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asryakino · 3 months ago

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The Spider God is a Sadist

Notes from the author - If you are interested in reading "The Monkey God is a Skater" without spoilers to MAJOR plot points, then do NOT read further.

That said, I could literally not sleep soundly until I wrote this out and like with the first arc [which is posted here on docs and here on tumblr (with an AO3 version coming eventually) ] I am stupidly proud of it.

Tags will follow, but this entire arc is not really for the feint of heart. It has a lot of emotions (I hope) and a lot of substance (I hope) but it's not pretty. There's manipulation, violence, physical and emotional abuse, death, and a lot of things that can potentially trigger some uncomfortable emotions. If you feel secure about it, read on. But this will absolutely change how you view certain characters of the story from earlier.

Patcher leaned against the cool stone wall next to the gate that separated him from the listless woman within. "I'm sorry it came to this, you know. I didn't want this to happen." His raspy voice was even, casual.

Maize sat within the stone cell, cross-legged near the wall, looking at her hands listlessly. The smallest of acknowledgement sound left her throat.

"You don't have to believe it. But it's true. I would have preferred this to have all gone much smoother. I made a mistake letting you go with the Monkey King on your own." He squatted down, turning to look past the metal grate at the girl, sparing only a glance at the massive ley-beast around her before focusing his grey eyes on her. "We can still do this the easy way, you know." He offered, shifting a hand out as if offering it.

Maize's voice felt broken in her throat, her eyes remained unfocused as she turned in the direction of the still-familiar voice of someone she thought she knew. He was there, in the shape and face of Patcher. The monster in front of her had his eyes, and his hair, his face… even his voice. For a moment she focused on him, trailing a look to the extended hand and flinching sharply as if the sight of it burned.

She drew her hands back up to her chest with a weak squeak of startled fear.

Elliot's eyes narrowed briefly and he retracted his hand with a mildly annoyed 'tch'. "I shouldn't be surprised, I suppose." He reached up, rubbing a kink from the side of his neck as he contemplated for a moment. "I would have liked to have kept Bobby around to keep you in check. But he forced my hand."

She cringed back, pressing her shoulders against the stone. "You… you ripped his arm off…" She murmured, her hands gripping her elbows in a vain attempt to sooth her shattered nerves. Flashes of red and gold haunting her mind still as images of the gruesome act replayed behind her eyes. "His…. His arm…" She hiccupped, holding back frightened tears and the fresh wave of nausea. She looked down at her hands, as if expecting them to still be covered with her best friend's blood.

Patcher's voice dropped to a terrifyingly cold and unemotional tone. "I couldn't let him take you to them. I've put far too much effort into you to risk losing that investment now. Not when the end goal is in sight. I won't lose you to anyone."

Maize cringed again, drawing herself small against the wall, as if it would help her to hide from the monster on the other side of the cell gate. "Is that all I am? A weapon in your fight?" Her voice was quiet, barely audible to herself, so she didn't expect an answer.

Cold, unfeeling silence met the tiny question. In the corner of her eye she watched the Crane stand fully up, his shadow stretching across the cell to stop near her feet. Instinctively she drew her feet away from the shade, twinging as fresh intimidation rolled down her spine.

He observed her winging, frightened form for a long minute, eyes narrowed.

"You were never meant to be anything more."

He pulled his chin up proudly. "Call for me when you're ready to follow instructions. I'll have one of the others bring your meals and medication."

As the crane god left, the soft sound of quiet crying trailed out of the cave behind him.

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Posa had been right.

Maize felt every part of her body tense up and her stomach fall before she ever even heard the man's footsteps echo in the cave outside her cell. Her insides felt twisted, and the heat of her own ley pouring over her like a shield was suffocating. She tried to will it back, and nothing she did would push it away.

Her skin felt as if it would char from the heat of her own ley, then the disturbing feeling of wave after wave of the hairs all over her body raising with every echoed step.

Some part of her human mind realized that the steps were so normal it was ridiculous to be so terrified. They weren't particularly heavy or intimidating. Yet every part of her body screamed at her to flee to wherever she could, to be prepared to fight for her very existence. The beast-her voice of her divine core was bristled, hackles raised, and teeth bared.

She knew, without actually seeing it, that her ley-form was trying desperately to protect her from the approaching threat.

With her chest tight enough to make it hard to breathe, and her skin feeling as if it would sizzle off of her body she forced herself to step to the middle of the cell, her hands clenched together before her, the bangles at her wrists pressed against the bone as her nails threatened to open fissures in her palms.

The man that stepped into the light looked so normal it was jarring. He wore kahki cargo pants and a pair of average lace up boots. It was easy to tell he was fit without being overly muscular, even through the plain black tee-shirt and biking jacket. He sported short cropped hair, wire-framed glasses, and a friendly smile.

Nothing about the figure before her would ever have lived up to the terror her very core felt or the horrible fear she recalled Posa trying to hide. He just looked like a guy; unremarkable in nearly every way.

Mari shifted her hands, feeling the tiny streaks of blood in her palms. Her pnuema was demanding she get away, but her logical mind reminded her there was nowhere to go. The beast-her snarled in a guarded way and her guts continued to churn in primally understood fear.

This was a predator. Whatever else this man was, he was a predator.

The man regarded her, a small smirk touching his thin lips. "Honestly, I'm surprised." He casually leaned forward, resting his hands on the bars of her cell as he eyed her from behind the rim of his glasses. Like everything else his voice was just… normal. He sounded so casual that it was off-putting.

"Nearly everyone else with even a little ley just collapses or passes out. Yet here you are, little Monkey King, still standing. Even facing me." He smiled, a motion that was nothing pleasant.

"I'm genuinely impressed."

He licked his lips as his eyes traveled up and over the shape of her ley beast as it wrapped around her defensively. "I wonder how long that bravado will actually last."

Mari's stomach clenched, her muscles burned from the tension in her limbs. Her breath, she realized, was coming in short, tense, gasps, rolling down her chest as if she could hide the fact she was breathing and if she could, that the monster standing in front of her wouldn't see her.

The man shifted his hand, fingers curling upward. She saw only a quick flash of gold, before a hot burning line stretched over her right arm, shoulder, and neck. It felt as if someone had laid a live hot wire across her torso. In her mind, she heard the ley-beast roar in pain.

Maize gasped at the hot blaze of burn, twisting and jumping back, as if she could escape whatever had touched her. The reactive movement was a mistake, a similar line bore against her back, as if she'd backed into the same hot line. Again, the ley-beast surrounding her roared in hot pain.

Maize hissed, refusing to scream out. She dropped down to one knee as she clung to her stinging arm, and rolled her shoulder toward the pain across her back, shivering from the shock of the sudden agony. Now, she shivered from shock rather than fear.

Her tongue felt heavy in her jaw, and her eyes burned from the tears she was refusing to let fall, but through the shaking she managed to quietly speak up. "Corpse Keeper." Her lungs burned from the effort and her watery eyes struggled to focus on the man.

"My reputation precedes me." He responded casually, smirking once again. "Pleasure to meet you, Little Monkey King." He raised two fingers, as if tipping an invisible hat. "Since we're going to be spending some… quality… time together; you can call me Seth."

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It felt like hours passed before Maize could even begin to force her heart to slow and the sound to quiet in her ears. She knew it had to be only a few minutes of uneasy silence to have passed. Her body was still trembling, the ley-beast was still defensive and her skin still felt as if it would begin burning off. She was positive she could feel welts raising up on her arm and back where whatever ley he'd used had touched her.

Still she stayed crouched on the floor, her mind a whirl of thoughts and emotions, struggling to catch a single one. She needed to focus on what she could do; what she could control.

Still yourself. She snapped at the beast in her mind. Calm. Down. She lifted her inner tone, quieting herself. You're feeding him our fear and I'd rather he starve.

Slowly, agonizingly, the beast's flaring quelled. In her mind, it took on less monstrous features and became more of the animal-like reflection she knew. It was still on edge but as it gained each inch of composure, the burning sensation all along her skin retreated.

Her limbs refused to obey just yet, small quakes of overwhelm racing along her body. As the scalding retracted, she felt parts of herself relax and immediately began to feel the leaden result of exhaustion.

Stubbornness and pride took over where fear had been, with a slow rolling anger. Her body was coming back under her control- one way or another. But she would not allow this asshole…

Her eyes snapped to the gate. He hadn't moved, leaning on his elbows against the gate with his hands outstretched casually into the cell, fingers extended.

He was simply watching her, the only movement she caught was the faintest inclination of his head and the barest hint of a smile touching his expression.

For the hair's breadth she met his eyes an icy chill pulsed down her spine. She turned away, glaring at his shoulder instead. Nothing good lay beyond the surface and she didn't want to see what ghosts lurked there.

Despite how much she wanted to force her throat to break the silence, he was the first to speak up again. "For just a moment, I felt that you might try to kill me." He smirked, a bit more openly.

"Instead you did all that just to stay silent and stoic?" His tone mocked. "You could at least be polite enough to introduce yourself if you're going to refuse to faint. Not to say that little show was boring, mind you. It was quite impressive, actually."

Maize took a slow breath, using the technique Patcher had… a sting of his betrayal arced through her, quelled sharply. She inhaled slowly, quieting her heart, settling her breathing with a long, slow, exhale.

In the cave's chill she could see the fine whisps of steam escaping her breath. The bangles at her wrists felt heavy, but her skin felt cool. Her body ached from the tension, and the lashes of ley burn stung, but her body was her own. All of the soreness and her breath; it was her's.

Even with every muscle fighting her, she pushed herself back up to stand, eyes closed as she focused her own will. The quivers of emotion stilled as she pulled her shoulders square and dropped her hands to her sides. She answered as she lifted her chin defiantly.

"My name is Marigold Marklan-Leeds."

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She had stopped quivering in her declaration. With self-assuredness broiling down her spine, reinforcing her mettle. If the only thing to give her strength in the moment was the spiteful pride she held toward her own name, then so be it.

Seth nodded, as if acknowledging what it took for her to say such a simple thing. Then he twitched his fingers. A sharp flash of gold flew in front of Maize's eyes, making her flinch expectantly, but she heard the heavy lock on the metal gate twist.

When she focused on the man casually standing at the gate, he was smiling genuinely. "I look forward to working with you, Miss Marklan-Leeds." He stepped back, pulling the gate open as he did and untangling his arms from the gap to hold the open door.

"I hope this means you can walk." With his free hand he swept it out toward the cave's deeper recesses. "Though I don't mind carrying you, should your legs give out." He added, the smile turning briefly predatory once again.

Maize's knees threatened to falter when the heavy metal gate opened. She focused on the man's chest, refusing to acknowledge his face.

One foot at a time. She just needed to focus on moving herself because whatever was awaiting her she knew in every bit of her body, mind, and soul, was going to be bad enough and she would be damned if she didn't walk into that den under her own power.

"Good girl." He said lowly as she stepped past him. A hot flare of indignation raced along her spine toward her neck and she bit her tongue, refusing to respond. She could feel his eyes burning into the back of her neck and she paused a few feet ahead of him, closing her eyes briefly to concentrate on getting her ley under control once more.

The door slamming behind them made her jump as the grating metal sound echoed down the cave and briefly through her chest.

"The monkey's pride? I wonder…" His voice mused from behind her left shoulder. She stubbornly refused to turn toward him, looking down into the cave. She didn't need to see the disgusting smile on his face to hear it in his words. "Ahead and to the right." He directed calmly.

The cave around them pulsated with ley. Maize could feel it growing stronger the deeper they went. Seth gave crisp, short directions, and she followed them into the dim depths.

She moved with the determination that whatever happened, happened. Seth smirked behind her, she could feel the smug arrogance of a man who never lost in challenges of wills. Her own spite at the idea of him 'winning' whatever this was made her back tight.

Everyone he's encountered must have broken under all of this pressure. She thought bitterly. I won't break.

If we kill him now, we won't suffer. The beast-her stood, resigned, before her in her mind. I might still have enough power to kill him. He took some of it from me… but I might have enough.

Maize tinged, recalling the pained shrieking roar in her mind when the strands of ley had touched her. All she had was fear. Fear wouldn't be enough to destroy him. She needed more.

Maize shook her head.

"I wasn't making a polite request, Miss Marklan-Leeds." Seth's voice, icy, hissed over her shoulder. "Inside."

She jolted, stumbling forward in a moment of panic and frightened motion. Her feet tangled on each other and she grabbed the doorway to catch herself. After the length of dim and dark in the rest of the cave, the room before her was starkly comfortable looking. Disturbing only in that it was so out of place.

Like the man behind her indirectly blocking escape.

Ley permeated the room, as if the stone itself were made of it. The shining gold flowed in patterns around the walls, however, dancing in a swirling masquerade around them. Low tables dotted the room, decorated with censers of incense trailing thin golden trails into the air. The heady smell was all-too-familiar. In the center of the room was a table, similar to a massage table though it felt off. It had a flat doughnut headrest and a simple backed chair just a few feet away.

Maize realized the set-up was too familiar too. It dawned on her that the censers were placed the same as Patch's recovery room. A stab of chilling hurt wrenched in her guts. A too-fresh reminder of the betrayal haunting her. The flash of BD's arm and blood followed, unbidden and uncontrolled across her mind.

Don’t! Beast-her shouted. Now isn't the time. She seemed to be growing some strength from the free ley in the room.

Maize's shoulders twinged as she felt Seth's presence sweep behind her, a cold pinch of dread following as she heard the door behind them shut. The air turned immediately cold and oppressive.

"That's the first time anyone has walked here." He said coolly. "You're already so full of firsts. I wonder how many more you have in you." Seth walked to the table, he patted it in silent direction as he passed, removing the motorcycle jacket from his shoulders in a smooth motion that carried it to drape across the back of the chair.

Maize had been right, the jacket didn't hide the fact he had a fit, agile frame. She caught his look from over the rim of his glasses, his eyes were darkened with expectation.

The dread in her gut did nothing to assuage the feeling of being led to a sacrificial alter. Though her feet carried her to the table's side nevertheless.

"I admit. I've never had to repeat myself as often as I have had to do today. Makes me appreciate my own patience and restraint." Seth cracked his neck, as if working some long-held stiffness out of it before leveling his bespectacled gaze at her again.

"Your shirt."

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Maize didn't move, processing the implied command. She couldn't see any real reason to strip her shirt off. Seth merely observed her, eyes taking in first the quivering shell, then the beast of barely restrained ley.

"Any concern for your body is unfounded." He said with a frightening sort of ease. "Don't forget, Miss Marklan-Leeds. I am as inhuman as they come and I have no desires on something so base and low as the fragile vessel of a divinity. My interests are in the soul you carry, not your body." Chilled detachment laced every word. He wasn't even looking at Maize anymore, staring with a disturbing hunger beyond her, around her, at the aura of shifting ley.

"Then why…?" Her leaden tongue finally lifted to let her speak. The thought couldn't finish the words before the intense gaze turned to her, partly shielded by the glass between his eyes and her.

His lips twisted into a frighteningly amused expression, something like a smug smile, or simply a predator sizing up how much patience to wield before ripping his prey to pieces.

"What is about to happen to you is going to be excruciatingly painful. You will feel every action to the very cells of your person. And it is highly likely those cells will break before I am finished." The way he spoke reminded her of Posa. But Seth's words were slow and methodical, he allowed every bit of information to sink in.

"Human bodies tend to break so easily during these procedures. And your's is especially fragile already." He locked the dark look on her face, trapping her attention. "If I am to preserve this useless shell the Crane insists on keeping; then I must monitor your core points for damage."

Maize hadn't consciously realized he had crossed the small amount of space until his hand reached out, pinching her chin and forcing her to look up at him. Initially she startled, then a heated well of spite and anger rolled down her back at the audacity of the action. Her heart thudded heavily in her chest as the heat welled around her ribs and toward her throat.

She started to speak, when a sharp flash of molten hot pain arced down across her back, along her legs and seared along the outside of her thigh. The ley-beast shrieked out in agony, and Maize's knee threatened to buckle.

"Don't even think of releasing such a half hearted curse on me yet." He smirked, releasing her chin and stepping back. "You'll need more of a reason than simple insult to kill me. And I relish in being the one to give you that conviction. If you keep pressing me, I may lose the ability to restrain myself. The shirt. Then get on the table."

He eyed the growing indignation in Maize's face with an amused smirk. "Or do you require my help?"

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She understood what Posa had meant. The live wire burns of ley had been bad enough, but they didn't feel like this. She could see his shadow on the floor beside the table, he only ever moved his hand and his fingers danced as if he were weaving on some kind of invisible loom. Every single motion felt as if he was tearing her apart.

The beast of her ley flared her power, and thrashed. But even in what was usually a dark sanctuary of her mind - Maize could see the slender golden cords holding her down as her form was disrupted, the vaguely humanoid form turned amorphous and shapeless, and still her screams pierced Maize's mind.

Maize fared no better. Burning, ripping pain raced along her back and legs. It arced along her sides and around her neck as if she were being pulled apart at invisible seams. Just when the brink of darkness would threaten to shut her mind down it would stop. Leaving her to gasp against the table, tears burning furrows down her face.

She wasn't aware of anything but the tearing, burning pain in every part of her body. The sound of her own heart blocked out whatever else was in the room. Her head spun, her eyes burned, and she was sobbing into the headrest.

All her life she'd heard about fates worse than death. This was one of them. Trapped in a body so wracked with agony that the world outside of it ceased to exist. Death would be a release. She'd been so offended every time one of these so-called gods had spoken down to her about how frail her body was.

Now she could see it. They were right. Was this something their body could just… endure? Could they go through something like this and move? Nothing living could. She was sure of it.

It took her a long time to realize the pain had stopped. Her body still felt on fire, but the active feeling of being ripped apart had stopped. Dimly she was aware she was still crying, and her chest felt tight. Her hands felt as if they'd been dipped in molten metal and her head was pounding from crying.

Her throat was ragged, and felt as if she'd been screaming for hours. She must have been the one screaming, not her ley-beast. Though the agonized shrieks still echoed in her mind.

Shock began to settle over her, making her skin feel cold and her body begin to quake. Somewhere, a loud banging noise recoiled in her ears.

BD? Bright, blinding light engulfed her vision as she was flipped off of the table and onto her back onto a cold floor. Bobby… I don't wanna die yet…

She shuddered violently in the arms of the one that had grabbed her. A gold shine exploded at her chest, covering her quaking body in a cloak of shining ley.

She felt something warm and soft cover her chest, and the glimmer sunk into her ribs, filling her lungs out so she could feel air in and out. Her pounding heart felt gripped by something gently squeezing it in regular time. Slowly, carefully, her breath eased, the drowning sound in her ears calmed.

The gold light cradled her. Still every muscle felt heavy but she was breathing, she didn't feel as if she was drowning in fire. She felt supported. Words were still too heavy to lift, and even with the glimmering ley helping her to breathe, her throat was shredded.

I was screaming… Bobby… I was calling for you… She squeezed her eyes shut, her cries turning from pain of the body to pain in her heart.

It had stopped. She was okay again, she could breathe, her heart was beating. Someone had saved her.

Her eyes couldn't focus, her body still refused to move. She tried to focus, listening for BD's voice.

"I told you to be careful." Elliot's voice.

"I was." Maize's mind brought up the image of Seth. Her breath stuttered. She felt the arms holding her shift, and another flare of warmth filled her chest, stilling her heart and leveling her breathing out as if she were sleeping.

Her mind remained aware, and she began to struggle to find control of her limbs.

"What part of frail did you ignore? What part of her body will fail if you put it under too much stress did you refuse to acknowledge?" Elliot's raspy voice rose angrily. "If she dies we lose everything you fucking lunatic."

Cool, collected, and unfazed, Seth retorted. "She isn't dead. And I got fairly deep before she began to crash. Deeper than I expected from the way you went on about her." Maize heard boots against the floor getting closer.

Her mind wanted to panic, but the gold warmth in her chest refused to let her heart speed up or her breathing change.

"Did you find it or not?" Elliot again, demanding.

"Not yet, What you're asking is going to require a few visits to sort all the chaff. You're asking for a single fry in a pond, and tying my hands on how to catch them. It'd be easier if you allowed it to mature more. A larger target is easier to find." A cold finger brushed against the side of her neck, leaving a thin trail of heat.

A slap followed. "I delayed enough already any further and no one would be able to contain it, much less control it. The bands will only do so much for so long. If we didn't act now, we'd lose." Elliot seemed to pause. Maize felt herself being lifted, cradled not in arms, but the gentle warmth of ley.

"I might find it next time." Seth's voice sounded amused as it got further away. "Or the time after that. Maybe the time after…"

Maize felt grateful that they were leaving him behind. Though she was far from comfortable. She tried to move against the ley surrounding her. It was as if she were fighting against a massive futon. Unable to move more than a small wiggle, while the soft gold glow in her chest continued to regulate her breathing and heart.

"Stop fighting me, Marigold." Elliot's voice was cool, commanding. She still couldn't see past the halo of ley around her head. "I wouldn't have had to resort to this if you hadn't refused."

