The Taste of Peaches (Worm AU)

[Mother Nyx]

Okay, so, I love this fic. But I am really getting legitimately angry about the way Taylor's dealing with the goddess thing. Like she's dealt with enough Parahuman's to know that no one gets powers like that and going off on Inari wins her no points either.

Danny is starting to grate as well.

 

[theaceoffire]

More fox women!

Interesting that Lisa has a latter start date than in canon... I think. Then Again, in the original story, Taylor spent time after triggering getting ready (yadda yadda) until the fight with Lung/meeting the fully formed Undersiders.

o.o Wonder if that means that Brian and Ratchel are under Coil's grasp yet or not.

 

[Valdimarian]

"I think," Inari said with a shake of her head and a smile, "that the word you are looking for is Hope, Taylor."

The room fell silent except for the TV as Taylor weighed the word and its meaning. "As cheesy as it sounds, you're right," She said after a bit, standing up. "Anyway, maybe this works for that, maybe it doesn't. I'll ask Glenn tomorrow. For now, let's get dad up and head for a shower. It's going to be a long day tomorrow."

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You know what means Hope and has a gem shape?

Spoiler: Kryptonian

The older Japanese woman examined her for a moment. "Hrm… You may call me Mrs. Nakamura. Please, follow me." With that, the strange cape turned and walked back into her shop through the steel backdoor. Lisa didn't dare not follow.

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No Relation?

Okay, so, I love this fic. But I am really getting legitimately angry about the way Taylor's dealing with the goddess thing. Like she's dealt with enough Parahuman's to know that no one gets powers like that and going off on Inari wins her no points either.

Danny is starting to grate as well.

Click to shrink...

In a world where Parahumans are a thing divinity is questionable and the less likely option than "Ran away with the Grab Bag of powers"

She's keeping an open mind and actually letting Inari convince her rather than holding her hands over her ears and singing "la la la I can't hear you".

Danny's just trying to protect her, honestly the only thing bugging me about him is that he didn't mention the spiffy Trident they found in the shark and ask if they'd let her test it yet.

 

[SCDarkSoul]

Okay, so, I love this fic. But I am really getting legitimately angry about the way Taylor's dealing with the goddess thing. Like she's dealt with enough Parahuman's to know that no one gets powers like that and going off on Inari wins her no points either.

Danny is starting to grate as well.

Click to shrink...

I'm with Taylor there. As Valdimarian said, in a world where Parahumans exist, Occam's Razor says you're probably just some sort of Trump rather than an actual god.

Given precedents set by other capes then, it is unlikely her "power" Inari is its own independent thinking being, so everybody else around her would attribute what she says to Taylor. In light of that, it no longer matters what Taylor thinks or not. If the "powers that be" around her start thinking that she's a megalomaniac with delusions of godhood and capable of causing giant hurricanes that isn't a good thing. People will start making plans to deal with her, and the more trigger-happy or control-freak types may follow through preemptively.

 

[the DragonBard]

I know you do. I think, if you do this right, twenty years from now my Granddaughter is going to be looking up to you the same way you look up to Alexandria or Miss Militia.

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Taylor gives him a weird look "Doctor Chamber is married?"

Danny's just trying to protect her, honestly the only thing bugging me about him is that he didn't mention the spiffy Trident they found in the shark and ask if they'd let her test it yet.

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He already told her about it, beyond that, probably figured it was up to Taylor.

 

[Yarrow]

You know what means Hope and has a gem shape?

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The Hope Diamond?

 

[Valdimarian]

The Hope Diamond?

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That's a Shaped Gem... also it's kinda cursed.

 

[Yarrow]

That's a Shaped Gem... also it's kinda cursed.

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Taylor has been shaped, as well. And anyone going up against her will be likely to experience sudden and severe misfortune.

So, it still seems especially fitting to me.

 

[Okibruez]

Okay, so, I love this fic. But I am really getting legitimately angry about the way Taylor's dealing with the goddess thing. Like she's dealt with enough Parahuman's to know that no one gets powers like that and going off on Inari wins her no points either.

Danny is starting to grate as well.

Click to shrink...

Going by this chapter, she's starting to believe she might not be entirely parahuman.

Danny freaking out makes some sense, even if it does annoy, as well. His entire world is being thrown upside down; first Taylor gains powers, and now she's finding out she can casually travel to different worlds where who knows what dangers exist. Worry is the sensible reaction.

 

[Caiuz]

Shadow in shape of canid. Moving shadows are tails. Count: Seven.

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The older Japanese woman examined her for a moment. "Hrm… You may call me Mrs. Nakamura. Please, follow me." With that, the strange cape turned and walked back into her shop through the steel backdoor. Lisa didn't dare not follow.

Click to shrink...

Oh boy. Taylors debut will shake up sooo many thing, also I wonder if Lisa will be "employ'd" by Mrs. Nakamura and granted some fluff as a sign of office.

