Danny II
Danny read the next question on the form, 'Do you give permission for your child to Participate in Endbringer defenses?', when a tone sounded, followed by the light above the door blinking. That's a solid 'No', he thought, checking the box with perhaps a bit too much force, before he looked up to see Stormborn had entered the room.
"Ah, Stormborn," Commander Calvert greeted her, "welcome back. Still in one piece, I hope?" Danny and his daughter, still wearing that cre-e-eative mask, he supressed a shiver, watched as the girl walked up to review the television screen, then began pacing in front of it.
"I swear, that woman may be one of the most unpleasant individuals I've ever met who doesn't actually own people." She stopped, and covered her mouth as she yawned. Looking around to see three sets of eyes watching her, she apologized. "I am sorry, it is simply…" she paused again.
Danny suppressed a yawn. He winced internally as he imagined the directors response upon being awoken to the news that not only was Lung gone, but three much larger dragons had arrived to take his place. And one smaller one.
"No need to apologize," Calvert spoke up quickly, "it's been a long night for all of us, I expect. There should be some coffee somewhere in here," he gave the room a glance before pointing, "if you find it would help."
"Well," Danny spoke up, "it would sure help me. I wish someone had pointed that out hours ago." He put the paperwork on the pile, stood, and walked over to the table along the wall. Looking around, he finally saw a cheap coffee maker behind a large box of muffins. Looks brand new, he thought, and reached for the pot.
"Is she really that bad?", his daughter asked from behind him. Crap, cold, he thought, feeling the glass. Probably here before I was. He grabbed a cardboard cup. Nothing for it.
"If I took her meaning, she threatened my dragons, unless I would use them against her enemies. Was I mistaken?" Stormborn looked between them.
"Not entirely," the commander answered. "At the moment, I expect she's looking for reassurance that you won't use them on any more of her enemies. At least, not without our permission." I wouldn't mind such reassurance either, to be frank, Danny thought as he retook his seat.
"The city is truly as unstable as she suggested?" Stormborn asked, from beneath furrowed brows.
"If not moreso. Lung was the leader of the Azn Bad Boyz, one of the two strongest parahuman gangs vying for control of this city. The other gang styles themselves the Empire Eighty Eight, and under their current leader Kaiser, they're not going pass up the opportunity you've given them," Calvert explained.
Danny sighed, she has to understand, and elaborated himself, "and then there's the minor gangs, like the Merchants, who will take whatever leavings they can. And under all of them are the smaller players and independent villains, like Uber and Leet," he continued, before taking a sip of his coffee. Not too small to afford luring some of his own to hench for them, the thought bitter as the brew. "Probably no one for you to worry about, though," nodding towards the screen.
Stormborn still didn't get it. "Your city is full of gangs who would break your laws so openly? If what you told me of your fighting strength is true, how is it you haven't driven them from your land already?"
"What would you suggest?" Calvert raised an eyebrow her way. "Fire and blood?"
"If that is what it takes, then yes," the girl decreed. The Bay's seen enough of that, these past years, Danny thought, downing the last of the cup, and his daughter apparently agreed.
"Some of us have to live here, you know," Taylor spoke up. "I want the gangs gone as bad as anyone, but even Alexandria can't beat everyone. Or, there wouldn't be a city left afterward, if she did."
"Fine," Stormborn said, "than don't fight them in the city. Don't fight them at all. A dagger in the dark can do what armies cannot. Send your Arms Master after them, in the night, alone. Even the usurpers brother was capable of that much."
"That would be breaking the rules," Calvert told her. Looking to Danny and his daughter, "you might have wondered, for example, why we haven't simply followed Purity home and apprehended her while she slept?"
"Yeah!" Taylor said. "I did. I even think that maybe if I could get some of my bugs on them…" The coffee sat like lead in Danny's gut. One more reason she needs proper supervision.
"Taylor, it is very, very good you didn't do that." She looked at him, and her fierce mask with it's frozen expression tilted slightly when he spoke. A paper cup clenched in his fist, he looked towards the PRT commander. "Something to do with Marquis, right? And New Wave?"
