“Not an option, Amaranth,” Clockblocker countered. “What’s up now? This is probably the easiest PR stunt you’ll ever do.”
“Because it’s PHO,” I replied evenly, glaring at the computer. “You know what kind of weird shit gets posted there? I’ve heard enough from Vista to know I’d rather not go looking for trouble on there.”
“This isn’t looking for trouble,” he said, sounding exasperated. “It’s just a Q&A but less formal. Hell, it should be easier for you since you hate public speaking so much. All the hard stuff has basically been done. You just need to log in, post a thread, then answer whatever stupid shit people ask you; within reason of course.” He gestured to a sheet by the computer, the rules of engagement as it were.
“This is going to suck,” I said glumly, taking a seat. “And again, a waste. We could be out on patrol, you know?”
“We could,” Clockblocker agreed. “But this is what our assignment is. Bases are all covered, so don’t sweat it. Take the easy shift and remember that you have one tomorrow anyway.”
“Fine,” I sighed, pulling up the browser. “Please tell me this isn’t a regular thing.”
“Not really,” he said with a shrug. “Some Wards enjoy posting, some don’t. Might be more AMAs like this in the future, but you don’t have to post in your off time unless they need you to make a statement or something.”
“A statement about what?” I asked, logging in.
“Remember Bastion?”
“No.” That got a sigh.
“Okay well don’t go around saying racial slurs and you’ll be fine,” he said, pointing at the keyboard. “Now get to posting.”
I grumbled quietly as my fingers plucked at the keys. Honestly it was so stupid, but maybe I’d manage to have some kind of fun with this. Doubtful, this was a PRT event after all. Probably had moderators all lined up for this or something. At least they’d do something about the almost certain wave of harassment coming my way. I glared at the screen and read my post as I waited for replies.
Amaranth (Original poster) (Verified cape) (Wards ENE)
Posted on August 19th, 2011:
Hey everyone,
You’ve probably seen my PR stuff already so I won’t waste much time on introductions. I’m Amaranth, rookie of the Brockton Bay Wards. I started June fourth but you haven’t seen much of me til now because BB is kind of crazy. I haven’t done one of these AMA things before so go easy on me, or at least don’t be wird. Anyway, go nuts.
Amaranth.
“Shouldn’t have asked them to go nuts,” Clockblocker commented.
“What was I supposed to say?” I asked, eyes flicking to the screen as it flashed, informing me of a reply.
WizardofWallStreet (Pedant Arcane)
Replied on August 19th, 2011:
Wird
“God fucking dammit,” I swore, quickly editing my post. The damage was done, but maybe people would just think he was crazy.
“Holy shit,” Clockblocker chuckled. “You really didn’t double check your post?”
“Why would I? I didn’t think I’d fuck up something that basic,” I retorted. “God, whatever, at least it was just the one guy.” The screen flashed again and I groaned; it wasn’t just him…
“Relax,” he said, patting my shoulder. “People’ll get it out of their system and you’ll get some real questions. Look, there’s one.”
Thunderhead
Replied on August 19th, 2011:
What’s Brockton Bay really like? I’ve been watching the news since May and things sound totally insane. Is it true you guys got hit by two Endbringers?
“Watch it,” Clockblocker warned, and I nodded.
Amaranth (Original poster) (Verified cape) (Wards ENE)
Replied on August 19th, 2011:
No, just Leviathan, but there were plenty of other problems to deal with. It’s getting better though, especially since we dealt with the Nine, the Teeth, the Fallen, and the Undersiders. Hopefully things will be back to normal soon.
WagTheDog (Brockton Bay Refugee) (Dog lover)
Replied on August 19th, 2011:
Undersiders are still around, dumbass. Bitch just took down another dog fighting ring, what are you doing?
“Don’t,” Clockblocker snapped, putting a hand on my shoulder. I shot him a glare and he just shook his head. “You don’t want to start a flame war on your first day, trust me.”
