Villains Club Training Camp (5)

Apologies

Penelope

The walk and elevator ride to the Mr Cobblepot's office felt like a walk of shame to the principals office. It was a few hours later and Miss Lutre was accompanying me. After everything that happened our entire group would spending the night at Claire's, so it was fair for Miss Lutre to accompany us here.

My staying over would also explain to mum why I want home tonight, and would make sense with little explanation.

At first glance Cobblepot was unguarded as we went up to the quiet dark room where he made a dramatic show of signing documents. The guards would no doubt be in the next room, with hidden door ways providing easy access to this space.

Entering quietly, I stood in front of the desk, waiting to be down to. Miss Lutre, being unashamed in everything she does, at on the corner of his desk, idly playing with the top hat that sat nearby.

When he spoke it was without looking up, "That prison cost the state $1.4 billion dollars. Top of the line technology, to which now the government will have to pay out 200 million to remove plants and trees. 4 million in repairs and electronics, and about 2 million in psychological counselling for traumatised guards and prisoners."
I gulped, about as bad as I'd expected, I just hadn't expected him to have the numbers already.

"Believe it or not Miss Bad Penny, despite my past I am a firm believe in the prison system, as a way to keep dangerous individuals or of circulation and encourage the criminal element. While I had expected some damage during your prison break I have to wonder, was this intended as some form of statement?"

I shook my head at the old man's stare, rallying behind my decided lie, "We had not initially intended to go so far, but one we learned of the prisoners present members of my group decided Failure was not an option. Certain prisoners had to get out, and the magical backup to the security system required more extreme measures to counter!"

It was a lie purely in the details, the decision to quit being taken out my hands.

"You see." The former villain, now govorner smiled wryly, and notiicng the uptick in attractive energy coming from Miss Lutre I busied myself staring at my feet. " Bad Penny is a consumate professional. When she starts a job, she thinks about it and prioritizes. If you want compensation for your council members harrassing you, I can always help with that!" The honeyed voice of Misty the Minx made me uncomfortable, I imagined her twirling the hair on his head, or straightening his bowtie while giving him seductive looks.

"My dear girl, I remember when you first started your career. Back then i turned you down cause you were just a kid!" I blinked at this little old man and his sad, lonely laugh, screen going pink. "And alas now my dear, I am too old! You can turn the power down, I'm still going to pay out!"
I looked up, catching the edge of The Minx's fading power.

"Bad Penny, as promised you shall recieve, the going rate for the four individuals you released, $5 million each! You failed to release any of high priority targets as far as I can tell, had you released any of them you would have got 10 million each!"
I nodded, my fateplate blinking to a red X, "understood, and this was discussed as well. While they would have netted us more money, none of us felt comfortble having them on the street!" Which brought me to my order of bussiness.

Pressing a button on the sleeve of my outfit, the faceplate switched to show an image. "Speeking of millions, Jagged Bones crossed the line again, dragging my minions into a fight while out of costume and I am drawing a line!"

The image on my face was simple, Jagged bones, with a wanted sign under his name. "I will hand over everything we just recieved if you take jaggeed Bones off the street, permnantly. If you don't, we'll be putting out a bounty on this man." The bouty had been set at 5 million, the same price we'd been offered to free people, and said in bold letters "Inhumed."

I had not discussed this with anyone and Misty blatently blanched at my deeclaration.
For a moment the Penguin sat, tapping a pencil on his desk as he tried to decide how  serious I was.
"The Inscrutable Machine have never killed. "He pointed out, "You may have maimed, fought and injured before but you have never killed."

"This man crossed a line." I replied, tapping the button to clear my screen.

"And i apologise for that. I'll post your warrent!" The Penguin sighed, then idly patted Misty's hand. "You have done well with these kids. I understand the difficulty of teaching and protecting. I offer you this, would you mind robbing me again? For old time sake? There are a few bribes here you and your kids might find interesting!"

The Minx's infectious laughter rang like a bell as she picked up the Penguins old trick hat off the table, then began walking away. For one of the oldest living gangsters in America, Mr Cobblepot seamed so much like a sad,  friendly old man and clearly had a sweet spot for kids. I followed Misty out and we took the car back home, taking the long drive back to Claire' home.

i was greated by a full gaggle of friends as I entered their house, armor and helmet left in the car but still wearing the heat-proof jumpsuit that was underneath.
Garfield and Ray were chatting idly, playing with an outdated game consol on the telivision. Cassie was here, and she and Claire practically salivated as they dragged me into Claire's room, stripped me out of my costume, then forced me into one of Claire's teddy bear themed dresses.
I played along.

The night was  quiet, cheerful. Nobody talked about what happpened to Claire, although she was more cuddly then usual, just holding onto me and burying her face into the dress. I was her comfort plushie. With the new money I ordered us Chinese, getting Will to deliver it from China-town.

About two in the morning I heard the message come in on Misty's phone.
A little while later, I listened in as Misty called my mum.

"Hey honey, how are you!" my mother was as affectionate talked to Misty as she was with me, "I  heard something happened? is Everything okay?"
Misty lied to her by telling the truth, "It was another incident like when  Claire was eight!" I stood bolt up straight when I heard this. Something else I hadn't been told? I was in the kitchen entrance, heading to get drinks when I heard the call in. "Her power being taken the wrongway, and someone trying to kidnap her. She's still really shaken, you're cool with Penny being absent for a day or two?"

The silence on the other end of the line drew out before my mum responded, "I'm fine with Penny comforting Claire, they are like sisters. Don't think you can lie to me that easy Misty. I raised you. This wasn't just a kidnapping was it?"

I knocked, walking in and saying very loudly "Just getting some drinks Misty, sorry for interrupting!" the waited until I left before continuing.

I didn't want to be there for this conversation.
Looking over my group quietly as I walked back into the living room I let everything just sit for a moment. my crazy life.
"Hey! Did you guys wanna contact Rachel and her new friends at the tower?" I asked, putting the bottle and glasses down.
I submitted to more clingy cuddling from Claire, and we spent the night trying not to think about things.

Everything would work out.
I would make sure of that.