The Siren Eater

Like Rain On Scorched Earth

Of all the days it decided to rain, of course, it would have to be this one, Kara mulled as the big vehicle glided over the freeway like a low-slung land shark. When the time had come for her and the 1970 Mercury Montego squad car that she drove to retire from the LAPD, she'd bought the car outright and had it repainted and reupholstered. Now, the ominous black Sedan was barreling down the freeway toward the California/Nevada state line.

She drummed on the wheel, nervous about the encounter she was speeding toward. Damn it, Hild, she thought, the last thing I need is to get involved with someone, and a fellow cop nonetheless. If we hit it off, where are we going to find time for each other? Her dark cheeks flushed plum as she thought about the tall, violet-eyed redhead she would be meeting for the first time. I'm in trouble, she thought with a rueful chuckle as she broke out in a cold sweat.

Kara fiddled with her radio dial, feeling like a raw ball of nerves. When the sparse stations available between Palm Springs and the Nevada state line failed to quash her anxiety, she turned on the police scanner and listened in. This is far more interesting than Talk Radio, she thought, smirking.

But even the scanner fell silent as she made her way through the surreal landscape of the Mojave Preserve, the only real chatter of note being rangers radioing in after cleaning graffiti off of the rocks. The dial echoed through the car as she clicked it to off, listening to the rain and her own thoughts as the alien silhouettes of Joshua trees streaked past, the Montego rumbling down the desolate road.

The desert always looks so strange when its green, she thought. The only time this place isn't a barren hellscape is in the dead of winter. By the Gods, I miss snow. Maybe it really is time for a transfer. I think Brunhilde and Anubis can manage without me.

The thought of pulling stakes and leaving her long-time adoptive home brought an unexpected pang. That's enough of that, she thought, her inner monologue turning dour.  Kara cranked the radio in an effort to drown it out. It was mostly effective.

When the familiar outline of Las Vegas came into view, standing alone in the desert like a glowing monolith, she breathed a sigh of relief. Not much further now, she mused, looking forward to stretching her legs. Violet eyes flashed through her mind and suddenly, she was a ball of nerves again.

The rain had finally let up by the time she pulled into the out-of-the-way parking lot of the Springs Preserve, a nature reserve they'd designated as a meeting point about half an hour later. The Springs was tucked away from freeways and off the strip itself, protected from the garish, loud, bustling Vegas with which she was familiar. Kara smiled in spite of herself, relaxing as she parked next to the only solitary vehicle in the lot: a charcoal-colored Charger that was far too clean to be a daily driver in the desert. It's gotta be Selene's, she thought to herself, nodding when she saw the badge on the car's back license plate. This is her unmarked? While I have my suspicions of how she pulled that off, I'm not going to ask unless I find myself no longer sobe--her inner monologue went silent, copper eyes widening as she caught sight of the Siren she'd only seen in Brunhilde's photos.

Selene poured herself out of the driver's side of the Charger, her dress matching her eyes, her smile blinding in the late afternoon winter sun. A lock of blood red hair fell in her face as she rapped against the Montego's window with an alabaster knuckle. "Take a picture, honey," she said, her eyes sparkling with mirth and mischief, "it'll last longer."

Kara cleared her throat, then unbuckled her seatbelt and opened her door, immediately feeling underdressed as she stood, in dark pinstriped slacks and a burgundy button-down. "If I do that, I'll go blind," she said with a smirk, then added, "it's good to finally meet you."

To Kara's surprise, Selene pulled her in for a hug. "Nervous, honey? Don't be. It's great to finally meet you, too, though I have to admit a little disappointment that you're not rocking that glorious Afro anymore."

Oh Gods, she saw that picture!? Dammit, Brunhilde! Kara pulled away, arching an eyebrow. "Do you know how much work that hair was to maintain?" she said. "I much prefer the braids."

Selene giggled. "Not nervous anymore though, are you? For the record, the braids suit you; I was just trying to get you to loosen up a little." Her gaze then fell on the Montego. "Don't tell me this used to be your black and white," she said, unable to suppress her awe. "By Neptune, she is immaculate." She ran a hand over the Mercury's imposing nose, staring down at their reflections in the glossy black paint.

I never would have guessed she was a car nerd, Kara thought, the tinge of plum coloring her umber cheeks again. "To this day, she's my favorite cruiser. I just couldn't bring myself to say goodbye."

Selene studied her, her expression softening. I wouldn't have taken her to be the sentimental type, she mused. "I don't blame you," she said with a smile, "besides that very distinctive nose, I remember how comfortable they were. It was sad to see them go."

Kara smiled at her. This is shaping up to be interesting, she thought, amused. "Shall we check out the botanical garden?" she asked, offering Selene her arm. With a dazzling flash of her smile, the Siren took the Valkyrie's arm, and they strolled into the Preserve.