"Yes," Calvert nodded, "those are probably the most publicized cases from this city, but far from the only ones. Simply put, the parahuman community generally makes a distinction between cape identities, and civilian, or 'secret', identities. When you take off the mask, there's an expectation of anonymity, of safety." Please, Taylor, listen to him. "If you hunt someone all the time you can make them desperate, so that they feel cornered, afraid even for their friends or family. And if they no longer have a home, or anything to lose…"
"I see," Stormborn said, and it sounded to Danny as if she did. "Without a part to play in the city, they would feel no loss burning it to the ground. You said these were rules," the dragon cape pointed out. "They are not laws?"
"Well, they are rules for villains," the commander said, "and infamously unwritten ones, at that. The PRT generally restrains from forcing such dangerous situations. Which isn't to say we'd ignore information if someone handed it over on a silver platter." Don't get any ideas. "And as you can imagine, we don't spend much resources on the crimes villains commit between themselves, compared to those against the public, except where such conflict appears likely to escalate." Danny wished that they would, and hoped Taylor would have better luck at pushing change than he did.
Calvert went on, "most villains are smart enough to avoid breaking them even so, though. Doing so makes others desperate in turn, and being ostracized from the community is a genuine risk." Stormborn nodded. "So unless they see a reward worth the risk, or possess the power to ignore repercussions, the rules are more or less abided by." Which is exactly why she needs backup.
"No," the man continued, leaning forward, "laws are for heroes, such as our newest ward here, Dragonfly." Tay-Dragonfly set up straighter at that. "Were you to share her identity without approval, you could face prosecution, perhaps even imprisonment. Strictly speaking, you shouldn't even know her identity, not without at least an NDA."
Stormborn looked about to speak up before he went on, "but as she told you herself, and did so before joining the wards, it's something of an exemption. At least until your particular case is settled." He sat up a bit, leaning back. "We do take our heroes identities very seriously. For instance, they're not even required to share them with their teammates. Though everyone has signed all the forms, and it's not always avoidable, we do endeavor to keep unmasking strictly voluntary."
Dragonfly looked thoughtful at that. Or her shoulders did, if he could still read her under that costume of hers. At least she'll be able to ease in, and make friends at her own pace.
"So that is why all your sorcerers disguise themselves. I did ask…" the silver haired girl looked at his daughter.
"Capes," Dragonfly corrected, and Danny smiled. "Maybe you're right about the magic and everything," though she didn't sound convinced, "you're not the only hero who thinks that." And the girl's as theatrical as Myrddin too, he thought, at least if the Protectorate Pals depiction was anything to go by. "But we're called capes. You're even wearing one!"
Stormborns lip curled, and her eyes gleamed, "yes, I am, aren't I? I had wondered at that, as I seemed to be the only one who was." She leaned back before continuing, "so perhaps you people do have something to hide. I can understand, in a way. I spent much too long wearing floppy ears of my own." 'Floppy ears'?, Danny wondered, but she went on.
"I'm not sure the rules apply to me, though. I am not one of your wards," Dragonfly sat up straight, "nor am I a villain. I know no one in this world," she stared at the wall beyond them, "I have no friends, no family and what petty enemies I may have made here do not cause me fear."
"Don't be so sure," Danny tried to council her. Someone needed to. "You got here somehow, right? If anyone here is able to open a, a," he stumbled for the word, "door. A door to your world," he guessed, "Earthos-"
"We've been calling Stormborn's homeworld 'Earth Dalet' for now," Calvert broke in.
"Earth Dalet, then." Better name, anyways. "If we can send you back, then it's not out of the question that others might follow the same path, right?", he asked her.
"No," she answered hesitantly. "Though I'm not even sure such a path exists. No one I've met thus far appears eager to assist me in finding it, or even in granting me the simplest of tools that I may search myself."
"What do you need?", Dragonfly volunteered.
"To start? Dragonglass," came the answer. "Your people know it as obsidian. Twice now have I made the request, and I was told some time ago you were working on it." Looking towards Calvert, "with your horseless carriages, I expected better."
"Cars, we call them," the commander explained. "And I do wish to apologize if there's been a delay with any requests. Paperwork waits for no man, unfortunately," he said, tapping the piles of forms layering the table as he stood. Danny knew that – it was his handwriting on most of the forms. "In fact, I'll go see if any of our inspectors may have held anything up. The caution is understandable, but I see no harm in allowing a simple piece of stone."
