Wolf Spider (Worm) (Complete)

[T_of_A]

I wonder, did people see the small Alert and ignore it?

Click to shrink...

Start the next chapter with a small note.

 

[Lenimentus]

I wonder, did people see the small Alert and ignore it?

Click to shrink...

Yes, I did, until just now. I rarely follow threads closely, only popping in every once in a while to see what people are chatting about, and there are plenty of people who don't even do that. I agree that a note at the beginning of next chapter is probably a good idea.

 

[The Laurent]

Rabid 4-A (Text Version)

A/N: Please scroll one back, all who read this, and read it as it should be read. This is just a text log of it, the actual, vibrant and well-received Interlude is waiting back, in actual Html/etc format.



Behemoth Attacks Brockton Bay!

Brockton Bay, the once thriving port city, and current epicenter of biomedical research, was attacked earlier today from 10:23 to 11:46. Thanks to previously classified technology, the Heroes had forewarning of where the attack would strike, and were thus able to prepare far better for the assault, which hit large areas of the city, including the business districts, and several biomedical facilities.

Behemoth was kept from many of the residential areas by the heroic efforts of the defenders of Brockton Bay, who managed to hold him off in order to evacuate every single shelter within his path.

But the cost of this action was great, and the scars will be felt for months to come. Lost in the fighting were many heroes, including Armsmaster and Assault of the Brockton Bay Protectorate, Narwhal of Canada's Guild, and Revel of the Chicago Protectorate.

Legend was quoted as having said, "We are grateful for all who fought, hero and villain, to help save Brockton Bay."

Congress is currently debating a bill to allocate funding for Brockton Bay, but there is drama in the house, which seems to mean that the bill won't be passed until next week, at the earliest.

A memorial will be created for the event, and unveiled within a week. The sculptor in charge of making it, Ferdinand Bascone, said that he would be working on the plans of the late Enrique Smith, whose death in the Canberra Endbringer attack last year has still been shaking the art world.

Colin Wallis, Armsmaster, Leader of Protectorate ENE and Innovator, Dead at 41

Colin Wallis, 41, better known as Armsmaster died last Thursday, the 26th, fighting Behemoth to protect Brockton Bay.

Known most of all for his leadership of the local Protectorate, he was beloved by many, a hero whose face and visage were well-known, and the effects of his deeds are still being felt to this day. Most recently, sources have indicated that he was behind the warning system that managed to catch both Leviathan and Behemoth an hour ahead of their attacks.

Dragon, asked for comments online, said that, "His death is a tragedy, and I always had good working relations with him. In his name, and for the good of the world, I'll continue his monitoring program in the hopes that it might save others."

Friends and family remember Colin as a driven, reclusive man, who threw everything he had into protecting the city he loved. "He sacrificed everything," Miss Militia is quoted as having said.

Colin Wallis is survived by a mother and an older sister, who both declined to comment.


Welcome to the Parahumans Online Message Boards
June 4th, 2011


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■


♦Topic: A New Cape In Town??
In: Boards ► Places ► America ► Brockton Bay

Omen (Original Poster) (Power Guru)

Posted on April 16, 2011:

You know the deal by now. We have evidence of a new cape showing up, though not a lot of it at this point. We don't know their cape name, and we have only guesses at their power, but we do have an eyewitness who saw at least the start of the fight.

Facts:

The girl wears some sort of spooky villain costume, but it has this blue patch on the back with a picture of a spider on it.

She seemed to be doing something with bugs. Controlling them? (Edit: Confirmed.)

She was seen working with noted Undersider cape Hellhound.

The target? An E88 dog-fighting ring.

TheOnlyWordzzz

Replied on April 16, 2011:

Fuck that bitch! She wrecked everything. She and that weird bug girl. She's vicious.

Edit: No! It isn't offensive or against the rules. I'm talking about Bitch, the cape. Shut up on calling me sexist, you PC police.


WagTheDog

Replied on April 16, 2011:

So they were definitely working together? Against the Neo-Nazis? That sounds awesome! Did anyone else see it? Her power involves controlling bugs, right? That doesn't sound very impressive, really, but maybe I'm missing something?


DayLeader

Replied on April 16, 2011:

Are you crazy? What if she can control bees, my god?! It'd be deadly. Could easily kill someone. I bet she's a new Undersider because they wanted more offensive muscle, in order to kill a bunch of people with bugs. It's what makes sense. It's what I'd do if I had bug powers. That and buzz flies in people's ears.

She's definitely a villain.

JustASec

Replied on April 16, 2011:

We can't know that for sure. The E88 are a bunch of racists, especially OnlyWordzzz up there. Fourteen letters? You're not even being subtle. This new cape doesn't matter that much, but seeing a bunch of nazis whining that they didn't get to abuse dogs just makes me angry.


WagTheDog

Replied on April 16, 2011:

Hellhound has always shown hostility towards those who abuse innocent animals.


JustASec

Replied on April 16, 2011:

And no compassion towards humans at all. We get it, you're a fangirl. You wanna kiss her and stuff. But focusing on the new cape, I think that it could be more powerful than you think. It depends on whether or not she needs line of sight to control the bugs, doesn't' it? If she doesn't, then it could serve as a short-range scanner for enemies. I doubt the range is much, but who knows? We need to take in everything and think about this.


DarkValley

Replied on April 16, 2011:

About what? Honestly, she should have gone further with the bugs, considering the targets. I wonder, can her bugs… actually, nevermind. Don't want to skirt too close to that limit, but it gives me ideas.

WagTheDog

Replied on April 16, 2011:

That stuff is just creepy, @DarkValley. Writing stories about real people, that's just… wrong.


DarkValley

Replied on April 16, 2011:

If any of them complain, I'd happily take it down. They're just harmless. Btw, those who are looking, there's another one up.


End of Page. 1, 2, 3 ... 10, 11, 12
TheOnlyWordzzz

Replied on April 22, 2011:

It's just sleeping! That's all it refers to. I'm sleeping, so I put a zzz, that's it. And sure, I was there, my big brother was hanging around the area, and… just shut up! It's not important!

Besides, what's really so wrong about the Fourteen Words? Do you not think white people deserve a future and children? Is that what you think, huh? It's that attitude that's destroying America.

Multiculturalism. This is a country founded by one culture!

A girl shoved bees down people's throats, and here we are, talking about how she's a hero! She's a criminal, it's illegal vigilantism. Violence isn't okay just because it's against people you hate!!!

Go away!!

WagTheDog

Replied on April 22, 2011:

Really? Is this still going on.

C'mon, what about this new cape and Bitch? Have they been seen again? Is she part of the Undersiders?

ModBot5000

Replied on April 22, 2011:

Thread closed for evaluation. Please be patient.

ModBot5000

Replied on April 23, 2011:

TheOnlyWordzzz has been banned for one month. All chatter about racial justice and the E88 should stop. The topic is the new cape.

Clockblocker (Verified Cape)

Replied on April 23, 2011:

Actually, we have info on her, if you wanna know. She calls herself Arachne, and she seems to be a hero. She calls herself one, at least, and she helped us out against some Merchant goons. She seemed pretty cool. But kinda intense. @Kid Win can tell you more.

DarkValley

Replied on April 23, 2011:

A hero? And yet seen with a villain? Interesting. I wonder… do you know anything more about what her power can do? What's her range?

Clockblocker (Verified Cape)

Replied on April 23, 2011:

Sorry, can't really answer. You know how it is. It'll come up again sometime soon, I'm sure.

Timing!

Replied on April 23, 2011:

Haha, we have a new hero and she controls bugs? That's weird, isn't it? I wonder, what can she do with bugs? Imagine if she could combine them into some giant single bug, or what if she can turn into a bug herself and she just hasn't revealed it?

NewbGod

Replied on April 23, 2011:

...if she can turn into an insect monster, I'm going to just go completely apeshit.

UberSmith

Replied on April 23, 2011:

That sounds really, really cool. Please let it be true.

End of Page. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 ... 10, 11, 12
■
♦ Private message from Beetz:

Beetz: You okay? I heard about the ban. It wasn't really deserved. I read your latest story, and it's really good.

DarkValley: Oh! Hey! You've liked some of my stuff? I just thought it was an amazing idea: Brockton Bay as Lovecraft-Ville, and Leviathan as a sea-monster that people are sacrificed to. And then some of the capes were fish people, and… well, you read it.

Beetz: The cannibalism bit was sorta weird, but you do you, you know?

