Did she really just say that? I couldn't help the snort of laughter that slipped out. What she said was so funny, so disjointed that I couldn't contain the giggle fit that slipped out as I snorted with laughter. Before any of the adults can even reprimand her for her audacity.

The adults were so relieved that they actually forgot to reprimand her. Because at this point, the only times I had actually spoken were in times of high stress, an emotional high point, or some kind of emotional breakthrough. So at this point, any progress was good progress.

My giggle fit lasted so long that I didn't even notice that the adults had left us alone. Until Missy had finally bothered speaking. "So girl genius, I hear you're already in your junior year?"

It takes a moment to answer, but she is patient and lets me answer in my own time.

I nod my head yes.

"That must be nice. You'll graduate next year." I understood why Missy was envious. But still she grinned. "Say, what's your favorite subject?"

I hesitate. What I want to say is on the tip of my tongue. I know I'm supposed to push myself. That was what this meeting was all about. I want to, I really do… it's right fucking there all I have to do is open my damned mouth and say something, anything.

My mouth opens and closes uselessly, my words failing me on something that seemed so simple. And I don't have my notepad to rely on right now, that is with Micheal. So all I can do is bite my lip in frustration. I'm so mortified that I look away as I flush with embarrassment. God, why was I like this? I could handle things with Vicky, Lisa, the Undersiders, and even fucking Coil. it wasn't even that hard. And Coil gave me the I have a sex dungeon and I will thoroughly enjoy locking you inside it vibes, the fucking creep.

"You know… I bet it's math, no history. I'm right, aren't i?" I turned sharply to find Dinah behind me. She was right. History was my favorite subject. It was a punch in the gut to find out about sitting president Thomas Jeffrey Hanks and his VP Dwayne Douglas Johnson. But When had she even moved? "I think it's boring to just talk about school…"

She gave me a grin, one that I did not like one bit. "Say you have such pretty hair… it would be a waste to do nothing with it."

What even was her aim here?

"Say I brought some stuff with me. Would you mind if I styled your hair?" she asked, making it quite clear that something about this amused her.

Strangely, this was easier to respond to than Missy's question. I wasn't quite sure why. But I did eventually nod yes to her question. I figured what was the worst that could happen…

That was when I was set upon by an over eager pre teen. "Excellent." she cheered softly, clapping her hands together, while bouncing on her toes. "Now just sit back and let me take over."

Dinah giggled with glee as she plucked my lone hair clip out of my hair, before grabbing a brush from somewhere and running it through my hair.

That is when Missy also pounces. "You know you'd look pretty with some nail polish. I have some with me. Would you like to try some out?"

I shrugged. What was the worst that could happen, after all? If I didn't like it, then I could just remove it later, right?

"How about blue? You like blue, right?"

Again I nodded. Blue is a nice color, after all.

"Great now, hold still." Missy grinned, pulling out a small pouch of supplies.

It was only when I felt the heat of a curling iron; I realized just what I had gotten myself into. I let out a meep of surprise. It took everything I had not to flinch, something I managed only just.

Missy gave Dinah a dirty look. "You know, you could have said something."

"Right, sorry Alex…"

Using my free hand, I reach out and squeeze the hand she placed on my shoulder in reassurance. It wasn't like she meant any harm.

I let the girls continue after that mild surprise. Missy took her time, diligently applying a base coat to my fingernails. While Dinah curled, pinned, and braided my hair.

"There I'm finished," Dinah eventually declared. "Here, take a look."

When She handed me a mirror, I saw just what she had done. They honestly impressed me. My growing fringe of hair was once more pinned out of my eyes, and my hair was styled with three braids that started at my hairline. And bound with a large white ribbon that ended with an offset ponytail with gentle wavy curls.

"Say, we also have some makeup, if you want to try some?"

Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, the grown ups walked back into the room before I had the chance to answer. And give up the last bit of dignity I had as a man.

