Estylwen

Baybridge™: Era of the Old/New Gods™ [COMPLETED]

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Aislin Rose, Haruka Takashiro, Daphne "Holly" Hope, and...

_{(collaboration between @Estylwen and @tsukune)}

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The Useless Critic - Dark Classical Guitar

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Little Seapond, Roseview_

It had been over a week since Haruka had gone back to the bungalow he shared with Akemi in this beautiful suburb area of Baybridge. The house was empty - Akemi had left for Japan three days ago, according to the small note marked on the calendar that was stuck to the fridge door. It's probably Shizuka's doing. He had wanted to ask Akemi about Asami and her relationship with Polaris, but it seemed that either their aunt knew nothing and was sent away to protect her, or he would have to find a way to make his sly younger twin to spill the beans to him.

He and Aislin entered the house first, with Holly bringing up the rear to shut the door behind her. She had a black duffel bag strapped on her shoulder, which she placed it on the dining table and unzipped it, pulling out the various trinkets she had picked up from the RAVEN Headquarters: some comm-pieces, a covert listening device, two suppressant collars, a few pistols (one was loaded with real bullets and another modified to shoot a tracking device; the rest were tranquilizer guns), and flashbangs.

Aislin hovered gleefully over the RAVEN’s reveal, picking up a pistol to check its clip. “Tranquilizer darts? This is perfect, Holly.”

Meanwhile, Haruka went upstairs to his room; he grabbed the tablet on his table and the latest edition of travel's guide on Baybridge from his bookshelf, then went back down to the two ladies.

Aislin had set the RAVEN items into categories on the table. “Hmm… Do we have any Baybridge tourist stuff?” Aislin asked, before seeing the brochure in Haruka’s hands, and chuckled. “Jeez, you’re reading my mind. May I see that?”

Moving to stand at the head of the table, Aislin set her purse by the duffle bag and removed a sharpie from one of the compartments. She twirled it in her fingers. “Looks like we’re just missing some large sheets of paper and brain juice.”

She glanced briefly at the fridge, grinning. “You wouldn’t happen to have a lime in there, would ya? Or, perhaps some ice.” With some amount of multitasking, Aislin also pulled up a satellite image of Baybridge, streets highlighted with addresses. The travel guide was opened beside her tablet, and she gave the two a frown.

“Hmm… now where the hell do we talk to the Fire Spirit…” She mumbled, flicking through the screen.

"First, we can eliminate a few locations to narrow down our choices," Holly said, tapping a finger on the map in the guide. "We can rule out White Coast, especially Oakdell, Greencrest and the area around the Headquarters. While the harbor is a tourist attraction site with a substantial crowd to keep us in public view, the Overload incident—" She paused and gave Haruka a side glance, before she continued, "—isn't forgotten so easily just yet. The Headquarters will most likely be under close watch by spies from the Family, and Greencrest can be used as an easy hostage target against DOVE and RAVEN since it's the closest residential area to the HQ."

She then slid her finger across the page. "Next is Prince Ed-Field. Not only the anti-Metahuman tension there is at its highest due to numerous terrorist attacks by Eco-Natura months ago and later the Family, it's the heart of Baybridge - an ideal place for any extremist groups to turn it into a war zone again and further worsen the social unrest in this city."

Aislin steepled her hands against her lips. "You bring up a good point. But there are certain places in Prince Ed-Field that haven't garnered much attention lately. Namely, Regal Square."

Aislin leaned away from the table, peering into cupboards until she found a glass jug. Filling it with ice and cold water from the fridge's dispenser, she brought it to the table's centre with a few glasses.

"Regal Square not only has old architecture - making plenty of hiding spots - but it has a great air of 'normal'. The city's history starts from that place, and people put effort into maintaining a timeless quality there. They've got grid streets, mainly high buildings, and a large municipal presence." Aislin said, pouring herself a drink.

"It'll be easy to blend and trail, or in Haruka's case, blend and disappear."

"My power isn't the passive type, so I don't think I'll have a problem blending in with the crowd," Haruka spoke up slowly. "If I remember correctly, the BPD main office is also there; their presence means little to Metahumans, but I doubt anyone is reckless enough to stir up trouble there, even if it's an area that is run by non-Metas."

"Regal Square is also a tourist sightseeing location, so we don't need to worry about not having enough eyewitnesses around," Holly mused out loud. "Also, most of the attacks so far are concentrated on Courtbridge. I think there is a Chinese saying that goes... I can't remember..."

"The most dangerous place is also the safest," Haruka supplied.

"Ah, yes, that."

Aislin was in the middle of roleplaying a tourist, holding her hands like a camera. She pointed it at Haruka, snapping a photo before giving him a confused look. "Now what's their logic behind that?"

"Well..." Haruka looked at Aislin, feeling bashful at the attention she was giving him. "It is a common tactic used by many criminals in fictions, where they choose to hide in or attack places that everyone else has least expected because most people would assume that they weren't dumb enough to try it." He shrugged. "It can also be applied to us, where we give them the impression that they have us cornered and they are in control, but they will soon realize that neither side is able to make a move carelessly."

Aislin nodded, raising her eyebrows. "Interesting. That first part sounds like the Hound, at least a little. It's comforting to know we may yet beat them at their own game."

She relaxed into a dining chair, swirling her drink before taking another sip. "Seems we can agree on Regal Square. Now we'll have to choose a specific point, something with plenty of escape routes, cover, walking traffic—"

Haruka perked up when he heard someone unlocking the front door. He raised an eyebrow and exchanged a confused look with Holly. Aunt Akemi? But so soon?

"You're not... expecting someone, are you?" Aislin whispered to Holly, eyeing the 'borrowed' loot they had neatly arranged on the table.

Holly shook her head in response, while Haruka got up from his chair and ran to the door to check...

Only to be greeted by someone who mirrored the exact same face as him - Shizuka was as equally surprised as his twin, which was complimented by a grinning Ryu from behind the white-haired partner.

"I take that this is your older brother that you've mentioned before?" Ryu asked in Japanese, glancing between the gaping Takashiros with a chuckle.

"Yeah," Shizuka replied absently, still staring at Haruka. "...I know I've a lot of explaining to do to all of you, but can we do the talking inside?" As he moved towards the dining room, he saw Holly at the table with gadgets he could immediately recognize were from RAVEN... with a lady he had never met before. Judging from the map page of the guidebook laid down between them, it seemed like they were planning something more than a mere sightseeing trip.

Aislin gave a cheeky grin, waving from across the table. "Was wondering when you'd show up, Shizuka."

Shizuka narrowed his eyes at Aislin, then at how Haruka's eyes were looking at everywhere but him. "...Well, I guess we all have a lot of explaining to do."

... ...

Once the introductions were out of the way, Holly was quick to ask Shizuka about the party, "Any new leads so far?"

The white-head glanced at his twin and Aislin before he spoke, "I was invited to the party of Jiao-Long's brat boy under the pretense of being a date for one of his daughters. Jiao-Long's mother, Biyu, is a member of the Family and Polaris."

That earned himself the intense attention of everyone in the house - even Ryu, who could only understand a little bit of English here and there, but enough to pick up the names of the two major evil forces they were dealing with.

"That's not all," Shizuka went on, pulling a chair to sit down. "...The Family crashed the party and kidnapped Jiao-Long and his wife. They almost got the brat boy, but luckily I was there to save the day and prevent the entire Liu family from falling into the Fag's hands."

Fag? Aislin snorted. Didn't know we've reached that level of... endearment. She pulled the tablet closer to her, drawing up the CID database. It asked for facial recognition and a password before she could look up this Jiao-Long character.

File 14630 - Liu, Jiao Long
CEO of the Liu Pharmaceutical Company. Creator of the Metahuman cure. Individual's company is a branch of the Savior Foundation, though this creates some tension as views do not align. Suspect of other involvements - more evidence is needed.

Holly slid a hand down her face. "Don't tell me..."

"Yeah, the worst-case scenario is happening," Shizuka replied in a flat tone. "We have to find that goddamn Machine, ASAP." Then he gestured at Ryu. "That's why I brought him here to assist us." Ryu gave the group a short bow when he was mentioned.

However, Shizuka wasn't done with his shocking revelations - not yet. "One more thing: Biyu spilled to me about someone from Polaris is in Baybridge now, looking for me. The Spirit of Fire, Xing Huo." He raised an eyebrow at the reaction he had received from Haruka, Holly and Aislin, then it was turned into a stern look. "Okay, the situation is getting shittier than I thought... So, what the hell's going on?" He crossed his arms before him, waiting for them to tell their story.

Aislin opened her mouth - before thinking otherwise. She gave Haruka an encouraging look. He should be the one to break the news.

Haruka glanced at the two ladies uncertainly, then he let out a sigh of resignation. "...Xing Huo approached me last night. Before I bumped into Aislin."

Shizuka dropped his jaw. "You what?"

Haruka held the gaze of his younger counterpart; Shizuka could feel an unshakeable determination in those dark, unblinking eyes behind the glasses. "She is probably using me to threaten you since it is pretty much public knowledge that I am your weak spot."

Shizuka knew where his twin was trying to get. "Haru, don—"

"I am the only one who can set up another meeting with her without making her suspicious, and then get some answers out of her mouth," Haruka cut him off sharply. "Stop trying to cover me for every little thing. I'm older than you, for God's sake. It is my job to protect my younger brother, not the other way round."

Shizuka glowered at Haruka - while he wasn't pleased with how his twin had dominated him so easily (it was unfair of him to use his seniority to 'win' this argument!), deep down he was amazed at how much his brother had grown over the years, something that he didn't want to admit for a long time. However... "Yeah, I can feel your passionate resolve from here, but that's not enough to—"

Haruka raised up a hand to stop him. "Save your lectures for someone else. I already got a mouthful from Holly and Aislin just now, but they still agreed to my plan in the end."

