ₘᵣ ₛₐₙdₘₐₙ ~ Dᵢᵣₖ Gₑₙₜₗy ✅

Returning To The Caged

"You got this, boss?" Vogel asked uncertainly. They'd made it to the ruins in one piece, finding the pool the two assistants and detective had travelled through. Amanda stationed herself next to it, taking a deep breath.

"Yeah, sure. Why not? Mhm." She couldn't have sounded less sure if she tried.

"What do you want us to do?" Martin directed to the ravenette, putting his confidence in her.

"Just step back." The Rowdy Three complied, and Sicillian reached forward, guiding Beast back too. The younger Brotzman stuck her hands in the pool as she shook slightly. It immediately lit up, colourful mists falling away inside giving the impression of an abyss below. It was all well and good before she began to cry out in pain.

"Wow. She can really do that." Todd raised an impressed eyebrow, watching his sister proudly.

"Yes, she really can." Dirk replied, eyes ablaze with wonder. Amanda let out a louder scream, drawing her hands away. Sicillian ran over to her.

"That was incredible, are you okay?" She asked immediately, looking to the drummer with concern.

"I can't keep it open, it's too much by myself. I haven't done it without Wakti, I needed more time with her..." She trailed off slowly, clearly frustrated and annoyed with herself. "I can maybe get you and Dirk there, one way, but then you'd be stuck."

"That's not great." The brit commented, sharing a look with his American counterpart.

"Shapes, SHAPES!" Beast yelled suddenly in her scratchy voice. No one seemed to notice except Sicillian and Vogel, the others preoccupied with figuring out what to do.

"Guys...?" The smallest member of the Rowdy Three called uncertainly, sharing a look of concern with the American brunette.

"Wait, Todd, you can help me!" Amanda interrupted, unintentionally ignoring them.

"What? No, I'm not like you!" He protested.

"No. You're not. But you could maybe use your energy to help me keep the portal open?" Beast was beginning to tug on Sicillian's sleeve insistently.

"Guys, Rainbow monster's tryna tell us something bad is coming!" Vogel cut across, tone skittish. A high, cold laugh rang out, seemingly from every direction. Dirk immediately jumped over to his green eyed partner, grabbing her hand out of instinct.

"Bad shapes lady!" Beast added.

"Suzie," Todd took a deep breath, turning to Amanda, "Okay, yes, whatever you say. I'll do it, I'm in."

"We'll slow that witch down. Boys, c'mon." Martin said lowly, leading the Rowdy Three out the entrance of the ruins with determination. Sicillian shared a look of suppressed fear with the brit. They'd have to go back to Blackwing without any protection.

"You sure you want to do this?" Todd asked the two.

"Want is a strong word." The Hollistic Assistant muttered. But she didn't have a choice. She had to.

"Where are you going Dirk Gently and Sicillian Presque?" Suzie called, off in the distance.

"Yes, want truly is a strong word but none of the more perspicuous appellations are travelling to my mind with alacrity-" The blue eyed man was panicking, giving off his obvious tell of using big words.

"Is he okay?" The drummer asked in a dramatic whisper.

"Pool." The American woman said flatly, ushering him forwards.

"Yup." Dirk shakily ascended the rocks that crusted the edge, with, not quite dexterity, but something like that.

"Don't spin out. You can do this." The ex bellhop nodded with ambition. He and Amanda walked to either side of the pool, rainbow beast running into a corner. "So I'm going to have an attack? Probably a slow painful one?"