Finding the Way
Chapter 23: Interactions
[Author's Note: the PHO segment was created using the tool created by Conceptualist.]
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Topic: They Went There
In: Boards ► Brockton Bay ► Cape Doings ► Compass Rose & Pathfinder
Bagrat (Original Poster) (The Guy In The Know) (Veteran Member)
Posted on May 15, 2011:
So, is it me, or have the Protectorate been kind of holding back on us regarding Pathfinder's power level?
I mean, seriously, holy FUCKING HELL.
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PsychoGecko (The Guy In The Know) (Power Guru)
Replied on May 15, 2011:
Yeah, maybe just a little. Fucking hell. The MOON. They PUT. LEVIATHAN. ON. THE. MOON.
Excuse me, just gonna have a bit of a cape-squee here for a bit.
Okay, better now.
That's Mover 12. At minimum.
XxVoid_CowboyxX (Temp-banned)
Replied on May 15, 2011:
Uh, are we sure they actually put him all the way on the moon?
Bagrat (Original Poster) (The Guy In The Know) (Veteran Member)
Replied on May 15, 2011:
Yes.
PsychoGecko (The Guy In The Know) (Power Guru)
Replied on May 15, 2011:
Yes. Seriously. One minute Leviathan was tearing up downtown, the next he wasn't there. Telescopes have seen him on the moon.
HammerStein (Cape Groupie)
Replied on May 15, 2011:
Does anyone know if Compass Rose is single? I so want to date her.
Bagrat (Original Poster) (The Guy In The Know) (Veteran Member)
Replied on May 16, 2011:
Dude, I think she might be with Pathfinder, you know. They're always holding hands.
VictorCharlie (Veteran Member)
Replied on May 16, 2011:
That's some serious badass. Fly in, grab a fucking ENDBRINGER, and say, "hey, you're not wanted here. Have some time out. On the fucking MOON."
DogbertIsMyGod (The Guy In The Know)
Replied on May 17, 2011:
So does anyone else have any idea if they survived or not?
PsychoGecko (The Guy In The Know) (Power Guru)
Replied on May 17, 2011:
Well, unless the jump *there* wore them out, they should have been able to jump back. Leaving Leviathan behind would have taken so much strain off of them.
XxVoid_CowboyxX (Temp-banned)
Replied on May 17, 2011:
What I want to know is, why did Pathfinder even take Compass Rose with him? Why not just do a solo jump with Leviathan? Why risk her life too?
End of Page. 1, 2, 3, 4
(Showing Page 2 of 4)
Panacea (Verified Cape) (Cape Daughter) (New Wave)
Replied on May 17, 2011:
All I know is, they're the kindest people I've ever met. Personally, I think they survived. Because that's the sort of people they are.
And Void Cowboy? Compass Rose went along because she needed to.
Armsmaster (Verified Cape) (Protectorate ENE)
Replied on May 17, 2011:
Miss Militia went along with them too; she was piloting the craft that they were in. We do not yet know their fate, but I worked alongside Miss Militia for years, and she would have never hesitated an instant to carry out a sacrifice like that.
Bagrat (Original Poster) (The Guy In The Know) (Veteran Member)
Replied on May 18, 2011:
And there you have it, folks.
Well, if they aren't back in a week, I'm gonna petition for one minute of silence on the board for their memory, as well as any memorial service anyone wants to put on.
XxVoid_CowboyxX (Temp-banned)
Replied on May 18, 2011:
CENSORED
Herakles (Moderator) (Veteran Member)
Replied on May 18, 2011:
Okay, Void Cowboy, whether what you said is true or not, they're not proven dead yet, so revealing information like that is not on. Have a temp ban.
Bagrat (Original Poster) (The Guy In The Know) (Veteran Member)
Replied on May 19, 2011:
Holy shit. They're alive. THEY'RE ALIVE.
They made it back.
Thank god.
PsychoGecko (Veteran Member) (Power Guru)
Replied on May 19, 2011:
Holy shit. This isn't a hoax, is it? Tell me it's not a hoax.
CompassRose (Verified Cape) (Wards ENE)
Replied on May 19, 2011:
Not a hoax. We are back, and glad to be here. I've been reading the nice thoughts, and I have to say, thanks to you all for the kind words. Pathfinder says hi, too.
Panacea (Verified Cape) (Cape Daughter) (New Wave)
Replied on May 19, 2011:
Oh god yes, they're back, I am so glad.
GloryGirl (Verified Cape) (Cape Daughter) (New Wave)
Replied on May 19, 2011:
What Amy said, in spades. They've done so much for us, for all of us.