Shizuka turned his attention to the two girls with a piercing look. Aislin felt a chill run up her spine.

Holly shrugged. "While it's true that Haruka has no prior experience nor is trained to do such field work, he's the only one among us who can get in direct contact with the Fire Spirit. Only the two of you are able to converse with her directly, and she had chosen to approach Haruka first rather than you."

"Indeed, and not only that," Aislin said, fiddling with the sharpie. "But you knew something like this was gonna happen eventually, hm? At the very root, this is about family ties. No amount of preparation could guarantee you the opportunity to do this on your own. Fortunately, we have an entire team on this, with resources and expertise."

Shizuka frowned. He knew that they were right - he couldn't let his personal feelings get in the way, and Haruka's plan was the most logical route to take - but he just couldn't afford to let it go like this. To put his closest kin in a similar danger as the Verthaven disaster again. He couldn't bear the thought of losing Haruka...

Then a brilliant idea came to him! "I can disguise myself as Haru," he began. "No one would be able to tell the difference since we're identical twins... well, except for the hair."

That made the elder brother snort at him in disbelief. "There is absolutely no way that will work. You are nothing like me - even an idiot can see through your terrible acting." Still, he couldn't help but find that idea somewhat funny.

Holly simply shook her head in amusement. "I have more faith in Haruka's communication skills than yours, Shizuka. Sorry, but my vote goes to Haruka this time."

"Aw," Aislin could see it clear as day. "Haruka, your brother cares for ya something big."

She refilled her glass, studying it for a moment before looking towards Shizuka. "We still need you. You have a RAVEN background if I'm correct. That training will be crucial for the upcoming operations. I would ask, however, that you let Haruka handle this one."

"Uh, I don't quite understand what's going on here..." Ryu chimed in awkwardly. "But your brother seems very serious about whatever he's saying or wants to do. Maybe you should try to trust him more?"

Shizuka looked at everyone around him; finally, he resigned with a scowl, "...Fine. I guess should stop treating my older twin like a kid." He glanced away and rubbed the back of his neck. "I can just watch over the meeting with you all to make sure nothing goes wrong; 'sides, you'll need me to interpret their conversation."

"Yes~!" Aislin leapt from the table, raising a hand to high-five Haruka. "He's on board!" Which the dark-haired twin returned with a victorious grin, much to Shizuka's irritation.

Amidst the conversation, Aislin had drawn up some map sketches on the paper provided, and she pushed them to the centre of the table. "Now that we're all on the same page — although, sorry Ryu; I failed to bring a Pilot. Shizuka, could you...?"

"Sure." Shizuka tried to give her a proper smile, but it still came out as a smirk on his face. "Anyway, this is Haru's game, so I'm just going to sit back and let you all take charge, while I'll just give you guys the help you need and watch your backs... like the usual." He let out a short laugh, recalling those times he worked on the field with Cindy and the rest back at DOVE/RAVEN; then he turned to Ryu and gave him a brief of the conversation they had just now in Japanese.

Haruka rolled his eyes at his brother, then turned to Aislin. "Before we got interrupted, you were saying something about choosing a specific point in Regal Square that has an escape route..."

"Indeed, as well as walking traffic and cover. And, with an overseer, it should be in a location of two or three story buildings. Now, if you'll take a look..." Aislin leaned over the map she'd accurately drawn, pointing to a large square.

"In the business district, there's a popular park surrounded by a grid work of these taller buildings. I'm thinking, if we could position you in the edge of the park, we'd be able to keep three pairs of eyes on you. Shizuka could watch from the rooftops, Holly can be on the street, and I can be further in the park.

"Or, if you think close quarters would be preferred, there's a cafe on the park's street you could meet at. It'll limit possible threats, but Holly and I will need to be close by, and very careful. Shizuka won't be able to see..."

"The cafe," was Haruka's curt answer. "I can use that as a perfect excuse to get her agree to the meeting... since she did want to treat me to a cup of coffee properly the next time we meet."

"Well," Aislin grinned, marking an 'x' on the map. "That is the perfect excuse. 'The Grounds' will be our starting point."

"We can have Haruka wear a wire, on top of us watching them from a safe distance," Holly added, picking up the covert listening device she had gotten from RAVEN.

Shizuka raked a hand through his hair and shrugged. "Well... I can get a wig to hide my white hair, if necessary." Then he tilted his head sideways at Ryu. "He won't be joining us for the stakeout, but he might be able to help you locate your friend and the guy she's run away with."

Aislin jaw-dropped. "Whaaat? No way." Her eyes moved to Ryu. "Really?!" And here I was near chasing my tail with weak leads...

"His ability makes him naturally attracted to electricity," Shizuka said, raising an eyebrow at her reaction. "Since Rhea and her African friend both possess some form of electrical-related powers, maybe he can find them better than us, yeah." He turned to speak a few words in his native tongue to Ryu, who looked at Aislin and nodded at her.

"Perfect~ Given the circumstances, I believe finding them is also important. They're sure to have data to help sort out this mess..." Aislin mused, eyes scanning the map thoughtfully.

"I can look for them tomorrow, while you guys are staking out the meeting," Ryu said, with Shizuka translated his words to Aislin. "But is there a way for me to convince them that I'm on their side if I happen to encounter them?"

"Hmm," Aislin tilted her head. "A hand-written note may do the trick. I'll write some things so she knows it's the real deal, and have them follow you back to,"—she gestured to the room—"home base."

Ryu considered Aislin's suggestion for a moment, then he grinned at her. "...Okay," he replied in English, giving her a thumbs-up to emphasize his point. She could only giggle, mirroring the gesture.

"With the part about Rhea settled..." Shizuka trailed off, looking down at the map. "Anyway, just to run through the plan again quickly: Haru will set up the meeting in this Grounds cafe, Holly and Aislin will take a table nearest to the exit to secure the obvious escape route while watching Haru from a safe distance, and I'll be doing my usual 'sniper job' - hanging around the roof area to keep an eye out for the streets around the cafe's vicinity."

"I think we've come up with something great in such a short time, but now comes the 'what if's'," Aislin said, taking a moment to finish off another glass of water. "What if Haruka's safety is compromised? What if there're more cultists than just the Fire Spirit?"

"Aislin has a point," Shizuka gave the brownie lady a nod. "I mean, there's also Biyu... but from my encounter with her at the party, it's obvious that they ain't working together, and are here for very different reasons."

"And... even if she believes that she can use me as a weakness to pressurize Shizu to join Polaris," Haruka followed up after his twin. "It's strangely careless of her to give me her cell number, just like that - what if we have used it with a GPS tracker to locate her hideout in Baybridge?"

"So you're saying that this Xing Huo lady is here not just for the cult, but may also harbor a personal agenda for trying to bring you two back with her to Polaris?" Holly asked, frowning at the brothers. "I don't know - she is one of the Spirits, so maybe she's just very confident about her powers?"

"Let's hope that is really the case..." Shizuka exhaled slowly. "So far, other than Biyu's appearance, Polaris hasn't been interfering much with whatever shitstorms the Fags have been cooking up in Europe and US." The things that Ryu managed to get for him was able to give him a rough insight that Polaris was merely an investor and supplier to the Family, nothing more - was it possible that Xing Huo was sent here just as a witness for the cult to watch whatever the Family was planning to do?

He did suspect the Machine was probably made and hidden right here in Baybridge, but Xing Huo's presence was the one that dropped the time bomb on them - the real show was about to happen, and very soon.

"Hey," Haruka was quick to inject. "I'm a Metahuman just like all of you here, and I can take care of myself."

"Right," Shizuka snickered at him. "Says the one who keeps ending up in the HQ hospital wing every time a shitstorm strikes you."

Instead of making a snappy comeback, Haruka merely held his twin's gaze and said in a quiet tone, "This time, I am not going to hold back, not anymore."

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Aislin Rose, Daphne "Holly" Hope, Haruka & Shizuka Takashiro, vs. Xing Huo.

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Hank Jones Jazz Trio - Blue Minor

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Regal Square, Prince Ed-Field.
The next day_

Haruka had reached the cafe an hour earlier than the time he told Xing Huo on the phone last night. Well, because there was a bit of preparatory work they had to do before 'welcoming' their special guest for today. He wore a black dress shirt - this was to hide the wiring beneath the shirt better, to avoid Xing Huo spotting them. He also had a book with him, Dream of the Red Chamber - a classical Chinese literature well-known for its psychological scope and accurate depiction of the social structure of China during the late Qing Dynasty - in Chinese of course, with a freshly pressed leaf as a bookmark. There was no way he could wear an earpiece without arousing Xing Huo's suspicions, so the leaf would act as a makeshift comm, via Holly's chloropathy.

Aislin and Holly sat nonchalantly at a table near the door, within arms reach of the full pane window. They both had their choice of hot drink — a London Fog and a Caffe Macchiato. Aislin had opted for a chic look that day, with a tan autumn jacket, grey beanie and flower leggings. Her aviators were pressed against her nose - it allowed unrestrained eye movement. Holly wore a crocheted scarf, dark felt coat, and jeans. Two purses rested at their feet, filled with a number of gadgets. For the past hour, they had practised a casual, quiet chatter over their drinks. It also helped ease the pre-job nerves.

Aislin clicked her earpiece. “Comms check. Holly?”

"I'm just sitting across you," Holly replied, her voice directed towards Aislin - and through the earpiece - loud and clear.

She chuckled. “Shizu? How's the grounds looking?”

"Yeah, yeah." Shizuka had already taken up his position; however, instead of the usual sniper-hiding-on-rooftop tactic, he was sitting in an outdoor bar that was situated on the topmost floor (more like a really spacious balcony) of the building diagonally opposite of the Grounds, slowly sipping on his mocktail - a Blue Shoe - before he set down the glass, and let his gaze drift to the streets below. He found this bar when he scouted the area for an ideal lookout spot; well, he wasn't here to shoot the Fire Bitch's head off, so it would be less conspicuous if he also tried to blend in with the crowd. Which wasn't hard, with how he was dressed now (usual formal clothes he would don for office work back in RAVEN), and most of the customers around him were businessmen... not counting a few odd tourists who were the ones that really looked out of place.

