Foxfire 3.1
I stared out the window, smile frozen on my face. Seka noticed, eyes flickering between me and Villers.
"Yo Cheif! Whats up!" She said, waving at him, throwing an arm over my shoulder. She hesitated a moment, but I don't think anyone but me noticed. Shaking off the daze I turned with her, trying to loosen my smile, make it more genuine.
"Officer Villers," I said, inclining my head, trying to calm, heart beating, ignoring my urge to run, to hide, to scream. "It's been a while. The investigations going well I hope?"
"Hello Seka, and I suppose so," he said, eying me, placing his gun in his holster, echoed by his fellow policemen. I recognized one; he'd been manning the door when I gave my statement. He gave me a nod then moved downstairs, followed quickly by the others. Chief Villers smiled politely, nodding towards Kenta. "Hello, I'm afraid we haven't been introduced. Cedric Villers."
"Takimoto Kenta," he said, arms folded, a hard look in his eyes. If Villers noticed, he didn'tcomment.
"A pleasure to meet you," Villers said, stance straight, looking meeting our eyes in turn, eyes lingering on me, "But I have to cut this little meeting short. I'm afraid the three of you need to vacate the premises immediately."
"What for?" Kenta said, tilting his head. "I was not aware this is a restricted area. There was no police tape, no guards, no warnings."
"That is the reason you need to leave. There was supposed to be all three, there has been an ongoing PRT investigation on site. Around noon they ceased to make contact with central base," he said. My heart skipped a beat, thinking of Don. "This had been ignored as a common occurrence. Everyone assumed they were out for lunch. It was just called in, and the PRT requested me and my officers investigate while they scramble the Protectorate and their men. Their current internal crisis is a bit of a hindrance."
"Why? What's got their knickers in a twist?" Seka said, kicking back, flashing a grin, "Finally find the stick up their ass?" Chief Villers just stared at her, a drawn, weary look on his face.
"Classified," he said, shaking his head, "I'm sure you'll hear about it on the news soon enough. Now come along, we'd best be leaving this place. Seka, even without the crisis you should know better than to come here."
"Yeah, yeah. Do you think I'm a moron? I know they might come after me, and took precautions," she said, squeezing my shoulder, waving at Kenta, "I'm on buddy system!"
"Be that as it may," he said tersely, walking down the stairs, "You must leave. Now. Come, I'll see you out." I watched him go, feeling all over the place as I dropped the smile, slumping.
"Sure thing! Thanks Chief!" Seka said, waving her hand in the air before lowering her voice as she made her way down the stairs. "What an asshole. Hey, you okay? What happened between you and the Chief? I mean, I don't like the guy, but last I saw you two got along fine." She looked at me curiously, none of the hesitation or edginess from earlier.
"I…don't want to talk about it," I said, hugging myself a bit, feeling exhausted. I made myself move, follow, heading down the stairs, changing tacks. "So, he said there was a crisis in the Protectorate. What do you think? Was there an attack?"
"There was no attack." Kenta rumbled, taking up the rear. "It would have been public. Attacking such a large target draws eyes." Ah, yes. He would know. He'd done it. My steps stuttered but he reached out, grabbing my arm to stop my fall. As soon as I straightened he let go, acting as if nothing happened. "An internal matter, one they are holding off, sculpting for the press."
"Fucking gestapo," Seka muttered, reaching the bottom of the stairs. Our conversation ceased as we passed the slowly moving officers. Villers stood still, studying a recent burn mark from when I'd smashed the cameras. His pale green gaze roved over me as we approached. I cringed, but he said nothing, motioning us onwards. I couldn't relax, staring at the back of his head, stomach clenched, a chill down my spine. We continued moving, silent, the mood oppressive. Seka seemed lost in thought, sparing me occasional glances. Kenta careless, idly glancing around. About a block away Villers raised a hand, stopping, and turned around.
"Sierra, a moment alone if you would?" he said, face impassive. I know what he wants, but I don't want to give it. I have been avoiding the issue, not thinking about it, skirting the edges, but he was obviously hurt. His words, motions and body language were all polite and to the point, with none of the warmth or friendly exasperation I'd come to expect in our short time together. My abrupt departure had obviously affected him, and while I'm almost positive he wouldn't have had anything to do with Emma's bullying campaign…
I don't need to deal with this. Not now with the emotions still strong, the wounds still fresh. I would probably break down, out myself somehow, reveal my identity to more people. No, now is not a good day. Better to deal with this later.
I pulled on my energy a bit, loosening the barrier, a small ball the size of a marble appearing in the palm of my hands. My guilt, disappointment and rage found their place there, swirling around, leaving me calm, unaffected. I clasped my hands behind my back, turning to face him.
"Whatever for?" I said, tilting my head, letting the question linger. "Is it important? Is this about my statement? Questions for the case?"
"No," he said, a note of stress in his voice, a hint of worry in his voice. I almost cracked at that, smile wavering, instead letting in a bit more of the power, the ball growing just a bit bigger. His eyes flickered behind me where Seka and Kenta were standing, obviously reluctant to push the issue with others around.
"Well," I said, forcing a smile on my face, "Then how about another time? We have some plans, still a lot to do today. It's nothing that can't wait, right?"
"Right," he said, taking a moment to collect himself. His gaze remained intense before he closed his eyes, pinched his nose, and let out a long, deep breath before turning, heading towards the house. "Right. My mistake, sorry to have bothered you. Another time, then?"
"Yes," I said, feeling the ball growing, not turning my back to him as he made his way back, "Some other time." Standing there silently I watched him make his way inside, past the busted door. I strained my ears as his steel-toed footsteps hit the entranceway, moving through the kitchen, heading up the stairs.
Turning, I moved my ball to my front. About the size of my baseball. The energy suffusing my skin felt frayed, thin, but held. Turning I looked at myself, feeling my head, checking my back. No ears, no tails. I looked towards Kenta and Seka who stood there, eying me oddly. Their eyes seemed to follow my ball as I tossed it around, playing with it idly. I could feel everything there, all my guilt, anger, rage, frustration, still swirling, still strong, but not affecting me. Not much at least, not for the moment.
I took a deep, shuddering breath, feeling the strain of the remainder, the emotions not trapped in a ball. So tempting to force them all there, but I refrained. Better to work some out now, drain it off then ignore them completely, push away my humanity. I'd let them back in, little by little. Just not now.
Some other time.
"Hey," I said, catching my ball, looking at Kenta, feeling a little heady, a little spontaneous, "Do you know any place we could go to relax? To let off some steam, let our emotions run wild?"
He chuckled, motioning for Seka and I, heading south, deeper into the docks.
"I know just the place."
x-x
Foxfire 3.2
"So…" Seka said, trailing off a bit. She'd been shooting odd looks at me as we walked, whenever she thought I wasn't looking, and she'd just caught my eye. Her easy camaraderie had faded, leaving this odd puzzlement and wariness. Is my other form really that scary? I don't feel all that different.
"So?" I said, tilting me head. She cleared her throat.
"So, what… are you thinking?" she said, grinning widely. A little too widely. I thought of calling her out on all her looks, finding out what was the matter, but decided against it. After all, she really can help with this question.
"I was thinking about signing up as an independent, a few questions I have about the entire process," I said, turning towards her as we moved. I wasn't playing with my ball anymore, placing it in my backpack. I had the feeling I could call it into my hand at any time, but not seeing it gave her a measure of calm.
