Evil is No Laughing Matter, Chapter Five

By: Guinevere Richardson

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Rating: PG-13

Author's Notes: The story will get fun now, woohoo!! Cameo of one of my other characters, who I may or may not take the time to write a fic for. Also, please send support tickets for a new category on , City of Heroes, so my fic will get proper acknowledgement!

Chapter Five

Risa woke to the sensation of being warm. She felt just likes he did on cold mornings when she was snuggled into her thick comforter. She must've just dreamt it all. Surely there was no such thing as teleporting ninjas. She didn't want to get out of bed, but she knew she needed to visit the tailor today.

"What in hell were you thinking?!"

The loud, angry voice made Risa's eyes fly open. She couldn't see much, just carpet. And man but the pattern looked familiar...

"You think I let just anyone have a costume made by me?" Serge's unmistakably accented voice replied smoothly.

It hadn't been a dream!

Completely awake now, Risa looked around to get her bearings. She was on the floor, slumped against the wall. She was still wearing her makeshift costume. Amazingly she felt fine, despite remembering having been roughed up. She inspected herself anyway and found why she felt so cozy. She was on fire. Light green flames seemed to be burning her skin, but yet they weren't, and all she felt was soothing warmth. Glancing up, she saw Serge's back, and the tips of someone's spiky red hair that was speaking to the tailor.

"You better be glad I arrived," The still-angry voice murmured maliciously. Risa still couldn't define the voice's gender. "Her uncle would've ruined you."

Great, Risa thought, now the papers would be covered in headlines of her getting her ass kicked.

"I cower in fear." Serge's droll voice replied.

Suddenly Serge was pushed aside and the green fire disappeared. "Good, you're awake."

Risa hardly heard the husky voice that now certainly belonged to a woman. She was too busy staring. She was the most voluptuous woman Risa had ever seen, especially dressed as she was. The hair she had seen the tips of was indeed fire-engine red, and it was huge. She supposed it was the new "wild" style she'd heard of in Cosmopolitan. It was fitting. The woman wore a simple black cloth headband that must've represented something. Her eyes were almost cat-like, an odd gold color that seemed to reflect her fiery emotions. Black tearstains streaked her cheeks while her lips were the same bright red as her hair. Her skin was extremely pale, though, making the woman's make-up was almost goth-like. Her spiked collar gave a slave appearance, but the idea was laughable in a woman so intimidating. Her shirt was all meshed spiderwebs, only two strategically placed patches kept the top barely decent. In the middle of her chest, though, the shirt had been cut-out, revealing what looked to be a burn scar. She wore gloves to her elbow that sported three painful-looking spikes and were emblazoned with red flames. Below the extremity of her shirt, though, all was modest. A red leather metal-studded belt held up huge baggy black pants with red tribal designs up the sides. To top it all off she had one hell of a pair of black boots that looked like you could drop a brick on her foot and it wouldn't hurt. Altogether the woman was absolutely terrifying. Risa supressed the urge to squeak.

"Like what you see?" The woman drawled, amusement tinging her voice. Risa could hardly believe what she'd asked and realized to her horror that she was blushing profusely. At this the woman actually laughed, a suprisingly beautiful sound. "I see Brandon hasn't mentioned me." She crouched down in front of Risa. "'Name's Ani."

Risa couldn't help but show her disbelief. "Ani?" It was the last name she'd expected to hear. She was expecting She Devil or Olga or something.

"Her name is Anileda the Damned." Serge supplied.

To her horror, Ani's eyes began to burn. "Watch your tongue, you foreign prick."

Risa blinked, still wondering about what Ani had said before. She knew Brandon?? Her thoughts were distracted again, though, when Ani stood.

"I believe she's earned herself a costume." Ani's voice dripped malice, daring Serge to say otherwise.

Serge glowered but did not argue. How could he with six feet of all woman stood in front of him glaring that way? Risa wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of such fire. Still, she was disappointed in herself. She couldn't even get her own costume. With a sigh, she stood. "I will have my measurements now, but Ani, please stay. I'd like to thank you properly and ask you some things."

Although Ani never took orders, Risa's air reminded her of a defeated princess, and it made her give pause. "Sure." She glanced at Serge. "You heard her. Get her measured."

With a great show of annoyance, Serge showed Risa to one of his female assistants. When the girls were gone and out of earshot, he turned to Ani. "Why do you make me the bad guy?"

Ani was silent a few moments before responding. When she finally did, her voice was lethally quiet. "Do you have any idea what could've happened? The girl hasn't arrested a single villain yet. You put her out there fighting Tsoo. She could've very easily died, Serge." She let him absorb that a few more moments before adding, "Do you know what that would look like? Let me tell you. You'd be charged for the murder of Risa Hossorn, and for conspiracy with the Tsoo. Your shops would all close, and the entire city would denounce you. And every hero who has an Icon costume..." Ani trailed off, deciding to let that threat be left unsaid. She looked him in the eyes. "Remember all this the next time you want to send a little girl out to play with the big boys."

Serge sighed. "I suppose I should check for security clearances from now on..."

"Yes, you should. Twenty sounds about right." Ani leaned against the wall.

"Tw-twenty?? But that will seriously decrease my profits, I can't–"

"Serge." Ani raise a brow. "This coming from someone who never charges less than nine thousand for an alteration?"

Serge let out a huff. "With the inflation...." Ani's brows just shot higher. "Oh, alright. I do overcharge. I suppose I can raise the bar, as you say."

"Good. I can't always be around to keep your ass legal." Ani pushed up from the wall as just then Risa rejoined them.

"Thank you, Serge, for agreeing." Risa said cordially, even though she didn't feel like being cordial.

"He's very welcome. Come on, let's get you home, just you being here is making me nervous." Ani indicated the door with her head.

Risa blinked, then nodded, not giving Serge another thought. She didn't want Ani to grow impatient and leave; she needed to speak with her. As they headed to the train station, Risa decided to attempt conversation.

"Do you really know Brandon?"

Ani glanced at her and nodded. "Yes, I do, but it isn't my story to tell. If he feels you should know he'll tell you. Don't worry, if he doesn't tell you now, he will later. In fact, when Serge lets you know that your costume is ready, I suggest bringing Brandon with you. Good opportunity to learn of our little relationship. And no, we're not dating. Yes, Brandon is a hero, but that's all I will tell you."

Risa had been paying so much attention to what Ani had been saying she didn't realize they were already at the Green Line station. Before she knew it, Ani was placing her on the train. "But–!"

"I don't want to see you in this neighborhood again without supervision, understand?"

Then the train doors closed, and Risa leaned against her seat in defeat. Ani had told her nothing, but she did now know that Brandon was indeed a hero. She had also gotten the tailor to accept her costume. Deciding the day wasn't an entire loss, she watched the sun set as the train headed back towards Talos Island.