Blaze a New Path
Sometimes, all it takes to change ones fate is to make a single choice. Taking ones fate into their own hands can be the hardest thing to do, so some help is always nice, even if it does come from superpowers. All you need to do is make sure you make the choice you won't regret.
And we are back. Nothing to say here, other than enjoy!
Chapter 10
The main problem with changing from public education to homeschooling so abruptly is that it took a bit of time to get everything sorted out. As a result, Taylor found herself with absolutely nothing to do and bored.
In truth, she probably could have got started with her studying with a visit to the Library, but Taylor honestly couldn't bring herself to do so. After so long being beaten down in her academic life, she couldn't quite face restarting quite yet, even if it did mean she was now incredibly bored.
"Aren't heroes in your work supposed to go on patrol or something?" asked March, who was currently hosting her bored friend in her room.
Taylors head popped over the pillow she was burying her face in.
"I guess," she said, "But I have no idea how to even start with that."
"Well, why don't you ask your weird power for help?" asked March, "It seems to be able to give you what you need."
Taylor blinked.
"Huh, thats…not actually a bad idea," she said.
March looked up from where she was working to put together a new scrapbook with a frown.
"Whats that supposed to mean?" she asked.
"Nothing," said Taylor quickly as she rolled to her feet, "I'm gonna go see what I can find. See ya!"
"Hey, Taylor, wait!" called March, "What did you mean!?"
Taylor ignored her friend as she jogged out of March's room. However, instead of the normal train corridor, Taylor found herself stepping out of the train and onto a platform. The sudden change in elevation was so unexpected that she tripped and would have faceplanted if she hadn't ploughed into someone. Thankfully, he was significantly more solid than Taylor and, despite the sudden impact, managed to catch the Trailblazer before she could fall, although she could have done without ramming into solid metal armour.
"Whoa there, are you alright?" he said as he set Taylor back on her feet.
He was tall and well built, a fact clear even through his thick, white uniform, and had short, blond hair and blue eyes.
"I'm fine thanks," said Taylor, tearing her gaze away from the mans eyes and looking around awkwardly.
She was in what appeared to be an underground station set up for trams. People moved around the area, both people in uniform who were clearly some kind of guard and armed with halberds and people in more civilian garb.
It was also incredibly cold, enough that Taylor could feel it through both her Trailblaze blessing and the blunting nature of the dream.
"Not a problem," said the man, drawing Taylors attention back to him, "Do you need any help? You look a little lost."
"Ah, kind of?" she said, "This is gonna sound a bit weird, but where am I?"
The man frowned at her.
"This is the city of Belobog," he said, "I don't…entirely know how you can be unsure of where you are though, unless…"
His face brightened as he spotted the badge clipped to the right side of her collar.
"Are you one of the Nameless?"
Taylor blinked.
"Yeasss," she said a little awkwardly.
She still wasn't entirely sure if she could actually claim to be a part of the Astral Express or the Nameless, despite assurances from the crew of the Express and her apparently having the Blessing of the Trailblaze.
"Ah, I thought I recognized that symbol," said the man, "I don't believe you were with the Express when they arrived here, were you?"
"No, I only recently joined," said Taylor.
"I see," said the man, "In that case, I should introduce myself. I am Gepard Landau, the Captain of the Silvermane Guard.
"Taylor Hebert, um, Nameless wanderer…I guess?" said Taylor
"So, what can Belobog do for you Taylor?" asked Gepard.
Taylor hesitated for a moment, then decided that she might as well just go for it. Her power hadn't let her down yet.
"I'm trying to figure out a patrol schedule," she said, "But I don't really know where to start."
"I see," said Gepard, "In that case, it would probably be best to talk to the Supreme Guardian."
"I…guess that would work," said Taylor.
"In that case, I'll take you to her," said Gepard, "Please, follow me."
Taylor followed after the Guard Captain, looking around with interest as they left the underground station and emerged into a city that reminded her of pictures she'd seen of European towns. It was also weirdly warm, considering the chill in the air, but that could have been because of all the tall, faintly glowing heaters that were affixed to many of the buildings and lining the roads.
Gepard led Taylor to a plaza that was dominated by a huge monument made of blue crystal and gears and up one of a pair of massive staircases that lead up to an equally massive building that loomed over the city. A couple of guards in full armour with shields and spears stopped the Captain, but a few words from Gepard had them stepping aside and letting the two of them through. As she passed, Taylor was a little startled that the two heavily armoured men saluted her.
"Are the Nameless really that important here?" she asked as Gepard led her down the main hall of the fort.
"I take it your friends haven't told you what happened here?" he asked.
"It…hasn't come up," said Taylor.
"Suffice to say, the Nameless quite literally saved the planet and everyone on it," said Gepard, "They also helped put an end to the Eternal Freeze, although it will take a long time before the climate can really start to change."
"A-ah, I see…" said Taylor.
"We owe them everything," said Gepard.
The two of them continued down the hall in silence until they reached a large pair of double doors. As they approached, a women stepped out of another corridor with a large file in her hands.
She was tall with long, blonde hair that was dyed blue at the bottom and a single blue bang and the same blue eyes as Gepard. She was dressed in a weird mix of rocker gear and a scientist lab coat.