“Experience, captain?” He offered me a shrug and I sighed. “Fine, whatever, am I just supposed to let people be stupid?”
“Yup,” he said simply. “Eventually they’ll kneecap themselves, or the mods will ding them if they go too far. Ignore it, focus on the actual questions you’re being asked.” I sighed and looked back at the screen, scanning for one.
NineGraves
Replied on August 19th, 2011:
Hey aren’t you the one that killed shatterbird?
Amaranth (Original poster) (Verified cape) (Wards ENE)
Replied on August 19th, 2011:
Yeah.
The thread practically exploded at that. Apparently despite the publicity around it, a lot of people weren’t aware I was the one responsible. Clockblocker chuckled and made a comment about how I was trying to one-up his first AMA, but I could see a touch of nerves as he looked at the rapidly growing thread.
NineGraves
Replied on August 19th, 2011:
How did you do it, if you don’t mind me asking?
Amaranth (Original poster) (Verified cape) (Wards ENE)
Replied on August 19th, 2011:
She was being controlled by Regent during an attack on us. I think he must have been distracted, because she was flying at ground-level and not doing nearly as much as I know she could. I was just sort of lucky, I guess, since he was distracted and couldn’t make her dodge me.
GlassEater (Brockton Bay Refugee)
Replied on August 19th, 2011:
Thanks for killing her, wish I could give you a hug or something. She deserved way worse.
BlackBuck
Replied on August 19th, 2011:
Did they give you the bounty? I saw that it got collected but didn’t hear anything.
Aureole
Replied on August 19th, 2011
@BlackBuck yes they did pay it out, you can find the docs on the PRT website and on the SNCA home page, I think it’s still on top
@Amaranth Did you get in trouble for it? Like, you’re a Ward and you killed someone, even if she was a mass murderer like...idk
Amaranth (Original poster) (Verified cape) (Wards ENE)
Replied on August 19th, 2011:
@BlackBuck yeah I got some of it, and a bunch more got donated to the local relief fund because frankly they need it more
@Aureole I didn’t get in trouble for killing Shatterbird no, she had a kill order.
“You know honestly, I’m impressed,” Clockblocker said as we waited for more questions. “I thought I’d be warning you about talking about this stuff way more.”
“What you think I wanted to go into details?” I asked, giving him a look.
“Good point,” he said with a nod. “Still, you’re doing pretty okay.” We turned our attention back to the screen.
Venatrix (Verified cape) (Four Star)
Replied on August 19th, 2011:
Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.
Is the being gay thing just for marketing?
“Amaranth, no,” Clockblocker said, putting a finger on the keyboard and freezing it before my scathing reply was halfway done. “People are going to be assholes, you’ve got to chill about it. Take a breath.” It took more than twenty, but eventually my heart stopped pounding and I didn’t feel quite like putting my fist through the screen. “C’mon, only another forty minutes.”
Forty fucking minutes too many.
“You can’t convince me the internet is worth it,” I grunted, driving a fist into the heavy bag.
“Agree to disagree,” Hooks said evenly, carefully watching me swing. “There’s some uhh, pretty good stuff on there.”
“Yeah but it’s not worth it,” I countered, hitting the bag hard enough that the chain clanked. “God this PR shit is stupid.”
“Now that’s something I can cop to,” she said. “What they have you doing today then?”
“Call it an ‘ask me anything,” I huffed, dropping my fists and taking a breather. “Just log in and answer whatever stupid shit people want you to. Waste of time, I’d have rather been down here, or out there.”
“I never got why they had you guys posing so much,” she said. “Us too for that matter. ‘Oh Gold Team you’re gonna have to spit polish the inside of your barrels, photoshoot tomorrow’.”
“It’s ridiculous,” I agreed. “Whatever, at least it’s over.”
“How’s your nose feeling?” Hooks asked. “Didn’t think I was strong enough to get through your field, being honest.”
