Chapter 8: To home

Looking good guys! Did a lot of background research on Parian, so here's hoping I got her pegged.

Massive thanks to Major Session, the Beta for this chapter! The only reason this chapter is readable! Hopefully i can convince him to touch up future updates with his magic!

Parian's workshop was like a studio except taken over by a college artist. The best description would be happy, ordered chaos. The floor and most of the furniture were kept clean of any mess and clutter with grim determination. Around the wall though, especially furthest from the front door, was lined with tables, stools, and shelves where every inch of space was covered in fabric, materials, or art supplies as far as Taylor could see.

Needles, scissors, tapes, catalogs and other equipment sat on one tables, haphazardly organized to avoid spillage to its neighbor, a rack of pigeon hole shelves containing rolls of fabric. Another table seemed the clearest holding only a few pieces of paper and colored pencils, at odds with its neighbors. On the wall above it though was a cork board; countless pieces of paper that were tacked, stuck, taped, and glued to it, with even more stitched to the wall either side.

Each paper held a design for a piece of… Clothing? Art? Some were elaborate dresses that would cost more than Taylor ever thought she'd earn, others of styles of clothes that Taylor thought she'd seen around school among the popular crowd. That one even looked like one that… Emma… had worn.

Taylor shook her head. She could see herself maybe splurging a little on some the more comfortable tops, maybe some nice jeans. The rest? She'd could never afford it.

What was odd were the few papers that, instead of clothing, had depictions, of animals, inhuman characters, strange words and symbols, and others too bizarre to describe scribbled on them. Taylor vaguely recalled an interview from TV that Parian gave after a charity event entertaining young children with giant toy puppet, that Parian wanted to be a fashion designer and was thinking of unmasking when she felt more comfortable, more set and ready for the fashion world.

Taylor never had the inclination to take up the art of needle and thread herself, but she could see that this in a someone's home; their private place, filled with dreams, and hopes, and fears.

A sigh behind her caused Taylor to turn around and see Parian finish closing the door to the basement studio. Boco, the giant chicken, warbled after Parian as the other girl gently eased herself onto the sofa in the middle of the room. Taylor stood next to an arm-chair, but hadn't sat down in case Parian would see it as rude. A rush of movement caught Taylor's eye and she glanced sideways only to see Boco rush over to a pile of plush fabrics and sloppily climb to the top to stick its beak flat to the high window. He warbled before making another 'Kweh' sound. That done he? He, settled down like a loveable pet staring up at the window. Taylor was prepared for her life to change on her first night out as a hero, but she had not expected this.

In Cherry's ally, as she dubbed it, Parian had urged Taylor on to the back of Boco as more angry voices rapidly approached the sounds of fighting. With a single word, Parian had urged Boco on. Taylor hadn't known exactly what to expect, but for the bird to move was not it. Boco moved faster and smoother than any car that she had been in; the wind didn't rush past, so much as it whistled by.

Taylor remembered wondering if this was how some of the more classic speedsters saw the world; just blurs and noise. Taylor held on tight to Parian, as Boco nimbly stepped around cars and people at what seemed like a hundred miles an hour.

Wait. When she'd been researching villains on PHO, hadn't she seen a thread about a yellow blur appearing in the streets of Brockton Bay? That… that was Parian and Boco?

Within a short time, Boco had skidded to a stop outside a grey, dull building. Which had led to Taylor to her current predicament: wondering if would be rude to take a seat when Parian hadn't offered one whilst the older girl watched her from the couch.

In hind sight, she had done the cape equivalent of getting into a van with a stranger. Granted, it most likely saved her life, but now she was trapped with someone she knew little more about than their name. True, Parian wasn't a known villain, but that just meant she hadn't been caught do anything criminal, as far as Taylor knew.

Kicking herself, Taylor put the armchair between herself and the couch. She seemed to catch your worry and indecision though because Parian started suddenly before speaking.

"Oh, um, would you like a seat? I'm afraid that I don't have a lot of beverages, but I can get you something if you're thirsty? I know Boco can be extremely disorienting if you aren't used to him, so if you want a drink I'd be happy but, um, if you aren't thirsty I understand I-" Parian's nervous ramble was cut off as a white ball of fluff climbed over the back of the couch before jumping down onto the seat.

"You need to breathe, kupo, I told you that I help explain." The high voice of the creature made Taylor relax slightly as she stared. The red pom-pom bobbled as it patted Parian on the hand.