He was tapping away on his smartphone (mostly reading random articles on Wikipedia and TV Tropes, because they were obviously more interesting than some stupid stock market news), occasionally speaking into the comm-piece as if he was talking to someone on the line - allowing him to play the role of a busy businessman to anyone who could be watching him.

"Nothing out of the ordinary so far from here, either," he drawled into the comms, in response to Aislin.

Aislin smirked. “Mind checking Haru’s status, Holly?”

Holly pulled out a notebook from her purse; there was another freshly pressed leaf inside. She placed a finger on it for a few seconds, then smiled at Aislin. "He's fine, just bored."

“Excellent,” Aislin nodded. “Our target’s due within the hour. Everyone stay sharp, and report in if you notice anything or change position. Our goal here is to learn, not confront. When we’ve succeeded, I’ll treat ya’ll to a drink. Any questions?”

"'Just not coffee'," Holly said, with a raised eyebrow. "That's what Haruka says."

"And no alcohol," Shizuka added. "But anything else is fine with me."

"Jeez, tough crowd," Aislin said, resting her chin on an open palm.

Holly winked at Aislin. "Good for you that I'm not as picky as the boys."

It wasn't long before the main star had entered the stage - Xing Huo was as flashy with her entrance as the previous time, scrolling into the Grounds with a bang in luxurious clothes (this time, she was in a bright-red knee-length satin dress, with a silver-studded black leathered short jacket over it, ending with a pair of killer-heel dark boots on her feet) and heavy makeup, and as usual the attention of every customer in the cafe was centered towards her.

It was hard not to miss the entrance of such a flashy woman. Aislin turned her head toward the glass as her rested hand tapped the comms. “Target’s entered the building. Show’s on.”

Xing Huo scanned the faces of the people in the store before her eyes shone at the sight of Haruka. "My dear Haruka!" she exclaimed in Mandarin, walking up to the young man's table in a few, long strides. "I really miss seeing your cute face!" Over the comms, Shizuka couldn't help cringing as he translated that to Holly and Aislin.

Haruka merely regarded the Chinese lady with a blank look. "You did say you want to treat me to a proper cup of coffee, after all."

"How sweet of you," Xing Huo beamed at him as she sat down on the opposite couch. She snapped her fingers, pointing at the nearest gaping service crew and making a 'come here' gesture. "I'm going to get a green tea latte this time, but I still want the largest size!"

Haruka gave the confused barista an apologetic smile before he told her Xing Huo orders, then adding his - just a standard, hot cappuccino.

Aislin shook her head, speaking into the comms, "Damn, she's friendly. But Haruka's handling it." She took another sip of the London Fog, trying to ease the repulsion hinting on her face. Too friendly, especially for only meetin' the guy twice now.

"So Holly, tell me more about this 'dream pet' of yours." She said in a chatty manner, trying to keep up the guise of an innocent conversation. Every part of her wanted to simply listen to Shizu's translations.

"My 'dream pet'?" Holly repeated with a twinkle in her green eyes, stirring her macchiato. "You've already met him before." She leaned closer, her voice dropped to a staged whisper, "The white furball sitting on the rooftop and looking down at us, probably with a super-bored look on his face now."

"Oi," Shizuka's annoyed voice buzzed from their comms. "I can hear you."

After the barista left to prepare their coffee, Xing Huo leaned forward, folding her arms on the table and stared into Haruka's eyes. "Taking up my offer isn't the true reason why you're willing to ask me out today. Not with the icy daggers you keep throwing at me with those beautiful eyes."

Haruka's face twitched slightly with disgust. "We should be frank with each other this time too, just like our first meeting," he started off. "...You only want me and my brother for our powers."

The corners of Xing Huo's blood-red lips curled up further. "Oh?"

Haruka narrowed his eyes at her before he went on, "I am afraid that we cannot comply with that wish of yours. Not when there are just too many questions we need an answer to." Just then, their coffee had arrived, and Xing Huo simply swiped out a black credit card to the astonished staff member.

Once the payment was done and over with, Xing Huo giggled at his serious expression. "I wonder... if this is only about trust issue, or something much more." She reached out a hand to touch his, and Haruka had to force himself not to flinch at the contact.

Aislin rubbed her forehead. "Ah, she's broken the touch barrier - her hand's on Haruka's. Definitely a possessive trait."

"...Interesting choice of book you have there," the Fire Spirit commented, glancing down at the thick volume under their hands.

"One of the four great classic Chinese novels," Haruka replied in an offhanded tone, his eyes were still watching Xing Huo carefully. "Power and wealth only make the corrupted greedier, meaner... until nothing is left but tragedy and despair."

Xing Huo let out a hearty laugh. "You never fail to amuse me - especially with such a classy threat." She entwined her fingers with Haruka's. "I guess it doesn't hurt to give you a bit of my service in return of yours. What do you want to know?"

Haruka didn't pull back his hand, allowing her to continue playing with his fingers. Deep down he was being put off by the sickening attention she had for him, but that was a small price to pay for the more important things he had to get them out of her mouth, for the sake of his family... and maybe even humanity. "...You," he finally said, unblinking.

Xing Huo froze for a split second; Shizuka couldn't help but make a gagging sound over the comms.

The Fire Spirit regained her composure, then let out a chuckle. "I shouldn't have underestimated you... You're just as dangerous as that cunning twin of yours."

Haruka didn't reply and merely continued to stare at her. Xing Huo sighed, closing her eyes briefly. "Alright - let's stop playing mind games here. I will be blunt to say that you and your brother have no place in this forsaken city - the two of you just don't belong here, or anywhere in America, for that matter."

"What do you mean?"

"Everything about the two of you is nothing but an illusion," Xing Huo said, dropping the honey-sweet tone she had been using all this while, now sounding flat and blunt. "Your birth was not a product of real love but from regret, your powers were from us through Asami's greed, you didn't have a place you can truly call home... You are nothing but mere shadows that shouldn't have existed."

Aislin's face seemed pained, and she drew her hot drink closer. Awful... I hope to God that isn't true. Her eyes glanced to the windows as she touched the earpiece. "Getting into the 'real deal', stay focused."

"...So you are saying that only Polaris can offer us this 'home'?"

She downed a big gulp of her coffee before she replied, "Yes. I may not have anything as sophisticated to refute what you've said about power and wealth... but you will have to admit that those are the two things that are keeping this world going, whether you like it or not. Without power or money, there is little to nothing one can do in this world."

Haruka regarded Xing Huo with a frown. She wasn't wrong about power and money being the practical driving force essential for one to live on, but those weren't enough to motivate a person to live through decades of spiritual torture. "Power and money can buy the world, the people... but never enough to buy loyalty."

"You really know how to make a conversation difficult, hmm?" Xing Huo's smile was turning into a grimace.

"If that is the case, how about you actually start doing what you have said - to stop playing mind games with me?" Haruka raised an eyebrow at her. "And tell me why someone of your status has to go through all this trouble just to escort us to join Polaris?"

A loose grin was plastered on Aislin's face. "Haruka's doing better than I thought. Holding his own very well." And here we were all doubting his ass... Shizuka snorted into the comms in response, but he smirked to himself. Everything was moving along so smoothly than he could simply focus on the interpretation work, and trust his older twin to handle the Fire Bitch on his own.

"Aww~ 'Escort' is such a cold way to describe all the trouble I've to go through just for you two," Xing Huo said, pulling Haruka's hand closer towards herself. Out of the corner of the young man's eye, he could see some of the baristas and customers were gossiping about them. The Fire Spirit ignored the onlookers, still focused on Haruka. "I won't deny that Polaris is probably interested in your powers, but what I truly want... is the both of you. Not just your abilities, but every little bit of you two."

She got up from her seat and squeezed in next to Haruka, closing in on him. The dark-haired twin was as surprised at everyone else in the store, then he started blushing furiously, trying to put some distance between himself and her sudden advancement (which wasn't much, since the couch wasn't meant for two people in the first place). "What are you trying to do?"

"---What the hell's going on in there?" Shizuka added after the translation.

"She's advanced to sit beside him on the couch," Aislin grimaced, watching steadfastly out of her peripherals. "And... ah, shit."

Xing Huo tugged at Haruka's shirt button, and pulled out the wire of the listening device hidden inside his shirt. "Just as I've expected - you're truly two peas in a pod, after all." She cupped a hand under Haruka's chin, locking her sharp gaze with the boy's surprised eyes. "I honestly care about the both of you... and it's not too late for me to give you two the love that you've desired throughout your whole childhood."

Aislin arched a brow. "Thought she'd be steaming mad about finding the wire. But now she's confusing 'love' with... something else."

Her gaze met Holly's with a subtle wink. "Don't get too comfy in that seat..." Holly was alarmed at the development but merely shook her head - at both the situation that was making her uncomfortable, and also at Aislin's remark.

Haruka's cheeks were burning from the embarrassing attention the people in the cafe were giving them, but he still managed to return her with an equally piercing stare. "Are you expecting me to trust you just by acting like this?"

The smile on Xing Huo's powdered face became bitter. "...You aren't cute at all when the wind is sailing your way." She yanked him towards herself into a hug, and whispered into his ear,

"The world of old will perish,
the order of new shall rise;
a blessing is a curse in disguise."

Before Haruka could ask her what she meant, Xing Huo pulled herself away and stood up. "I have no intention whatsoever to interfere with the war between you and the Family; I am only here as a neutral entity to watch how you all are going to burn this city down with your sins. However, I won't allow the two of you to die on me before this blasphemy comes to an end - that would be such a waste of your pretty faces!" With that, she grabbed her cup of coffee and strolled out of the shop.