“It’s fine and you’re not,” I replied. “I’m just a little bitch, flinched at the last second and caught most of the hit with my face. That’s the thing I’m trying to work on, you know?”
“So if you hadn’t twitched, you’d have been fine?” I gave her a nod and she let out a low whistle. “I mean, I was pretty surprised how lucid you were after taking a haymaker like that. Being a cape must be wild.”
“It’s something,” I offered. “Anyway, how am I doing with these strikes?”
“Getting there,” Hooks said. “Should probably start you with Bailey next week, if you really wanna learn how to fight.”
“Bailey...you said something about in-fighting, right?” She nodded in reply. “What’s that, like getting close to someone and punching a bunch?”
“Long and short,” she nodded again. “It’s about getting inside your opponent’s range and wearing them out with lots of punches, instead of just a few big ones like I do. Like I said, with your power, I think that’d make you pretty dangerous.”
“Vulnerable though,” I sighed. “Cape fights don’t have rules like boxing, someone could literally just pick me up and throw me.”
“And that’s why we work on your strikes,” Hooks said. “Hard for someone to grab you if they’re doubled over, throwing up.”
“Fair,” I said. “You really think I can do that?”
“Madine Cripps, ninety-four,” she said, making zero sense. “Show match in Bogota between flyweight her and welterweight former champion Oksana Henry. Four rounds, and Cripps took that woman apart. Broke two of Henry’s ribs and dislocated her jaw, and all she took was a broken orbital. That’s what a good in-fighter who doesn’t weigh an ounce more than you can do.”
“Damn,” I said with an appreciative nod. “Still think I won’t use it in the field but...damn.”
“Right?” Hooks grinned and jerked her chin towards the speed bag. “C’mon, let’s do some coordination drills. Hop to.”
“Got it,” I said, grinning and heading over.
If nothing else, at least here I was never doing that badly.
“I can’t do this,” Amy whispered as the bus rumbled to a stop. “I can’t, I can’t I ca—”
“Hey, it’s okay,” I murmured, squeezing her hand as I rose from my seat. “Come on, let’s get off the bus.”
She reluctantly followed me off, gaze fixed on the ground. I ran my thumb over her knuckles as we did, trying to help. It probably didn’t do much, but her grip on my hand tightened. We walked a ways from the stop, then paused and sat on a bench outside a little park. Amy bounced her foot, staring up the street towards her old house.
“It’s just dinner,” I reassured her gently. “Nothing you haven’t done before, right? We’re just going to go, sit down, eat, maybe talk a little.”
“Except two of the three people in that house hate me,” Amy said, despondent. “And— and I’m pretty sure Dad’s only inviting me because he has to because he thinks I’m his daughter. They don’t...no one really wants me around.”
“Well I do,” I countered, planting a kiss on her cheek.
“No one in there,” she retorted. “We should just go, call and tell them I got hurt or something and can’t come. I won’t have to bother them anymore and...and we can just…” She trailed off, lower lip trembling.
“If you really want to go home, we can,” I started slowly after a moment of thought. “If I’m honest, spending the night together sounds nicer but… I don’t know Amy, they’re your family. Even if you feel like you don’t belong there, I’m pretty sure at least your Dad loves you and wants you. And they invited you to dinner right? They even let me tag along, even though I’m...me.”
“Of course they like you,” Amy muttered bitterly. “You’re a hero.” I couldn’t help the sharp bark of laughter.
“Sorry,” I said quickly as she shot me a glare. “From what you’ve told me Amy? By their standards I’m probably a pretty bad hero, pretty bad person overall. I know your sister hates me because, well, I was there. Maybe I made a good impression on your dad, but otherwise my record is pretty spotty. I think, despite that, they love you enough to let someone like me in too.”
“That doesn’t…” She frowned. “You really think so? What if you’re wrong?”
“Then I’m sorry,” I replied. “I can’t be right about everything, about most things probably. But if I’m wrong and they don’t want you...I do.” She sighed and leaned on me.
