Summoner Quest (Celestial Menagerie)

The place was ready. The stands had been cleaned, the gift shop stocked, and the popcorn machine was already working away as the gates were opened. The early crowd shuffled in under a sign reading 'Bayside Menagerie: Exotic Fun for All Ages!' Immediately astonished tourists came face-to-face with an excitable young plant-lizard whose hat and badge declared her 'Ticketmaster Aylamon'. Thoroughly disarmed by the power of her energetic adorableness, visitors paid for entry only to be taken away once more as a giant, rainbow-maned lion strolled out of a large tent positively exuding regal power. But before anyone could panic a strong voice rang out over the crowd. "Welcome! Welcome all of you, please do not mind Rainbow he means you no harm. He just wanted to say hello." At this the lion laid down on his side, his stomach to the gathering. Several children squirmed out of their parent's arms at the sight, rushing over to pet the big kitty.

Only when the purrs of the big cat sounded did the crowd relax and look to the voice. Off to the side stood a man dressed in archaic safari gear, the tan canvas and dark leathers contrasting with the unusual green and leafy appearance of his skin. "I am Naturalist." He introduced himself, "And I will be your host as we observe the wonderous creatures and phenomena that exist on this Earth and beyond." With a gesture and a smile the crowd was lead into the tent where rows of stands were placed overlooking the center. Naturalist, now standing atop Rainbow as he lumbered into the tent, made one last announcement before starting the show. "I would like to reassure you all. No matter what you may see be aware that no harm shall occur, either to you or the performers in question. We here in the Menagerie are fully trained and able to handle all manner of stunts. And with no further delay, LET THE SHOW BEGIN!"

The following acts were a breathtaking example of power and choreography. A red bat the size of a man performed aerial maneuvers around explosions of water shot by a floating jellyfish creature, each blast starting as a pulse of water before being detonated with the strike of a purple needle. Next was a magic show hosted by a small elf-like being. Naturalist was called in as an assistant by his own projection, and the two proceeded to dazzle the audience with conjuration, teleportation, and size manipulation. At the end Naturalist animated a table and the two rode off the stage for the next performance. And what a performance it was as varying creatures fantastic and mundane danced around a floating crystal whose light eased pain and injury. On and on it went, with Naturalist occasionally popping up to explain this or that facet of a creature's biology or the environment where they normally dwell. The final half hour of the show was the Petting Zoo as PHO dubbed it. Where the audience was free to pet and admire the various animals displayed so far, and some that hadn't been. Many children raced to pet the fluffiest of Naturalist's projections and the braver among their number climbed atop his dragon. All the while their parents took photos, many of which would be posted to social media to intrigue other potential visitors. By the time the two hours were up and the crowd headed out the gates, all could agree that their money had been well spent.

Alex signed as he worked his sore shoulders. His endurance was improving daily but the performances still took their toll on him. Not that he had any right to complain when the bulk of the work came from his partners. Still, he wished he could call it quits when the gates closed like the rest of the show crew. As manager his responsibilities extended beyond the stage to handling finances, legal, and negotiating with outside parties. "Naturalist." And here was one unfortunately familiar outside party; fantastic. Alex summoned the strength not to groan as he turned to face Armsmaster. "Armsmaster. Are you here to share some news or recent policy decision with the Menagerie?"

"I would like to extend an invitation to join the Protectorate- "

"So that's a no then." Alex interrupted, "I already gave my answer the first time you asked, repeating the question won't change that." Armsmaster stiffened, his evident dislike of the situation becoming more pronounced. "Naturalist, surely you are aware of the increased interest from the gangs. The Merchants have already made attempts on your 'establishment'. You have made a name for yourself and while it may help you gain publicity as a Rogue it also makes you a target they cannot ignore. See sense and join us as a Hero, the city needs people with power like yours."

"I have needs of my own Armsmaster, I stated them upfront when we first met. And how much help can the PRT really provide when they won't even forward a check for their employees?"

Perhaps Alex was being too confrontational, but in all honesty he was sick of the heavy-handed recruitment attempts. Ever since the full scope of his powers had come to light the PRT had been all but tripping over themselves trying to recover from that first disastrous first meeting with Armsmaster. Yet somehow, they never actually addressed the root issue.

