[indent][b][u]October 29th, 4:33PM Kasimir Castle, Gotham City[/u][/b][/indent] [color=IndianRed]”Well, it’s less impressive than the Grim Grotto, but here’s the Castle’s ‘civilian’ garage. Well, my garage anyway - the staff have their own garage around the side.”[/color] The purr of the snakeskin green Viper’s engine filled the cavernous garage as it rolled into the room, the automatic door slowly sliding shut behind it. Lights lit up above them, highlighting not only an array of tools along the back, and a lift, but a number of cars. Most were expensive, more money than an average person would make in their entire life. Not to mention in much better shape than the dinged up Viper. [color=IndianRed]”You’ve probably seen at least glances of it already anyway, but here’s the official welcome.”[/color] The car came to a stop just before the lift, Zoey parking it before turning the engine off. She slid out of the driver’s side, sighing again seeing the slight dent in the metal. [color=IndianRed]”Most of them are mine, but the yellow camaro over there belongs to David - you’ll meet him later tonight. In the meantime, let me start by showing you how to buff out the smaller dents.”[/color] After the events of last night - namely being chased by hitmen to Bludhaven and then picking up a deadly stray - Zoey had loaded the Viper up into the Grim Jet before returning to Kasimir Castle. It was just a little bit ago that she had washed the blood and gore off the Viper after a small tour to her new guest of the Grim Grotto, ending up bringing the car through the off-passage of the labs to return through the actual gates of the castle. Tours seemed a little silly for the kid that could see through walls, but Zoey couldn’t help but follow the well-bred manners. Malcolm, who had remained mostly silent for the whole tour, partly in childlike amazement at what he was seeing and partly from the [i]enormous[/i] effort it took to (poorly) hide his giddy joy at actually being in a [i]car[/i], chose about that time to pipe up as he extricated himself from the expensive ride. [color=orangered]”To be frank, Zo, before this morning I lived in an abandoned subway tunnel and ate garbage.”[/color] The boy replied with a slight shrug as his eyes wandered every which way across the woman’s labyrinthine home, the look of astoundment he’d been wearing all day still very much plastered on his face [color=orangered]”So I don’t think you actually [i]own[/i] anything that could be called ‘less impressive’ to my eyes right now.”[/color] Smirking a little at that, but fidgeting in slight discomfort for a moment at the feel of the fancy shirt he’d been wearing all day, he continued. [color=orangered]”Alright, so… how do we start?”[/color] [center]---[/center] No matter what she tried to do in order to distract herself, it just wouldn’t stop nagging at the back of Karen’s mind. He was still down there, that Bang guy. She had tricked him into removing his hazmat suit and then dragged him down into the ocean where he…dissolved? She didn’t want to think of it like that. He had told her that he wouldn’t die, just be disabled. She needed to believe he was correct on that notion, and she needed to find a way to save him. Disgusting pervert that he was, he didn’t deserve to be stuck like that for any longer than necessary. It was for that reason she had asked for Zoey’s help in building a better hazmat suit for him...one that didn’t leave him leaking radiation everywhere. Feeling her feet touch the metal of the Grim Grotto’s hangar, Karen was eager to see what progress the other heroine had made. [color=orchid]“Zoey!”[/color] Karen called out, glancing about the cavernous hangar. When she didn’t receive the expected response, she quirked a brow. Stepping further in, the Wizardess carefully surveyed the area for any sign of the redhead. Sadly, there was no sign of Grim. What she [i]did[/i] find, however, made her heart skip a beat. It was a pool of blood on the ground. The first thought to enter her head was that it was, in fact, Zoey’s. That alone was enough to cause her heart to start pounding in fright, and she quickly began moving deeper into the Grim Grotto. [color=orchid]“ZOEY!”