“Thanks,” Amy said softly. I felt something drip onto my face, and looked up.
“Ah, shit,” I cursed, raising a hand and wiping at her eyes. “Sorry Amy, I didn’t mean to.”
“Not sad,” she sniffled, shaking her head. “Just...I needed to hear that.”
“Okay,” I said, swallowing and checking my watch. “Um, are we...doing dinner?”
“I guess,” she sighed. “Give me a minute to calm down?”
“Sorry.”
I kept an eye out while we waited for Amy to be ready to face her family. Technically we were in a pretty safe part of town, New Wave was pretty aggressive about policing their neighbourhood, but that didn’t matter much anymore. It wasn’t like the city was in flames, like two months ago, but Hooks kept me informed enough that I knew to keep my eyes open.
It took a bit, but finally Amy took a deep breath and rose from the bench. The sun was noticeably lower, but the warm tones made it feel more comfortable. I joined her and cupped her cheeks, gently wiping away any trace that she’d been crying. She smiled and bent down, giving me a slow, gentle kiss before we started up the road.
The block looked a lot better than the last time I’d been here. Dean and I had gone to help Amy and her dad against Bonesaw. I wasn’t sure how we knew, but considering Armsmaster had been nominated by Mannequin we probably just puzzled it out. Now the streets were clear, the little-damaged houses repaired, and overall seemed just more...lived in. We came up to the Dallons’ place and paused outside the door.
“Come on,” I encouraged Amy, squeezing our interlocked fingers tight. “We’re going to be okay.” She nodded, took a deep breath, and knocked three times.
“Hello?” Victoria answered the door.
Victoria answered the door.
I shoved myself between her and Amy as a pulse of abject terror hit me like a dump truck. My blood rushed in my ears as I stared up at Victoria’s towering glower. Dogshit forcefield, couldn’t beat mine...probably. I heard Amy squeak behind me, and Victoria’s eyes’ flicked towards her. I shuffled forward slightly and pulled her attention back to me. I swallowed hard and forced a grimace of a smile onto my face.
“Hi,” I said tensely. “It’s Lia. Mind if we come in?” She looked at me like Hooks did in the ring.
“Don’t cause problems, and don’t talk to me; goes for both of you.” She turned on her heel and stormed back inside.
“Fuck me,” Amy swore, her voice shake me. “Fuck me, Lia I can’t do it I can’t.” I turned and put my hands on her shoulders, my tight smile falling away.
“You can,” I said firmly. “We’re here now Amy, can’t run away.” She shut her eyes and nodded, letting out a shuddering breath.
“Hey sweetheart,” Mark called to us as we headed in and took off our shoes, shutting the door behind. “Hello Lia, how are you doing?”
“Just fine, Mark.” He’d insisted I call him that. “And you?”
“Oh, can’t complain,” he replied lightly. “Especially not with a roast waiting to be eaten. Amy, how are you?”
“Sorry we’re late,” Amy said flatly. “I’m fine, thanks for asking.”
“Glad to hear,” he said offering a smile as we came around the half wall and into the living room. “Your sister’s helping Mom set the table, shouldn’t be—”
“Come be seated,” Brandish, or Carol I guess, called.
Mark gave us a shrug and we headed into the dining room, just beside the kitchen. Carol was already seated at the head, and Victoria beside her on the far side of the table. There was one seat on the near side, which Amy quickly took, and Mark grabbed the other head. That meant I got to sit beside the flying wrecking ball with a grudge. Well, if anyone was going to jump on a grenade…
The food looked fantastic, at least. A perfectly cooked roast, with slices already plated, and some caramelized veggies. I ignored the mashed potatoes, but grabbed a couple more of the steaming rolls sitting in a basket and added them to my plate. I grabbed my fork and knife, starting to cut into the meat before I caught Amy’s look and froze; no one else was eating yet. I sheepishly put my utensils back down and waited.