DarkValley: It's a product of modern society: we eat each other in all sorts of other ways, so why not literally? God, I sound like an English Major.

Beetz: Just, keep it up. That's fine, you know?

DarkValley: You know, I always wondered, do you like beets? Or is it something else.

Beetz: Beats was taken.

Welcome to The Bitch Zone!


Dedicated page to the greatest villain ever. The super-cool, super badass Bitch, also known as Hellhound or Rachel! Seh controls giant dogs and doesn't afraid of anyone! She protects the weak and innocent canines from those who would abuse them. She volunteers for shelters! (Confirmed!) She don't give a shit about conventions, she just kicks ass and then kicks even more ass!!!


That is why this is a place for photos of her, discussion of her, all sorts of things! With over a hundred users, the BitchZone is the premier place for all things Bitch (Take that, Collar Central!)


It's a little lame, but we do have to have rules. No racial slurs, and yes, we know she's awesome, put posting fap material and shit is just in bad taste, she's still a teenager and it's kinda gross.


Remember, be excellent to each other! Don't make any of the Mods have to struggle and it should be all good in the hood.


And welcome, again, to BitchZone!!!


Thread Title: Arachne and Bitch?
(Showing Page 3 of 15)
DarkValley

Posted on April 22, 2011:

It could be a teamup, couldn't it? She's always been a villain that doesn't really do things so that they can kick puppies and so on, right? It's more like a vigilante thing, but with dogs? Sure, there's also the casino issue, and a few other robberies, but that's just because she's a part of a team. So maybe they're teaming up. Maybe there's something about Arachne that makes Bitch want to work with her?

GossipyGirl

Posted on April 22, 2011:

Maybe? I'm not so sure about this. She's already joined the Undersiders, and they're making a lot of money, aren't they? So what would cause her to switch sides. That doesn't seem as likely as some sort of temporary alliance. It fits other data, doesn't it?

WagTheDog

Posted on April 22, 2011:

I don't know what to think. It's too early to be sure of anything, but we should keep an eye out for what the media is saying and not saying.

Hoowl!

Posted on April 22, 2011:

Yeah. They'd never reveal the truth about Bitch, and how awesome she is, so I bet they're going to start smearing Arachne just because she's close to Bitch. So, take all of that shit they say with a grain of salt.

KibblesandKits

Posted on April 22, 2011:

Ding ding ding, we have a winner! Bitch and Arachne beat up Fenja, Menja, and a bunch of Nazis, and what do the papers talk about? They talk about the Protectorate raid, and then just lump them all together. Still, that's twice they've been seen working together. I wonder what it means. Probably not all that much, but still? What if this is the start of a beautiful friendship? Can wolf and spider be fwiends?

PureMuscle

Posted on April 22, 2011:

Sure, why not? I mean, she's gotta work with someone, and why the Undersiders? You know that I've always been someone who's cool with her whatever she does. Even if she became a Ward, that'd be just fine.

KibblesandKits

Posted on April 22, 2011:

Ugh. Yeah. You'd like that, wouldn't you? Then she'd have to pose for propaganda photos and you could ogle her and shit.

ManBitesDog

Posted on April 22, 2011:

If they are a team, they need a cool name. Like, a really, really cool name. Arachne and Bitch is too… too! Makes them sound like a couple.

End of Page. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 ... 13, 14, 15


Talk:Bitch


From VillainsWiki


Keep or Remove?


Keep. We don't know what her decision will be. We know that she's working together with a hero, but since when does that mean anything? OldYeller (Talk)


Remove. She's clearly on her way to being "redeemed" into "goodness." No doubt her new name will be CutiePup. BloodyBandage (Talk)


Keep. She's been seen working with the Undersiders against the E88. That's enough reason for me. BasedBrockton (Talk)


--Is that enough reason for anything at all. Plus, they've been seen together multiple times. BloodyBandage (Talk)


Keep. Maybe Arachne needs a page here? Or will need one? I don't know. DayFollower (Talk)


Well… okay then. Citing that particular tweet-storm, it's without a doubt. Also, TMI. TheWikiVillain (Talk) 28th

Thread Title: A+B Awfully Close?
(Showing Page 1 of 16)
DarkValley

Posted on May 6, 2011:

So, I was just thinking, what if they're dating or something? Yes, yes, I know I have weird pairings and I fantasize about this, but they worked together to take out the E88, and there's also the message she posted on the 18th.

"I'm disappointed that they not only let the E88 get away, but didn't even give me credit for recapturing them. Or capturing them in the first place! Bitch and I worked hard to put the E88 behind bars, and then they just get away?!"

Bitch and I. They're partners. And I don't just mean in a hero team.

WagTheDog

Posted on May 6, 2011:

Aren't you the person who thinks Uber and Leet are a gay couple?

DarkValley

Posted on May 6, 2011:

But they are, tho!

Hoowl

Posted on May 6, 2011:

I dunno! But it sounds like something that the Protectorate would do. They're always looking to smear and belittle the real heroes in favor of their own partisan agenda.

Beetz

Posted on May 6, 2011:

Think about it from their perspective: if Arachne really is an Undersider, they might be afraid that she'll suddenly declare she was a villain after they've publicly praised her.

WagTheDog

Posted on May 6, 2011:

People should be praised for good things they do! That's just plain silly, not doing it.

DarkValley

Posted on May 6, 2011:

C'mon, focus on the important part. They'd be cute together. I mean, think about it?

MuscleMan

Posted on May 7, 2011:

No they wouldn't! I mean, who is this Arachne, to be worthy of dating Bitch or whatever.

DarkValley

Posted on May 7, 2011:

Maybe they're dating, or maybe… it's just having fun. I mean, remember that story? One of the members of that OTHER SITE apparently had sex with her?

Beetz

Posted on May 7, 2011:

Really? Link?

Collar (Mod)

Posted on May 7, 2011:

Warning--Affairs of Other Boards, Especially Stupid Ones, Are Not Okay

Anyone who posts links will be infracted.

End of Page. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 ... 14, 15, 16


♦Topic: Undersiders Break Up?
In: Boards ► Places ► America ► Brockton Bay

(Showing Page 2 of 14)
DayFollower

Replied on May 21, 2011:

I think something big is going on here. According to my reports, Arachne and Bitch just took out Lung and Oni Lee. It's going to be blood in the streets, but then other people are saying that Lung attacked the Undersiders, so does that mean that Arachne is an Undersider?

Beetz

Replied on May 21, 2011:

I've heard that it was just her showing up. Which means… I dunno. I guess it means that Arachne came to bail them out? Which could mean any number of things. We know they've been talking, and that they've worked together once, so it could just be that.

Armsmaster (Verified Cape)

Replied on May 21, 2011:

I can confirm or deny nothing about the fight. The Protectorate has taken in Lung, and any more information is merely speculation. As you should know, @Beetz.

WagTheDog

Replied on May 21, 2011:

Why's he calling her out? That's kinda weird. Am I the only one who thinks that's weird?

Omen (Power Guru)

Replied on May 21, 2011:

Okay, so, something else we need to talk about, I think! All of those bugs, and stuff. I was just thinking, and what if her range is way, way, way longer then we think. Like a mile or something! And she's watching everyone. How else could she know how and where to attack the E88? She's totally some walking, talking super-spy. I bet she knows everything about all of the E88.

Yingling

Replied on May 21, 2011:

Aren't there, like, rules? Written down or something? About what you can't do?

Omen (Power Guru)

Replied on May 21, 2011:

Which is why she's not talking. She's just using it. I bet that's it. It makes sense with her powers. Bugs can see and hear things too. And smell things? She and Bitch would make a great team.

DarkValley

Replied on May 21, 2011:

I know, right! She'd be, like, the brains, and Bitch would be the brawns.

WagTheDog

Replied on May 21, 2011:

Hey!

DarkValley

Replied on May 21, 2011:

You know I didn't mean it a rude way, but being able to spy on everyone with bugs is a lot brainier than controlling dogs and making them into super-dogs, isn't it?

End of Page. 1, 2, 3, 4 ... 12, 13, 14

■

Weekly announcement!
Alathea

Replied on May 23, 2011:

More new subforums and the like. First off, in the Tokyo Subforum, the corporate hero group Wow!Tokyo now his its own sub-forum Find it by going to Tokyo ► Heroes ► Wow!Tokyo.

Boston's Teeth now have their own sub-forum by popular demand, at Boston ► Villains ► Teeth

Finally, Arachne now has her own sub-sub-forum. You can find it by going to Brockton Bay ► Heroes ► Independent/Other ► Arachne.

