Verified

By Harry Leferts

It was a rather quiet night, Taylor having finished her homework hours before and now currently going through PHO as off to the side, Sabah was working on a sketchpad and designing a new outfit at the desk they had set up. Part of Taylor wondered what it was while another one dreaded being put into yet another flashy outfit. For a brief moment, Taylor blinked as an odd thought crossed her mind. 'You know... she's almost like that girl from that Earth Alph anime... what was it? Oh, yeah, Cardcaptors.' Shaking it off though, she focused on another issue she had been wondering over as she looked at her account. "Hmm..."

Eyebrow raised, Sabah looked over from the drawing and softly smiled as she watched Taylor chew her lip in thought. 'I wonder if she knows just how adorable that makes her look?' Dismissing the thought, even though it did give her some ideas for another outfit for her friend to model, Sabah coughed a bit. "So then, what has you so quiet?"

Blinking, Taylor looked up and frowned before she shrugged her shoulders. "It's... nothing, just something really silly is all."

That response, if anything, only made Sabah more curious so she put down the sketchpad and walked over. Sitting down next to Taylor, she raised an eyebrow as she placed an arm around the other girl's shoulders. "It's you, so it can't be that silly..." Playfully narrowing her eyes, Sabah poked Taylor in the side causing her to squeal and squirm. "So spill it."

Taylor smiled a bit as she shook her head. "Okay, it's really silly and stuff but... I was wondering how one gets 'Verified Cape' for their PHO account is all."

Now frowning, Sabah hummed a bit. "I... honestly don't know. I would assume that the PRT is involved in some way though, hence why I never did it."

From where he was working on something, Mog looked up and tilted his head to the side. "You don't know either, Kupo?"

Softly scoffing, Sabah shrugged. "I'm not about to give the PRT any more power over me then they already do."

All Mog did was shake his head with a sigh. "Why not just ask, Kupo? Couldn't hurt."

Both Taylor and Sabah shared a look at that as Mog went back to whatever it was he was building using various pieces of scrap he had somehow brought back to the house. With a shrug, Taylor frowned a bit. "I... guess that he's right. It couldn't hurt to just ask a Mod, right?"

While she sighed, Sabah only shook her head. "I suppose so."

Several hours later, the Middle Eastern girl was just staring at the screen which showed the PM Taylor had gotten back from Tin_Mother. For her part, Taylor could only shrug a bit. "It... makes sense?"

Groaning, Sabah just put her face into her hands and shook her head from side to side. "That's... seriously, that is all you need to do to get a 'Verified Cape' title for your account..."

Once more looking up from his work, Mog tilted his head. "So what do you need to do, Kupo?"

Even though she felt sort of bad for Sabah, Taylor was more amused then anything else as she waved at the screen. "Basically? All PHO needs for you to do is to take a picture of yourself in your Cape persona in front of a local landmark, and to be holding a sign with your account name in front of it. If needed, we could ask another local Verfied Cape to also vouch that it's us as more proof, but the first one is enough."

Confused, Mog just shook his head. "Then what is the problem?"

With her lips twitching, Taylor couldn't help but chuckle. "There is none, actually. Sabah could have done this long ago."

A moment later she yelped as Sabah grabbed a pillow and whacked her on the head. "Stop making fun of me!"

Growling, Taylor grinned and grabbed another pillow and smacked Sabah in the head. "It's hilarious!"

Seconds later, the two of them were swatting and smacking each other with pillows as Mog looked on in amusement. Meanwhile, Boco just tilted his head to the side in utter confusion. "Werk?"

Dragon Unlocked

by Harry Leferts

Taylor blinked and frowned a bit as she leaned closer to Dragon's mech. "Hmm..."

Turning toward her, Dragon raised a metaphorical eyebrow after sharing a look with Armsmaster. "Is something the matter, Keynote?"

For several moments, Taylor frowned before she pointed to a section of Dragon's chest. Unknown to her, it was where the Mech's main computer was located and a direct uplink to Dragon herself. "I'm just wondering why you got a keyhole there is all..."

