Vivan and Alec shot golf balls from the rooftop. The sun was still low, and they had a perfect view of the sky from the apartment rooftop. They both had their golf pucks as they shot golf balls towards Brockton Bay buildings. "What ever happened to Sabrina?" Alec asked.

Vivan shot another ball. It hit the invisible electric field a few feet away from them, and disintegrated into dust as it impacted. "She's trying to stay off the radar. Being a former nazi means not a lot of people are left to like you."

Alec shot another golf ball, "she retire?"

Vivan shrugged. The reality of the situation was that Sabrina felt a bit guilty ever being a part of the E88. Not using her powers was like a self-imposed punishment for that. She'd confided Vivan with that confession, and he wasn't going to tell a stranger about that immediately.

Vivan said, "we still eat ice cream on mondays."

"Ice cream?" Alec asked.

"Since mondays suck, we decided to meet up on Mondays to eat and chat. That way there's at least one sweet thing to look forward to on Mondays."

Alec shot another golf ball at the air. The electric barrier outlined each time the golf balls impacted. After a long silence Alec finally asked, "so does she yell racist shit when you both fuck?"

Vivan's head cocked back, "what?"

Alec asked, "lemme guess, whips and chains on you are her kink."

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm just saying," Alec said waving a hand, "I figure if you're fucking an ex-nazi, she's probably into some racist roleplay."

Vivan blinked at him, "what?"

Alec put a long gaze at him. Wait, is really that stupid? Alec sighed, "man you're clueless. Vivan, I think it's time you had the talk."

XXX

Robert and Aryana sat across Brian and Lisa at the dining room table. They all had their beers next to them to keep the meeting as casual as possible. Aryana circled her fingers around the bottle's top as they spoke.

Brian said, "we have the blueprints for the most profitable ABB casino in town, since you guys are their enemies now, we figured you'd want a cut of some of their profits."

"We could hack the casinos," Aryana said boringly. "It's a no brainer, just make Marvin uplink to the machines."

Lisa leaned back on her chair with a raised eyebrow, "well, hacking would sure make the villain aspect of villainy less fun. Wouldn't you be better off recording a full frontal robbery of the place?"

Aryana rolled her eyes, "listen, I think it's cute how you're trying to manipulate me. But you're really just coming off as a bitch."

Lisa opened her mouth, and then closed it again. She's testing me, Lisa reminded herself.

"We can't do that anyway," Robert said. "Thing is, we just got on Lung's hit list after that run in with Purity. For the first time, Lung wants to kill us more than the E88. Playing the E88 against everyone was kind of our slick, now that that's not the case, we're going on break until things cool down."

"How long would that be?" Brian asked.

"Two weeks," Robert answered. "No crimes, no thievery. Just running some our side businesses without any trouble. No escalating things, not even fight vlogging anymore. We're laying low until people forget that we're not losers."

Brian crossed his arms and turned his head towards Lisa. She shrugged, knowing full well that anything she'd say would come off as fake with Aryana. Not wanting to waver easily, he asked, "but he won't just forget you that easily. If you're going against more villains than just the E88, you have to follow through. It's more than just money, it's about respect."

"Seriously?" Robert chuckled, "our names are literally losers. Respect isn't exactly something we're looking for."

Lisa said, "plus you're being way too optimistic, there's no way Lung can return to the status quo after two weeks of time."

Aryana chuckled, "if anything, you're being optimistic that the status quo won't change in two weeks."

Brian and Lisa raised an eyebrow. Aryana explained, "I understand how demographs work. Gangs come and go, typically at a fast pace. It's a miracle the E88 lasted a generation, and I like to think their ideological foundation is dwindling but they're just good at hiding it. Gang turfs shift month by month. I've even heard rumors that the Fallen want to begin kidnapping E88 members. I can't predict where all the chess pieces are heading, but things are always changing. We don't know what the status quo is anymore, but this shakeup is too risky to play in. So in the meantime, we're on vacation. And until we can figure out where the pieces are heading, or how to be in complete control of our own fights, we're not putting a cape costume on."

Brian arched an eyebrow. He was surprised to hear a well thought out analysis from Aryana of all people. Lisa couldn't help herself and commented, "wow, you sure sound a lot like Accord."

Aryana tensed at the comment, and said, "seriously, is being a bitch natural to you, or are you just stupid?"

Lisa glared at her, "I am not stupid." There was a long pause. As an afterthought Lisa mumbled, "and I'm not a bitch either..."

Aryana smiled, "sure thing dummy."

Lisa gritted her teeth. Robert coughed to interrupt. "Anyway, we're willing to give you guys tinker tech for your next heist. Hell, we'll even let you guys keep it for future heists, just give us a share of the profits you get for this casino heist."

Brian rubbed his chin. This wasn't exactly part of the plan, his boss specifically wanted to Losers to be a part of this, most likely for their propaganda techniques.

Aryana rested her face on her cheek and stared at Brian. She said, "you know, maybe if you took me shopping sometime, you could change probably my mind."

Brian's raised an eyebrow. Robert sighed, "relax, she's just kidding."

"No, actually she's not," Lisa said.

Aryana lifted her beer bottle up and waved it at him, "I'll let you buy me beeer!"

She made it sound like it was just for hanging out. Brian rolled his eyes, "I think we both have better things to do than to screw around."