■

♦Topic: Behemoth's Attack On Brockton Bay (Thread 3: Survivors and Aftermath)
In: Boards ► Places ► America ► Brockton Bay

(Showing Page 5 of 35)
Omen (Power Guru) (Ground Zero)

Replied on May 27, 2011:

I'm here on shelter internet. They have this very brief… thing they do. It's meant to get through even if the whole place is messed up by the Simurgh or the like. So I'm on this internet, and I'm tired and I've been crying forever, and it makes me feel so weak, but I just, I'm not sure how much I can handle it.

I know a bunch of people died, and lost their homes, and I might have too. I had to flee Winslow, and there's just a bunch of gang-bangers here and the like. I don't even know what I'm doing here, and there's a huge line behind me. But I didn't have any T with me, and my house is destroyed, I bet. It's a small thing, but it's just another kick in the head.

I feel so weak and weepy and tired, even though missing a day of Testosterone wouldn't do anything. I don't like talking about this shit, because I don't want to be the T-person, I wanna be the guy who has cool ideas about powers and stuff.

But I just feel broken down.

Beetz (Ground Zero)

Replied on May 27, 2011:

I'm still shaken. I was, just… out of the way but in the way of it at the same time? I'm trying to do what I can do, but… the city feels so desolate now, when I go out to walk.

DayFollower (Ground Zero)

Replied on May 27, 2011:

Don't go out! The streets are really dangerous!

Nunya (Ground Zero)

Replied on May 27, 2011:

I was near the Docks, so all I got was some of the aftershocks. Imagine if it'd been Leviathan… I'd probably be dead. Me and my father were down there, looking around at some of the old warehouses.

Beetz (Ground Zero)

Replied on May 27, 2011:

What for?

Nunya (Ground Zero)

Replied on May 27, 2011:

Well, he wanted to buy some of them out. Medhall needs more storage space for its shipping, or something? I wasn't sure of the deets. It was boring, and then terrifying.

Hagure! (Ground Zero)

Replied on May 27, 2011:

It's scary. I… am not the best at English, so forgive me please. I'm trapped in building, and it's crumbling. I don't want to admit. I'm… worked for Lung.

Nunya (Ground Zero)

Replied on May 27, 2011:

Worked for? You mean, like what?

Hagure! (Ground Zero)

Replied on May 27, 2011:

I. He. Where do I call for help?

XxVoid CowboyxX (Ground Zero)

Replied on May 27, 2011:

...I think my Mom might be dead.

End of Page. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 ... 33, 34, 35
■
♦ Private Message from Beetz:

BeetzWagTheDog, @DarkValley, are you both okay? I know that you've probably been hit hard, but I wanted to see if you were able to get out.

DarkValley:I'm alive, at least. But I lost my laptop with the Arachne-Bitch magnum-opus on it.

Beetz: Hah! If you can worry about that, then it can't be so bad, can it? I was worried for a day there.

DarkValley:Maybe, but I'm kinda wandering? There's nowhere to stay, or at least, my 'rents were out of town.

WagTheDog:You're still in High School? I'm… well. I'm at my home, but there's supposed to be a camp pretty close to here, and I'm not sure how long the internet will be up. It should have been all shook up.

Beetz:What camp? What's its designation?

WagTheDog:I don't know. I'm going to have to go check it out

■


♦Topic: Behemoth's Attack On Brockton Bay (Thread 3: Survivors and Aftermath)
In: Boards ► Places ► America ► Brockton Bay

(Showing Page 17 of 35)
Omen (Power Guru) (Ground Zero)

Replied on May 28, 2011:

I have the computer back. Thanks @Beetz, @WagTheDog, and everyone else who sent their well-wishes. But I'm a big boy, I'm sure I can get over it. It's been complete chaos. I don't know what to do, or where to go.

I've heard a lot about what's going on in the aftermath, and I really want to check out a rumor.

DarkValley (Ground Zero)

Replied on May 28, 2011:

What rumor?

Omen (Power Guru) (Ground Zero)

Replied on May 28, 2011:

It's just something I've heard, but apparently there's a camp being protected by independents. I found out the news on another site, apparently one of the members was looking into it?

DayStalker (Ground Zero)

Replied on May 28, 2011:

That's kinda cool, and weird. Hey @Hagure!, did you get out of there alright?

Hagure! (Ground Zero)

Replied on May 28, 2011:

Yes. Thank you very much.

Beetz (Ground Zero)

Replied on May 28, 2011:

Yeah, I've heard about that. It's... there's a lot of things goin on, especially the news about the attack at the camp. Have you heard about it? It's pretty crazy.

Nunya (Ground Zero)

Replied on May 28, 2011:

What attack?! Where?

Omen (Power Guru) (Ground Zero)

Replied on May 28, 2011:

Here's a link. Apparently the Merchants tried to attack these refugee camps last night, with like an army of Parahumans. I have no idea how many there were, just that there were a lot. Word is that Legend showed up and everything.

WagTheDog (Ground Zero)

Replied on May 28, 2011:

Yeah. That's what I heard too.

VlogBoy

Replied on May 28, 2011:

I'm going to be streaming my experiences in the post-Endbringer wasteland today at 2 PM. Check it out!

End of Page. 1, 2, 3... 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 ... 33, 34, 35
■


♦Topic: Holding Out For a Hero: Brockton Bay Aftermath
In: Boards ► Places ► America ► Brockton Bay

(Showing Page 4 of 4)


Thread Status: Not Open For Further Replies
Beetz (Ground Zero)

Replied on May 27, 2011:

I don't know what you expect? How could anyone confirm it either way. Arguing about someone running away from the fight is silly.

Flechette (Verified Cape) (Ground Zero)

Replied on May 28, 2011:

She helped transport capes around. And I've heard that she saved @Velocity. She and Bitch are heroes, and I don't care if someone saw them moving away from the combat zone. That's why it's, you know, a combat zone.

Judge

Replied on May 28, 2011:

Quit this derail now! Or it will be infractions on all of you. What Arachne did or did not do doesn't matter. But thread will be locked for a few hours to allow cooler heads to prevail.

End of Page. 1, 2, 3, 4


Thread Title: Bitch spotted in post-Endbringer Camp, Reports Say
(Showing Page 2 of 25)
WagTheDog

Replied on May 28, 2011:

I saw her, but I didn't want to go up to her. What if she thought I was a creep, or something? Or what if she thought I was… I don't know. She and Arachne were inseparable, I'm starting to think that @DarkValley might be right. They were really close, and stuck together, that's what everyone else said.

But yeah, I was too scared. I really want to meet her, or… something. I'm not sure, you know, I was thinking…

FoxyVixen

Replied on May 28, 2011:

You know, you could just ask her? Or volunteer to help at the camp, even if you're not helping her? Honestly, if she's really working to protect an entire refugee camp, then she needs all the help she can get. Sure, that isn't as glamorous as personally going out and saving the day yourself, but… why should that matter?

BitchBoy

Replied on May 28, 2011:

Yeah! It's never been about that. Unless you have a crush or something, Wag? But I didn't think you did. Plus, it's probably pretty futile, if all that DarkValley's hinting at is true, and at this point I'm starting to suspect that she's 100% right about absolutely everything.

DarkValley

Replied on May 28, 2011:

How many people are in the camp? Hundreds? I'm just curious. Still, think about it… two heroes, protecting a camp, with the power of love. Doesn't that sound interesting? Love and dog maulings. It has all the makings of a classic. C'mon, guys, don't you believe in a thing called love?

Collar

Replied on May 28, 2011:

No. I have a soul full of termites. Still, them working together like that is interesting. @WagTheDog, anything else you can tell us?

FeralFemale

Replied on May 28, 2011:

Yeah, c'mon, dish even more!

WagTheDog

Replied on May 28, 2011:

Well, they were really cool looking from afar. And there was this cape called Pelter, too. I don't know what else I'm supposed to tell you? I couldn't approach her, I told you that. It's just not in the cards. Yet. But that camp, it makes me think. And I'm going to keep on thinking and tell you what I come up with!

MuttPerson

Replied on May 28, 2011:

Have you been following the news? I think something really, really hype is about to happen!

Yella

Replied on May 28, 2011:

What's with all of the "Dog word person" stuff going on? Who was the first? It's kinda weird.

VladTheInhaler

Replied on May 28, 2011:

It's a tradition! Tradition!