At the sight of the two approaching, the woman paused and smiled.
"Hey Geppie," she asked, before noticing Taylor and giving her a strange look.
Gepard sighed.
"Sis, I've told you not to call me that when I'm on duty," he said.
"Yeah yeah, proper protocol, I know, I know," said the woman, "Whos the girl?"
Gepard sighed again and shook his head.
"Serval, this is Taylor, one of the Nameless," he said, "Taylor, this is my older sister, Serval."
"Nice to meet you Taylor," said Serval with a grin, juggling the files in her hands so she could shake Taylors, "Hope my brothers being a good host for you."
"Um, he seems to be so far," she said.
"What brings you to Qlipoth Fort then?" she asked, "I assume you just rolled into town if your a Nameless?"
"Thats right," said Taylor, "I'm hoping to get some advice on dealing with some logistical issues I'm having."
"Well, Bronya is certainly the person to ask about that," said Serval, "Lets get this started then."
She brushed past Gepard, ignoring her brothers long suffering look, and rapped smartly on the door. There was a startled gasp from the other side, followed by some scuffling sounds, the sound of something hitting the ground and more scuffles. Gepard and Serval shared a glance, but before they could do more than look worried, a voice came through the door from the other side.
"C-come in!"
Gepard opened the door and stepped inside, clearly a little on guard. However, the Landau siblings worry was quickly proven unnecessary as nothing unpleasant was waiting for them in the surprisingly large office. Taylor followed Gepard and Serval inside and looked around with some interest.
The office was large, with a number of bookshelves lining the walls, all full of books and files of all sorts. Behind the desk was a large portrait of a beautiful woman with blonde hair, matching the other portraits that lined the walls leading up to the desk.
Behind said desk was a young woman with long, curly grey hair and matching eyes, dressed in a white dress with a gold broach on one side that looked like a mask and a pair of purple and blue earrings.
She had the air of someone who was used to being in charge, although it was currently rather diminished by the fact her hair was slightly mussed, her cheeks were pink and she was tugging on the collar of her dress, which also looked slightly ruffled.
Stood beside the desk was another woman, this one with long, purple hair and eyes and dressed in purples and blues, with a red band around one arm. She also looked a little ruffled and red cheeked, although she also looked slightly annoyed by something.
Serval glanced between the two of them, before a faint smirk flickered across her lips.
"Sorry for the interruption Madam Bronya, but I have a report to deliver," she said.
"A-ah, of course," said Bronya, not meeting Servals eyes as she took the files, "I assume you have a report as well Gepard? And whos this?"
"Madam Guardian, this is Taylor of the Nameless," said Gepard, "She said she needed some help figuring out a patrol schedule for her current mission."
"I see," said Bronya, her embarrassment fading as she looked Taylor up and down, "Taylor, is it? I'm Bronya Rand, the Supreme Guardian of Belobog. And this is…"
"Seele of Wildfire," said the other woman, "What are you doing that needs a patrol schedule?"
"That…is a bit of a weird question to answer," said Taylor, "Can I tell you everything before you interrupt?"
After getting nods from everyone in the room, Taylor launched into a simplified explanation of her powers and how they worked.
"Hmm, I see," said Bronya, "Well, thats certainly a claim…"
Seele snorted.
"Downright unbelievable is what it is," she said, "Then again, considering some of the things we've learned since we reconnected with the greater Universe…"
"I hope you don't mind proving this?" said Bronya, "While I have a great deal of respect for your group, I don't know you and I don't want to take these claims on faith. Besides, we'd need to get an idea of your home city before we could even start figuring anything out."
"Thats easy enough," said Taylor, "I can go home and summon you there."
"Hey, can I get in on this?" asked Serval, "This sounds like an amazing trip!"
"Sure, I guess," said Taylor, a little taken aback at the rocker's enthusiasm.
"Are you coming along to Geppie?" asked Serval.
"Ah, no, I'd better not," said Gepard, "I still have a lot of work to do."
"Girls day out it is then!" said Serval with a blinding grin, "This is gonna rock!"
Right, this is shorter than I'd like, but I have taken WAY too long as it is. Holy shit, this chapter fought me at every step of the way! I fucking HATE introduction scenes like this with a firy passion and this was nothing but them. I'm still not really happy with it and I know I haven't got Seele right, but I cannot look at this any longer!
On a completely different note, since last chapter, I have managed to nab two Robins and two animations have dropped for Firefly that have only solidified her as best girl who deserves all the hugs. They have also cranked up her power rankings and I might have to rethink something I had planned or Brockton might not have to wait until Leviathan to get scoured from the map.
Possibly a bit OOC for Taylor at the start, but I think it makes a degree of sense. I know I've been in similar situations, where you know you have stuff to do but can't bring yourself to actually do them.
I have to admit, I very nearly had Taylor start drooling over Gepard, but it wouldn't flow right. Think I'll save that for Aventurine. Or Topaz. That is a joke.
I see no way having Serval pay a visit to Brockton Bay could end badly.
Oh dear, I think that Taylors Shard might have interrupted an enjoyable dream for Seele and Bronya. It'll have to apologise later.
Next time, a girls day out for Taylor and co. Should be interesting. Until then, don't forget to leave a review on the way out!