Parian took a deep breath and nodded.

"Well, I'm feeling thirsty, would you like a glass of water? Tea perhaps?" Parian tried again, sounding more in control of herself. Taylor nodded, feeling her throat was surprisingly dry.

"Yes please. Er, just water, if that's okay?"

As Parian bustled off Taylor slowly lowered herself into the squishy arm-chair. The fluff ball, what was their name Meg? Mag? The fluff ball sighed as he sat down on a pillow.

"You'll have to be patient with her, she has trouble with people she doesn't know, kupo." It said as Parian settled a jug of water on a small coffee table with two glasses, pushing aside a few fabric scraps to make space. Her face snapped around to the creature.

"Mog! Don't tell people that." She said in embarrassment. Her arms crossed as the fluff ball, no, Mog shook his head.

"Take it from Moogle, kupo, staying in a workshop all day makes people odd, it good to socialize, kupo." It said in a lecturing tone.

Parian's gloved hands fiddled with her dresses frills. "I can socialize later, now you can please explain why I just kidnapped a random girl off the street?!" Parian said, her voice rising to near hysterical.

"I sort of wanted to know that as well." Taylor muttered, not as quietly as she thought as both Mog and Parian turned to her. Mog tilted his head.

"You have magic, kupo, and now I know why. You have the Keyblade, kupo." It said, raising one arm at her.

Taylor stood suddenly, her guard now fully up. "How the hell do you know that?"

Taylor's hands flashed up into a guard as the Keyblade materialized at her call, the comforting weight resting in her hands ready to defend her. The Keyblade… It was her secret, her power, her anchor through the last few turbulent weeks since the… Not thinking about that. The keyblade was hersand this thing just talked about it like it was nothing?!

Parian stood, her curls bouncing as her hands came up in calming gesture. The commotion made Boco toppled from his perch in a cry of alarm.

"Please, we mean you no harm, Mog is just, um, blunt." Parian said pleading. She her obvious distress caused Taylor to lower the Keyblade to a less aggressive position.

"Fine, explain how your doll knows about my power. It is your doll right?" Taylor snapped, the confusion of the situation finally reaching the point of anger. Was there a second cape here, controlling the doll as a mouth piece? Had they lured her here to make her join them, help start a gang?

Parian shrugged.

"No, he's not. I made Mog, but I don't normally have the power to give my creations intelligence." Parian tried to explain in another rush of words.

Mog floated gentle up off the pillow. His tiny bat wings flapping, he flew over to the coffee table and landed softly.

"Eh, I guess that was a bad place to start, kupo. My name is Mog and I am one of the great Moogles!" He thrust his arm out in a heroic pose that looked… somewhere between hilarious and adorable on him. After a few seconds of no reaction his entire body drooped.

"I forget, this world has no Moogles, kupo..." Mog said sadly. Taylor had to admit, cape or no cape, Mog looked harmless.

"What's a Moogle?" Taylor said, her tongue trying the word out, looking at Parian only got another shrug. Mog perked up at the question.

"Moogle? It's the name of my species, kupo." Mog said proudly. Taylor mouth fell open at this.

"Species, there's more than one of you?" She asked incredulous.

In response, Mog nodded slowly.

"Well, not here. In this world I can only feel myself, kupo. It's strange, Moogles like to go everywhere, for money, exploration, and adventure, kupo, but this world is empty and it's warped." He said, sounding almost frustrated. Parian reached down and put a hand on his head.

"You keep saying that Mog, but you don't explain. Why is this world 'warped'?" she asked gently. Mog twitched under her touch before relaxing.

"I came to this world after much effort, kupo, I had almost giving up, it's really hard compared to other worlds." He said as he floated up to sit on Parian's shoulder. Taylor's mind raced as she struggled to understand the implications of the Moogle's words.

"'This world'? You said that before! 'This world'..." Taylor trailed off as her mind stumbled at the idea… Taking a step forward Taylor dropped her guard, the Keyblade now just resting in her hand.

"Are you from Earth Aleph? Or another earth?" Taylor asked excitedly, the portal to Earth Aleph was still a huge event in recent years. Trading with a world that didn't have Endbringers was an endless source of relief for a lot of the ruined countries of Earth Bet, even if was only data and electronic media. It was… comforting to know that there was another world safe from the Endbringers, Slaughterhouse Nine, Nilbog, Three Blashphemies, Four Horsemen….