"I'm on vacation," she said shrugging, "I'm supposed to screw around. Wink wink, nudge nudge."

Robert poked her head, "Christ, you're terrible at flirting."

Lisa smiled and clapped her hands, "I think that would be a great idea." Robert and Brian stared at her. Lisa added, "Brian needs a break anyway."

Aryana pointed hard at her, "you're walking a thin line girl."

Brian said, "no thanks. The reason we're here was to make an alliance."

Aryana replied, "this could technically count as an alliance. Haven't you read Game of Thrones?"

Robert said, "Aryana, you said you've only read the erotic parts."

Aryana said, "I'll send one of us with you if he goes on date with me!"

"Nope," Robert covered her mouth with his hand.

She bit into it.

When Robert pulled his hand back with annoyed pain, Aryana aired out, "I'll send one of us if you take me shopping. One date, maybe a kiss and a lil fucking, but I'll lend you any member you want!"

Brian stared at her. "I think we should go."

Robert tried pulling her away from the table. "Ignore her. Meetings' over."

Lisa tapped Brian on the shoulder, she whispered, "I need you to follow my league."

"Two members!" Aryana yelled out getting dragged away from the table, "two members to help you out! Just one date, no fucking needed, but bring a condom just in case!"

"Stop being stupid!" Robert said.

Lisa could see right through this:

Her attempt to make Robert jealous

"Deal," Lisa said. "If a kiss happens, three members come. If you get laid, all of you guys join the robbery."

"What!?" Brian and Robert yelled.

"Deal!" Aryana said.

"Wait," Brian said, "I'm not doing this"

Lisa placed a hand over his mouth, "shush, just trust me on this. I'll explain later."

Brian stared at Aryana. Robert let go of her. She stood up tall and yelled, "sweet, I'll get my purse."

Aryana ran to her bedroom. Brian turned to Lisa and said, "Lisa, you can't be fucking serious."

"She is, apparently," Lisa chuckled. "You just need you to play along for right now. I guarantee it won't be as bad as you think."

Robert glared at Lisa from the living room. Now he was understanding why Aryana treated her so bad. Lisa was too smart for her own good.

Before Robert could open his mouth, there was a knock on the door. "Robert," Edwin said entering the room, "there's something you guys need to see."

XXX

Emily was in school during the meeting of the Undersiders. Aryana wanted her to meet with them, but she wasn't needed for the negotiations. She also made a quip about her school uniform, but it didn't bother Emily on her way out. Emily kind of liked the odd things Aryana and the rest of them said. She wasn't as witty as any of them, but Emily liked being a part of the banter, even if it was on the receiving end of it.

Some days she wanted to skip school altogether. Afterall, she was already rich with her share of drug money from the Merchants. She could just save up a month's worth of shares, and leave the city forever.

But she didn't want that on her parents. It was bad enough they'd lost a son when he was two years old, they didn't need to lose a daughter either. Their hospital jobs meant that she could never see them. Since they were divorced, it was like she was 'jumping' between homes constantly. She reached the point where she didn't really see them as parental figures, just as strangers that were obligated to take care of her.

But since she was the one who pushed her brother from that counter top when she was four years old, she didn't want to give them anything more to feel guilty about. In a way, she liked the isolation. It was self-imposed punishment for the mistake she'd made as a child.

Nine months, Emily repeated to herself. That was her original plan. Work until enough money was raised and then retire forever. That was how much time was needed to save up enough from the merchants. Enough to live on her own after high school ended, and most importantly, give money to all the families of the people she'd killed during her trigger event.

It was just an accident. She'd missed the metro that night and had to walk home alone. Her parents were never home so she could've gone missing for days without anyone knowing. With that sense of panic looming over her head, her mind went through thousands worst case scenarios when a mugger had actually threatened her.

The fires burned him alive as well as fourteen other strangers on the metro that night.

She didn't want to pretend it wasn't her own fault. Like forgiveness was too easy for her to do. She believed she deserved to feel guilty, and that guilt was her only way to honor the lives she'd taken.

But she couldn't just sulk in guilt. She made a promise; to use her extraordinary gifts to make up for the damage she'd done. All the money she'd collect would go straight to those people's families.

"Emily," the teacher said. "Can you tell me what verse this is?"

Emily shook her head, she had her head in the clouds again, which was becoming more common since she'd joined the Losers. "Corinthians 11:14, No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light."

Emily wasn't catholic, but her parents still sent her to catholic school. The least she could do was pay attention in class. After answering the question and looking to her side, she noticed Theo looking out the window.

He was gazing long with a heavy frown over his face, clearly upset over something.

"Did you hear what happened to Rune?"

Emily snapped her head to her left. Two students were whispering to each other.

"Yeah," one of the girls said. She was a blonde, athletic girl. One of Amir's ex girlfriends, as Emily recognized her. The girl said, "she kind of deserved it though."

"Deserved what?" Emily asked.

The blonde turned to Emily and raised an eyebrow. Oh right, Emily thought, I'm the quiet girl in school…

The blonde answered her anyway, "well, the E88 uploaded a video this morning. They were beating the shit out of Rune all weekend. I'm not sure if I should feel bad for her, or glad that it happened to a nazi."

Emily sprinted out of her chair and ran out of the classroom.