“It’s good to see you again Amy,” Carol said after a moment. “It’s been too long.” Amy nodded quietly. “How have you been?”
“Fine,” she said.
“That’s good to hear,” Carol replied with a nod, like she didn’t notice Amy lying through her teeth, then turned her icy gaze on me. “I don’t believe we’ve formally met.”
“Just briefly, after Bonesaw’s attack,” I said. “I was in costume, you’d have met me as Amaranth. My name’s Amelia, but call me Lia.”
“It’d be confusing otherwise,” Mark said lightly. Carol made a small noise that could have been thoughtful or disapproving.
“You’re Mrs. Dallon right?” I asked, offering her an empty smile. “I’ve heard so much about you already.” Enough that I knew I wasn’t the only one with a shitty mom.
“I see,” she said flatly, glancing at Amy. “You may call me Carol, if you’d like.”
“I’d rather call you Mrs. Dallon, if it’s all the same,” I said with a shrug.
“And why is that?”
“Because I don’t think you want to be compared to my mother.”
“Very well,” she said after a moment of searching my face like it was a minefield. “Shall we eat, now that we’re introduced?”
We did. The roast was just as good as it smelled, and I said as much; it was Amy’s family, I didn’t want to make too bad an impression. Apparently it was Mark’s work, which surprised me a little. He didn’t seem like a chef, and yet the results spoke for themselves. The meat fell apart easily, tender and rich in flavour. The vegetables complimented it perfectly too, and the buns offered a little respite from the heavy meal.
“Are you working?” Carol asked as the meal continued, looking at Amy.
“Yeah I’m uh—”
“Don’t speak with your mouth full,” she scolded. Amy swallowed heavily, cheeks darkening.
“Sorry,” she said, not sounding the least bit apologetic. “I’m on a contract with the PRT to heal their heroes and officers, and I still do volunteer stuff at the hospital.”
“Healing?” Carol asked.
“Of course,” Amy replied, narrowing her eyes.
“Good,” she said flatly. “And do you have a place to stay?”
“They hooked me up with one,” Amy said, nodding slowly. “A little apartment downtown, not far from their building. I...like it.”
“Good,” Victoria muttered. “Then you don’t have to come back.”
Both her parents shot her a look, and Carol leaned closer to her, whispering something terse under her breath. Amy looked miserable, and I felt a pang in my chest. I reached my foot out under the table and gently prodded her leg. When she looked up, I offered her the warmest smile I could muster. By the time Carol was done, Amy had smiled back just a little.
“I’m glad they’re lodging you well,” Carol said diplomatically. “I’m not sure how comfortable we are with you living on your own.”
“I’m okay,” Amy said, shaking her head. “There are a lot of PRT officers living there, and Lia comes over sometimes too, so I’m not in danger.” Carol shot me a look and I winced.
“Yes Mark said you were seeing each other,” she muttered.
The conversation died off and we returned to a now-awkward meal. The food was still good, but I felt my stomach squirming. As we ate, I caught sidelong glances from Carol and Mark at me and Amy. Victoria’s expression was a mix of anger, fury, hatred, loathing, and just a hint of worry. I swallowed a mouthful that tasted more like ash than food, then cleared my throat, drawing everyone’s attention.
“Um, uh,” I stammered, not sure how to address this...delicately. “I… Amy didn’t do anything to me to like...make this happen.”
Oh god that was probably the wrong way to say it, at least judging by the tense silence that followed. I stared down at my plate, cheeks glowing red. Fucking idiot. I wanted to make a good first impression then go blow it like that?! Holy shit I was stupid, never should have come here. I was just making things worse.
“I appreciate your...candour, Lia,” Carol said after far too long. “I’m...glad to hear your mind is sound.” Well that was probably a little generous.
“Thanks,” I said instead. “Sorry just, I don’t like people dancing around crap, makes it weird. Amy’s doing fine so just...relax.”
