A/N: Haste makes waste
Alt Title: regretful encounters
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Next is a chapter of The Wild Tale of Cyril Leon, and then The Last Heir, simply because I haven't done it in a while.
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YeTianshi: I'll be honest, not much to satisfy your cliffhanger issue.
Maybe next chapter though.
T4ndoris: The goal is really just limit Kitsu's blindspot influence. It's growing too big to be ignored. And without any thinker powers to rely on, they're flailing in the dark.
Rc Jackson: you got to it decently fast.
Thehorsemanofpestilence: Soon.
Grimnosh: I feel I gave Glenn a decent cameo. And I feel I handled this chapter realistically as to how I've portrayed Kitsu in the past.
You'll see what I mean.
Kaykaykaykayan: Leave it Carol to put the fear of The Law in people.
And for Kitsu to creative ways getting what she wants!
recon100035: You're welcome!
DancingLeaf: … that cat thing? I'm stealing it. I am so stealing that idea.
RadChaos897: You're soul? With how often you've cloned yourself you've decreased its value with sheer inflation!
But fine. I guess I could take another.
Remember the ship? Remember how you speculated it, sinking?
Hehehehehheheheh.
Anyway! Those aren't bugs! They're features!
The argument was more: Practicality vs. public support.
The public doesn't want to see the Wards as a subsection of law enforcement. They want to see them as more of an after school advanced ROTC club. And presenting them as junior soldiers with riot gear and all, could easily have a fascist implication. That's what Glenn and Piggot are so desperate to avoid.
As for your suggestion? Yes.
And, none of those questions will be answered because Kitsu does, what she always does when she can't figure out what to do.
I recommend Mammoth Cave Natural Park.
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Wonder what happened to Akiralator and Casanova5424.
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-Date, Time-
'Thoughts'
"Speech"
[Shard]
(Text)
*Sounds/Actions*
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-Thursday, August 19th, The Rig, PR debartment, 12:40pm-
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Kitsu POV
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Just after Mom told Vicky to leave, I fully intended to sneak out with her. It seemed whatever was going on, only kinda involved me. So, I'd just get the cliff notes later.
That's when I noticed the shouting. I recognized Dad's voice, and, vaguely recognized the other. It, kind of scared me. I couldn't place the voice, but it made me fearful of it for some reason.
Vicky opens the door, and freezes in place.
"Uncle Michael?" She says questioningly. "Is that you?"
'Uncle?' I think to myself. 'Does Dad have relatives I don't know about? Or is Vicky seeing a sugar daddy on the side?'
"Great." I assume Michael says under his breath. "Hey sunshine, how've ya been?"
"Who's Michael?" I say as I lean out from behind Vicky's legs. Curiosity having gotten the better of me.
I see Dad and a tall, golden blonde haired man with a beard. Think, David Beckham full beard. Now make it a tone redder than my hair. Blue eyes like Mom's and Vicky's.
Michael and Dad stand there, staring at me with wide eyes as Vicky steps back.
"Fuck." I hear Mom curse silently behind us. "Kitsu, get over here, Vicky, please go."
"What?" Vicky says in confusion as she turns toward Mom. "Hold on! What's Uncle Michael doing here? You told me he was in witness protection!"
'Ooh!' I muse in my head. 'I smell something juicy!'
"I am." Michael says almost tiredly. "And I go by Mike now. Now please Sunshine, do as your mother says."
"What? No!" Vicky says with an increasingly perplexed tone. "Micha-Mike! What happened? Where'd you go? Why'd you leave?"
"Victoria!" Mom shouts, causing both me and her to flinch.
Looking towards the red faced woman, I watch with bated breath as she takes a deep breath, sighs, and opens her eyes.
"Victoria, I promise you that I'll answer, all of your questions." Mom says in a measured voice. "Later. For now, please, leave."
Vicky, with a concerned look on her face, does so. Quietly and awkwardly shuffling past Mike and Dad. I stay here because I'm genuinely interested in seeing this teapot spill over.
"Kitsu, please come over here." Mom says as she pulls out a chair.
Shrugging, I walk back around the table and take back my original seat.
"So is he Dad's brother or yours?" I ask.
"Mine." Mom says without looking at me, a deep frown set in stone on her face as she glares at the man.
"Oof." I say as I look towards the bearded man. "Bad blood?"
"Kitsu, just, please understand I'm not in the best mood." Mom starts as she looks to me. "And, yes there's bad blood. Just, please behave, okay?"
'Oh wow, this is serious.' I think to myself. 'She never asks. She tells.'
Which means she's desperate over, something.
Mike and Dad flow into the room, closing the door behind him. Mike looks like he's about to walk around the table to us, bit hesitates as Dad cuts him off, moving to sit right next to me as Mike takes a seat directly across from me.
'Okay, why does this feel ominous?' I think to myself as Mom and Dad have a stare down with Mike. 'I'm starting to think I'm more than just a little bit involved here.'
The awkward silence stretches on for several more moments. The room settling into a suspenseful atmosphere as it gets quiet enough for me to hear everyone's heartbeats.
"Right then." Costa-Brown breaks the silence. "If it's alright, I'll get this, unique case started."
"Might as well." Mom says with no small amount of venom in her voice. "Not like we'll get anywhere like this."
Meanwhile, Dad reaches over and scratches my ears. Earning a contended groan from me as I lean into his hand.
"Yeah that's it." I say as his rough hands work their magic on my head. "Lower, up, no, yeah, right there."
"Stay calm Michael." I hear Mike say under his breath.
'I thought it was Mike?' I sarcastically taunt in my head.
"I would like to start this off by saying this meeting is in no way meant to cause undue stress to any party here." Costa-Brown says.
*Beep* the soft tick of Armsmaster's internal lie detector goes off.
But, he doesn't say anything.
My heart races as I understand the meaning behind that simple fact. Armsmaster, loves calling people out on lies. Friend or foe, it shows off the accuracy of his tech. The only reason he wouldn't call Costa-Brown out, is if he was ordered not to.