If another Earth had been connected, a portal that living beings could actually come through… that could mean actual help. Somewhere to flee or someone who could give aid.

Mog tilted his head again.

"Earth? No, kupo. Mog is from another planet. Several actually, kupo. Moogles love to travel." He said as Parian's head snapped around to look at Mog, causing him to fall off her shoulder.

"You never told me that!" Parian accused, pain, betrayal tainting her voice. Mog righted himself in the air and twirled once to make sure he was okay.

"You never asked, kupo, I didn't think it was a big deal. There are many worlds, kupo." He said with a whine.

The Keyblade vanished as Taylor's hand slackened, her arms limp and legs weak; mind blank with this revelation.

"You're an alien?" Taylor asked, her voice faint. Alien. Mog was an alien. The idea was crazy. 'Was there other life in the universe?' One of the big questions of modern society, a question no one had been sure would ever be unanswered.

Until now.

There had to be a more logical explanation. Alternate Eareth's was one thing. There was proof that they existed. Aliens though, not so much.

"Are you sure? You could be a part of Parian powers, given, well, false memories to, make it easier on yourself and Parian?" Taylor offered.

The rebuttal for this came from Parian surprisingly. Taylor blinked behind her goggles as Parian's voice took on the edge of someone who needed a good rant.

"I'm 90% sure he's not. Like I said, he knows things I don't. Even if I went crazy and developed Thinker powers, it doesn't explain half the things he can do. I control cloth and similar materials and can shape them to the point I can make a clothing business out of it. However, anything too heavy and things get... messy." Parian said with a small hint of embarrassment highlighting her voice. Coughing, she pointed at Mog and then at her tables by the far wall.

"He made a lamp, from scratch, because he needed a better light to make my sewing machine punch through metal. I can do the lamp easy, I have a Master's degree in engineering, but it isn't plugged into anything, no batteries either I checked. And that sewing machine? I took one look at it and i couldn't make heads of it. I keep finding him 'upgrading' things when I'm supposed to be sleeping." Parian said sounding stressed. Mog puffed his chest out in pride. Seeing this, Parian collapsed back into the sofa with a hand to her doll like mask.

"Then he said he needed his friend. I thought he meant another Moogle." Parian laughed a little when she said this, she raised a single gloved finger and pointed at Boco, who made a soft 'wark' sound at her in a cheery tone.

"He asked me to make Boco's shell. It took all the feathers I had, but I did it. Then he did... something!" Parian said suddenly sitting forward. "He asked me to put my hand on Boco and then Mog said something which caused me to pass out. When I woke up, Boco was trying to eat my glitter drawer." Parian said with an odd mix of annoyance and fondness. Taylor stared at her. The white doll mask showed nothing in the way of facial expression, but Parian's body language was… honest? There were a lot of small motions that Taylor thought would be hard to fake. Parian was telling the truth.

"So what did you do to her?" Taylor asked the floating Moogle. He stopped lazily turning in the air and looked at her. Cute closed eyes that didn't actually hide any eyes in them still managed to look mischievous.

"Well, not much. I just opened the way for my friend to get in, kupo, the same way I did. I said this world was warped, kupo, so I had to give Boco an anchor to latch on to. I didn't think that poor Sa-" Parian made a quick no motion with her hand and Mog quickly changed his wording. "-I mean Parianto pass out, kupo. I think that her lack of mana made the process more complicated than it should be." He said as if it explained everything. Taylor sank back down into the seat, starting to understand some of Parian's pain.

"I don't understand. If you're from another world then why did you need Parian to get you here? Why not just take a space ship? And what's mana? Magic? There's no such thing as magic." Taylor said. Well, there was Myrddin, leader of the Chicago Protectorate. Myrddin might claim that as his powers were magic, but nobody really believed him, especially when there were so few other capes who claimed they were different, special, magical.

Glastig Uaine.

Mog suddenly bristled.

"No such thing? Kupo, if there's no such thing as magic then what about the Keyblade? That weapon is magic itself, kupo." Mog said affronted. Taylor swallowed back her instant denial.

"I'm sorry that you think so, but the truth is that I triggered and became a cape, the Keyblade is simply a manifestation of my power. I really don't know how you know about it." Taylor tried to explain kindly. The Moogle just shook his head.

"I had a bad feeling about this world, Kupo." He sighed. He floated closer to Taylor.

