Eventually, everything wound down. Colonel Jorgensen and Captain Robert's men made short work of any remaining terrorists in the area, with only a modest amount of collateral damage. Seeing military uniforms took the fight out of the attackers, and spaces that were cleared and secured were quickly put back to their proper uses.
Naurelin, Panacea, Glory Girl, and Flechette were all sitting around a table at one of the eateries inside the Peachtree hotel, poking at an early breakfast.
"I haven't had anything like this happen since the last time March was chasing me around the south end of Manhattan," Flechette said, with a weird kind of tired enthusiasm. "We both made a mess out of a couple of blocks."
"You're part of a cluster Trigger, aren't you?" Panacea asked. "I'm assuming you had the kiss/kill effect in full force."
"Oh gods, yes," Flechette groaned. "Not coming from me, but March was basically going psycho from it. I never knew when a patrol would turn into another attempt on my life. Still, she's been quiet since last June."
"What happened?" Glory Girl asked. "I'd heard something went down, but very few details."
"I happened," a new voice interrupted. Legend was walking up to them, having just arrived. "Flechette was on a joint Protectorate / Wards patrol, and March made an attempt. It ended quickly, but it didn't end well for her."
Flechette nodded. "Hey, Boss."
"Don't call me that, please," Legend griped good naturedly.
"It could be worse," Naurelin added. "Someone on PHO going by MerryNightWanderer dubbed Legend 'Mr. Foot.'"
"Yeah, it's a good thing the Boss is a nice guy," Flechette said. "PHO ran with it for a while."
Legend shook his head and smiled. "Anyway, business. I'm here to check on all of you, make sure everything is OK, and whether or not you wish to continue."
Naurelin leaned back in her chair. "Everything is not OK," she grumbled. "I just hope the local idiots have gotten things out of their system." She sighed before taking a drink of her coffee. "OK or not, I'll stay. Panacea and I appear to be their target, and it's probably better to not make any sudden moves."
"Yeah, about that," Legend said nervously. "Eidolon's currently having words with the group's leadership and sponsors, as are several Villain groups that Panacea's healed during and after Endbringer battles. I happen to agree with Director Diggers, as does the Chief Director: It's open season on Humanity First. It should be official on Tuesday morning, when the Department of Justice opens."
"I'm all for continuing," Flechette added. "If anything I can keep my eyes open for any other attempts."
Amy and Vicky nodded in agreement.
"We'll stay the course, sir," Naurelin said. "There's little on the schedule today, though I do want to see how Ms McCaffrey is doing after the exciting goings on."
"Ah, Naurelin, there you are," one of the convention staff said. "We were wondering if you were OK?"
"I'm unharmed," Naurelin admitted. "I was more curious about Anne and Gigi."
"They survived the night," the staffer acknowledged. "They both wanted to talk to you. They wouldn't say what had happened, but apparently something did.
"The convention should be getting underway here shortly," the staffer continued. "Don't be surprised if a CNN news crew wants to try to interview you before you leave on Monday."
"I'll have to do my level best to avoid that," Naurelin grumbled. "I'm not in the mood for spin doctors and talking heads."
"In which case," Legend interjected, "I'll handle it on your behalf. They're more likely to believe me when I tell them you're not available."
"He's the Boss for a reason," Flechette stated, an impish grin on her face.
"One of the many drawbacks of the job," Legend added. "And don't call me 'Boss.'"
"OK, Mr. Foot," Flechette snickered.
At least Naurelin, Panacea, and Glory Girl had the good sense not to chuckle.
= = = = - - - - = = = =
"I really don't have time for this," a young, fairly attractive goth girl stated as she walked into the convention spaces.
"As far as I know," her companion serenely stated, "you are everywhere, at every moment in time. So you're saying you don't have the time?"
"Oh all right," Death pouted. "I'll walk around a bit, but I really do have to focus on work after that."
Mystra nodded. "As do I. Elminster said he wanted to visit this place. Hopefully, he won't get mistaken for someone else again and cause all sorts of shenanigans with the natives. It took a bit of delicate work to straighten that mess out."
The pair continued walking around, occasionally chatting or having a picture taken by the attendees.
- - - - = = = = - - - -
Kenta continued walking down the road, currently carrying his new charge as she slept. Tsukiko was younger than Takara was. She was tiny compared to his daughter, and so very, very lost in a very dangerous world. She hadn't spoken to him at all since he'd rescued her from the Oni that had waylaid her parents, and that had been two days prior.
The best word to describe her was pale; nearly white skin, silvery-white hair, pale gray eyes, and even a small fox tail to match her hair color. She ate and drank when offered food or water, tugged at the sleeve of his simple
kosode when she needed to attend to natural functions. Otherwise, she either walked at his side or, when tired, rode piggy-back. To him, she weighed as much as moonlight did.