---

SteffenBarBeat - Empty Houses

---

The moment Xing Huo left the building, Aislin was on the comms. "Shizu, I need my eyes. Which direction is she going?" She gave Holly an encouraging look. "You're up in a moment."

Shizuka poked his head out of the balcony seat and saw the bright-red dress exiting the cafe, his sharp eyes following the target unblinkingly. "She's walked to the traffic crossing... and then she's just standing there waiting for the light to change," he spoke into the comms, a light amusement in his tone. "She is hard to miss, but be careful not to let her spot you two---"

He suddenly stopped, and froze - Xing Huo had raised her head to look around, and then their eyes met. He could barely make out the smug look on her face before she faced the street before her again, and began to cross the road.

"...And my cover's blown," Shizuka pulled his head back and finally muttered into the comm-piece. "Just great."

Aislin smacked her forehead. "Ah jeez. Okay, Shizu, hold back a bit. Holly and I will take it from here. Holly?" She gestured to the door. "It's time." Holly nodded at her, a gesture that meant for Aislin to take the lead.

Roughly fifteen seconds passed before Aislin took up her purse, gave Haruka a wink, and exited The Grounds. Holly was already into the crosswalk, whereas Aislin opted to turn left on the block. She moved to the other end, aiming to flank the Fire Spirit from the left. Walking at a clipped pace, she caught up to Holly's adjacent location before the buildings broke her line of sight.

"Holly, what's the Fire Spirit's location now?"

"She's at the edge of the next block... and turning your direction," Holly said.

Just my luck - the enemy's out of my line of sight. Aislin snorted. "Right. Keep behind her."

Aislin sneaked a glance down the street, easily catching the sight of the vibrant Fire Spirit. She pivoted to the right and maintained a steady pace to match that of their target, keeping in communion with Holly. It was difficult to gauge distances when she couldn't actually look without drawing attention - and the last thing she wanted was to have the Fire Spirit catch up to her.

As she crossed another street, Holly buzzed the comms. "She's changed direction again, to the right."

Ah, good. Flanking is much better than being up front. Aislin sighed in relief. "Okay, I'll match her on the left at the next street."

"Hold on..." Holly said. "A black limo just rolled up. She's— crap, she's getting in."

Aislin groaned. "Alright, change of plans. We need a taxi, pronto."

As the black limo peeled away, Aislin and Holly managed to regroup, waving their hands frantically on the side of the street. Precious seconds slipped away as one taxi soon noticed them. The two ladies clambered into the back, Aislin promising the driver triple his rate to keep on the black limo's ass - which was getting away. After a frustrating stop light, Aislin spotted the limo down a side road. They followed at a distance, with Aislin literally on the edge of her seat.

Without reason or a pattern, the limo traversed the streets of Baybridge as nonchalantly as any other vehicle. Aislin and Holly watched with the eyes of a hawk as their driver kept pace. Down into the underground, and up around the thick, bustling streets of downtown. The drive went on for twenty minutes, all the while the ladies were keeping the twins back at the Grounds up to date.

"Oh?" Aislin tilted her head, giving Holly a puzzled look.

The limo had pulled into a valet parking lot. It parked itself in a row of other similar limousines, shut off the engine, and the driver stepped out. He didn't touch the passenger doors, just walked into the office in a calm manner. Aislin asked the taxi man to idle just down the street; she was still waiting for the Fire Spirit to emerge. A minute passed, then two. The parking lot was unnaturally still.

An incredulous smirk formed on Aislin's lips. "You've got to be kidding me."

Holly and Aislin hopped out of the taxi after - as promised - Aislin paid the driver triple his rate. With the area essentially vacant, they could freely approach the limo. Aislin pressed her nose against the tinted glass and gasped. The entire interior was empty. Not a single soul in the vehicle.

"She's gone!" Aislin cried, eyes wide.

"Huh?" Shizuka's furious voice pierced through the earpiece - he sounded like he had just roared directly into the comms, to let out his pent-up disgust at how the Fire Bitch had been touchy-feely and all over his precious twin.

"What d'you mean by 'she's gone'?"

Baybridge™: Era of the Old/New Gods™ [COMPLETED]

Another delicious post should be up in a couple hours.

Baybridge™: Era of the Old/New Gods™ [COMPLETED]

Rawr~ Don't lose hope on me just yet; I'll be on all night, and promise to write my fingers to the bone. Sorta.

I'm going to name this chapter The True Tragedy Begins. Expect tears.

Mr Allen J

Also, yay tears. :P

Baybridge™: Era of the Old/New Gods™ [COMPLETED]

That weather, though...

Baybridge™: Era of the Old/New Gods™ [COMPLETED]

---

Rhea Harlow

---

Lunara

---

Hailey Boulevard, Silver Hills

Rhea left Malik a note stating she had some business to attend. One could call it a craving, or habit of sorts — not just because she felt stir crazy. Earlier that day, dressed in her grey hoodie and sweats, she melted into the shuffle of visitors at a modest hospital. It was located in a place she knew to be anti-metahuman. They banned healers from their doors some time ago, preferring technology over something they didn’t understand.

Eavesdropping on the conversations around her, Rhea picked up on the most critical of the patients. Her plan was simple and she put it in practice many times before - find three stories and bring a happy ending.

As always, the stories were easy to find. An older lady came to her, immediately recognising what she was. In a hushed tone, she said it was Rhea’s skills that repaired her friend’s failing lungs. She said her grandchildren were here. Rhea followed her to a boy in a coma, who soon woke. Then, after some searching, she found and healed that boy’s sister, who was paralysed. They both survived a car accident by some miracle, according to the grandmother.

It wasn’t long until Rhea found the third story. A father left a room, saying he’d be back within a few hours with a home-cooked meal. As she casually leaned against the corridor wall, faint sniffles could be heard through the open door. Small, with a feminine sound.

Rhea knocked on the doorframe. “May I come in?” The room was lit with a large window and held a single bed, two chairs and medical equipment. A woman, maybe in her late 20’s lay on the bed, bald, frail and asleep. A young child sat by her, gripping a white hand.

The child glanced at Rhea, tears streaking her face. “Who are you?”

“A… family friend,” Rhea said softly, closing the door as she moved to sit in the opposing chair. “How’s your mother?”

The child went silent, fresh tears slipping down her cheeks. Ah, lucky guess. Rhea thought, shifting her gaze to the crocheted doll in the girl’s hand.

“Is that for her?” Rhea asked.

“...Y-yeah,” said the child, holding it up. “I made it all by myself. It took a very long time. I hope… I hope mum likes it. Mum’s still sleeping.”

“You’re very patient,” Rhea said, appraising the sleeping woman. The bald head and sickly hue of her skin looked very similar to what she had seen in other cancer patients. As always, it was a delicate case to heal.

“...Would you like to see your mom get better?” Rhea asked.

The child gave her a confused look. “The doctor says he’s doing everything.”

“Mm, indeed.” Rhea nodded. “But what if she got better really fast? Like, in an hour? Would you like that?”

The child gained some enthusiasm. “Yes! Then she could come home with us!”

“I can help your mom. But to do that, I’m going to need your help.”

“With what?” the girl asked.

“Wishes only works if you believe. So I need you to try really hard for me.” Rhea said, demonstrating. “Just close your eyes really tight, hold onto that doll, and wish for mom to get better. I will do the rest.”

The girl tilted her head, considering it. Then she nodded, closing her eyes. “Okay!” The hope in her voice was so innocent, so endearing. Rhea felt a piece of her heart melt.

As the child wished, Rhea summoned up a vibrant feeling of life. A ball of translucent, water-like energy pooled above her open palms. Rhea breathed in and blew it into the woman, where it passed through the skin. Within several seconds, colour began to fill the woman’s cheeks, and fresh hair grew half an inch off her head. Her breathing went from tense and shallow to a slow, full rhythm.

Phase two. Rhea hovered her hands over the woman’s body, using the battery in her back pocket as an energy source. White sparks flew from her fingertips, dancing along the patient’s skin. Intuitively, Rhea felt a tumor near the head and concentrated her efforts there. The static charge worked under the skin, dismantling the offending material and flushing it from the area. This process continued on for 20 minutes until Rhea was satisfied with her work, and lowered her hands.

The child was staring at her, mouth hanging open. Rhea could only smile, then looked at the mother expectantly. Already, the woman was stirring.

“M-Mum?” the child said, eyes wide. Her little fingers wrapped around her mother’s hand. “You’re… so warm.”

The woman blinked, confused but awake. She smiled wide, reaching up to hold her daughter’s cheek. “Hey, honey. How’s my little girl?”

The child burst into tears, hiding her head in her mother’s chest. “Oh, mum… You can home with us now, right?”

The mother gently embraced her child. “Well…” She noticed Rhea, eyebrows furrowing. “Who’s this?”

“Just a friend,” Rhea said. “You’ll be able to go home today. Your daughter wished very hard.”

“Yeah!” the child looked excitedly up at her mother. “I wished really, really hard. And I think…” the girl leaned in close, whispering in her mother’s ear.

“Huh.” The woman said, giving Rhea an odd look. “She says you’re an angel.”

Rhea looked at the two with their arms wrapped around each other. The tears were gone, replaced with smiles. “Mom, I think it’s your daughter who’s the angel. She was very keen on you making a full recovery.”

Moving to stand, Rhea politely bid the family farewell, listening as she walked out of the room.

“Mum, mum. Look what I made you~”

“Oh sweetie, what an adorable doll. You did this all by yourself?”

“Uh-huuuh!”

As the room moved out of hearing range, Rhea’s smile was quickly shattered as she saw a loathsome trio march up the hall toward her. The lead nurse, and two rather large security staff, ready to sink their teeth into something. The nurse had a stern, almost angry look on her face.

