Lullaby of Freedom
Kkutlord
Prince of Breath
- Location
- Indianapolis, Indiana
A/N: Well, guess its time for me to work on that modern follow-up @Lunaryon and everyone.
Still, the fact it actually happened, it almost felt too good to be real. Even as Miriam(?) removed the trackers from the four of them, that incessant little part of her kept trying to insist this was some dream.
"We know dreams, we can confirm this isn't one Mother." She had always made a point to keep Lullaby a secret, so the fact she no longer had to hide Lullaby from everyone made her really happy.
Just being free was wonderful, the seven of them might be an odd group sure... but they're family, "We're literally your blood", that's all she really needed. Yet... with the power she and Lullaby share, doing nothing felt... wrong...
There was Erdin, tinkering away with the Azure- 'Just because we escaped once, does not mean we should become complacent.' Honestly, it sounded nice, traveling the country instead of immediately setting roots.
Ophelia was the same as always, mostly lingering by Erdin's side. Honestly, she wasn't sure how much Ophelia actually understood of what Erdin does, she doesn't.... though, Miriam might...
From what she could tell with Circe, the slightly younger girl was putting together a proper Hero Costume. Hmm, if T.G.R.I didn't happen, Circe probably would of ended up a Cape...
Miriam was something of the 'odd one out', what with apparently being the 5th Silencer. That should of meant being the most naïve of them, yet somehow she was more knowledgeable and skilled than most adults.
"They can read brains they make contact with, Mother." There was also that, Lullaby was very insistent that 'Miriam' is actually multiple individuals.
Honestly, she doesn't really mind that, if anything it would be a plus- Lullaby getting to have a peer, and having someone who would understand her relationship with Lullaby due to having something similar?
It was all nice, really... but she still didn't know what to do herself... She didn't like the idea of hurting people, and their 'webbing' didn't conduct their powers as well as direct contact. They couldn't just web people in place, especially since the bio-energies had to specifically be drained into themselves... "It certainly would be helpful if it would just leak out."
Each of them, well she wasn't sure about Miriam, aren't 'miniature armies' in power. "Well, ordinary people wouldn't stand a chance..." Sure, there was that, but the seven of them are much more likely to face Capes than some armed militia.
There's no such thing as a Lone Cape- either they're someone who hasn't been recruited to some larger organization yet... or someone whose luck hasn't run out. "Logically, Lone Capes could probably last a while, so long as nothing challenging comes their way."
Point is, picking a fight with one Cape runs the risk of not staying that way. With that in mind, the thought of going out and fighting bad guys left her feeling nervous... why did it always have to be violence? Tinkers are a thing, so clearly powers can be used for more productive things. "It really depends on the power, Mother. Moving things at range? Useful. Causing everything nearby to wilt? Not so much."
She just... didn't like the idea that 'having powers' meant having some built-in gun that's only good for causing harm. Back when she lived at shelters, everyone did what they could to help each other- nobody else would, most of the time... "Couldn't we do that Mother? Help those no one else would?"
... Well, she understood there were suppose to be laws regulating the usage of powers, but... what was the point of pretending the seven of them don't? They can help people, that should be the most important thing about powers... "We are our own masters now, Mother- no more strings."
Glancing around their little hideout, everyone was busy with something anyways- well, Ophelia was watching Erdin at work and she couldn't spot Miriam anyway. She could linger here, sure, but... they don't really need her help. This place doesn't even seem to have much Parahuman activity, so it should be fine anyways.
Without a sound, as always, she slipped out unnoticed. She wasn't sure how she would actually introduce herself as a 'Parahuman' without being blatant about it, nor did it seem like a good idea running around as 'one'. "Perhaps we can start with one of those shelter things, Mother?"
Honestly, it does upset her somewhat to admit, but yeah... the kind of people that rely on shelters probably couldn't afford legal medical assistance without getting into serious debt. Panacea can't be everywhere... "Probably for the best, it must be awful- Eve explained that even regular medical workers suffered higher rates of depression and other mental ailments. What must it be like for a superhuman doctor?"
Oh, yeah no, that's genuinely horrifying- and doesn't Panacea live in Brockton Bay? From what she could remember, that Hookwolf guy alone is probably a shoe-in for the Slaughterhouse 9; having to deal with White Supremacists, Asian Supremacists, and Drug Dealers? There's probably some pressing medical emergency every minute there.
"In our opinion, nobody should be surprised if she ends up snapping one day." It is truly awful, but yeah... glancing around, she couldn't help stilling for a moment. She knew the seven of them were more focused on getting away from T.G.R.I and making sure they weren't being tailed, but this place felt... vaguely familiar...
"We would not know, we do not have perfect recollection of your memories." Well, she supposes it doesn't really matter, they're eventually going to leave this place and continue their journey. She just wants to do what she can before then, so hopefully she can figure out how to... convince the... local shelter...