"It is fully within the rights of the Protectorate to negotiate salaries for employed Parahumans." Stated the mustached Hero in front of him, "Furthermore, it is entirely reasonable that a new Parahuman with unconfirmed powers to start at minimum wage as dictated by regulation, regardless of any supposed growth they claim to possess." "In that case," growled Alex "I would consider it entirely reasonable for me to tell you to take your regulations and shove-!" "Um! Excuse me, I need to talk to Naturalist?" Alex forcefully unclenched his jaw as the voice of his only human employee intruded on the growing argument. "I will be right there Taylor. If you'll excuse me, Armsmaster." The Hero looked constipated but seemingly agreed, leaving without another word.

Meanwhile, Alex headed around the back of the tent with Taylor. There the two entered the rundown RV Alex had salvaged as an office. Taylor had made the place her own in the few weeks she had been working. The girl had been a godsend when it came to accounting and logistics. Apparently, her father organized the Dockworker's Union and as his daughter she managed to osmose some of his ability. Alex did not know much more about her home life beyond that, she seemed reluctant to talk on it and a grown man pushing a teenage girl for personal details was, well, he wasn't going to do that enough said. "Thanks for the save. I might have actually punched him this time." Taylor looked between mortified and proud at the compliment. "You can't punch a Hero! But, uh, you're welcome." Alex shook his head. "Yeah, I know, but it's just – did I ever tell you why I didn't join the Protectorate?"

"I think it was because they tried to cheat you on your paycheck?" She seemed upset by that, as expected of a Union girl. "Basically yeah. A few days before I triggered my family got saddled with debt from a relative." Damn uncle Mel's gambling and damn him again for dumping his debt on a single mother working a low-paying job. "I asked the Protectorate for help paying it off. I figured they could send me my next few checks in advance and I would work the next month or so without pay. I mean they're Heros right? They help people." Alex could tell he was starting to ramble; this was the first time he had really talked about his problem to someone and all his feelings were spilling out. "They said no. Didn't even believe me when I said I was a growing Cape. Heck, I think Armsmaster sneered at me when I said that. My mo – family," Alex tried to cover for his slip-up but the sharpening of Taylor's frown told him he failed, "needed more than what they were offering so I became a Rogue. Maybe it's selfish, but that's what it is." Alex punctuated his statement with a shrug. The mild guilt at his avoiding heroism grew lesser with time, especially after he managed to catch Mush when the Merchants tried peddling to his crowds. That the PRT failed to keep hold of Mush only increased his distaste for the organization.

"Family is important, there's nothing wrong with wanting to be there for your mom." Taylor's words felt laced with hidden emotion, some personal pain. They also demonstrated a lack of social discretion given his attempt at vagary. Alex avoided commenting on both counts. "Well, enough heavy stuff. Hit me with the mail." "Right." Taylor's tone made it clear the previous discussion wouldn't be forgotten. "Well, first Parian sent a message that the payment went through and the next doll shipment should be on time." Toy Summoning was a fantastic power for a Rogue, but its limitations kept it from meeting demand. The business arrangement between the Menagerie and Parian maintained the gift shop's stock. "Also, we got another five emails from Void Cowboy threatening to 'expose us to the PRT' if you don't 'use your biotinkering to make me a super-macho Blaster/Brute'. His words not mine."

"I thought Tin Mother was blocking his messages. Whatever, pass."

"Most of the rest is fan mail but there was another request by the PRT to evaluate our merchandise for 'potential threats to the public.'" Taylor was getting really good at pronouncing quotations, Alex thought to himself. Outwardly he huffed. "I'll handle the PRT. Nothing's changed with our stock beyond the quantity we're churning out. We are in the clear and they know it." Using Material Extraction to fill the gift shop had seemed like a brilliant idea when Alex was starting his Rogue career. And to be fair it had generated considerable profit from researchers and Cape-enthusiasts alike. But the number of bureaucratic hoops he had had to jump through to get permission to sell to the public was obnoxious. It was actually easier to sell extracted 'tinkertech' from his mechanical partners to licensed companies, who Alex swore were copying the extradimensional technology wholesale. The latest Samsung camera bore way too much resemblance to Spider-bot for coincidence.

