The Frosted Files:Open Eyes

// Chapter 8 \\

    They didn't let me drive.
    I tried, at first, but I was still getting used to my new prosthetic and the strength behind it - it felt like my hand had been geared up, and was all the more sensitive. When paired with a vehicle that needs careful, small movements, such as my lovely 1971 Volkswagen Microbus. It was beat up, with body panels in many different colours, such as darker reds and greens, with the classic whites and light blues mixed in. It looked terrible, but it was mine. I didn't drive the fancy, high end and high tech company cars except when I was doing official business. This van, older than I am, was a pain to keep running and in shape, but it gave me and Tony, my head mechanic, something to bond over. It's the vehicle that me and Apollo basically lived out of after college, before I had properly inherited everything. That, and it fit most of my inner circle for our fun nights out. I didn't have the precision needed, yet, with my nano-hand, and I didn't want to risk my van.
    So, instead, Zane drove. Vlad sat in the passenger seat, and Apollo, Bar, Adrian, the little plant cat, and I all sat in the back. The cat stayed near me, but curled up on its own seat, letting off a little purr that sounded like a tree falling in a forest.
    On our way out, I checked the mail, trying to instil some sense of normality back into my life, and found another small package. Inside was an amulet of some kind, a dark purple gem roughly the size of a quarter on a black chain, and a small vial filled with red smoke. Adrian told me that the vial was a gift from him, and that he hadn't planned on staying - in an emergency, I should break the vial with what I needed to do in mind. He frowned at the amulet, muttering about 'time distortions' and some other wizard nonsense.
    Those items sat in my overcoat pocket now, and I tried my best to ignore them for now.
    The back seats of the van were arranged in a U shape, so we all sat facing each other. Bar was on my right, fidgeting with some little trinket, and Apollo was on my left, holding tightly onto my arm. Adrian had the whole right side of the U-seat to himself.
    "So, Frost. How do you feel about everything that's been going on?" The white haired wizard asked, flicking his white eyes to me.
    Well, my hand got fucked over, I've met things that can resist my main leverage, and for some reason, I'm in the center of some queen's twisted fantasy. On the bright side, I got a cat. And a ring set.
    "Absolutely peachy, Mageknight. Just great, y'know, I was looking into expanding the company, maybe into magical warfare. What do you think?" The sarcasm was thicker than I had intended, but all the better, I think.
    "Maybe before expansion, you should learn a little more about what you're getting into. Go to an academy, maybe. I heard they have one over in Scotland, actually. Or, you know, I could teach you a thing or two." He responded, leaning back into the seat.
    I saw Bar stop fidgeting from the corner of my eye, meaning this conversation has sparked his interest. Whenever something draws his attention, he freezes like that, like a squirrel hearing a door open.
    "I'm no wizard, wizard."
    "Not yet. Even if you didn't have the capacity, you could learn. Anything living can learn magic, Frost. A few lucky living things have the capacity to feel the magic, though. Like me. And you." He smiled, that damn smile that said he knew more than me. I so very much wanted to shove those perfect teeth down his all-knowing throat. Adrian mocked a hurt expression, fake-gasping and putting a hand on his chest, before reverting back to his smile.
    "Anyone can learn-n magic?" Bar asked, setting aside his trinket.
    Adrian widened his grin. "Sure can, Mister Bronze."
    Bar winced. I could guess what he was thinking - he hadn't told the wizard his name. I had the same reaction on my first meeting with him.
    Bar looked over to me, and I waved a hand at him to continue.
    Before he could speak, Adrian started again. "I suppose I could teach you, sure. My rate's aren't too high, I think."
    Bar blinked a few times, looking for words.
    "Oh, come on, wizard. Consider it a favour to me." I said. It felt wrong, offering an IOU to a wizard, but Adrian nodded some before leaning closer to Bar.
    "That is more than enough, Frost." Then, to Bar, "When would you like to begin?"
    The two discussed plans, Bar excitedly asking questions, until one specific answer caught my attention again.
    "There is a magical government, of sorts, that upholds the Seven Laws. They make sure things are done properly, with minimal risk, and are composed of some of the most powerful wizards on the planet. The Council, twenty-one wizards of high status, can vote on various things, such as if a Law breaker should get the usual punishment or not." The wizard explained, using his hands to show emphasis.
    "U-usual punishment?"
    "Death by beheading."
    "Oh."
    "Lucky for you lot, you know a council member." Adrian moved aside his cloak, showing his upper left arm. A tattoo swirled there, gently and slowly moving, depicting a star and crescent moon swirling around a longsword.
    "Each council member has a unique tattoo, for identification, based on what they do, their bloodline, blah blah blah."
    A council, hell, a whole government of wizards. That'd prove a powerful ally - or enemy - for me and my crew.
    I leaned in as much as I could with Apollo on my arm. "So, the curse put on these cats-"
    "Illegal, yes. Laws two and three."
    "So, shouldn't this government do something?"
    Adrian shrugged. "Well, that's why I'm here. I'm the field operative for this area."
    The little plant cat got up and stretched, walking across my lap, before curling up on Apollo's. The purr started back up, falling trees and tearing wood.