"You have my thanks," Stormborn inclined her head, "that would be most helpful."
"I'll be back in a moment then," he promised while he left the room, and its occupants, in silence.
Danny's daughter shifted in her seat, before she ventured, "you're not joining the wards?"
The other girl looked at her, "I wish to return home. That does not appear to be a wish that will be granted today, so I must come to some sort of terms. However, your people must know that a dragon is not a servant."
He was proud when Taylor followed up, her mouth motoring like he hadn't seen in years. "Isn't that what heroes do? Like, protect and serve? If you're a queen, you serve your people, right?"
The dragon queen was watching her with interest. "I haven't heard it worded quite so before, but that's not far from the truth. A queen serves for her people, perhaps." A wry smile came across her face, as if she'd just remembered something. "I serve the realm. But I am not it's servant."
"Okay," she accepted, though Danny was unsure of the distinction. "But how can you best serve here? Now?"
"By returning to my people," Stormborn stated. "They are about to enter a war for their very survival, and I cannot protect them whilst I sit here, awaiting answers."
"But think of what you could take back, if you just stayed here a little while." Danny agreed, the girl had a lot to learn. "If cars and lightbulbs are magic to you, and you've never even tasted ice cream, and you don't even know how seasons work-"
"This place fascinates me," Stormborn interrupted, gesturing to the television, "and it may be that I should return for a time, once I've retaken my throne, to learn your arts. But not until. I will not lose my path again," she finished thoughtfully.
"But you have to-"
"Tay-Dragonf…" Danny stumbled. "Taylor, sweetie, would you please take off the mask?
"Oh, uhm, okay?", she reached behind her head, and began to peel back the silk, revealing a mess of dark curls.
"It would make me feel more comfortable as well," Stormborn admitted. "I believe I now see the reasons, but that doesn't mean I do not find them… unsettling."
"Right. Okay. Taylor. Stormborn. Daenerys?," he looked her way, and after a slow nod, "Daenerys might not be with us for long. But!," he spoke before she could interrupt, "I agree that it wouldn't hurt for her to learn at least something of our ways before she leaves." A foreign policy or criminal code beyond 'fire and blood', for starters.
"I admit," Daenerys smiled as she grabbed a plate housing a frosted cinnamon roll nearly as large from a side table, "I would find it delightful if you could tell me what went into making treats such as this."
Taylor gave a small laugh, and picked up a doughnut to nibble at.
"Careful now," he warned his daughter, "with all the sugar you've eaten tonight, you'll have to brush your teeth twice when we get home." He knew he would, the coffee still bitter in his dry mouth.
"Dad! That's not how it works!", she informed him, and he just smiled.
Daenerys seemed confused. "Why would your teeth need brushing?" Two sets of eyes behind lenses stared at her, and Danny thought she'd never looked younger. She gestured at Taylor and explained, "I could see why your hair might, but-"
A chime sounded, and the light above the door flashed. His daughter kept eating her doughnut.
"Not going to put on your mask again?", he asked her, though he was grateful.
"No need!" she told him. "It's just Commander Calvert." At a look, "what? I put a fly on him so I'd know when he got back. I got the idea from what he was saying." Danny took a breath.
"You mean from how he was saying you shouldn't do that?"
"He said not to do it to villains! And he's not a villain, so there." She had him there, Danny admitted. And if she left it there, she might be okay, he hoped.
A few second later, she was proven right, as Calvert walked into the room carrying a purple cloth bag that clinked lightly with his steps. As he took a seat, he unfastened the black string binding the top, and poured shards of black stone out onto the table. They were a variety of sizes, from the size of Danny's hand to that of his fingernail, and they shone in the reflected fluorescent light.
"Was this what you requested?", Calvert asked.
"Yes," Daenerys said, quickly licking the frosting from her fingers before wiping them on the tablecloth. "You have my thanks."
She examined the array before her, eventually picking a sharp shard not much larger than his thumb. Then she looked around, grabbed a bowl still sticky with the remnants of the ice cream it held, and set it before her. Finally, she glanced at the other occupants at the table, who were all watching her.