"Mother, are you alright? ... Oh, we see." She... never imagined she'd ever be here again. What would of happened if she got to stay? No, she shouldn't think like that, for one Lullaby wouldn't exist and they're her daughter... what kind of terrible person tries to seriously consider a world where their child never existed?
"It has been years, we would not worry about running into anyone." Perhaps, logically things must of changed a lot... finally stepping into the building, outwardly not much has changed, she wasn't sure they ever renovated the place. For a moment, she could almost get lost in the memories... "S-Serena!?"
Wait, she was pretty sure nobody ever cried out her name like that... "Is that really you!?" Feeling a mental nudge from Lullaby, Serena finally turned- and stopped, eyes taking in the sight. Miss Reagan looked the same as ever, the older woman cautiously approaching her. "What happened? We tried telling the police, the PRT, anyone who would listen- but all they said was they had to 'properly investigate' if your disappearance was Parahuman-related or not, we were pretty certain they completely forgot about it. Are you okay?"
This was one of those moments she truly lamented the fact she couldn't speak normally, but before she could do much of anything Miss Reagan was already holding her in a hug. "I refused to give up on you, but there was barely anything I could do. With everything that's been happening lately, I really hoped you weren't taken by those thugs..."
Thugs? "We would certainly call T.G.R.I such, but we do not believe that's what she is referring to." The older woman sniffles, before pulling back and resting her hands on Serena's shoulders. "S-sorry, this must be so much... Honestly, I'm not fully sure what's happening, but something's awful going on. People have been disappearing, and others have been... suffering... but do the Police care? No, because nobody 'actually important' has been affected."
Miss Reagan gently shakes her head, before resuming the hug. "Sorry, sorry, you're home and that's the first good news I've received these past few months. It was difficult keeping your things intact, b-but I'm sure everyone else will be happy to see you've come back." She wished that was actually true, she could remember Miss Reagan always being so nice and friendly to the kids like herself...
But she couldn't abandon everyone, she already found her home and family... "May we speak Mother?" On one hand, she should probably say no, but on the other... she couldn't tolerate that all these people in need were being exploited, being ignored because they weren't 'important.' What kind of hero would ignore such an obvious problem?
Thus, 'she' spoke- "S... sor... ry..." Miss Reagan looked completely confused, but Lullaby kept speaking. "C-c-can we... h-help?" Still, Miss Reagan seemed confused about what was going on, before Lullaby started walking- with Miss Reagan calling out from behind. "Serena, wait!" Indeed, things didn't seem all that different from before, it didn't take every long to find the people.
Immediately, she could see the problem. "At least it does not seem Merchant related." That didn't do much to reassure her honestly, this was unacceptable regardless- as a result, she wasn't sure if it was herself or Lullaby, but regardless they made a beeline straight to the nearest person she could tossing in their sleep.
Placing a hand over the side of their face, she watched intently- she could feel Lullaby at work, and soon the person below them began to sleep peacefully. "W-what did you do?" Glancing back towards Miss Reagan, she couldn't blame Miss Reagan- what she did was not normal, at best she either developed some strange quirks or... "Is dealing with a Parahuman of unknown ability."
Yeah, ideally she would of preferred being more subtle about it, but... these people gave her a home when she needed one, they didn't deserve being treated like this. Silently gesturing towards the next sleeping person she could see, Serena did her best to plead with her eyes. Finally, Miss Reagan sighed.
"It's not like the Heroes care, what am I supposed to do? Spends months, if not years, just to collect enough money for a single visit from Panacea? These people can't wait that long..." Serena wished she could sigh too, it would of been nice if she could of done this 'legally', but Miss Reagan is right- these people can't wait that long...
----
A/N: Realistically, things like this already happen- a world that has superhumans? Yeah, anything that's not "Hero Lass attacks Villain Man's family jewels" is probably flying under the radar.
Seriously, far as I can tell, Worm is more "The Good Guys Don't Win" with mild "Superhuman Celebrity" elements. Might as well be some weird Lighter But Edgier version of The Boys, far as I'm concerned.
Look at Panacea, is it any surprise she ended up snapping in canon? I'm more amazed she didn't make a Vicki Conversion plague or something, a regular doctor probably would of went full Bio-Terrorist if they had even a fraction of Amy's power.
So yeah, the 1st Arc for the Freed Silencers- dealing with a city's slowly growing drug epidemic. People focus so much on Righteous Face Punching, I'd prefer something fresher than just more of that.
Also, no, Eliza/Eve is not trans and deliberately doesn't have a Preferred Name- Eliza/Eve is a woman (13-year-old girl) of many names and identities, if they're giving you a Name they specifically want you to think that's their 'Real' Name to further dissociate their various persona from each other.