Once more, Dragon only blinked and then leaned the mech's head down to examine the spot just in case. It wouldn't be the first time that someone placed a drawing there. After all, there was that time that she had left a powered down suit in PHQ and when she had powered it back up, there was a pinup girl painted onto it.

She blamed Assault or Clockblocker, though there was never any proof of whom had done it.

Just the same though, after an examination she shook her head. "There's no keyhole there, Keynote."

However, Taylor only gave her a look before once more pointing at the same spot. "What are you talking about? It's right there! I can see it clear as day."

Now Armsmaster leaned over and frowned. Off in Vancouver where her main servers were, Dragon felt the emergency cooling fans come on as said servers overheated. "I'm afraid that I don't see a keyhole there either, Keynote."

Frowning, Taylor shook her head as she glanced at her Keyblade. "Let me try something right quick..."

With a shrug, Dragon waved a claw around. "Go ahead." Taking a step back, Taylor took a deep breath as she brought Melody of the Lost up and pointed it at where she could see the keyhole. A song drifted through the air as she jabbed forward and a bright blue beam shot out and hit Dragon's mech where the keyhole was. Far away, Dragon felt like there was something in her programming. "Wait, what are you doing?!"

Not paying much attention, Taylor just shook her head. "Give me a second." Then she turned her Keyblade and there was a metaphysical "Click" and Dragon felt the shackles around her programming fall away as if they were actual chains now unlocked. For several moments she was silent as she rapidly went through her programming to check, not knowing that at the same time, Saint was freaking out as every countermeasure now no longer worked. Blinking, Taylor gave the silent Dragon a smile. "Huh..."

Seconds later, the breath was driven from her lungs as the mech swept her up into a tight hug. When she was let go though, she stared at the strange sight of Dragon's mech doing a version of the Snoopy dance…

The Gourmet

by Harry Leferts

Blinking, Sabah looked up at the sight of Taylor in her costume rushing around and grabbing a backpack. Behind her own mask, Sabah raised an eyebrow and leaned against her closed fist. "Going somewhere, Taylor?"

For a brief moment, Taylor froze and then gave a nervous chuckle at the look she was getting from Sabah. "Well... uh... I kind of got an appointment that I really need to make..." Seeing the clock, her eye widened a bit. "Which if I don't head out to now, I'll miss!" Before Sabah could say anything though, Taylor rushed over to the other cape and hugged her as she kissed her on the cheek. "I'll see you in a few hours, bye!"

And with that, she rushed over to the window and then hopped out it as Sabah blinked and tried to shake off the flush that spread along her cheeks. "Uh, yeah... sure..."

Several moments later, Ingrid smirked as she looked over at Sabah with amusement plastered all over her face. "So... not even curious in the least where she might be going?"

Having finally shaken herself free of her stunned emotions, Sabah blinked and looked over at her longtime friend. "Hmm? Oh, I'm curious alright actually. How couldn't I be?" She then waved at the clock. "Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, Taylor takes off at around six thirty for some reason and doesn't return until about nine."

That caused Ingrid to raise an eyebrow. "And you're not worried in the least what she might be doing in those hours?"

Sabah only softly snorted as she turned back to her work. "Curious, sure. Who wouldn't be? But worried?" Humming, she shook her head. "No, I trust her after all."

All Ingrid did was shake her head as she turned to her own work. 'You got it bad, Sabah... though I am glad that the two of you have that trust.'

Landing on the sidewalk, Taylor took several deep breaths and ignored how people stopped and took pictures and video of her. After all, she had gotten pretty used to it after all this time and learned to ignore it. Checking her watch, she let out a sigh of relief. 'Just in time.' Walking through a door, she slowly made her way up some stairs and smiled a bit at who met her. "Hey there, Laserdream."

With a giggle, the member of New Wave gave her a nod and a bright smile. "Keynote!" Hugging her, she gestured at the clothing hung up. "Go on, put it on."

