Dusk Harbor 1999

Caged Up

Ten at night. It was one of those nights where she wanted to call in sick and stay home, curled up on the couch. As a superhero, she couldn't really do that. Especially not now. The stakes were too high. The presentation was pending. Her boss was patiently waiting. This night would be a true test of her strength and power. If she did well she might get a promotion, or at least not die. If she failed, Heaven only knew what awaited her.

Fae's hands were shaking with anticipation. She knew Mark was upstairs trying to telepathically summon Deadcode, who was really their teammate Megabyte gone feral. Can he even do it? I know he can manipulate people close to him but who knows how far away he is? He could be in another state for all we know! I'm going to go check on him.

She closed her eyes for a moment to ease the ache from the artificial, cold grey light of the Den. She got up from her seat at the table, nodded to Evanesce who was half asleep, and started walking towards the door that led to the set of stairs that would bring her up to the bar. 

Herald stepped in front of her and blocked her way. Crossed his arms over his chest and looked down at her.

"Excuse me Angelboy, I'd like to pass," she said, tilting the brim of her cowgirl hat down.

"I just wanted to say something really quick. I'm always first to admit I'm wrong about something. And I was wrong about you. I always thought you were annoying and shrill, and impossible to work with. But after working with you a couple times, I see you're actually a great companion in battle. Good work."

She blinked at him and put her hands on her hips. Shifted her weight to one side.

"I was annoying and shrill eh?"

"I thought you were. But I was wrong. You've just got a lot of energy that some people perceive as insanity or childishness. And that's a good thing," he replied.

"Well. Thanks, I guess. You're cool too. How does your girlfriend feel about me? She seems annoyed by me," Fae asked, pointing back at Evanesce.

He rolled his eyes and sighed.

"Oh for the last time she's not my girlfriend! We're related. So please don't make those jokes, ever."

"Related? I don't buy it. But I don't have time to discuss it either. I gotta go," she replied, going around him.

He exhaled sharply and stepped aside so she could pass. She opened the door and went upstairs to the bar.

"Chaos?" She called out softly. "Hellooo?"

The place smelled of lavender and sage, it wasn't terrible but something about it made her a little nauseous. The onyx bar was so clean she could see her reflection in it. She leaned closer to inspect her face. There was a strand of hair that had broken loose from her ponytail. She hooked it with her finger and looped it behind her ear.

Mark was at the end of the bar, talking on his phone, unaware that she was there. His voice was hushed, but still loud enough that she could hear him.

"Yes. I think it's about time. It's perfect, right? She got everything done? Good. And you still remember my stipulation? Grand. Yes, grand. I'm ready at any time. See you soon." Mark stopped.

His phone clicked closed. She put a swing in her step and swaggered around the bar, casual like she had just come in. Pulled a bottle of dark rum out from the well and set a glass down on the counter. She poured for four seconds and then stopped. Using the soda gun, she filled the rest of the glass with sweet bubbly cola.

"Hey, pal, who were ya talking to?" She asked innocently, pulling the cup to her lips.

She took a long sip and closed her eyes. The flavor was refreshing and smooth. It was as if there was no alcohol in it at all, and that was why rum was her favorite form of liquor. Memories flooded through her, of her honeymoon to Puerto Rico, of drinking with her brother late at night when the rest of the house was asleep. Of simpler times.