End of Page. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 ... 23, 24, 25

Flechette @FlechetteOfficial
First big patrol in BB. Hope everything goes well. Not going to live-tweet it because that's dumb. #ResponsibleWard #HelpBB
Flechette @FlechetteOfficial
Oh wow, I really had an experience. Let me tell you about it, it's amazing. 1/? #Story Time #Tweetstorm.
Flechette @FlechetteOfficial
So, there's a refugee camp right in the middle of Merchant territory, with hundreds of people. 2/? #Merchants Suck
Flechette @FlechetteOfficial
It's the one that they assaulted Saturday morning, but they were foiled, and then Legend beat them 3/?. #Legend.
Flechette @FlechetteOfficial
It's guarded by three capes: Arachne, B*tch, and Pelter. I've told you about Arachne. 4/?
Flechette @FlechetteOfficial
Arachne and B*tch helped transport me, and did their part against Behemoth. Now they're doing their part to help BB… together. 5/?
Flechette @FlechetteOfficial
Yes. They've all but confirmed they're a couple! It was really cute. You know how I am about true love and so on. 6/?
Flechette @FlechetteOfficial
So all three of them are a Team. Team… what? Team Arachne? Team B*tch? Team names are silly to talk about. 7/?
Flechette @FlechetteOfficial
But fun, isn't it? Feel free to make suggestions for what to call them. But I know that those civilians are in good hands. They're really impressive from the AARs I've read. 8/?
Flechette @FlechetteOfficial
B*tch used to be a villain, and I'm pretty sure she turned to the light-side for romance. I always love stories like that. 9/? #Isn'tItRomantic?
Flechette @FlechetteOfficial
I talked to the camp, it's common knowledge. And they all trust Arachne and B*tch. She's saved them, and together they'll conquer all obstacles! 10/?
Flechette @FlechetteOfficial
I just love stuff like that. Maybe I'm a bit of a sap. But I want to see more of that in the world. And it makes me optimistic myself. That I'll find something. 11/?
Flechette @FlechetteOfficial
I just love stuff like that. Maybe I'm a bit of a sap. But I want to see more of that in the world. And it makes me optimistic myself. That I'll find something. 11/?


■


♦Topic: Team Arachne? Arachne x Bitch confirmed!
In: Brockton Bay ► Heroes ► Independent/Other ► Arachne

(Showing Page 4 of 27)
Omen (Power Guru) (Ground Zero)

Posted on May 29, 2011

You know, I have a thought. This whole conversation should be split into two. First, the discussion of the camp and the heroic team, and then the shipping stuff! Flechette is said to be gay, right? No wonder she's gushing so much. But Arachne x Bitch is a lame name.

Ztasuz

Posted on May 29, 2011

Wolf Spider? Like Lycosidae.

Beetz

Posted on May 29, 2011

@Ztasuz, you are a genius!

Seeing another hero team in BB is a good thing, and I'm glad that they have good relations with the Wards. That's pretty vital.

DayFollower

Posted on May 29, 2011

Yeah, sure, that too. But really? A three-person team? What if this is the start of something more. Duos come and go, but a real team like that? It's not New Wave, with its seven remaining members. But it's something! Imagine if they kept on recruiting.

DrCool

Posted on May 29, 2011

For what? New Wave has a mission and a message. These jokers are just a couple and a local hanger-on, some cape so new we don't' even have her power to speculate on. Pelter? What kind of name is that? They'll flame out before too long. I bet.

DarkValley

Posted on May 29, 2011

Bet $20 and if they're around in two months, then you'll owe me $20 and I'll donate it to them! This is the cutest, best thing I've ever seen, and Wolf Spider is now one of my lives. I mean, I'm also still doing a UberLeet fic, but.

XO-Lava

Posted on May 29, 2011

[User received an infraction for this post: Marginal Behavior.]

Yeah, can we talk more about what sorts of things these lovebirds are doing? Though isn't Bitch kinda ugly? Or at least, I saw this one photo of her, once, and it was all… gah. 4/10, and not just because of her knees.

WagTheDog

Posted on May 29, 2011

Gross. C'mon. Why can't a woman be judged for something other than some expectation of her appearance? Clearly Arachne is attracted, which is all that matters, and she's awesome in her own way.

XO-Lava

Posted on May 29, 2011

Of course you'd say that, though I don't know if Bitch would be down for threesomes.

KingRoyale

Posted on May 29, 2011

You are a loathsome cad. Please depart. Your King commands it.

Vista (Verified Cape)

Posted on May 29, 2011

Cut it out. It's really very impolite, and it doesn't help anything. I'm glad that there are more capes out there helping to fight against crime.

End of Page. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 ... 25, 26, 27


Thread Title: Calling all Bitch Fans--Help Out!
(Showing Page 1 of 60)
WagTheDog (Original Poster)

Posted on May 30, 2011:

So we've gotten a lot more members, and that's really cool. People who are fans of Bitch/Hellhound/Rachel are always welcome here. Having hundreds new members is a big deal, even if some of those people are just here to see what the big deal is.

There's also been fights. Listen, my opinion is that Rachel is the same Rachel as before. Her no longer being a villain doesn't stop her from being the same amazing person she's always been. She's changed lives, without even realizing it, and she always protected dogs.

I've grown a lot since I've heard about her. Just… knowing someone that awesome exists has gotten me through bad days! I've heard the stories. This community has done great things, on a small scale, despite how few of us there were. And there still aren't many. Not thousands. Not yet.

But if she's given so much to us, why can't we give back? It wasn't possible before. She's proud, and she doesn't want for much. But now she's found someone she cares for, and she's taken up a cause, and a team.

That's why I want to propose something. I've set up a donation page below, and any money towards it goes to an account of mine. I'll post pictures of me taking the money out, and you guys can check with all possible sources. I'd even give my name, Cassie, if that helps you punish me if this is a scam.

Because it isn't. Those who don't live in BB, donate money that I can personally hand over to Bitch/Pelter/etc for maintaining the camp. And those who do live close by but are better off, I'm sure the camp needs food. I'll have to talk with people at the camp, but if we raise money together, we can really make something happen. I'm going to be making this same call on PHO, and on every possible site that would listen!

Edit: A suggestion from the allied cape, Pelter: If you can't help directly, but have expertise or whatnot, or resources that aren't as obvious as money or food, please get in contact.

Also, there's a dog shelter that's under Bitch's protection! I'm going to volunteer there too!

DarkValley

Posted on May 30, 2011

I've decided right here and now just to go ahead with it! I'm going to donate all money given to me for my writing for… until I say otherwise, straight to this charity/donation drive/whatever it is. That's right! Why not? They've given my muses something lighter and slightly fluffier to chew on, so I give something back

Also, can we declare this a, "No straight guy who wanted to fuck Bitch and is now angry at her even though she hasn't even heard of them" zone? Because that's the grossest part of this site. Even if bans are going out left and right for that.

Omen

Posted on May 30, 2011

I'd... second that. I'm not sure what I can do. And this whole site is a little odd at the best of times, but I'll try to donate any money I have. I'm not sure what else I can do. I'll spread word, just like everyone else does, but I don't have money and I'm feeling stressed, but also loved in a way? I don't know. It's just helping me, having people to talk to, I think.

It's weird, that all of this together and suddenly people are treating them differently. Maybe that's just me, though. Romance is weird.

WagTheDog

Posted on May 30, 2011

Thanks for all the offers. @Omen, I'm glad that you feel that way!

BitchBoy

Posted on May 30, 2011

I'm outside BB, and I have some spare money. How's $50 towards it all sound? A decent start, I hope. I'll call all the Dog-Word Person people together!

Beetz

Posted on May 30, 2011

I can't really donate money, I'm not in a situation where that makes sense. But I think that Arachne, Bitch and Pelter are really doing something worthwhile in helping fight crime and protect the victims of Behemoth. So I'll do what I can, in the ways that I can, to make sure that this is understood.

Yingling2

Posted on May 30, 2011

How did I lose my slot? Who stole my name?! Anyways, donated $5. And what do you mean, @Beetz, are you talking about, like, just spreading the word online. Truth Squads?

Beetz

Posted on May 30, 2011

Something like that.

UberSmith

Posted on May 30, 2011

I approve of this. I'll chip a few dollars in. Glad that my name was still available, from what I've heard. Anyways, so, glad I'm here, hope to be here for much longer. Is @WagTheDog going to be made a Mod? Or a God?