“You.” A sharp finger jabbed in Rhea’s direction. “You have no licence to be waving your wand in my hospital. Despicable metas.”

“Excuse me?” Rhea said.

“Don’t play dumb. You act like you’re above the law, you and your… kind.” The nurse raised her fist in fury. “But not today!”

The security closed in on Rhea, one grabbing her arm tightly. She tried to pull away. “Don’t touch me.”

The nurse smiled wickedly. “I’ve already called the cops, so if you’ll be a dear and follow us to our security office…”

Rhea huffed, turning her head away. Just play it cool, Rhea. Obedient in the first few steps, she gave the impression she was no threat. At the moment she saw the staff turn his eyes away, her foot swept out to trip him. This loosened his grip, and as he stumbled she spun to bury her elbow in his solar plexus. The other guard could barely react before Rhea jabbed a pressure point in his neck, and he collapsed by his winded co-worker.

The nurse pulled out a walkie, spitting into the receiver. “Security to the second floor!”

Rhea was already down the next hall, using her Empowerment to create winds in her speedy wake. She leapt down the stairs and was just reaching the main doors when two cop cars pulled up.

Her arms pinwheeled as she ground to a halt. “Shit.”

The visitors and patients in the lobby gaped at Rhea, many giving her worried looks as she turned heel and ran up the flights of stairs once more. As she reached the second floor, a small team of hospital security barred her way.

“Stop right where you are!”

Rhea gritted her teeth as they moved in, slowly backing up until she bumped into the wall. She turned her head, noticing the light coming through frosted glass on her left. Perfect. Without hesitation, her hand charged up with static and punched straight through the single panel. It was enough for her to slip through, although in her haste the glass sliced her up some. Her hand reached for the next ledge as she parkoured her way up. There was some colourful language thrown her way as she moved out of reach, and when Rhea reached the roof she didn’t stop freerunning for many, many blocks.

---

Some time later, Rhea felt safe enough to fully heal the glass cuts as she leaned against a roof’s maintenance door. The repair was simple enough, though she could do little about the stains ruining one of her few outfits. She made a mental note to have CID pull a few strings; the last thing she needed was any media attention. Not that the paper would be able to identify her, but she was sure 98% of the ripples were monitored by them.

Checking the watch clasped to her wrist, Rhea scowled at the time. She was running late for the meet-up. If she wished to be on time, Rhea would need to empower her sprint the entire way, which meant more freerunning. Couldn’t keep Malik waiting, after all.

Baybridge™: Era of the Old/New Gods™ [COMPLETED]

I can retropost for Sam, during all of these timeskips, but it's going to be something stupid like "Meanwhile, 180 days later..."

@BlessedWrath

I wouldn't worry too much about retro-posting. Like you said, it's a lot to retrospect. I don't believe Sam was ever approached by the FF, like Allen mentioned. I wonder if that could still happen... Might be cool~

Baybridge™: Era of the Old/New Gods™ [COMPLETED]

---

---

Aislin Rose & Haruka Takashiro.

_{(collaboration between @Estylwen and @tsukune)}

---

Greencrest Heights, White Coast_

“So, you’re telling me you let her go?” Aislin said, waving her hand as she pressed a phone to her ear.

“Correction, I gave her an extended leave.” Hallmark’s professionalism couldn’t hide the annoyance in his tone.

Aislin smirked. “And you want me to look into her activities prior to this, apparent, shitstorm?”

“Yes. The leads will be sent to your tablet.”

“Consider it done. But I gotta say, Hallmark… I think you’re getting soft.”

“No, my dear CT, I’m simply playing my cards. Rhea is a unique case, but never has an agent been ignorant enough to break their word.”

“...Very good, boss. I’ll contact you if I find anything.” Aislin said. She pulled the phone from her ear, pressing the ‘end call’ button. A part of her feared for Rhea; Hallmark was a black wolf when things didn’t go his way. Aislin reviewed the first lead on her phone: Thanks-A-Latte.

---

Haruka was completely lost in his own world when he finally stepped out of the cafe, a crushed paper napkin in his balled-up fist. The lady who introduced herself as Xing Huo, a 'Fire Spirit' for some cult called Polaris, had left her number on the napkin. "Give me a call whenever you're ready - because you know that you can't run away from your past, your destiny... no matter how hard you try," was what she had said before she left giggling.

Was this what his brother had been trying to hide from him? That their family was a part of a dangerous Asian organization which had finally caught up with them?

...And the sickening revelation that the two of them were not natural Metahumans, but unexpected products from a supposedly failed 'ritual'. Now that their powers had awakened and matured, they wanted them back to join them, the real family.

He felt complicated right now. Shizuka had been trying so hard to keep him out of this danger... but now they were going to use him to threaten his twin.

...He just didn't know what to think anymore.

He would have to find a way to get Shizuka to talk to him, face to face: about everything he had been hiding from Haruka all these while, about Polaris, about their mother. And it was about time he started to come clean with his brother, about the things he knew from Jennifer and Rori...

Who knows, maybe all these things are only parts of a bigger picture, a bigger conspiracy...

He was so engrossed mulling over all these new information that he didn't watch where he was going and walked straight into someone; the bump was hard enough to jerk him out of his own thoughts.

---

Jesse Cook - Mario Takes a Walk

---

While Haruka exited the building, Aislin stepped up. As both were absent-minded, they managed to stumble into each other’s way, knocking Aislin from her daydream. In the middle of a smiling apology, Aislin took in the person she half-trampled. He seemed normal, for all intents. Except... Aislin swore she recognised him. Pulling out a tablet, she stared at the screen, then back at the man. She gasped.

"Ah, sorry, my bad," Haruka apologized hurriedly, then gave her a confused look from the way she was staring back and forth between him and her tablet.

“Oh my God, you’re the guy! And to think I’d find you here, of all coincidences.” Aislin said, pointing her finger enthusiastically at him. “I, uh—” she blushed, shifting to offer a handshake. “I’m Aislin.”

Haruka returned the handshake, but he continued to stare at Aislin curiously. "I'm Haruka. So, uh, are you looking for me?" What a strange night tonight - that there was more than one person who was looking for him...

Aislin beamed, tapping on her tablet for a moment. “Yes, yes indeed. I think you’re the only person who can help me right now, Haruka.”

She showed him the tablet, a huge image of Rhea taking up the screen. “Do you recognise this woman?”

Haruka raised an eyebrow. "Yes," he breathed, recalling his awkward conversation with Jennifer at the cafe counter before this lady in the picture snapped them out of it, and then he realized that he had been hogging the counter for too long. "I remember her. Is she a friend of yours?"

“Yes. Her name is Rhea; she’s, hmm… gone missing.”

Haruka looked up at from the tablet to Aislin. Missing? "I'm... sorry to hear that." Then he shook his head. "I have never seen her after that day in the cafe, when she left together with some African-American man." There was no way anyone who was in the cafe on that day would be able to forget that man... not with such a loud and flashy entrance.

Aislin pursed her lips, flicking the screen. “Was it this guy?” The image was much fuzzier as it was taken from the security tape, but it showed the definition of an African man sitting with a drink, head turned to show his faded mohawk.

Haruka stared at the screen, unblinking. "That's him! This... Where did you get this from?" He frowned at Aislin. "Who are you? What's going on?"

“Please don’t think ill of me.” Aislin smiled sheepishly, tucking the tablet away in her purse. “I have a kind benefactor that wants to see Rhea returned safely home. She’s also my friend. As it stands, you are the sole person that’s interacted with her.”

A couple with a dog walked within hearing range, alerting Aislin. She moved away from the cafe building, gesturing for them to walk. Their discussion was private, after all.

Meeting Haruka’s suspicious eyes with an earnest face, Aislin continued. “Did she say anything to you? Where they were going?”

Haruka relaxed when he was certain that this lady wasn't a bad person. He looked off to one side. "No, we didn't really talk to each other, because I was with... someone else," he began. "But I think I saw your friend treating the man to a drink--- Ah, there is something else I remembered."

He turned to face Aislin. "That man... I can feel something about him, some sort of power. He felt like a walking storm. I think he can manipulate weather, or something similar." That was the other impression that African-American had left on him - the air current that suddenly went wild in the store when that man entered, and he had to use his own air power to suppress the unnatural turbulence.

Aislin whistled, giving the street a quick glance. “You’re brave to use the ‘P’ word, especially with the way baselines are feeling nowadays.”

The mention of ‘feeling’ weather-manipulation piqued Aislin interest. She tilted her head, grinning. “So if I heard that right, all four of us are special. Rhea’s a meta. The African and you must be as well, if what you felt is correct.”

Always lovely to bump into another one who understands. Aislin thought.

"I knew exactly how it felt like being a baseline," he muttered under his breath, soft enough for only himself to hear. Then he spoke louder, "'Special', huh... I never really thought of it that way. Even with these powers, we are still no different from a mere human being." It just became another tool for people to hurt others in order to attain their selfish desires, to amplify their greed for even more power...

He shook his head slightly to clear those thoughts from his mind. "What are yours and your friend's abilities? For me..." He stopped in his tracks, opened his palm with the ball-up napkin, and created a mini-tornado that spun the napkin ball around his hand. "I'm an air manipulator. That's why I can feel that man's superpower."

I'm getting cynical vibes... Aislin mused as Haruka spoke. Their path led them to a small park within the city. She watched the napkin spin on the spot, intrigue on her face.

"But he didn't feel you? It must be a trait exclusive to your power set." She said, tapping her chin. "Rhea's, well, a healer. But it's more than just bruises and scrapes. Real crazy to watch, I'll tell ya."

Haruka blinked at Aislin's question about his power. "I... don't know. I don't purposely keep my power active all the time... other than the 'feeling' part. That is passive." He perked up a little upon hearing that her friend was a healer, and that reminded him of someone. "I guess that is handy," he mused. "I bet it is crazy to watch how broken limbs can just join back together so quickly and seamlessly, as good as new."

