Thank you for reading. I will try to have another chapter up this week, if work permits.
One eyebrow arched up over her sunglasses as she watched the boy keep glancing back across the marketplace towards her. 'Boy' might not the most accurate term; he looked around 15 or 16. Hard to tell in this place. But she knew what he was thinking. "EARTH GIRLS ZOMG."
Life in this realm was just...ugh; the women, for instance. Most female Netherrealm inhabitants dressed like they were late for a shift at the Kitty Kat Lounge, but the social norms were straight up Victorian. Lady realmers had weird notions of modesty and leaving the lower half of your face uncovered was down right scandalous in a rural type of town like this.
Nevermind that she and Jacqui were dressed in standard issue with full body coverage; that bare jawline was the equivalent of a Mardi Gras flash.
Cass adjusted the zipper at her collar, dragging it down baaarely enough to give that first hint of the twins. "Guys, stay here. Jacqui and I can do this." Finding a displacer was turning out to be a dead end. Villagers were nervous even being asked. It wasn't a new phenomenon; having a skill like that historically brought the owner bad luck. If you were lucky, you ended up the personal servant of some benevolent monarch. Not so lucky, a dark army kidnapped you and forced you into servitude. Some made good on their lot, Quan Chi pulled himself up to some power of sorts but still...
"Ohhh. Side quest." Jacqui winked over her shoulder at their companions. "Don't wait up, boys."
"Sergaent?" Kaui called after her. No point even acknowledging him. This was the last good hope she had at the moment.
"So here's the plan, Briggs. We got an admirer checking us out. I say we hit him up and ask some questions."
"What if he knows nothing?"
"Someone knows something. There's always a black market or people with connections. " Kind of like L.A. really.
The younger woman grunted. "I don't get this. If Kang and Kitana are ruling, there should be no need for psychics to be hiding in fear." Nailed it. This is usually what happened when an asshole was calling the shots and rifting was a hot commodity. Or a possible weapon.
"Game face on, Briggs." Their target stood alongside some dilapidated market stand where an older woman was stacking fruit. Eyes wide with a mix of fear and appreciation darted between the two women. "Sup, kid. "
"My friend and I need some help." Classic Jacqui, friendly but to the point.
"You've come from Earthrealm?" Ew. Yea, this one was young; red faced and voice cracking every other word. Plus the whole glancing down at her open neckline twice in 10 seconds.
Look your fill, junior, probably the last you'll be seeing for awhile. Cass crossed her arms under her chest and leaned closer. "Yep. And we're looking to get back there. Know any body who can make that happen?"
"I-i might.." a bright red flush stained his face and he didn't even bother to disguise his staring lower. Repressed cultures, what could you do?
"Can you take us-" Jacqui stopped midsentence because the kid's face started to slowly mottle purple as a blue grey dusting of frost climbed up his roughhewn clothing. "What the ever loving hell?" Lips shaking with cold and ice crystal coated over his eyebrows and along his hairline.
Really? Her teeth grinding now, Cass swiveled around. Sure enough, Laing was stalking towards them. "Get your ass back with the others, Grandmaster. You are not needed here."
Nothing doing. And he appeared as teed off and she was. "To what purpose do you entice this boy?"
"Uhhh, entice?" Jacqui's head whipped back and forth between her sergaent and the Lin Kuei. "Grandmaster, with all due respec-"
But her blond friend held up her hand never breaking stares with the warrior. " I am procuring information needed. Handing out orders or displaying a show of force is unnecessary. Your little chest thumping bullshit is an act of hostility to an a unarmed civilian." And hardly a threat, either. A damned kid. Reminding him of protocol was his only warning. She was not in the mood today.
"And your choice to display yourself as such" he gestured to her neckline . "will bring us undo attention."
"Ohhhhhh shit." Now it was Jacqui spinning on her boots, turning away from a conversation fast getting out of hand. Growing up with Cassie, she knew there were places you simply did not go with Ms. Cage. Kaui did not get that memo.
Undermining her authority and going for the personal insult? Fuck that and fuck him. She pushed herself forward, closer into his space. Better make sure he knew that she wasn't going to be strong armed. "Your purpose is to guide and advise on terrain. Step off and let me handle this."
"You persist in being unreasonable. Cover yourself " he growled back.
Orders from other personnel? Cool. Doing her job entailed doing as told-by other military. Orders from this shithead wasn't gonna fly. Cass blew a bubble with her gum while her index finger hooked the zipper and pulled it down an inch or so more. Who's asking for attention now, Frosty?
Someone behind them cackled. "Good for you, earther. " The mild mannered looking granny lady shook her head. "My first husband tried pulling me around much the same. Stabbed him the gullet for his trouble."
Jacqui was watching the kid, shivering but not immobile. Other than the frost dotting along his skin, he seemed ok now. "I'm sorry about...your...son? Grandson? Our friend mistook him for a threat."
Her gnarled hand waved away the concern. "No kin of mine. That's Blanche's idiot boy. Serves him right, it does. He's supposed to be watching out for the imperial army, not chatting with women."
Pretty much laying it out there that things were not well around these parts. Country folk standing guard for their own ruler's troops. Cass reached out and grabbed Jacqui's arm, lightly shaking her head. They didn't have time for the questions both wanted to ask.
"It's a portal you need, did I hear?" She shrewdly eyed the women's apparel. "Mighty expensive way to travel."
That's more like it ! Cass nodded. "We can pay. No worries."
"Good. Follow now where I lead you. My home is safer place to chatter." In true granny form, she pulled her shawl tightly around her. "Jamis, " the still chilled boy turned his head her way, "Watch my fruit. Go nowhere until I am back." To Cass and Jacqui, she inclined her head. "This way. Only you girls. That idiot man can stay there."