HenryO

Posted on May 30, 2011

Well, at this rate, maybe? She's certainly kinda been taking over, when you think about it.

End of Page. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 ... 58, 59, 60

■

Weekly announcement!
Alathea

Replied on June 1, 2011:

By popular request, Team Arachne is now a sub-forum.

You may find it by going to Brockton Bay►Heroes►Team Arachne.

■
♦ Private Conversation: Team Wolf Spider Strategy
Participants: WagTheDog, Beetz, Omen...click to see more.

WagTheDog: Really, I don't know how the article came about, but whoever's behind it, thanks! Or if it just happened, it's great news! An entire investigative article that talks to all three of the capes, and people there, and winds up talking about how much good they're doing?

love the parts about how they've almost fixed the plumbing for everyone, or that they need further help to get electricity back to the area. And that they're willing to deploy in force if the problem is something that can be… it's just such a cool article, and we're even mentioned indirectly. So who's behind it?

Omen:Not me. You know, I was thinking, does @Beetz have something to do with it?

Yingling:Why would she?

Beetz:Welll...of course I don't!

UberSmithery suspicious.

From: emilypiggot@prt.gov

To: amandawallis@prt.gov

Date: 3 June 2011 at 14:04

On Beetz

There have been questions raised as to whether it is appropriate for you to act online and use inside PRT knowledge while using an account that isn't a verified PRT account. These accusations have further said that you are using this knowledge to advance an agenda that is contrary to that of the PRT.

Please respond as soon as possible,

Emily Piggot


From: amandawallis@prt.gov

To: EmilyPiggot@PRT.gov

Date: 3 June 2011 at 14:36

Re: On Beetz

I deny that I've done anything other than what anyone could do as a private citizen. I'm allowed my own opinion, and I've very clearly never stated or even hinted that my own opinions or actions are in any way representative of the PRT. That's why I don't take the banner, because it's me as a private citizen.


From: emilypiggot@prt.gov

To: amandawallis@prt.gov

Date: 3 June 2011 at 16:50

Re: On Beetz

Even the part where you arranged that interview? Listen, the people who are accusing you want you to be fired. I feel that's unreasonable, but something has to be done, some measure of censure, because I think they're right that you're trying to influence and alter PRT and Protectorate policy indirectly.


From: amandawallis@prt.gov

To: emilypiggot@prt.gov

Date: 4 June 2011 at 8:03

Re: On Beetz

I think I have some slack here. I know the journalist in a private capacity, as a friend, and I just pointed her in the direction of a scoop. What they said is the truth. And the slack is that: my analysis has been closer to right in what I've said is going on with Arachne, Bitch, and the new cape.

I know who it is that accused me, even if you can't say it outright, and he's been wrong.

So, can we just consider all of this?


From: emilypiggot@prt.gov

To: amandawallis@prt.gov

Date: 4 June 2011 at 8:50

Re: On Beetz

Truthfully, I do think you seem to be more right about them. For once, optimism wins out. Though there are still skeptics, and I think that we need to be cautious in how we treat this new team.

But I have to do something, because you've clearly stepped over the line in a few ways. So here's the punishment I'm going to levy, and you can of course appeal it, but I do not think it will go well for you.

2 Weeks Unpaid Suspension starting today.

Your pay will be docked by $3000.

Please acknowledge,

Emily Piggot

 

[SadisticAvocado]

I really like Dog-Word Person as a tongue in cheek way to snark about the PRT trying to make Bitch's name PC (or at least I'm pretty sure that's what they meant by using that...)

 

[sopchoppy]

Awesomely done chapter and presentation

 

[Zeuseus]

Holy Shit that was awesome. Nice work to both you and NemoMarx for getting that created love all the different styles.

Love Amanda's little passive-aggressive manipulations there, good to see Emily Piggot being sensible too, just enough punishment to satisfy the annoying idiots without overly impacting her career or livelihood (I'm assuming a PRT analyst gets paid pretty well so 3k and 2 wks unpaid would be fairly easy to tank especially when you aren't likely to be spending money on frivolous luxury items or social events given a post-endbringer economy).

 

[Dareth]

I'd also like to mention that I'm amused by "Amanda Wallis." Maybe Waller was too on-point, but I enjoyed the reference just the same.

 

[Krazyfan1]

Brilliant!
i kinda hope Rachel and Taylor both see those threads, and all the supporters.
wonder what their reactions would be?

 

[SolipsistSerpent]

The only flaw in the chapter is that I feel like it slightly overestimates the number of dedicated Bitch fans in existence during her villain days. But I can shrug that off.

 

[Hecatonchires]

I liked that there was more than just PHO, with various Web forums and Twitter too

 

[NemoMarx]

I'd also like to mention that I'm amused by "Amanda Wallis." Maybe Waller was too on-point, but I enjoyed the reference just the same.

Click to shrink...

Aaaaaaaaaaaa Why is that in the text versions still

Sorry about that, it's really supposed to be Wallen.

 

[Hotdog Vendor]

Yep, though I'll admit I mostly clicked on it wondering at the unusually short word count it had.

Click to shrink...

I didn't click on it because I automatically and unconsciously ignore short alerts, interpreting them as non-story comments (except for a few fics that I remember have very short chapters, and one fic where nothing under 5k is an actual chapter, usually, and most are over 12k)

Anywho, the off-forum format seems pretty nifty (I've entertained the thought of doing something like that some day but it's never happeened) but I don't have time to read it right now. (I also have a chapter of Split to read, and how are two of the fics I follow on SV that are still updating fairly regularly both by the same author??)

 

[The Laurent]

The only flaw in the chapter is that I feel like it slightly overestimates the number of dedicated Bitch fans in existence during her villain days. But I can shrug that off.

Click to shrink...

I mean, it's not actually a lot of fans at all. I honestly thought someone would comment on how amateur and pathetic the BitchZone actually was. Like, read that intro/main page. I refrained from adding in random spelling errors, but.

 

[Vindictus]

Brilliant!
i kinda hope Rachel and Taylor both see those threads, and all the supporters.
wonder what their reactions would be?

Click to shrink...

Rachel: *Upon discovering Collar Central* Um, I don't suppose I can un-learn how to read? And everything I have ever read? Please?

 

[SolipsistSerpent]

I mean, it's not actually a lot of fans at all. I honestly thought someone would comment on how amateur and pathetic the BitchZone actually was. Like, read that intro/main page. I refrained from adding in random spelling errors, but.

Click to shrink...

Oh, I know. That's why I said 'slightly'. But, Bitch, prior to joining the Undersiders, is not a very high profile villain. Which is why she can often walk around in the open without a mask despite technically having her identity be public knowledge. That's not the unwritten rules, those only apply when the PRT can pretend not to know, it's no one recognizing her.

 

[The Laurent]

Things to look forward to:

1) My birthday!
2) A Pelter Interlude. (4-B).
3) Sometime during Arc 5, I plan on commissioning a Pelter from lonsheep!

 

[pantherasapiens]

1) My birthday!

Click to shrink...

Haaaaaappy birthday!

 

[Azerick01]

Happy birthday!
*hugs*

 

[The Laurent]

Happy birthday!
*hugs*

Click to shrink...

Close, but not yet. Tomorrow, and then I'm also celebrating on Sunday.

 

[Azerick01]

Close, but not yet. Tomorrow, and then I'm also celebrating on Sunday.

Click to shrink...

Just gives me an excuse to give you another hug tommorow

edit: And the clock has struck midnight for me.
Happy Birthday!
*Hugs*

 

[necrolectric]

Joyous day of birth!

 

[The Laurent]

Rabid 4-B (Stefanie)

Maybe Stefanie should be used to it by now. Her mother is a caterer, someone who deals with these kinds of problems, but that didn't mean it was any more palatable. Or rather, she had all of the skills needed to take the lead, but Stefanie wasn't sure what she was supposed to do with them.

Her mother and father had both known about her power for two months before she'd almost gotten enough courage to go out. It'd been in the plan, and Stefanie was a girl who liked plans. She'd step out Friday night, beat up a few Merchants, and then she'd see how she felt after that.

Then, Thursday, on had come Behemoth.

Her power wasn't that impressive, she knew that there were a lot better powers out there. She could throw something with pretty good accuracy, and quite a bit of force. But the materials seemed to matter. The harder the material, the farther and faster she could throw it. And her arm somehow got tired if she did it for too long. It was literally throwing it: not some sort of weird launching mechanic, but as if she were holding a dart and trying to hit a bullseye.