'Stay calm!' I tell myself. 'Don't let them see you react to that. Costa-Brown has a perfect memory and will notice.'
"Sure it isn't." Mom calls her out. But her heart rate says she's mostly saying that out of annoyance or anger. Not an actual suspicion of her lying.
"I know, it's taxing." Costa-Brown says. "But the sooner we get through this, the sooner a resolution can be found."
"The only resolution I want is my and Jess's daughter taken out of New Wave!" Mike says. "It already cost Jess her life, I'll not have it cost her daughter's life either."
"She's not your daughter!" Mom says, slamming her hands on the table as she stands up. "Get that through your spoiled ass head!"
Armsmaster and Miss Militia step forward, likely preparing to intervene. When Costa-Brown holds a hand to halt them.
"Before we get to any of that." She says, cutting into the conversation. "We should still tell Kitsu of her relations."
"Hmm?" My ears perk up. "What relations? Is this about me and Missy? I swear we didn't do anything!"
Dad stops scratching my ears to put his hands over his face as he groans. While Mom takes a deep breath through her nose.
"No." Costa-Brown says evenly. "What the Wards do in their spare time is of no concern to us, provided they're not breaking the law."
'I mean, depending on the country.' I think mischievously.
"Oh good." I say. "So, what's up?"
"Well, a while ago we had several white collar infiltrators test the PRT's security." Costa-Brown says. "One such test involved stealing five year old evidence from the lockup in Boston. Where we took the opportunity to test the blood samples left on it. And we found two matches. Belonging to Lightstar, and Fleur of New Wave."
I wrack my mind for any connection and relevance that might have. Piecing together any and all info that was just dropped.
'New Wave, five years, Fleur and Lightstar, Fleur died three years ago, five year old evidence with blood. What happened five years ago? Leviathan, and, and me.' I start to realize. 'Blood, blood, I, didn't trigger until after I was cut and clawed.'
"You are genetically the child of Jess Morgan and Michael Smith." Costa-Brown says. "Making Carol and Mark here, your aunt and uncle, and Mike, your father."
'My father!?' My mind screams. 'How the fuck is that possible!? I'm from a separate world. Sure this body may or may not be mine. No clue since my memories from before are jumbled and crap. But the odds of me being my mother's niece, wow, wrong way to put that.'
I find my mind blanking for a hot second as I recollect my thoughts.
"Now, we're able to deduce that you aren't from this earth." Costa-Brown says. "Jess died before having any children, and if you were a future child with a time power, the paradox would've erased you. So we can only conclude that you're from a yet to be registered separate earth."
'I already knew that.' I think sarcastically.
"Wait, does that mean I'm Vicky's biological cousin?" I ask out loud.
"Yes." Mom says solemnly.
"I'm, related to Vicky, and not you?" I say as I turn to point at Dad.
"Well, technically nothing's changed there." Dad says with a soft smile.
I look forward, my gaze going past Mike and towards the wall behind him. Thinking on everything that's occurred between me and Vicky. The numerous comparisons I've heard made between us, and the few times people called out the similarities between me and Mom.
"I'm related to Vicky." I say softly. "Damnit. Why couldn't I be an alternate version of your biological niece?" I angrily point at Dad.
"What?" He says wit a confused look on his face.
'Wait, Fleur died to a gunshot in the head three years ago.' I start to realize. 'My biological mother died, while I was around. If, if I thought to actually do things instead of avoiding disrupting canon, which I failed miserably. Then, wait no, there's no way to know any of that for sure!'
"Now obviously, by most legal standing." Costa-Brown continues. "You're legally Mike's daughter."
"By what measure?" I ask. "I wasn't even born here on this planet."
"The fact of the matter is, this has no legal precedence." Costa-Brown says. "Everything past that statement, is open water."
"Open water you had no right unleashing!" Mom accuses.
"I for one am glad she did so!" Mike says. "You think I don't watch the news? Amy's been held hostage, Vicky's been run over, and Kitsu's been kidnapped! All in the last few months!This just proves my point and I will not have my daughter risk her life out of some misplaced loyalty!"
"She's not your daughter!" Dad stands up and finally snaps. "Until a month ago you had no clue she existed! We took her in when we found her, we cared for her, we're her family! And you cut yourself off from this family three years ago!"
"Because of how you were risking your children's lives!" Mike says as he stands up. "Jess should've been enough! And now you're risking her daughter!?"
'What does she look like?' I find myself wondering. Looking at Mike, I start to see some of the similarities. The hair color, the face shape is similar. Can't really tell with the beard. Our cheeks are similar.
"Not, her, daughter!" Mom says. "This family, has nothing to do with you! You left, and you should've stayed gone!"
"And I would've." Mike says evenly. "But, the idea that you're risking Jess's only living relative. You've gone too far!"
"If Jess were here, she'd smack you upside your thick skull and tell you that you're being your over controlling, conceded, spoiled ass self!" Mom shouts.
"You have no right saying what Jess would or wouldn't do!" Mike yells, his face turning red with rage.
I know this is about me. But it's starting to feel like I'm a proxy for some more deep seeded issues.
"Stop!" Costa-Brown yells, getting everyone's attention. "Sit down. Now please, try and come to a sound, reasonable agreement like adults. There's no need for fighting."
"Agree to disagree." Mom and Mike say at the same time.
Taking a deep sigh, Costa-Brown looks to me.
"Kitsu, what would you like?" She asks.
"Huh?" I ask.
"This is about you." She says. "What would you like to see out of this?"
"There's no need to put her on the spot like that." Mom bites at Costa-Brown. "She just learned this man is her biological father, she doesn't even know him."
"She has a right to learn!" Mike counters.
"You lost any right to anything in this family." Dad reiterates. "If this were solely up to us, you'd never be here."
"Well it's a good thing it's not up to you then, isn't it?" Mike challenges.
"It's okay kiddo." Dad says as he turns to me and resumes scratching my ears. "You owe this man nothing."