[/color] She screamed, now far louder. Still no response. Pursing her lips firmly, Lady Arcana lifted off the ground and in a burst of speed fled from the hangar to observe the great castle from above. Her keen eyes - surpassing even the finest hawk - scanned the area until they were able to at last locate their target. She was fiddling with her cars. Feeling her shoulders sag in relief, Lady Arcana sighed. Flying back into the hangar, she opted to send a text message to Zoey. [i]’Zoey, I’m in the hangar.’[/i] There, simple and to the point. [center]---[/center] A buzzing quickly caught Zoey’s attention, or more specifically the vibration against her hip. That, after all, was far more noticeable considering the loud bangs that were echoing in her ears from observing Malcolm straightening out the dented metal bumper of her Viper, hung up against a post. The billionaire’s slim fingers plucked her phone from her pocket to check the message, a slight smile gracing her lips seeing the sender. A bit inconvenient timing, but she was always happy to help Lady Arcana. She was probably coming to check in on the project she had asked for. After a moment however steel-blue eyes flicked to the young boy at her side, and the redhead made a thoughtful hum. Finally, she sent a text in response. [i]’Be right there. Bringing someone.’[/i] [color=IndianRed]”Malcolm. Slight change of plans - I have a guest waiting for me.”[/color] She nodded downward, towards the labs where the young boy could no doubt see. [color=IndianRed]”Come along, I’ll introduce you.”[/color] [color=orangered]”Huh?”[/color] Malcolm’s head perked up Zoey’s words, giving her a quizzical look for a sec, before his eyes followed hers down to the floor. [color=orangered]”...Oh.”[/color] There was a long moment as he simply stared downward in silence, to his credit, only [i]slightly[/i] slackjawed at what exactly he saw in Zoey’s basement. [color=orangered][i]’Is that who I think it i-’[/i][/color] [color=orangered]”You have [i]got[/i] to be shitting me.”[/color] [color=IndianRed]”Language.”[/color] [center]---[/center] It didn’t take long to lock up the garage once more and venture through the castle to the wine cellar - really, this was a fine entrance when it was just her, but Zoey [i]really[/i] needed to make a new one if David and now Malcolm were going to be using it. From there the billionaire once more almost absently went through doing the correct sequence of pulling out wine bottles to get into the secret passage that led downward. [color=IndianRed]”Lady Arcana,”[/color] Zoey called out in greeting as she entered the last door. As soon as she entered her private labs some of that tension that always seemed present in the billionaire bled away, and she offered the heroine a warm smile. Though… the blonde seemed a little stressed. [color=IndianRed]”... Is something wrong?”[/color] Lady Arcana exhaled upon seeing Zoey up close and confirming that she was alright. Indeed, she appeared no worse for wear than usual. So that begged the question of what was up with the blood. Her eyes immediately fell to the small child beside her, growing wide in the process. Was it [i]his[/i] blood? Had he been hurt, and Zoey brought him here? He did look pretty rough, in all honesty, so that seemed like the most likely outcome. [color=orchid]”I...I was just worried when I saw the blood,”[/color] she confessed, her eyes remaining on the boy. He looked younger than her by at least a couple of years. She offered him a warm smile. [color=orchid]”Hey there, I’m Lady Arcana. It’s nice to meet you!”[/color] [color=orangered][i]’Holy shit, she’s actually talking to me.’[/i][/color] Malcolm managed to articulate in his head through the raucous internal screaming that echoed through the entirety of his brain as he kept his eyes much averted from the woman in front of him. [color=orangered][i]’It’s only the most powerful being on the face of the planet. Don’t look like an idiot, don’t look like an idiot, don’t-’[/i][/color] [color=orangered]”Eh?”[/color] [color=orangered][i][B]’DAMMIT!’[/b][/i][/color] Mentally slapping himself to get his shit together, the boy actually managed to turn his glowing orange peepers towards Arcana and form his face into some awkward shape that somewhat resembled a smile. Jesus Christ she was a lot taller than what he’d thought from those newspapers he’d used for bedding. Prettier, but taller. And literally [i]filled with lightening.[/i] [color=orangered][i]’Aww, fuck me…’[/i][/color] [color=orangered]”I’m Malcolm and, uhh… likewise.”