"Oh," she said, relaxing. "So, what questions do you got? I could help you with that, looked up the whole process before."
"Well," I said, playing with my hair," I was wondering how to get around the whole registration thing if you don't really have a civilian identity." Not one I was willing to use, anyways.
"Oh. You don't need one," she said tersely, backing away, facing forwards. Kenta snorted.
Right. Enough of this. I left he,r moving closer to Kenta.
"Why is she scared of me?" I said, hissing under my breath. If he can hear the police from two blocks away, he can hear this too. He chuckled.
"You have nine tails. Why would she not be?" he said, speaking quietly, shaking his head, obviously amused. I growled in frustration. He wasn't giving me a straight answer.
"Look, I get that she's afraid of my other form, and that I do some pretty weird things when I'm like that," I said, shooting him a look, "But I'm human now. Why is she still afraid?" He made an amused sound in the back of his throat, shaking his head.
"You're just so-" I stopped, cocking my head. Something….something felt off. I turned to Kenta. "Is this normal foot traffic around here?" I said, looking across the street. We were in a small, rundown area of the docks. The houses were small, former shops squat. There were a few rundowns, some homeless vagrants, and a small sign sitting proudly in an empty lot, saying 'for sale'. While the street was empty, empty enough to talk about cape business and feel safe, people only moved in one direction. Towards the docks. No one was heading downtown, or to the boardwalk.
"No. It is not," Kenta said, frowning. He held up a hand, stopping Seka as he slowed, listening, searching for something wrong. I moved to the nearby rundown, knocking. No response, no one inside. I went in closed the door, and breathed as I loosened the energy, just a little. Ears twitched atop my head, my eyes grew sharper, and a single tail appeared, swishing behind me. I closed my eyes and listened.
Four, no, five blocks away. People breathing, talking, murmuring. Higher than usual, on a roof. Countless blades sounding in unison, quietly, but there. I peeked through the window, motioning for Seka and Kenta to join me. If Kenta was surprised by my appearance he didn't show it, and Seka even seemed relieved. I was just glad my thoughts hadn't changed. That I could tell, at least.
"What have you found?" Kenta said, settling against the wall.
"I can hear maybe ten people on a roof five blocks down," I said, sketching out a rough map in the wood with my nails. "There are several others on the streets, but I can't tell if they're enemies or not. The only reason I'm certain about the ones on the roof is that they have something with them, something that sounds like several thousand metal knives moving in unison." I dotted the streets, the people on the roof crosses, with a big circle in the middle.
"Hookwolf," Kenta growled, leaning down for a closer look. I called my ball to my hand, casting a soft glow for Seka to see in the dim light. Midafternoon sun streamed through the windows, but none reached my hiding spot. She hunched down, tracing the drawing.
"You said five blocks down. In that direction?" she said, pointing. I nodded. "Hey Kenta, looks like their running a hold down on your Casino."
"Foolish," he said, baring his teeth, "They cannot stop me, cannot escape. Not here, deep within my territory. Call Lee, inform him he has work to do." My heart skipped a beat hearing that. Oni Lee?So Seka is ABB. Really, it should have been obvious with her relationship with Kenta. Workmates, in a way.
"Yeah, problem with that," she said, texting rapidly. "He's already occupied. By the sounds of it, so is everyone else. Adachi called in, saying there's been an attack by the piers, requesting backup. Pai is running himself ragged deploying the boys, trying to deal with the threats they can. We're getting hit by everything. Their goons, their capes. Thank god Mom's still safe, the Parahuman gestapo's hard at work fighting the actual gestapo." Her smile had a manic edge to it. She texted away, almost giddy, reticence forgotten. Snapping her phone shut, she turned to lung. "Yeah, all empire capes besides Hookwolf's crew accounted for. All three of em are no shows so far."
"Three will not be enough to stop me," Kenta said, bulking up. More like seven feet tall now, the air shimmering round him.
"They probably weren't planning on 'stopping' you, just killing you," Seka said, shrugging," Their teams perfectly capable of shredding you to bits in your normal form before you build up, and there hasn't' been a commotion around here. Not their usual style."
"How would they manage that?" I said, watching Seka unpack. Her purse held a lot. Sure it had the normal stuff, stationary, makeup, pads. It also held tinkertech orbs of varying shapes and sizes, along with what looked like a steampunk gas mask. Honestly, this explained why it was so big.
"Well," she said, pulling out some gloves and a hoodie, "They could have killed everyone, or those ten stationary on the roof are hostages. My bets on hostages, some way to deal with Lung." I jerked at that name but calmed myself, pushing the emotions away, my ball growing a bit bigger, another tail sprouting. Kenta just grew more, seemingly uncaring.
I was beginning to see another side of them, and I didn't really like it. Before I'd been able to ignore this part of them, disassociate them as people from the ABB and the crime lord Lung. Now all they represented, all Lung did was rushing back to me, and I all I wanted to do was leave. This isn't my fight, not my war. But…"Hostages?" I said, turning to look at Seka.
"Yeah," she said, pulling on the hoodie, gloves and boots.
"How are you going to deal with them?" I said, pushing, looking for a sign, some remorse, some worry.
"Eh," she said, nonchalantly picking up the mask, playing with the orb, grenade, "It'll work itself out."
"Do you," I said, taking a breath," Do you mind if I help out?"
"You sure?" she said, raising a quizzical brow, "This isn't your fight, its ABB. Thought you were big on the whole 'independent hero' thing."
"I am!" I said before I breathed, calming myself," But I can help, just this once. For the hostages. You have to agree to help me save them." Kenta laughed, deep, rumbling, while Seka had this smug, satisfied grin on her face.
"Deal! No refunds!" she said glefully, "Knew you'd fall for the whole hostage thing. Planning on saving them anyways, was holding out for you. If we weren't this angry dragon woulda just charged them already."
I groaned, dropping my head in my hands, not sure if I was disappointed in myself for thinking so lowly of them, or that I fell for it. I heard Seka rummaging around her purse.
"Here we go!" she said, making a small noise of satisfaction. "Here, take a look."
I raised my head, staring at what she proudly held. It was like an Oni mask made of bone. The features slim, feminine, horns small. White, a few etchings of red. Sharpened teeth filled the outside, with tusks on the edges. The eyes were filled in, jaw flexible. It would cover my entire face, from my forehead to neck, ear to ear, jawline to jawline.
"So I rustled this up yesterday off a mold I had Parian take of your face, should fit perfectly. Damn good mold considering she based it off a bolt of cloth you almost ate, she's got a great memory for shape. Should be snug enough. It's got a voice synthesizer and the lenses act as goggles with built in telescoping vision, equipped with optional heat vision. You touch the button here for this," she said, pointing. "Decided on the whole bone theme to go with the possible armor, wouldn't look out of place with a set of heavy." She waited, looking at me, grinning.
It looked…demonic. Villainous. The kind of mask I'd expect to see on the other end if someone held a gun to my head. It drew immediate similarities to Oni Lee. I could imagine the armor she had in mind to go with it. Bony, spiky, intimidating. Made to take damage and deal it out.
"Why not a fox?" I said, studying it idly. She made an annoyed noise.