"She should at least get to know her siblings." Mike says before looking to me. "You're a big sister, you have a little sister and brother. They're only one and two years old, but I'm sure you'll get along!"
"Two kids already?" Mom scoffs. "Wow, so much for your undying love for Jess."
"You shut your fucking mouth!" Mike says as he points towards her. "I moved on, yes. But Jess will always be my first love!"
I don't wanna be here.
"You lower your voice Michael." Dad says, becoming uncharacteristically threatening. "Or I'll make you."
"Is that a threat?" Mike challenges.
"It's a promise." Dad answers.
"Like your promise to look after Vicky when she was growing up?" Mike says. "Because if so, then I think I'll be fine."
Yeah, I'mma just, leave.
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Collin "Armsmaster" Wallis POV
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Watching the child criminal turn invisible and slip away while everyone is distracted. I say nothing. Content to observe her maneuver the grate on the wall, still seeing her with my thermals. I make note of how she avoids the pressure pins.
'Need to draft up designs to make the pins less visible.' I note to myself. 'Or to add a less visible back up.'
In truth, I wholly disagree with command on this matter.
Not only was the acquisition of Kitsu's DNA questionable at best. Even by my standards. The tests themselves were unnecessary.
The only reason such tests would be performed were if the results were intended to be used. And for what end?
Not only that, but as, rich as some would put it coming from me, this is cruel towards the girl. I sabotaged her hearing aides yes, but that was with the intent to put her down should she be mastered or become a danger. Not a preemptive intent to harm her.
Of which I believe is a higher possibility than should be deemed acceptable.
This however, is unnecessary. I see no positive outcome from this. Add the fact I've been told to hide any lies Chief Director Costa-Brown might tell, and I don't like this. I know Kitsu likely heard my detector go off, and I find it, upsetting that she's aware.
That I'm being forced to repress my tech's validity for whatever political game the Chief Director might be playing.
"You're not going to report Kitsu fleeing through the air ducts?" Theresa, Dragon says into my comms.
It took a bit to get back into her good graces after the hearing aides incident. And it ultimately culminated into an extension of trust. A backdoor into my suit's comms unit that can be overridden at any time. Giving her full access to what I see and hear at all times.
I say nothing, and give no indication that the Tinker is here, against protocol.
"You softie." She goads. "Guess the tin man does have a heart."
I don't see why she feels the need to taunt me however.
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-Girl's Locker Room, 1:15pm-
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Missy "Vista" Biron POV
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Sitting down on the bench as I sigh, taking in all that's happened recently. I don't know what it is but, I just, don't feel into it anymore. Patrols, studying, movies, with everything that's happened and is happening. I just, I need a break. From all of it. From the politics, the villains, the peacekeeping, the chaos, my parents. Kitsu.
As much as I love her, and I do love her, I can't keep pretending all the bad things she does and has done just, doesn't happen! The fact that people bend over backwards for her, and she knows it. And she takes full advantage of it!
I can't keep pretending that's okay!
But, I don't want to leave her. She's the only half decent thing I have in my crappy life.
'And there she is.' I think tiredly as I notice the organic field in my sense. 'Crawling through the vents like she was told not to.'
In a few more seconds, I watch as the vent above the lockers opens up, and the invisible girl crawls out. Closing the grate as she turns visible, smiling at me like nothing's wrong.
"Hi Missy!" She says as she skips over to me. "Fancy meeting you here!"
Now or never. We're in private, and not somewhere she can distract me with her, wiles.
"Stop." I say as I hold up a hand to halt her. "We, need to talk."
"Um, can we not?" She asks sheepishly, leaning over for me to see her past my hand. "I kinda came here to escape a talk."
So she's literally dodging someone else.
"Does this have anything to do with the meeting you were in?" I ask pointedly.
"Kinda?" She admits. "Can, can whatever it is wait? Please? I, really need to not think on a few things."
'If you don't get this out now.' I find myself thinking. 'You'll just bottle it up until you say something you'll regret.'
"No." I say firmly. "Kitsu, as your girlfriend, we need to have a talk."
She completely freezes, wide eyed as I pull the girlfriend card.
"U-um, okay?" She says in a slightly shaky voice. "W-what about?"
Taking a deep breath in through my nose, and out through my mouth. I steel my nerves. This has to happen, I don't want this to boil over later and ruin us.
"I wanted to talk about, us." I say in a calm, even voice.
'Avoid using you when addressing issues.' I remember the de-escalation seminars. 'It only makes people feel attacked and get defensive.'
"W-what about us?" Kitsu asks, her shoulders shaking slightly.
'This was a mistake!' A small part of me says. 'Just tell her to forget about it and that you want to cuddle!'
But, it's drowned out by the part demanding I finally address this.
"I don't like how you- how certain things have been handled recently." I rephrase. "I, feel I need to set some boundaries."
"What, what kind?" Kitsu asks.
"For one, I don't like it when-" I try to phrase it subtly, but I can't think of anything. "You disregard the authority and rules. And I, really don't like it when you use your power and influence to get away with it."
'Oh god I'm gonna puke.' My anxiety flares.
"What, do you mean?" Kitsu asks slowly.
"Kitsu, when I picture the person I'm with, I don't picture someone who abuses their power, takes advantage of others, or uses their position to get what they want. And get away with it." I clarify. "And lately, you've been doing a lot of that. And, I don't like it."
Her ears splay back, her eyes widening as her tail twitches wildly. And, I have to look away.
"W-well I can stop!" Kitsu says frantically. "Just, tell me what you don't like and I'll stop doing it!"
"I just did." I say pointedly. "I don't like when you blatantly use your powers to get away with crimes. And more than that, I hate that everyone seems to go along with it just because of your power!"
"Is this about the paint gun fight?" She asks.
"The paint gun fight, the theft, kicking the staff out of the kitchen, the blatant disregard of the rules, the men you killed, hospitalizing Sophia!" I finally snap. "I can't be with someone who, who is so corrupt!"