"Do not be alarmed," Daenerys warned them, before she used the shard to draw a cut into her left thumb. Danny felt queasy at the sight of a girl as young a Taylor bleeding herself, as he watched her began to squeeze droplets of blood onto the stone, mostly covering the bottom half, with stray drips of red falling into the bowl below. When she deemed it sufficient, she held the bloodied part in a closed fist, and spoke.
She spoke so softly, he could scarcely hear the whispers, and though he couldn't make out the words, they sounded foreign, repetitive. Whatever she was attempting, she succeeded after only a few tries, and the candle came alight. It burned within her grasp with a ghostly-pale blue-white flame, whose shadows flickered lightly in a non-existent wind that sent chills down his spine. If this is how her powers work, Danny thought, she could be forgiven for calling them magic.
"Marwin, mage hen dāria, rȳbagon nyke", Daenerys said to the flame, in a language he couldn't understand. Like something out of Tolkien. She tried again, louder. "Urnēptre nyke, Marwin, mage hen dāria", though he could see no changes in the otherworldly fire. She looked aside briefly to the screen showing her dragons at rest, one twitched slightly, before turning back to the stone.
"Urnēptre nyke, se jelmāzma", she spoke a third time, and this time, Danny could've sworn he saw something in the flickers. Something falling, like ash, or snow, or perhaps a light drizzle, cast in a beam of light. He couldn't tell what, and it was gone almost as quickly as it appeared, when she dropped the stone into the bowl and the flame went out.
"Did it work?", Taylor asked breathlessly.
Daenerys looked at the black and red in the bowl before her. "No," she told them. Without meeting their eyes, Danny noticed, seeing a bit of Taylor in moment. "I shall need to try again. Mayhaps with a larger piece, when I am better rested." She looked up to the commander, "am I free to keep these?", motioning to the stones obscuring the paperwork with one hand, while sucking the blood off the thumb of her other.
"Yes, you can. Consider them a gift from the PRT ENE," he told her, and she began returning them to the bag. "Although we would appreciate it if you informed us before attempting to use any. And I know Armsmaster would be very interested in knowing how you did whatever it was you just did." Danny remembered what Stormborn had told them of magic, that way madness lie, and after what he'd just seen, he thought he agreed,
"Just as I would be interested in knowing more of this gateway between worlds he has spoken of," she told them. "But your director did not appear to give the idea much thought," she looked to Calvert for an answer.
"That's probably because she can't get approval for that, not with the various national and international laws in place. At least, not by herself." The commander leaned back, as he explained. "She has done well in holding this city from further decline, but her policies haven't made her as many friends higher up the chain. So when it comes to the resources devoted to the Bay, she's less likely to see increased funding, compared to other regions. And the prospect of jumping on a sinking ship doesn't appeal to a lot of capes, at least not those without a particular drive."
Danny could sympathize, "that sounds a lot like what we see at the union, to be honest. If the walls are shrinking, just trying to hold on to what you have is going to rub a lot of people the wrong way." Mayors of all stripes had declined his proposals for years.
"Should I not go to her overlord then?" Daenerys asked. That had seldom worked well for him, he thought.
"You could," Commander Calvert admitted, "but there's no guarantee you would find a better reception with them. Some of our directors are more likely to shoot first," he nodded towards the TV, "and investigate later. And the farther up the chain you go, the more likely the matter is to be decided by committee." She didn't look as if the idea appealed to her, and Danny agreed. "The Chief Director is likely to be sympathetic, but her region of interest is on the other side of the continent, which could put you some distance away, on the off chance your fleet were to somehow follow you here."
Nether of the girls looked happy at the prospect. "Your warrior woman, Miss Militia. She said the people of the land make the laws here. I am unsure as to her meaning, but could I not appeal to the people myself?"
Danny wasn't sure that was the greatest of ideas, given the last young girl the public saw proclaim herself a magic queen. Granted, her reign of fire and blood seemed limited to her Earth, but he knew something of public relations… Fortunately, Calvert fielded the question.
"That might have been a bit of a simplification. It would be more accurate to say that the lawmakers are selected by the people. And when it comes to larger-than-life dangerous individuals, who don't make a show of playing by their rules, there's a sentiment known as Not In My Back Yard."
The commander then threw her a question, "tell me. Were the people of your Earth happy at the idea of your children," holding a hand out towards the monitor, "roaming the same backyards as their children?"