End of Page. 1, 2, 3, 4
(Showing Page 3 of 4)
Bagrat (Original Poster) (The Guy In The Know) (Veteran Member)
Replied on May 19, 2011:
Well, damn. That's what I call a real classic back-from-the-dead.
So, gotta ask. Rumors about how you did the same thing to Crawler, a while back. True, not true?
HammerStein (Cape Groupie)
Replied on May 19, 2011:
Uh, Compass Rose, I hope I didn't annoy you when I asked about your status before. Just wondering if you were open to a date any time.
CompassRose (Verified Cape) (Wards ENE)
Replied on May 19, 2011:
Sorry, HS. Not dating at the moment. Recovering from what happened, really. Thanks for the sweet offer, though (smile)
DogbertIsMyGod (The Guy In The Know)
Replied on May 19, 2011:
Watch it, HammerStein. Annoy Compass Rose too much, and Pathfinder'll put you on the moon to keep Leviathan company.
(j/k)
PsychoGecko (Veteran Member) (Power Guru)
Replied on May 19, 2011:
Haha. He might, too.
KingdomCome
Replied on May 19, 2011:
So did they actually go to the moon, or just send Leviathan there, and stay behind? Just wondering.
Pathfinder (Verified Cape) (Protectorate ENE)
Replied on May 20, 2011:
We went to the moon. All the way. Let me tell you, not a fun trip. Wasn't much fun coming back, either.
Of course, we had to drop off our luggage once we got there ...
Bagrat (Original Poster) (The Guy In The Know) (Veteran Member)
Replied on May 20, 2011:
Okay, I'm just gonna say, yeah. I will shake your hand any time, sir.
MinionNumber21 (Verified PRT Agent) (Veteran Member)
Replied on May 20, 2011:
As for the Crawler rumors, yeah, that was them. Consider it a dress rehearsal for this one.
Tenebrae (Verified Cape) (Wards ENE)
Replied on May 20, 2011:
Brand new Wards member here. Just want to say, thank you to Compass Rose and Pathfinder. For everything. And glad that you're back.
End of Page. 1, 2, 3, 4
(Showing Page 4 of 4)
VictorCharlie (Veteran Member)
Replied on May 20, 2011:
So, what are they gonna do next? Teleport Nilbog the fuck off of America? Or just clean up the Boat Graveyard?
End of Page. 1, 2, 3, 4
Danny looked up from his phone and sat there, staring into space. "Holy shit," he murmured. "I could do that. I really could."
Just at that moment, the phone rang; the screen showing the PHO boards was replaced by the standard phone screen. The number was not one that he recognised.
"Uh, hello?" he asked.
"Pathfinder?" It was a woman's voice.
"Speaking."
"This is Carol Dallon."
"Brandish," he acknowledged. "What can I do for you?"
I need to speak to you about my daughter." He could hear the angry overtones in her voice.
"Which one?" he asked mildly.
"Victoria, of course!" she snapped. "Amy is no daughter of mine."
"And why would that be?" he asked cheerfully. He had an idea, of course; Amy and Vicky had been quite forthcoming about their desire to move out of home, and why.
Carol sputtered. "She's a villain's daughter! And now she's shown her true colours, using her powers to seduce her sister!"
"I thought she wasn't your daughter," Danny interrupted mildly. "In any case, how do you know that Vicky hasn't fallen in love with Amy the normal way?"
"Because Vicky's straight!" shouted Carol angrily.
"Victoria's sixteen," Danny told Carol patiently. "Kids of that age barely know their own minds, let alone their own sexuality. Experimentation is a thing. Bisexuality is a thing. She may have gone out with boys because it never occurred for her to ask herself if she was attracted to girls. Personally, I think they're very sweet together. Is that what you wanted to ask me?"
"No!" stormed Carol. "I insist that you send her back home immediately!"
"Just a moment," Danny noted. Without even bothering to stand up from the couch, he teleported to the upstairs corridor, and knocked on the door to the spare room.
After a few moments, the door opened. Victoria Dallon peered around the door. "Uh, Mr Hebert, hi," she greeted him. "What's up?"
Danny smiled. "Your mother's on the phone. She wants to know why I haven't sent you home yet."
Vicky rolled her eyes. "Can I speak to her?"
Danny shrugged. "Be my guest." He handed it over.
"Mom," Vicky snapped, putting the phone to her ear. "I want you to listen really carefully. I am in love with Amy. You treat her like shit. So long as you're going to do that, I'm staying away. So don't call back unless that's your message. Good bye."