 

[Mother Nyx]

I'm with Taylor there. As Valdimarian said, in a world where Parahumans exist, Occam's Razor says you're probably just some sort of Trump rather than an actual god.

Given precedents set by other capes then, it is unlikely her "power" Inari is its own independent thinking being, so everybody else around her would attribute what she says to Taylor. In light of that, it no longer matters what Taylor thinks or not. If the "powers that be" around her start thinking that she's a megalomaniac with delusions of godhood and capable of causing giant hurricanes that isn't a good thing. People will start making plans to deal with her, and the more trigger-happy or control-freak types may follow through preemptively.

Click to shrink...

Except, that entire opening scene with her eating the peach has not happened for literally anyone except for Taylor. If she doesn't believe now at this point and is passing it off as a fever dream or weird power mechanics, there is literally no logical argument that could convince her or anyone else of said divinity anyways.

If she shows them the realm they'll just pass it off as a new power and it's already shown that Taylor is willing to let what they say or think affect her in this area.

So, yeah. She opens the portal and goes there... then what? Even if she finds something else in there that can talk, she's just pulled out a new projection ala her Parahuman powers.

I just think the author has written themselves into a corner because this whole plot line relies on us believbig that Taylor is both stubborn enough to fight the idea of being a goddess from Inari gaslighting her with it all day, easily swayed enough to let outside perceptions let her think she is crazy for considering it, but somehow willing to accept it after she experiences something that is ALSO easily explainable as mortal Parahuman power.

 

[Tale Swapper]

Liking the way this story's going. I also like this 'closer to canon' take on Mr. Chambers; he gets a shit rap in a lot of Worm stories I read. Granted, he can still be an ass at times, but that's kind of his job since he's dealing with people who range from traumatized to sociopathic.

 

[blub01]

I think taylors thought process goes something like "having odd halucinations after being trapped in a locker with toxic waste that are corroborated by a projection created by my power is unlikely, but not impossible. becoming a deity is unlikely but not impossible. therefore, I'd like further evidence before deciding which explanation of events is the true one." after all, opening a portal into the exact place she saw in her vision (or trip, or whatever) when she's both physically or mentally healthy, without the events there actually occurring, is a lot less likely than having a hallucination while locked in a locker for hours, which is then used by a projection her power creates.

tl;dr going to the celestial plane is strong evidence that the events at the start of the story were not, in fact, a hallucination, and that inari isn't lying/believing something untrue.

 

[deathgeonous]

Ohh, interesting plot reveal at the end. I do so like.

 

[Blaflaix]

"I'll admit, not all of them are good ideas," He allowed.

'Not all' apparently meant 'nearly all', Taylor found.

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So they're nearly all good ideas?
That's great!

Taylor watched with mild amusement as the beast flailed about in a panic over a small cat hanging onto its face.

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Sounds like someone who's never had a cat hanging from their face.
It's surprisingly difficult to deal with.

Probably without strings.

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So yes, there are strings, but you just aren't perceptive enough to see them.

 

[Nightwing]

So, first off, super fluffy minions are arriving in town? Were already in town and are now acting? Looking forward to a reaction from Mrs. Nakamura when Taylor debuts. I have a feeling things are gonna be interesting.

Second: Yay more Fluffy!
Carpet liking.

 

[Lunaryon]

Except, that entire opening scene with her eating the peach has not happened for literally anyone except for Taylor. If she doesn't believe now at this point and is passing it off as a fever dream or weird power mechanics, there is literally no logical argument that could convince her or anyone else of said divinity anyways.

If she shows them the realm they'll just pass it off as a new power and it's already shown that Taylor is willing to let what they say or think affect her in this area.

So, yeah. She opens the portal and goes there... then what? Even if she finds something else in there that can talk, she's just pulled out a new projection ala her Parahuman powers.

I just think the author has written themselves into a corner because this whole plot line relies on us believbig that Taylor is both stubborn enough to fight the idea of being a goddess from Inari gaslighting her with it all day, easily swayed enough to let outside perceptions let her think she is crazy for considering it, but somehow willing to accept it after she experiences something that is ALSO easily explainable as mortal Parahuman power.

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...So uhh...

Just to throw a devil's advocate at you.

How do we know that the whole thing with eating the peach hasn't happened for other people.

It is a well known thing in the worm universe that Capes do not like to talk about what happened to them to get powers. And additionally no one seems to know anything about Trigger events, so it is entirely likely that every cape went to a strange other world and ate a peach.

 

[blub01]

it is common knowledge (or at least common-ish, I think) that people don't remember their trigger events, I believe. What they don't like to talk about it is the events that lead to their trigger event.

 

[PossiblyEnos]

You know what means Hope and has a gem shape?

Spoiler: Kryptonian

Click to shrink...

You know what else means hope?

No Relation?

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People with common names are capable of not being related to each other nor to fictional characters from completely unrelated franchises. Imagine that.

 

[Lorddarkrai2]

Looks like Lisa's got a SMUG fox looking out for her. There is no way Lisa just happened to get attacked behind her shop. The Kitsune was waiting them to use her back alley for that meeting.

