Hi, been a while, sorry, stuff came up. Will hopefully write another chapter within the week.


1.6 – In Service of Livestreaming

Ever since she'd returned from her work at the E88-affiliated bar, Taylor found herself increasingly considering the advice Rune had given her. She was not considering it for its merit, clearly asking a member of one gang whether they thought a member of a rival gang was trustworthy would not result in an objective answer, rather she was thinking about the risk of being forcibly recruited and the need to be able to better defend herself.

As the incident outside Sabah's shop showed, she could probably take out a few lowlife gangsters, but if one had a firearm the circumstances got exponentially more dangerous for her. As for capes, she had yet to fight any, but she could guess that just about any of them with combat-oriented powers could wipe the floor with her, and the rest probably had a good shot since they probably trained regularly.

She was already going on runs, and some of the profit she'd made went towards buying a second-hand kettlebell. She was already effectively working out every time she cleaned but some actual strength training would be good. It was disappointing just how slow getting fit was but she could see some results already, no matter how minuscule they were. Her once-pudgy core looked a little flatter and some of the flab on her arms and legs was also receding a bit, hopefully to be replaced with muscle at some point in the far future.

There was also the question of a weapon. In truth, it went against much of what she'd promised to Dad, but it was clear that the can of pepper spray she carried while working would simply not be enough and she couldn't count on her mediocre running skills to get away from a would-be assailant. Thus, she'd need something to protect herself with. A gun was out of the question, there was simply too much risk of accidentally killing someone, some of her clients might also be uncomfortable with it; it went against the approachable, helpful image she was trying to cultivate. That left some implement to hit people as her only real option

It took a few days for her to finally pick her weapon, an extendable baton which she picked primarily for its concealability; not entirely without regard to it being police surplus and on discount. Perhaps she could get a sword at some point? It would probably look good with her costume and be more thematically fitting.


At this point, Sabah no longer bothered mentioning hours or calling Taylor about getting her shop cleaned from the hours that were owed for making her that costume. Her friend simply turned up and they chatted while she cleaned, occasionally interrupted by customers before resuming their conversation.

As Servant entered the front door and smiled at her, she waved and walked over and gave the girl a hug "Hey Tay, you doing well?"

"Yeah, just wanted to come hang out with you. Perhaps get some advice on personal protection in this whole cape business" Her friend let go and sat down "Perhaps once I'm done cleaning?"

"We could just do it now. Those hours you owed me for the costume are long past, you don't have to clean my shop"

"You are already paying me" Taylor waved "With your excellent company and the advice you've been giving me"

Sabah sighed and headed back to her workshop to keep working on yet another copy of Glory Girl's costume while Taylor retrieved the vacuum cleaner and got to work. Sure, she wasn't complaining about having extra work, but it was getting somewhat boring to keep making the same thing over and over. The hero known by some as 'Collateral Damage Barbie' was certainly not afraid of action at the rate she damaged or ever destroyed her creations.

As her friend came in and began to organise her workspace, she turned to her and asked "What did you want to ask about? I'm not expecting any customers today so we could talk as we work"

Taylor turned to her, then resuming her organising "Well, after that incident with the ABB and you, I've been thinking about some measures to keep myself safe. I'm already exercising and lifting weights, but I want to go further and get myself a weapon of some kind; for now, I've gone with this" she whipped out the extendable baton.

She looked at the baton, then back to Taylor "Does your power help you use it?"

"Yeah. It told me how to swing it, some stuff about how to hit and where to aim"

Sabah thought for a moment and took out a long dowel of wood and stood "Alright, hit me"

"Why?" her friend lowered the baton "I don't want to hurt you"

"I want to test your skills"

Taylor hesitated for a bit, then swung.


For all her resolve about getting a weapon to protect herself while out working, Taylor had just been beaten by her friend wielding a stick, despite following the directions her powers had given her, "Sorry, that was really bad, wasn't it" she grimaced.

Sabah had put down the rod and got back to her work "I'd say so. Your reaction times were poor and you did not take the openings I gave you. Which is odd considering you absolutely rocked those gangsters and got around at least one of their guards"

"Yeah, it's odd. I'm currently using my power 'in service' of myself, telling it that I need to know how to use a baton to fight. But it doesn't feel as good as when I was using it while in your service" Taylor admitted as she finished up.