"A fox?" she said, rolling her eyes, "Please. Any fox design would have whiskers painted on, and with your painted on whiskers and similar body type you'd be a suspect, easy. People wouldn't even have to try to connect you, and any costume would have to be light and airy. This? This adds a layer of division, of defense, of power. If you look strong enough, people will hesitate to fight you." She handed me the mask, expression rapt, expectant.
She had obviously put a lot of thought into this. A lot of work, a lot of effort. I turned it around, depressing a small pad where my forehead would go. The eyes began to glow, taking on an ethereal red shade, another difference from my deep blue. I put it on. "Thanks, Seka," I said, wincing. My voice came out high and low at once, my own voice distorted by the static of the lower when I spoke. "You're right, it fits perfectly."
Lung got up, growing, scales erupting from his form as he ducked his way through the door, face inhuman, split. She winked, pulling on her own mask as she wiggled her shoes a bit. When she looked up, a cyberpunk terrorist took her place.
"No prob. But," she said, her voice synthesized, monotone, unchanging. She turned her purse inside out, making it a harness of some kind, filled with tinkertech, grenades, and a metallic finish. "I'm not Seka right now. Call me Bakuda."
x-x
Foxfire 3.3
"So ah…Bakuda. What do your things do?" I said, pointing vaguely at her harness.
"You mean bombs," she said, the grating monotone of her mask putting me somewhat on edge.
"Yeah, bombs," I said, taking a breath, wishing the strange duality of my tone didn't make everything I say sound so threatening.
"Well these ones," she said, motioning towards the white and black patterned bombs, "slow time. Been trying to get them to stop time in an area, but seems pretty damn impossible. Lasts 30 minutes. Later version, I'll just have them slow the area in the center exponentially. The yellow ones? Think giant tazer. Gives whoever's in a range a nasty shock."
"What about the red ones?" I said, glancing at the majority. She made this strange, repetitive sound. Laughter?
"Good old fashioned explosives," she said, patting them affectionately. I winced, screams of pain and anger reaching my ears followed by a short, victorious roar.
"Ah, looks like he found them early," Se- Bakuda said, moving faster, "Ambush must have been called off when they saw a ten foot dragon man bearing down on them." I nodded distractedly, cocking my head to the side. The people on the roof hadn't moved, but the sound of blades grew louder and there was this strange, metallic screech. Twenty feet of screaming metal hit Lung head on, finding purchase, tearing into him as he was pushed back, blood flowing, roaring in defiance. I moved to help before Bakuda grabbed, my arm, stopping me.
"Relax," she said, shaking her head, "Lung got this. See, him and Hookwolf have done this whole song and dance before. Hookwolf tries to kill Lung until he starts reaming his ass, then pulls the dirty underhanded tricks. He's too much of a 'warrior' to do it otherwise. C'mon, now's our chance to get those hostages." She jerked her head, moving down an alleyway. I followed, tossing a brief look at Lung. He really is doing better. I cocked my head, ears twitching.
"Seven people coming our way, round the corner. No idea if their hostiles or not," I said, jumping up the wall to get a better view. Pausing in shock a bit I stood there, shaking my head. Bakuda reached for her time bomb, tossing it forwards. It blew up, first thugs eyes wide with shock as the subsequent tried to back away. She threw her electric bomb, leisurely dodging a bullet, beginning to head up the stairs. I threw a bolt of fire on pure reflex. It flew wide, not slowing down. I tried sheathing my arm in energy, heading down towards the bubble of time. I swiped, pulling back at the last second, hitting an essence wall.
Hmm…
I moved up, sprouting five tails instead of two, still feeling somewhat myself. Dancing my way down the wall I sheathed an arm in essence, swiping through with no resistance.
Well then.
"Had a major find?" Bakuda said, breath a harsh monotone as she ascended the stairs, meeting me on the roof.
"I believe our little hostage situation just became much simpler," I said, viewing across the roof. A lithe, scarred woman in a cage-like mask stared back at me, various people arrayed around her, crouched down, hands on their heads. Her eyes flickered between me and the ongoing fight, her strangely shaped weapon laying at rest beside her. I flicked a bolt of foxfire her way, watching her reaction. She jerked her head fractionally as it blew past, not breaking eye contact, stance unchanging, though her weapon did edge closer towards a hostage. Skilled. Confident. Disciplined.
Patterned. Predictable. Boring.
"What's the plan," Bakuda rasped, moving out of Cricket's line of sight.
"It depends, I suppose," I said, waving at the caged woman with a tail, "On what she can do."
"Not much I can tell you about her," she said, shrugging her shoulders, "Close up fighter, wields that bat of hers like a precision instrument. She's got these killer reflexes, always dodging, striking, moving just in the nick of time. Who knows, that might even be her whole shtick."
Nodding absently, I turned my attention back to the Nazi woman. Enhanced reflexes. How bland. At least it makes rescuing the hostages more interesting.
"How do your bombs detonate?" I said, tilting my head as the blond woman's eye twitched, "I never noticed a fuse or arming device."
"That's because with my quality of work, the only person who'd make it so others could feasibly detonate these baby's would be an idiot," she said, then tapped her head. "I blow these things up with my mind."
"Well, that makes this easy, " I said, studying her bandolier. Plain, circular orbs stared back, not a blemish on their surface. "Pass me a time bomb, be ready to blow it on my signal."
"Aye aye, mon capitan," she said, throwing the tech with a careless toss. Snatching it from the air, I prepared to throw…
"Bakuda?" I said, lowering my hand.
"Mmm?" she said, watching Lung and Hookwolf fight.
"I'm afraid we will have to add another rating to our little friend Cricket," I said, letting out a sigh. Whereas before she kept her hostages at arm's length she now held an old man in a loose grip, shaking her head, tapping her ear through her cage mask. Bakuda noticed, glancing across the roof. Cricket gave a small wave. Bakuda flipped her off, turning to me.
"Guess this means you're going to have to stop holding back, huh?" she said, eying my seven tails. I didn't respond at first, studying the situation. I'd met Naoko in a situation much like this. A skilled opponent, carrying a hostage. Three roofs away instead of one room. Enhanced reflexes. While she doesn't appear to have a gun, neither did Jacket. If I threw a bout of foxfire she could execute a hostage and be long gone before I reached her. Likewise, my little trick with time dilation seemed unlikely to be of use against a cape who could kill with a twitch. I would reach her fast, but only fast enough to watch the man die. Yet somehow I feel that if I release my last two tails, I can win. But no. There has to be another way.
I felt that separate orb of energy waiting in the back of my head. I have powers for sure. This means that that orb does something. Probably the cause of whatever lets me change shape. Random effect, based on need? Can I at least try to use it?
No. Too much of an unknown, too unpredictable. Cricket can take whatever happens as a threat. Why hadn't I been experimenting with my powers again? I made for that last change, to push of the last of my self-imposed shackles. Seven became eight, but that last step…I stopped. Not out of any limitation, but pure guilt, pure hesitation.
Smacking my face with my hand, all I met was the hard surface of my mask. Damnit. Too hesitant. Too guilty. Too afraid of the consequences, of change. Why?
The last of my shackles sat there, mocking me. Cricket didn't move. A quiet sob echoed across the roofs, a small girl.
"Bakuda," I said, staring straight at Cricket, "Are you sure this is a good idea? Me letting loose I mean."