 

[Gelasin]

Except, that entire opening scene with her eating the peach has not happened for literally anyone except for Taylor.

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this is Very True, and we as the audience knows this, but how would Taylor?? Capes Do Not Talk About Their Trigger. In a world without Gods, but filled with capes, having a weird power that comes with hallucinations is quite a bit more likely then becoming a Goddess.

 

[BBM]

I think taylors thought process goes something like "having odd halucinations after being trapped in a locker with toxic waste that are corroborated by a projection created by my power is unlikely, but not impossible. becoming a deity is unlikely but not impossible. therefore, I'd like further evidence before deciding which explanation of events is the true one." after all, opening a portal into the exact place she saw in her vision (or trip, or whatever) when she's both physically or mentally healthy, without the events there actually occurring, is a lot less likely than having a hallucination while locked in a locker for hours, which is then used by a projection her power creates.

tl;dr going to the celestial plane is strong evidence that the events at the start of the story were not, in fact, a hallucination, and that inari isn't lying/believing something untrue.

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It is not just about believing Inari, but also she is thinking about her reputation.
Eventually Taylor will come around and accept being a Goddess, but Inari should keep it to herself.

 

[The Sandman]

Well, without gods for now.

The question is whether Taylor will need to facilitate the ascension of the first new pantheon members herself, or if new deities will just start popping up now that it's possible for them to do so.

 

[jwolfe_beta]

An all new (and massive) chapter to react and comment on. The fluffy one spoils us.

"You have a plan for me," Taylor said pointedly, "What is it?"

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Glenn: "I've got a plan so cunning, you could put a tail on it and call it a fox!"

Spoiler: spoiled for length

National news? Just for signing up with the Wards?

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That is the stength of the Fluffy Tails(tm) you now possess Taylor.

'Give me six months and you would swear the angels were singing.'

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Wrong type of divinity there buddy.

Inari turned to look and shrugged after a moment. She swallowed. "I've seen gods wear less… Hell, I wore less at times," She said before returning to her food.

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Nakamura: "oh yes I could tell you stories dear. Working for lady Inari was many thing, but it was never boring."

Hell, maybe Vicky would want to celebrate by going shopping.

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They'd probably need to go to Parian for clothing that can properly fit considering Taylor's tails etc.

It was something other than straining her brain trying to break reality in some way or another.

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Taylor. you're a god. Breaking reality is something you are going to be doing on a daily basis so best get used to it.

Lunch was a nice BLT sandwich for Taylor and a plate of eggs and bacon for Inari, though afterwards, Taylor did have to wonder why the apple juice container was now empty.

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I see Taylor's situational awareness training has still not provided any results.

"Then I suggest you get used to it because this is amongst the easiest things I shall ever teach you,"

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"What's the next simpliest?"
"Basic hand to hand skills. Well basic for a god anyway."
"Such as....?"
"Well I can only teach you the way I was taught. Step one would be punching a river in half without using your domains."

Falling asleep she made a quiet vow to not mention this to Vicky. She'd never hear the end of it.

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You forgot to ensure Inari wouldn't tell Vicky if asked.

I gave the internet a poke a few days ago.

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And the amount of trolling on PHO incrased nine-fold before Dragon managed to kick her off.

Inari stared at it, then looked up at her. "Watching cartoons rotted your brain, didn't it?"

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What, is it a crystal heart or something?

"I think," Inari said with a shake of her head and a smile, "that the word you are looking for is Hope, Taylor."

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The very concept of this word is illegal in the Worm-verse.

Maybe ducking into an alleyway was a dumb idea after all.

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Yes, you tend to have a habit of having such ideas Lisa. Might want to work on that.

Lisa blinked as a short woman with long black straight hair wearing a dress and a frilly-pink apron with a hello-kitty picture in the center of it. She looked very disappointed.

Very disappointed. Was always there. Is fluffy. Shadows not moving naturally.

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Hello kitsune spirit. That apparently is a shopkeeper.

Fluffy? Well her power occasionally spat out bad results, but that seemed a little far off the mark even for that.

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Closer then you think.

Shadow in shape of canid. Moving shadows are tails. Count: Seven.

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If memeory serves, kitsune are always supposed to show the shadow of a fox when in human form. Also seven tails? We're definitely in Tenko or similar high-ranking kitsune territory.

Desires honesty.

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Yes, lying to a kitsune is not exactly the smartest move one might ever do.

Will not accept no. Is offering food and a room. Probably without strings.

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Yeah the strings will come later.

"Hrm… You may call me Mrs. Nakamura. Please, follow me."

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Nakamura huh?

Might it be a reference to this actor?

 

[Sleepyfoo]

I note that while Glenn isn't wrong, he is merely focusing on the least part of it. The PRT in Canon has never done anything productive to the status quo, only actively made it worse, or just left it as well, the status quo.

Hard to trust an organization that actively ineffective, even if the task they are appointed is massive.