She nodded. "I get 'cha. In Rhea's case, though, it makes her a tad reckless."

They approached a bench in a sheltered part of the greenery, Aislin setting her purse on it. She rifled through it before pulling out a realistic plushy, briefly showing it to Haruka. Aislin placed the cat on the bench, and without another word, gave it a long stare. Just as the silence was getting uncomfortable, the cat suddenly meowed as it came to life. Leaping down, it playfully pawed at Haruka's shoe.

Aislin snickered. gesturing to the cat. "Dare you to take a wild guess at what just happened."

Haruka had wondered what Aislin was doing when she took out a plush-cat and merely stared at it; he nearly jumped when the cat suddenly mewed and played around at his feet. He watched the cat in awe. "This... is amazing. Did you do something to give 'life' to it?" He was currently studying programming because of his interest in computers and software, but this was different. This felt too real to be a mere computer program.

He pocketed the napkin before he squatted down and held out a hand to touch the cat. "...Can I?"

"Aw, you think so?" Aislin said, eyes shining. "It's not as legit as Creation. I don't know if anyone's ever had that intense of a power."

The cat meowed again, tail waving passively. "She won't bite. Right, Missy?" Aislin said, chuckling. "What you're seeing is an animation. Missy simply responds to intent, and it's from years of practice that they appear 'life-like'."

Haruka tickled the cat under its chin, still wowed by how realistic it seemed and felt to him. "'Animation'? Is it like how a puppeteer controls their dolls, but with invisible strings in the form of your own thoughts?" He stroked the cat, and his face was slowly beginning to brighten up from the conflicted state since his conversation with Xing Huo.

"Similar. I've always felt it was more of a mental connection where objects are given programs and then run. Like the cute, cuddly program." Aislin laughed. On cue, Missy squirmed onto her back to bat at the man's fingers, head tilted with wide eyes.

"Mreow?"

Aislin straightened, noting the fading light. "Say, uh," she cleared her throat. "I'd still like to ask you a few more questions regarding my investigation. Would you be alright if we grabbed a drink?"

"Wait..." Aislin scrunched her eyes at Haruka. "Do you drink?"

Haruka couldn't help but let out a chuckle at her narrow look as he stood up. "I may not look like it, but I am already past the legal drinking age. I guess we Asians just don't look as old as our true age."

Aislin clapped her hands gleefully. "Perfect! Youthful looks is a wonderful thing. Let me put Missy to rest and we'll scope out a joint."

---

Down a couple blocks and across the street they found a cosy little pub. The brick building was on the old side, but a fresh, metallic sign reading ‘Mercer Tavern’ gave it an inviting appearance. Aislin and Haruka walked through the wood doors and up a flight of steps to the main area. It held a rustic-chic feel with the electric chandeliers and dark wood accents against the brick walls.

“Table for two, please,” Aislin told the hostess.

“Sorry, your friend's a bit too young to enter, Miss.” The lady said, gesturing to Haruka.

Haruka was used to this; letting out a sigh, he simply whipped out his ID card to the hostess. The lady scrutinized the face on his card and looked up at him suspiciously, but she still let them into the bar in the end.

They sat at a table near the corner, with a perfect view of the front door and a fire escape to the left. A brunette came by with menus and inquired about drinks.

"First round'll be on me," Aislin said. "I'll start off with a Caesar."

"...I guess I'll have the same as you," Haruka winked at Aislin. "And see who will get drunk first." It had been a while since he had actually let loose of himself, putting away the polite and softspoken image he had been wearing his whole life (no, even so, he was still nowhere as blatantly rude and unforgiving as his sardonic twin). He really felt like drowning himself in some alcohol, to wash away all the annoying dark thoughts churning inside his mind...

Aislin laughed, shaking her head at Haruka. "Drunk, huh? Well, let's get business out of the way first, shall we?"

Before the waitress turned away, Aislin held up her hand. "I've changed my mind. Two Mojitos, por favor." The waitress just manged to hide an eye roll before walking away.

Aislin placed her hands on the table, relaxing in her seat. "For the record, I do appreciate you helping me out. We've figured out the man Rhea met was some type of meta. They left together. Did you happen to overhear any of their conversation, perhaps?"

"You did say that your friend has gone missing... and I know how it feels to lose a friend," Haruka waved her words of gratitude off, a slight sadness flashed across his face before the smile was put back on. "I'm sorry, I didn't try to listen in to their conversation... though at one point the man suddenly stood up, and he seemed upset at Rhea." He furrowed his brows, trying to pull out more of the cafe scene from his memory bank.

Aislin seemed puzzled. "Now that's strange. Rhea's known for her tact. Unless she wanted to upset someone, it simply wouldn't happen." In which Haruka could only shrug in response, since he didn't know the reason for the man's sudden outburst, either.

She sighed, peeking at her menu. "I'm thinking of getting an appetiser. Do you prefer anything?" It was more of a distraction than anything. The pieces she picked up about Rhea just weren't making sense. Not that she was frustrated, yet, but she didn't have enough clues.

"I can pretty much eat everything on the menu now," he joked lightly, then stopped when he noticed the expression on Aislin's face. "...Is there something wrong?"

Aislin playfully stuck out her tongue. "No." She glanced at the menu again before pushing it aside. "Rhea's just not making this easy. And I have a feeling... the person she met has something to do with her disappearance. This African meta. They talk, she goes home, and several hours later she's gone."

The waitress walked by their table with a tray, setting down two cold glasses. Aislin reached for hers, peering at the lime and crushed peppermint leaves through the ice.

"Are you two ready to order?" The waitress asked.

"We'll start with an appetiser. The stuffed mushrooms, please."

The brunette nodded, walking to the back. Aislin took a long sip of her Mojito, giving Haruka a humorous look. “So, what do you do for work? No wait... don’t tell me.” Her eyes narrowed in thought. “You’re drinking on a weeknight. Haven’t looked at a clock the entire time we’ve chatted. Are you self-employed?”

"I'm still studying in college... well, used to," Haruka took a sip of his drink before he replied slowly. The cocktail certainly made him feel a little more refreshed after a really long day today. He thought about how everyone in his course eventually found out that he was a Metahuman after the mall incident, which forced him to resign from school for 'safety reasons' (he was blamed for almost killing the hostages with the air vacuum). "I guess the only way to complete my studies is to go back to the Academy Program again."

He didn't want to do college through the academy - he was told that he had the potential to become a DOVE, but he wanted to learn more about other things like computers instead of just training on his power non-stop; besides, Shizuka would probably flip shit at him if he ever found out his twin had followed in his footsteps.

"How about you?" he asked, equally curious about why Aislin would be as free as him on a weeknight. "From the way you have been asking me questions - and also that photo of the man's footage you showed me just now - I take that you are a private investigator of sorts?"

Before replying, Aislin managed to polish off most of her drink. That does sound cool... Miss Rose, Private Investigator~

"Perceptive." Aislin nodded. "Mainly, I am whatever my company needs. Like a contractor, of sorts. Whatever you imagine investigators do, we do that and more."

The stuffed mushrooms arrived, along with a fresh drink for Aislin. With the smell wafting off the dish, it seemed the chefs outdid themselves. Crab meat, cream cheese and spices — Mmm. Two disappeared almost immediately.

"That sounds interesting," Haruka commented, then paused to down more of his own drink (he was used to drinking slowly, a skill to prevent himself from getting drunk too quickly). Then he continued, "Mind if I ask about the company you are working for?" Before he started digging into the appetizer. It was indeed delicious.

“Sure!” Aislin said, using a straw to play with the leaves in her drink. “We’re a grassroots company with our home right here in Baybridge. We have contractors all over the US working with people. I’ve been with them for about five years, and I’ve never done the same thing twice. It’s refreshing, not like your typical office job.”

Haruka considered her for a moment. He recalled his conversation with Xing Huo and wondered if he should risk involving such a nice young lady to help him... If what she said about her company was true, maybe it wouldn't hurt to just ask if she might have heard of them.

"Hmm... does the name 'Polaris' ring a bell to you?"

Pausing, Aislin stared off to the side. “...No.” Her grimace was followed by a long swig of Mojito. “Which, from what I know, means two things. Either A, they’re inconsequential. Or B, dangerous. We pride ourselves in knowing all the big players out there. It’s our job.”

She tilted her head. “Haruka, do you know anything about this ‘Polaris’?”

Haruka chose his words carefully, "What I know is that they are some sort of mysterious cult based in Asia... and they may have some connections with the 'Founding Family', a counterpart organization based here in the West."

"Shit." Aislin shook her head, a loose smile on her face. "Two groups that are new to me. And you're... concerned about these entities?"

"Yes," Haruka looked around and lowered his voice. "I'm... scared. For my brother. I think he has been investigating them for awhile, and now they are probably after him." He then finished his glass of Mojito in one swig, and then raised a hand to ask for more.

“That’s definitely cause for concern... You know what I think you need?” She pawed down his raised hand, pointing to the bar. “Something a little quicker than that. Like, I dunno, apple pie shooters. They go down easy.”

After a couple rounds of shots, more shots, and drinks consisting of tonic and rum, Aislin hiccuped in her seat at the table. Walking from the bar was a unique struggle, she found. The room insisted on swaying like a ship’s belly.

“...And this big, burly dude came from outta nowhere! Started moving these blades with his mind, see. I was like, ‘holy shit!’, and just managed to knock him on his ass. After he sliced me in the face, of course.” She said, enthusiasm in her sluggish voice. Her fingertips rubbed the scar tissue on her jawline.

“By this time, Rhea hadn’t contacted me in six months. With no healer, it left this damn scar. I was upset, tell ya what.”