She felt herself set down on cool fabric. She felt heated hands against her neck, then at her wrist. The same things she'd felt before when she knew she was safe didn't feel safe anymore. The pulse taking, the brushing her hair out of her eyes… it felt oppressive, possessive even.

"Agree to follow my directions. Agree to help me, and you won't have to go back to him." Elliot offered. "He's damn near impossible to control, and next time I may not be able to keep you alive."

Maize's throat struggled to make a sound. She moved her head side to side.

I won't kill for you, Elliot. I don't want to be someone's weapon. She thought bitterly

The warm glow retreated from her chest, making her cough briefly and struggle to turn onto her side. Her eyelids felt like stone and her eyes felt full of sand so she squeezed them tightly shut, trying to let her body settle.

She heard the disappointment in Elliot's voice. "Your body needs to recover but your ley is fine. Disrupted, but intact. When I bring your food later, eat it all, and drink anything I bring you. Nod if you agree."

Mari nodded faintly, leaving him to continue. "You have one day to decide if you're going to help me, or if you're going to resist. Make the smart choice, Marigold."

A cloak of warm gold covered her over, soothing the burning ache left behind by the spider's web. In the back edge of her mind, the shapeless form of her beast-her lay curled in the shadows. Even in her mind she couldn't reach out to comfort her own broken shade.

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By the time Elliot returned with a tray of Taishon food, Maize had pushed herself into sitting up. It was more than she thought she'd manage, but she'd done it. She'd been leaned against the stone wall with her eyes closed, concentrating on feeling out her own body when the metal gate creaked open.

Her eyes opened to slits, untrusting as the slender doctor entered with the tray in one hand and a tall bottle in the other. The door slowly swung shut behind and he stepped to the folding table near the bed. He quietly set the tray down, a heap of glazed chicken and vegetables beside a dam of rice filled the air with a tantalizing aroma. Salty broth soup with cubes of tofu, and a few small servings of prepared sides glistened like treasure across the tray. In the corner, a small cup with familiar pills, mundane human medication.

Maize eyed the meal cautiously, pushing herself off of the wall.

Her body still ached, but the burn was almost completely gone. Vaguely Elliot's earlier words echoed in her mind as she pushed herself to the edge of the bed, dangling her legs from the side. He lifted the folding table and set it beside her.

Maize didn't want to look at the monster that looked like her friend. Whoever it was standing there couldn't be the Patcher she'd known and trusted. She was drained, emotionally, at this point. A small, hurt, sniff escaped her mask of calm, threatening to crumble everything away.

Her hand moved out, taking up the chopsticks and on instinct giving a small word of thanks before picking up the bowl of rice and curry. She sniffed again, cracks of exhausted emotion breaking through.

"You're allowed to cry." Elliot's words sounded somehow both bitter and permissive. "I'm not such an inhuman monster that I'd judge you for crying. I understand that you've been through a lot in a short time."

Quietly, maize sniffled again, her chin quivering as she ate without another word, heated tears flowing freely and unstoppable down her cheeks dotting her shirt.

"I can't avenge the ones I've lost without you, Marigold. I made my decision centuries ago. And when you came along, I found the method to achieve that. A perfect trifecta of the right capacity, power, and ability. A one of a kind weapon I can use against those who took everything from me all those years ago. And those who allowed it to happen."

Maize shuddered, but still didn't speak, keeping her eyes downcast, eating small bite after small bite slowly. Elliot observed her a moment, then held the bottle out.

"I meant what I said. Agree to follow my direction. Be my sword and I won't let the spider near you again."

She folded the hashi together, setting them down on the tray and took the bottle up. The heavy liquid sloshed inside with the soft clink of ice. Without prompting she flipped the cap up, taking a slow, cautious, sip. Sweet and lightly carbonated fruit soda slipped across her tongue and down her throat. The cold soothed the ragged edges worn from hours of screaming in pain. Though the bubbles tickled and burned making her flinch back and shake her head before taking another careful sip.

She seemed to not pay mind to the tears still trickling down her face as the crisp drink revitalized her spirit next to the familiar food. Still, she refused to speak, taking the utensils up again to pick up veggies and clumps of rice.

In the shadows of her mind, even the ley-beast stirred and meekly took in the wisps of ley. Maize realized the food and drink must have been made with Divine Tree fruit and honey.

She had about half of the meal eaten before daring to speak up at all. She wiped her face on the sleeve of her shirt, looking down at the bottle of soda in her hands.

"I don't want to kill anyone." She whispered, not daring to lift her voice too much, afraid it would crack and she'd break down again. "I'm sorry you've been hurting for so long…" She swallowed, flinching slightly. "But destroying more lives isn't justice. I won't help you."

Elliot's eyes leveled on frail human before him. He didn't move, only watched with disappointment. "Tomorrow the spider will be looking through your soul for the power of your command, again." He said evenly. "I'll do what I can to ensure he doesn't kill you." Somehow the promise of aide felt much more like an ominous threat. Her stomach clenched anxiously as she felt the shift in his attitude. His voice turned cold, detached.

"Your vessel needs to recover. Finish your meal. I'll send one of the others to collect the dishes later." Elliot didn't await a response as he strode to the gate. He pressed a pale hand against the lock on the gate and pushed it open. "Good night, Marigold."

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Day and night were meaningless in the depths of the cave. Mari knew that either Elliot or one of the Pact Rats following him would bring her a meal. The foods were varied, but they were all things she liked and honestly, she wasn't in the mindset to crave anything in particular.

Changes of clothes were usually brought in with what could be assumed was the evening meal, and she was numbly left to take care of herself in the small secluded alcove of a rustic bathroom before bed.

Twice Roll and Lock had escorted her to an odd natural mineral spring that looked like it was flowing out of a fossilized tree. The second time had been what Maize was assuming was a day ago after the last "session" with the spider. Each time she felt a different sort of ley permeating her body and melting the soreness and stiffness away. After the last time, she vaguely wondered if stories of the fountain of youth were in reality springs like this one.

She'd had two more sessions with the spider by this point. And while she expected him to be showing some form of frustration; disturbingly, he only seemed more fascinated. The demented beast seemed more interested in drawing her pain out than finding the part of her soul Elliot was so desperate to have.

Patterns of behaviour can be a weakness in an operation. That was something Marigold had learned decades ago. If a group had regular patrols, then those against them would simply plan around those regular patterns. You want to break into a house? Learn the walking path of the occupants. You want to avoid the police? Learn where and when they take their breaks, and which officers rotate on patrol.

And when you expierence regular and consistant pain, you learn to compartmentalize it. What might have started as some of the worst pain you've ever had, when it's happened over and over, becomes just another hurdle to your daily life. You learn ways to function despite it.

When her heart felt as if it'd explode, she learned to still it with the muscles around it. When her lungs felt tight in an attack, she learned how to breathe through the pain and discomfort.

When her legs threaten to buckle under her, she learned how to shift her weight and continue walking forward.

Three times now she spent hours crying, screaming, and begging for darkness to swallow her up. She was denied that darkness.

Three times now she had been released, her body restored and her pain treated.

Three times she felt the molten knife of a monster tearing open her soul to look for a power he didn't have.

Two times he pushed her body to the point of Elliot stopping the demented creature and using ley to stabilize her physical body.

The last time he had learned exactly where the limit was and would stop just shy of pressing her into shock, only to let her recouperate exactly enough to press her to the same point. Elliot had stepped in after several hours of the torment, demanding answers and snatching her away with harsh words she'd been too exhausted to understand.

Trying to calculate time in a place with no sun and no clocks wasn't easy, but if she was right, she'd be feeling the spider's presence any time now.

Three extended meetings with the monster gave her enough to know how he was going to act and how he expected her to react by now.

But the pain he inflicted was just pain. The first times it had been worse than simply dying. The first cuts he had made into her ley had rent her soul and body.

But she lived.

Like the memory of tearing her ACL, the pain had been unbearable when it happened.

But she lived.

She lived with pain every day of her life in one form or another. Her legs, ankles, chest, head… the list was seemingly endless. What could he do more than what he already had? Cause more pain?

Spite trailed along her back, a mocking sort of tone coming from the ley-beast that had suffered so much at his hands. I'm tired of this shit. It hissed.

Fear only ever worked for so long before it turned into resentment, anger, and hatred. Control through fear could never last. Even Swain knew that and used alternate methods of manipulation.

Fear of pain could never work for long against someone who woke every morning aching and sore just from existing in the physical world. And Maize had reached her limit.

-----------------------

When Seth arrived at the cell housing the little human bearer of the monkey king's flame he had walked with his normal confident step. As the cell's occupant came into view, he paused, a smirk touching at the corner of his mouth.

"Have you reached your breaking point, Miss Marklan-Leeds?" His voice chided, eyes taking in the flaring creature before him. A delicious rime of anger surrounded the immature soul around her. Sweet-bitter fear replaced by the sharp tang of indignant fury. He licked his lips just slightly.

There was nothing forced about the calm she had this time. The first time she'd locked her joints with determination to not appear weak. He could still recall the delectable scene of blood from her hands and how tempted he'd been.

This time, she met him with purpose in her shoulders, intention in her back, and anger in her hands. He wondered how far he could push her now. How long before she'd begin begging for his plucking at the strands of her soul to end.

The self righteous pigeon had stopped his little game last time before he could snap the little ape's last tie to reality, just a while longer and her mind would have snapped into delirium.

Now though, he was sure that her fall would be ever more exquisite.

A flick of a finger lashed a strand of ley to the lock, opening the mechanism and swinging the gate open.

"Eager to begin today?" he inquired as she stepped out. He noticed her footing was more sure than usual, perhaps her bravado had something to do with that. He chuckled mirthlessly. That particular scent of pride and anger reminded him far too much of an ancient adversary.

"You know the way, your majesty." He added.

------------------

Something had changed in the way he was moving. They were halfway to the ley room before it dawned on her what he had said as she left the cell. Her hands briefly clenched at her sides as she debated rising to the bait.

She stopped before entering the room itself. His casual steps paused and in a brief moment the oppressive pressure of the spider's aura descended on her like a dense fog. Her shoulders stiffened and her skin bristled.

"Don't lose your nerve now…" The toying tone belayed a note of disappointment.

That was the difference. He'd held back. A flare of anger raced up her spine before she stepped forward with an annoyed click of her tongue striding to the damnedable table without another falter or hesitation.

Seth rolled his head, cracking his neck with a smirk as he stepped into the room, closing the door behind to complete the seal in the room. She'd already stripped her shirt off and was sitting up on the table, her back to him. Red tinted her ley in fine lines like lightning.

"And now our race has truly begun." He said, taking his seat to eye up the ley beast that had turned from cowering and lashing out in fear to bristling before him, ready to strike out on command.

Maize closed her eyes, finding her center and settling her tone to speak evenly. "You're talkitive today." She accused.

"Another first you've managed to draw out of me." He assured, smirking openly now. "Like my failure until now has also been a first. I admit, the task was impossible from the start unless you helped me."

Curiouscity burned at the corners of her mind. "Oh?"

"If I hadn't stopped you the first time, this would all have been over in that exact minute." He explained. Maize felt an unwanted tension roll down her back. She recalled the first day when he'd stopped her before she could command him.

"Did you think I would try again?" She waited for the first cut that hadn't come yet.

"I thought you might have by now, but I'd hoped not. That'd ruin our race against each other." Seth casually leaned back in the high backed chair. "And to be completely honest, you've been the most entertaining bit of prey I've ever had. And I am including the twelve kaminai. When we're done with each other I may switch to live prey in the future."

That struck a nerve, a heated red flare washed over the girl and her beast briefly snarled. Seth watched her take a breath, exhaling a long stream of essence that swirled and joined the trails that swirled around the room. He lifted one side of his lip in amusement, eyeing the woman before him through the glass of his lenses.

"If you think you can. Go ahead. Command me." He mocked, sitting up with a tilt of his chin in superior self-assurance. "Just so you know that's the game here. Can you truly strike me down with one word? Because that's all you'll have the chance to unleash. The moment you use that ability, your ley will reveal to me exactly where your ability has been hiding. I'll only have to rip it out."

A brief tremble tightened her chest and she clenched her jaw. Her promise to Posa quietly replayed in her mind.

"So if you think you can destroy me in a single word, try me. I could bring the Crane in here, you could try it on him instead. I've been a little disappointed you haven't commanded him too. This cave system is my lair, I've waited all this time for you to utter a single word of command to any of the little insects here. And you've stubbornly refused to utter even a syllable." His voice got closer as he spoke.

When a wide, hot hand pressed against the small of her back, a shudder rolled up through her entire torso, followed immediately by a heated fury that traced back down. The heated coil snaked up her spine, stopping at her shoulders as she hissed.

"Don’t you dare fucking touch me."

"Or what, Little Monkey King?" Seth reached from behind her, wrapping his hand around her throat. His hand burned against her skin.

"You'll make me? You have the power to do it, but do you have the conviction to make it count?" He leaned in against her shoulder, dropping his voice to a low almost-whisper.

"I don't think you do."

A pair of hard bangs sounded on the door, snapping the spider's attention away from her. His hand slid slowly off of her neck, trailing over her shoulder as he turned. Irritation laced through his movements as he leaned his hips against the end of the table. His arms crossed over his chest and a flick of his fingers send a thin flash of gold to the door, pulling it open.

"You're ruining my work you self-important cock." Anger burned at his words as the door opened fully. Maize could see Elliot standing in the hall. She drew a leg up to her chest, wrapping her arms around it and shielding her face behind a wall of hair.

The pale haired doctor eyed the apparent scene in front of him, a sneer touching at his lips before his attention fully focused on Seth. "There isn't time for your fucking games anymore. They're on their way here." He beckoned the other man with a firm tilt of his head.

Seth pushed away from the table, ignoring the woman as he strode across the room with a heavy sigh. He stepped into the hallway, closing the door to a crack that he stood before, angled until he could just look at Maize from the edge of his glasses.

When she shifted, sitting up and trying to look out the crack, straining to see and hear what the two were doing a snap of gold flared past her face, close enough for the heat of it to make her wince. A silent instruction to sit still.

Her shoulders tensed, heated rage broiling under her ribs.

"You've wasted enough time that they've managed to track her down." Elliot's furious voice sounded close. Maize looked confused, until she realized it was coming through the strand of ley.

"You handed me a half metamorphosed soul and demanded I find its mouth. If she were less developed, or more developed there would be something to find. But inside of that cocoon is nothing but sloppy undefined ley that barely has the cohesion of putty. As it stands you've managed to raise a prideful, stubborn woman that refuses to use her power even to protect herself. So if you're so pressed at how much time this is taking you make her use it so I can tear it out while she's commanding you to fuck off a bridge into a gorge." Seth's voice never really raised beyond a normal speaking voice, but the anger and irritation of being interrupted was evident.

Elliot's voice was restrained, his raspy tone dropping. "It doesn't matter anymore. Can you find her memories?"

"I marked them."

A faint, resigned sigh. "Rip them out. If we lose this location now we won't have the time or ley to do it before she begins fighting back."

Maize's stomach dropped. Her world felt as if it had been ripped out from under her. A dizzy sense gripped her head.

"If you're sure." Seth's voice lifted in an almost teasing tone, as if he were taunting the captive eavesdropper. "You're ordering her death. The moment I cut her memories from the pnuema, she'll be nothing but an empty husk. The little life known as Marigold Marklan-Leeds won't exist anymore."

"I said what I said." Elliot's tone was cold. "I'll take the weaker weapon I can wield over the untempered one that can turn on me."

"As you wish then."

------------------------------

Marigold listened to the voice transmitted through the thread. Her heart felt as if it had stopped and Posa's words were pounding in her mind, over and over.

Choose your own life over his. Do whatever it takes to survive.

The door began to open again, she could hear Elliot's steps echoing down the stone hall as he left.

Everything around her turned into a haze of slow motion. Her body felt hot, her skin felt as if it were going to burn away as fear turned into rage and back into terror. They were going to kill her.

Her eyes shot to the unassuming man stepping back in. She saw his fingers twitch and twisted burning lines of ley snapped around her, scorching into her skin. Animalistic screams tore through her throat, echoing the roar of rage from the beast of ley around her.

"You heard the man, Marigold." He stated flatly, though his eyes took in the primal animal struggling in his web, lashing out even as the lines entangled it, burning lines into the uncontrollable ley. Across the girl's pale skin, welts echoing the beast's begin to raise up.

His hand shot out with a speed he often reserved, wrapping firm fingers around her throat to hold the thrashing girl still.

As his hand squeezed, Mari's gaze zeroed on his face. A wild, furious and desperate fire burned in her eyes. Her words and breath were choked, but a hideous flare of power crashed through her body like a tidal wave of fury. In desperation she grabbed Seth's arms, digging her nails into his forearm, her other hand trying to peel his fingers off of her throat. Hot ropes of ley, tinted red, wrapped through her chest, entwining around her core. When they reached her neck and began encircling it Maize could feet the flames of desperate survival scorching at her skin and down to her bones.

The firey hot ley burned Seth's hand, still he held onto the struggling wretch. She opened her mouth and a single syllable flew from her tongue. He saw the flare in the beast's form as the command activated and his finger twitched.

"Die."

---------------------------

A massive pulse of raw cosmic energy released through the entire cave system as if a bomb had gone off. Heated cracks of red snapped through the room, destroying the golden seals in the walls and knocking free jagged chunks of stone as the flow was disrupted.

In the middle of fallen from the walls, crushing the tables and scattering the censers of incense lay the pale exposed body of a young woman and the cold, lifeless corpse of an ordinary looking man.

Her skin was welted with thin thread-like burns criss-crossing over her torso, and her throat bore a red handprint that wrapped from one side to the other. Her breath was shallow and lightning-like scars flowed up her arms, originating from the amber and metal bracelets on her thin wrists.

Elliot had barely made it to the end of the hall when the pulse happened and the scene before him forced even the Crane to hesitate. The shattered remains of the door lay scattered in the hall, and the ley room was thoroughly destroyed. Pale eyes flicked from wall to wall, the released ley was converging on the soft body laying serenely amongst the rubble.

He didn't need more than a moment to see that the spider was dead, his divine core had been crushed to ash. As others arrived in varying states of panic behind him, the Patcher lifted a hand, silently ordering them to stay back as he picked his way into the room around jagged stone drained of ley. The beast had retracted to her core, barely a shadow of what it had been not five minutes before. Kneeling down he brushed his fingers on the side of her marked neck. The pulse was strong, but slow. He gently pressed two fingers to her sternum. Her breath was even and stable.

"Fucking fool." He sneered down at the unremarkable body of one of the most feared demons of all time. A soft glow of warm ley surrounded the topless girl, lifting her evenly into the air, though he was sure she was generally unharmed. "You self-indulgent foolish bastard just had to push your luck."

He looked again at the girl, tracing the thin scars over her torso, knowing without seeing that they extended all over her. He then eyed the lightning-like marks up her arms, frowning. "You really put every ounce of yourself into that…" He mused, carrying the girl out of the room, abandoning the corpse of the Corpse Keeper.

"Grab everything you can." He commanded to the concerned faces of the crew. He didn't care which was which. He walked toward the exit of the spider's den.

"We're leaving."

--------------------------------

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asryakino · 3 months ago

Text

The Monkey God is a Skater

Ages past, the gods wined, dined, and met for huge banquets. They showed off their prowess and the world in its infant state flourished. As the world developed, each clan took on aspects of its growth; some added land, water, and terrain features; some filled it with bustling life in animals and plants; others brought gifts of entertainment, culture, and knowledge.

As is the nature of things in the universe - conflict arose. At first it was quibbles, disagreements about how to foster the world’s growth. Some wished it to be ever peaceful, to never know sickness, hunger, or war. Others argued that the world would stagnate, its people flounder, and it would become listless without purpose to drive it.

Some argued the new world should be bathed in light forever. Others desired a world of darkness. While a majority agreed that one could not be without the other- though it was in disagreement how much of each should rule the new world.

The gods’ clans fell to dissent and it seemed a war between them would destroy the new world and all it had become already; when a small voice of reason arose.

A contest would be held in the heavens. Every clan of the gods would send a representative and they would compete in each of twelve games. The winners would then be those to determine the direction of the world's growth, taking turns equally and leading fairly.

So the heavens opened, the five great gods of the heavens presided and the games were held. The twelve worldly gods were chosen- Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Boar.

With the games concluded, the great heavenly gods built a palace at the top of the world for the current god to reside and rule for their time. A great festival was held to honour and celebrate the new world's gods. For a week the world celebrated, and at the last day a great feast was held and the great heavenly gods granted the first god divinity over the world; Then they retreated to the heavens to watch, advise, and allow the younger gods their rule.

But, as is the way of the universes, not all were content with the games results. Among some of the god clans grew anger, resentment, and jealousy. Some within the clans felt cheated, upstaged, and cast aside and as their dissent grew - so too did their desire for revenge. Those who were upset banded together in secret, allowing their feelings to fester in the long-reaching shadows of the Twelve.

------------

Years passed, the Twelve ruled each in turn, with a great festival held at the end of their reign and culminating in a banquet. Over time each of the Twelve took on a partner, and each reign they ruled as they saw fit, bestowing their values on the world and fostering its growth. And for a time it was well.