"I, I'm." She stutters, tears welling up in her eyes. "I, I, Missy I-"
"I hate how you keep breaking the rules!" I continue. "I hate that you don't even feel bad about it! I hate that you get away with it and don't even care!"
'You need to chill.' That small part says again. 'You're going too far, she's about to cry.'
Again, it's drowned out by the pounding in my chest, and the sheer relief I feel at getting this all out in the open.
"I, I didn't, I didn't think you-" She stutters.
"That's the problem!" I feel my voice crack a bit. "You don't think! Not about the consequences, or about the effects you have, and sometimes, it feels like you don't think about how things you do, affect me!"
I have to look away from her again. And, and, this is enough. I am going too far.
"I, can't keep doing this Kitsu." I sigh. "I just, I need to be alone. Okay?"
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"Okay." She says in a choked sob.
'You went too fat idiot!' I berate myself. 'What if she leaves you now!?'
"Kitsu, I love-" I stop as I look up to find she's gone, from my sight and my field. "Where, what?"
Why is there a pit in my stomach? And, why do I feel like I just massively fucked up?
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-The Rig, Roof, 2pm-
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Kitsu POV
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This was a mistake! This was all a mistake! I should've never come here!
'I should've stayed on the move. I never should've let the Dallons take me in! Never should've pretended I could be a normal girl. Because clearly I'm bad at it!' I think to myself.
It's a good thing I'm not wearing makeup. Otherwise it'd be ruined.
'Now look at you.' I muse. 'On the roof of a building, bawling your eyes out over a breakup. And your parents fighting with your other parent. Oh, and lets not forget the fact you knew about Fleur's death. And could've easily prevented it! But no. You didn't want to lose your surefire advantage of canon knowledge. Not that you did a good job of protecting it in the first place!'
I feel myself start to laugh at the absurdity of it all.
"Haaaaa!" I let out a long laugh. "Thrown into a dying world with a doomsday clock with a target on my back. Run around slowly losing my mind only to find some stability, and have it uprooted all in a few weeks!"
I stand up and pace around as I keep laughing.
"My girlfriend dumps me just after I learn that the people who took me in became a family to me. Ha! They are my family!" I shout as I reach the edge of the roof overlooking the bay. "And better yet, I let my mother die! Sure I didn't know she was technically my mother. But fuck all good that does me now! It's like some Greek epic!"
It's so convoluted it's funny!
"And to top it all off." I say as I feel my tears dry up. "I still don't know what to do about the end."
I doubt I can one v. one Scion. The only power to really effect him was Foil's, fuck I forget her name.
"I wish I never knew." I say to myself as I sit down and hug my knees. "I wish I could've been just as ignorant as everyone else."
I'm stuck between not knowing what to do, and not wanting to do anything despite knowing something needs to be done. Or everything I love could just, die.
I want to ignore everything. But every time I do, a new problem forces itself on me.
As I think this, my ears pick up something in the distance on the wind. A crash, or, explosion? There's rubble being tossed around for sure.
Sounds like someone's having fun.
"I, I just need to clear my head." I tell myself. "I'm not thinking straight. I've had a lot happen, in a very little amount of and I'm talking to myself. Great."
Been a while since I had some Chinese food. Gonna need to steal a jacket first.
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-Meanwhile, Common room-
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Missy "Vista" Biron POV
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I fucked up.
I fucked up so hard!
(Hey I'm sorry. I didn't mean what I said.)-M
(Hello?)-M
(Hey, please answer? I know I got a little heated but I was just trying to say I wanted you to listen to the authorities more. Ok? I just rlly rlly rlly want u ok? I'm sorry for yelling and plz call me?)-M
(Please answer me! I'm sorry okay! I just got upset and I want to be ur girlfriend! If I mean anything to u please call me! I'll give you kisses!)-M
Not even left on read. She's completely ghosting me!
"Are you okay?" Dean asks. "You've been pacing around the island for a while now."
Looking towards the out of costume man. I try to think of a lie, before remembering he sees emotions. And won't buy a simple, 'I'm fine.'
"Oh you know." I try to say nonchalantly. "Kinda, accidentally broke up with Kitsu?"
"Pfft!" Vicky does a spit take with her soda from one of the tables ten feet away. Right into Dennis's face.
"Urgh!" He wipes his face. "I think I got some of Deans spit in my mouth!"
"Why would it be Deans?" Chris asks. "Oh, never mind. Took me a second."
"Shut up." Vicky says before flying over to me. "Little V! What happened? You two were like, attached at her tail."
'Should I?' I think to myself. 'Fuck it, they live together and if there's an expert on breakups it'd be her.'
Taking a deep breath. I try and collect my thoughts.
"Well, I may have tried to have a conversation with her about all the, you know blatant disregard for rules and consequence thing." I start off. "But, I may have got heated and told her, I can't keep doing this, I need to be alone."
"So you did break up." Vicky says as she takes a seat on the stool by the island counter.
"Not on purpose!" I defend. "By the time I realized what I said and went to clarify, she was already gone! And now she's not answer my texts and my calls are going straight to voicemail and I don't know what to do okay!?"
By this point I'm ready to pass out with how hard my heart is beating. And I can feel a few tears picking up at the edges of my eyes.
"Well, I don't know what to tell you about, all that." Vicky says awkwardly with a sympathetic look. "But I can at least guarantee she isn't ghosting you! So, that's something!"
"How would you know that?" I almost beg.
"She doesn't have a phone." Vicky says. "Remember? Hers was smashed when she was kidnapped?"
My heart goes from beating a mile a minute, to stopping. As I recall the paragraphs I sent. All ready to be read the moment she gets her phone back. And that's not even counting the voicemails!
"She, she's not ghosting me?" I say in a cracked voice.
"Why, are you scared?" Dean asks.
"No, I thought you knew." Vicky says slowly.
I did. I just forgot.
"I sent her four paragraphs of texts and ten minutes of voicemails." I admit almost against my will.
"Ah." Dean says understandingly. "Well, that's um."
He looks towards Vicky for help. Clearly not knowing what to do here.