"Uh, yeah? Why the hell wouldn't it be?" she said. Voice still monotone, it made it hard to tell what she was feeling.
"I'm afraid. Of myself, I mean, when I throw off all my humanity," I said, hand moving behind my back, grasping an arm. Seka shifted, not responding for a moment. We listened to the growing sounds of violence before she gave a small mechanical sigh.
"Yeah? Good, thought it was only me," she said, leaning against a metal vent as I winced, "but what's that got to do with all this?" She waved a hand, encompassing the hostages and the attentive Nazi.
"I'm afraid I might do something that I will come to regret. When I saved Y… Miss Nakane, there was this man named Mark, one of the kidnappers. I nearly killed him, "I said, watching Cricket's eyes light in recognition. Her grip on the captive tightened. They knew each other? "I'm afraid something similar might happen here, to the hostages or to her."
"Seriously?" Bakuda said, monotone voice somehow coming across biting. "You're afraid of possibly hurting or killing Nazis. That's your hang up." I moved to respond but she cut me off, moving into my line of vision.
"No no no. You listen to me. You're feeling guilty for accidently almost killing a Nazi. Stop that. Now. You know what Nazi's are all about, right? Racial purity. Boils down to this: anyone not white needs to die. Me, you, that kid on the rooftop over there, " she said, motions strong, passionate, making a gun motion with her hand, "Bang. Brains splattered. Dead. Gone. Remember what happened yesterday? That attempted murder? They pull that kind of shit all the time. You heard Lung earlier, that wannabe that was there was probably doing that to prove himself, doing more than what you're guilty for because he thought it was some kind of initiation. Why are you so fucking hesitant?"
"I have enough blood on my hands," I said, dual tone harsh, then blinked. Where had that come from? Seka jerked, stopping, clenching her fists before breathing in a burst of static, stilling herself. She made a short, aborted motion towards the captives.
"Fine," she said, tone calm, robotic, menacing, "But you made a deal to help, and if you don't, you'll have even more blood on your hands."
I stopped, glaring at her. Seka stood smug, unmoving. She thought she could trap me with words? Then I breathed, running a hand over my face, pushing the alien thought away.
No. No. There's more at stake here, people at stake. There's no time for this petty hesitation and grand standing. I breathed, removing all but one tail, focusing on my thoughts, my goals, and my reasons. Focusing on the faces across the roof, the fright, the anger, the need, the new wariness in the Parahuman Nazi.
Focused as such I reached out, pushing away the energy, the barrier, tails bursting into Nine.
x-x
Dreaming of Foxfire 3.4
Frowning, I opened my eyes, a quick mental check going through my head. No sudden urges to kill anyone, however annoying they might be. Not even the trio. Still want to save the hostages, taking note not to nearly kill enemies. Seems like all is in order. I stretched myself fully, clothes somewhat tight but still comfortable, opening my eyes to behold the suddenly wary Nazi, her fingers twitching minutely. I changed my expression to be gentle, soothing, to help her relax, to drop her guard. Her hand clenched on the knife, inching closer.
Really. That never works. What am I doing wrong? I know I have the facial muscles right, but… ah, yes, the mask. That must be it. Likely she saw nothing, making her warier. I cocked my head, letting my curiosity shine through as I studied her. Sudden wariness, tenseness. Her muscles stood out, smooth and corded under her skin, her gaze sharp. A far cry from the relaxed pose she took earlier. What had her so worried?
Wait. Of course. Rocking back, I released a sigh. She heard our entire conversation. Forewarned and scared, rightfully so. But then again…I laughed, letting my joy of foreseen victory echo through the roofs. She immediately tensed, knife raising to the old man's throat but all attention on me.
Excellent.
I trapped her attention, breathing it in. The effects were immediate. She relaxed, muscles unclenching, knife drooping. The old man pushed out of her grasp, running to the other hostages, the younger moving to guard him. She didn't notice. Gathering myself, I leapt across the rooftops. One, two, three leaps till I was in range as I grabbed her with my tails, pushing her off the roof as I ended the heavily draining attention technique. She snapped out of it in midair, twisting to land on her feet, eyes wide, breath harsh. Not likely to attack me again. Really, it's as I thought before. She's boring. Turning, I let my attention wander to the hostages. Mostly clean clothes, a little rumpled, pulled from the streets. The older eyed me warily while I could hear sighs of relief from the younger.
"You might as well get moving. While I can't hear anyone else around, I doubt Cricket will stand out of the way for long," I said, waving a hand at the staircase, "There's an exit on the opposite side of the building, take that and head deeper into the docks. You will be fine, the Empire's forces are busy fighting Lung." My words punctuated by a sudden crash followed by a harsh metallic screech. The youths made the first move, heading for the stairs. Their elders called out to them, glaring at me. Well, at least till they came to no harm. Then the elders slowly followed while looking vaguely befuddled, very surprised, a little fearful.
I suppose it is the mask. Beastly thing really, can't recall why I let Seka talk me into wearing it. Designed to intimidate rather than reassure. The glowing red eyes. The dual tone of voice. The bonelike texture,, color, and shape. The mouth of fangs, moving in time with my speech. No matter what I do, I look like a villain. No wonder the poor men are scared. Probably Seka's goal to be honest, an overt recruitment attempt. Really, for all that I think this form needs the most guidance I make such stupid decisions. This mask runs completely counter intuitive to being a hero. It might become a problem later, especially when dealing with the Protectorate or PRT after helping ABB capes. Hmm…
Discard it?
No, no, rule number two, no removing the mas-
I leaned my head, moving to the side, a ball of metal and blades scrapping the side of my mask. Looking over my shoulder I saw Cricket, sickle in hand, bag of balls at her feet. My ears twitched, the revebrations of bat on ball harsh.
Well. Good enough reason to keep it I suppose.
Flicking a volley of fire her way I turned. The last of the hostages disappeared, making due haste down the staircase. At least their hesitation's gone. I leapt down, searching for Cricket. She appeared relatively unscathed, though the wall and her bat had seen better days. Ah, such an oversight.
She moved.
She made for the wall, batting another spiked ball my way. Dancing to the side, I leapt forwards, letting loose a bolt of essence, striking her leg. She went down, wobbled, kept moving. Frowning, I moved after her. Now where did she think…
Ah. Of course.
I leapt up, grasping the wall, moving for the other building even as Stormtiger and Hookwolf burst through the previous. The wall burst apart in a in a flurry of wind, fire, and blades. Lung howled in rage, unable to get closer, trying to climb the crumbling wall as they turned their attention to me. I'm sure they don't usually have this level of collateral. If they did, downtown wouldn't be left standing. Then again, this is the Docks. Worn, damp, broken. Rival territory, 'inferior' race.
I suppose they could care less.
They charged, moving in unison, abandoning the slower threat in favor of the weaker. A good plan, but… I ran, an explosion of air blasting apart the masonry below me. I flew, leaping across the rooftops, leading them on a merry chase. Away from the hostages, naturally. Glancing down, I made for the streets. A small alley, no cover, dead end.
Perfect.
I turned, tossing my ball. It flew, sinking through the cracked wall even as they rounded the corner, led by Hookwolf. I leaned back against the wall, hand extended, gesturing for them to come. They obliged. Blades of steel screaming songs of pain and violence. Claws of air, tearing through the night. Black balls of metal rode on them, aiming to take my head off. They came at me with their all, aiming to either take me out of the fight or outright kill me.