Lullaby of Freedom
----
Honestly, she was still kind of having a hard time processing the fact that... they were all free, genuinely free. Ever since she met Lullaby so long ago, part of her really did try to cling to that hope.----
Still, the fact it actually happened, it almost felt too good to be real. Even as Miriam(?) removed the trackers from the four of them, that incessant little part of her kept trying to insist this was some dream.
"We know dreams, we can confirm this isn't one Mother." She had always made a point to keep Lullaby a secret, so the fact she no longer had to hide Lullaby from everyone made her really happy.
Just being free was wonderful, the seven of them might be an odd group sure... but they're family, "We're literally your blood", that's all she really needed. Yet... with the power she and Lullaby share, doing nothing felt... wrong...
There was Erdin, tinkering away with the Azure- 'Just because we escaped once, does not mean we should become complacent.' Honestly, it sounded nice, traveling the country instead of immediately setting roots.
Ophelia was the same as always, mostly lingering by Erdin's side. Honestly, she wasn't sure how much Ophelia actually understood of what Erdin does, she doesn't.... though, Miriam might...
From what she could tell with Circe, the slightly younger girl was putting together a proper Hero Costume. Hmm, if T.G.R.I didn't happen, Circe probably would of ended up a Cape...
Miriam was something of the 'odd one out', what with apparently being the 5th Silencer. That should of meant being the most naïve of them, yet somehow she was more knowledgeable and skilled than most adults.
"They can read brains they make contact with, Mother." There was also that, Lullaby was very insistent that 'Miriam' is actually multiple individuals.
Honestly, she doesn't really mind that, if anything it would be a plus- Lullaby getting to have a peer, and having someone who would understand her relationship with Lullaby due to having something similar?
It was all nice, really... but she still didn't know what to do herself... She didn't like the idea of hurting people, and their 'webbing' didn't conduct their powers as well as direct contact. They couldn't just web people in place, especially since the bio-energies had to specifically be drained into themselves... "It certainly would be helpful if it would just leak out."
Each of them, well she wasn't sure about Miriam, aren't 'miniature armies' in power. "Well, ordinary people wouldn't stand a chance..." Sure, there was that, but the seven of them are much more likely to face Capes than some armed militia.
There's no such thing as a Lone Cape- either they're someone who hasn't been recruited to some larger organization yet... or someone whose luck hasn't run out. "Logically, Lone Capes could probably last a while, so long as nothing challenging comes their way."
Point is, picking a fight with one Cape runs the risk of not staying that way. With that in mind, the thought of going out and fighting bad guys left her feeling nervous... why did it always have to be violence? Tinkers are a thing, so clearly powers can be used for more productive things. "It really depends on the power, Mother. Moving things at range? Useful. Causing everything nearby to wilt? Not so much."
She just... didn't like the idea that 'having powers' meant having some built-in gun that's only good for causing harm. Back when she lived at shelters, everyone did what they could to help each other- nobody else would, most of the time... "Couldn't we do that Mother? Help those no one else would?"
... Well, she understood there were suppose to be laws regulating the usage of powers, but... what was the point of pretending the seven of them don't? They can help people, that should be the most important thing about powers... "We are our own masters now, Mother- no more strings."
Glancing around their little hideout, everyone was busy with something anyways- well, Ophelia was watching Erdin at work and she couldn't spot Miriam anyway. She could linger here, sure, but... they don't really need her help. This place doesn't even seem to have much Parahuman activity, so it should be fine anyways.
Without a sound, as always, she slipped out unnoticed. She wasn't sure how she would actually introduce herself as a 'Parahuman' without being blatant about it, nor did it seem like a good idea running around as 'one'. "Perhaps we can start with one of those shelter things, Mother?"
Honestly, it does upset her somewhat to admit, but yeah... the kind of people that rely on shelters probably couldn't afford legal medical assistance without getting into serious debt. Panacea can't be everywhere... "Probably for the best, it must be awful- Eve explained that even regular medical workers suffered higher rates of depression and other mental ailments. What must it be like for a superhuman doctor?"
Oh, yeah no, that's genuinely horrifying- and doesn't Panacea live in Brockton Bay? From what she could remember, that Hookwolf guy alone is probably a shoe-in for the Slaughterhouse 9; having to deal with White Supremacists, Asian Supremacists, and Drug Dealers? There's probably some pressing medical emergency every minute there.
"In our opinion, nobody should be surprised if she ends up snapping one day." It is truly awful, but yeah... glancing around, she couldn't help stilling for a moment. She knew the seven of them were more focused on getting away from T.G.R.I and making sure they weren't being tailed, but this place felt... vaguely familiar...
"We would not know, we do not have perfect recollection of your memories." Well, she supposes it doesn't really matter, they're eventually going to leave this place and continue their journey. She just wants to do what she can before then, so hopefully she can figure out how to... convince the... local shelter...