Haruka was equally drunk - his pale face was now rosy red, and he had completely lost his usual composure. He laughed heartily at Aislin's complain about her friend before he sobered up. "I feel you, I reeeally do! I wanted some brother bonding with - hic - Shizu since he got kicked out of RAVEN for being a terrrrific agent... but noooo! Here I am worried sick for his stuuupid - hic - assss, but he never even bothers to come back to look out for me!"

He slammed down his emptied glass on the table for emphasis. "Just because the bullet holes on me are - hic - gone, he thinks he doesn't need to care about me anymore!"

Bullet holes? Aislin wondered vaguely before chiming in. “ Well... That’s a load of shit. I dunno nothing ‘bout family, but I know this! You. Have to. Stick. Together.” Her hands stamped out the last sentence, nearly spilling her drink.

Haruka let his head fall onto the table. Shit, now his head was hurting like a bitch. "I know... I know he's trying his best to protect me, our family..." he mumbled, his breath fogging part of the empty glass as he spoke. "...Just where the hell is he now?"

A sympathetic frown crossed Aislin face as she reached out to pat Haruka’s head. “There, there, sweetheart. You aren’t alone. Fate is funny, ya know… You and I have a similar problemmm...”

The rum and tonic was completely inhaled before Aislin continued. “Rhea, she double-ditched my ass. I don’t have a family, yet she was my family. Then… then…”

Her lips quivered. “Oh, I don’t know, she must hate me! The ass cut me off two years ago. Yet here I am with a contract to find her!” She pressed her face into her hands, mirroring Haruka as she collapsed on the table.

“Screw family, man… Screw ‘em.”

"How... nice..." Haruka hiccuped before he let out an envious chuckle. "To have a friend you can call... family." He thought about his 'friends' - the other survivors of the Verthaven disaster - and sighed. He felt so far away from them that he wondered if they were still considered 'friends' after so many years apart. He pushed himself to sit upright, and he clutched his head. "What's the time now? I... should go home..."

"Uhh, 1:08am." Aislin squinted at the clock above the bar, wiping her eyes. "Lemme uhm... call a cab. And, I really hope you don't take this the wrong way, but I wanna escort you home." She pulled out her phone, typing in a number.

"Urghhh..." Haruka grimaced as he tried to stand up. "I can get home on my own---" But he fell down on his back onto the chair. "...Damn. I can't feel my legs anymore."

Aislin watched with an amused expression, phone pressed to her ear. Their waitress, excited to close for the night, was at their table with the bill. While mumbling with a drunk slur into the phone, Aislin took the bill, threw a card on the table, and the waitress happily rang them through. The evening's cost wasn't terrible, racking up to $130.00 with the tip.

With two glasses of water set by their table, Aislin slung her purse over her shoulder. "Cabbie says he'll be here in five. You uh.... look like you could use some water."

A few minutes later Aislin helped guide the duo as they stumbled out into the street and into the back of an idle cab. She gave the driver a slurred greeting and turned to Haruka. "It'sss your place first. Where we going?"

"My brother has an apartment nearby..." Haruka began, and gave the driver the address. "He's so gonna kill me if he sees me like thissss..." He was still having a headache, but he felt a bit better after some water, that at least he could still think straight (even though everything was still rocking before his eyes).

As the city lights flashed by, Aislin waved Haruka off. "Pfft, no way man. He won't bother ya, and besides!" she smiled wide. "You need to let loose sometimes. I mean, you had fun tonight, right? I had fun. Lots of fun~"

"Yeeeaaah, me too..." Haruka agreed, turning his head to give her a smile. "I liked your cat... it was really cute. And I hope you can find your friend. Sorry that I haven't been of much help---" Then he remembered the other thing he had told her. "And... just forget all that I've said about those cults or whatever." He was starting to regret getting a stranger involved in something dangerous...

AIslin nodded, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Alright, Haruka. I could forget all about it. Absolutely. But let’s consider this for a moment. I am, after all, what’s the word you used... a private investigator?”

Briefly patting her purse, Aislin gave him a wry grin. “You’ve helped me a lot with my current job. I wanna help you. Typically, the fees involved with investigating a ‘group of people’ falls in the tens of thousands. We’re professionals. But... I’m willing to cut you a deal.”

Aislin lowered her voice, eyes locked with Haruka. “Please give me permission to get you some answers. Let me shed some light on the story.” She briefly rolled her eyes. “Sure… it’ll cost you a couple thousand, but it’s worth it~”

"But..." Haruka tried to protest, then he stopped himself. Something about the glint in Aislin's eyes told him that she was completely set on investigating the cult. Even if he did manage to discourage her, someone from the cult might be watching them, and would still get her dragged into all this anyway, using her to threaten him just like how they were using his twin. "...Alright," he finally resigned, before he gave her a playful smile. "Does that discount include the little bit of information I provided about that African man you're searching for?"

"Yes, indeed it does," Aislin said with a chuckle. "I'll text you an account you can transfer a deposit to, and I'll write the job up."

The cab rolled to a stop and Aislin curiously looked out the window. "Oh. That was fast. Not too shabby of a place you got here, Haruka."

While it wasn't as glamorous as those in the classier areas like the Lower South Royer Town in Prince Ed-Field, the condominium where Shizuka and Holly shared was one of the most expensive houses in Greencrest Heights - not to mention, the tallest apartment building around here... and their house was at the topmost floor. It's going to be a pain to go all the way up when he was in this state, he thought sarcastically.

Haruka stumbled a little as he got out of the taxicab. "Not mine, my brother's," he corrected her. "And thanks for the ride; I can walk up on my own this time." He gave her a cheerful wave before he wobbled towards the lobby area.

"Mmm, 'night." Aislin waved back sleepily, watching until he disappeared into the building. Giving the driver her own address, Aislin leaned back in her seat as the cab pulled away, melting into the night.

---

---

...

_(@tsukune)

---

Fate/Zero OST - Unrest

---

Unknown_

This was probably the worst beating they had recevied yet - Reiji could barely keep himself conscious from the literal burning pain across his entire body. He gritted his teeth and crawled slowly across the stone ground towards his unconscious wife; the agony was too much for the greatly weakened Yui to bear that she had fainted after just two whips. She was still breathing, but Reiji feared that she was already at her limit.

"Don't be a childish fool," he could remember how Hwee-Suan had sneered at him before she threw the couple into this cell and locked them up ever since. "No matter how strong your will is, it can only protect yourself... and you'll lose everything else around you. Is that what you really want?"

He held Yui in his arms and stroked her greasy curls gently. Polaris never gave them a choice from the very start: all they wanted was to monopolize their powerful cerebral abilities for themselves, to use them as their trump cards in their crazy plan to start another 'revolution'.

This time, a Metahuman Revolution.

He raised a hand to touch the suppressant collar around his neck - even here, his power was still feared by these people who also possessed some form of superpowers, and they didn't trust his words about the psychic blocks in his mind. The collar was effective to negate most of his powers. Most. He couldn't even tell Yui that he still had enough power left to allow him to read people's thoughts, though a little unstable due to interference from the collar. He couldn't tell Yui because Hwee-Suan was still wary of his power, and she had chosen to use Yui's mind instead to keep tabs on the two of them.

He couldn't risk losing his only card, a chance to save his son from being the cult's puppet, to free his family from Polaris.

He was able to pick up bits and pieces of information from the guards who would drop by to give them some food (they still needed the couple alive, after all). Those guards were part of 'Feiying', a personal army of ruthlessly trained assassins to serve and protect the Lee family. He had peeked a little into their minds whenever they came to deliver food... and it seemed like Polaris had been working with this 'Founding Family', an equally insane organization that had the West completely under their control, just like Polaris had absolute rule over the East.

Even being shut inside here for who-knows-how-long, Reiji could feel it in his guts, that this was extremely bad news.

He was snapped out of his thoughts when the ground beneath him rumbled, and he turned his head to see the door beyond the cell opening. It was the same guards as usual, but this time they had something - someone - in tow between them.

Reiji had to force himself to keep his face blank when he recognized who this person was. He continued to stare silently as the guards opened the cell door and threw the person down next to him. He waited for them to leave until their footsteps couldn't be heard anymore, before he tried to shake the person's shoulder.

"Mrs. Takashiro... Mrs. Takashiro."

The lady in dishevelled business suit moaned and opened her eyes slowly. She appeared to be too weak to move, and her eyes seemed unfocused - almost crazed.

"No, no, no..." she mumbled, rolling her head side to side on the concrete floor. "Don't take it away from me... It belongs to me... The power is mine!"

There was too much noise in Asami Takashiro's mind for Reiji to get a proper read on her. All he could see were two faces... and it appeared to be twin boys. One was dark-haired, and the other silver-white.

Why is she here? What is truly going on outside?

Baybridge™: Era of the Old/New Gods™ [COMPLETED]

Well, I got a few laughs out of all that smack talk. xD

Baybridge™: Era of the Old/New Gods™ [COMPLETED]

Instead of writing something for our various collabs, I wasted time rewriting my bio. Go look at it because I made some rather classy comments about most of the people here.

@Mr Allen J

"She was made a fool out of, and she intends on paying the pair back in full. Starting with Rhea."

Oh, it's good. Really good. =FT= You've inspired me to go write my own dynamics.

@BlessedWrath
Heh, I know the feeling. I slept 'till noon today. It was great. I don't believe there to be any big rush, but I am looking forward to an update from your charrie. Sam's cool. :3

Baybridge™: Era of the Old/New Gods™ [COMPLETED]

---

Aislin Rose

---

Courtbridge, Prince Ed-field - One week earlier…

Above the downtown streets and melting in with the night sky, Aislin crouched on an apartment roof. She wore a CID uniform, a dark, fitted outfit made for movement. After six days of rest, Hallmark sent her on a small contract. A job she’d been itching for. With a duffle bag resting by her feet, Aislin began pulling out her tools of the trade.