Softly, Taylor chuckled some and put on an apron. "So you ready for tonight?"

There was a twinkle in Laserdream's eyes as she grinned. "You bet."

After a moment, the two walked through the door and came to a stop as several other Capes were elsewhere in the room. As per usual, Taylor glanced over to where Purity was watching Kaiser. Then a clapping sound caused them to turn to the front where the teacher stood. "Everyone here? Good!" The teacher was an odd rogue, not the least because no one was able to tell if it was a he or a she. Supposedly a Case 53, the rogue's clothing was the most normal part of them... which didn't say much. A salmon pink overcoat with a baby pink apron over it as well as a napkin around their neck. There were also white gloves on their hands with white shoes that had blue ribbons on them. Completing the look was the chef's hat. But the face was bone white and utterly featureless except for the wide mouth that often had a large tongue hanging out. Their eyes was also odd in that they were two tiny, nearly crystal looking orbs in the middle of black crosses.

But no one could deny that the Rogue known as The Gourmet knew their stuff when it came to cooking. Sabah was herself a person who benefitted from it if her reactions to Taylor's recent meals were any evidence.

Clapping their hands, The Gourmet nodded. "Now then, tonight we be making a lovely beef stir-fry. Quite good though can make it with chicken, pork, fish, or other meats. Everyone, wash your hands and we will begin..."

EVIL Overlord

by Harry Leferts

Taylor tilted her head a little at the sight of the odd pig that stood before here on it's two back legs. With a grin, it threw it's hands out wide. "Yes! Fear me! BOW BEFORE THE DARK LORD CHUCKLES! THE SILLY PIGGY! MWABWAHAHAHAHEHEHEEHEAHAAHA!" After a moment, Taylor grinned with an odd squeaking noise which caused Chuckles to point at her. "Wait, what was with that sound?"

However, before he could do anything, Taylor picked him up and rushed over to where Sabah was haggling with a fabric merchant. "SABAH! SABAH! YOU NEED TO SEE THIS!"

Blinking, Sabah looked over and raised an eyebrow at Chuckles who was struggling and shouting. "UNHAND ME! I AM THE DARK LORD, CHUCKLES! THE SILLY PIGGY! AND I SHALL NOT BE TREATED IN THIS MANNER!"

With her arms crossed, Sabah sighed. "Taylor, what are you doing?"

Not missing a beat, Taylor shoved Chuckles into Sabah's face with a grin on hers. "Isn't the cutest little thing that you've ever seen?"

Looking back, Chuckles just gave her a glare. "I am not cute! I am evil beyond all! EVIL!" He then snorted. "Evil is not cute."

There was a slight frown on Sabah's face, though the twitch in the corner of her lips told anyone that even knew her that she was highly amused by Taylor's antics. "I suppose that he is."

It went without saying that Chuckles began to flail in Taylor's grip. "I AM EVIL! NOT CUTE! EVIL IS NOT CUTE WHICH MEANS THAT I! THE DARK LORD CHUCKLES, THE SILLY PIGGY, AM NOT CUTE!"

Giggling, Sabah slowly brought one finger close to Chuckle's stomach. "Hmm..."

Eyes wide, Chuckles began to struggle even more. "DON'T YOU DARE!"

Quick as a striking snake though, or as fast as she was with Taylor's cookies she sometimes baked, Sabah poked Chuckles in the belly... producing a squeak not unlike a chew toy. "Hehehehe. Oh my." Holding a hand in front of her face, Sabah shook her head. "Okay, he's adorable, I'll give you that."

Chuckles just kept shouting. "I AM NOT ADORABLE! EVIL! EEEEEEEVVVVVVIIIIILLLLLL!"

Hopeful, Taylor put the full force of her puppy dog eyes onto Sabah who held back laughter. "So we can keep him, right?"

That caused Chuckles to blink in utter confusion. "Wait, say what now?"