"Mother, are you alright? ... Oh, we see." She... never imagined she'd ever be here again. What would of happened if she got to stay? No, she shouldn't think like that, for one Lullaby wouldn't exist and they're her daughter... what kind of terrible person tries to seriously consider a world where their child never existed?
"It has been years, we would not worry about running into anyone." Perhaps, logically things must of changed a lot... finally stepping into the building, outwardly not much has changed, she wasn't sure they ever renovated the place. For a moment, she could almost get lost in the memories... "S-Serena!?"
Wait, she was pretty sure nobody ever cried out her name like that... "Is that really you!?" Feeling a mental nudge from Lullaby, Serena finally turned- and stopped, eyes taking in the sight. Miss Reagan looked the same as ever, the older woman cautiously approaching her. "What happened? We tried telling the police, the PRT, anyone who would listen- but all they said was they had to 'properly investigate' if your disappearance was Parahuman-related or not, we were pretty certain they completely forgot about it. Are you okay?"
This was one of those moments she truly lamented the fact she couldn't speak normally, but before she could do much of anything Miss Reagan was already holding her in a hug. "I refused to give up on you, but there was barely anything I could do. With everything that's been happening lately, I really hoped you weren't taken by those thugs..."
Thugs? "We would certainly call T.G.R.I such, but we do not believe that's what she is referring to." The older woman sniffles, before pulling back and resting her hands on Serena's shoulders. "S-sorry, this must be so much... Honestly, I'm not fully sure what's happening, but something's awful going on. People have been disappearing, and others have been... suffering... but do the Police care? No, because nobody 'actually important' has been affected."
Miss Reagan gently shakes her head, before resuming the hug. "Sorry, sorry, you're home and that's the first good news I've received these past few months. It was difficult keeping your things intact, b-but I'm sure everyone else will be happy to see you've come back." She wished that was actually true, she could remember Miss Reagan always being so nice and friendly to the kids like herself...
But she couldn't abandon everyone, she already found her home and family... "May we speak Mother?" On one hand, she should probably say no, but on the other... she couldn't tolerate that all these people in need were being exploited, being ignored because they weren't 'important.' What kind of hero would ignore such an obvious problem?
Thus, 'she' spoke- "S... sor... ry..." Miss Reagan looked completely confused, but Lullaby kept speaking. "C-c-can we... h-help?" Still, Miss Reagan seemed confused about what was going on, before Lullaby started walking- with Miss Reagan calling out from behind. "Serena, wait!" Indeed, things didn't seem all that different from before, it didn't take every long to find the people.
Immediately, she could see the problem. "At least it does not seem Merchant related." That didn't do much to reassure her honestly, this was unacceptable regardless- as a result, she wasn't sure if it was herself or Lullaby, but regardless they made a beeline straight to the nearest person she could tossing in their sleep.
Placing a hand over the side of their face, she watched intently- she could feel Lullaby at work, and soon the person below them began to sleep peacefully. "W-what did you do?" Glancing back towards Miss Reagan, she couldn't blame Miss Reagan- what she did was not normal, at best she either developed some strange quirks or... "Is dealing with a Parahuman of unknown ability."
Yeah, ideally she would of preferred being more subtle about it, but... these people gave her a home when she needed one, they didn't deserve being treated like this. Silently gesturing towards the next sleeping person she could see, Serena did her best to plead with her eyes. Finally, Miss Reagan sighed.
"It's not like the Heroes care, what am I supposed to do? Spends months, if not years, just to collect enough money for a single visit from Panacea? These people can't wait that long..." Serena wished she could sigh too, it would of been nice if she could of done this 'legally', but Miss Reagan is right- these people can't wait that long...
----
A/N: Realistically, things like this already happen- a world that has superhumans? Yeah, anything that's not "Hero Lass attacks Villain Man's family jewels" is probably flying under the radar.
Seriously, far as I can tell, Worm is more "The Good Guys Don't Win" with mild "Superhuman Celebrity" elements. Might as well be some weird Lighter But Edgier version of The Boys, far as I'm concerned.
Look at Panacea, is it any surprise she ended up snapping in canon? I'm more amazed she didn't make a Vicki Conversion plague or something, a regular doctor probably would of went full Bio-Terrorist if they had even a fraction of Amy's power.
So yeah, the 1st Arc for the Freed Silencers- dealing with a city's slowly growing drug epidemic. People focus so much on Righteous Face Punching, I'd prefer something fresher than just more of that.
Also, no, Eliza/Eve is not trans and deliberately doesn't have a Preferred Name- Eliza/Eve is a woman (13-year-old girl) of many names and identities, if they're giving you a Name they specifically want you to think that's their 'Real' Name to further dissociate their various persona from each other.