"Well, my guess is that your power takes its understanding of what is necessary, and then gives you the knowledge based on that. Unless you've ever done fencing you probably wouldn't know what a parry or riposte is or how tempo affects the spar"

"I didn't know you fenced" she looked over in surprise "Not to be rude, but you don't really look the type"

"It was way back in college, long before I got my powers or put together this costume. I used to be part of the Historical Fencing Society, where we studied the sorts of fighting our ancestors did back in the day. Longswords, short swords, poleaxes etc. I won't pretend to be an expert on any of them but after two years of weekly practice, I'd like to think I'm decent"

"So, how come you don't have one at your side? It could even fit with your costume, I think"

"Well, with my cloth manipulation powers triggering, it just became a bit redundant" Sabah sat down on the sofa she'd just finished cleaning "Don't get me wrong, I enjoy it and keep myself in practice. But, actually wearing one on the day-to-day and getting stares is too uncomfortable for me"

"So, you'd be willing to teach me?" Taylor asked as she sat by her friend "I really appreciate it"

"You already do lots for me, think nothing of it. We'll need someplace to practice but I've got kit you can borrow"

"How about my house? We've got a small yard and Dad would be happy to see you"

"Alright. But we'd probably better do it out of costume. No need to risk a neighbour seeing two capes in your backyard and taking a picture"


The next morning, Danny had finally gotten back to her with the GED. Originally, he'd tried to argue that her recent poor grades should not carry over, but with Principal Blackwell threatening to make the process difficult he had to concede and now her poor scores would follow her. But truly, she could not care less. She was out of Windslow and away from Emma and Sophia, she could accept a temporary setback as the price of progress.

She had been catching up on her studies when she received a call on her work phone. An unknown number appeared as usual, since besides Parian she had yet to be called for a repeat visit: whether that was a bad or good thing, she could only guess at the moment.

"Foremost Cleaning Services, this is Servant speaking" she answered the phone.

"Hello, Servant. My name is Leet, from the internet sensation duo of Über and Leet. We would be interested in hiring your services"

"I'm willing to hear your offer. What is it you need from me?" she frowned. Über and Leet were relatively well known as minor villains, though they were mostly considered a nuisance rather than a threat by Brockton Bay at large.

"We'd like you to clean our lair and also to try and assist me in my tinkering. We're offering $2'000 and a bonus if you can help me with my stuff. Oh, but you aren't allowed to tell anyone where our lair is, we're giving you the address in strict confidence"

"The default contract already has a confidentiality clause. But, if it makes you feel more comfortable, I am willing to explicitly swear to such effect"

"Alright then. Meet us here in, let's say an hour. Can you do that?" an address was texted to her in the Dockyard area.

"Yes, that should be no problem. I'll see you then"


Servant was met by the duo, wearing their signature Mario-inspired costumes and lacking any apparent weapons. Of course, they could have something hidden, and since Leet was a tinkerer, he could probably make a gun the size of a wallet, easy enough to conceal.

"Hey" Leet waved to her "So, do you agree to the confidentiality and to help me tinker?"

"I do" Servant placed a hand upon her heart "I swear myself to your service for the duration of this contract and bind myself to keep the secrets you share with me in confidence, subject to the payment of the agreed fee of $2'000. Is that acceptable to you?"

"Sure. Come in then" he tapped a brick with his finger three times and suddenly the bricks on one side of a disused warehouse began to unfold like origami "We made this based on the entrance to Diagon Alley, from the Harry Potter movies"

"It's pretty cool" she agreed as the three of them stepped into the workshop "Your workshop is not very big, and the mess is more an issue than dirt if my eyes don't deceive me"

"I'll have you know that the workshop is plenty big enough, nobody has complained yet!" Über winked causing their servant to sigh "So yeah, as Leet said, clean up the place and when you're done, have a look at some of his inventions; you did advertise yourself as a repair specialist after all. I'll be in the next room over playing Dark Souls, give me a shout if you need me to help with the inventions"

As his friend left, Leet pointed to a rack of papers and some filing cabinets they must have dragged in "Don't touch those, that's where the more volatile inventions and sensitive documents are stored. Unless you fancy losing your arms and face in an explosion, I'd suggest you steer away from it, don't even try to clean it"

"You've got it, Master. I'll get started on the cleaning" Servant nodded and began to unpack her tool bag and preparing her mop.

Leet stared at her as she went to fill her bucket from a sink they had in the corner "So… you're pretty serious about this maid stuff? Not that I mind getting called master but, it seems a bit lewd, do you do that with anyone you're serving"

She dismissed him with a flick of her wrist "The method of address I use depends upon the expectations of my employer, which I can see through our bond. You must have seen the flyer of me in my costume and as such expected me to act as a maid, I am doing just that. Or do you want me to address you in some other way? Am I making you uncomfortable Leet?"