I moved, burning through my inner reserves as time slowed around me. Duck. Dodge. Twist. Razor wind, balls of blades, I avoided them all, staying on the ground, leaping to the side, watching, waiting…now.
A swirling orb of energy exited the wall, leaving an impression of itself through it. Cricket reacted quickly, moving out of the way, whistling the others attention. Hookwolf didn't move and paid for it. The wolf of blades collapsed, part of its right gone along with a hind leg. Blades sprang into being, moving to replace them. I'd struck more than just metal. Stormtiger lay on the ground, grasping his stump of an arm, screaming in pain. He'd tried to dodge, just hadn't been fast enough. I caught my ball, back to its normal size, tossing my newly filled orb as I leaned against the wind-scarred wall. Hookwolf began to move towards me before. He stopped at a twenty foot distance while glancing between me and his companions.
"You didn't finish them," he said, a cacophony of blades, knives and hooks resembling actual speech. My ears twitched and tails lashed.
"Killing is hardly something a hero would do," I said, still tossing my ball in one hand, examining my nails in the other. A bit of stone was stuck there. I reached that hand into my ball. When I pulled it out it was clean, all trace of dirt or grime gone.
"A hero? Do you think I'd fall for such a blatant lie?" he said, followed by a strange, screeching laugh, "Don't think I don't recognize that mask. Oni Lee wears something similar."
"The mask is the only similarity," I said, tilting my head, catching my ball. Cricket dragged Stormtiger towards the streets but I paid her no mind. A boring exit to a tedious fight. "While I may be helping them now it is only to end the fighting, to save the Docks."
"You could have joined us instead," he said, shaking his massive wolfs head, "Or remained neutral. Instead I see you running with their bomb bitch."
"Well, I'd hardly choose the side holding hostages," I said, shrugging. A door opened nearby, a car started. As the car left, so did most of the scent of blood.
"Then, as you have said, you have chosen your side," he said, crouching preparing to jump," so will you fight as a warrior, or run as a maiden?" I tossed my ball, letting it come a little more forwards before catching it. He twitched. I gave him an open mouth smile, knowing he'd be treated to a smiling fanged face.
"I hardly think you're in any condition to fight me right now. It was hard to tell, but easier now that Stormtiger is gone. You are bleeding. You hide it on your blades, somewhere in your large form, but inside there is flesh," I said, hands forming claws at my side before I relaxed, an angry roar approaching, growing louder by the second.
"Besides," I said, leaning back in amusement, "I doubt you could take both me and Lung. If you leave now I'll let you free. Even stop Lung from killing you if necessary."
He eyed me, face unreadable, before quickly loping off, bounding through the streets. I relaxed, surveying the area, listening to the sounds of disappearing blades, the sounds of peace. A few people were startled, but no death screams, no sudden, wet crunches. A wise choice. Really, Hookwolf was far more interesting than his lackeys. A mix of an honorable warrior and a ruthless knave. He might actually be a challenge now that he was aware of my most dangerous weapon.
Not that I'd tell him that, of course.
Lung rounded the corner, saw no one and growled before sniffing the air, loping quickly after Hookwolf. While not as fast, he still made good speed, certainly more than a normal man could. His long strides ate the land, leaving a trail of flame and destruction behind him. Seka reached me, huffing, puffing, sucking in air.
"The hell are you doing just standing there!" she said, grabbing my hand. I resisted, remaining standing where I was, looking on in amusement. "C'mon, get moving!"
"Why?" I said, tilting my head, "Our deals done. The hostages are freed, the villains have fled. It's hardly my business where they run to, and I doubt I could capture Hookwolf."
"You…you actually believe this shit, you think Hookwolf's running," Seka said, standing still, fists clenching. She laughed, small, short, monotone, aborted. I frowned, tilting my head in confusion.
"If he were running, he wouldn't be heading that direction. He'd be going the other way," she said, sucking in a breath, removing her mask, her face drawn, haggard, worried. "He's not running. Not even fucking close. He's heading towards the hospital," she said, drawing in a breath.
"He's heading for Mom."
x-x
Dreaming of Foxfire 3.5
Cricket fell over headfirst, unmoving, uncaring. Her eyes were vacant, pale blue, moving only for me. I waved, relaxed, casual, then breathed out her essence, let her go. Her eyes widened as realization began to dawn and she turned frantically in the air, moving desperately to land on her feet. I turned, walking back towards the hostages. Quick. Easy. Boring.
I leaned back in my chair, breathing deeply, feeling behind myself just in case. Nothing. No tails. I made a effort and a small fire appeared, depleting a sliver more, a bit of my essence. It took more, but I could still use this. Good.
It seems some, though, just aren't fast enough. Stormtiger fell, Left arm gone, right clasped to his side. Blood leaked through, caught by the air, flowing, pushing, knocking on the wound, wind screaming to let it in...
"Your fight back there," Bakuda said, pumping a fist, "was fucking amazing. Seriously, didn't guess you had that kind of power. Thought you were a classic. You know, foxfire, transformations, illusions. But that flying death ball? Fucking amazing."
Frowning, I looked at her. Relaxed, leaning into her seat, she didn't resemble the grief stricken visage I'd seen at all. Fiddling with her bombs, speaking into her receiver, she looks nothing more like a mad bomber, an indolent crime lord. Lung, on the other hand seems quiet, serious. Her shitt is just strange, images not adding up.
Hookwolf stood there, seemingly immutable, unchanged, a silver wolf of whirling blades. I breathed, letting his scent filter through my nose. Without Stormtiger around, I could smell it beneath the scent of sweat and steel, of damp walls and dusty alleys. The liquid scent of copper and iron mingled with sweat, grease and hair. Faint, background, but there. The scent grew as he spoke, buying time for his subordinates.
"Then you have chosen your side," he said, crouching low, preparing to jump. As he creaked, the scent increased. Maybe I heard it, maybe I imagined it. Drip drop, his lifeblood spilling out." Will you fight as a warrior or run as a girl?"
"Depends on my mood really," I said, tossing my ball. He flinched, knees tensing, moving to the side. Interesting. I caught it, unclasping my mask a bit, letting loose a laugh. Speeding through the elongated nail lock I turned, moving it to the right, letting him see my grin. One half covered, the other free. There was a roar, a crash, the shake of earth and the hint of victory, the promise of violence. "But are you really in any position to ask?" He tensed, head moving, body shifting to better move away.
It would be easy to finish him. To hem him in, keep him till Lung came. Humans are fragile and he is wounded. Despite his power, I doubt he will put up much of a fight, too focused on the pain. But should I? Do I really want to? Do I really needto? No. Lung, Hookwolf. Villains, the both of them. One winning over the other really wouldn't benefit me in any way. Dad and I live in a neutral area, one of the few left close to the docks. A small shift, a small change, and all that ends. There would be more grabs, more territory, more violence.
Besides, I have already helped the ABB enough. Certainly more than a Hero should. And instead of a fast, brutal, foreknown fight, a brave warrior, forced to run, protecting his fallen comrades from the rage of an unstoppable dragon…
Now wouldn't that be interesting.
I hugged myself, shuddering, shying away from my reflection in the mirror. Glowing eyes, red symbols etched in bone, a mouth of fangs with a throat of shadows changing slightly to mirror my thoughts, my motions, my movements, to change them, make them different, removed. Demonic. Inhuman.