    "What are these laws, exactly?"
    Adrian straightened his back, closing his eyes. "Law one - Thou shalln't take the life of another sentient mortal being. Law two - thou shalln't transform another against their own will. Law three - thou shalln't disrupt, modify, or invade the mind of another. Law four - thou shalln't reach beyond the borders of life. Law five - thou shan't reach beyond the border of time. Law six - thou shan't reach beyond the borders of space. Law seven - thou shalln't deal with evil beings. These Laws are determined by the Treaty of Magical Characters and Talented Semblances, upheld by the Magically Inclined Association of Systems and Semblances." The wizard recited, having this little speech obviously memorized, before opening his eyes. He looked quite proud of himself.
    I had my smart glasses recording, so I could look over this list of Laws later.
    "So the wizard council-"
    "MIASS," He offered, pronouncing it like 'maze'.
    "Right. So, MIASS enforces the usual punishment of death by beheading to skirt around the first Law?"
    "Pretty much, yeah."
    "Fun, fun. That's how the regular government does things too, I guess."
    Adrian and Bar went back to talking, setting up a meeting time to go over basics. We got to the pizza place and got our table for six. The cat came in with us, but no one mentioned its leafy appearance.
    "The Fog, Frost. A magical force that makes things look 'normal', so the average person doesn't freak out."
    I nodded and continued looking at the menu.
    During the meal, Apollo practically sat on my lap, staying in contact with me at all times. Sometimes he would hold my hand, or run his fingers along my nano-hand. I could feel his fingertips in a ghost of sensation through the metal and tech, and it felt so different. So alien, strange. After we ate, he leaned his head on my shoulder, holding onto my arm, while everyone talked. I stayed out of the conversation, running my thumb over Apollo's fingers of our clasped hands. Sometimes I would run my human hand through his hair, playing with the curls and waves. Everyone was talking, laughing, telling stories, relaxing. Adrian told a story or two of his work with magic, and seemed to warm up to the rest of the group. With everything going on, it was nice to take a moment to rest with people I loved.
    It had to end eventually, though, so we packed up and started back home.
    On the way back, Bar got a text from his lady friend, my field lieutenant, Ezra Bronze-Ellewood. I had left my phone on silent so I could enjoy the moment, and missed the couple of texts she sent to me - a building we had under surveillance had been bought out a week ago, roughly, and that the information was just now entering the record books in town hall. A little bit of research proved the buyer to be an unknown individual under the name of 'Bolt Gravleplank', paid in cash. Three and a half million, in cash.
    That wasn't suspicious or anything. What was even more suspicious was the fact the buyers took that in cash.
    I decided to investigate tomorrow morning, because I needed rest, and my friends needed to know everything was and would be okay. When we all got home, we played a board game that simulated capitalism, then headed to bed. I tried to sneak a few drinks, but Zane was always there to warn me off, the damned medic.
    Sleeping sober was nice though, I suppose, especially with my own personified sun rays in bed next to me. The plant cat slept at the foot of the bed, and Apollo and I were tangled up by morning. Somewhere along the line, clothes may have been discarded, things may have happened, but that's private knowledge.
    When morning came, much later than I had, I didn't want to get up. I didn't want to get dressed and leave everyone behind again, to do work.
    But, I didn't earn my reputation by laying naked in bed with the love of my life. So, groaning, I got up, showered, and got ready, barely noticing the difference in my hand when it came to these actions that I had done day after day. Maybe that's what my blue doppelganger had meant when he said the hand would be mine.
    The little plant cat followed me downstairs, staring at me as I got my breakfast ready. It mewed once, then sat down. This thing was probably hungry, wasn't it? What would it eat? I threw a small slice of bacon onto the floor, and it sniffed at it for a second before grabbing it and running off. Carnivore, then. Maybe omnivore, but definitely eats meat. I sat down with my food, and the cat came back a few seconds later, hopping onto the table. It slowly approached my food as I watched, and snatched another slice of bacon before running off. I tried - and failed - to catch it, cursing. Damn thief. Maybe that's what I'll call it - Thief. Thief the plant cat. Sure.
    I quickly ate, ruining another heist attempt by Thief, and rinsed the cookware before shrugging on my overcoat and heading out to the garage. I got into one of the company cars, a little two door, all black vehicles filled with all sorts of tech and tricks. As I shut the door, I heard a meow from the passenger seat, and saw the little plant cat there, looking at me.
    "How did you..." I began, looking at the passenger door. It was shut tight, but the window was cracked maybe an inch, and I saw a single blade of grass caught in said window.
    "Well, guess you'll come with me, Thief. Clever little cunt."
    She meowed in acknowledgment, and curled up on the seat, sitting in that loaf-like position cats seem to like. I didn't know the cat's gender, so I decided to stick with 'she' for now.
    The garage door opened per my command, and I drove out into Arbitrium, AC/DC playing.
    The building, what used to be a large mansion owned by some movie star before they moved to Europe. It had been abandoned for a while, collecting dust, cobwebs, and spam mail, but now it looked good as new. Lights shined in windows, cars were parked outside, and large men in jackets with the Lockbolt's claim patrolled every door and wall.