With a sunny smile, she handed the phone back to Danny; he accepted it and nodded courteously. Hands in pockets, he strolled back down the corridor; behind him, the door closed once more.
Going to his bedroom, Danny changed into his Pathfinder costume. He didn't need Taylor's assistance to travel across the city; he just preferred her to be there. But he wasn't going to be doing anything big with his powers, so he decided to leave her in school.
Purple-brown smoke billowed, and he was gone.
The bus from the city pulled up at the stop, and Brian got off, along with Aisha. He hefted his bag over his shoulder and stepped out at a good pace; she trotted alongside to keep up.
"Hey, you're all energetic today, big bro," she teased him. "Looking forward to seeing Taylor again, huh?"
He eyed her with mild irritation. She grinned impudently back at him; she was different since Leviathan, since Danny had started to impose discipline on her life. These days she wore less revealing clothing, and pushed boundaries less. But she still loved to niggle him, and knew exactly where to put the screws in.
Besides, he couldn't deny it; he did want to see Taylor. The way she moved, the way she smiled.
"Watch it, pest," he told her, "or I'll tell Danny you're being an annoyance."
She gave him the finger. That was something else that hadn't changed. "You do and I'll go spend time with Alec," she retorted.
He rolled his eyes and quickened his pace.
"Hey, don't you walk away from me," she challenged him, and increased her own pace. He moved it up a notch, and she followed suit. Before they quite knew it, they were in a race to the house, to see who could get there first.
Aisha was quicker off the mark, but Brian was fitter and had longer legs. She led for most of the distance, but he was quickly overhauling her by the time the house came into view. However, her lead was too great, and she slapped her hand on the porch rail about half a second before he would have caught up. They both slumped to the ground, laughing breathlessly.
"Well," she told him, "that means I get the first shower, then."
"Don't use all the hot water," he warned her.
"Will if I want to," she retorted impudently. "Key to get in?"
He stayed seated on the bottom step, the one he and Vicky had repaired after she broke it while moving in. Digging the key from his pocket, he handed it to her and leaned aside so that she could climb the steps to the front door.
She opened the door and entered, leaving it ajar, the key in the lock. He remained where he was, relaxing and allowing himself to cool down.
Aisha and I haven't clowned around like that in years, he reflected. There's something to be said for going straight.
Danny stood beside the closest ship hulls; Leviathan's attack had driven many of them on to the shore, damaging the docksides as they did so. But docks could be rebuilt. If the ships could be moved …
Taylor and I moved a ship to drop on Lung.
He teleported to the top of the nearest hull, then looked over the mass of entangled, crushed, rusting metal. In small purple-brown bursts, he jumped from one hull to the next, looking at the damage, getting a feel for the task.
It's possible, he told himself. It's definitely possible.
"Shower's free!"
Brian turned his head. "Thanks. Any warm water left?"
"Nope," she told him. "All gone. Used the lot." He heard her flop on to one of the sofas, and the TV came on.
"Would not be surprised," he muttered, climbing to his feet. He pulled the key from the door and closed it behind him.
Taylor got off the bus and started trudging home.
She didn't know it, but she had missed seeing Brian and Aisha by just minutes. Their impromptu race had opened the lead a little; just long enough, in fact, for Aisha to finish in the shower. Thus, she didn't quite see it when Brian got up off the step and went inside.
It would have been nice to get Dad to teleport me home. But her link with Danny told her that he was up at the Boat Graveyard, and he was concentrating on a problem, so she decided to let him be.
She let herself into the house, kicking off her shoes in the front hall. Entering the living room, she nodded to Aisha, who was curled up on one of the sofas, watching TV.
"Hey," Aisha responded. "How's school?"
Taylor shrugged. "Not too much water damage. You'd barely know Leviathan had been here at all. How's the PRT building?"
Aisha made a rude noise with her lips. "Poking, prodding, power tests. And they're gonna enrol me in school too."
Taylor grinned. "All part of the rounded education. Just gonna take a shower."
Aisha held up a finger. "Might want to call a rain check on that. Brian's in there."
Taylor paused. "Ah. Okay, thanks." She dropped on to the couch beside Aisha. "So which school are they putting you in?"
"Arcadia, I think."
Taylor grinned. "You know, that's the school they transferred me to? It's kind of a Wards thing."
Aisha raised an eyebrow. "Well, shit. The place won't be a total loss, then."
Taylor leaned back on the couch and turned her attention to the TV. Having houseguests staying in was actually more fun than she'd originally imagined.
End of Chapter 23