It fit, all considering.
"He's not running," she said, shaking her head. "If he was running, he'd be going the other way, back to Empire territory. He's going to another part of the docks. Better, cleaner, a lighter presence, but still ABB territory."
"He's heading for the hospital," she said, removing her mask, revealing her worn face, her haggard visage, her lines of worry, faint streaks of liquid dripping towards her mouth.
"He's heading for Mom."
I tore my eyes from the mirror, looking out the window to the sudden rain. A flash flood, not uncommon in a seaside city like Brockton Bay. The rain thudded on the window, large goblets splattering at an accelerated pace, thousands of drops per second. It ran across the windows, miniature rivers on the sides.
There was no faking her reaction, her expression. No, this is probably just her way of coping, distracting herself. Finding a new project, a new goal, something to focus on.
"We lost him," Lung said, hand resting on the wheel. We'd found him five minutes into our chase, bare chest and barefoot, wearing only a silver dragon mask and a pair of jeans. With how his power works, maybe he has drop-offs around the docks, scheduled ahead of time. The car had been a surprise, but then again, he doesn't have any mover powers to speak of.
"Maybe he's just running, I could smell the blood, he was injured pretty badly," I said hopefully, flinching at the high and low of my masks synthesizer.
"That's fucking stupid," Bakuda said, letting out a mechanical snort, her eyeholes reflective, flat. "Everything has been too quick, too easy. No way he'd just up and run. He's Kaiser's muscle, his heavy hitter. Empire 88 doesn't work like that. They hit hard, they hit fast, yes, but they have a goal, they have a reason." She took out a bomb, playing with its insides. "See, Kaiser may be a horrible criminal but that doesn't make him an idiot. He's lasted this long because he knows how to play the crowd, to create a spectacle. He's all smoke, mirrors, and publicity stunts. Likes to play the part of the cultured villain, building up the PR, bringing more into his fold. Brockton bay has one of the highest concentrations of Nazi's in the nation thanks to that modern art reject. He wouldn't really do a full scale attack like this unless he thought he had a shot."
"The problem," Lung said, rumbling as we turned the corner, "No change. Not land, capes, territory. Not in his favor. My only parahuman member was Oni Lee. No alliance, no Bakuda. We are stronger now, yet he attacks. It's not his way. He loses men, he loses face. Oni Lee is good, but not enough to fight all at once. No, he has a plan, an objective."
"Add in a fight crazy maniac like Hookwolf running to the one place on the docks we haven't heard a peep from," Bakuda said, clicking her bomb shut, "and you got one hell of an indicator something's buggy."
"Makes sense," I said, backing off, pulling my legs off the floor, hugging my knees. The silence stretched, interrupted by the silent hum of the engine, the distant roar of guns, the faint calls from the phone resting comfortably on Bakuda's hip.
"Adachi here, injured at pier, gutless cowards run back to mother's breasts."
"Zhè shì měilì de zǔguó Shì wǒ shēngzhǎng dì dìfāng…"
"Not just yours byeong-sin!"
"We have lost two men. One bastard dead, Rune wounded, bullet through leg. Should I pursue?"
"No," Lung said, sitting back. "They run, stay for now. You have losses; a wound through her leg will not stop a wall breaking your head. Stay alive. Fight again. Kaiser will pay in time. The Empire will pay. Live to see this. Know when to bow to take his head. Take your men. Secure the area"
"Understood. Jai out."
"Those fuckers killed Scott, and you want us to lay off them, just like that? Fuck you! Fuck all of you! I'm going in, alone if I-"
"Timothy," Lung said slowly, fingers tapping the wheel. "Stop, remember." The line quieted, all speaking stopped. I twitched, trying to distract myself. I didn't see anything he could be speaking into, and the dashboard seemed normal. His mask?
"This is Oni Lee. Tiger district, clear. One dead, five wounded. Rat district, clear. No dead, no wounded, heavy structural damage. Krieg fought me there. Snake district, continued fighting. Three dead, seven wounded. Ambush, but none will escape with their lives. I will make sure of it. Ox district…"
My hands clenched, stopping when my nails punctured the seat. Leather ripped, tore, a short lived stabbing sound echoed through the car. I pulled back, a little guiltily. Lung heard that for sure.
"Did you capture or kill any of their Parahumans?" Lung said, ignoring my outburst.
"No. They were too far back, using too much caution. Less casualties than expected for both sides. They ran immediately after their attempt failed. Faster, easier than usual."
Lung snorted, turning to face me. His eyes were dark, shadowed through the mask, half lidded. I looked away. The body count still disturbed me, but he made his point. Empire 88's capes are always at their forefront, leading the charge, inspiring the troops. At least, that's what I saw on the news. They had some other plot, some other plan. If Naoko weren't in danger, I'm not sure I would have cared.
"Hey," Bakuda said, reaching across to put a hand on my shoulder. I flinched, backing away. She gave up, throwing her hands up before letting them drop. "What's up with the wallflower thing?"
"I'm not being a wallflower. Just me," I said, playing with the lock on my clasp again. It was a five slot thing, released by my nails, fitting into the slots. Flick, flick. Click, click. Flick, flick. Click, click.
"Bullshit," she said, shaking her head," I mean you pulled this on us at first, but game over, we've seen how you really are. Why bother with this whole act now? " I looked up, hand dropping from my clasp, actuallyglad for my mask for once.
"Because it's not an act," I said, growling as I spoke. It came out in two. Distorted, menacing." This is not a trick, this is not a game. This is me. Normal, human. Earlier, when I fought the Empire? That wasn't."
"Right," she drawled, letting the word drag out. "You went from femme fatale to broken doll in three seconds flat. If being depressed is normal I might believe you." She looked at me, expecting an answer. When I didn't she let out a burst of static. I'd come to recognize this as a sigh.
"If it's not an act," she said, voice monotone, robotic, actions casual, "what happened? You're kind of boring when you go full human, but never this much. Done nothing but make some half-assed statements, backing off soon as someone said anything. What, lose your personality along with your tails?"
"Really," I said, taking a breath, "I'd think this was normal after hearing all those deaths, after almost killing someone." After possibly causing a murder for negligence," When your mom's in danger, possibly killed."
"You're going there," she said, tapping her knees with her suddenly clenched fists. "You're really going there. All right, I'll bite. Tell me this. What do you expect from me, huh?"
"I...I don't know," I said, biting my lip, "Reaction. Emotion. Grief. Pain. Sadness. Something normal. What I saw earlier I guess. But it seemed like as soon as you entered this car, all that stopped. You started fiddling with your bombs, paying more attention to the ABB, your gang. You don't seem like you care about your mother at all." She paused, dropping her project, turning in her seat so her feet faced me.
"Okay," she said, leaning back, steepling her fingers, "I think I know where you're going with this. You don't want me doing something productive, useful. You expect me to be crying through my nose, talking about my feelings or some shit. You expect me to act like you. Useless."
Beat
"You know," I said, slowly stretching out my legs, letting go of my knees. Her lenses were blank, alien, a transparent copper sheen on the front of her mask. "For someone who claims to be so smart you can be reallyfucking stupid."
My head snapped back, hitting the window. The pain burst, settling as a dull, throbbing ache as I snapped up, facing forwards. I growled, manifesting my fire, leaping for her throat-
"Enough!"