"They were not," she admitted, but didn't back down. "But it is not the place of the smallfolk to make demands of the dragon." Yes, Danny could see how such an appeal might go.
"Perhaps not in your world," he told her, "but in this world some of those smallfolk could level large sections of the city by themselves. There are flying blasters who could probably outrun and outrange your dragons, on both sides of the law. Even where you come from, they're not entirely invulnerable, are they?" She didn't answer, looking towards him and his daughter instead.
"Dragons are awesome!" Taylor assured her, before conceding "but, in a fight, I'd bet on Alexandria any day." When the look didn't change, "I mean, I saw what you did to Lung, but she fights all the Endbringers, all the time. We wouldn't stand a chance. And this place isn't all bad… we have the best tinker in the Protectorate! If anyone can get you home, Armsmaster can."
"Ms. Hebert is right on that score," Calvert confirmed. "The only other heroic tinker who might stand a better chance is Dragon. She has a global mandate though, given her work with The Guild, meaning less time to devote to any single project. And since she's known to collaborate with our lead tinker on a regular basis..."
The pitch continued, "and given the cape density of the city, the PRT is known to be somewhat more flexible in their response. You're flying to war, and have made no promises we won't be involved, or even that you'll follow our laws while you're here. But we can give materials, sustenance and accommodation to you and yours. Or allowing access to books and outside individuals, in spite of the ongoing quarantine. Not all of whom see us in the best of lights, unless I miss my guess?" the commander looked towards Danny.
"You could do better," he agreed. "If two teenage girls can do what the Protectorate has failed to for years…"
"Most of that is in her interest," Daenerys pointed out. "As is attempting to place herself as my liege. That did not end well for the last women who tried, and at least they showed a proper respect to my dragons. Can you tell me why this one seemed incapable of even that?"
"Ah, well," Calvert admitted, "the director and I do have something of a history with unusual animals."
"History?"
"Yes. We both served on another case, years ago, where we faced some unusual, and rather formidable, animals controlled by a madman. Ellisberg is some years behind us now, but-"
"You fought Nilbog?," Taylor asked. Danny wouldn't have known either. Perhaps he should show a little more respect to this apparent pencil pusher.
"Who is Nilbog?"
"The Goblin King," his daughter answered. "He, uh, made a bunch of monsters," looking towards Daenerys, "or something! I'm not sure what, exactly. But he killed everyone and took over the town and declared himself king. And even the Protectorate couldn't stop him, so now it's just like one of those walled off cities where no one can go, like Madison."
"Vaes Tolorro," Daenerys muttered. "So your director was there. That might be the response, if I don't play your game? By your rules?"
The commander hedged, "well, matters might be different if there was a permanent portal open between our worlds. As it is, diplomatic policy with Earth Aleph is tricky enough, and that's something the suits have struggled for years with. Even now, the portal remains in the hands of the PRT. If you're unable to even 'phone home', as it were…" he looked to her. The dragon cape shook her head.
"Then, in the meantime, given your powers, you're liable to remain under parahuman jurisdiction. That of the PRT. Which also means you're unlikely to receive official diplomatic recognition, or the immunities that might grant. To be honest, in their eyes you're something of a stateless shipwreck."
She countered, "I have recognized lesser claims. The Tattered Prince is allowed his title, though Pentos is held in the grip of a traitorous cheesemonger."
"But even that is on your Earth, and regardless of its leader, you do presumably recognize the existence of Pentos." A nod. "The land you claim to have arrived from wasn't even known to us, until this morning. I'm afraid that unless the goings on of Dalet come to directly impact events here, a lot of individuals are going to conveniently pretend it doesn't exist. Or at least act in that manner, if not officially."
Daenerys sighed, appearing as tired as he about the formalities. "Commander Calvert, all I wish is to return home…" she trailed off. "Mr. Hebert, Taylor," she addressed them. "Do you believe that end would be best served by taking on the titles they demand? Of 'citizen', and 'ward'? Do they speak truly of a ward not being a prisoner? I have played along with this 'quarantine' because these walls," she motioned, "are nothing to my dragons. But I have seen some of this worlds magic…"
"Yes! You have to join!" Taylor told her. "You can't be a villain, and the ABB will be after you, and you could work directly with Armsmaster, or Kid Win to get home."