The target for the evening: Phil Dolman. A politician held in modest regard and known for his fence-sitting with Metahumans. Not that Aislin was there for his diplomatic views; her contractor was more interested in his time off work. Hallmark was approached by the man’s wife, asking for evidence that Phil was cheating on her. She said it was nothing new, but if she wanted to win in a court of law, she had to get hard evidence.

18th floor. Purple folding chair on the balcony. Aislin recounted, pulling out a tablet and resting it by her feet. From her vantage point, she could see the target’s home. Only a few floors from the roof, with a fire escape adjacent to the balcony.

Taking a stuffed cat from the bag, Aislin held it gently. “Missy, rise and shine.” The cotton-stuffed cat held a rigid position before stirring, a paw rubbing its sleepy eyes. Meowing as Aislin set it down, Missy brushed its face on her leg.

“Voicebox, check. Let’s see if your eyes work.” Aislin pulled up an app on her tablet. A video feed showed the hazy outline of a leg and a faint illumination. It was her on screen, as Missy was still nuzzling her. A column on the side also confirmed audio levels were recording.

Aislin gave Missy a nod. Showtime, cutie. The cat descended the fire escape, pausing at the gap between the staircase and the target's balcony. It sprung up to the metal railing, balancing delicately against the wind. Haunches coiled, the cat leapt across to the other side, landing silently in the folding chair.

The lights were turned on in the living room, two individuals sitting in plain view with a bottle of wine. Aslin studied the tablet, recognising the politician from the job file. The woman beside him was finely dressed, a plastic smile on her face. Aislin noticed the woman's wine was left untouched. Either the lady was paid to be there or needed sobriety to effectively schmooze with men of power.

Keeping a part of her attention focused on Missy, Aislin sat in for the waiting part of the job. Maybe a half hour passed. Probably more. Finally, the mood became a lot more intimate as clothes were thrown to the wayside. From the balcony, Missy could see every detail. Aislin refrained from making a face, waiting only a minute more before commanding Missy back to the roof.

Gently releasing Missy from her mind, Aislin checked the lifeless cat once more before quietly placing it in the duffle bag. Cutting out the important piece of the recording Missy took, the agent sent it over a secure line to HQ.

Pressing a button on her earpiece, Aislin radioed in. “Boss~! It’s CT. I’m uploading contract 245 to you now.”

“Thanks, CT,” Hallmark said. “We’ve just received the package. I have another job for you.”

---

Through the Night - Roniit x Trivecta

---

Aislin pursed her lips. “Yes?”

“We’ve lost contact with a courier, codename Aegis. The alarm system notified us, and we know the emergency hatch was opened. The safehouse is no longer secure, and I need you to activate the manual destruct. I’ll send the details to your device.”

“And this courier?” Aislin asked.

“See if you can find us any leads.”

“Right. CT out.”

Aislin yawned, lazily opening the package as new data popped up on the tablet. Her eyes skimmed the job file until they came to a stop on the courier’s face. She did a double-take, nearly dropping the tablet as she brought it up to her nose. Her mouth hung open, shock in her eyes.

There’s no mistaking it... That’s my boo. Rhea!

---

Old Raygate, Prince Ed-field

Roughly 50 minutes had passed since the chaos of Veronica and Makoto. The train container stood silently in the field, darkness hiding the destruction. Aislin approached cautiously, watching from her screen as Missy led the way. No one was in the vicinity, as Missy’s eyes confirmed, and Aislin pulled out a flashlight. She saw chairs thrown to the side, cupboards left hanging open and personal belongings decorating the floor. Fragments of a flashbang crunched under Aislin’s foot as she approached a whiteboard. Whoever was here wiped the whole thing, albeit hurriedly. Shreds of Rhea’s handwriting remained intact.

“I’m late, Rhea...” Aislin lowered her head. There was nothing here. No company laptop, no cell phone, no meaningful personal effects. Just abandoned clothes and a dead space.

She picked up on the blood trail from the emergency hatch, following it with her flashlight. Missy stayed close to her heels, meowing uncomfortably. The trail ended at a decrepit warehouse. Aislin played the beam across crates and broken glass, stepping inside. There were minor indications of a struggle, but it seemed to jump around. Strange… Someone might have taken long leaps or teleported. All she found was a pistol, the same used in the company’s bug-out bags. Except, there was no bag. Just the pistol. Five bullets remained in the clip.

Aislin placed the pistol in her duffle bag and pressed her earpiece. “CT here. I’m requesting a vehicle pick up at the Old Raygate’s power plant. We need to talk…”

Before she left, Aislin returned to the safehouse. She opened a secret compartment in the floor, twisted a few knobs, and evacuated the container before it caught on fire.

---

Rosemaple Lake, Roseview - Present time...

Aislin sat in her regular attire, leather jacket unzipped and aviators hooked on her shirt. She sat in a shaded room, light cutting through the half-shut blinds. Her elbows rested on a mahogany conference table, chin resting on overlapped hands.

Hallmark sat across from her, dressed to the nines as a proper CEO would be. His curly black hair was styled back and a Rolex glimmered on his wrist. On the table before him sat a china cup steaming with African coffee, along with a slim briefcase.

Hallmark eyed Aislin silently over his cup, taking a long sip. The silence drew on until Aislin rolled her eyes. Their encounter last week hadn’t gone well, especially the part where she was told Rhea had been in the company for over two years. It was ‘for their protection that co-workers never associated’. Aislin called his ‘privacy policy’ a load of bull, proceeded to tear him a new one and was escorted from the room by a security guard.

“If you’re pissed, just say so. I’m sorry I gave you shit for not telling me Aegis was Rhea. As I said, I’ve been looking for her for… a long time.” She said.

“CT, if I had a dollar for every time you’ve yelled at me…” Hallmark set down his cup. “No. I didn’t call you here to rebuke you. A suspicious job has come in, and my intel has told me it’s someone we know.”

Aislin tilted her head as Hallmark slid the briefcase over to her. He smiled knowingly. “This job, cracking a cellphone’s lock, belongs to Aegis.”

“Whaaat?” Aislin said, lights in her eyes. “But this job paid to be strictly anonymous.”

“Exactly, which is what piqued my interest.”

“Why, though?” Aislin gave the briefcase a confused look. “She’s MIA. Why would she put a job through us in secret?”

Hallmark leaned back in his seat, fingers pressed together. “Good question. I believe Aegis has been compromised in some way. I want you to deliver this job to her at the meeting point. Then radio me.”

Aislin raised an eyebrow, smirking. “You’re going to let her just walk away?”

A wolfish grin flashed across the CEO’s face. “I never said that.”

---

Rhea Harlow & Aislin Rose

---

Piano Quartet - The Secession Studios

---

New Raygate, Prince Ed-field

Rhea sat on a crate in an unassuming, narrow alley. Both Malik and she recovered well enough, and as always her healing left no scars. Adjusting to a lay-low lifestyle, however, left something to be desired. This was only her second time outside in a week. The first time was mainly for necessities as everything she owned was lost. Currently, her attire consisted of sweats, running shoes, and a grey hoodie.

Before finding her way to the meeting point, Rhea tentatively spied on the Founding Family’s base, or what was left of it. The entire place had been destroyed. No clues, no answers. Just a plastic bag rolling across the driveway.

Rhea shifted uncomfortably, heels bouncing as she sat. Waiting was incredibly boring. Sure, she should be concerned about who would be delivering the package. But it wasn’t like she knew any of the other couriers, plus she paid extra for the ‘no questions asked’ policy. Hopefully, there wouldn’t be any hassles with the pick-up, and then Malik and she could start phase two of tracking down Marcelle.

The courier was twenty minutes late. Are they making me wait? Rhea wondered, standing up to stretch.

At the end of the alley, a taxi cab stopped on the street. Rhea clicked her tongue, folding her arms. Finally…

A woman got out as the taxi rolled away, dressed in a leather jacket and slacks. She walked into the alley, slowly removing the aviators from her eyes. “Well. Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes.”

Rhea’s eyes widened, her stomach twisting in a knot. “...”

Clipping the shades on her shirt, Aislin gestured to the briefcase. “You have a lot of nerve attempting to pull the wool over Hallmark's eyes. He says hi, by the way.”

“Shit.” Rhea mumbled, pressing a palm to her forehead.

Aislin stared at Rhea for a moment. “...Two and a half years.”

“What?”

Aislin shook her head. “You’ve ignored me for two and a half years without so much as a ‘thanks, bye’. I’ve tried to contact you, I’ve searched for you. And all the while, you didn’t give a shit.”

Rhea narrowed her eyes. “Can I just have my package—”

“No. You’re listening to me now.” Aislin growled. “If this is about your dangerous work, I’ll have you know that I’ve been working in secret with Hallmark for five years. And I kept in touch with you as I did my contracts.”

Shock flashed across Rhea’s face. “Well I,” her jaw jutted out. “I just wanted to protect you.”

“Pretending I’m dead was not the way to go about it. Didn’t our friendship mean anything to you?” Aislin said, tossing the briefcase at her.

Rhea plucked it from the air, swallowing the lump in her throat. She had no words to give. Aislin was right. She was always right. Feeling the heat burning in her cheeks, Rhea knew she needed to make an exit. Aislin couldn’t get the real answer from her. Not now, hopefully not ever.

As Rhea turned to leave, Aislin sighed. A small grin pulled at her lips. “...Rhea.”

Rhea gave the spy a side glance, pausing.

“I still want to be friends. I’ve... missed you, a lot.”

Rhea searched the ground wordlessly, turning her face away. She hurriedly wiped her eyes dry as she walked out the other side of the alley. She left without a goodbye, and Aislin let her go. They would see each other again, soon enough.

“This is CT,” Aislin said, tapping her comms. “Aegis has the job.”

“Good.” Hallmark’s voice crackled in her ear. “Lay low. I’ll notify you when I need you.”

“Sounds good, boss.”