Focusing back on the present, Alex looked towards Taylor. More specifically the fly he had orbiting near her. "Moving on. I have something I need to talk to you about. Please, take a seat." Despite the clear alarm his words evoked, the teenager moved to sit on a padded folding chair. Alex pulled up his own across from her. "I don't really know how to say this," Alex cringed at his own awkwardness, "but ever since you came here, I have been noticing a lot less bugs around the place."

"That's probably just the weather!" Alex could tell by her wincing that Taylor hadn't meant to shout. "Sorry. But yeah, bugs get sleepy and hidden when it's cold out. It's still winter, really. Remember how it felt last Tuesday?" Taylor forcefully clamped her mouth shut as she started to ramble. "Taylor I know you have powers." Alex decided to rip the band aid off before the cumulative social ineptitude between them reached critical mass. "I felt you trying to master my Partners." The girl looked ready to argue for a second before collapsing into a guilty expression. "I left the smart ones alone…" she mumbled. Alex nodded. "And they and I both appreciate that."

Taylor's restraint in not affecting his sapient Partners played a large role in his decision to come out to her. Some nudging attempts from the beginning of her employment made it clear that she could, but once fully introduced to the crew all master effects had stayed limited to simple-minded animals. It was enough of a hint into her morals for Alex to be comfortable confronting her like this. "Can you give me your Cape name?" Because Alex had no clue who the alter ego of the girl before him was. A new vigilante or hero would be his guess.

Surprisingly, Taylor only slumped at his question. "I haven't gone out yet." Alex blinked at her answer. She really was new, wasn't she? Before he could move on the girl seemed to pull herself together. "What are you going to do now that you know I'm a Cape?" "Honestly? My answer was going to be based on if you were a hero or a vigilante. Didn't really plan on what to do if you hadn't started, um, Capeing, I guess you could say?" Taylor blinked. "You didn't think I was a villain? Or a rogue scoping the competition?" The tone of her voice implied suspicion, but there was something underneath it that gave Alex pause. "No, never! Taylor, I know we haven't spent that long together, but you never seemed like a bad person. You've been a dedicated, respectful assistant the entire time I've known you. The only reason I asked about you being a Cape is because I thought you could use some help."

That was definitely wariness in the young girl's eyes now.

"Are you trying to recruit me?"

"I mean, you already work for me. I pay you every two weeks." Alex shrugged. "If you're asking if I want you for your powers then the answer is no. I can already order my insectoid partners without your help and I wasn't looking for more Parahumans anyway. Heck, you're the one who came looking for a job." Taylor didn't exactly flinch at the reminder but it was a close thing. "I didn't want to make things weird between us, but I respect you enough to admit to knowing your secret. We can try to pretend this never happened and go back to the way things were before. I just thought maybe there was something you needed my help with." After all, why else would a teenage Cape join up with the Menagerie if they did not need something? Besides the money that is.

Alex grew concerned at the naked shock on his employee's face. Her response to his offer of aid painted her previous statements in new colors. It took a few seconds for the girl in front of him to regain her mental footing. "I was trying to make a costume." Taylor's voice spoke quickly, as if her mouth was racing to get ahead of her brain. "I saw how you could produce bits of your partners' bodies and that you had giant bugs with powers and I was already working on a spider-silk suit so I thought I could buy materials from you to work with."

"Woah, breathe Taylor. It's ok. In fact," Alex reassured, "I would be happy to help you make a suit. Honestly it would be a load off my mind if I knew you had some decent armor." The incredulousness radiated off Taylor like light from the sun. Alex grew increasingly concerned by the reaction the girl was having to the mere thought of being given aid. He could think of a few reasons for it, none of them good.

"By the way, how are we going to tell your dad I know about your powers?" Alex had only met Mr. Hebert once when setting up Taylor's employment. The older man had proven himself a caring and determined father, initially worried for his daughter's safety and not afraid to face Naturalist head-on. It was honestly more Taylor's nagging that swayed him than Alex's promises. This time Taylor really did flinch. "You didn't tell your father did you." Alex's tone was flat as he deadpanned at the teen. He really should have expected this. Taylor would have hidden her employment from her father if he hadn't pressed the issue; the girl's stubborn independence was too much sometimes. "Well come on then." Alex stood from his seat. "Let's go get him. Oh, and Taylor?" Alex removed the Theme from himself as he extended a hand. "My name is Alex Crewser. Nice to meet you."