Though within the shadows cast by those who ruled brewed the ugly feelings of those who had failed to secure a place among them. Though the troubles they caused often were minor, the Twelve did take some notice, but thought little of it overall. Except for Monkey.

Monkey wisely observed the unhappy gods, and often he would halt their schemes before too much trouble was caused. When the disquiet died down for a time, even Monkey believed that the unhappy gods had given up, and he eagerly awaited his turn within the grand palace, so when the end of Goat's rule came; Monkey planned a grand festival and massive banquet to celebrate his coming to power.

But his foolish actions cost them dearly, and changed the world of the gods forever. In his belief that the unhappy gods had given up their troublemaking, too much alcohol flowed. Revelry became carelessness and in the moment of weakness the unhappy gods struck.

During the grand banquet the darkened gods, now turned to demons by their feelings, attacked. They ravaged the palace, destroying all they could and the Twelve were captured; their powers were bound; and they were thrown from the palace to wander the world below. The demons, believing it would humble and dishearten the Twelve, took the souls of their loved ones and sealed them within clay vessels. Believing it would leave them hopeless and shattered to wander the world alone and deposed.

The world, for a time, was thrown into chaos. The demons couldn't choose any single leader among them and they warred with one another. Petty squabbles turned into feuds, and the world below paid the price.

The twelve could do little to aide. Without their godly powers they could only do what little they could among the mortal realm.

Monkey, while not alone in his feelings of guilt, blamed himself most. He wandered the world, trying to quell tensions where he went and causing trouble for the demon clans where he could. Even without his powers, he still possessed his wit and charm.

Dissent grew between the demons. None of them could decide any one way to rule the world, each believing only their way should be the true way.

Wolf herself grew tired of the bickering. The goal of bringing down the Twelve had tied the demons together but their petty differences were going to destroy the world. She had only wished her turn to rule, as Dog had. But the demons quibbled over so much, and her voice was rarely heard. She knew her time would likely never come.

She couldn't act against the stronger demons directly, so she looked to the great heavenly gods for guidance. For a long time the skies were silent.

Phoenix spoke up, whispering to Wolf to throw the jars containing the souls of the Twelve from the top of the world.

The Twelve's godly powers had been locked away with the souls, and breaking the jars would free them to be reborn. The Twelve would reunite with their souls, their powers would be restored and the demons usurped- but to do so would put the Twelve back on the path of rule. She would once again, eventually, be overshadowed by Dog and the others. Could she return to that life?

Wolf thought hard and long on the idea. She would rather live within the shadow cast by Dog than allow the world to destroy itself in chaos. But how to free the souls? If she were to simply break in and release all of them she would be punished by the other demons. There were no guarantees that the released souls would reunite with the Twelve. Wolf herself knew some of them had given up and gone into hiding. On a dark night when the moon was black, Wolf stole into the room housing the urns. The jars were so large and unwieldy she could only take one. She chose carefully and fled the palace even as the alarm was raised.

Wolf and her retainers raced into the night with the jar, fighting through the hordes of demon clan until she reached the far wall of the palace. Injured, she faced the demon horde bearing down on her and with a howl of resistance threw the urn from the mountaintop palace wall.

Raven and Owl both tried to catch the urn, but crashed into one another instead and the vessel slipped past their grasping claws and into the world below where the soul was released, housing a god's powers and the hope for the future.

------------------

"I'm telling you, he's amazing! The whole crew agrees."

"Oh yeah," Her eyes rolled dramatically, a hand waving in the air nonchalantly. "… they're such great judges of character." A laugh echoed over the concrete structures as they passed the park. She turned toward her friend, smirking cheekily anyway.

"Okay, so the narc was a bad choice." A dull chink of metal on stone sounded with each step from the bouncing footsteps of the garishly dressed skater. They were walking backward so as to face the smaller figure. "We got everything fixed up."

BDC had been blabbering on about this new skater for half an hour already. The speedster hadn't been this excited about a new crew member since… well… ever. Which honestly was making her a tiny bit excited to meet this inliner. Considering how often the skate crew was avoided, getting a new member that approached -them- rather than being headhunted was a little more unusual.

Around them loomed the concrete and steel structures. Once a planned amusement park and now largely abandoned it had become home to various troops of skaters, vagrants, and a well-known hangout of the city's na'er-do-wells. It was also the best shortcut to the bustling shopping arcade where their friends were waiting with this mysterious new member.

"Bonbon~…" Maize teased, getting exactly the reactionary glare from her friend. It melted away with a wrinkled nose after a moment. She smiled gently, looking toward the edge of the park. "Everyone's okay though, right?" The concern in her voice was genuine.

A fight had broken out at the shopping arcade two days before when a new gang had attempted to strong arm their way into the shopping arcade. They'd begun bullying customers, causing trouble for several businesses and, as usual, the local authorities had been useless. So BDC and the others had stepped up to confront them. Apparently they had underestimated the gang's numbers and been overwhelmed before this mysterious new inliner had appeared and turned the tables on them.

"Yeah. Tucker took a pretty bad hit, gonna be sidelined for a while. But you should have seen it. The way he tells it, he'd been following them for a while because they were causing trouble on the northwest side of town… he'd already been on the way to come ask us for help!"

"That's really convenient, Bobo… dude just shows up, knows this new crew and out of nowhere helps kick their asses?" Maize shook her head, wisps of hair floating around her face. "You guys are asking for trouble by letting him in. It's the Narc all over again."

"You didn't see what I saw Mai. These guys were not playing around with him. They were out for blood the minute they saw him join the fight. We were jokes as far as they were concerned. It was seriously not right." BCD looked troubled. It wasn't an expression Maize often saw on the skater's face. "They were weird. And we got lucky with the Inline showing up."

Maize threw a halfhearted wave at a group of older skate rats parked at a set of tables. On their otherwise (artfully) tattered vests they proudly displayed the patch belonging to BCD and Maize's crew- allies and fellow protectors of the territory. The pair passed through the wrecked gate to the abandoned park and onto the main road to the shopping arcade.

Another block and they reached the main part of the mall. The swell of hundreds of voices told them it was clear long before they arrived, and the cheery greetings from shop owners, cashiers, and stall vendors reassured Maize that the incident of two days prior hadn't sullied the general atmosphere of the precious shopping district.

They made a bit of a pair. BDC stood head and shoulders over Maize, and had brashly bright orange hair that swept to the side and trailed down their shoulder. They wore a torn long sleeve striped shirt under an artfully slashed short sleeve and a pair of tight pants that housed a handful of chains draped from pocket to loosely slung belt. Snugged against their outer thigh was a sidecar bag sporting the skate crew's patch. BDC could be somewhat intimidating to those who didn't know them, but the same could be said of most of the group. Often they were heard before they were spotted, with an almost menacing clink in their step owed to the snap-in rails embedded in their footgear, in a minute they could be on wheels and speeding down the road.

Maize seemed downright motherly when paired against the rest of the crew. Often found in a pastel-coloured dress and leggings with her own sidecar bag sporting her crew patch while the patches of past and present crews decorated the sides and belt, detailing a long history of associations. The limp in her step spoke quietly to the reason she no longer had wheels of her own.

The two came up to the centre of the arcade where a fountain burbled merrily, acting as a comfortable meeting place for many in the city.

Though for today it hosted the dozen or so core members of the Pact Rats - Garwin City's leading skate crew and self-proclaimed protectors of its citizens.

--------------

To see the group of assembled young people would likely concern the casual observer. Their clothes were torn, studded, chained, decorated with patches and stylistically chosen pins. They seemed held together with neon colours, garish patterns, and copious amounts of belts, duct tape, and creative sewing techniques.

Hairstyles ranged from slicked back and dyed a shiny black to spiked eight inches high and topped with a myrid of bright colours. The only unifying factor was an image of a mouse running on top of a cartwheel that was displayed on jackets, belts, vests or, like Maize and BDC, on bags firmly attached to the hip.

The wheeled denizens were taking laps around the fountain, weaving between mall patrons on modified boards and blades or leaned against a pillar at the edge of the area. The sound of boards and wheels on concrete blended with the water bubbling away in the fountain and the voices of people milling around, conversing and shopping.

"So about the new guy I've heard so much about?" Maize called out above the general din.

Several faces turned toward each other in silent question, then looked around in confusion and shrugged. A small voice from one of a trio on quads circling the square's edge peeped up. "…said he'd be by later…?" She trailed off in uncertainty.

Maize shook her head, but still smiled quietly. A tension she didn't know she'd been holding the whole way there melted out of her shoulders. The Rats were alright.

BDC raised a hand in greeting to the others, several smiled then pulled up to a stop as the pair got closer. A tall square-built black guy with his dark hair in beaded twists stood abruptly. He hid the flinch of pain behind an easygoing smile and raised a hand in greeting. BDC walked off with the clink of their boots muffled by the chatter of other Rats.

"Yo." His jovial voice lifted over the general noise of the arcade and fountain.

"Tuck…" Mazie's voice rose just slightly and the big guy chuckled nervously, sitting back down on the fountain's edge with a mildly embarrassed rub to his stubbled chin.

"Bobby told you huh?" He smiled, but looked away.

"Uh-huh." She sat down on the edge next to him.

Several of the others laughed and made various friendly teasing comments about how nothing got past Maize and how one or the other of them should pay up or the like. She breathed a sigh of relief, taking mental stock of what each of her friends looked like. She'd seen it all before in the past. When crews would fight constantly. The way Tucker was leaning attested to a few cracked ribs being the culprit; but among the others it was bumps and bruises, a few split lips, one apparently broken nose, and black eyes - all the standard signs of a bad scuffle.

------------------

Signs like those that had become more common lately in a worrying turn. Alien crews had been showing up much more often lately- outsiders apparently thinking that Garwin was an easy mark. It wasn't unheard of, but the uptick in outside groups seemingly coming in with the express purpose of stirring trouble up was concerning.

Of course, there was also the subject of the randomly appearing, and seemingly knowledgeable, skater who swooped out of thin air to help. Maize wasn't really sure if she should be concerned or grateful for the mysterious stranger.

In a sprawling city like Garwin, it wasn't unusual to have multiple groups of people lay claim to various portions of it. It was said that territory battles between weaponized gangs were common in the larger and more dense metropolises. All out wars would break out between violent gangs and citizenry- or subtle strangleholds would take over. Garwin was wide, but not densely populated. Houses weren't stacked on top of each other; people didn't clamor over one another just to get from place to place. People lived comfortably, communities were fairly tight knit without being suffocating. There were affluent areas where the communities were gated and full of politicians and upper crust types. But a majority were plain people of different backgrounds and their communities reflected that.

Troubles had come and gone for the city throughout Maize's life there. She had a handful of long-time friends like BDC and some of the other Rats but she'd seen a fair amount of ugliness in Garwin already. It wasn't as if the city as a whole was dangerous, but like any large location packed with humans and a constantly changing atmosphere - things happened. Certain areas were always unstable, and you just had to do what you could to keep your own life secure.

Lately, trouble had come in the form of a surge of outside people coming in and thinking they could abuse the city. Desperation had bred Trouble.

A new mayor had been elected who hadn't lived in Garwin proper for more than a couple of years, and brought with her a lot of new ideas. Ideas that would push aside the old town, the established, and the native population to encourage tourism and temporary citizens. Things that threatened the way of life for most of the city. She'd publicly decried how the older parts of the city were eyesores. How 'clinging to an outdated way of living' was detrimental.

Most of the city hated her and she'd earned several unflattering nicknames for it.

Her grand plans to bring the unique city into her version of the future had opened up a lot of avenues for trouble. She insisted the newer areas had to be protected by the police force. So patrols in the lower ends had all but stopped. Older shopping arcades and malls were abandoned by the major brands, and left to struggle with local businesses and smaller contracts. The handful of big-name stores in the older parts of the city were only there because they were entrenched.

The Mayor was trying to cut the parts of the city she didn't like out like cancers. They held together only because of the communities within them. For a time, local crews took up patrols, like wheeled neighbourhood watches.

Current and former students, those who were brave enough to make themselves a presence within their communities began simply existing outside and among the people. Skaters, gamers, the odds and ends.

They found that being out and doing seemingly strange things kept trouble away. If there was a group of skater punks who met all the time in the local park and had a habit of skating up and down their streets, it was making life difficult for people who wanted to do things like rob houses, vandalize businesses, or be generally threatening.

It got out that the worse types would stay away from areas 'protected' by skate crews. And so, crews popped up all over the place. The largest downside was that common areas where everyone had to go would become battlegrounds from time to time.

Crews would mug each other at first, then try to out skate one another to show off. But it continually devolved into yelling and eventually fist fights. Though territorial disputes between crews came to a crawl when a new crew started out.

It was originally a crew like any other; misfits, bruisers, punks, the parts of a community that would normally be looked at with caution or disdain; people that those like The Mayor would rather never be seen in public. With a tall leader with bright orange hair and their second- a smaller chunky girl with a round face and sweet voice, they began uniting crews.

The smallest ones came first. No crew was asked to give up their place or their name. This new crew was an alliance. Everyone wanted the same thing - to be safe in a community and to protect it from outside threats.

At first it was a handful of them going to all the small crews. Offering support and acting as diplomats between them in territory disputes. They drew out new zones and mediated problems, they suggested common areas. And all they asked in return was that the in-fighting to stop. To support the communities they protected.

When new construction threatened to gentrify another part of the city, it was an interesting mix of protestors to arrive. Wheeled defenders from all over the city would show up to public meetings, voice concerns, and encourage districts to speak up against detrimental additions and speak up for what communities needed.

The loud orange-headed Rat and the small mousey partner were always there. Leading the people, wheeled and not, against gentrification, destruction, and injustice. Now, nearly every crew in the city had a patch that proclaimed them as part of the Pact Rats.

But with the recent successes, strange crews had been appearing. Scuffles like this recent one had become more common. Someone had been rallying new violent crews and trying to push smaller groups of Pact Rats out of their protected areas. They'd been testing the responses lately. Pushing in and openly threatening people, waiting to see who responded and then starting a fight in the open.

Most of the time it ended in the standard bruises, split lips, and superficial scars. No weapons had been brought in before now.

This time had been different.

Escalation like this was going to cost them everything if they couldn't stop this dangerous threat.

--------------------------

The sound of metal on concrete was a comforting background against the fountain's water. Wheels, bearings, the sliding shrrrk and clanks of wood, metal, and wheels riding along an edge and landing back on solid ground was a symphony all of its own.

"So…" Maize folded her legs, looking toward the hunched form of Tucker. "Talk."

Around them, some of the crew were joined by other skaters, kids from the surrounding areas who came to show off, practice, and learn from the group.

"They came in and started harassing some of the shops. Being a nuisance like the ones before. Mugging at some of the guys, making asses in front of the ladies. Catcalling and all that. Like the time up near the Square." He gestured with his hands as he spoke. "Probably like… a dozen or so, all spread out. We tagged 'em for trouble when they first came in but they just kept getting worse. We couldn't get them to chuck out. Then one of 'em pissed Roll off."

Maize tilted her head to the side, brows furrowed in a silent question of how. He shrugged slightly with a look of mild confusion before continuing; taking a slow cautious breath first.

"Kicked some little kid when they dropped something I think. She'd had enough observation by then and just… opened up on the girl. Really let her have it. I dunno who threw the first punch. But the second it flew it was bad. I joined in, tried pulling them apart but they started coming out of the woodwork. Must'a been twenty by the time it was all out."

Maize frowned, nodding in understanding.

"Police?" She looked up to him with a vaguely hopeful expression. Though she knew the answer.

"If anyone called, they fucked right out and never showed up. Even after the ass with the bat showed up. Bobby flew in just after, started cracking faces to clear the air. Next thing I know, Inliner shows up with those gold boots and the whole air changes over. He's bowling 'em over like pins and they started scrambling."

Maize smiled mildly at the image.

"He took half a dozen out on his own, swinging every which way. I got clipped when clubby decided to try to home run Inline's head. Dude went from just pissing around to fucked up as soon as he got clipped by the inliner" He lifted his arm with a cocky smile, then lowered it back down.

"Patcher already looked me over. Said I'm sidelined for a while at least but they're just cracked, not broken. Must'a pulled the shot last minute. I swear, when he swung for Gold Boot, he was throwing some shoulder in it. But when he missed he must've choked it."

Around them, bodies were jumping, flying, and landing, the gathered crowd was ooh'ing and ahh'ing with each trick. Maize caught sight of the trio skating the edge, keeping onlookers out of range of the flying wheeled performers with a mobile wall. She glanced around briefly, taking in faces and expressions, then looked back to Tuck. "And he's still around, right? Said he wanted to join up?"

"Said he'd heard about us, wanted to meet BDC and got caught up in the fight when some of 'em turned on him after the brawl started…" His expression seemed a bit thoughtful.

"But you're not so sure?" Maize prodded gently, eyeing him questioningly.

"I dunno. He looked kinda rough when he joined up. Wouldn't be the first time, ya know? He'd been throwing down before he caught up with us."

A flash of brilliant metallic caught Maize's eye, distracting her just as she was about to respond. A slender figure on aggressive inlines shot past in a blur of black and gold. Gaining an almost instant chorus of gasps.

He had passed so close overhead the breeze he caused ruffled her hair and sparks flew when he hit the side of the fountain, sliding along the edge before turning and arcing backwards to land on one back wheel.

Behind him, a long ponytail fluttered like a black and yellow flag, he turned dramatically coming to a halt and earning a round of thunderous applause from the gathered crowd. All to which he bowed.

Cheers riotously swelled from the gathered ones and the skater circled the edge, high-fiving and bestowing smiles on the gathered faces as if he were some well known celebrity gracing the red carpet. A handful of older ladies seemed to insist on wrapping him in semi-awkward hugs as he came to them.

He laughed nervously, and excused himself after a round, leaving most of the Rats to watch as he split from the crowd and started toward the fountain's edge. Though the younger skaters rushed up to him and a cacophony of voices began inundating him with questions.

Flooded by the younger members he turned on his front wheels to try to face the speakers. Questions fired at him from all directions leaving him to comically spin around in circles between his front wheels with dozens of noncommittal sounds being the only response he seemed able to manage before the next round would begin.

Maize, after laughing for several seconds, decided to save the showy newbie from the younger peers by raising a loud, piercing whistle. Attention spun from the black and gold newcomer to the pastel-patterned woman sitting cross-legged on the fountain. A few furtive glances between Maize and Gold Boots before some of the gathered faces dawned that skedaddling was necessary. A handful seemed more reluctant than the others to abandon their questions at the agile blader.

Maize chuckled another minute, while Tuck seemed to be trying very hard to keep his own laughter down. He managed to cough, almost convincingly, and quiet the guffaws before raising a hand toward the black and gold blader.

"Yo." Tuck's smile was a brilliant beacon.

The inliner smiled awkwardly and carefully rolled to the fountain. "Yo. Thanks for the save…." He paused to search his mind for the name, eyes focusing briefly on Maize and looking bewildered before snapping back to the dark BMX rider. ".. Tuck! That's right." He grinned rakishly. "How's the side, man?"

"Doing better, Patcher put a pretty good wrap on it. Said I'm out for a week or so, but it's just a crack, nothing broken." Tuck kept his smile in place, motioning to the perched girl next to him. "This is our girl Maize."

She nodded shortly, watching the boy's body language, relaxed and easy going, little to no tension and extraordinarily confident. Maize relaxed somewhat, then held a hand out in greeting.

"I'm Juan." He introduced, putting an inflection on the name she didn't expect that told some primal part of her that she misheard it. "Nice to meet you, Maize." The way he said it implied… something… though she couldn't put a thumb on precisely what that was. It made her chest tighten.

He spun around on his front wheels, then crouched into an uncomfortable looking squat across from them.

------------------------------------

Two languages fought for dominance at the front of Maize's brain before she managed to wrap her tongue around just one. "Nice to finally meet the legendary inliner." She chuckled lightly.

"Legendary? Hardly." He returned with a smirk.

"Really? To hear it, you were a hero knight, swooping in to take up arms against the wiles of evil - throwing blows and taking out bad guys." She raised her hands while embellishing it, then chuckled, smirking with a hint of sarcasm.

Tucker smiled from his position, leaning back to straighten his back.

"Nah, they were small fries who just got too big for their boots." Juan shrugged slightly. His blades shifted back and forth in a careful dance of balance.

Maize tilted her head in question while Tucker chuckled quietly, hiding the wince of pain from his side.

"Sounds like something you know about?” She trailed, adjusting her legs from their crossed position to drop them to ground, toes just reaching the floor. He shrugged nonchalantly while making a vague, noncommittal sound in his throat. "I've met up with their kind before, that's all." Juan looked up at Maize, his eyes intense and focused. "So… I passed BDC yesterday but I'm getting the feeling they're not necessarily the one I should be talking to, huh?"

Tucker smirked from his relaxed pose, glancing up and around as if the name would summon the being.

Maize shrugged in a similar non-committal gesture. "Dunno. Depends on whatcha wanna talk about, Boots. You're pretty flashy, yanno. And you seem to have a little baggage trailing you." She offered a small smile.