"Let me guess, kupo, it can lock anything? Unlock them too I bet, and you can leave it anywhere and summon it at your leisure, kupo? No one else can hold it?" Mog said, sounding smug. Taylor's stomach dropped out from under her. Her mind was useless blank as she tried to think about how Mog knew so much about how her power worked.

"H-how did-" She said, taking a step back. Mog shrugged and his pom-pom bobbed.

"I met other Keyblade users, kupo. Usually nice people, but busy life style. I don't know what these capes are, but you aren't one of them. You're special, kupo." Mog said in a reassuring tone.

Taylor bit back a retort. She was a cape, a Hero! But… Other people had Keyblades? Mog said it like it wasn't such a big deal. Taylor wanted to shout at Mog for suggesting she wasn't… that her power was ordinary. That her pain, her memories of the… of the… of the locker, that they were meaningless. That her suffering meant nothing as her powers, her Keyblade was common.

Taking a deep breath, Taylor counted to three and breathed out. Again in and out then she shook her head.

"We'll have to agree to disagree for now. You still haven't answered why you used Parian to get here though." Taylor said, harsher than she meant to. Mog floated back to Parian, his pom-pom drooping.

"I put my pom in it again, kupo, I upset her." Mog said sounding genuinely regretful. Parian gently pulled him into her arms and sighed.

"This conversation is a bit heated, so we should all just calm down." She said and reached for a glass of water. Taylor took another breath and followed her, the glass of water helping her collect her thoughts.

"Mog, I'm sorry. This is all a… little much to take in at once. I' barely getting a grip on having powers and then you come along and claim you're an alien? That there are other people with powers just like mine?" Taylor said, her voice weary now, more friendly than before now her anger was leashed but still hurt.

Mog slowly nodded.

"I get that, kupo." He turned his head to look at Parian.

"I told you us shut ins need more socialization, kupo." He joked. Parian gently hugged him tighter.

"We'll work on it." she said, a smile in her voice. Mog seemed enjoyed the hug, snuggling back into Parian as he looked at Taylor.

"Us Moogles, and a few other creatures around creation can manifest themselves on several planes or worlds, kupo. The method is usually dependent on the world itself. Sometime I can just blink into existence, kupo, other times i need to be summoned or born, sometime you have travel in a ship. Boco is an old friend that's travelled with me for a long time so he can do the same, kupo. So, when I came to this world a few weeks ago, I couldn't manifest. There was no magic on this world." Mog said as he enjoyed Parian's hand stroking his fluff.

Boco warbled down the pile of fabrics and came to stand near Taylor. His large blue eyes, which were so life-like, blinked at her before he lowered his head into her lap. Startled, Taylor stroked his crown of feathers and to Taylor's surprise, she hadn't noticed when she was riding him, he was warm. As her hands stroke him, Boco let out a soft 'kweh'.

Taylor felt herself smiling at the large creature, who acted more like a friendly dog than a bird.

"That's how we found you apparently, Mog 'sensed' your Keyblade, a source of magic other than his own. He was pretty adamant we find you." Parian said with a teasing tone. Mog rubbed his head in embarrassment.

Looking at Mog, Taylor felt her stomach bubble nervously. This was a big question.

"Mog, how many worlds are out there? Before you said there were 'many'. How many? She asked slowly. Parian stopped stroking Mog and waited for a response, her own curiosity also kindled.

Mog just tilted his head.

"How many stars are in the sky?"

With a grunt Taylor swung her leg over Boco and dropped to the ground. Parian looked down at her.

"Please stop by again when you have the time. It was... good to talk to someone again. Mog would like it as well and Boco clearly likes you. Um, not that you have to come, it's more an invitation kind of thing really and-" Taylor laughed as she raised her hands. Parian ducked her head as she stopped talking.

"I would love to. Having a friend, who is also a cape, would be really cool." Taylor replied as she made sure all her costume was still in the right place. She really enjoyed riding Boco, his speed was something else, a real adrenalin rush which made her heart hammer in her chest and her face stretch into a grin. The only downside was that anything loose in her pocket would fly out at supersonic speeds. Zippers would be needed if this was to be a repeat performance.

Parian nodded. "Being an independent cape with weak powers means I get left alone really. So you don't really have to worry about being pressed into joining Parian's cuddly gang." She said with a laugh then urged Boco into the night. Taylor grinned as she watched them go.