"Alright girls, it's almost time for us to wrap things up. It's almost time for class to start. And we need to talk with Alex for a bit."

Really? It hardly felt like any time had passed at all…

"See you later, Alex. Maybe we can see a cheesy movie sometime?" Dinah said as she helped Missy out with her bag. While Missy hobbled to her feet and grabbed her crutches.

"Later Alex." Missy grinned, "it's been fun."

I waved silently, watching on as the two girls left. Missy turned just inside the doorway. "Oh, before I forget, do you have a cell?"

Nodding eagerly, I rushed over with my phone in hand, and we all traded numbers. Coming back to my seat. I sat waiting for either Mirai or Kaley to start things.

"I'd like to start things off by saying you did wonderful Alex. beyond all of our expectations." praised me with a smile. "While you didn't communicate Verbally, it was enough that you participated."

"I know it was a bit of a surprise, but suggested we try something like this out." smiled, "so if you're up for it… we can arrange for you to spend some time with one of them here to be present during your sessions at least once a week. Is that ok with you?"

I worried at my lip, and it felt like my heart was pounding in my head, but I made it through this. It wasn't so bad. And I even had a good time. Hesitantly, I nodded my affirmation.

Despite my anxiety and fear. I felt that I could do this…

Had it been a month ago, or even a week ago, if they had sprung this on me… even I didn't know how I would react?

Perhaps Dinah's intentions were really benign.

"Good, I'll let them know." Ms. Yashima said with a smile.

The rest of the meeting kinda passed in a blur for me, and I kind of checked out. I think that Kaley and noticed too because they didn't ask me any more questions after that. I think I had already used up my quota for conversations for the day too because, much like the meeting, the rest of the school day passed me by in a daze.

I think the others noticed too, because Vicky was looking at me oddly after the last bell rang.

"Hey are you ok?" she asked.

I, of course, gave her an obligatory nod. I had a lot on my mind and it would be nice to go home and spend the night in my lab to decompress.

She clearly didn't believe me because she stopped me from leaving, kneeling down to my level. "Are you sure? I know we haven't been friends long, but you can tell me anything, you know that, right?"

From what I knew of her, Victoria Dallon was one of the few in this world that was a genuinely good person. I would love to tell her about all my woes, like Coil, or even that I had powers of my own. Or even the big secret behind them. But I also knew that anybody who figured that out would wind up disappeared. If they opened their big mouths. So that, too, was a no go.

So again I nodded. I needed to leave soon because I likely had a tween Precog to meet.

"Ok…" she sighed, clearly accepting that I was not in a mood to talk. "I'll tell you what, here is my Number, you can call me for anything, even if it's just for a talk. Ok?"

She jotted down her number on a scrap piece of paper for me and wrapped me in her warm embrace.

"I'll see you tomorrow." She promised, waving her farewell.

It was as I was waiting for the bus home that it happened like I expected.

"Hey there stranger, fancy meeting you here." Dinah grinned. She fucking grinned at me like she knew something I did not.

I scowled at her. She made me sorely tempted to do something rather horribly petty and passive aggressive. If she didn't get to the point right, goddamn now.

Her eyes widened just a fraction. "Right, sorry, look contrary to popular belief. I don't have many friends. So can I come over and then we can have a talk?"

I was sure with the glare I was giving her even as I pulled out my phone and started tapping away at the device. If I had heat ray vision, she would already be on fire.

'This better be good…' I warned. I was already done, and with the teasing looks she was giving me, she knew and was just fucking with me. So I was already out of the sparse supply of fucks I had to give.

But I supposed it was worth it to see her flinch visibly at my blatant use of thought communication. "R-right didn't know you could do that yet…" she swallowed thickly. "So I don't suppose you can do that disintegration thing yet…"

'oh, don't worry… I don't bite… much,' Dinah shivered. I was sure that the grin that spread across my face was down right Vicious. when I threw her words back in her face.

My phone pinged with a response. And I smiled, "we have a lot to talk about you and I…"