Of course, when her father had, as a joke, taken her to a bar and grille to play darts with all of his old friends, she'd won every single time, right up until she'd been unable to hold back enough and had broken the dartboard.

It was the kind of power that was very good at beating up mundane criminals, but didn't seem like much use against, say, giant dogs.

She wondered if they were just letting her on the team because of pity, or because they had to since it was her camp they were protecting.

Certainly, she didn't have to wonder whether or not she was a third wheel, because Rachel and Taylor were so wrapped up in each other, they were like two halves of a pretzel.

...okay, not the best metaphor, but she'd been hungry when she'd thought of it.

At least the two weren't so wrapped up in each other that they were unable to do things. Rachel cared for her dogs all the same, and if she was careful she could lure Taylor out into helping with things. Her bug powers and the ability it gave her to play Big Brother meant that she had a lot to contribute.

Sometimes, though, this power led to situations like this. Situations where she stood right next to Taylor as the girl sat and read a book.

"What are you doing?" Stefanie asked. "Besides reading."

"Watching Bitch. To make sure that she's alright." Taylor was slightly older than her, and once she'd started to relax her paranoia, she'd been a lot more willing not to wear her costume everywhere. Of course, once she'd thought about her costume she'd had a thousand suggestions for Pelter's.

"I'm sure she's…" Stefanie began, and then she realized it was pointless. She needed to focus on battles she could win. "So, when is the first patrol? Searching for Kayla? And pushing the Merchants back?"

"Soon," Taylor said, and then she frowned. "Tomorrow." She sounded as if she were making up her mind, or maybe pushing the issue. She looked up at Stefanie with those eyes of hers, as if she expected Stefanie to read something in them, and said, "How's the camp doing?"

"We're working on the plumbing right now. Plumbing, and then power. But we may need to see whether any of that stuff is in Merchant territory. The grid itself is pretty fragile if the Merchants want to mess with it." She frowned. She could totally believe that the Merchants would do that, just like she could believe anything of the E88, but she hoped that they wouldn't have to fight that too much.

The sooner that the apartments started to get toilets, sewer systems, and consistent running water, the sooner the camp could move inward a little bit. It'd be safer, at least, though at the rate the camp was expanding, there'd still be plenty of people camped out.

It was becoming its own little town, and that cost a lot… if they operated on money, then it'd already be doom and gloom. As it was, Stefanie was just barely able to get by.

"We can do that," Taylor said, intensely. "We'll see how well they can block it once they're mauled."

Stefanie tried not to wince. Taylor Hebert seemed to have no problem with violence as a first resort. For that matter, Stefanie didn't… much? But Taylor seemed like the kind of person who might almost go too far.

She must have winced despite herself, because Taylor turned away from her book.

"What is it?" she asked, frowning.

"Sorry, just not used to violence."

"Oh, right. I'm just… I've been in a lot of it."

"I know," Stefanie said. "I followed that kind of thing online, because I wanted to see what it was like, being an independent hero. I don't think I really learned anything that would prepare me, though."

"Well…" Taylor considered it for a moment, and then patted down next to her. Up close, she looked even thinner, and pretty tall, all things considered. "You just learn as you go. You figure out better ways to use your powers."

Stefanie nodded. "And you make friends? Or at least, you did."

"Well, I met Rachel, and I met Lisa, and I already had Greg… there isn't really anyone else, is there?" Taylor shrugged.

"Nobody at school?"

"Just Greg," she said.

Stefanie didn't know how much to push. She'd never been like that at all: she'd always been at the center of a wide group of people. Not the heart, no, nothing like that. She'd been at the center in the same way that an axle was the center of a wheel.

Stefanie made things happen, but… mostly that could look a little boring from the inside. Who wanted to be indispensable and still ignored? Taylor had been different, though.

She'd become an actual hero. But she'd also apparently had it worse. That just made Stefanie think more of the strange, lovestruck girl. It's easy to succeed when things were going well. "I'm sorry to hear that."

"It's fine," Taylor said. "What about you?"

"I know a lot of people, but I'm not sure how many would be friends, let alone BFFs."

"BFFs?" Taylor asked. Taylor looked at Stefanie, and the question was obviously in her head.

"Y-yeah," Stefanie said. Were BFFs something that people who were in High School didn't have anymore? She wouldn't know. "Anyways, so what do you like to do? I still want to hang out sometime, if we can find time between all of this work."

"I like to read, and I like science-fiction."

"Neat. I like science," Stefanie said, trying to find a connection. She'd always found sci-fi to be a little odd, in its own way.

Taylor didn't smile back at her, but then the other girl didn't seem to smile much, if at all. At least, not so far.

"Well, if we ever get any books…"

"We could start a club?" Stefanie asked, and then fidgeted, aware that her inclination to start clubs, or at least to always join things, was probably not shared by Taylor. Or maybe it was, if this whole… team thing was going to last. She knew she had only a little bit to contribute, but she was going to try her best.

"I was thinking we could talk about what we'd read," Taylor said, a little absently.

"That makes sense. And… what else?"

"I read fantasy as well, and literature in general… and then there's video games."

"Oh, right, you and Greg," Stefanie said. Did Taylor know that he was sweet on her? Or had been? It seemed pretty obvious, but then Stefanie might just be missing something.

"Yeah. Video games kinda bind us together," Taylor said, casually. "You know, he has to know that it'd go badly."

"What?" Stefanie asked, suddenly worried.

"Oh, he's just trying to set up tents, and failing." She sometimes talked like that, just switching out as if everyone had her power and could, therefore, monitor entire city blocks effortlessly.

"Is he…" Stefanie began.

"What?" Taylor asked.

"He seems very enthusiastic, but he hasn't stuck to anything so far. It makes me worried about him."

"Don't be. That's just how Greg is. He gets enthusiastic very easily. Obsessive, sometimes." Taylor shook her head, though it sounded like she was fond of him. "Just don't let him roll over you, and he'll be fine."

"Maybe," Stefanie said. She'd known people who reminded her of Greg that she had really disliked, though he seemed so earnest that it was hard not to want to give him a chance. Though his bungling did make it seem as if he was a little long on legs and short on arms, as her father would say.

He was a big sports buff, though she'd never actually heard another living being use that phrase. It made her imagine Greg as a T-Rex. A very, very nerdy T-Rex. That was the kind of image that lightened her day, and helped her get through tough times.

"Do you have any concerns?"

"I… hope I can do well enough on patrol."

"Listen, don't worry about it," Taylor said, moving forward slightly as if she were about to hug Stefanie, but then stopping, and almost looking startled. She grunted, in a way that reminded Stefanie of Rachel, and said. "Your power's not bad, really, and it can be useful. Let's get you diamonds to throw."

"Diamonds?" Stefanie asked. "Isn't that a little like…"

"What?"

"Bribery?" Stefanie asked.

Taylor let out a loud bark of laughter, and admitted, "Maybe. But imagine a little, tiny diamond that you flicked at someone. A sort of diamond bullet?"

"I could probably kill someone," Stefanie said. She frowned. "I'd need to be careful."

"We have a lot of money coming in… though not really enough for diamond bullets. But we could get you steel ball-bearings. That'd do wonders. I wonder if you could throw a handful of them? Or of anything? Like shotgun bullets."

Stefanie had thought about that, actually. But only after a few weeks of tooling around with different materials. "Huh," she said. "I'd thought of that, but maybe I really should test it? My power is throwing, not just throwing one thing."

"That makes sense," Taylor said. "Well, I think…"

And there it was. It was back to professional talk, but honestly Arachne seemed a lot more comfortable standing in that sort of area. Stefanie wasn't sure why, but it was another thing that made her think. Taylor was practical, intelligent, vicious, blunt and through her powers, a bit of a know-it-all when it came to camp problems.

It was a rather startling combination, obviously. But very impressive. She could sort of see how two people who were that practical and… able to agree on methods would wind up partners. And despite being a little nicer up front, Taylor didn't seem to really beat around the bush.

With Stefanie. Or with her father, for that matter. Though maybe that was new? Stefanie didn't really know what to think about the family.

*******

Patrolling was very task-oriented too. Bitch--she hated the name, but it'd be rude to point that out--had two dogs. Taylor had to be on the back of one, and Rachel the other, because they growled and didn't obey her. When she'd tried to give them an order, Arachne had stopped her, and told her not to ever give the dogs any orders unless she had permission.

Stefanie had felt hurt, but had to assume that there was a good reason for it.