"I can let Kitsu know you misspoke when I see her." She offers weakly with a shrug. "As for cringey messages to your girlfriend, well. Some battles we just lose."
I suppose that's a small price to pay for losing my temper.
*Krcht*
The door slides open behind us.
"Victoria." Mrs. Dallon says as I turn to look at her. Frantic and sweating, despite in a suit. "Have you seen Kitsu? Oh, Missy, what about you?"
"Um, no." Vicky says in a low voice. "Why do you ask?"
"I, saw her about half an hour ago." I answer, remembering the locker room.
Kitsu did say she snuck out of a meeting.
"Where?" Mrs. Dallon asks in tone that is nothing but serious. "And where is she now?"
"I, don't know." I answer her. "Why?"
"Because she's gone missing." Mrs. Dallon says.
"Oh god this is my fault." I whisper to myself as my heart decides to start up an impression of the bongos!
"Little V, hang tight." Vicky says as she flies off to follow Mrs. Dallon.
"Let me help!" I offer. "I know her really well!"
"Vista, I appreciate the offer." Mrs. Dallon says. "But this is a private matter."
"But!" I go to follow, only for Dean to put a hand on my shoulder.
"Go on, I need to talk to Vista." He says.
A few months ago I would've jumped at the chance. But now?
"But!" I try and say, but they leave anyway.
"Missy." Dean says softly. "They can handle this. Besides, Kitsu is indestructible."
"But she's not infallible!" I point out as I turn to face him and shrug his hand off of my shoulder. "As evidence by how she was kidnapped! And the people who did so are still out there! They'll do it again!"
"I doubt Kitsu is dumb enough to-"
"You don't know her!" I cut him off. "She's reckless, inconsiderate and impulsive! She-"
I'm cut off as he places a hand on my head, and I feel all of my anger and anxiety wash away.
"Did you just master me?" I say in a low tone as I glare up at him.
"Yes." He says. "Before you said something you'd regret. Now, want to go by that again?"
Taking a deep breath. I, think on everything that's happened.
"You've been on edge ever since Kitsu was kidnapped." He points out. "And it didn't go away when she got back. If anything, you've gotten worse. What's up?"
"I, I just, she's the only one." I try to say.
"The only one who what?" He asks.
"The, the only one who gets me!" I say, staring him in the eye. "The only one who takes me seriously. The only one who listens to me. The only one, that, sometimes, I feel like, cares."
"Missy, you know that's not true." Dean says.
"Is it?" I ask. "Name, one person."
"There's me." He says.
"Then why didn't you say anything when I had a crush on you?" I ask.
The others share an awkward look as they start to get up and filter out.
"I, didn't want to hurt your feelings." He says.
"So rather than treating me with respect and letting me down, you let me believe I had a chance?" I accuse. "At least Kitsu never lied to me. Even when I wanted her to, just for an apology. She refused."
"Well if not me then there's Vicky." He points.
"Vicky doesn't take me seriously." I scoff. "Yeah she's a good friend, but she's sees me as a kid. Again, Kitsu sees me as an equal. Heck if anything she defers to my reasoning! She values my word! And, and I abused that and now she's run off! Probably in tears because while she puts up with all of my faults I couldn't put up with a few of hers!"
He reaches his hand, and I smack it away.
"Do that again and I'll report you for mastering!" I point at him.
"Missy, you can't break yourself for another." He says. "I get that you love her but, is this really how you want your relationship to go? If you had an issue with her, and it lead to a break up where you are apologizing for you taking issue with her issues. Do you see how convoluted that is?"
"Says the man who breaks up with his girlfriend faster than the weather changes!" I point out.
"Then you should know I'm an expert on the subject." He says. "Me and Vicky need a break from each other now and then, most of the time it's mutual and sometimes it's me."
"That's not what she says." I accuse.
"She takes the blame because she doesn't want people seeing me in a bad light." He says. "Half the time it's mutual, we just need a break. The other half? It's fifty-fifty on who started it. And we always resolve it. Heck, one time she claimed to have broken up with me because I didn't notice she changed her makeup. Truth is? We got into a fight over something stupid, and I called her a dumbass, don't even remember why."
I stare at him, not knowing how to take that. I mean, he's the picture perfect gentleman! It's hard to see him as someone who would even think something bad about another person.
"Everyone has faults." Dean says. "I, bottle things up and let them out at the worst times. So take it from me when I say, I know how it feels to fuck up. And I agree, apologizing for what you say is important. But don't apologize for taking an issue with something you don't like."
I, don't know what to say. He's right. And, I have no experience in this sort of thing.
"Missy, I get that you want to stay with Kitsu." Dean continues after a few moments. "But you shouldn't have to beat yourself up to do so. If you need to stand your ground on something, do it. Otherwise you'll always get pushed over."
I can't even look him in the eye as I think on that. Preferring instead to stare at the floor as I, I don't know!
I'm dealing with a lot of complicated feelings right now! I'm not even sure some of these have names!
But,
"I know." I admit to Dean. "But, she cando better than me. What if, she leaves me alone again?"
"You're not alone." Dean stresses as he kneels to look up at me, seeing as I won't look up at him. "And even then, making yourself miserable just so a girl won't leave you? You're better than that."
"You see this?" I say with a glare. "This is why I had a crush on you for so long."
"Don't lie to yourself." He says flatly, before gaining a slight smirk. "You still have a crush on me. You've just accepted that it'll never happen and moved on."
He's, well, I, yeah! But I didn't need the callout!
"Jerk." I say as I cross my arms.
"You want me to respect you and be honest?" He says as he stands up. "Then I will."
The crappy part is, despite how much I'm glaring. He knows I appreciate it.
Doesn't mean I have to like it!
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Victoria "Glory Girl" Dallon POV
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'Okay, looks like Kitsu is taking her first break up pretty badly.' I think to myself.
Meaning it wasn't mutual.
"Okay, what happened?" I ask mom.
"Sometime during our, meeting, Kitsu took off." She says as we pace down the hall.
"Okay, why?" I ask.