She still had so many questions for Mog, but her Dad's alarm would be going off soon and she was not going to be grounded on her first night out.

With a flash she pointed the Keyblade at her back garden gate.

A click sounded clearly and the gate swung open.

"...more mysterious sightings of the Brockton's Yellow Blur were seen last night. Local hero Velocity commented that he hadn't changed his costume colours in the last few days." The reporter said as Taylor swallowed more bacon, almost choking as she heard this last statement. Taylor guessed Boco was becoming something of a local urban legend. No new heroes, no new villains, no weird crimes and no PHO thread with any facts, Boco was making people curious and nervous.

"So what's your plan today kiddo?" Her dad asked as he finished his morning cup of coffee. Taylor shrugged, the smile not quite reaching her eyes she was so tired.

"Cleaning, maybe I'll watch a movie or I might even go shopping for some new clothes." She said as she placed her plate into the sink. Her Dad winced slightly at the last idea, but quickly righted himself and pulled out his wallet.

He slapped a $20 and a $10 on the kitchen table, then ruffled her hair into a mess.

"Whatever you do, I'll see you tonight and try to stay out of trouble kiddo." He smiled as Taylor tried to rescue her hair with a scowl.

"Bye Dad, hope you get stuck in traffic." Taylor growled as her hair began to stick up again. Danny just smiled as he closed the front door. When he was gone, Taylor dropped the act and a fond smile appeared on her face.

"Love you, Dad." She said quietly. Her attention soon wandered to the money on the table.

Parian did orders didn't she? For $30? Not likely, but still Taylor wanted to see her new friend in the day light. Parian actually had a shop, it was separate she guessed from the place Parian took her last night. At least it weas if she remembered where Parian's shop was correctly. Taylor suppossed it was hard to advertise wares from a basement studio away from any major shopping hub and it gave Parian a sancturary of sought, a home where she could feel safe.

A quick browse online told her exactly where to find the place. 'Parian's Doll House' was located in the shopping district, directly beneath the downtown area. The area was almost on the other side of town, but Taylor had nothing better to do until today, not until… tomorrow.

She felt her stomach go cold.

Her return to Winslow was tomorrow.

Ignoring this fact the best she could, Taylor grabbed her jacket, her bag with her costume inside and her keys.

She had a girl in a doll mask to see.

The two bus rides to the shopping district weren't as crowded as Taylor feared, but public transport was never as fast as she liked. The window seat provided Taylor a pretty good view of Brockton Bay as she rode past, the buildings growing in size and number.

Taylor hadn't been down this way much in recent years and the small changes had caught her off guard. Just, small cosmetic changes seemed to vastly change the city from what she remembered. A few closed shops, more drab signage… The city seemed to have lost some of its life as the buildings grew grayer and bleaker.

Reaching her stops Taylor thanked the driver as she got out. Taking a moment to get her bearings she looked around. This area was much busier than her home street or even the boardwalk at this time of day, but with a quick glance she saw the very shop she had come to visit.

Parian's Doll House was an inviting building. It was white with a modest three floor layout and a red shingle roof. The name seemed appropriate now that Taylor saw it for herself. Most of it was glass to let in the natural light where it could, but it also let the people passing by gawk at some of the suits and dresses fitted on to the mannequins. As Taylor drew closer, she could also see how far you in you could look and guessed by design it allowed people someone to also gawk at Parian, which people didn't hesitate to do in the slightest.

From window Taylor could see Parian measuring fabrics and talking to some people in uniform, staff perhaps. The door was the same red as the roof and had a sign on it.

'Welcome to The Doll House, please come in and browse at your leisure.'

The big loopy writing looked inviting but below the welcome was a second message.

"The Doll House has a zero tolerance policy towards harassment or time wasters, perpetrators will be asked to leave. Please give us the respect we give to you."

Taylor wanted to gulp loudly. It seem appropriate because technically what she was about to do counted as both time-wasting and harassment. In fact her entire plan was extremely stupid, but after last night's fun, Taylor wanted to be… not reckless. Daring? Yes, daring. She wanted to do something different. To just… do something diffrent before she had to go back.

Back to the quiet, lonely girl who was dead inside. This was her treat to herself and hopefully Parian wouldn't mind too much.

After going inside, Taylor noticed three people in black suits, two women and one guy, positioned at different ends of the shop. All of them wore a serious expression and an ear piece.