So, on the back of the dogs they moved in order to spread out Taylor's range, and when they came across trouble, Taylor usually smoked them out with bugs.

That was when Pelter came in, really. She knew that for most of the criminals that were being beaten from afar. But for whatever reason, Taylor wanted Stefanie to show off, and so she did, with chunks of rock and even a paper wad or two.

It wasn't hard, really, and far less stressful than she expected.

A team made everything easier, she thought. It meant that she could focus on her next move. The fight against Behemoth, and the night-fight against the fake capes had both been terrifying, and probably it'd be a lot more stressful when it came down to fighting real threats. But she'd been scared that even a few criminals with guns would be enough to threaten her.

Now, with three people working together, it was only really the dangerous capes that were a big threat.

Stefanie was smiling as she ended the patrol.

Of course, it was a good mood that would only last as long as it took before someone came to her with even more problems.

******

Her father was a short-stout man, his hair greying and falling out, shorter than her mother, even, and he looked tired and worn out.

"Hey Dad, you okay?"

"Yeah. Fine. We've just been working on the plumbing. I'm gonna get it, don't you worry. I know how to do that sort of thing." Dad was a sort of amateur handi-man, a skill that had little with his own job, which had been, at least until Behemoth had come three, working with charities in the funding side of things.

He was the kind of person who wore a suit and argued for donations from rich people. That's how he'd met Mom, actually. She was catering for a benefit dinner for kids who would have possibly killed to eat food that good, and he was there to smile and shake hands.

He shook her hand, and Stefanie knew, but didn't like to think about, what came next. Marriage, eventually, and then her.

Her parents at least weren't as public and obvious about it was Taylor and Rachel, that would have been horrible otherwise.

"Yeah, that's good. But what am I supposed to do? Someone came to me, and they were like: 'Hey, this one neighbor is making way too much noise.' I talked to them, and apparently their kids were homesick. I could… find toys for them. I have a few. But I'm not sure if it'd solve it, and it's not like my power helps."

"You were always good at solving problems," her Dad pointed out, stretching out a little.

"Maybe. But finding money to provide things to distract the kids would only help a little. Ultimately, it's people and friction. We can move tents, I guess, but what happens when everyone demands it?"

These were pressing logistical problems, ones that didn't really have easy answers. She would do what she could, but she wasn't sure how much that actually was. It was constant work, and at least she was good at it.

Okay at it.

...Not bad at it.

The money didn't exist, but that was a problem that she'd just have to get used to. It wasn't as if it wasn't one that her Dad hadn't dealt with all the time. That was just how it went, and you learned to deal.

So that's where she was, and she thought it was okay. She had Arachne and Bitch as part of a team, and as long as they tolerated her and she was able to do for them.

Things were fine.

Then came Hurricane Cassie.

******

She popped up bright and early, with a smile of approximately all of the wattage imaginable, and a lot to say.

Cassie was a pretty striking person. It was the blue eyes that really caught you first, made you wonder whether you'd missed something. Her skin was a slightly lighter shade of brown than Stefanie's, and her hair was dark brown, worn long and, if Stefanie didn't miss her mark, straightened. Compared to that, the eyes stood out.

She was dressed in a pair of jeans and a T-shirt that read "In the Doghouse."

"Hey. Um, I know you don't know me. And neither does anyone else here. I went looking, but you were busy… I suppose Arachne would know then? Anyways, I was just talking, I mean. I come from the Bitch Zone."

"The… what?" Stefanie asked. For a dorky moment she thought it had to do with the Twilight Zone, only sexist. Or something.

"It's this website, where we're all fans of Bitch."

Stefanie barely kept herself from asking why. She really didn't see it, and looking at Cassie she tried to find… something? What were you supposed to see when you met someone obsessed with Bitch, of all capes. "Okay then."

Actually, Stefanie could kind of see it, a little. The blunt practicality, the no-nonsense thing. Neither Arachne nor Bitch seemed like sorts who took doo-doo or doubted themselves for more than three seconds at a time. That's what it seemed like, at least, and she hadn't really seen much that contradicted that.

So maybe?

"Anyways, so we were thinking, we know you need money. For the camp. And Bitch is on a team with you, right?"

"Yes… ?" Stefanie was unable to keep it from turning into a question.

"Good, good! So I had, um, some money here. I'm not sure whether you can use it directly until you can take a trip to a store. There are some stores, actually. I have some written down on a map here, because not everywhere is open yet. You could go, and then pick up stuff to haul back. Like, on dog-back?"

Stefanie almost wanted to laugh at the torrent of words. Cassie looked no older than her, but very different in some ways. Just so much energy, and focus. "So, you know, if you have… people ready to donate money, then why not also donate goods. Canned food would be great. Or if anyone knows how to rig up electrical wire, that'd be good too."

"Oh, that's a great idea," Cassie said, with a nod. "Should I be writing it down?"

"I'm… not sure." Stefanie frowned, and then admitted. "Maybe?How many people are wanting to donate?"

"I'm not sure yet. I wanted to check with you first. I sent the message out, but I'm not sure who else will say things. DarkValley said she's giving her fic donations to--"

"Who?" Stefanie asked.

"You don't know DarkValley? Oh, sorry," Cassie admitted, with a smile that was still bright and a little startling.

"No. I apologize for not--"

"No, no, it's my fault." Cassie took a breath. "I get too excited. And online, it doesn't really matter. So." She cleared her throat, and held out a hand. "Good afternoon, my name is Cassie, and I have an offer for you."

Stefanie had to keep a smile from her face as she held out her hand and took Cassie's warm, worn hand in hers. "A pleasure to meet you, Ms. Cassie. I am Pelter."

"That's a nice name. So, I was thinking, if I had an escort, I could drop off money every week, with a receipt. And food obviously would come faster than that."

"You have this all planned out, don't you?" Stefanie said.

"Sorry. The idea sort of just came to me." Cassie didn't look dejected, though. If she said no, for some bizarre reason, it felt like Cassie would just try to find another way forward. Enthusiasm and a seeming willingness to see it through? That was pretty nifty.

"Please, don't be. This… this could really help things. Thank you. We need to talk more, and you probably should talk to some of the other people in charge of this camp. And Arachne and Bitch."

Cassie froze. "Maybe? I don't know."

"You don't know?" Stefanie asked. "They're nice, and I know you're a fan of Bitch?"

Cassie fidgeted. "I mean, but if I meet her, and I say… nah. I can do this." She nodded to herself, her brief moment of uncertainty pushed aside in a way that Stefanie couldn't have ever managed.

So many people around her were so confident. Arachne, Bitch, and now this new girl. Sure of themselves. Or mostly sure. Most of the time.

"You're right. So, we need to keep in touch, to organize this. Hmm… oh. Too bad this area doesn't get cell-tower reception. We should fix that for communication. I was going to give you this old backup phone I had." Cassie looked thoughtful. "If that's not insulting?"

"Of course not. There's a lot of things we have to get online before we worry about whether people will be able to text or not."

"You're right. Just trying to think of options. We should figure this all out."

******
Cassie was very smart, very driven, and very, very… either hero-worshipy, smitten, or both with Bitch. It was an odd combination, to say the least. It kinda annoyed Stefanie to think that Bitch had an entire fanbase and hadn't even known it.

Of course, she hadn't brought that up at all when it came time for the interview, and how Cassie had managed to swing that, she didn't know. But she was sure Cassie had done it, because the other girl had a smile on her face when she showed up right after it.

The reporter had interviewed everyone, and she'd been nervous and scared that she'd say something wrong and ruin it, but it'd all passed pretty well, and Arachne's answers were all really good, while Bitch had grunted and answered questions meant to have long answers with: 'Yes' or 'No.'

But somehow, it had all worked out, and the money that flowed in started to make Stefanie feel as if it was going to work. It'd only been a week and a little since Behemoth, and they were already starting to get the plumbing under control.

And Stefanie was starting to feel comfortable around Arachne/Taylor.

Bitch, on the other hand?

*******

Cassie was there at the shelter, of course, when Stefanie dropped by. Caring for all the dogs, when she wasn't fundraising and going across the city so fearlessly that Stefanie worried for her every time she showed up five minutes late.

She really needed an escort of something, but who was supposed to do that?

Not Stefanie.

Still, for the moment things were good, and she sometimes came with the patrols. Somehow picked up when they were going to be going, and went near them, so that there were people to bail her out.

Which was clever, Stefanie had to give her that.