"No, of course not" the young man protested "It's just… lewd connotations"

"Then the solution for that would be for you to consume less of those Japanese-import Erotic Cartoons. Yes, I can see those as part of your expectations. Yes, this is covered by the confidentiality clause" she said as a matter of fact as Leet looked at her in horror "And yes, I do refer to my female clients as Mistress since they also seem to have the same expectations. Truly, innocence is dead in this city of sin" she smiled.

"Right. Let's just not talk about that" Her observer hurriedly moved over to the duo's makeshift kitchenette and got himself a can of Pepsi "So, you get much interesting work?" he tried to redirect the conversation.

"I cannot give you the specifics because of the aforementioned confidentiality clause. But I can say that running Foremost and working has proven fun, it's an interesting challenge and I rarely get to work on the same thing a second time" Servant elaborated as she finished up the mopping and began to wipe the furniture and equipment down with a microfibre cloth "How about you then. According to PHO, you are a tinker with the ability to make anything once, It would be helpful to have a point of reference if I'm going to have a look at your stuff"

"Yeah, though it's not as if I can't make something a second time. It's just going to catastrophically explode" he frowned "I have to keep a journal of everything I make, and if any of it is remotely close to something I've already done then that risks a kaboom"

Taylor nodded and continued her work. She wanted to ask them about their streams and some of the downright abhorrent things they'd done for views, but that would just end up with a screaming match and a reputation for being the sort of worker who spent half the shift arguing with the boss. Besides, it had been nearly a year since that particular stream, perhaps she shouldn't assume but the implication was that they learned their lesson.

Having pretty much cleaned everything in the room, she took a moment to check the kitchenette and some of the other fixtures in the room, repairing a small leak on one of the sink valves before turning back to Leet "Well, shall we have a look at your stuff then? Or would you prefer I start on the other room Master?" she concealed a smirk at what the use of that term did to her observer's face.

"So, here's one of my earlier projects; the fireball projector" he pulled a metallic tube with boxes attached on by zip ties and a big red handle serving as a trigger of sorts, maintaining as straight a face as he could while doing so "We used it way back since the first Mario Kart stream last year. But Kid Win shot it in two and ever since it's been nothing more than a wall ornament. Can you do anything for it? I don't want to risk it blowing up like everything else but it's a shame to have it shelved forever"

Servant took the item and cut off the zip ties, allowing the projector to come apart under her deft hands as Leet watched "Well, you appear to be using a napalm base, right? Then using the oxidation reaction in this chamber to propel it while keeping it ignited? Frankly, it's a wonder that the PVC piping you used didn't come apart earlier, the explosion would have been quite painful I imagine"

"I've tried to make another one with hardier components, but the thing still blew up" he sighed "The old version worked despite by all means not being constructed right, the second was made up to a high tolerance but exploded anyway. My power just sabotages it somehow"

"Well. I can certainly try, where do you keep your components?"

"Over there" he pointed to a large pile of stuff sprawling over several shelves "Are you sure this will work?"

"This is my first interaction with tinkertech Leet. I can't promise anything, but if my theory is correct, I may be able to fix it" She went to the pile and began to dig through it "You see, my thinker power only grants me the knowledge relating to actual sciences. Whatever esoteric physics tinkertech works on and renders it irreplicable, I cannot touch that. But, as for everything else, I should be able to fix it. Your fireball projector is largely conventional, my guess is that 'tinkertech powers' were only keeping the PVC piping together and helping you come up with the design"

Servant returned with a few copper pipes and took hold of a saw, beginning to cut them up "If we replace the tinkertech parts with something operating based on conventional physics, even if they are somewhat obscure and don't come up often in similar products, we will be able to turn tinkertech into non-tinkertech and I will be able to repair it" she spoke as she began to solder the pipes together and fit them onto the projector in replacement of the PVC barrel assembly.

Leet just looked at her confused "Sorry, I don't really get that"

"It is theorised in power research circles that the reason that a Tinkerer can make a plasma gun out of a toaster and then nobody can replicate it besides them is that the plasma gun in question does not work. Rather, it is their powers that are making it work against all known physics. The same can be said for things like the portal guns Hero used to make while he was still among the living. According to theoretical physics, it would take several times the total energy production of the Earth's power grid to teleport a single 150 lbs human into orbit, just imagine how big such a device would be if we were to theoretically produce it, and yet Hero's portal gun was merely backpack-sized. Do you understand now? Something else is making up for all that energy which is supposed to be employed in the conversion"

"Hey Über" Leet called "I'm going to need your help with this"

The other parahuman entered and Taylor spent another half-hour trying to explain her conclusions a second time. Über must have switched between his skills several times, straining to understand what she was saying as he moved from one field to the next. Eventually, he just threw up his arms and sighed "Okay, so leaving aside all this complicated theory. Can you fix Leet's tech?"