[/color] The boy finally spoke, somehow managing to sound coherent in defiance of his own brain. Meeting Grim, the mythic bane of Gotham’s crime was one thing. Meeting the closest known thing the world had to an [i]actual God[/i] less than a day after that was a little bit over his threshold for crazy. A slight grin tugged at the corner of Zoey’s smile seeing Malcolm’s awkwardness at meeting Lady Arcana. She managed to choke down the chuckle that wanted to build up in her chest, merely nodding in approval that the small boy managed to introduce himself. Could use some polishing, but his manners were there. [color=IndianRed]”Don’t worry, the blood isn’t mine,”[/color] The billionaire finally said, drawing her gaze back to Lady Arcana. She dipped her head slightly in apology. [color=IndianRed]”I washed it off my car - my Viper, not the Grimmobile. Ran into some trouble last night.”[/color] That pleased expression quickly changed to a grimace as Zoey recalled the reason for the blood, the hitmen - or more accurately who had most likely sent them. It left a sour taste in her mouth, but she quickly forced a smile back in place. [color=IndianRed]”Malcolm assisted me when Zoey Kasimir was targeted for assassination.”[/color] Lady Arcana blinked for a moment, her head slanting to the side. He...assisted her? This little kid? Then again, he did have some pretty funky looking eyes, so maybe he wasn’t a normal kid. Probably had one of those metagenes, since she didn’t feel any magic coming off of him. [color=orchid]”...Wait. Targeted [i]Zoey Kasimir?![/i] They were after the real you?”[/color] her jaw dropped at this, wondering why on Earth a bunch of hitmen would be after her [i]civilian[/i] identity. [color=IndianRed]”Mhm,”[/color] Zoey gave a short nod in response, deciding now wasn’t the time to discuss if Grim wasn’t the real her as well. [color=IndianRed]”I appear to have angered someone.”[/color] The billionaire couldn’t hide how her tone darkened, how her pale fingers at her side flexed in a slight itch to have the protective sparking of her glove. She knew exactly who would’ve sent those men. After all, her word against his if past [i]events[/i] were taken up wasn’t much in a court, but in the land of politics? It would smear his efforts, not to mention her own recent actions overshadowing him. Shaking her head to clear the dark thoughts clouding her mind Zoey focused back in on Lady Arcana. [color=IndianRed]“Pulled up alongside me when I was driving on the highway. I led them to Bludhaven rather than further into traffic. When I got somewhere quiet I was going to fight back, but well, Malcolm saw I was in trouble and…”[/color] Zoey shrugged, casting an appraising glance to the boy at her side. [color=IndianRed]”Assisted me. You know how people like us can’t help but step in when we can.”[/color] Malcolm scratched the back of his head and shyly cast his eyes slightly to the side as Zoey’s own moved towards him. [color=orangered]”My dad was a Marine, he taught me how to look after myself.”[/color] The boy explained somewhat sheepishly, eyes finding a particularly interesting spot on the wall (and everything behind it) to look as he spoke [color=orangered]”...And with all of them focused on a bright green sports car in the dark, at night, it was pretty easy for me to get the drop on them.”[/color] He made a point of leaving out the part about how he outright [i]ripped through[/i] and [i]killed[/i] three men in the span of a few seconds. That probably wouldn’t fly too well with the living thunderbolt in front of him, who, if the newspapers he used as blankets over the past year were to be believed, did not particularly appreciate that kind of thing. Seemed like a good call in his mind. And even if it wasn’t he was kind of locked in it now. Karen noted how well-spoken he was for someone his age. She honestly couldn’t have carried on a conversation that well yet a few years ago. In fact, she only got to where she was now because of having to be the Wizard. It kind of made you grow up pretty quickly, when you had to constantly act all mature. [color=orchid]”Well, I’m glad neither of you were hurt,”[/color] she continued to smile gently, eying the pair over once more. Was Zoey thinking of adopting him or something? Maybe she was afraid to hand him over to the police because of his…condition. Wait. [color=orchid]”If neither of you were hurt, why is there so much blood?”