Security against the curious… and the gangs.

Taylor spotted Parian giving another wave and the fabric on the table floated on its own around a armless mannequin. Everyone in the shop stopped and stared before they quickly tried to pretend that they weren't watching.

Taylor took this time to slip into a changing room. Her heart was beating loudly in her ears. The nervousness and excitement making her fingers tremble.

Within a few minutes, Taylor Hebert, Hero name pending, took a step out of the changing room in full costume. The people nearest to her fell silent instantly and as she walked up to Parian, the entire shop went quiet. The security team started to move in as Parian looked up, sensing a shift the shops atmosphere. Taylor couldn't see her face of course, but Parian's hand dropped in surprise.

A firm hand clamped on to her shoulder, the blonde woman guard, nearest Parian.

"Sir, please state your business and intentions." She said. Taylor's mind went blank as she mentally repeated the woman's words.

Sir. They thought she was a man? Granted her hair was hidden and perhaps the hoodie hid more than it should, but still... Sir?

Behind her Parian gave a choked laugh. Taylor looked at her balefully from behind the goggles, which caused Parian to go quiet for a second before she broke down in giggles again. This in turn caused the security woman to loosen her grip in confusion.

"Mam?" She asked uncertainly. Parian waved a hand as she tried to catch her breath.

"It's… okay Jessica! She's a friend.. Oh that hurts..." Parian gasped as she held her chest, more giggles emerging behind her mask. Taylor saw the blonde woman, Jessica, go slightly red and she let go of Taylor's shoulder.

"I see, I apologize miss." Jessica mumbled as she stalked back to her corner.

Taylor didn't say anything as she rounded the table to Parian. The other cape managed to get her laughter under control after a few more seconds.

"Thanks for the laugh, today has been stressful and that really helped." Parian said in a quieter voice, Taylor felt her annoyance ebb away and she whistled as looked around the shop, catching many people's attention. With her goggles on she felt confidence that would have been difficult to summon without them, the stares didn't bother her as much as normal surprisingly.

"I can only guess; this place looks like a lot of work. It's all yours?" Taylor asked, sounding impressed. Parian fiddled with her dresses frills as her voice took a more shy tone.

"Mostly, there's a lot of background managers and PR guys, but I'm the one with the name on everything." She said happily. Taylor nodded as she looked around at the rows and rows of clothes.

"You're pretty brave to be out here in the open, in costume." Taylor said as she grabbed herself a stool. Parian shrugged.

"It's no big deal, like I said last night, I'm mostly considered too weak in any combat area to be worth recruiting. So I get left alone as long as I don't step on anyone's toes." She said casually.

Taylor frowned, but kept her thoughts to herself. She was pretty sure that Parian could do a lot of damage if she put her mind to it.

"So what brings you here...uh. Have you decided a name yet?" Parian said as she grabbed a roll of tape. Taylor sighed as put her head in her hands.

"No clue what so ever. I've thought about Skeleton. You know, like Skeleton Key." Taylor said and Parian shook her head.

"If that isn't already taken by some goth cape I'll eat Mog. Even if it wasn't, I suggest against it. It's kind of villainous." Parian paused and thought.

"Could call yourself Padlock?" She offered, Taylor thought about it then dismissed it with a shake of her head.

"Eh, not really a name I want to use." Taylor said as more people "browsed" closer to them with a large amount of cell phones out. Parian noticed the gathering crowd and waved Taylor to a door set in the wall. It lead to a storage space that had everything from odd scrapes to fully made suits hanging from metal hangers.

"Sorry about that. People usually give me some space when I'm working, but this is the first time I've had a friend visit me." Parian said, her tone apologetic. Taylor waved her apology off.

"I guess it was a bit rude of me to just drop in." She said and then noticed Parian staring at her intently.

"What?" Taylor asked, sounding wary. Parian took a few steps around Taylor, her close attention to Taylor's form made Taylor cross her hands in trying to shield her body from Parian's attention.

"It's been bugging me since I saw you. You need a costume just as badly as a name, I'm not much good with names sorry, but I can do a costume if you like?" She offered. Taylor was stunned.

"I can't afford anything like that!" Taylor shot back in alarm.

Parian just shook her head. "If you come back and help me keep Mog from building a space ship, I'll call it even."

Taylor smiled at that. Having a… friend again. She felt…

Tears pricked her eyes as Taylor smiled.

"I'd really like that."
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