The car stopped, jerking to a halt. My head jerked, crashing into the seat. It bent but resisted, stopping my movement, cushioning my landing. I pushed myself in a daze, trying to sort out my tangle limbs. Bakuda groaned, getting up from a similar position. She tried to stand at first, failing, before crawling up to the seat. I followed her example, doing the same.
"The hell was that for?" she said, facing Lung, cradling her head in her hands. "Could have snapped our necks like that!"
"Going at fifteen miles per hour? Unlikely," he said, shaking his head. "I grew tired of your bickering."
"So you what, try to crash the car?" she said, waving a hand. Lung snorted.
"Foxfire," he said, turning towards me, "You do not wish to help the ABB."
I paused, my breath hitching, staring at the most powerful villain in Brockton Bay. "I'm not, aba- I mean, I still want to help, just-"
"You do not like what we stand for. You do not like how we operate," he said, words calm, voice even.
"Yes," I said, letting myself relax, taking a breath, "I mean, I want to help save Naoko, help save the hospital, but…"
"Not like this. Not with us."
I nodded.
"That is fine," he said, popping out his key, unlocking the door, metallic dragon tattoos glinting in the light of the car. Bakuda moved to speak, but he cut her off with a motion. "You have fulfilled the deal, you promised no further help. I will not stop you."
I reached for the door before hesitating, fingers curling away before the handle. I unclasped the mask, laying it down on the seat of the car, a feeling of freedom washing over me. The windows were shaded, completely black from the outside, no risk of being seen. Seka twitched but I ignored her, focusing on Lung. There were more important things here to talk about than her ruined pride.
"Wait. I may not want to be associated with the ABB," I said, shaking my head, freeing up a bit of my hair, "I may not like your plans, who you are or what you do. But your current goal, saving your mother, possibly saving the hospital, is a good thing. It's a goal I can get behind," something a hero would do," something I'd want to do. I just think…you're going about it the wrong way."
"Yeah?" Seka said, sitting down, her stance rigid, "What's so wrong with our current plan?"
"Well," I said, motioning towards the hospital a few blocks down as Lung leaned in, "You plan on going in there in costume. And I can understand that. There may be no sign of carnage, but Hookwolf could be there in secret. If you need to fight you need to be able to defend yourself and protect your identities. I," I said, taking a breath, "don't need to care about that as much as you." Seka flinched, but Lung only nodded. I motioned for one of his ABB networked phones on the dashboard. He tossed it and I caught it, pocketing it quickly.
"So you will go in, a scout, tell us what goes wrong. We sit back, act as muscle," he said, crossing his arms, nodding his head. "Not efficient but safe, confirming our suspicions, saving us face."
"Yes," I said, moving to exit the car. "I'll leave the phone on speaker, volume on mute. You'll know if your needed or anything happens."
He nodded, leaning back, satisfied, relaxed. Seka snorted, following his example, waiting a bit, looking at me expectantly.
"Shouldn't you be going?" she said, putting a hand behind her head.
"Uh," I said, smiling sheepishly, raising the stupidly complicated cellphone, at all the colors and icons on swimming on the screen, "Any idea how to use these things?"
x-x
"Sorry about dragging you away like this Officer Bronson," I said, smiling apologetically.
"It's fine, and just call me Ned," he said, waving a hand at the room we'd just left. Tall, skinny, he had a wiry cast to him. "God knows I could use the break from all those downers." I just nodded, a bit disapproving. It's not like I don't get where he's coming from. The babble of pain, the press of bodies, the scent of blood... the lobby was a mess. Everyone injured enough to come looking for help but not injured enough to be an emergency was stranded in there, handled by a small skeleton crew of overworked doctors. A few were obvious ABB members, looking pained, bedraggled and angry. I'd been lucky enough this man knew me, one of the guards left outside my door. He's not very prominent in my memories though so I can't remember his name. Hopefully I won't have to use it.
"So if Naoko's daughter…"
"Seka," I said, shivering. A few minutes in that pouring rain had been enough to soak my hoodie nearly all the way through. I'm just glad I didn't bring my backpack, anything in it would have been wrecked.
"Seka," Ned said, shaking his head," is so worried, why doesn't she just come herself?"
"Well," I said, hedging, biting my lip, "The gang war has her…occupied. She can't really come in person, so she sent me instead."
"Why not just call?" he said, looking at me in askance. I shrugged, doing my best to act casual. "Probably afraid she's overworking herself, putting more stress on her body. Panacea might have healed her but she's still not well, not completely."
"Still say she could have just called her up, told her to take it easy," he said, shrugging his shoulders.
"Okay," I said, stopping, turning, looking up, catching his eye, "Do you really think she'd listen?"
"Oh, and you coming in will make such a difference," he said, rolling his eyes. I winced, pulling my hood further down, obscuring my face. Looks like my cover story has a few holes in it. Then he sighed, placing a hand behind his head.
"Hey, it's nothing to worry about," he said apologetically," this isn't an interrogation and you guys aren't in any trouble. Not like I have any reason to turn you away, you're already on the safe list. I just get nitpicky when stressed."
"Ah, no problem," I said, awkwardly, looking around.
At least the hallways are better than the lobby, though there are a few occupied stretchers here and there. Rooms must be full. Less noise, though the scent is the same. Stronger even, intermixed with the smell of piss and vomit. I walked towards a lithe nurse mending a man, her motions patient. Hurried, but gentle. Impressive, considering her disability. It was subtle, shaded by her hair, but I spied an eye patch underneath. Frowning, I looked at her uniform. Medhall, not Suns and Crosses. Really, I should have expected this. Naoko's staff had to be stretched thin by this conflict. She probably had to outsource just to deal with the sudden demand for aid.
A strong looking man with greasy blond hair sat on the bed, glaring around. His eyes tracked the room, gazing suspiciously at everyone who passed. He looked uncomfortable, out of place, shifting like he expected an attack at any moment. I caught his gaze out of the corner of my left eye, smiling, trying to reassure him as I passed. His expression didn't change. Not at first, at least. Then, eyes widening, he turned to his nurse, engaging in a swift whispered conversation. Weird. I tuned him out, lending him some privacy, my smile dropping. That, and it became hard hear over the sudden commotion.
Metal, bed, white sheets, the men pushing silent, somber. A finger stuck out from under the sheet adorned by a simple band of golden metal. They went for the other exit, heading for the back. We kept moving. Ned seemed preoccupied though, gazing at the ceiling as we walked. I left him to my thoughts, my image going back to that simple golden band. My dad wears a ring just like that. Never takes it off. It reminds him of mom, he says. While that isn't him, the fingers too big, it could have been. Easily. He works late on days like this in an office between the downtown and the docks. There isn't really any trouble around there. Usually. But with this gang war going on, and that being uncontested land… I sighed, shaking my head.
Dad has lived in Brockton Bay forever; he knows the docks better than anyone. He'll have found a place to lay low or just seen the signs, heading home long ago. He'll be fine. Really. I shivered again, pulling at my sleeve. The dampness was starting to soak through.
"Hey," Ned said, glancing my way," Why don't you just take that thing off? It's not doing you any good, might actually get sick like that."
"I'm fine," I said, shivering again. He snorted. "Well, it's just, uh," I paused, taking a moment, collecting myself.