He returned the smile. "What? You curious or something?" He tilted his head, brilliant eyes watching her carefully. Maize got the feeling of being judged or graded.

"I'd be stupid not to be." She confirmed, nodding shortly before pushing herself up and onto her feet.

Tuck tensed up, putting a hand on the fountain's edge to get up, stilled by a wave of Maize's hand and a small reassuring smile. The movements made Juan look from one to the other in concern.

"Food Court?" She invited, walking away with the clear expectation of his agreement. Most of the skaters had dispersed, a few still taking laps, others walking in small groups around the arcade and visiting different shops. While there were Pact Rats all around, they had scattered throughout the whole outdoor mall.

Around them the crowds had turned into milling groups. Small pockets of friends chattering and the overall atmosphere was calm - normal for a large public gathering space in the city.

Juan was up on his trucks fairly quickly and matched Maize's pace easily with even strides, gliding along on his rear wheels smoothly. "Sounds good…" He trailed off casually as he observed people they passed, lacing his fingers behind his head and around his ponytail.

Maize walked carefully, doing nothing to hide the mild limp on her right side. "I heard you got a bit roughed up too. You've healed up pretty well." She commented over her shoulder.

"Yeah, I got off pretty easy." His eyes darted side to side briefly, smiling brilliantly at the people they passed.

Maize raised a hand in a friendly wave toward a young black woman that caught her attention, she smiled, then turned around toward Juan. He pulled up short and stopped inches from crashing into her.

"Hey!" He startled, looking down at the shorter woman. Despite the height difference, his shoulders tensed up in defense as she eyed his face closely.

"Obviously…" Her tone indicated she didn't believe him. She eyed him up and down for signs of the previous battle. Her lips pursed tightly in silence. Then, she turned on her left foot and began walking again. The shift in her attitude visibly set Juan a bit on edge and he waited a moment before following again. "So how did you hear about the Pact Rats? You do know we're not a fighting crew or anything like that, right?"

"I was up in Farrow and caught wind of a big conglomerate crew down here. Being led by some badass named BDC." Juan visibly relaxed. Something about the girl unnerved him. He shook his shoulders to roll the tension out before rolling along until he was beside Maize as she walked.

"The way I heard it, they were bringing together a bunch of crews from all over Garwin and making a mega crew. No squabbles, and no bloodshed." He chuckled. "I had to see for myself how such a crew could exist. Seems like some of it is exaggerated though. First get here and it's a pretty big squabble." He smirked, his tone mildly teasing.

"We don't have any fights between the native crews. We're still trying to find out about the group that showed up with you." Maize's voice was even.

Juan bristled, eyes narrowing as he spun around in front of Maize to confront her. "Hey, hey, Hey! They weren't -with me-." He glared, raising a hand in defense and stopping, halting Maize's walk. "I don't have a damn clue who those guys -were- but I promise you I have nothing to do with them. I saw a fight break out, saw them start wailing on your guys, and I jumped in to help."

"You say that. But you don't even have a bruise on you. If you were there as a fighter, you sure cleaned up fast. Even my guys are still sporting their fighting colours. You're as new as a baby's ass." Maize spat back sharply, her eyes narrowing on the skater in front of her.

"I'm a fast healer. Don't you know any fast healers? Fuck. You have to have pretty damn good healing factors when you're a vert skater. I hit the ground, bust my ass, and get back up. Just because I don't stay bruised doesn't mean I'm with those assholes from the other day." Juan defended, squaring his shoulders and eyeing the woman in front of him. "Your guys saw me. I was giving it my all in that fight."

"My guys saw you fight. They saw those guys trying to go lethal on you. And you claim to not know them. Either they knew you, or you're hiding something." She snapped, before taking a slow breath. "We'll figure it out eventually."

Juan didn't have an argument. From her viewpoint, an alien gang shows up at the same time he does and he -had- been fighting earlier in the day. He grumbled shortly. "Fine. Fair enough. But don't lump me in with them." He snapped, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

Maize took a breath before continuing, reaching up and rubbing the side of her head. "Fine." She trailed, closing her eyes briefly before pushing him aside and walking toward the food court. "Until I know for sure who they are and who you are. I'll reserve judgement." She glanced back at him. "For now."

Juan sighed in defeat. "Works for me."

He watched her walk a few steps, then rolled back up to her side. "So… You're the one who -actually- did all the shit BDC gets credit for everywhere else?"

"Depends on what BD gets credit for…" She responded casually.

"Lesse…" He raised a hand, tapping on the wrist guards as he spoke. "Ending the crew wars in Garwin, uniting crews who used to fight tooth and nail over every scrap of skateable territory. Staged a bunch of protests and counter-protests. Scared off a bunch of asshole 'speakers' at the state campus. Wiped out a whole lot of dealer rings that were peddling hard shit… basically creating a paradise for anyone willing to help protect it." He looked at Maize, despite a cool expression, her ears were red. "I could keep going if you want." He smugly circled around to bend at the waist and look at her face directly.

"Good fucking gods. That makes it sound like some fairy tale." Maize actually seemed flabbergasted by the list as it was. "Fuck that. No… I got guys to stop fighting over everything because I was tired of the bullshit. All I did was negotiate with the little groups until we could talk to the bigger crews. I don't know shit about any drug wars…" She looked concerned, chewing her lower lip briefly.

"I just didn't want people being unhappy with everything. People shouldn't be fighting over stupid shit." She chuckled mirthlessly, leaning back on her heels as she rolled her shoulders. "I'm not a big fan of useless fighting. There's times when throwing a punch is necessary. But when it's just petty and stupid; it's… not helping anything. I got people talking and working shit out. Plus handled the paperwork. That's all. Anything that came after that was just because they stopped fighting and started working together…" She looked thoughtful a moment, then shook the expression away. "There's bigger things to worry about."

"Yeah… there is. The world's all shit right now and yanno…. It's nice to see someone trying to make it better." Juan added. Maize turned toward him, his glowing smile was proud and warm. He then shrugged casually and turned on his back wheels.

They reached the noisy din of the food court. Tables were dotted with people enjoying food and conversation, all walks of life joined in the simple act of sharing a meal, even if only indirectly with one another. A contented air hung over the whole area.

"So you wanna bring around world peace, huh? How very beauty queen of you." He chuckled teasingly, glancing back at her reaction.

"Hey, nothing's wrong with peace." She snapped back, but shook her head. Blushing a faint pink across her nose and cheeks. Her voice lowered a touch. "It's kinda naïve though, innit?"

Juan smiled, a genuine and soft expression. "Not really, no. I think it's noble." His tone was gentle and warm. "Better than world conquest, at least." Juan smirked, the soft expression turning into a broad, teasing, smile.

She just began chuckling. "Oh yeah… that's me. The Evil Overlord of Garwin City Pact Rats. Eventually I'll take over the city, then- The world." She smirked, raising her hands in a mockery of villainy. Her smirk faded after a moment, leaving a small smile at the corner of her mouth as her hands fell down to her belt, trailing along the patches sewn along its length.

"I've laid down a lot of groundwork to get people to trust each other and support each other." She said softly. "I wasn't trying to unite everyone at first, I just didn't want them fighting."

“If you do things right, it leads to that.”

"Why does everyone think BDC is the leader, then?"

"BD looks more like a leader than I do. They're a great skater, they have the look. And I prefer it this way. So do they."

"Why?"

"Because if someone comes after the Rats, they go after BD first. And they're better at handling conflict." She said, matter-of-factly. It was a practiced answer.

Juan smirked, eyeing the young woman from top to bottom a moment before his smirk turned into a snicker. "That was BDC's' idea. Wasn't it?"

Maize flinched just slightly, caught. She nods shortly, her nose wrinkled in irritation and she mumbled. "…said it's better if they're a target because if I get hurt the whole crew would rampage."

"It's a good strategy. Because it's right. Damn wise." Juan sounded impressed. "When news of the exploits of the Pact Rats reaches as far as Farrow but it's BDC getting the spotlight and not the mouse in their shadow… it also means it's working."

Maize bristled slightly. "I'm not a mouse." She snapped.

"Oh?" Juan snagged on the nerve, tilting his head and smirking in that teasing manner again. "Are you hiding your wings and you're actually a little flappy bat?" He waggled his hands up and down in mimicry.

"She's a glorious and amazing butterfly." A chortling voice cut through whatever response Maize was about to retort with. Causing both to turn and meet the orange-topped, wide grinning face of BDC. Who was holding out a massive mall pretzel and a giant churro in one hand, while the other held a folded crepe with whipped cream out toward Maize. "As graceful on the breeze as she is alighted on flowers."

Maize's ears were bright red at the comment. She snatched the offered crepe with a mumbled phrase. Juan tilted his head in confusion and took the offered churro while maintaining his amused smile.

"Thanks." He rolled back a few inches, braking his wheels and leaving room for BDC to join them.

"Welcome back, Boots." BDC smiled brilliantly and casually. The skater looked curious a moment, then shrugged and took a bite of the churro. "Has our Maize-Daisy been giving you the shake-down?"

"She's been vicious, BD, absolutely tearing me to shreds to get at my soft, vulnerable, inner core." Juan made a show of attempting to cover himself with his hands, flipping the churro down into an 'accidently' crude position.

BDC gasped dramatically, fanning their pretzel and napkin at the downward-pointing churro as if they were trying to both hide -and point out- the crude snack. "How -crass- of you, Maize!"

Maize, meanwhile, was silently dying and her ears were burning red. She muttered something else toward BDC who leaned over with a hand cupped to their ear and exclaimed. "Sorry lovie, I didn't catch that."

Maize reached up and clapped both hands around BDC's laughing face, repeating the term to his face as they laughed uproariously with a half smooshed crepe now held against their ear.

"This happens when she gets flustered. She forgets how to speak normal." BDC teased mercilessly. With all the confidence of this being an everyday occurrence.

Juan blinked at the exchange, but was laughing. "Holy shit… was that Taishon? Holy fuck your accent is adorable."

The comment made Maize's ears all but glow bright red. "Wait… are you Taishon?" He said, shocked.

Maize mumbled a response before tugging BDC down by the neck of their shirt to donk them on the head with her forehead. To which they made a show of rubbing their forehead and spinning around on their heels, still snickering.

Juan leaned in, trying to see past the curtain of dark hair the woman was hiding behind. She angrily pushed her hair aside. "Half, and BD needs to keep his mouth shut." She muttered something under her breath, to which the lanky, orange faux-hawked feigned insult, while still smiling.

Around them, several members of the crowd had turned to see what the commotion had been about. A cheery wave from the orange-haired Rat seemed to quell concerns and many simply shook their heads and went back to their own conversations.

"I told you he'd make a good addition. Fits right in with everyone else. Flashy boots and all." They offered, while Juan seemed to simply observe their interaction with mild interest.

"Like I need another Tucker and You around to give me grief." She teased lightheartedly. "But yeah… so far so good."

The conversation earlier seemed to have been forgotten, or simply shelved.

"Wonderball!" BDC turned toward Juan with a flourish. "You've made a good impression, Boots. First step's always the hardest." They smiled brightly. Maize seemed to be engrossed in the slightly smooshed sweet crepe, licking whipped cream off the top and nibbling along the edge. With BDC there, her demeanor had relaxed considerably and she seemed much more at ease with the bright-coloured enby's presence.

Juan chuckled again, the relaxed atmosphere was infectious, honestly. It was comfortable. Juan ripped small bits of his churro off and tossed them in the air to catch them in his mouth. He locked his trucks together as he chewed. He started to respond when an odd sort of movement on the edge of the court caught his eye.

Juan looked up, straightening up as much as he could.

BDC's expression changed slightly, chin tilting mildly. "Something wrong, Boots?"

"Nah… thought I saw someone I knew, that's all." He chuckled, rolling a shoulder back before ripping another chunk of churro off.

BDC mimicked the casual chuckle, nodding with all the confidence of a great sage, even rubbing his invisible beard with his free hand. "Ah yes, the curse of former lovers, seeing them in the faces of crowds…."

Maize prodded his side with her elbow; making him dramatically 'eek' and flail.

Juan laughed lightly, the expression not quite reaching the corners of his eyes. "Something like that, yeah…" He trailed off.

While the general air of the food court hadn't changed, something was distinctly different. The crowds had thinned out, as they tended to do after rush. So it was quieter. A few exhausted mothers and their children finishing up hurried meals and pockets of teens and college students hanging out or browsing on laptops, phones, and tablets.

A handful of boys seemed to hang out along the food court's edge, leaning against walls and chatting, taking up a table here and there. They seemed fairly innocuous except for a slash of white and black they were wearing. Some as a bandanna, others as a slash across their shirt or pants. A few had it on their backpacks or hat. To glance around casually it'd be hard to notice the connecting pattern.

But for any skate crew, finding a common denominator between crowd members was one of the only ways to stay safe.

Maize's voice was low, as if mumbling into her crepe. "I count twenty…"

BDC nodded. "Thereabouts, yeah."

Juan rolled his other shoulder with a smirk. "Told you it was all lies… place is a madhouse…" He chuckled.

"Question becomes though… for whom are they here…" BDC chuckled, looking between Maize and Juan. "Because it couldn't -possibly-…" Their voice was raising bit by bit, projecting. "…be to pick a fight with the Pact Rats." They threw their arms wide out to their full wingspan, spinning on their toes and bowing overly dramatically in a wide circle. The bright orange hair flapping about like a warning crest.

A sharp whistle sounded from BDC's shadow. The extended sound warbled twice, then ended with a high pitched wheet. The people remaining in the food court looked around in confusion at the odd noise.

In a heartbeat, hell immediately broke lose.

------------------------------------

At BDC's bold declaration, the black and white marked youths seemed confused. It lasted only a moment, as the shrill whistle seemed to signal something. And even the seemingly scattered gang knew they didn't want to wait for reinforcements to arrive.

A whoop and holler sounded from the Black and Whites, and they seemed to surge forward. Around the trio, bystanders scattered out of the way of chairs being rammed away and tables being flipped on their sides. The sudden noise of clattering furniture caused several children to begin crying while parents rushed to grab them and get out of the way.

Juan took the moment of hesitation to put a bit of distance between himself and the two Pact Rats, skating off to the side and throwing his chest forward in a physical dare for the Black and Whites to come after him.

BDC crowed with a haughty laugh, drawing even more attention to themselves by leaping up onto one of the chairs, planting a heavy boot on the table's side. The taunt worked as the attention of the gang split between the crowing, orange-headed punk and the golden-booted skater; leaving Maize to duck to the side, shoving tables and chairs out of the way to make an escape path for the innocents who were trying to flee the swiftly filling battlefield. She called out several times to the fleeing families, directing them to the opened exit and away from the oncoming fight.

The Black and White marked gang were surprisingly nimble on their feet, clearing tables, chairs, and each other as they crossed the food court. They leapt and circled each other to surround BDC and Juan in a human wall, several of their number smiling viciously and more than a few still sporting split lips and visible bruises from the last brawl.

"You guys are -really- determined to cause problems in the -wrong- turf." Called BDC from the table they had perched. "And I thought the trouncing the other day had taught you." They pointed at one in particular with a smirk. "Would've been smart enough not to come back and cause problems."

The one singled out was a tomboyish looking girl with short, spiked blonde hair. Her lip was still swollen, but the bloodthirsty look in her eyes was animalistic. She answered with a smirk and shrug. "Never was one to take a subtle hint."

BDC tutted as he gazed down, sizing up the dozen or so Black and White brawlers, though a careful, attentive, eye was kept on the spike-haired woman. "You skipped your introduction, friend." They emphasized. "You clearly know us, but the feeling's not mutual."

To the right, Juan was leading the group around him in a pulsating circle. He'd test the ground by skating close to them, and they'd back away, trying to swing at him from other angles each time he got within arm's range. Wisely, he was keeping them focused on his unpredictable movements.

BD vaulted up onto the table properly, boots clanking heavily against the reinforced top that wasn't really made to hold weight that way. The distinctive sound of the custom boots they wore ringing out a warning.

"Pandogs." She snapped in response. A murmur of affirmation rolled across the brawlers.

"Ravenous." BD mocked; looking down at the brawlers before slamming a heavy boot near the edge of the table. The sound caused several to jump, but the table didn't shift, their balance was perfectly centered.

A particularly brave brawler lunged at the forward set foot. The woman began a cautionary shout that came an instant too late and the attempted action was regretted immediately.

As soon as the frosted-tip brawler took the bait, BDC's foot was in the air and crashed back down before they could retract their poorly made decision. A gut-wrenching scream sounded like the world's most disturbing klaxon as the man's hand was crushed under the full stomp of a hinged metal-track reinforced boot.

Like the whistle, it signaled a new level of action and BDC's other boot swung around, catching the pinned man's temple with their heel as the group surged forward in an attempt to grab and unbalance the Rat. Juan's frustrated circle of Pandogs tried a group rush approach, with several taking swings all at once as they closed in.

Maize had picked up one mother's crying child and was ushering her and the two toddlers away from the soon-to-be war along the food court wall. Two Pandogs had split off from the others to block the escape, forcing Maize and the mother to pull up short. Maize set the child down, then stepped between the Pandogs and the bystander, glaring at the pair of smirking self-assured boys.

"No way, Rat." One snarked, raising the corner of his lip.

"Where ya goin'?" The other asked in a mocking tone.

Maize eyed them, her hands out to the sides defensively, keeping her stance open and between the mother and her frightened kids.

"You don't want to do this." She commanded, palms toward the pair. "Leave us alone and you won't get hurt."

The pair laughed. "Whatcha gonna do about it little momma?"

"Think you're big and bad?"

Maize shook her head, "Not me, not really." She narrowed her eyes at the pair in focus. Behind her, the mother crouched down, she seemed to be staring past the pair of ruffians.

When one of the pair grabbed forward, Maize spun on her left foot and crouched down, hands going over her head defensively.

"PAIN TRAIN!"

"COMING THROUGH!"

The Pandogs never saw the pair of broad-shouldered women bearing down on them. But they certainly felt them as the pair of derby blocks slammed the boys into the wall with their shoulders, leaving the stunned pair to slide into a heap on the ground.

The skate pair, grinning the widest smiles, high fived before skidding to the cowering mother and protective Maize. Block, a stocky woman on black and lime green road quads and sporting bright green and pink streaks through her shoulder-length chocolate hair offered a hand to the woman while her bubblegum-coloured partner, Clock, helped the kids to their feet.

The mother smiled appreciatively to them as Maize stood up and brushed off. "Nice one. Make sure the way's clear for everyone else.

"Barrel and Shock are already on it, Bosslady. Cleared three of 'em out who were trying to block the exit." Clock smiled mischievously. "Told 'em t'cool off." The phrase meant the offenders had been chucked into the outdoor water feature.

Maize smirked and nodded her approval, ushering the pair off. She turned to give the open dining area a check, making sure everyone was clear.

Fortunately, the few bystanders that had been in the food court had cleared out fairly quickly, the halls to the exits were cleared. Maize kept to the outside of the concrete planters edging the dining area, trying to keep an eye on the fighting. After the report from the last Pandog encounter, she didn't expect a police response to be coming any time soon, if they came at all.

Beyond that, the black and white boneheads seemed…. Different than other alien gangs that had come through. Most of them were wearing new clothes or carrying higher end bags and the like. The way most of them moved, they weren't an established crew.

From where she could observe, they were disorganized, lashing out at the command of a small handful of members who seemed fine with sending the fresh wannabes into the fray. The tactic made her blood boil.

"Fucking cowards." She grumbled lowly, muttering several unsavory and unflattering descriptions in Taishon as well.

BDC, meanwhile, appeared to be enjoying the attention from the group of Pandogs who seemed to believe they could land a solid hit on the flighty, limber Rat. By now, two of them were sporting broken hands thanks to fruitless attempts. The smashed fingers seemed to serve as a warning to the others to not grab the Rat's feet.

This prompted BD to begin taking aimed shots at whatever body part an incautious Pandog presented. They had leapt from the first table and were now lunging through the air to land, surprisingly gracefully, at an adjacent one.

Not all of the Pandogs were idiots or ungraceful. In a matter of three tables' movements he had a trail of black and white marked morons who were trying to outrun them to close them off. They slid over tables, leapt chairs and seemed determined to get around BDC again. Perched on one of the planters was the spike-haired girl, shouting orders at the group.

Juan's movements seemed much more focused on leading his Pandogs around in circles. Having broken through the wall they'd had, the group around him was now attempting to chase him down. Distressingly, two of them had already pulled weapons out, one a short baseball bat, another had mashed a broken chair and was wielding a partial metal frame. Maize didn't have to worry much, it seemed; as the group as a whole was uncoordinated, and Juan's speed was keeping him out of reach for the moment.

A sharp whistle signaled an all clear from the hallway toward the arcade's exit. It was followed by the whooping battlecry of a half dozen Pact Rats who came as a wheeled force. The clattering sound of wheels on concrete was intimidating enough. But the fact that the riders were various sizes and all sporting protective gear was downright terrifying as they looked like a wheeled cavalry.