[/color] Lady Arcana quirked a brow at this, once more craning her head in the direction of the mess on the metal floor. All at once Zoey’s features carefully schooled themselves to a neutral mask, hiding the wince that wanted to emerge. Having known Lady Arcana for over half a year now, Zoey was [i]well[/i] aware of how she would feel about whose blood that was. Still, she had resolved to never lie to her… Malcolm, for his part, simply stiffened and paled slightly at Arcana’s question, keeping his eyes focussed on that one piece of wall with like his life depended on it. [color=orangered]”I… uh…”[/color] He licked his lips nervously, trying to find [i]some[/i] way to explain away that particular landmine [color=orangered]”...I’m [i]very good[/i] at taking care of myself.”[/color] Zoey’s hand landed on Malcolm’s shoulder, squeezing very gently. She still didn’t know how well he reacted to physical touch considering he was on the streets before, and they only had a few hours getting to know each other, but nonetheless she tried to give comfort to him. [color=IndianRed]”It’s alright, Malcolm,”[/color] The billionaire said in a soft, but firm voice. After a moment Zoey lifted her head to meet Karen’s gaze, steel-blue to brown. Her face was still neutral, voice even. [color=IndianRed]”Arcana…”[/color] She regretted not being able to say Karen’s name currently, her real name, but none the less carried on. She stood by not lying to her despite [i]knowing[/i] her friend would be very, very unhappy with her. [color=IndianRed]”The blood belongs to the men who attacked me. They’re dead, due to my actions.”[/color] Lady Arcana had suspected as much when Malcolm explained that he was [i]very good[/i] at taking care of himself, but he was so young that it was hard to imagine that he could have really done such a thing. But Zoey had confirmed it, and so now it was beyond a shadow of a doubt. Her smile was gone, her eyes darting between the two of them before settling back on Zoey. [color=orchid]”...How did it happen?”[/color] Zoey took a deep breath, exhaling heavily through her nose. The lack of smile, of the usual affection in Lady Arcana’s gaze made it plain she was unhappy. She’d be even more so when she heard the rest. Her gaze briefly traveled down to Malcolm, seeing how uncomfortable the boy was. He shouldn’t have to deal with this. Besides, it [i]was[/i] Zoey’s actions that caused this, by leading the men to Bludhaven in the first place. [color=IndianRed]”...Malcolm, why don’t you go explore the castle for a bit?”[/color] The billionaire finally said, squeezing his shoulder once more before withdrawing her slender fingers. [color=IndianRed]”Lady Arcana and I need to have a talk.”[/color] She offered him a slight smile, forced though it was. Zoey’s hand didn’t get far in its retreat from Malcolm’s shoulder, as without looking, the boy’s hand quickly, though gently caught it mid-flight as his eyes shifted from their allotted space on the wall to the floor before him, before slowly, wearily making their way upwards to meet Arcana’s own. Jack Talhaiarn didn’t raise a liar. Nor a weasel who couldn’t accept his own actions. [color=orangered]”Two died running Zoey off the road. Died in the crash.”[/color] The boy began, he’d be proud of only [i]slightly[/i] squeezing the woman’s hand as he spoke, if he had the mind to even register it. [color=orangered]”When they went for her car, I… whipped a pipe at one of their heads to distract ‘em, ran into another and took ‘im out at the knees, stole [i]that[/i] guy’s knife and used it on his friend before finishing him off.”[/color] Wetting his lips, taking a breath and squeezing just a [i]little[/i] tighter now, he continued. [color=orangered]”Then I rushed the third guy, picked up my pipe again and went to town on his face.”[/color] He swallowed hard, both at what he was saying and what was coming next [color=orangered][b]”They were dead before Zo got outta the car.”[/b][/color] Finally releasing Zoey’s hand, the boy cast his eyes downward again, avoiding Arcana’s once more. [color=orangered]”I’ve been fighting people like this… day and night. Non-stop. For almost a [i]year[/i] now... I just stopped [i]thinking[/i] about it after a while.”