"That's not important." Mom says evasively as she checks her phone. "Okay. A few security cams confirmed she was on the roof before taking off."
'Probably has something to do with her breakup.' I think to myself.
I don't know the exact order of events. But I can piece together enough to get the gist. Kitsu ditched the meeting for whatever reason. Met up with Missy, they had a fight, Missy said something she's now regretting. And Kitsu bolted to either clear her head, get away, or was just acting on pure emotion. Probably a combination, it's hard to tell with her sometimes.
"I think it has a lot to do with it." I counter.
"Vicky, later." Mom says with a frustrated look.
"No!" I say as I fly around in front of her and land, literally putting my foot down.
"Excuse me!?" Mom says with that look.
'Kitsu, you so owe me for this.'
"You want my help?" I say as I cross my arms. "I want to know what I'm helping with."
"You're helping find your runaway cousin!" Mom says, before her eyes go wide.
"My what?" I say with no small amount of confusion.
"You didn't hear that." Mom says as she hurriedly tries to walk around me.
Only for me to step in her way and hold my hands up to stop her.
"Oh no!" I say with a bit of a disbelieving laugh. "No, you don't get to just say that and expect me to not askquestions. Cousin? Who are you talking about? Kitsu? Is that why uncle Michael was here? Is that why Kitsu took off?"
"Not, now Victoria!" Mom says with a frustrated wave of her hands. "Okay? I have a lot on my plate and no time!"
"Well I have nothing on mine but questions and you seem to have the answers." I counter. "I just want to know, okay? What's going on?"
Mom covers her face with her hands, her face beet red as she takes several calming breaths. Before abruptly slapping her hands to her sides with a big sigh through her nose.
"Kitsu is your Uncle Michael and Aunt Jess's daughter from one of the alternate earths." She says with a stressed smile. "Okay? There! Are you happy now?"
I, try and say something. But, find myself at a loss for words. Instead just blinking owlishly at mom as I, try and think of something.
Kitsu is my cousin? Uncle Michael somehow knows. How long has mom known? If it's alternate dimension does that count as her being family? Does Amy know? Is that why we both look good in blue lipstick?
"Well now I just have more questions!" I say with no small amount of stress breaking through.
"Now you see why I wanted to wait!" Mom stresses.
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-Hào chī buffet, Market District, 3:30pm-
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? ? ? POV
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One of the few times they leave me alone. So peaceful. So, mundane.
Reminds me of better times. Simpler times.
Then I triggered with the power to enhance other powers. If only temporarily.
'Stop.' I tell myself. 'You get this time away to not think of them. Don't ruin it.'
If, that is me in my head. Or one of the others just being nice.
"What you like young man?" The aged Chinese man asks in broken English.
"I'd like the roasted duck, I haven't tried that before." I answer in Mandarin, having known it fluently from one of the others before me.
"Of course good sir." The elderly man answers.
Eating, and bathroom breaks are some of the only breaks I get. Most of the time.
Sometimes they keep going in an attempt to blur the line. Make it harder and harder to tell who's who. Me or them.
Stop thinking about them!
As I await for my roasted duck. I think back, further back. To simpler times. When I was little. Mom worked two jobs and never had a lot of money. Heck, when I wanted to go to the pool we'd get a blue laundry bucket and fill it with water. Then I'd splash around in my boxers.
Those where good times. Didn't have much but, I was happy.
I miss her. And, I fear forgetting her.
*Ding*
"Welcome to- oh, it's you." The elderly man says, switching from English to Mandarin. "Great, there goes my weekly profit."
"Hmm?" I give a raised brow towards the man, before a small child sits in the chair next to me.
Glancing over, I see her wearing a dirty, oversized hoodie. Covering her face from view and acting more like a dress than a hoodie.
'Another homeless child.' I realize with sadness.
One of the reasons I was convinced to come here. The number of homeless and disenfranchised peoples. Displaced and forced out of livelihood and home by the gang violence.
We can put a stop to it. The Teeth that is.
"Hey old man." The girl says in a downtrodden voice. "Just some ramen noodles. Don't care what kind. Just nothing spicy."
"Of course." He says in English before switching to Mandarin. "You're getting the instant kind."
"You come here often?" I ask the little girl.
"Hmm?" She hums without looking at me. "Yeah, whenever I don't feel like stealing food."
'The casual way she said that.' I think sadly to myself.
Though it is odd. The old man acted like she was a burden. And yet, he's feeding her. Perhaps he's just hard on her, but doesn't want her to actually starve?
I've seen the type often enough.
"You sound sad." I point out as a young Asian man with short black hair and green highlights sets a steaming plate in front of me.
"Here you go sir." He says in perfect English.
"Thank you." I respond in Mandarin, earning a smile and nod from him.
"You ask every random person you meet about their problems?" She asks suspiciously.
"Only those I think I might be able to help." I answer sincerely.
She's quiet a bit longer, and I think she's ignoring me when she finally speaks up.
"Just, dealing with a lot." She says in a low tone. "Nothing you can help with."
"Try me." I offer. "I may just surprise you."
!
'Hmm?' I think at the odd prickling sensation.
"Hmm, alright. What do you do when you have a bunch of problems you can't do anything about?" She asks.
"Well, that requires context." I offer. "I assume they're all different issues?"
"They, are." She says slowly. "One is, well, what do you do when there's a massive world ending problem that only you know about. And you have nothing to stop it?"
'That's oddly specific.' I think to myself. 'I doubt she's being literal. Or, as a whole. She probably means her world.'
!
'There's that feeling again.'
"Well, usually." I start off. "Letting others know about a problem, can help lessen the burden."
"Not possible." She says immediately.
"Why not?" I ask.
"No one would believe me." She answers.
That's worrying. A young homeless girl with a major issue that no one will believe. It sounds like someone is taking advantage of her.
And it makes us boil!
'No!' I scream at them as I take a deep breath. 'We don't know! Not yet. And besides, this is my time! Buzz off!'
…
So much for the hero.
Unwilling to use his resources.
But very well.