"I think Taylor's right," Danny added. Seeing Daenerys face twist, "the gangs aren't something to underestimate, and the heroes will be a lot more likely to work with you if you return the favor. I really do think this is your best chance," he knew she could certainly use some guidance. "And the Bay could always use more heroes."
"What, exactly, are you asking of me, to wear these titles?", she asked, and Calvert answered.
"Today? Little more than a brief public appearance to reassure the city. There would be a few matters to address first, though. For instance, bringing you into our law is complicated by the fact that you've yet to reach the age of legal majority in this nation."
"I am a woman, grown and flowered. I have nursed three children, burned two husbands, and conquered a realm to rival any in the known world. Not many still call me 'girl'," the dragon queen reminded them. Burned two husbands? What has this girl- woman, been through?
"Nevertheless," Calvert reminded her, "you still aren't yet 18. And while you may be adept at navigating your own world, you will have significant catching up to do before juvenile emancipation is a prospect here." Man has a point, Danny remembered her questions about brushing teeth, and horseless carriages.
"This will mean appointing a legal guardian to cosign with you on legal matters. When it comes to your cape persona, Stormborn, someone from the PRT is likely to be assigned. It's your civilian identity that might not be so simple," he explained.
"You wish to give me a 'secret' identity?", she seemed amused.
Calvert nodded, "unless you want to attract attention wherever you go, and we've already explained how that can be dangerous. You've never walked among the 'smallfolk'?"
"Not I. At least, not unknown to them. Though, I wouldn't be the first dragon to disguise my scales. My grandfather, Aegon V, was known to have done so." It seemed as though the idea had some appeal to her. Danny could see how, since she already seemed to live a life of stories. And it didn't sound like a fairy tale, he considered. "What purpose would this 'guardian' serve? Besides satisfying your legal fictions."
"Part of finding you a guardian is finding you better accommodations than this hanger," the commanders wave encompassed the walls.
Daenerys frowned, "I had thought that if I was bedding down in this world, I would be granted rooms atop the glowing tower."
Danny stifled a chuckle, Taylor smiled, and Calvert responded wanly, "that's not terribly likely," he admitted. "Even if Armsmaster wouldn't have a fit about housing people near the shield generators, the tower is the Protectorate Headquarters for the East-North-East region. Usually wards would serve under the local Protectorate, but due to our directors proactive stance when it comes to jurisdictional squabbles, the team is currently based out of the PRT HQ."
"So I would be staying with them?"
"Possibly," he told her. "It's likely if you accepted you would be moved to more secure Master/Stranger quarantine, or possibly the wards dormitories. Until we could find a civilian to cosign, you would be in effect a ward of the state."
Taylor looked at him. No, he thought to her. She glared at him.
"Of course, we would work on finding you a foster family as soon as possible," Calvert told Daenerys. Taylor was raising her eyebrows at him now. We can't. "And there's no shortage of good people out there willing to provide homes for our brave wards."
"What about Alan?", Danny preempted his daughter with a more reasonable suggestion, when she seemed about to speak.
"NO!" Taylor yelled, startling him and Daenerys both. "No! She can't- this can't be-"
She broke off quickly, seeing all attention on her. Then she stated plainly, "She saved my life, dad."
"Taylor," Danny wanted to explain. It wasn't that he wasn't grateful. He couldn't handle one daughter, let alone two. "We can't afford-"
"The wards program does provide-", Calvert.
"Wait, I'm not certain-", Daenerys.
"What would mom do?", his daughter asked him, and for a second, Danny's anger reared its head. And then it was washed away just as swiftly by a flood of shame. Because he knew what Annette would do.
Annette, who had joined a group of women's activists, not just to protest, but to fight back directly against injustices like spousal abuse and sex trafficking. A girl widowed twice before adulthood. Annette, who had married a true and blue unionist, not in spite of his working-income workers-first ethic, but because of it. I serve the realm. Annette, who had let struggling students crash on their couch from time to time, before Taylor arrived. And a teenager without a place to call home.
Yes, he knew. I was never as good as you, Anne. I can only try… and so try he would.
"Okay."
