Would-Be Gods

Shit. Farrah's parents.

You don't panic, but it's a close thing. You're pretty sure that if you go to this place without an adult without a witness, you're never coming out of it again at least not in one piece.

On the other hand, you kind of like Farrah and you don't want to get her in trouble. Just because you're a runaway doesn't mean you think that's the best idea. On the left wing, everything looks nice with Farrah's family. You're pretty sure nothing bad would happen if she 'outed' herself, and Farrah's mom seems really chill. On the right hand wing, you know a lot of people thought your family seems pretty chill... okay no. Nobody thought your family seemed what people thought your parents were good parents, even after they've visited and you know that ain't the case.

"Llook, I'm pretty sure your mom won't get mad at you, you coax she seems like a really nice lady, and it's not like it's your fault. If what Jaylen told me is true, it's just genetic so...

You trail off there, because you know you hate I'm adopted conversations and you can't imagine that if Farrah is adopted and knows it, she likes it any better and if she is and doesn't know it, growing Mouse ears is a shitty way to find out.

She chews on her lip while you lead her away from the park and out away from her house. "You think… you think it would be okay?"

"I think... I think it's best to be somewhat honest with your mother and all that," you admit. "And... having an adult there is going to save our hides. Kind of literally."

Wait, have you told Farrah you're bulletproof?

Well, you can tell her later, if you haven't.

"Can I think about it?"

"Sure." You don't want to pressure her too much, after all. You snap a picture of the business card with your phone and hand her the card. "I've got to be getting to work."

"You work a lot," she offers. "Don't you get a day off?"

"Well, I could take one off, but..." You flap your hands. "I like eating. And having money. You know, the basics."

You feel bad immediately, the way she folds in. "I didn't think... I'm sorry...." she trails off. "Hey. Do you want to come to my place again tonight? I'm sure my mom won't mind."
Pillow Fight Tonight?
[ ] Sure
[ ] No, thanks, I've got to check on my crash pad
[ ](write-in)

Work is - well, as uneventful as the last two days, perhaps a little more so. Laverne is there again, and tips are back down from the astronomical levels of the last two days, but there are still a jillion photos of the Blue Angel going out on the internet. If you hadn't learned how to Mask, you'd probably be a lot more worried about that.

You have three notable customers -- one guy who tries three times to steal one of your feathers, until Laverne and Bethel strong-arm him out of the cafe; and both Dodger, who, if anything, looks seedier than the last time you saw him, and Fredianne Riga, who looks, if possible, more put-together and fashionable than the last time you saw her.
Both of them try to talk to you.

Dodger is first, during the first third of your shift.

"Listen, kiddo, you need to talk to someone about the things you can do, someone who knows what they're doing. Come talk to me when you get out. Public spot, you pick the place. Just gimme a call, all right? There's some real monsters out there."

Meet with Dodger?
[ ] No, thanks, I already know what I'm doing.
[ ] No, thanks, I don't go places with strange men.
[ ] Sure, I'll call you with the place after I get out.
[ ] Sure, how about Mt. Hope Cemetery?
[ ] Write-in

He accepts your answer, whatever it is, and leaves a tolerably good tip.

Ms. Riga says nearly the same thing, albeit in a slightly different dialect.
"It's urgent that you find yourself a teacher - a mentor, if you will - before you fall into the wrong hands, especially as things are right now. You could be in a lot of danger. If you come speak with me tomorrow morning, I could aid you."

Meet with Ms. Riga?
[ ] No, thanks, I already know what I'm doing.
[ ] No, thanks, I don't go places with strange women.
[ ] Sure, I'll call you with a location to meet tomorrow morning.
[ ] Sure, how about the park over at the end of the Bay?
[ ] Write-In

The end of the day finds you tired, but not as bone-dead exhausted as before -- and well-fed. You haven't seen a polo shirt in eight hours.

Tips: $472 net
[ ] Split the tips up between everyone
[ ] There's less cash, keep more of it to yourself.
[ ] Keep it all to yourself
[ ] Give it to the homeless guy on the corner.

National Guard Asks Fae To 'Stay Home.'
September 12, 2011

---

WENDY COOPER, Associated Press

[Photo: at an intersection, shot from behind the lines of the National Guard, a military unit faces three people with wings dressed in Greek-like togas. To the left, four teenagers armed with swords and spears and dressed in denim and flannel are poised for a fight]

AMARILLO - A three-way stand-off blocked traffic and eventually destroyed four buildings in downtown Amarillo yesterday, as the National Guard sought to contain both a set of three presumably blue-gate-transported 'visitors' and the four youths attempting to contain or eliminate the visitors.

National Guard Spokesman Corporal Bridget Anderson relayed the following information: "The 'visitors' were contained with little damage to the military, due to the quick actions of our soldiers and the intel we've been receiving. Since these 'visitors' are hostile forces uninvited onto American soil, they're considered invading foreign forces and have been detained appropriately.

"The National Guard wishes to remind American citizens that at no points is vigilante justice appropriate; indeed, the more that American 'fae' become involved in such matters, the harder time the American military has keeping the peace. Please, unless you are police, emergency services, or military, stay home when the 'visitors' are causing trouble."

The four youths could not be reached for comment. While eyewitnesses said that the youths -- who appeared to have magic of their own although they seemed to all senses to be completely normal humans -- did restrain and damage one of the three 'visitors' and aid in the restraint of another one, they also destroyed one of the oldest buildings in Amarillo, the Herring Hotel; ruined seven cars and one delivery truck; and blocked most access to convention center, the police department, and downtown shopping and access, as well as backing traffic up for at least seven hours.

As these 'visitors' continue to visit; as these people continue to come out of the woodwork to fight them, we have to ask: how much damage will be done by the time they are finished? What will remain? And who is honestly the greater threat?

Short update! Everyone is calling with locations, and I didn't think to offer said locations. My bad.

Before you head into work, you tell Farrah you'll meet her a couple hours after closing at the bus stop by her house. If you stay with her, you can support her talking to her mother. (Also? Bed!)

But on the other hand, you do want a little time to yourself.

You're a little creeped out by both Dodger and Ms. Riga, but on the other hand (again), you do want information, and you need more allies than Bianca - is that her again? Well, at least she paid for a selfie - and your lime-green stalker can provide.

So you agree to call both of them, but let them know you have people expecting you.

Maybe that'll help. Maybe you should make sure they both know you're going in to visit the Polo Shirt Creeps tomorrow, too, so they can - rescue? Counter-steal? Who knows. Turf war? - so they can do something if you end up in trouble.

Not that you're worried about that. Not at all.

You split the tips between the four of you again -- no use in building up any bad will -- leaving you with $118 plus your $40 "salary." You take half today's money -- you had a bed, you had meals today, you're doing pretty well -- and give $25 each to three homeless men you see around.

You should probably take time to get a money belt or a safe or something.

Too bad you can't get a bank account without a social security number. Too bad you risk getting your parents' attention if you use your legal name or SSN.

You call Dodger next.

Where are you going to meet him?
[ ] Mt. Hope Cemetery
[ ] Cobbs Hill Park*
[ ] MLK Park**
[ ] Just outside the cafe
[ ] Write-in
* this is a nearby large park that always has people at it.
** this is where you were practicing flying the other day.

Just to be sure, you're actually going to show up, right?
[ ] Yes, of course
[ ] No way
[ ] Write-in