The Pandogs who had been chasing the rather flighty BDC and Juan realized the delay tactic too late as the spare Pact Rats split off from each other to join the springy boys as they dodged and avoided the now confused Pandogs.

-----------------------

When a team of skaters who specialize in knocking other, just as mobile and strong people out of their way, barrel through an area - That area gets cleared fairly quickly. In a case like this, it's done so with a lot of yelling, crashing sounds, and red-laced spittle flying everywhere.

Lock, Shock, and Barrel - all three were on the front lines of the Pact Rats entering the battle. Their battlecry, a shout that had chilled several derby teams to the bone in the past, sent several of the freshest Pandogs taking off in fear - likely with rather damp pants - as the sight of three girls who were built like graffitied brick shithouses came straight at them, and did not seem to be even remotely stopped by the tables and chairs that had formally occupied the food court's dining area.

Behind them, armed with skate braces and reinforced jackets, came others. While the three girls bulldozed a path in BDC and Juan's direction, half-armoured Pact Rats grabbed up the black and white instigators with gusto. Punches flew with the intention of doing JUST enough damage to make them regret their recent life choices. Kicks were aimed to be painful reminders, not to break bones.

The Pact Rats weren't in the business of permanently crippling people.

The initial charge left about a dozen brave Pandogs, clearly the more seasoned among their original numbers, to regroup. Forces split away to try to deal with the new threats, with seasoned brawlers aiming to get their licks in on the newcomers, and abandoning the younger members to escape the battle. BDC gave a whooped cheer, clocking one of their pursuers with a strong elbow to the side of the head. While Juan's gold-coloured bracers practically sang through the air as he landed a punch on a Pandog that had unwisely turned their attention away from him.

Maize kept an eye on the group as they split off from their focus on Juan and BDC, breathing a sigh of relief.

A call was raised from the planters that made Maize's stomach drop.

"CLAWS OUT!" The feminine voice called out, but Maize couldn't quite tell from where.

A sickening sound filled the air, countering to the sound of clattering wheels on concrete. A distinctive grating sound of metal on metal. Maize's attention was immediately drawn to the regrouped brawlers.

Asps.

"Fuck…" Maize's mind was immediately filled with the horrible images of weapon-wielding Pandogs outnumbering her Rats. She couldn't see clearly how many of the brawlers were armed with the extending batons. But at this point, she was ready to give a conceding order.

Before she could raise a retreat signal from her spot, the commanding female voice echoed through the court.

"Fuck the others! Take out the fly boy! Bring down that crested asshole!"

Crested asshole…? Maize looked confused for a moment before her eyes widened. Bobby!

The Pandogs splintered again, and the atmosphere turned tense. Those remaining were out for blood; and they were prepared to take it.

Frantically she vaulted up onto the planter's edge and stayed low in the mix of live and false plants. Spotting the orange 'hawk of BDC among the multi-hued hairstyles of the Rats at the main exit. They were waving a hand at the others and from what Maize could tell; ordering a retreat. When someone argued back, there was angry shouting to leave. All while never letting the approaching Pandogs fully out of sight.

Pandogs were absolutely focused on BD and Juan. The escaping Rats were only passingly aggravated, and several of the younger members who had come with the reinforcements were being dragged away at BDC's orders. Lock, Shock, and Barrel were making sure the retreat was enacted, but were visibly reluctant to leave.

Tag the number of enemy crew.

Let BDC get their attention to assertain the threat.

Call for nearest reinforcements.

Focus on protecting the civilians if the threat is violent.

Maize retreats with civilians to report to authorities.

Never instigate.

Always defend.

If the call to abandon the area is made, no questions.

BDC will always be okay.

Maize knew it was always part of the plan.

BDC was the target because they were faster and stronger. But it didn't make her feel any better knowing that outside gangs like this would go to these lengths. It turned her stomach to think of how many times something like this had happened without her knowledge and hot tension rolled across her shoulders in anger.

It wasn't fair. She'd made the decisions, BD shouldn't pay for her choices. Her friends shouldn't be fighting at all. Maize's jaw tensed, biting her tongue tightly while her mind tried to keep her from making a stupid decision.

BDC could handle it.

Her Rats would follow orders and she knew it.

She should leave and leave it to them.

She could trust them to make the right choices as she always had before.

They would be fine. They were always fine.

A replay of Tucker's pained flinch flashed in her mind; her hands clenched against her thighs.

These were the ones from two days before. The ones who'd been causing trouble. Who'd tried to steal from her people. Who had been the reason the arcade wasn't as packed as it normally was.

These were the same assholes who had tried to ruin her neighbourhood.

Who had attacked her crew.

And now, they had the balls to threaten her best friend.

An angry heat rolled up her spine. Her anger at the injustice, HER injustice, broiled in her chest and she stood up under the manicured trees in their concrete prison. At her sides, her hands were shaking, and her eyes were focused on the armed Pandogs and vulnerable BD and Juan leading them around the court. Maize's skin felt like it was on fire.

"STOP!"

Maize's voice sounded louder than ever before, even to her own ears, and the barked command echoed around the food court's upturned furniture. Every face she could see turned toward her. She felt the heat of their gazes, bewildered, amazed, and… afraid?

She didn't pause to think about it.

"STOP THIS NOW!" She bellowed. It was working. They weren't fighting, they were just staring at her. "Drop your weapons and leave!" Her command rolled over the group. Several clatters echoed against the court walls as a number of asps were dropped. A handful of the remaining dozen or so Pandogs fled for the exit.

BDC's eyes were as wide as wheels. They mouthed something in shock. She could see them from where she was standing, of course they were surprised though, she'd never done anything like this before.

She'd always followed the plan before.

Pride welled up in her chest as she turned her attention toward Juan. He was staring too. He looked more excited than anything.

Well good, he looked impressed. Maybe it wasn't such a bad idea.

Maize's ears roared with her own blood pressure thudding in them. Someone was shouting. Hadn't they heard her tell them to stop? Hadn't they been paying attention? Her vision swayed slightly as she turned, trying to see who was talking while she was trying to end this stupid ass fight.

Couldn't they understand that?

Maize tried to focus, but the sound of rushing in her ears was making it difficult. Her chest felt tight and her skin still felt as if she had electricity zipping across every inch of her. Chaos had started again, the Pandogs seemed to fear her, and BDC had taken the chance to begin fighting their way through the group toward Maize.

When she looked toward Juan he seemed… different.

His black and gold-streaked hair looked a lot more gold, and his bracers seemed to be glowing. He spun on his front wheels and with more grace than she'd seen anyone use before, leapt from the ground and off of a table, practically flying through the air. He landed in a crouch, skidding across the ground as Pandogs launched themselves at him.

All Maize could see was a sea of black and white Pandogs descending on the gold Juan. Limbs were flying every direction and she could see what looked like literal sparks flying every time one of the weapons landed against his flying boot or bracer. Flashes of glowing gold flared against a background of tile.

Her ears were ringing so loudly she could barely hear anything but her own blood pulsing through them and everything took on a sort of dream-like quality. People seemed to be moving in slow motion. When she turned to look for BDC, her vision darkened and a wave of dizziness made her stumble backwards toward the edge of the planter.

Hands grabbed her from behind, a strong arm wrapping tightly around her upper arms and tugging her tight against a narrow chest as a second hand encircled her from the other side grasping her chin and holding her head against a firm, somewhat boney, shoulder.

"Maize!"

She tried to turn to see who had called her. The grip on her chin and chest tightened constrictively so it was all she could do to see who'd shouted for her.

Through her blurred vision she could see an orange 'hawk pinned to the ground by two large Pandogs kneeling over a downed Pact Rat.

Her stomach lurched downward and her heart leapt up as she became acutely aware of something cold and flat pressed firmly against her jawline.

"I think that's enough of that." A feminine voice hissed against her ear.

------------------------------------

"Mari!" BDC's voice sounded pained as they struggled against the combined weight of the two large Pandogs pinning them to the ground. Asps crossed their shoulders and knees pinned their hips down. Angry red welts marred exposed skin where several hits had landed already. BD's expression was nearly pure panic as they struggled against the behemoths holding them down.

The dull sounds of fighting continued to the right as the armed Pandogs struggled to contain the glowing, rampaging Juan. One particularly quick girl caused just enough disruption with a shot to the back of his shoulder that he yelled out and over balanced forward. Brawlers took the chance and grabbed him, pinning his limbs back. He looked mad, giddy, and almost drunk.

Maize instinctively tried to cross the gap toward BD, reminded by the tight grip around her shoulders and an insistent press of metal against her jaw that the action was unappreciated. The limber woman holding her eased a leg around Maize's, further preventing an attempted escape.

"Ath ath ath…" She admonished quietly. "Cool your heels little mouse. We don't need you blowing up here, now do we? Everyone needs to calm…. Down…" She pulled Maize tight against her shoulder, locking her leg in a vertical pin as she leaned slightly to the side to speak up.

"That was an impressive little light show there. I didn't think any of your little sewer rats could pull that kind of thing off." She droned cooly. "See, we thought the only one capable of active use was the tree-swinger."

The edges of Maize's vision had faded and it was getting hard to concentrate on what was happening. A struggled grunt made her glance toward Juan, who had yanked a shoulder free of the Pandogs holding him still. He just looked angry and cocky.

See, that's the expression you should have BD… these guys are pushovers. When she tried to move, the woman's grip tightened against her shoulders and a slight tension pressed the edge of the knife blade in a subtle reminder of the current situation.

She has a knife… Maize's muddled mind refused to grasp the thought fully at first. She has a -knife-.

Instinct reached through the haze to grab at her guts and yanked hard, making her insides clench. A clarity cut through the strange haze.

The heat from before bubbled in Maize's chest. Her skin felt warm and she felt a bravado replace the fear in her spine.

"Let me g-." The blade shifted, the tip catching under her jaw when she tried to speak.

"No… I don't think we need to hear anything out of you, mousie." The woman hissed sharply.

The dull roar had started in Maize's ears again and her vision turned blurry. The heat that had crawled over her skin drained away, leaving a tingling sensation behind. The woman behind her began to speak again but whatever she'd been about to say was drowned out by a loud yell from their right.

Maize could just make out words over the thudding in her ears. But she heard the frustrated-sounding scream, followed by startled yells. And an even more angry shout. Everything was hazy, but for the outline of a brightly glowing figure flying straight in her and the knife-woman's direction.

The glowing figure seemed to be covered from head to boot in brilliant golden armor, and had a shining golden staff he had used to fling himself across the distance as he screamed in a powerful yell, his black hair had turned all golden-blonde and flew behind him majestically.

Maize's mind overloaded. Sound erupted all around but she couldn't focus on anything. Something had made a crunching sound near her ear, and her jaw stung. But her arms and legs refused to move, and her eyes couldn't focus on anything. Her ears were both ringing and thudding with her heartbeat and somewhere, dimly, she realized she wasn't upright anymore.

Vague shapes flew past her vision, colours running into each other and refusing to distinguish themselves. Sounds that she knew had to be voices sounded as if she were trying to listen to them from the bottom of a pool, and she felt herself being flung left and right before being settled against someone's shoulders.

She felt a hand wrap around her back and under her rear to hold her in place, and could only manage a vague grunt when she tried to protest.

The sudden feeling of falling, only to land hard and feel the jarring rush of ground through one's bones. Part of her mind invited her to just pass out. To black out entirely and avoid all the discomfort. But something tied in her chest pulled back and reassured her she could handle it. Just hang in there.

------------------------------

Marigold! BDC spotted the short Pact Rat leader when she had leapt up onto the planter. What the FUCK does she think she's doing?! RUN AWAY! They willed.

Maize was glowing. A brilliant golden aura had lifted from her chest and was surrounding her. BDC's eyes widened in terror and they began cursing in every language they knew. They launched a punch at the slack-jawed jackass on their left, aiming a painful kick to the back of the knee of another one between them and the glowing Rat leader as she stood there commanding the fight to stop.

"Run away Maize! Run!" BD's only goal by now was to reach Maize before the worst could happen.

Juan, on the other hand was usually right at home in these kinds of brawls. Armed or not - he had fought them all and carried a cockiness that only came from knowledge he'd walk away no matter what.

But then there was Maize. When she commanded a halt to the fight even he had stopped in shock. Her being able to command a room of fighting delinquents to stop fighting was one thing. But there was a very familiar prickle crawling along his skin as the leader of the Pact Rats stood there, glowing like a Ley-filled angel of rage.

He grinned. A wicked, smug, cocky grin. She was releasing -so much- raw cosmic energy it was as if he were staring at a divinity itself. The hair rose on the back of his neck, and his grin grew. And it wasn't just -any- energy that little mortal was releasing.

It was -his-.

Juan flexed, filling his body with a coursing of Ley energy, the bracers he had glowed as divine armour, and energy gathered around his boots, he could feel the divine strength pouring through his muscles. He launched himself upward and over the Pandogs that had tried to block him in, laughing manically as he felt the raw power siphon from the massive raw aura of the girl and into his own core.

It was glorious.

The Pandog fighters swung and he was in his battle element, knocking blows aside with the confidence and power he had long ago lost. Even as they swarmed around him. He could take it. The more energy she put off, the more he took, it was as if she'd burst a dam of pure cosmic Ley and he could just take his fill.

Now he had a goal, though. He needed to get as close to that girl as possible, and never let go.

He was fast making his way to the prize when a shadowy figure dropped down behind her, wrapping around her like some kind of bipedal python. The flash of metal in her hand forced even his frenzied pace to halt. The sudden stop cost him the moment's advance and the Pandogs he hadn't downed grabbed hold of his shoulders, arms, and there was one little irritant who had grabbed his legs. When he tried to turn and remove the annoyance, his friend landed a surprisingly strong hit on his shoulder, tipping him just forward enough to allow the black and whites to get a solid hold.

Juan's cocky smirk didn't fade. They had already lost as far as he was concerned.

Opposite Juan, BDC's attention had been split between Juan's glaringly bright transformation and Maize's dangerous release of raw ley energy. The two meat walls that apparently had been determined to stop BDC's crowing took advantage of a faltered step, knocking the Rat's legs out from under them and immediately pouncing forward to pin them to the ground.

"Stop her… I'll give in… but stop her." BD panted, grunting in the strained attempt to buck the pair off. When the slinking figure of the spike-haired woman slipped in behind her, it was all they could muster to shout an attempted warning.

"MAIZE! BEHIND!"

A firm elbow slammed BD's head to the floor, dazing them into silence and leaving them speechless.

Maize's aura of ley ebbed, fading down to a pulsing heartbeat. BD needed to get her out of there before things got worse for the Pact Rats' leader. Internally they were kicking themselves for Commanding the others to not come back no matter what. Never would have if anyone had known Maize wasn't where she was supposed to be though. Damnit!

The ONE good thing was that the damn silver-haired woman's actions had interrupted Maize's blowout. The downside was now the fuckers had her.

BD shot a glance toward Juan. He was glowing, and glowing a LOT more than he should be able to. BD tried to shift under the meathead's grip, grunting sharply when they didn't let up.

"Marig-" Lug One knocked a knuckle into the knot and bruise at the back of BD's skull, cutting off the shout.

"Cram it Birdy." He muttered.

The woman holding Maize at knifepoint said -something- BD couldn't make out before raising her voice to clearly address the pair of captured rats.

"See, we thought the only one capable of active use was the tree-swinger."

Juan smirked. BDC's attention flicked from Juan to Maize in panic, briefly he met Maize's unfocused eyes. If this went on much longer it was going to be too late.

"This is what's gonna happen now. The rats are going with -us- and the shit-slinger gets to stay behind." She looked toward Juan with an air of superiority.

"To almost get it, only to lose it again." Her grip on Maize shifted. As she spoke, the two lugs on BDC hauled them up, trapping BD's thin arms in their meaty grip.

The woman with Maize made a disgusted face. "The bitch is almost on empty one of you get up he-"

The shriek of power that was loosed from Juan's throat threw nearly the whole group into disaray. He had summoned a full covering of spiritual armour, a shining staff weapon, and had begun wailing the ever loving shit out of the Pandogs around him. Scattering them left and right with primal, animalistic fervor.

He darted forward, launching himself into the air with the staff for leverage and landed a solid, bone-snapping kick right to the side of the silver-haired woman's head; then with a speed BD even had trouble following, had caught Maize's limp body and had taken off of the planter and was racing full tilt for the back exit.

Shock silenced the Pandogs he -hadn't- taken out, and BD took full advantage of the big boys’ confusion to wrench free and take off after the escaping, glowing, Juan. Pausing only briefly enough to slam trucks into their boots and push themselves into a breakneck speed to catch up to the fleeing pair.

Behind them the Pandogs were regrouping, cursing, but not following. A glance back toward them made BD glare darkly before doubling down on the speed and chasing after Juan and Maize.

----------------------------------

Maize's mind faded in and out, her ears were ringing and a welcoming blackness beckoned from somewhere deep in her chest. It seemed to be trying to draw her in sweetly. Within her mind she shuddered away from it, trying hard to focus on the dull roar of voices she could make out instead. Slowly she backed away from that dark abyss and the voices became clear enough to hear. But her ears seemed to be fading the sound in and out.

"Are you braindead?!" BDC's voice was harsh, though it sounded as if they were standing far away.

"I didn't know this would happen!" Another voice, sounding a mile away, echoed. "I felt the ley! She’s holding my power!” She felt herself being dropped to the ground with a crunch of cardboard.

"You didn't… yo- You didn't think. She's MORTAL." Came the muffled reply. "Now get the fuck out of here."

Their voices continued back and forth sounding sharp at times, and distant others. Their words blended together in a cacophony. Maize's head throbbed all across the back and sides, turning her stomach. Movement was definitely not going to be an option.

She could barely concentrate on the words, and each muscle twitch she managed came with a sharp pain and a tingling ache that followed.

"We're leaving." The second voice was closer. Maize squeezed her eyes tightly together, fighting off a wave of nausea that was brewing with a groan.

A sharp metal-on-stone clang rang out, much closer, echoing around them. "Not with her you aren't, Juan."

That inflection again, why did that sound -wrong-? Ugh… Maize thought bitterly. Every little motion caused the sharp pain that screamed at her to stay still, followed by that seasick nauseous feeling. I don't get seasick… She grumbled internally. Why am I seasick?

Silence rang around them, hanging heavily between them for a long, expectant time.

The air was thick with tension and anger.

Maize suddenly felt a tug in her gut, that knotted pull as if she were gazing down the drop of a roller coaster, she felt gravity teeter, threatening to throw her off and into the darkness when a primal screech sounded and the clang of metal on metal began echoing around. She couldn't move, it hurt to think, and it was everything she had in her to cling to the bit of light keeping the darkness at bay.

Someone yelled a sharp command, another voice answered; and Maize, trapped in the darkness, felt herself being picked up. She could almost see it, disconnected as she was now. Dimly aware of something incredibly important happening but it seemed to take every ounce of mental strength she had to stay away from the looming darkness below. It felt as if it'd swallow her up if she didn't keep pulling herself back.

She should know. But wasn't it her fault it was happening? Why couldn't she move?

What's going on out there? Such a strange thought, since she was just in her own mind, even if it did feel as though she were on another planet. Am I dead? This can't be death…

It could be. Give me that last light. Free me.

The throb of the migraine stabbed into the side of her skull seemed to time itself to exactly that moment to remind her of her very much aliveness. Combined with the unquestioningly uncomfortable jostling going on as she was carried further and further away from whatever was going on behind them.

Something in the darkness of her mind shrieked out in frustration.

---------------------------------------------

The shout had been from BDC, calling back to one of the Rats that he'd called to get Maize out of the storehouse. Lock grabbed the unconscious Maize and threw the woman over her shoulder in a fireman's carry before taking off quickly. She didn't need to process what she'd seen. Whatever was happening just wasn't right and she was glad to get out of the vicinity.

Juan released a rage-filled scream, "Give her BACK." He launched himself toward the retreating skater. A long golden staff shimmering in his hands as he swung sideways at BDC.

Two short, golden curved blades blocked the swing, then immediately cut upwards to knock the blader off balance and back.

"No." The short sound was definitive. BDC stood, knees bent and ready to attack again as Lock put more distance between the fight and herself. "She doesn't belong to you."

"What do you know? You're nothing! I need her with me." He struck out with the staff, following it with a high kick. His shining boot met the wickedly curved blade as it protected BDC's arm. Sparks briefly erupted from the strike.

The staff Juan was wielding shimmered briefly, and he narrowed his eyes angrily, casting a glance in the direction Lock had fled. The distance was growing rapidly, he was losing the connection, the last bit of flame. His eyes narrowed to slits, concentrating on keeping the weapon summoned and solid as he eyed the gangly-appearing opponent from behind his raised boot.

Furiously, he pushed off of BDC's block, quickly rolling backwards to widen the gap. Then he darted toward the wall, launching himself with the staff from the ground and to the warehouse's wall. With a bell-like tone, the staff shattered as it struck the ground, pieces vanishing into spiritual energy and fading as they scattered to the air. His wheels gripped at the wall and for a moment he defied gravity to fly from the wall and try to go over the orange-haired punk's head.

