Mini-Lude: Late Last Night

Thomas Calvert's planning had been disrupted last night as he sensed a disturbance in the forces of evil, a cosmic principle that he'd trained himself to detect. There was a shift in the fate of Brockton Bay, a shift that only occurred when a specific type of being came into existence. A type of being more valuable than even the most powerful precognitive or clairvoyant Thinkers. More valuable than the most esoteric or semantic of Tinkers. More valuable than the most bullshit of Trumps.

Somewhere in Brockton Bay, was a Main Character, and Coil knew that he had to recruit or at least befriend him or her, so as to ensure his own victory. And so, Coil dropped everything so as to do research on any recent triggers and also to call Tattletale.

*end*

A Hell of a Time

"Dad," I said as I took my seat in the car, "we've got to talk."

"Did something happen?" Dad sounded apprehensive.

"Well, kind of. I've got good news and bad news Dad."

Dad sighed, "the good news first please."

I smiled at him, "I don't think I'll have any more bullying problems."

"Oh thank god," Dad answered in a tone that made it absolutely clear how relieved he was. "And the bad news?"

"I-I snuck out last night."

"Oh, I knew that Taylor."

"...You did?"

Dad laughed,"yes. There's never been a time you've left the house that I didn't know about. But... Bad news?"

I took a deep breath. "I-I figured out how to use my powers... I just, it was a stupid impulse, but... I might have beaten up some ABB members."

Dad blinked. "And?"

"And one of them had a brother at Winslow. The whole school knows that I went out as a cape last night, and... The thug's brother swore revenge." I took another breath, "I'm scared Dad."

"Taylor, there are ways to keep you-"

"Not for me Dad," I interrupted, "I'm not scared for me. I'm scared for you... You don't have powers, you can't... If somebody comes after you with a gun..."

We stopped at a light, so Dad turned to me. "Taylor. I'm one of the people in charge of the Dockworkers Union. Unions always have to worry about Gangs-you're either in the pocket of the Gang or you're fighting it off." The light changed, so he turned back to the road and kept driving. "Now, unless you cost Lung a small fortune or killed his brother or something, the Bad Boyz aren't going to go out of their way to get you or me. I'm in no more danger than I already was, so relax."

"Okay." I couldn't relax, but...

"So, Dad asked, "you've figured out your powers? What are they?"

I appreciated the change in subject. "Super strength. Super toughness."

"Weren't those the first things you ruled out?"

"Yeah, well there was a letter for me in Mom's chest," I answered, "something it said made me decide to try again."

Dad smiled, "she had a way of doing things like that. Now, what are you planning to do? Now that you know your powers?"

I shook my head. "I don't know. I've got a costume and a name, but I'm not sure if I want to keep being a hero or something like that."

Dad looked at me from the corner of his eye. "Where did you get a costume?"

"Mom's chest," I answered. "It had some of her old clothes in it. One outfit looked like something a Cape might wear and it looked like it'd fit, so..."

"Do you think it looks good on you?"

"Well it leaves a bit more exposed skin than I'm used to, but..."

Dad stopped the car. "How much more?"

"...It's a tank top that leaves my belly uncovered and a miniskirt... And long gloves and boots... And a couple bets across my belly."

"Okay." Dad started driving again. "Your cape name?"

"One of the thugs called me 'Akuma' after I beat him up. Apparently, it means devil. Since I look like a demon..." Well, more than look.

"Taylor you don't... You don't have to... Are you sure?"

"I've got red eyes and fangs, Dad. I can either embrace it and own it, or I can try and hide it and looks ridiculous." I laughed. "What am I supposed to do, put on a white dress and call myself Princess?"

"I see your point, Taylor, but still calling yourself 'devil?' " Dad shook his head.

I shrugged, "I like the way Akuma sounds. Besides, I ran into some heroes last night, and they know me as Akuma."

"Okay okay," Dad conceded. "Have you considered joining the Wards program?"

"Not really, no." I looked down, "I'm not sure that I want to be involved in that teenage drama."

"Well," Dad said, "I think that when we get home, we should see about giving them a call or going in, and seeing what, exactly, being a Ward entails. Just," he continued," so that you can make an informed choice."

"Okay, Dad."

We drove the rest of the way home in silence.