Those times they stopped to sleep, she just leaned into his side as he sat against a tree, a small fire to keep them warm and to cook some food. She would quietly cry for a time, then finally fall asleep.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
"Whatever am I to do with you," he mused aloud one evening as they actually stayed in a
ryokan in
Hiwasa-cho. It offered some comfort and security after the rough trek over the mountain roads from
Enmeiji-cho. The money he'd gotten for thrashing some low-life thugs who gave bandits a bad name had allowed them the small luxury of shelter and food for the evening. And a bath, for him and the girl.
That was worth it, even if everyone saw his tattoos and scars.
He had indulged in a cup of
sake before retiring to their small room. The accommodations were rough, but they had a roof over their head and a futon to sleep on. Tsukiko was already out, curled up on the futon. He leaned back, his head resting on the pillow, and closed his eyes.
One of the lessons he'd learned at the hands of Sun Wukong was to be alert, even while asleep. The lessons had often been painful, since it would typically involve a
bo staff. So when the door began to quietly slide open, he was immediately awake and had grabbed the walking stick he'd been using.
A long, thin leg was pushing the door open, followed by the delicate hands of a woman, whose head soon peered around the door.
"Come with me, stranger," she said, her voice touching something deep within Kenta. "Surely a night of pleasure won't distract you from your journey?"
The face and voice had been from one of the whores who'd plied their trade in the common room.
"As I said before," Kenta replied, "I am not interested."
"Surely one such as I can satisfy your desires," the voice cooed, calling to his needs and urges as a man. The door opened more, revealing the
yōkai, a
jorōgumo, in the moonlight on the
engawa.
"Again, I am not interested," Kenta replied.
"Then I shall take the girl…" The
yōkai never got a chance to finish the sentence as Kenta's hand was now around her throat. She had never seen him move. In one instant, he had been reclining on the futon, the next standing in front of her, his hand around her throat and slowly lifting her off the ground.
"You will do no such thing," he stated. "If you understand this, nod."
Very reluctantly, the
jorōgumo nodded.
"You will now leave. If you understand this, nod."
Again, the slow, reluctant nod.
He lowered the
yōkai back to the floor and released his grip.
She scuttled off into the night, her hands gently massaging her throat.
= = = = - - - - = = = =
Naurelin was soon back in the Dragon's Lair, along with the rest of the Protectorate contingent. Eventually, people began trickling in, asking various questions of the Heroes at the booth. Cheetah and Arsenal were conspicuous by their absence, but she'd known they had a very busy night and a barbecue to prepare for.
Legend had, true to his word, intercepted Fox Donner and her cameraman before they could track her down and interrogate, err, interview her in the finest of journalistic traditions – hoping she would insert all four rather sizable feet into her mouth and generally make a fool of herself the world over. That left just the fans to meet and greet.
"Good morning, Naurelin," Lieutenant Potter greeted. With him was his young wife Natsumi and his daughter Kenshou.
"Glad to see you survived the festivities last night," she replied. "What a mess."
"I agree. Haven't seen anything that messed up for a while," Harry agreed. "Still, there were no fatalities, so that's good?"
"That depends on your definition of good," Natsumi groused. "I still didn't get enough sleep, and it's nearly noon."
"Mou, I asked if you wanted to forget if you were tired," Kenshou said, "but you said no."
"There are certain things the body needs to do," Natsumi explained to the girl. "Recovering your
ki is one of them. Yes, you could make me forget I was tired, and I'd physically be fine. Spiritually, that would be a different story."
"Anyway," Harry interrupted, "We'll be leaving this afternoon, and since your schedule says you won't be here, we thought we'd say our goodbyes." He held out a hand.
"I hope you enjoyed your stay, Mr. Potter," Naurelin replied as she gave the offered hand a careful shake. "I'm sorry things got a bit out of control last night, but that's par for the course when dragons get involved."
"It had its high points, I'm sure," Harry agreed with a laugh.
"I could've dealt with less excitement," Natsumi grumped. "Still, you can't have everything."
A few more bits of smalltalk and goodbyes were exchanged, and soon, the visitors from afar had moved on. It didn't take long before Anne's daughter, Gigi, came over to the table.
"If you've got a moment," she said, "we're wondering if you could talk for a bit?"
"Sure," Naurelin said. "I've got some time before I'm expected at the Diggers' BBQ." She turned back to Flechette. "I'm stepping out, don't know how long it will take."
The very junior Protectorate member waved casually in her direction. "Gotcha. Have fun!"
"I hope she didn't just accidentally curse me or something," Naureln grumbled as she walked back to the green room with Gigi.
"I'd say things couldn't get any stranger," her companion stated, "but as I'm learning, it can always get stranger when you Capes get involved."
"All too true. That goes for dragons, too."