[/color] Lady Arcana’s frown deepened, but her expression simultaneously grew soft as the boy ended his explanation. She...understood what it was like to grow up in a horrible environment. That was one thing she understood better than anything else. She didn’t know what exactly Malcolm had gone through, but it was clearly something horrible. Stepping towards him, she slowly knelt down and extended a hand to his shoulder. [color=orchid]”I never blamed you, Malcolm. After everything you’ve been through, nobody ever stepped forward to show you a better way.”[/color] Zoey could only stare down at the two, once more flexing her fingers slowly, now absent of any weight. She hadn’t protested when the young boy had taken her hand, letting him squeeze it - even gently doing so in return to give him comfort. She wasn’t good with children, with people in general, but even she knew that gesture. The billionaire didn’t even interrupt his talking, letting him explain what happened. Maybe it would be therapeutic. Her heart ached when he squeezed her hand again. When his gaze dropped. Zoey had no fear of Karen losing her temper at a little boy, not when he was so vulnerable. Her faith was rewarded when the heroine knelt before Malcolm, comforted him… Maybe that’s what she was supposed to do, too? He had withdrawn his hand, but he was just a little boy. Smaller than even Karen’s real form. The memory flitted through her mind of him last night, wiping away those tears when she hadn’t offered more than a word of comfort. Zoey was so in over her head. At least David was already a teenager when she took him in. Stepping close to the boy the redhead’s arms reached out, gently wrapping around the boy’s shoulders to awkwardly hug him to her. Zoey’s hand rubbed against his back gently, comfortingly, remembering when her own father would do it when she was upset. [color=IndianRed]”It’s alright, Malcolm. Everything’s alright. I’m not innocent of taking a life last night, either, but you didn’t know better.”[/color] Her steel-blue gaze flicked to Karen briefly from where she was looking down at Malcolm’s head, this time not hiding her grimace before she quietly confessed. [color=IndianRed]”... After all, I killed the last of them. It’s not your fault.”[/color] For a moment, Malcolm froze stock still at the now-foreign though distantly familiar sensation of a hug. His composure, that had remained stubbornly steadfast throughout this whole ordeal, silently beginning to crack. [color=orangered][i]’No, Malcolm. Don’t you dare.’[/i][/color] A shiver ran up his spine, and a burning licked at the corner of his eyes. [color=orangered][i]’Don’t. You. FUCKING. DARE.’[/I][/color] The boy’s teeth clenched with the effort of forcing down the emotion that threatened to spill out of him at any moment and his arms wrapped around Zoey’s waist, slowly and wearily at first, before clamping down with as much strength as his tiny body could muster. And after minute or so more of war within the boy’s own head, something occurred that had not happened in a long time- Silently, without noise or fanfare, Malcolm finally allowed himself to cry. Karen wanted to say that she held Zoey responsible for her actions, and she [i]did[/i]...but now was not the time. Not when her Malcolm was breaking down in tears against her. He wasn’t that much younger than her, and had even killed people...yet right now he just seemed [i]so[/i] much smaller than she ever had been. Even when her dad had beaten her, she didn’t think she’d ever felt as broken as he clearly was. Gotham truly was an awful place to grow up in. Slowly standing again, Lady Arcana shot Zoey a firm glare before softening her expression as it turned to Malcolm. [color=orchid]”It’s alright. Nobody is going to hurt you anymore now that you’re with us.”[/color] [color=IndianRed]”You’re safe here,”[/color] Zoey added on quietly. Her gaze traveled up to Arcana, having caught the glare. She gave a short nod of acknowledgement - they would be talking later. However then she returned to looking down at the short dark hair of the boy she had taken in. She could feel her shirt getting wet with tears but she didn’t raise a single noise of protest. A hum built up in the redhead’s throat, soothing and soft. Zoey didn’t have many memories of her mother, just a constant hum that followed her through every room she went. That’s what the billionaire often did, it having become instinctual, and what she was doing now. [color=IndianRed]”And you don’t have to fight as long as you’re here, I promise you that.”[/color]