*******

On Saturday, they unveiled the monument, and Arachne didn't go. So neither did Bitch. But what did come in were more donations. Some of them pretty weird, really. Or, not weird, but dog food and collars and dog toys all seemed… well, didn't Bitch already have them?

But Stefanie decided to tell Bitch that she had them anyways, in case she wanted to use them.

Which meant walking to the shelter. She wasn't afraid, because Arachne had said, "My range is a little longer today." Which Stefanie knew meant that she could actually see the shelter, and that meant that if she was attacked, she'd have backup soon.

The shelter looked bursting full, and Stefanie wondered if now was the time to bring up perhaps adopting some of the puppies and young dogs they'd found out. Surely, with Arachne and Bitch right there to watch them, nothing bad would happen?

The whole place smelled like dog, which wasn't exactly the nicest thing. Stefanie tried to remind herself not to smile. Arachne had told her about that the other day, which explained… some things. Like how Arachne basically never smiled. Even when she wasn't in Bitch's presence. Though at least basically never wasn't never. It was weird, that's what it was.

She walked past dogs, running around her feet, chasing each other and playing, and saw Cassie in a short-sleeve shirt and a pair of shorts, leaning against a wall.

"Hey, things going alright?"

"Harder than I thought it'd be, but really fun, caring for the dogs." Cassie smiled wide. "But there's something weird about… stuff."

"You know not to smile, right?" Stefanie said.

"I've heard about that from Arachne. She was here last night. Bitch acts so different around her."

"Ah, too sappy for you?" Stefanie asked.

"No, it's really cute and I fly that ship and all of that. But Bitch gets short with me, and orders me around more when Arachne's here. Like she doesn't like me. She also asked me about you."

"What about me?"

"Just what I was like. What I'd said. She also practices reading, when Arachne's not around. And when she is around, together."

"Oh?" Stefanie asked. "She's not a very good reader? I'd noticed them reading together, was that…"

"Yeah," Cassie said. "Don't talk to her about that either. But she's still really cool. And… stuff." Cassie looked away, blushing. Was she going to explain that? No, Stefanie would have to just work that out herself.

Was it some sort of crush? But then why would she approve of Arachne and Bitch being together. And if it was a crush, it was the most doomed one ever. But wait, maybe that was it? Was Bitch… nah. Couldn't be.

"So, where is she?"

"She's out back, playing with the dogs."

*******

One, or maybe two, people were very attracted to her… or maybe more than that. Stefanie looked at Rachel as she knelt in the muck, petting one of the dogs when it'd retrieved the object for her, and didn't even see it. Heck, except for one person, Rachel probably wouldn't even care about that.

"Hey," Stefanie said, making sure not to smile.

"What?"

"Some more donations came in. Dog toys, this one random shirt… two random shirts. All sorts of things," Stefanie said. "I thought about asking Arachne whether you'd want any of them, but there's dog food, toys, collars…"

"So?" she asked, standing up. The dog she was so lovingly rewarding was this big, ugly mutt that looked like it could bite someone in half without Bitch's power to amp it up. She was a total mess, she needed a shower badly, and Stefanie wondered how someone as cool as Arachne… no, not the right sort of thought.

"Well, just wanted you to know. You have a lot of fans, you know that? I don't know how many, but."

"Where though?" Rachel asked, with a snort. "Online, mostly. Words, words, words."

"And money, money, money," Stefanie said. Bitch tensed, and she realized she'd given a grin without realizing it. "But anyways, I just wanted to check. The shirts are for you. They're… interesting."

Rachel didn't say anything.

"Do you not like me?"

"You're fine," Rachel said. Dismissively. As if fine was a very low bar and Stefanie had just barely cleared it.

"Then what is it?" Stefanie asked, hurt. She didn't really care about Bitch's opinion of her that much, but she didn't like the idea of being disliked, and Arachne cared a lot about what Bitch thought. They were both so wrapped up in each other.

"Why do you care?"

"Because I'm part of the team and I want to help."

"Get a shovel. There's shit that needs to be cleared out here," Rachel said. It was a challenge, but Stefanie had no idea how you were just supposed to knuckle up and butt heads with someone like that.

"I… maybe later? I have a lot to do. It's not like I don't like getting my hands dirty when I need to. I helped with the plumbing and so on. And what's with Cassie?"

"There's nothing with Cassie," Rachel said, so firmly that Stefanie blinked. What was going on?

"Okay, okay. I was thinking, could I… "

She thought of something. Some way to make a compromise and find out how to work with her. "Well, if you ride them first, could I have some practice time on the back of your dogs?"

"Practicing what?"

"Aiming. So I can help out in a fight."

Rachel seemed to be really considered it, her blocky face scrunched up in thought. "Okay." She nodded at Stefanie, and then gave perhaps the worst attempt at a smile ever. Then, as if some adult was in the room forcing her to and gunpoint, she said, "Sorry."

"For what?"

"Being gruff and shit," she added.

Did Arachne talk to you about that? Stefanie didn't ask.

"Apology accepted," was what she went with instead. "Listen, I… well, I think you're a hero, and I trust that you're doing good, and we're on a team. Alright?"

"Got it." Rachel looked briefly thoughtful, and Stefanie wondered if maybe she'd estimated Rachel wrong. If so many other people saw something in her, maybe she was missing something. Maybe she was just being jealous or stupid, or something.

Either way, Stefanie just needed to do her job and focus.

*******

It was quite a monument. Behind it was a wall, a dark one filled with names, but in front, in marble,, was the figure of a group of people raising their arms, striking furiously at what seemed, in the artist's imagining, to be a mass of clouds. She had no idea how the sculptor had managed to make Behemoth seem abstract, had made stone into… something else. Into fire and light and shadow. Into heroes arrayed as one against it, costumes evidently all different, powers seeming to work in different ways from the poses they were in.

The monument meant: here, heroes had all worked together and given their lives to fight back Behemoth.

But it wasn't the statue that Arachne and Bitch went to. Instead, they walked right up to the wall and began looking at it.

"So many," Taylor said, shaking her head. She wasn't in costume, and neither was Rachel, and it felt a little odd to be like that. Sunday, ten days later. And already a memorial. Already, it was the past. "So… what?"

Then she did something weird. Taylor started laughing, madly. "Really? What?! Really?" Taylor said.

Stefanie stared at her, wondering if she'd gone mad.

"What's up?" Rachel asked, frowning, looking so worried and concerned that Stefanie knew… well. Could certainly see the care. "Are you okay?"

"It's just… you know one of the trio?"

"Yes," Rachel said just as Stefanie mouthed 'No, I don't.'

"They're up on there. Sophia Hess, Shadow Stalker. And she's been a Ward for a long time, and they never even noticed any of this. Or cared. What bullshit!" Taylor shook her head, angry and…

Stefanie almost stepped back at the black, hard rage on her face.

"I need something to punch," Taylor said, which really was bad psychology and wouldn't help at all. "Now I don't feel bad about what we're going to do. If she deserves to be on this wall of dead heroes, then so do the dogs." Taylor looked like she was about to scream some more, or say something else. She was bottling it up, so well that Stefanie almost didn't notice it. Was she just very good at not emoting too much? Or… what was it?

"The dogs?" Stefanie asked.

"I'll keep watch. Pelter, can you help carve them in? We have a decent knife. It'll take a little work, but this is a team thing. Her dogs died, and they deserve credit."

Stefanie stared at the black wall of names. It'd take a long time, maybe hours, to carve anything into that.

It was against the law! Defacing an Endbringer Memorial! Surely someone would see them, or something?

Taylor held out a knife, and Stefanie wanted to say something about how this seemed almost like a gang initiation. She bit her cheeks, and looked at the two of them, pressing it on her. Wanting her to commit herself.

But she thought Arachne was cool, and that if so many people liked Bitch, she had to be alright too.

She grit her teeth and took the knife. "Tell me the names."

"Stumpy and Kuro," Rachel said firmly.

"I can spell them," Taylor said.

"Sure, if you think that'd help," Pelter said, as she leaned in and begun her work.

*******

A/N: Thanks to @NemoMarx.

 

[Markala]

Fuck yes.

The team grows! The Dog Lords of Brockton are soon upon us! Defend the territory from all comers! Tear Jack Slash's face off and eat it!

 

[Syroc]

Stefani is a sweetheart. I look forward to the day she gets her own fanclub.

 

[T_of_A]

This was awesome!

Poor Stephanie. Her life is hard...