Servant smiled and presented the rebuilt fireball projector to the two "I do not have any fuel or oxidiser at the moment, but I do believe that if you fuelled it up, and then proceeded to fire it, it would not explode. I cannot suggest anything more since I've never seen it in use"

"Well, let's go test it then. The sewers around here lead into some storm drains and we've never seen squatters down there so it should be safe"


Taylor tried not to sigh as her skirt's hem became an increasing biohazard. Yes, she'd agreed to assist with their tinkering, but she could probably have insisted on a test somewhere less filthy. As she watched, Leet put on his goggles, leaned back as far as he could and pulled the lever.

A bright orange fireball came out of the projector, flew some feet and then splashed into the water, flowing downstream into the bay, still burning. Über and Leet ran at each other bellowing in celebration, they shook hands, then fist bumped and then just started dancing in a fit of joy.

"Servant" they turned to her, putting their jubilation on hold "Please, would you consider joining our team? We could have a Princess Peach costume made for you by tomorrow and we'd make anything you wanted. We're not rich but with your help, we could pull off some real jobs, make our streams the No. 1 source of entertainment in the entire US!"

"I'm honoured to hear that, but I must refuse" Servant shot them down "I'm trying to run an above-board business and I enjoy my work, so I don't intend to switch over to villainy any time soon. That being said, I would be willing to assist you with tinkering on a case-by-case basis; provided you steer away from the truly reprehensible stream ideas, like your GTA stream…"

"We can do that" nodded Leet "If you can help us get some of my stuff working, then we can do that no problem"

"Also, Leet. I would appreciate it if you could make something for me" In response to his raised brow she elaborated "I really appreciate the work my tailor did to make my mask see-through, but she is no tinker and is thus constrained by things such as materials and physics. I would like you to make me a copy of what I'm using right now, but completely see-through on the other side. It would make my future work with you and more generally a fair bit easier and more comfortable"

"So, a fabric which is transparent on the inside but opaque on the outside. That should be doable" Leet turned to Über "What do you think about an invisibility cloak prank livestream? We could wear some robes like Harry Potter, perhaps make an animatronic owl to go with it?"

"Yeah, that's a good idea. Then Servant gets a strip of it once it's made. You've got a deal"

Servant smiled and curtsied in her filthy dress "I am happy to be of service"


She'd tuned in to see the stream and it was definitely one of their better ones. Über and Leet went out in full Hogwarts uniforms with wands that could launch a flash of light and their invisibility cloak, messing with people on the Boardwalk and then disappearing as soon as the guards arrived. It was particularly funny when Armsmaster arrived on the scene and proceeded to interview the victims while the perpetrators were less than a few feet away trying to hold in their laughter.

The outcome was a strip of black cloth in her hand, about as long as her old mask but much less detailed, lacking some of the subtle lace detail Sabah had done for her. Flipping it over, she couldn't see it at all, it was like holding nothing at all. Bringing it over her eyes and tying a knot Taylor could see as if she was wearing nothing at all, but, looking in the mirror of her room, clearly, she was wearing her mask. It was practically ideal in her opinion.

A ring of the doorbell prompted her to deposit her mask with the rest of her costume, then head down, opening the door for Sabah to come in with two gym bags of equipment and an excited grin on her face "Hey Taylor, may I come in?"

"Please do. I've got some tea prepared for us. Dad's just watching TV in the living room, would you like to go and say hi"

Daniel Hebert wore a nice button-up shirt and one of his older pairs of pants, which she'd cut so his legs could fit through. He waved at Taylor and her visitor "Hey, you must be Sabah. Thank you for being a good friend to my daughter"

"And you must be Danny. Thank you for having me over, I assure you we'll try to keep things quiet so you can enjoy the programming"

Her father glanced at her with a tilt of his head "Sorry, you never did specify what you'd be doing"

"Sabah offered to let me try fencing. She used to be pretty big-time in her college and I wanted to try some sports other than normal gym stuff. She said it would improve my flexibility and reflexes" Taylor replied.

"So, cape stuff. Is that alright for me to know?" he looked over to Sabah.

"Your daughter has already asked on your behalf. I'm fine with you knowing since you're her father, just don't spread it around that I'm Parian. Is that alright?"

"Sure. I came into your store once, just out of curiosity, I thought it was all pretty cool even if fashion isn't really my thing" he smiled "Is it alright if I come to the window to watch for a bit?"