Calvert hesitated, "well. If you're certain, it could be-"
"Yes," Danny said. "I am." He'd known he had to do more for Taylor. Once high school started. Once she was hospitalized. Once he heard her walk out into the night. If he couldn't step up for her, he may as well quit now, and he wasn't the quitting type. And if he was capable… I have to be.
"If you're willing to sign for Daenerys wards and citizenship papers…" the commander began trying to organize the mess of sheets before them. "Since your daughter is joining the wards, that means my case concerning her is over. I have temporary authority to sign on Stormborns case on behalf of the PRT, though, and we'll need to go over them with her, but…" more shuffling of paper.
"There is one other matter when it comes to citizenship. Constitutional law requires relinquishing foreign titles of royalty." The dragon queen looked about to speak before Calvert went on, "but only Daenerys Stormborn, daughter of House Targaryen has such a claim." Giving her a look, "and since we're not likely recognize her, what would you say to Dany Tarrigan, newly arrived parahuman immigrant to Brockton?"
Daenerys laughed, lowly, "this is beginning to sound more like the tale of the bastard Young Griff, than that of my ancestor Egg. And only family has ever called me Dany." Looking at her dragons, "and not for years at that…"
"Well," Danny spoke up, "if it makes you feel better, you can call me Danny if you want." Daenerys looked at him. "It's short for Daniel. And just to clarify, I'm not actually a lord."
She smiled at him, "I didn't think you were. It was meant as a sign of respect, to the man who fathered such a remarkable daughter." Danny wasn't sure he could feel more proud of Taylor tonight, but seeing her turn red behind her hair made him feel even more shame, for he knew he wasn't the one due praise. "If I can call you Danny, then, under the circumstances, I would wish you and her feel free to call me Dany as well."
"And my dragons?" Dany asked of the PRT commander.
"Will be well provided for, and well guarded." His eyes turned towards the image of the sleeping giants, gently smoking. "If you can keep them from preying on the population, we can keep curious cape fanatics out of their designated enclosure."
"And I would have access, at all times," she stated. "If I do not, they are more than likely seek me out. Viserion especially."
"Then we could label such as a requirement of your powers. As I said before," Calvert reiterated, "we've dealt with some fairly flexible accommodations in this city before."
"This all sounds like more than I should need for a short stay here.," Dany stated. "But I can do it, for the time being, in the interests of peace," the word sounded bitter from her tongue. "Know this, all this power you claim over me, on these papers," she lifted and dropped a stack from the table, "you would not find it so easy to force upon me. You cannot chain a dragon by ink any more than by iron. I know something of prophecy, and I am not fated to die in this strange land."
"Of course," Calvert allowed. "And if once returned to your dragons, you wanted to simply, say, fly away, there's little we could do to hold you." Dany's face lifted at the suggestion. "At least, not without a fight, which I don't think anyone here wants."
"And in the meantime," Danny added, "I can start working with lawyers. If we can get some outside representation on your side, it's possible we could force them into acting sooner to send you home." He wasn't sure about that, but it was something. "Or at least, they'll be able to put the brakes on anything you don't want, maybe long enough it ceases to be an issue." That sounded more accurate.
"So then," Calvert asked, "have we reached a tentative agreement?"
Dany nodded. "For the time being, we have. Until I steal some sleep, and learn more of this world. I will put on a show to calm the masses, you will provide me with safe harbor and the necessary supplies, as well as temporary protection." Smiling, "It is a shame you do not hold the title of Director, Commander Calvert, I do believe you would be better suited to the role. If ever I can assist you in that…"
He laughed, light and brief, "let's not get ahead of ourselves. Director Piggot has a rather impressive record, and I imagine there's quite a bit more to add before she decides to give it up. And, if the blinking on my phone has been any indicator, she wants to know if you're ready to make the announcement."
"Right now?" Danny asked. "Isn't that a bit fast?"
"It is," he told them, "but there are procedures in place for same-day-admittance. Usually for special circumstances, such as a villain who needs official protection, or sometimes with Case 53s. And since we've been basing some of our current efforts on that framework…"
"If it will ease your people, and assist my return to mine own, then," sighing, "I can don floppy ears once more." With a pointed look, "for a time."
"Excellent. Then that leaves one last thing-", everyone looked at him. "We need to find you a mask."