“Relax?” Victoria scoffed. “How would you even know if she did something?”
“Victoria you—”
“Because my forcefield doesn’t turn off,” I snapped, shooting her a look. “And because I started it, not her. I’m fine Victoria.” I was breaking the ‘don’t talk to me’ rule but she could take it out front if she wanted.
“Enough!” Carol’s voice was a whip-crack. “I raised you better than this, Victoria, and I didn’t invite you into my home to start fights, Lia.” I took a deep breath and slowly let it out.
“Sorry,” I managed. “I’ll be on my best behaviour.”
“Me too,” Victoria muttered, sans apology.
“Good,” Carol said with a sharp nod.
“So Amy,” Mark said as the meal continued. “How’s school?”
“Well that was...a meal,” I commented as we entered Amy’s apartment.
She groaned and stomped further in, not taking off her shoes. I sighed and put my bag down, then kicked off my boots and wandered into her place. I headed into her room and sat on the bed next to where she’d collapsed, face first. I gently rubbed my fingers against her scalp, drawing a half-sigh, half-groan from Amy.
“Sorry I made it so awkward,” I apologized as I continued scritching. “Couldn’t just...let them go after you like that though.”
“Deserved it,” Amy mumbled into the sheets.
“You didn’t and don’t,” I countered. “But hey, bright side is it got better?”
“I...guess.”
Once I’d chased off the elephant in the room, things seemed to lighten a little bit at least. Or, at least, turned into a somewhat normal if awkward family dinner. Mark had led most the conversation, keeping the topics light and safe. School, a little bit about work where we all shared complaints about the local villains. Carol grilled me some about how I handled Skitter’s arrest, but hadn’t seemed too upset by my answers. Overall...it wasn’t bad.
Except Victoria, who’d barely engaged with me beyond our little spat and didn’t so much as look at Amy for the whole meal. That was probably what was getting to her. She shifted and rolled onto her side, staring up at me with tear-filled eyes.
“Why do you like me?”
I froze, eyes widening slightly. My mouth was dry and my brain was suddenly filled with a light static. Why did I like Amy? Was it a trick question? She was...hm. I felt sweat prick my back as she sighed quietly, and my teeth creaked as I grit them.
“It’s...complicated,” I started. “I mean, I know that’s stupid but...I don’t know. Do you remember that last chemistry class we had together, the first time we actually did a lab with each other?”
“Um, barely?” Amy said quietly.
“Okay uh, well, you invited me to lunch.” I winced at how lame that sounded. “I mean you offered to buy me lunch, and that was like, nice. And you invited me to sit with you too. And then you healed me, and we started hanging out and…” I trailed off with a shrug.
I wasn’t actually sure when it had happened. It must have been before the Slaughterhouse Nine, why else would I have gone out there to help her? None of that helped with actually answering her question, and her plaintive gaze was making me more and more nervous.
“You’re interesting,” I said lamely. “You um, like to make clothes, right? Or at least your work in Textiles was always better than mine. And you’ve introduced me to more legal dramas than I can count. You um...you don’t mind when I wake up screaming…” I felt her hand take mine and let out a shivering sigh. “Sorry, I’m no good at this, at being a girlfriend. I like you, does the why really matter?”
“To me,” Amy whispered. “Thank you.”
“Of course.” I wasn’t sure what in that lame speech had helped, but I was glad it had. I glanced up and couldn’t help a snort of laughter.
“What?”
“Sorry it’s...me,” I replied, gesturing to the poster of me at the foot of her bed. “I keep forgetting.”
“Sorry,” she apologized.
“It’s fine,” I said with a shrug, turning back to her. “So, what do you want to do with the rest of the night?”
“Forget about that fucking dinner,” Amy muttered. I chuckled slyly and leaned down, planting a kiss on her lips, then her cheek, her jaw, and finally her neck, drawing a little sigh out of her.
“I’ll do my best,” I said with a genuine smile.