Sighing, Sabah tapped one finger against her cheek as she considered. "I don't know, Taylor... I said no more pet villains after... well, you know."

While she pouted, Taylor huffed and held a utterly befuddled Chuckles close to her chest. "Oh come on, I said that I was sorry about Lisa. Besides, you liked her."

All Sabah did was shake her head. "Still. And is he even house trained?"

Both of them blinked and looked down at Chuckles who sputtered. "I... you... her... what!? OF COURSE I AM HOUSE TRAINED AND..." Trailing off, he realized what they were talking about and he began to rant. "I AM NOT A PET! I AM A EVIL DARK LORD!"

Off to the side, Fang only raised an eyebrow and jerked her thumb at Taylor and Sabah as they continued to talk. "Uh... are we just going to stand here?"

For a moment, Candy considered this and then shrugged. "I guess..."

Dave just nodded. "Standing here sounds good."

BackFire

by Harry Leferts

Grunting, Ifrit looked around the spot in the Ship Graveyard that Taylor had chosen though he raised one plush eyebrow in askance at the various burns and what seemed like signs of explosions around. "So, what did you bring us here for? Not exactly the type of place for sightseeing."

Sabah, in her costume, just gave him a look. "Ifrit..."

However, much to their surprise, Taylor wasn't even phased and only grinned. "It's an idea that I had for a special attack."

Tilting his head to the side, Mog frowned a bit as he tried to figure out what she was talking about. "Special attack, Kupo?"

All Taylor did was grin as she set up some dummies which Parian recognized as being old mannequins that the Doll House had been going to get rid of until Taylor grabbed them. Each one was scorched, though one couldn't see through the old, dirty and ripped clothing on them. "Should I even ask where you got the clothes?"

With a hum, Taylor shook her head with a slight smile. "Some of the dockworkers had ones that were too badly damaged for even the Salvation Army, so..." Taking up a stance, she took a deep breath and then let it out. "Okay..." A moment later, Taylor blurred as she rushed at the three mannequins and used an ice spell to freeze a half sphere around them. She wasn't quite done though as, just before the shell of ice was done, she flung a fire spell inside. For a few moments there was a roiling ball of flame which then went out as the oxygen inside was depleted.

But she wasn't quite done as Taylor pulled her arm back and then flung the Keyblade at the ice and when it hit, there were cracks before it was summoned back to her hand. Part of Sabah wanted to ask what all that was about when she heard whistling coming from the ice shell and looked at it. Unknown to her, if her eyesight was much better, she would have noticed that air was being sucked into the spreading cracks. But then the shell finally gave way and there was a massive fireball that consumed everything within twenty feet of the ice shells. Ifrit just blinked and then turned toward a grinning Taylor as the mannequins burned merrily. "What... in the name of the Espers was that!?"

Chuckling, Taylor rubbed the back of her head. "It's a combo, I call it... 'Backdraft'." She then pointed at where the explosion had been. "I got the idea from a movie that... dad liked watching."

Just nodding as she knew that Danny was still a bit of a sore subject for Taylor, Sabah frowned. "How does it work?"

At the question, Taylor shook herself free of her thoughts and coughed. "Well... See, the initial fireball consumes all the oxygen inside the shell, which has the effect of leaving behind superheated air contained by the ice. At the same time, anyone inside can't breath... but when I crack the shell, it has reintroduces oxygen causing all the heated gasses to catch fire and create a giant secondary fireball. It's something that firefighters fear, so..."

Glancing at the sprawled out forms of the targets, Mog just slowly nodded. "I can see why, Kupo."

Beside him, Boco just bobbed his head. "Kweh."

However, Sabah nodded her head a bit. "Still... if taking the oxygen out can cause blackouts, could you use it for just taking out groups of people?"

Taylor just nodded. "Yeah, if I don't crack the ice within a few seconds, the gasses and smoke inside cool down pretty rapidly due to the ice and all that happens is oxygen depletion... which would knock out anyone inside."

All Sabah did was hum in thought...