He needed to chase down the skater that had taken Maize.

BDC wasn't fully braced, and had to catch their balance when the blader kicked off of their arm. They glared sharply and leapt back toward the exit Lock had taken. When the staff shattered, they breathed a short huff of relief, but didn't dare relax. Even weaponless this ape was still dangerous.

Damnit, the irritant is airborne again. BDC never really did like fly boys like Juan.

As the golden booted blader flew through the air overhead, BDC leapt upward, catching his back boot with the curve of their dagger, feeling the connection he yanked downward. It threw his balance off enough; sending him almost straight into the concrete. While he was stunned by the impact, BDC jumped at the chance to pin him. They planted a heavy reinforced boot at the base of his spine as the twin blades came down threateningly close to his neck, crossed behind to hold the blader in place. They then knelt down, heavily planting their knee between his ribs.

"Listen here you flea-bitten shitbag." BDC's normally cheery tone was dark and promising of pain. "Get the fuck out of my city. Stay the fuck away from Maize. Or I will put your head in a jar and bury your body in the river. You might not die, but you won't be recovering from that any time soon. Do you understand me Huang Wukong?"

Juan grunted shortly, pinned. The hot metal-like ley pressed against his neck gave him pause. When heavy boot turned into a knee he grunted in pain a second time but didn't respond with words yet. The threat lay thick between them until BDC called him by name.

Not any name; a name he hadn't used in a very long time.

He flinched sharply, a forced cocky smirk crossing his expression as he turned his head to the side, trying to look up at the one who'd pinned him. His eyes narrowed, glaring sideways up at his attacker.

"And just how do you know that name, I wonder." He wheezed out, flinching again as BDC put pressure on his back, squeezing the air from his lungs.

"I asked if you understood me Monkey. Get out of my city, stay away from my charge; or I will make your existence a living hell."

BDC was focused, glaring at the smirking god under their knee. Expected. He wasn't agreeing to -anything- and frankly, BDC was almost ready to behead the asshole anyway. They were beyond angry, beyond seeing red, and beyond negotiations.

That focus on the Monkey's refusal to speak cost them.

A figure stormed through the entrance, shoulder down and barreling forward like a freight engine. The unknown fighter shoulder checked BDC, slamming into their side and launching them off of Juan's back.

The knives flew from their hands and sailed across the room; skidding to a stop against the far wall. They flickered briefly, releasing a cloud of golden motes.

A wet-sounding crack echoed off a pillar where BDC's body collided, then crumpled into a heap at the base. The only sign of continued, agonizing existence being the faint breathy groan of pain.

Juan rolled to his side with a sharp flinch, holding a hand up toward the new assailant. "Nice job…" A silent nod responded, hand clasping his wrist and pulling the blader shakily to his feet. As he stood, blood trickled from his broken nose. Feeling the red vitae dripping on his lip he scowled. He held the back of his other hand to his face to stem the bleeding somewhat. Then, he looked at the heap of BDC thoughtfully, turning slightly toward the shining knives against the wall.

"They're coming." The tall woman said coldly. "Leave it."

He snarled mildly, flinching when the expression sharply reminded him of the busted nose. "Yeah." He turned on his wheels and followed the muscular woman out.

The pair escaped the storehouse just as other Pact Rats arrived, barely skirting notice.

------------------------

When Maize was brought in, she was unconscious, her body temperature far below normal, and her skin was clammy and sweat-soaked. The derby girl who had brought her in; Patcher never could keep up with which was which sometimes; had been carrying her like a princess, looking exhausted, frightened, and worried.

"She ain't breathin' right Patch." She gasped out.

The one with the Sofern accent. He thought briefly, rolling through his mental identification to pull a name for the girl. "Bring her in, Lucretia. Take her to the room at the end of the hall on the left."

As she passed by with the one face Patch had burned into his memory through sheer will; he frowned. The girl's ley was nearly non existent. Even sealed, he could always sense the massive flame of celestial fire in the girl. This… a drain like this hadn't happened in a very long time. Something had clearly gone rather wrong.

"Where's Bobby?" He asked, after closing the front door and taking up behind the brawny woman, reaching just past her to open the door to the treatment room with a slender hand.

"Having some kind of weird fight with the new guy. There was somethin' weird goin' on. Like somethin' was glowing and coming out of their bodies."

A ley battle. Patcher thought bitterly, motioning Lock toward the bed in the middle of the room. That explains the broken seal. He flicked a light on overhead as she lay the unconscious Maize down.

His eyes trailed onto the woman that had brought Maize in. I didn't know the Sofern could see ley…

However, there wasn't time to muse on the subject of Lock's apparent observation skills. The fine featured medic began moving quickly, ushering Lock to the head of the examination bed. "Hold her arm please." He requested, already flitting around the room with knowledgeable familiarity.

As directed, Lock rolled Maize's sleeve out of the way while Patcher attached a cuff to her arm, then several sensors just under the neckline of her top. The derby skater still looked frightened, but at least some concern was being alleviated by the medic's decisive actions.

Patcher moved with the practiced actions of a trained professional, allowing the devices to begin spitting out numbers. Several of which made his eyes narrow. Without looking for more than a glance, a drawer was flung open, a compress removed and in a swift motion and loud pop was activated and handed to Lock, a second one was similarly opened and set against Maize's throat. A mute gesture indicated Lock to hold both compresses to the sides of her neck. Lock followed direction without raising a peep of question.

"Those will help to stabilize her temperature, keep them in place until I say otherwise." Fierce eyes leveled on the derby Rat and were met with a determined nod. "Good." He praised, then turned to a cabinet to retrieve a blanket draping it over her.

Loops of golden and black thread decorated the weighted comforter. Small gems of amber and charms of a silvery-black metal detailed the exquisite embroidery. The patterns twisted back and forth over themselves forming circles on circles that danced among the silken material.

As soon as the cloth settled over Maize something seemed to settle in her expression. Once pained, it softened just a bit.

Lock shifted the packs against her neck, the back of her hand brushing the Pact Rat's leader's chin. Maize was cold.

As the Patcher moved around the room, Lock waited to be directed. The sharp scent of sulfur stung her nostrils briefly, then a sickly sweet incense began to fill the room. Lock looked confused as the doctor wafted the burning stick through the air, yet she squinted slightly, for the briefest of moments, the smoke glimmered like sunlight.

Lucretia put it up to exhaustion and stress from the fight. Yet the small shimmers continued here and there, and when she noticed that the blanket was shimmering similarly she blinked. "Patch?"

"Lucretia, you should speak with Tucker later. You'll be joining his training class soon." The slender doctor said decisively, continuing to move around the room.

Whatever the doc was doing, it was helping, Maize's breathing was evening out, her skin was beginning to flush pink again. Lock simply nodded, not willing to question whatever was happening. Not yet, anyway.

After a few minutes, Patcher set the embering sticks into an ash-filled block. Narrowing his eyes at the unconscious form briefly before nodding. "You can remove the warming packs, she'll be fine for the minute." His raspy voice was quiet, as if respecting the patient's sleep.

"Now, tell me what happened." He demanded shortly, opening the door, gesturing the girl out.

-------------------------

In a small, dark room filled with the sweet smelling incense from several censers BD squeezed their eyes shut tightly, groaning quietly from the bed. They mumbled several curses and cautiously lifted a hand up to the side of their throbbing head.

"Ah-ha, and our second patient comes around. Welcome back to the world of the living, your majesty." Patcher's slightly raspy voice joked quietly, she crossed the room to the recovering Pact Rat's bed. "I would ask if we learned anything from this encounter, but I suspect our answer will be a resounding 'no' and you will, despite my expert advice against it, repeat this in the future."

BDC mumbled a few more curses. Then attempted to sit up. “Elle?”

Elle gently placed a hand on BD's chest with an admonishing click of her tongue. "Ah ah ah… several broken vertebrae and a concussion dictate you keep still until your healing takes care of it. So stay down. I'll raise the bed." She pressed a button on the side, bringing the head of the bed up just a bit more comfortably.

BDC eased their eyes open. "My leg…" They winced as they were shifted.

"Also broken, my liege. But it has been set, like the others." Patcher pulled a stool to the bedside, sitting down and crossing one long leg over the other as she gazed as the bedridden patient. "Another day or two and you'll be as fine as always."

BDC cringed at the news, but nodded just slightly. "Fuck…" They groaned out.

"An adequate phrasing for the situation, yes." Patcher chuckled leaning back slightly. "You shouldn't have tried to fight him on your own."

"He was killing Mai-.." BD's eyes widened, before they could make a reactionary move, Patcher had planted a firm hand on their sternum, preventing sudden movement.

"She's fine, ley-starved, but recovering. Same as before. Getting a nice healthy dose of energy to replenish the loss. I informed her she had another anemic event." Patcher eyed BD, ensuring they were going to remain still and in bed before removing her hand. "Want to tell me what actually happened? I've gotten parts of the story from a few of the others…"

"That same gang from last time showed up. Followed Maize and Juan into the food court. I caught sight of 'em tailing." BDC took a careful breath, wincing at the crack that rattled through their back and across their chest. After taking a moment to settle their mind they continued.

"I got their attention." BD smiled toward the medic.

"So you crowed like a dipshit."

"Eey…" BDC raised a hand, pointing a mocking finger gun at her. "It worked. Maize raised the call, got the innocents out of the line of fire. They came at me and Juan pretty hard. Left her alone… at first." BD frowned, brow furrowing in thought.

"At first?" Patcher prompted, leaning forward just a hint.

"Tripp and the Trio showed up, started body checking the jumpy shits. Took part of the main group out. A few of 'em stood out. I couldn't tell who they were, but they weren't mortals. They pulled batons. I had the rats retreat. I saw one pull a knife on Juan, was going after him with a fucking vengeance. There's some major beef there. She's -someone's- favourite pet, Patch."

Patcher tilted her head quizzically, eyeing the bedridden BDC. "Oh? What makes you think so?"

"She took one'a his goddamn boots to the head. I heard the snap. She fucking fell like a sack of rice."

"He killed her?" Patcher's eyes widened, leaning back in shock and distress.

"She should'a been. She was breathing- got carted out of there on one of the others' shoulders rubbing her neck like she had a crick. She's either immortal or indestructible."

"Neither option is great news." Elle frowned darkly, flexing her left hand in and out of a fist as if it'd help centre her thoughts on the information.

"You skipped part." She finally said after a long moment. "What happened with Marigold?"

BD flinched sharply. "She didn't retreat." Their lips pursed tightly. "After the 'dogs pulled the batons out, she doubled back before I noticed." BD's eyed darkened as they recalled. "She broke the restraining seal. Immediately began commanding. Whoever that snakey bitch was- she could resist it. She turned the knife on Maize." BD's tone turned bitter. "I panicked, got downed." They hissed angrily, obviously frustrated.

BDC continued, tone holding no remorse. "Juan got there before I did, or I'd've killed her instead." Expression stony and lips pursing tightly for a moment before continuing. "Marigold lit up like a whole damn fireworks show. If anyone in a fifty mile radius didn't feel that release, I'd be surprised. Then he went in and started sucking all of the ley out of her and draining it off of her like a goddamn leech on a free-bleeder. Fucker went full ass Monkey God on that fucking bitch." BD frowned darkly.

Patcher's expression matched the dark look in her patient's. "So… he knows?"

"Fuck yeah he knows! Figured that shit out real quick. He must have suspected, some kind of pull or link when he first got there. Just like you and Henri thought would happen. And just like -I- thought would happen he immediately damn near killed her by trying to rip it out of her all at once!" BDC slammed a closed fist on the bed's rail- rattling the bed frame.

Elle calmly watched BD, letting their frustration flow. "Then we need to see if Henri finished the commission we ordered." She said gently, then followed. "Is that why you fought with him?"

"As soon as the parasites were tossed, he snatched her up and took off like a coward. I caught 'im up at the semi-park. Lucky he was still feeling cocky. If he'd jumped a ride we'd've lost her. The others caught up after a few." They paused, an expression of guilt and fear briefly crossing their face. Anger slowly seethed back into their eyes as they continued.

"I told him to fuck off, he babbled something stupid like a shithead, and got all high and mighty. Lock grabbed Maize and took off. That jammer is the fastest we had. That got him cut off before he fucking drained her last ember. I had him down to rights when someone clocked me from the side like a fucking train."

"Who?" She prompted again, ticking thoughts off on her fingertips.

"Dunno. Caught a glimpse of someone huge with long hair. No way that force was mortal either though. I'll bet it was one of them on his side." BDC concentrated on breathing evenly, feeling some of the broken bones knitting together in their back.

"Huge and hairy, huh? Maybe it was a pet gorilla. Harambe lives, and he kicked your ass."

"You're a fuckin' riot, Patch." BDC smirked, despite themself.

"I do try, Majesty. Part of my job description as an advisor."

"Fuck off with that shit." They fell back into the pillows fully, cringing at the wet, crunching sounds their own body was making. The subtle crackling BD could feel in their back was proof enough the divine healing was taking well. The heat of ley flowing between their bones was only just on the side of comforting. "Back's knitting…" They reported quietly.

Elle stood up, gently sliding a hand behind BD's neck at the top of their spine before feeling her way down their back, tracing it with her fingertips. Leaving a close-to-burning sensation on their skin.

"Nothing's out of place so far. Give it several hours to settle before you even attempt to get up." She stood straight, turning to the bedside table to retrieve a glass of amber-coloured tea. "And drink your tea. You burned through a fair bit, yourself."

"Yeah yeah…" BD waved a dismissive hand at the medic, but took the offered glass, downing half the contents in a single gulp. The hot drink burned slightly as it went down, filling their core with a spreading bloom of hot ley that immediately began to fuel the pulsing energy between their bones.

Patcher shook her head, reaching up and pushing her hair out of her face and behind her ears. She gave a deep bow to the bedridden BDC before leaving the room to allow them their necessary recovery.

------------------------

Taking care of two troublemakers like them was exhaustive work. The slender doctor took respite in an office, thick with the heady incense they so often used. Even in the moment of quiet, they stretched their senses out, rolling their head back and forth to ease the tension from their neck.

The ley of the crested king was ragged, but steadily building. Their healing would take a few more hours, and quite a bit more infusion to ensure that their body and spirit recovered enough power. Battling in such a way was uncommon enough, but to hold their own against even a broken god had incurred a heavy toll.

But the troublesome fireball in the other room was concerning. It consumed every scrap around it, circling in the seals laid out around it. Tethered as it was, it was weak and starving. But once it had fed enough to stabilize it could be properly sealed once more. So long as the capacity was maintained it had less reason to break out and run amok. Really, it was almost more trouble than it was worth in the end to continue like this. Almost.

As the light of the moon struck one side of the pale face, a feminine smile formed, assured and confident. Passing through the beam exposed a moment of the other, cautious and cunning. "They run us ragged until our flights are nothing but tattered shafts." Patcher murmured to no one in particular.

Mutable. The Doctor's most powerful skill. Being exactly what is needed in whatever circumstance faces them. When the presence of Elle will encourage conversation she strides through the situation with charismatic confidence. When what is needed is the power of Elliot's ruthless cunning and vision - he formulates whatever is necessary to achieve set goals.

Two faces of a single coin, flipped to control the fate determined by prophecy and power. And despite the work it took, Belgrave enjoyed the results. Intimidation and knowledge when necessary. Gentleness and sociability when useful. The good doctor could be whatever was needed whenever it was called on.

They draped over the back of the chair, closing their eyes as the incense covered the room in dense malleable ley that slowly trickled into their tired spirit. They inhaled slowly, deeply. Taking in the wisps of energy more directly. Each mote of sacred incense adding another dot of energy to their own exhausted spirit. After a few deep breaths, their own internal flames felt sated. Rituals and releases were so draining. Even just keeping one's senses on the pair was trouble.

Deep black eyes narrowed at the spread of papers strewn over the desk. It was so much to do, keeping up with the reckless royalty and a sparking powder keg.

"So much to still do. The Sofren will need to be entrusted to Dabney for training." A slender hand swept over the papers, plucking one from the pile and setting it aside. "After today's excursion we need to replenish our supplies."

Patch mused over another set of papers, written out in various handwritings. "Three stand out at least in their numbers…" Without much conscious thought, Elliot reached a hand out, taking up a pen and catching the corner of a report journal to begin writing.

"Investigate these Pandogs further, find the connections they have to other divinities. It may take time, but I have suspicions that they are backed by someone who has stepped out of line. Allies or retainers… we'll need to plan for both." Talking to oneself could almost always be considered decent conversation. But importantly, it actualized the intentions and plans.

"I don't relish needing to acquire more Scorch…" He sighed heavily, shifting slender fingers of his free hand through a few loose pages to pull up a supply report. "The Bardun tree will be the easiest to harvest." An annoyed click of the tongue. "I do hate dealing with that group of loudmouths." He grumbled. "If this is going to continue, we'll need more tea.."

They continued to speak quietly amongst themselves, working over the notes and compiling thoughts and plans for the future.

While in the rooms just down the hall, two troublemakers rested.

----------------------------

Hours into the early morning, Maize stirred. The incense had long since gone out, though the floral, slightly sharp, scent lingered as it always did on her clothes and the broad silk comforter. The scent was always comforting, as if it marked a safe place where no harm could happen.

Her body was feeling anxious, and her legs wanted to move, energy crawling all over her skin. For the moment, she didn't want to open her eyes, the darkness of her sleep had been a comfort she didn't want to give up.

Though her body argued the idea of remaining in bed. Her skin continued to crawl with electric feeling, burning in threads along her muscles and making her limbs kick and move anxiously. Her face scrunched up as she resisted the urge to throw the silk blanket off until the restlessness in her legs and arms became unbearable.

Now that awareness and consciousness were entrenched, she groaned, sitting up and kicking the weight of the blanket away. In response her body shuddered, reminding her of its very human nature and requirements. Her throat was dry, her stomach rumbling unhappily, and her bladder lodged its own minor protest. All of which she promptly ignored.

While her mind over all of it continued to try to find memories of what had happened. She knew it was important but the distractions from her pathetic flesh was interfering with her ability to recall.

"Yes yes…" She mumbled in Taishon unhappily, stretching her arms up and over her head, then bending forward to stretch the stiffness from her back. She rested her cheek against her extended knees for a long minute, feeling the subtle muscle burn in her lower back before sitting up with a deep sigh to fill her lungs and stretch her ribs.

Nothing felt particularly injured. Nothing from her daily aches that constantly reminded her of her own mortality. Her right leg ached in its usual way, stiff and pinchy, her ankles felt stiff and her back and neck were sore from how heavily she'd slept. But as her inner self perused her own fleshy prison she found nothing particularly concerning or out of the ordinary.

A quiet knock on the door broke her from her personal introspection and she looked up.

"Mari, you awake?" Patcher's voice lilted from the other side of the door.

"I swear you have a camera in here somewhere how do you always know the minute I wake up?" Maize responded, turning to dangle her legs off the side of the bed, swinging them and feeling her blood flow freely through her limbs.

"I'm wounded by the accusation." Patcher opened the door, smiling softly. In her hand was a small tea tray with a few pastries and a cup of juice. "It's simply good hostessing to know when your guests are ready to start the day."

"Guests?" Mari tilted her head, frowning briefly. "Who else is here?" Her hand closed against her leg for a moment.

"Bobby is in the other room, recovering." Elle smiled sweetly, sweeping in to perch at the foot of the bed, setting the tray down between them. She looked over the girl's worried expression, offering a soft and comforting smile. "They're the only one. Everyone else was just fine."

Maize released the tense breath she'd been unconsciously holding, her shoulders slumping as the worried tension fled her. "I'm glad…" She murmured, a faint smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.

"You should eat, just make sure it's slowly so you don't upset your stomach." Elle pushed the tray a bit closer to the girl, dark eyes taking in Mari's movements. "Do you remember anything off-hand?"

Maize smiled at the pastries, plucking one and the juice up to nibble at the edges and sip the sweet and sour cocktail. With the question, she looked pensively at her hand, then trailed her eyes toward the crumpled blanket half discarded over the foot of the bed.

"Gold light…" She murmured, not entirely sure she'd said it out loud.

Patcher tilted her head, watching the young woman. "Oh?" She prompted quietly.

Maize nodded. "It was everywhere. I can still see it, a little." She mumbled, taking a bite of the flaky pastry and chewing slowly as she thought. Patch allowed her to gather her thoughts, watching her with intent.

"On the blanket… and on you…" Maize looked toward her, expression confused, her eyes worried. "Is that bad?

Patcher lifted a slender hand to the girl's chin, a soothing touch to comfort her concerns. "No, it means you're awake." She offered quietly, speaking slowly. Knowing that in the past such conversations had ended… poorly. Mentally, Elliot began to prepare actions in case a spark ignited the keg of raw untamed ley before him.

"You look strange…" Maize said quietly. Patch simply smiled in response.

"Hopefully that isn't frightening." She spoke quietly, as one did with frightened children and feral animals. "What you're seeing is called ley. It's life energy."

Maize looked down at her hand, then back up at Patch. "It's hot." She wrinkled her nose, looking for all the world like a small confused pig.