    While doing research, I had also found out a certain rookie detective lived roughly a block away, between the building and the Compound, so I stopped by there after a quick dash into a store to pick up a gift for his little girl, to show I come in peace. Actions and words, as they say.
    I walked up several flights of stairs, the doll I got from the store in hand, and finally came to apartment 7A. The little nameplate on the mailbox read 'Fellows', with a dog scribbled in pink crayon on the left. Actually, maybe it was a cat. Or a horse. Llama?
    I knocked, and a moment later Jason answered the door. He still had a bandage on his nose, with a smiley face band aid overtop, and was smiling. That quickly changed when he saw me. I had my hands clasped in front of me, and waited for him to talk.
    "May I help you, Fate?"
    I held up the doll. "Can we talk for a second?"
    He stared at the doll for a second before stepping back, letting me in. I nodded my thanks, handing him the doll as I passed, and he gestured to a plush looking couch, where I sat.
    "Laney, sweetheart? A friend and I are gonna talk about work for a second, okay? D'you want to watch cartoons in daddy's room?" Fellows called into the apartment.
    A young girl, maybe seven, with dark hair, like her father's, and bright green eyes came running out of a room with a pink painted door. She was smiling, and ran over to Fellows, jumping into his arms. He lifted her up, handing her the doll, and took her to the door next to hers. "It's a gift from my work friend," He told her when he had handed the doll to her, and she beamed, fascinated by the way the hair moved.
    I heard a modern kid's show come from the room, and Fellows came out, shutting the door behind him. He sat down in an easy chair across from me, and looked a lot more tired than he had a moment ago.
    "What's going on, Fate? Why are you here?"
    I looked around the apartment, noting details. Nothing stood out as too important, but it was good to know, all the same.
    "I've got some field work to do in a bit a block away, and wanted to suggest that you and your kiddo go to a park, or a movie, or something, on the other side of town." I took out a clip of cash, roughly a thousand dollars, and handed it to him quietly. "In case you need a hotel. Maybe stay there until I give you a call, or the news says I'm dead. Either way, stay away from this side of town."
    "It's the Bolts, isn't it?" He asked. I nodded.
    He cursed, got up and grabbed a few things, a wallet, a water bottle, and similar things one would take on an extended outing, and shoved them into a satchel.
    He went into the room he had set his kid in, and came out a moment later with her dressed for a day at the park.
    "Thanks for the heads up, Fate." He started towards the door, pausing so I could exit before him. Laney waved at me and smiled, holding up the doll I got her. I smiled back.
    He stopped beside me after locking his door. "And good luck, Fate. Don't get yourself killed."
    I nodded, and Fellows went on his way, and I went on mine.
    I got to the building half an hour after I left Fellows' place, giving him time to make his way away.
    It was absolutely swarmed with Bolt goons, each holding some kind of compact SMG type gun. The little tingle at the base of my skull went off, and I switched on the car's camouflage as I approached the building. I saw a hologram of the car projected roughly thirty feet in front of me, and saw the panels along the actual car start to go shiny, reflecting light in a way that made the actual car nearly invisible. Redirection and hiding, rolled into one. Bar had really outdone himself with this one.
    There had been a 'No Trespassing' sign on the gates surrounding the parking lot, and with good reason - as I rolled in, I heard a loud boom that I thought was unique to pirate movies, and I saw the hologram car take a cannonball to the hood. The hologram changed to accommodate this, and I swerved out of the way, cutting to the side before stopping the car. I got out, and the car drove off on its own, taking the attention of the outside troops and cannon fire away from me.
    As the car went on its suicide mission, the 'FRSTINC8' plate shining in the midday sun, I called out my nanotech.
    Except this time, I didn't have it cover me in the demon-like suit I usually donned.
    No, this was the Bolts. They planned for me, and me specifically.
    They didn't expect my friend, Destiny, however.
    If you've ever seen those Marvel movies, specifically Avengers: Age of Ultron, you'd know what I mean when I say Destiny was an advanced artificial intelligence made by brain scans. I had taken myself, Bar, Vlad, Tony, and Zane, and overlaid the scans, merging them together. Unlike the movies, however, I double checked my work, and went over the code by hand. Every single line.
    It took three years, four-ish hours a day, but I had gotten Destiny working, and they were great. I hadn't called them out in a while, for good reason.
    The tech flowed off my body, forming the usual suit, but off to my side. In the span of a breath, the tech suit went from a rigid pose to the fluid one of sentience.
    The suit blinked, looking around, and found me.
    "Ah, hey, boss. How goes?" Their voice sounded natural, with a hint of metallic ringing to it, as if some kid was using a voice changer in an online game. Destiny sounded different to different people - Apollo said they sounded more like me, Bar said they sounded more like Vlad. I thought the voice was uniquely theirs.
    "Not good, Destiny. We've got some loose Bolts, it seems. Wanna help me tighten things up?" I asked, pulling out what looked like a standard utility multitool. I flipped a blade out, sparking plasma forming along the blade.
    "Sounds like a fun time, boss. Let's do it."