Enjoy your 'time off".
"You good dude?" The girl asks.
"Yeah, yeah I just get bad headaches from time to time." I say divertingly. "They go away on their own often enough, it's no problem."
"Hmm." She hums. "Kay, you got any advice for my issue?"
Right.
"Well, if letting others know isn't available." I think out loud. "Then, surrounding yourself by others who can help, should eventually do something. Even if they won't believe you. Eventually there'll come a time when they have to. And they'll have to do something."
She's silent for a bit as she mulls over my words. And I take this chance to dig into my roasted duck.
A bit greasier than I expected. But not in a bad way. Better than dry meat, that's for sure.
"That, is a stupidly obvious answer." She says as the same man from before gives her a bowl of ramen noodles.
"Buuut?" I give a little smirk and side eye towards the little girl.
"It's, stupid because I didn't think of it." She sighs. "Alright guru of the Chinese buffet, got any more advice?"
I chuckle at the little nickname. Kids have this way about them that just, adds a layer of wonder and fun about everything. Even when they're being serious.
!
'What is that?' I start to put myself on guard. That's three times now.
"My, girlfriend broke up with me." The little girl says. "And, it's my fault."
I freeze as she says that. My fork of duck halfway to my mouth as I contemplate that.
'When do kids start dating again?' I ask myself. 'Well, I mean, I remember some classmates in elementary who said they were dating. But, I doubt it was at all serious. I think.'
"Well, I don't have anything for that." I say as I set my fork down.
"Why not?" She asks after a slurp of her own noodles. "Use up all your smart juice on the first one?"
"No." I say with a self deprecating smile. "I've, never even kissed a girl myself."
She's silent for a bit next to me. Before leaning over and patting me on the back.
!
"There there." She says softly as I go back to my food. "Don't worry, I'm sure you won't die a virgin. After all, we all get screwed by life."
"Pfft!" I nearly spit my food out, and have to cover my mouth in order to prevent the food from actually flying out.
*Ding*
"There you are." I hear a tired girl's voice say towards me.
Turning around, I'm met with the site of a wavy brown haired, slim teen. Dressed in a baggy white hoodie and jeans. Mousy features that give her a sort of, cute girl next door, childhood friend feel to her.
"Do I know you?" I ask.
"Not you." She says pointedly as she walks past me and sits on the other side of the little girl.
"Do you have any idea how much cab fare is on this side of the city?" She asks. "Never mind ditching Vicky."
The little girl doesn't say anything. And, I feel this isn't my business any longer. So, I tune them out, and think on the better days.
…
God I feel old. I'm only twenty two.
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Bonus
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-Dallas, Texas, 2008-
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Kitsu POV
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Sitting in the kitchen of, I don't know. I just know they have cereal and milk. Which I am currently eating. Lucky Charms!
*Krcht*
And one of them just got up and left their room.
There are three, all adults. Or teens. Hard to tell just from heartbeats and breathing.
As I continue to munch on the Lucky Charms. I eat the oats first, that way I can savor the marshmallows at the end! I was hoping they'd have Trix, but, eh. Beggars can't be choosers.
The guy walks into the kitchen, white undershirt and blue boxers. He completely passes me as he goes to the fridge. Rummaging through the food as I just continue to eat.
"Where the hell is the milk?" He says to himself.
"Over here." I call out.
What? I'm not gonna let the man think he's crazy. He hasn't upset me yet.
He snaps up, his head and upper body appearing over the door of the fridge. All sleep gone from his face as he looks at me with wide eyes.
I just wave.
"Hi! I'm Kitsu!"
"Intruder!" He shouts as he runs to one of the kitchen drawers and pulls out a gun.
'For a second I forgot this was Texas.' I silently muse to myself.
"Hands where I can see them!" He shouts.
"Dude, I'm ten feet away, not across the street." I say as I take another bite of cereal. "Alsho, handsh, very vishible."
Oh, and the others are up. Now running down to see what's going on.
"Don't get smart with me freak!" He says as he cocks the hammer on the gun.
He didn't even click the safety. Do you need to click the safety in order to cock the hammer? I don't know enough about guns to know. But if so, then this guy just has loaded guns laying around his house.
"I'm not." I say after I swallow my bite. "Just stating the obvious."
"Dad what's going on!?" A teen boy in nothing but boxers shouts as he runs into the kitchen, followed by a woman in a blue nightgown.
Only for them to look at where he's aiming. And back up as the woman now pulls out a tiny gun from, a mini holster on her leg? What the hell? The thing's smaller than my hand!
"Wow." I say with raised brows. "Way to combat the stereotypes about Americans and guns."
"Forgive us for reinforcing bad images." The woman says. "Seeing as we got a rat in our kitchen."
"Hey!" I say, mildly offended. "I'm a fox!"
My ears and tail are in clear view!
"You're 'bout to be road kill!" The man says. "George go call the PRT."
"No need Georgie." I say as I pick up the bowl and down the milk. Though he runs anyway. "Ah! I'm done. Thanks for the food!"
"You ain't moving!" The woman says, still aiming at me.
I roll my eyes as I pick up the bowl and hop out of the chair. They were nice enough to, donate their food. Least I could do is leave my dirty dishes in the sink.
*Bang* *Bang*
And I'm shot twice.
"Ahhh!" I scream in pain as my ears ring.
"YOU DON'T GET TO INVADE MY HOME AND CALL THE SHOTS!" The man yells as he keeps his gun trained on me. "Fuck! I just shot a child." He says shakily.
"She's a freak!" The woman says. "She might as well be some special sort of midget. Only pretending to be a child."
"She's also not hurt." I say as I collect the two bullets that hit me and throw them at the two. Much to their shock.
"I was being nice!" I yell as I pick up the bowl I dropped. "But no!"
I throw the bowl on the ground, intent on shattering it.
*Dung*
Only to have forgotten to add any strength to it.
"Pretend that broke!" I shout while pointing at them.
*Bang*
The man shoots me again.
"That doesn't do anything!" I shout.