Patcher smirked at the image, then shook her silvery hair out behind her. "It can be, can you feel it coursing through you right now?"

Maize nodded, focusing on the sensations rolling over her skin. "It's like… licking a battery and pouring hot water at the same time, but it's everywhere."

Elle chuckled breathily. "An accurate, if unusual, description. It lies everywhere, stronger in some places than others. More concentrated in some beings than others."

Small steps, Small pieces of information fed like crumbs would be the way to go. Perhaps they could find the limit she could hold onto this time. A slender hand reached out, conjuring a small amount of ley at the tips of her fingers, winding it in the air until it took the shape of a long gracefully swept feather.

Maize watched Patcher's hand, tilting her head as the golden light played across fingertips. She squinted as it took shape. Interest, and a small amount of fear tinging her expression. "Can I learn that?"

Somewhere, down in her chest, her mind heard something rumble like a laugh.

Elle watched Maize carefully, twisting the feather between her thumb and forefinger. Something in the girl shifted, and the feather was flicked away in a flash of sparks. Maize's aura of ley flared, then subsided, like a threat. The doctor hesitated for a moment before answering. "Potentially…"

They took a stabilizing breath before continuing. "You have a lot of it. It's a bit like carrying a huge braizer of fire. You have to learn how to take only as much as you need. To keep the flames under control or they'll burn you and everything else." Gently they explained, letting the words sink into Maize's mind.

"Most can't even carry an ember. Many people barely carry a candle. Some can carry a lantern or torch. Very few people can carry more." Patcher explained. "It's a living force, and the larger it is, the harder it is to keep fed, much less control it to any real degree."

"Fed?" Maize looked back to Patch, confused, she squinted against the glimmering shape around the doctor. After a moment, she looked back down at the glass of juice in her hands instead.

"Like all living energy, it feeds. Ley can be trapped in objects, stored like any other energy. It can be transferred from one living thing to another, or simply be released by the life of the world. You have to be very careful." The silver-haired doctor added. "The ley you carry is very ravenous."

Elle looked up and over Maize's head, then down and along her back. For some reason, the flares and flashes the girl's uncontrolled ley normally had were different. The normally violent flares of an angry untamed beast of energy were subdued, not entirely contented but as if the monster was biding its time, like savage dog waiting for the command to strike. It was no less dangerous, but it wasn't actively lashing out as it usually did by this stage.

Maize's mind swirled in thoughts, connecting dots and words. She stayed silent for a long time, thinking intently on the doctor's words.

"Can you tell me more?"

-----------------------------------

They spoke for another hour on the subject until the conversation continued in the well lit dining area of Patcher's home. The slender doctor moved about the kitchen, preparing a handful of foods for both himself and the pair of guests. Maize had, by now, changed and showered, seeming to be perfectly fine, even with the apparently newfound ability to witness the very energies that made up the cosmos around her.

Patcher kept a wary eye on the young woman, even now, while a small part of his attention remained on the still sleeping royal pain in the ass in the other room. The damage during the fight had been knitting steadily all night and now, at least, he was simply recovering the lost ley. He'd be waking soon.

Maize sat at the island counter, now and then she'd look up and around the room as if watching the pulses of golden light flowing through the house. Patch said nothing until she finally turned her confused attention to him as a plate of scrambled eggs and toast were set down before her.

"This house is on a ley node. Rivers of ley flow around the world, condensing in places where it pools, or like here, crosses other ley lines." Patch swept a hand in indication to the house. "Three different ley lines converge on this property, just a bit from the house proper. It's why I live here. Those pulses are the natural flow of ley as it travels through the lines. If you pay it too much attention, it may bother you."

He alighted on a stool opposite her, crossing his legs. "The effect may lessen if you can learn to shield yourself from outside ley." He offered, watching her distractedly eat. Turning his eyes to the agitated beastial ley around her, still it wasn't acting up.

"Can you teach me?" Marigold asked, somewhat unsure, though to her eyes the house was awash in gold, it was beginning to hurt her head in the way staring at screens too long did. So she squinted her eyes a little more, choosing to focus on the food before her. Turning her attention to the juice she was surprised that it had a golden sheen to it, though she didn't bother questioning it after the other explanations.

"I can try. I've taught some of the other Pact Rats, after all." Patch admitted casually, taking up a slender juice glass and sipping the contents. "For them it was teaching the way to hold a candle to light their way without burning themselves." Patch's eyes glanced around the young woman. "For you…"

"I can learn." She stated defiantly. As she spoke so self-assuredly, a flare of her ley spiked around her, then stilled again, burning brightly and with no true containment, but remaining stable around her.

Patcher nodded shortly. "If it's possible at all, it won't be easy." He eyed her thoughtfully, she'd held together so far. It wasn't knowing about ley that cause fissures before. So he pushed it. "Your soul is different though, part of it contains the power of a deposed god." They paused there, watching her reaction, a wary eye on the beastial shroud of energy surrounding her.

Maize looked at the silver doctor. "What?" A spark danced around her. "A god?" She felt a heat begin to burn at the nape of her neck.

Somewhere behind her, in a breathy voice only she heard, someone laughed hollowly.

Patch nodded, still intently observing her. "The power of a divine being attached itself to you a long time ago. Before you met Bobby and myself. Before that, Bobby and myself were meant to hunt that power and return it to its owner. But they changed their mind. We've been protecting you from it ever since." The doctor spoke so casually that it seemed unreal.

Maize simply stared at Patch as if she expected him to take it back. His dark eyes simply watched her calmly. She knew, somewhere in her chest, he was telling the truth.

Something in her mind recalled talking to Bobby about strange dreams through the years. How she was sure she'd seen a monster before.

Images of growing up with the laughing BD by her side in nearly everything she did. Flashes of memory of the pair being so involved with her and her family, trusted friends. Her stomach knotted up as she recalled Patch's dedication and help when she was sick with strange fevers. And the familiar, always present, scent of incense.

The fevers and illness that had been plaguing her since she was little. The monsters she'd had nightmares about. It was all connected.

Her heart thudded heavily in her chest. The sound briefly drowning out the warm kitchen and dining room. For a moment, she felt betrayed by the secret. But as her chest felt tighter, she felt the familiar heat rolling over her shoulders. Now it had a name. Ley.

"I want to control it." She said quietly. Her voice mildly unsure as the heat boiled over her head, and a painful pulsing began behind her eyes. "Teach me."

"Do you recall the breathing practices I taught you to control your heart rate?" Patch leaned forward on his elbow. Dark eyes locked on the girl, focusing on her pain-contorted face, then on the shroud of ley that now seemed to want to act up. "The same principal applies here. Your ley should react with your mental focus, your emotional control, and your physical state."

Maize nodded curtly. She thought back to seemingly forever ago, techniques that the slender doctor had taught her over a decade before to control the attacks she suffered from. Her head was beginning to pound, knowing that it wasn't just anxiety that caused them.

"If you remember, slow your heart rate down then." He commanded. "Quiet your heart's sound, and blow the candle's flame without snuffing it."

Maize sat up straighter, folding her hands in her lap in a practiced psuedo meditation form. Patch had developed the meditation in her childhood. To her it was ironic that the same technique could be used to control ley now.

Somewhere in the back of her mind, the voice laughed deeply again. It hissed near her ear.

She inhaled slowly, filling her lungs fully before clenching the muscles in her chest. She felt her heart thud-thud-thud as she focused, slowly releasing the pressure until she could only barely feel the muscle's beating. The breath she held she released. It felt hot between her lips as the air pushed out.

Controlled, not too fast, not so slow she held onto it for too long. Release the air and sink. As the last of her breath left her, she inhaled slowly, painfully, counting in her mind. One. Two. Three.

A voice echoed behind her ear. Ten. Nine. Eight. It laughed breathily against the back of her neck. Maize's heart immediately jumped, thudding loudly in her ears. I could destroy you. It mocked. For thinking you could ever be my master.

Maize squeezed her eyes shut, concentrating on slowing her heart again, releasing the breath slowly once more.

The casual pose hid the intense scrutiny the doctor held over the woman before him. As she began the meditation, the sharp flares of her ley began to smooth, as she released her breath he raised an eyebrow as he watched the white steam leave her lips. The action wasn't unknown to him, but to see her release the skimmed ley was impressive.

Then a spike in the shroud of ley flared before his eyes, causing him to squint. He saw her breath hitch, then shudder before she resumed the practice, more forced. Around her, the form of energy seemed to shift impatiently, it seemed to twist and strain around her, as if it would run wild had it more energy. Even as the girl continued to try to force it into shape.

"Damn." He hissed, disappointed. Then clicked his tongue in irritation. "So close."

-----------------------------------

Bobby lay somewhat comfortably in bed, slowly waking as the sun cast through a crack in the curtains. As they stirred, they listened to their body. The crackling of broken bones was no more, the burn of torn muscles was gone, and the ugly gurgling in each breath was silent. They sighed, pushing themselves up to sitting, pushing the infused silken blanket aside into a heap at the foot of the bed.

Right on cue, the door opened and the tall slender form of the doctor swept in followed by the shorter, familiar figure.

"Maize!" BD exclaimed happily, seeing her up and moving after the last image in their mind was her crumpled nearly lifeless body on the ground nearly brought tears to their eyes. "You're okay!"

Maize smiled brilliantly, practically glowing herself. She looked proud. "Better than okay." She chirped up, leaning against the foot of the bed. Between them Patcher moved over, easing a hand along BD's automatically extended leg, then tracing along their back as the two Pact Rats spoke.

"Oh? Did you have wonderful dreams then?" BD teased, flinching mildly as Patch prodded a sensitive spot at their lower back. Clearly not everything was entirely healed.

Maize's nose crinkled. But she smiled, shaking her head. "I learned about ley. I can see it, and Patch said I might learn to control it."

Bd's stomach fell, the bed beneath them felt suddenly unsteady and their hands flew to the mattress as if to support themselves from falling from a ledge.

"He what?" Brilliant eyes snatched to the healer in a silent demand. Patcher deftly avoided eye contact and instead stood up with a murmur before turning to leave the room as if he'd forgotten something in another part of the house.

Maize either didn't notice the interaction, or ignored it. "Patch told me about it." She insisted, smiling still. "How it flows, how I can control it. He said you knew too." She frowned. "That you'd used it to fight. He even explained about the incense." She gestured toward a recently lit smouldering stick in a censer.

"He said the incense releases ley so our souls can recover. He told me everything about why my attacks happen when I have a flare up because I can't hold all of the ley I have?" She seemed mildly confused. "It explains everything… it's why I had those strange dreams as a kid, remember? And why my heart just sometimes feels like it's going to explode. I'm some part god?"

She smiled, relief written over her face, as if the new information simply answered so many questions she'd had for so long.

Maize grabbed for BD's hand, looking to them. "I know now." She exclaimed again. "I know and I know what you and why you're so much stronger than everyone. I know! Bobby, I can help you! I can learn to use it, I won't have to run away all the time anymore. Patch said-"

BD snatched their hand away as if the girl's touch had burned. "And how are you feeling?" They looked at her, eyes searching her face.

Maize frowned a moment. "I feel fine?" She said quietly. "I'm excited that I can learn to help you now. My head hurts a little but it's fine. I feel better than I have in a long ti-"

BD shook their head. "Your head hurts. And you feel hot. Don't you?" Their voice held a tone of bitterness.

Maize frowned. "I'm fine." She defended, aren't you glad? You don't have to keep it a secret anymore." Her chest began to feel heavy, and the low pressure in her head was growing slowly.

Bobby looked at her, then seemed to look past her. She felt as if he was seeing something frightening.

Their voice was quiet. "I can see it becoming unstable…" They murmured, then looked down. "Patch shouldn't have told you anything."

Maize's chest hurt. "Why?" Her voice was quiet, pleading.

"Now you're going to forget." BD folded his hands, gazing down at his crossed thumbs. "Now that you know, you're going to forget again."

Maize looked hurt. "Why would I forget? How could I forget something like this? How could I forget that I have power like this?"

"It's happened before. You found out the truth and when you woke up it was a dream. We… believe it was your way of protecting yourself. A way to keep yourself from going insane. You're human.. Your mind is human. Your body is mortal. Your already burning up again, I can feel it coming off of her skin. Mortals aren't meant to hold all of this. When the gods soul is protecting you… it makes you forget…"

"I'm not going to forget." She defended, looking at them with a determined expression. "I'm going to learn to control it."

BDC smiled, a quiet sort of motion that didn't shine as it normally did. "That's what you said before." Their voice was quiet. "He shouldn't have told you anything."

Patcher slid the door open, Maize turned toward the sound. She breathed a sigh of relief, seeing the familiar form. "Patch-"

"Sorry to interrupt." The slender doctor said in a comforting tone. "But Bobby still has a bit of resting to do, and you still aren't fully recovered yourself, Marigold. If your heart rate goes up too much…" There was a subtle warning in the doctor's tone.

Patch set a tray of breakfast down on the table beside the bed.

Maize reached out, taking BDC's hands in her own as she stood up.

"I won't." She smiled reassuringly at them.

Patch led her out of the room with gentle touch to her shoulder, reaching up to push his hair away from his ear. "Come on, Marigold."

BD watched them leave, the last ray of light from the hallway vanishing as the door closed behind the pair.

"Abjection…"

------------------------------------------------

Patcher helped Maize to settle into the soft bed, offering a small glass of sweet drink to the young woman. "You still need to recover some of your own energy before you go home."

The air in the room was thick with ley-infused incense that swirled in thin glowing stripes all through the air. They reminded her of tiny dragons chasing each other all through the room. "To settle your mind before sleep."

"How long have you known about the god soul?" Maize knew already, but she didn't want to sleep just yet. Afraid of BD's assurance that she'd forget everything she just learned.

She took the drink, sipping the thick and sweet liquid.

"All of your life." He said quietly, settling gracefully on the stool by the bedside table as he watched Maize down part of the contents in the glass. "From the moment Bobby found you and gave up their original mission." A slender hand gestured to the drink, indicating her to drink it entirely. The sweeping motion turned into a gentle offering of the folded blankets. "You need to rest and regain the rest of your ley."

"BD said I was going to forget all of it." Her hands closed around the now empty glass tightly. Resisting the urge to yawn.

"You may, we don't know yet." Patcher reassured, watching the girl before him. "If the gods soul thinks its better for you to return to the same place you were before everything happened. It would be easier for you." His voice was quiet, almost musical.

The dragons of smoke and ley danced through the air around Maize's head, chasing one another, and diving through the air.

"Less concerns. You could return to your belief of how the world works. Unencumbered by the truth of ley, and your own broken soul." The voice seemed to trail along with the dragons in Maize's vision.

She yawned, shifting down against the plush pillows. Patch pulled the comforter up, the weight enveloping Maize.

"Unconcerned with a war you have no place in. Protected as you are." He continued, taking the glass and setting it aside. "All you need do is sleep. And it may be a dream again."

Maize's eyes dropped, feeling drained and heavy.

What war? She questioned in the darkness of her mind. They didn't mention a war…

She didn't want to forget. Not this time.

I don't want to sleep.

———————————————-

Maize stood before the abyss she had faced before. All around her, the world was grey, with streams of faded colour sweeping by in crackled forms. A voice rose from the yawning maw of darkness before her.

"You can throw them away."

As she peered into it, a face formed in the darkness. Faint, similar to her own but… different. Rounder, flickering in and out of sight.

"What?"

"Your memories. Throw them here, I’ll devour them."

Her heart ached and a tightness grew in her chest.

"Why would I do that?"

"They're heavy." The figure in the dark said matter-of-factly. "And you aren't strong enough to carry them."

Maize stiffened across her shoulders, spite rolling down her back at the statement. "Who says?!" She snapped back.

"You did… A long time ago, the last time."

"Not anymore.” She assured the not-quite-herself in the darkness.

"Maybe." The voice was mocking. "Are you sure? It's easier you know." The figure in the darkness waved a hand toward the depths. "It's easy to come in too… You wouldn't have to handle everything anymore"

Maize clutched her hands together, remembering the sensations from before. The pull at her core, beckoning her into the depths where the pain would vanish.

"Who are you?" She demanded sharply.

The figure tilted her head, eyeing Maize with deep violet eyes. It didn't respond immediately, smirking with a mouth full of too many teeth that were just a bit too sharp.

"I asked who you are." Maize steeled her shoulders, glaring now at the bestial figure as it rose from he abyss. A dim glow surrounded it, illuminating features that were Maize's, but wrong. Twisted and sharp with eyes that bore into her soul.

"Do you think you are strong enough now?" The creature asked, leaning in with hot sweet breath. "Strong enough to hold the truth? To hold me?”

Maize felt something on her shoulders, pulling down on her like a heavy chain draped over her. "Strong enough to hold it all back? To control all of me?” She could feel the heavy chains pull at her as they seemed to take shape in her hands. Maize closed her fingers around them, pulling back and feeling resistance from the beast in the abyss. "Strong enough to keep me from destroying everything you love?" The beast mocked, yanking sharply at the chains, sliding the girl closer to the edge of the abyss. “Let us return to the darkness then. I'm tired and we can sleep in the dark together.” Maize screamed out. "I'm not going back!" Biting her lip she pulled, straining against the chains, the weight and the pull of the beast as it threatened to pull her toward the deep abyss of darkness. It laughed, a miserly, self-assured laugh as it leaned forward toward her.

"Do you really believe you can hold me then?"

Maize clung to the chains, pulling them taut. The beast-her laughed again, baring its too many teeth and wide maw.

“I WILL hold you!” She shouted, yanking the chains back and struggling to take a single step backwards.

“Even when I will burn everything?” It mocked in return, tugging shortly back.

Maize’s heels dug in, she unwillingly relinquished an inch before immediately straining back to take another step back. Her hands bloody and twisted in the taut chain.

Under them the wide abyss seemed to grow wider with each passing second, threatening to devour them both as they fought for dominance.

The beast before her laughed again, sounding triumphant before swooping down, the chains going slack as it descended to Maize’s side.

"If you think you can handle the truth, then you had better wake up before we are both consumed!” The creature shouted, sticky breath blew across her face, making her wince. The shout made her head pound and her ears ring.

-------------------------

Maize's eyes flew open, then shut tightly in pain. Her breath began coming in sharp gasps as she woke from the nightmare and struggled to feel her own body again.

The room was too warm. Her ears were ringing, after a moment she realized sound wasn't entirely in her ears. Small bells were tingling from somewhere. She forced her eyes open a bit. Glowing ropes of smoke hovered through the air.

"… dragons…." She murmured.

The bells' chiming paused a moment, then sounded again, further away.

She squinted, then closed her eyes again, turning in the bed as feeling and control slowly returned to her limbs. She flexed her fingers experimentally.

"Go back to sleep Maize." Patcher's voice was lyrical at her side. She felt her hand lifted, the familiar sensation of him resting two fingers against her wrist. "You aren't ready."

His fingers felt hot, almost burning against her skin. Her arm felt heavy and leaden, but she pulled it from his hand. "Let go of me, Crane." The name was all but spat out. Her voice was garbled.

Patch recoiled. "What did you say?"

Maize was trembling slightly as she pushed herself up, the weighted comforter falling to her lap. "Crane." She snipped the name short again.

Images danced through her mind, a voice behind it all whispering at her.

Patch sat back, drawing his hands to his chest, palms upward. He stood back, eyes now regarding the bleary eyed girl ahead of him. "How much do you know?"

Maize blinked several times, raising a hand to her temple and squeezing her eyes shut tightly for a heartbeat. After a moment she dropped her hand down.

"It didn't want me to forget." Her voice was quiet, an angry accusatory tone. Her eyes lifted to glare at the medic. "You were making me forget."

Patcher lifted his chin defiantly, gazing down at Maize with the cool expression of assurance. For the moment, he said nothing.

Maize's voice cracked briefly. "Why!? Why would you make me forget?! Why would you erase something that important!" She gripped the blanket in her fists, wondering if she could throw the fabric at the medic.

There was no guilt or regret in the man's tone or expression. "Because you're mortal." He stated, as if he were reading a clinic note. "And you aren't meant to know how the world of divinities works." He eyed her, lifting his chin a moment to keep one eye trained on the bed-ridden girl as if she were a threat.

"I can handle it." She bit back sharply.

Patch tilted his head the other way, silver hair falling over his shoulder in a cascade until it pooled against his side. "And what makes you think so?" The medic was watching every motion the girl made carefully. Prepared to take drastic measures if the situation called for it. Though he didn't relish the explanation that would have to follow. Slowly, he stood up. Maize's shoulders were trembling, her hands were white-knuckled on the blanket and yet… the ley around her was stable and restrained.

It wasn't burning away at her body, it was flaring out around her like a wild beast, but it wasn't burning her like it had been.

She was glaring at him, poised to release the sharpest words, he was sure. He waited, focusing his own energy defensively. Cool, dark eyes flicked around her, when he thought he saw something about her energy and the way it was flowing.

Just as she opened her mouth, likely to begin cursing him out, Patcher's slender hand snapped out, snagging her jaw and pulling her forward. Her cheeks pressed in a tight hold as he drew her in close to gaze directly into her eyes- seeking something.