They now stood on the slightly overgrown lawn of their back yard, having remained empty bar a shed since her mother had passed. Sabah laid out the contents of her bag and looked up at Taylor "Alright, personally I was taught mostly based upon the reconstructed directions left behind by master Fiore dei Liberi, a skilled duellist of the 14th century, as such I'll teach you based upon his work since that's what I know best" she directed her friend to stand opposite her "Alright, we'll start with a warmup. Do as I do to the best of your ability"

Some 15 minutes later, they finally stopped and looked over at the weapons Sabah had brought along "Unfortunately, his teachings on one-handed swords specifically are rather lacking for your purposes. He preferred a two-handed longsword and referred to arming swords like these in just a handful of pages. That being said, the basics of footwork, manoeuvre and the various swings themselves are relatively interchangeable between different weapons, so that is mostly what we'll be practising"

Taylor nodded and picked up the offered blade, it was fairly lightweight and its straight blade was about arm's length.

"First, I will show you what Fiore calls the 'six masters', they are the positions you can hold your sword to best enable a strike" Sabah demonstrated as she moved through a few guard positions, while Taylor mimicked her "Now, I'd like you to gently strike at me"

Taylor did so, finding that her friend could parry her swings from every position. Suddenly having her wrist grabbed and her sword forced into the ground by Sabah, who'd rapidly lunged with her left hand and now had the sword at her throat.

"Another important part of his teachings are the plays. They are specific to each weapon and there are a lot of them but some can be adapted to most sword-like arms. If executed correctly they can end a fight then and there by either disarming your opponent or bypassing his defence to deliver a wounding strike or the threat of one" Seeing Taylor's surprise at being grabbed she smiled "Grappling is also one of the things he teaches and advocates the use of. In the sorts of fights, you will hopefully avoid, there will be no referee to call points or a time-out, so you should try to end the fight as soon as possible with the maximum brutality because, at that moment, it may very well be your life against theirs"

They continued to practice for a few more hours, Danny sometimes coming to the window to watch them. By the end, she was sweaty and out of breath while Sabah looked barely winded and went to grab them both some water from the kitchen. On her return, the woman passed her a glass looking proud "Good work Tay, you've put some real work into this and if swords are what you end up going with, then I'd say you'll have all the basics down by the next lesson. However, the specifics should really be learned per weapon. Are you still interested in a sabre? I've looked up some stuff for you"

"Yeah" she replied gulping down the water "I don't really see myself carrying anything larger, and I don't want to look too scary"

Her friend laughed and gave her a note "Then this would be my recommendation for you to start on, 'Roworth's The Art of Defence on Foot (1798)' was recommended to me by a friend who actually does military sabre fencing for you. It's a little dull but general enough that it should work for pretty much most sabres and even a few other types of one-handed swords"

"Thanks, I'll see if there's a copy available. And thanks for the lesson, I had a lot of fun today"

"That's good to hear. Hopefully, as you get into this stuff more, your powers will be able to fill in some of the knowledge gaps, but your physical stuff could use some work. Dexterity isn't much good if you're huffing and puffing a minute in" Sabah remarked as she began to put her things away "It would also be good for you to get the sword you intend to use soon. That way you'll develop muscle memory for all the moves you'll be doing with it"

"Alright, I'll read that book and look up the different types of Sabre before I choose. Speaking of which, where do you order them?"

"I can take care of that for you. We've got a network of full and part-time smiths who make ours, probably better than those cheap swords you see in the commercials that bend on first contact with a watermelon. I imagine you'll want it dull?" she asked.

"That's probably a good idea, I don't know if I'm comfortable lugging a sharp sword around and potentially cutting people up"

"That's fine" Sabah put a hand on her shoulder "We'll have you so good with a sword that Kaiser himself will think twice before crossing blades with you!"


So, Taylor choosing to carry a weapon makes sense, as did her initial apprehension to do so. But now, with the help of her bestie, she'll be the meanest sword-slinger on the West Coast in no time! I can write about this rather comfortably since I was a member of a HEMA society during my time in university, it was great fun and Fiore was the treatises we worked off, despite some also choosing to do Liechtenauer as well, but I sadly had to miss out on those due to exams and what not.

As for Über and Leet, we finally get to meet them! They appear to have learned their lesson about crossing certain lines and with Taylor able to fix (some of) their tech they are now able to do more stuff and get some inventions Leet has already made working; is it any wonder they were so interested in recruiting her? (Coil may or may not have had something to do with it). Also, some cute teasing between Leet and Taylor, just because.

Sigh

I am really not making my own tastes subtle, am I?