*Bang*
"Knock it off!"
*Click*
Looks like it jammed.
"You guys suck!" I shout as I march towards the door. Making sure to knock over the box of cereal as I pass, spilling Lucky charms over the table and some on the floor.
The only reason I didn't knock the milk over is because the Woman didn't keep shooting.
As I leave, I hear the distant sound of sirens approaching. Looks like George called the PRT after all. Or one of the neighbors called the cops. The man did shoot me a few times.
"Eugh!" I groan, annoyed at the fact I now have to dodge the cops.
I only came here to find the woman trying to steal my name! And maybe beat the crap out of her. Is that so much to ask?
"So much for southern hospitality." I say as I cross my arms and turn invisible.
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Bonus 2!
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Francis "Trickster" Krouse POV
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"You, promised me Francis!" Noelle says with a shaky voice.
"I know sweetie." I say softly, not letting any stress seep into my voice. "And I intend to keep my promise. It's just taking a bit longer than normal."
"You said it'd take a few days!" She roars, her lower half trembling.
I didn't. But, anytime she nears a rampage, her memory starts to evade her. Actually no, scratch that. Her mind starts to evade her.
"It's been a few days, yes." I agree, not daring to correct her. "But what's a few days more when we're so close?"
"You're just buying time." She says with a worried look. "You're going to leave me, you don't think I'm worth it."
"You know that's not true." I say softly, deflecting her insecurities as best I can. "I made you a promise, and I intend to keep it."
"Liar." She says as her lower body quivers. A few pockets of flesh folding in on themselves and forming gnarly sets of teeth. "Where's Luke then? Hmm?"
'Shit.' I curse inwardly.
"He's, stepped out for a bit. The stress's been getting to him and needed a bit of a break." I think quickly.
The jaws on her lower half start grinding in on themselves, while Noelle gives no indication of her true thoughts. Which is, concerning. She's losing it, and fast.
"Yeah, yeah that's it." She says with a small laugh as she holds her head. "A break, he just needs some time to himself. A break." Before her tone turns dark. "I wish I could get a break. But no. That selfish, self-centered, egotistical self righteous prick."
None of those words describe Luke. Or at least, they're not the words I'd use.
"We're a little selfish sometimes." I say, right now what she needs is validation, and calming. Not the truth. "Just look at me. I'm being selfish right now."
"Ha!" She laughs. "How?"
"Look around." I say, spreading my arms out to gesture around the empty room. "You see anyone else? That's because I'm keeping you to myself."
The others are getting too scared of her. And quite frankly, so am I.
But even still.
"O-oh." She stutters, her hands clasping together as the mouths writhe and disappear back into the formless mass. "W-well, I um. S-suppose that's true."
"You know it is Kitten." I say with a smirk. "And soon enough, when all this is over. I'll make sure to keep you to myself all night."
"Aaagh!" She squeals in a mix of mortification and embarrassment.
There's a difference.
"Franky!" She chides. "You, I, aaagh!"
"Yes." I keep up my act. Intent on distracting her as much as possible. "You, me, and a lot of squealing and screaming."
"You don't just say those things!" She huffs, her face beet red.
"Really?" I feign ignorance. "But I just did. In fact, I can say it again. Quite easily, in greater detail if you want."
"No no no no!" She screams, cutting me off as she covers her ears.
Good. Her lower body has stopped all together.
This, this isn't Noelle though. This, squealing and animated version, is her losing her mind. Noelle is subdued, and tame. Not a gushing mess.
I fear, I fear I'm too late. That when we fix her, I'll find that the Noelle I loved, is already dead.
But until that happens. I'll not stop until I get there.
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A/N Gotta love that Conflict Drive impairing people's judgement!
Poor Missy, she started out that talk so well too. But, sabotaging shards gonna sabotage.
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Alexandria's goal, as well as the vast majority of Cauldron's goal here, was to orchestrate a scenario that would keep Kitsu out of Brockton Bay. Her growing influence is causing more and more plans to be scrapped. Some of which being years in the making.
They needed a way to get her out of the city long term without risking her going villain. And without raising any suspicions.
So, without any thinker abilities to go on. And only using past behavior, they know that Kitsu is
Capricious and prone to mood swings
Prone to moving around on flights of fancy
Has a very weak moral compass
Has attachment issues
A desire to be loved
A desire for family
Poor impulse control
And little regard for long term consequences
With this knowledge, they figured there'd be a chance that Kitsu would go with Mike after learning about their genetic relation. Or, as she is seen to do when presented with interpersonal issues, flee and ignore the issue as best she can.
Either way, she's hopefully out of Brockton Bay.
Keep in mind, Cauldron is not known for the best long term plans. Or, decent plans in general.
Hell, for all their resources they couldn't figure out Endbringers were targeting areas with rising stars who were being compared to the Triumvirate.
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Something no one's picked up on. The fact that Kitsu refers to Mark and Carol as Dad and Mom, in caps.
To her, they're not her mother and father. They're the mother and father. As in the only ones she cares about. All others get lowercase because it's a thing they are, whereas the caps imply she's bestowing them a title that means something only to her.
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And Dean would notice that when Kitsu went missing, Missy quickly spiraled. Far, far harder and faster than should be reasonable. What with how he sees emotion.
He'd also notice her anxiety and emotional dependence on Kitsu once he started paying attention.
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Also, just as few noticed Missy's emotional dependency on Kitsu, there's something interesting Kitsu does.
The fact that Kitsu refers to Mark and Carol as Dad and Mom, in caps. As in, nouns. Not, adjectives.
To her, they're not her mother and father. They're the mother and father. As in the only ones she cares about. All others get lowercase because it's a thing they are, whereas the caps imply she's bestowing them a title that means something only to her.
This, may or may not have been a spoiler.
Oh well!
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As always, leave a comment and tell me what you think! It helps me write and gives me ideas moving forward. I especially love it when you guys speculate or make guesses as I do use them.
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Find in newb's-grotto at the discord!
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Link to the discord: discord. gg/DarkWolfShiro