"All I've really got under this is a running tank," I said, blushing. One of the ones from Parian's.
"Well," he said, slow, patient, "Would you rather catch a cold or just be a little embarrassed?" I turned away, shuffling my feet.
"It's like my daughter all over again," he said, turning away, mumbling under his breath. He stopped, turning to face me. I gulped, recognizing his expression. Dad used to get that same expression whenever me to do something, and do it now. "Now none of this teenage angst bullshit, your health comes before your pride."
"It's not pride," I said, shaking my head, "It's…"
"Are you decent?" Ned said, looking me in the eye, "Without your sweater I mean."
"Uh, yes?" I said, backing up.
"Then you have nothing to be embarrassed of," he said, sweeping his hands, encompassing the hallway. "Look around. This is a hospital. We have people running around half naked all the time. Hell, not too long ago you were one of them, prancing around in a hospital gown, trying to give your statement."
I buried my face in my hands, skin warm enough to cook an egg. Seka's probably listening through the phone, hearing everything. I'll never live this down! "Look, that's different-"
"Yeah, it is," he said, tapping the wall, "Now you got a choice about it. Take off the hoodie or end up in the hospital, risking even more complications."
"You know what? Fine!" I said, throwing up my hands, heading for the bathroom. "I'll take off the stupid hoodie. Happy now?"
"Getting there," he said, grunting in satisfaction. I growled, pushing my way through the door. I struggled out of the damp cloth, ringing it out over a sink. The amount of water that came out actually filled the bottom for a bit, draining as I tried to squeeze out the harder to get parts. When I finished it was still damp, still wet, but not nearly as much. A lot dryer around the arms. I tied them around my waist, heading back out the bathroom door, head held high, marching up the stairs. Ned peeled himself off the wall, following behind me.
This lasted about as long as it took me to reach an intersection. I stopped, turning around, hugging myself self-consciously as Ned walked past, the air a little chilly. I followed. How big is this place?
"Sorry," Ned said, not sounding very sorry. He didn't turn, didn't look back. "Shouldn't have gotten after you like that. Not like I'm your father."
"It's fine," I said, letting out a breath, "You've been through something like this before. What happened to your daughter?"
"You heard that?" He said, pausing before shaking his head. "I thought I was being quiet."
"I have good hearing," I said, shrugging, motioning for him to continue. He sighed, moving forwards.
"Nothing much to tell," he said, scratching the back of his head. "Daughter tried to keep up with me on a run. It was wet, it was rainy. I told her to quit, take a rest, but she didn't want to stop. Ended up with a bad case of pneumonia." He jerked his hand, pointing back with his thumb. "We passed her a few rooms back. Thank god she doesn't have to share, if only because she might be contagious."
"Ah," I said, feeling guilty, "Sorry again for pulling you away, I wouldn't want to get between the two of you."
"As I said, its nothing, I'm on duty anyways. Not like I can just pop in and see her," he said, leading me down a hall, through a 'Staff Only' door. Hearing voices ahead I tuned in, curious. It sounded like…Officer Villers?
"-we're still not sure if it was planned or just an unfortunate accident," he said, voice weary, " but the Protectorate is being rather tight lipped about the whole thing. Understandable, given who died." I sucked in a breath. Naoko?
"However," he said, voice sharp, "they did find this note on her person, tucked into her back pocket. While it wasn't her handwriting there were no other prints but hers. Someone took steps to keep their identity secret. All it says is 'Go for a jog January 15th, 7:12 A.M. –C'. A rather specific letter, a rather specific time." A thump, the creak of metal. Someone must have just sat down.
"Are you quite alright?" Villers said with a note of alarm.
"Fine. Just…shocked," the other man said, heaving out a sigh. "Just please, give me a moment to compose myself. It's been a long-"
I rushed ahead, crashing through the door. Villers stood, shock quickly replaced by exasperation as a PRT Captain sprung to his feet, helmet blank, producing a gun from somewhere inside his armor.
"Halt! I- Tays?" he said, arm dropping, quickly replacing his gun. The helmet made it muffled, but I recognize that voice.
"Don?" I said, staring. He removed his helmet quickly, a bemused smile on his face.
"Tays," Villers said, a grin forming, eyes crinkling, "Just Tays?"
"Yes," I said, glaring. He winced and my glare faltered, anger fading to guilt. I cleared my throat, eying the room, looking for Naoko. Some chairs, some video screens. A cup half coffee, a plate with crumbs. Villers, Don, Ned running coming behind me. "Where's Naoko?" I said, eying the cameras.
"Naoko? She's fine" Villers said, brow furrowed, head tilted. "Why?"
"I was worried," I said, taking a breath. "With all the gangs in the street I thought someone might try something, so, well…" I looked around, eyes flickering between Villers, Don and Ned. Don's eyes tracked mine swiftly and he moved, heading towards Ned.
"I'm sorry Officer, but I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to leave." Don said, nodding at Ned. "This is classified information."
"Really. Don't mind me then, got work to do," Ned said, heading out the door. He gave me a nod, a little curious, a little suspiscious. He closed the door and I breathed a sigh, turning towards Villers.
"Is he qualified to know this?" I said, jerking my head towards Don.
"More qualified than me," Villers said, smiling at me tiredly. He didn't bring up our last few meetings, for which I was silently grateful. "The PRT are actually supposed to know these things. I merely made a lucky guess."
"I certainly wouldn't have guessed earlier, but you must be Foxfire," he said, flashing me a grin. "It must have been your age, wouldn't have guessed her to be fifteen."
"You thought I was older," I said, rolling my eyes. Don chuckled before motioning for me to take a seat. I did, sitting myself down with a sigh. I rubbed my arms, trying to chase away the chill. I need to get a sweatshirt to cover myself better. One of those frumpy ones, they'd be cheap enough. Way better than a hundred dollar tank top.
Parians prices are just a little over the top.
"So what did you come here for?" Don said, steepling his fingers.
"I have reason to believe that Hookwolf is after Naoko," I said, looking him in the eye. He froze for a second before turning to Villers.
"This is only proving my point. It is imperative that I escort Miss Nakane from the premises. She's not safe here, not anymore."
"I would have agreed with you sooner," Villers said, frowning towards Don," but we still can't get ahold of the PRT main base. However if Hookwolf is here for her, this changes things." Villers turned to me, inclining his head. "Where did you get this information?"
"Myself," I said, manifesting my ball. It was small, barely there. A little bauble. I tossed it between my hands nervously, trying to keep the jitters down. "I chased him down, tracking him here from the Casino in the docks. I lost sight of him a few blocks down, but I'm certain he is somewhere in the area." I heard a shift from Don but didn't look over, trying to convey the gravity of the situation. Villers sighed, leaning back, rubbing his head.
"Fine," he said, nodding to Don," I'm giving you the go ahead. Your codes checked out, and Lord knows I can't think of anything better, what with this damnable headache."
"Don't worry sir, I'll get the job done," Don said, smiling sharply, eyes like flint. "I've never failed a mission. Not about to start now."
"Good," Villers said, still rubbing his head. "If the force was only half as dedicated as you we might have swept the crime from Brockton Bay. Now get going, we can't afford to waste time."
He nodded, moving for the door. I followed, moving as the escort-
The wall burst in. I stared at whirling blades, clashing metal, and a giant, wolf shaped maw.