Maize inhaled, ready to unleash a torrent of angry words at the medic. Ready to demand an apology, an explanation, to lay into the person she had trusted so often with her life. She felt betrayed, memories flooding past her thoughts- each time she'd been assured she'd had an anemic spell or anxiety attack. Just as she was about to berate him with decades of hurt, she was suddenly drawn forward in his surprisingly firm grip on her jaw.

A startled squeak left her throat in place of all the things she wanted to say at Patch. She tried to pull back, but the fingers holding her close tightened against her jaw. He turned her face up, staring down into her eyes with a burning intensity she'd never seen in the usually easy-going medic.

Something wild, nearly unhinged, lay behind his eyes. He stared past her, through her and spoke not to Maize but the beast inside her.

"You're meant to be asleep, your memories sealed alongside the unstable soul's power." The words were nearly hissed out, a harsh tone in Patcher's voice. His eyes focused, now locked on Maize herself.

"What did you do this time?"

This time? Maize pulled back, raising a hand up to try to pry Patcher's grip off of her chin. What had she done this time?

A brief memory of the figure from the darkness and the pull at her chest. Her hand pressed against her sternum instinctively. The conversation with the not-her ringing echoes in her mind.

"I'm stronger now." She closed her hand into a fist, glaring at him.

She never wanted to forget BD's secret abilities and the truth again. A vague memory crossed her mind; crying, breaking down and holding her head and feeling as if she were on fire.

Patch watched her self assured response. Eyes narrowed in concentration as he scanned along her face and down her shoulders. Ley was dancing around her in lines, barely controlled, ready to burst in every direction but it wasn’t the wild and chaotic ley she carried before. With perhaps a little more force than initially intended, he pushed her back, releasing her entirely.

"Stronger?" Patcher leaned forward, the word hissed dangerously past his lips. His voice was different than she'd ever heard before.

"You're actively binding the ley from the monkey king's soul. You are controlling it for the first time in your entire life and it is fighting your control like an ill-trained mongrel. The remnants of that soul have been trying to destroy your body since it attached to you. And you are wrangling it with what? Spite? Willpower?" Patcher's eyes were frighteningly wild, deep dark pools of void with an emotion Maize couldn't pin. Was it was anger, excitement, or fear?

He stood up fully, gazing down at her with the wild expression she couldn't place, he looked at her as if she were simultaneously prey, predator, and monster. "So I'm going to ask again, Marigold. What. Did. You. Do?" Each word was punctuated sharply.

What had she done? Maize flinched back. Beyond the abyss, the voice of the creature that wasn't her echoed.

Hit him. It insisted with a hiss.

No. She snapped in retort.

Then let me burn the Crane for crimes against you. It snarked, pulling at the bloodied chains Maize held it in.

No!

A warmth flowed around her hands, up her arms, across her shoulders, and finally into her chest. "Back off Elliot." She commanded. Trails of electric heat wound around her chest, up her back and encircled her throat. Her head pounded heavily with the dull roar of her own heartbeat.

Patcher's eyes went briefly wide, watching the ley wrap around his patient. When a hot tendril wound around his neck and began pulling him back and away from the girl he didn't fight it; only straightening his back and taking a slow, centering breath as his steps carried him backwards from her. When sufficient distance stretched between himself and the girl, the ley retreated to a pulsing aura around her.

"My apologies." Patch's voice took a cooler, calmer tone. A motion from his hand cleared the vision of the ley beast lying in the room from his eyes. The apology was genuine, and as the doctor centered himself, he closed his eyes, then opened them slowly, without the emotion of before. Calm, collected, and professional.

He lifted his chin, only a little of the haughtiness of before in the motion. His voice was even, carefully controlled now with a dull tone.

"Mortal wills are not meant to control divine powers."

The statement was absolutely true. Never in all of the healer's years had he ever seen a mortal capable of control of any especially powerful ley source. And a divinity's soul was not something to be picked up by a mortal form, it would stand that when mortals couldn't handle a strong spirit, a divine one should burn the body out when not sealed entirely.

"Mortal minds burn themselves out with divine knowledge, mortal bodies break down with exposure to cosmic energy. You've had to forget in the past about it because conscious knowledge of the power within your core has threatened to destroy your mind, your sanity, and your body. Every time something has broken the seal in the past. You shattered, your life energy was burned away." His gaze leveled on the young woman.

"And you died."

Died.

Patch recalled the several times in the past when they had attempted to teach her control. Thinking perhaps it would help stop the wild energy's destructive tendencies.

He recalled the wild tendrils of unrestrained ley that burned away at her meager life force like wildfire. The physical burns left behind along her veins. The weak and broken body that had resulted before and his own frantic work to protect the embers of her spirit, to push it back into her mortal form and the days of rituals to restore her body.

The time it hadn't entirely taken and the scars left behind for the failed attempt.

The promises of never allowing her to suffer in such a way again in pursuit of control.

Maize trembled. Her hands clutching the comforter across her knees.

Died?

In her mind, with the rattling of chains, the not-her laughed shortly. A sharp hiss resonated in her ears and flashes of memory pierced through her mind. Agonizing burns, pounding headaches splitting her skull. A voice, mocking, from within her own mind as she had struggled to contain it. Bells, incense, fire, water…

Tears on her cheek and the recollection of holding a pale, trembling hand.

Oh I've killed you plenty of times. Her eyes closed against the jeering expression of the faintly glowing being that wasn't really her own reflection. I have ripped your flame apart and shattered this fragile vessel.

Why? Maize demanded back at it. Why then and not now?

You are not meant for me! My master is out there!

It snapped harshly, baring its too many, too sharp teeth.

You desire to use me? Control me?

It leaned back, tilting its head in a condescending manner as if eyeing her up.

Will you run now? Knowing I desire freedom from your weak form? I will kill you again and again if you flee now. It spat bitterly. I will devour your flames and break free.

The being faded from view, and Maize gasped for air. Her chest felt as if she'd been drowning. Patcher reached forward in the clinical manner he typically did, laying a hand against her neck and feeling her racing pulse.

"What happened?" He asked shortly.

Maize didn't think much, her voice quiet. "I remembered dying..."

"Sit back." Patcher eased her back against the bed again. Concern rolled across his slender shoulders.

Maize lay back, suddenly completely exhausted. She let Patch tuck the blanket around her chest and chin, the weight falling around her chest gently and comfortingly.

"Don't…" she started, words silenced by a brush of Patcher's hand against her temple.

"The sealing ritual wouldn't work now. Just rest." He assured quietly, giving a sharp flick of his fingers that dimmed the lights in the room. Before his eyes, the pulsating beast of ley surrounding her was visible, wrapped around her and winding through the air. It had a form now, more defined than it ever had been in the past.

It sat like a chimeric beast guarding a deer carcass while a small mortal soul’s flickered weakly beneath it.

------------------------

Patch stepped to the counter on the far end of the room, maneuvering through the dim light with a practiced ease. He browsed the shelf, withdrawing an old wooden box. With a murmur in a tongue that mortals wouldn't understand, he pulled a short stick of black, oily incense out and in a quick, fluid motion and a flash of ley, lit it.

A, bitter, acrid scent rose from the dense smoke that flowed down to the floor and pooled around the healer's feet. Disconnected ley, swirling through the air before, began to sink into the dense smoke, dimming even in his vision before vanishing in the pool. Yet the powerful aura around Maize only barely flickered, dulling in only the barest sense.

Peacefully unaware of the bestial aura around her, Maize was sleeping. Patch found his own movements slowed by the charred black smoke's sapping and dragged himself out of the room, closing the door firmly behind himself.

"Plans will have to change." He said to no one in particular. "Henri had better be finished."

--------------------------

Patcher had insisted on driving back to Maize's. Healed and processing all of the new information she sat in the front seat while BD sprawled in the back, staring out the window at the passing houses.

The car ride was quiet as they turned down the main street, then off into the older neighbourhood, old pop music playing lowly through the speakers. A clinking thud stirred Maize from her internal arguments and she looked toward BD.

They'd been lost in their own head, and had inadvertently kicked the center console. They smiled at Maize sheepishly adding a shrug of defense.

"Bobby?" She asked, peering at him from around the headrest.

"Sorry…" They began, then squinted past her out the front window. "I was think…ing…" Their gaze narrowed. Patch slowed the car to a crawl before even approaching the intersection that lay before Maize's house. "That's concerning." He said stoically. "We can turn off." He crept the car to the stop sign, with no other vehicles, he simply stopped, waiting for an opinion.

Ahead of them, lining the street and likely the block were nearly a dozen vehicles, all new, shining, and most of them sporting some form of government plate. Dotted throughout were multiple marked police vehicles. It could be assured several of the others were simply unmarked.

A knot tied tight around Maize's stomach and chest and she gripped the seat belt release. "What the hell is going on? You told them we were at your office, right?"

Elliot nodded. "Your families were notified both of your location while you were recovering and that I was driving you home today." He offered, his own gaze flicking between the mirrors. "We hesitated too long." He pulled the car forward, a car pulling in behind as if herding the vehicle into the mass of waiting cars of which several were now opening their doors.

An SUV at the end of Maize's driveway sported a large, square man in a casual suit leaning against the front quarter panel with his arms crossed over his chest. His darkly tanned skin pulled over a heavily muscled frame was not subtle in the suit shirt and coat. His short cropped black hair was professional, and his deep brown eyes met Maize's as the car pulled up. She cringed.

"What the hell is Kekoa doing here? Doesn't the entirety of Garwin's -finest- have anything better to do?!" Maize punched the door grip, then flinched at the sting in her knuckles.

"It's not the car's fault, Mari." BD offered from behind her, now sitting up. "Patch loves this thing." The enby smirked, but his eyes remained cautiously darting at the approaching officers.

Elliot pulled the car into the drive, turning it off and planted his hands on top of the wheel casually, simply sighing as he looked forward, eyes alone moving to check the mirrors as the Chief of Police and several officers approached the car. He clicked his tongue disapprovingly before sighing in resignation.

In the back seat, BD laced their fingers behind their head and under the orange 'hawk, then leaned back and casually set their elbows on the top of the back seat, in clear view of the back window. "Fucking hell…" They droned, staring upward at the roof of the car. "This feels like it's gonna seriously suck." At a knock on the passenger back window they turned, lolling their head to face the officer that tapped the glass. "Ruinous… " They murmured dejectedly.

Mari folded her hands together into her lap, looking down to hide her angry and resentful gaze under a fall of hair. Three of the car doors opened simultaneously, exposing the riders to the humid outside air. The broad police chief standing at the driver's door while uniformed officers stood defensively at the passenger doors.

"Elliot." The police chief said thinly.

"Kelani." The silver-haired driver responded delicately. "What's this about?"

"Just need you to step out of the car, Doctor Belgrave." Kekoa's tone was curt, respectful, but did not leave room for disagreement. His fingers closed a touch tighter on the door's frame, even as he stepped aside, granting the patcher ample room to step out of the vehicle.

"I haven't fully released them from my care, you know." Elliot's tone was warning, their steely gaze turning to the larger man and narrowing. "So if you int-"

Kekoa raised his free hand. "We aren't arresting anyone." He offered, though the statement was not reassuring to Maize. "We simply have a few questions for your senior members at the moment."

"This is a lot of backup for simple questions Chief Kekoa." Maize spoke up, snapping the name out with disdain. A heat was building in her shoulders from the tension and… something else.

Kekoa sighed, closing his eyes just briefly and raising his voice to clearly address the young woman. "We're investigating a series of assaults and an attempted kidnapping, Miss Leeds; so an overabundance of caution is necessary. Would you all do me the kindness of exiting the vehicle, please." He peered into the car, past Elliot to look pointedly at the orange-haired passenger. "Slowly." He added.

BD unwound their legs from the center hump, turning deftly to plant their boots on the driveway with a very pointed click-crunch. The officer nearest them stepped back with a concerned look crossing their face. Never removing their hands from the back of their head, they then dipped forward toward the officer holding the door and unfolded to their full lanky height with an exasperated sigh.

Elliot turned gracefully and slid from the driver's seat to stand, his hands sliding to his sides with the palms out, as unthreatening, it seemed, as possible. He shook his long hair out behind him with a similar done-with-this sounding sigh.

Mari meekly followed suit, stepping out and away from the car with a flinch as she stepped off the concrete of the driveway and onto the gravel edging. She kept her hands folded together in front of her, watching the ground ahead of her. A trio of thuds sounded as the doors were closed behind them.

"Charles Robert Dimont-Cleeman." A suited detective addressed from a bit behind the car, holding a datapad in one hand, reading from it. "You're asked to accompany us for questioning in the recent assaults, vandalism, and public disturbance incidents involving the organization known as the Pact Rats."

BD flinched sharply as their name was called in full, shooting a glare at the detective before hissing something under their breath. Then, louder toward Patcher. "El." A single syllable, the tone commanding. Patch simply nodded shortly in response as the 'hawked enby stepped toward the suited officer. Each step was just heavy enough to make the metal tracks in their boots clink threateningly.

Maize cringed at the officer's tone, clasping her hands tighter together. The familiar ley-heat was building across her shoulders as she bit her tongue to keep from speaking out.

Tension from every side made the already humid air nearly unbearable. For several long minutes no one seemed willing to break it, until Patcher cleared his throat decisively. "Kelani." He said shortly, warningly.

"It's questioning. Not detainment." The chief said. "Not yet." To Maize he seemed on the defensive now and for just a moment the heat in her shoulders subsided, trusting how Patch seemed to be handling the situation.

She allowed herself to look up and toward the house where two people were seated on the porch, she smiled quietly as the taller of the pair raised his phone and waved it to get her attention. Aneki… he probably already called BD's uncle. She sighed softly, straightening her back and shoulders.

"Marigold." Kekoa's voice distracted her from where her thoughts were racing, she looked toward the chief quietly. "If you'd accompany the other officer, Mister Leeds has already… insisted… on being your representation during the interview." He waved a hand forward and in the direction of the rather proud looking young man seated at a patio table with a suited detective.

Mari smirked to herself, walking confidently toward the table, unconcerned now with the officer following. Now that she could take count it seemed to be a tally of three detectives, and two officers per detective, plus the chief.

But… She trailed internally That leaves a few… As she walked across the yard to the front of the house, she tried looking back at the remaining cars. The tinted windows offering no clue to the occupants. Three patrol cars, three detective vehicles, the Chief's SUV… That was only seven of the ten vehicles she could count.

The brief moments lost in her own mind were broken as her brother's voice lifted from the table. "Are you alright Mari?" His voice was surprisingly casual and chipper for the suffocating tension that had just been so overwhelming only a few minutes before.

She nodded. "I'm alright." She offered quietly.

He stood and pulled a chair opposite to the detective for her. The glass-topped table felt like a new battlefield to her as the detective apparently pulled up some information on her datapad.

Nik pushed her chair in, then took a seat beside her, tapping a recorder as he set it down between them and turning his full attention to the detective. "I'm recording this questioning session of Marigold Marklan-Leeds as a precaution in case of any future legal necessity." He declared clearly.

The detective merely nodded before speaking. "Miss Leeds, I'd like to offer my sympathy in advance. If any of my questions cause you discomfort, please let me know. I'm Detective Winsong and I'm investigating the incident at the Commandant Mall the other day." She turned the datapad around, a collection of images on the screen. Pictures of some of the Pandogs from the mall. All of them in various forms of bruised and bloody. They were almost like mugshots.

Good. Hopefully they were actually caught. She thought bitterly.

Mari scanned the images, reaching to the datapad to scroll before pausing her hand to look at the detective, who nodded permissively. "Do you recognize any of these people?" She inquired, allowing Mari to take the pad to look through the images.

Mari scrolled the screen up. A dozen and a half portraits of young men and women, all in various states of disarray sporting bloodied lips, bruised jaws and black eyes. She recognized several of them as being the ones she saw during the fight in the food court, particularly the faces of a few smarmy cunts with frosted tips.

"Yes." she answered simply. "I recognize them." She bit the tip of her tongue to keep from offering any additional information.

The detective nodded, allowing her to pass the pad back as she pulled up another image.

"And this individual?" She turned it around. "Do you recognize him?"

Marigold's breath hitched briefly in her chest. Juan's picture, taken from a security camera still, was plastered on the screen, his black hair flying behind him as he was captured mid-leap. His eyes looked intense, and his hand was clenched tightly at his side. She nodded again.

"Yes." Her answer was tense, her posture turning defensive.

Nik reached a hand over to her shoulder, squeezing it supportively. Reflexively she relaxed slightly and forced herself to calm down.

"Was this man involved in a violent altercation with the previous individuals at the Commandant Mall Food Court three days ago?" Winsong asked matter-of-factly, writing in the notes of the pad.

"It didn't st-" Mari began, quieted by her brother's squeeze. She inhaled softly, nodding curtly. "Yes." She stated, beginning to get a sour sensation in her stomach.

"And was Charles Robert Dimont-Cleemon also involved in this incident?"

Mari's lips pursed a moment before answering. "Yes." She said shortly.

"Did this incident involve other members of your organization; the Pact Rats?" The detective simply continued.

Mari clenched her fingers tightly together in her lap. "Yes."

"Is the man in this picture," Detective Winsong turned the screen around to show the image of Juan again. "A member of your organization?"

"No." Marigold answered tersely, her nails digging into her hands.

Winsong turned the pad back around, writing again on the screen before she continued her questions. "Did that man attempt to remove you from the mall against your will?"

Mari blinked, shock and surprise erasing the tension in her shoulders and nulling the hot mantle of ley on her back. "What?" She blinked in surprise again, looking between her brother and the detective.

Cooly, Winsong repeated herself. "Did that man attempt to abduct you from the mall during the altercation?"

Mari stumbled over her words a moment. "Di- I don't…" She furrowed her brow in confusion, struggling to think back. Juan? Did Juan try to…

In her chest the tight feeling began to creep up again and her breath became shorter. Her mind turned into a storm of images, trying to recall the whole incident.

Fog obscured much of it, she could remember the start of the fight. Walking to the food court while laughing with Juan and BD.

Churros and pretzels.

She remembered seeing the flashes of black and white adorning the strangers, the ones who looked like they were from the upper side of the city. She could remember thinking they distinctly didn't look like they belonged on the old side of town.

She remembered BD getting their attention, she gave the signal for backup in case. She remembered helping civilians out of the way of the brawl…

She remembered the woman with the sharp eyes commanding the Pandogs to pull weapons.

Her picture wasn't in there… The thought briefly crossed her before she tried to think back.

Marigold's skin flushed cold at that, a shudder rushing down her back. She recalled the fear she felt in that moment, Bobby ordering the retreat after the civilians had been escorted out of the mall and left with the defensive team.

Anger rolled down her back, remembering that the police hadn't shown up to help. How her crew had defended the regular people while the police ignored them. It wasn't fair.

Hazy flashes of memory followed.

She’d broken BD's rules of engagement and tried to stop the fighting. She remembered climbing the planter and yelling. She remembered the heat burning at her chest and throat. She remembered the power she'd felt, and when the Pandogs had dropped their weapons as she told them.

How it felt to command them and be listened to.

How she'd stopped the fighting, just for a moment.

The gold light she could see and feel.

Ley.

Her eyes widened a moment, realizing the memory wasn't simply a memory, she could feel the hot fire of ley coursing up her back and encircling her throat. She coughed, in the back of her mind she heard something laughing.

"Tell her to fuck off." The voice hissed. "If you do, she'll leave."

No. Maize squeezed her eyes shut, remembering Patcher's warning. She choked back the hot anger in her chest, breathing shallowly.

"Mari?" Nik's worried voice cut through. "Mari, are you alright?" His arm wrapped defensively around her shoulders. "You're burning up."

Marigold's hands clutched at her chest. "I don't…"

Nik's curt words cut through the air with authority. "This interview is over." His hand snapped out, tapping the recorder before he pulled Marigold against his chest and rose, one arm cradling her legs and the other supporting her against his shoulder. He turned outward toward the yard. "Elliot!"

Attention turned toward the pair from every direction. Whatever discussion the slight silver-haired doctor and the heavyweight police chief had been having was dropped with no hesitation and the lithe man swept across the yard in a silver blur.

Two of the uniformed officers startled, hands immediately going to their belts at the shout and sudden movement. A short glare shot at them by the broad chief froze them in place.

Nik carried Marigold to one of the loungers and lay her out, stretching her legs out as she lay grasping at her chest and seeming to gasp for air. Her head was pounding with her heartbeat, golden flashes sparking through her mind.

"Let me help you. I can make them leave." The voice hissed again as if it were behind her. Mari squeezed her eyes shut. "I can burn them away so they never return. Stop holding me back."

"No." She said aloud, gasping at the tightness in her chest, against the pain in her head. "They aren't… enemies…" She murmured, addressing the hissing voice. In response it sneered against her ear, just as if it were a physical person shadowing her.

"Fine."

The heat in her throat abated, the pounding in her head quieted and the tightness in her chest released. Mari's breath was still laboured but was becoming even. Elliot deftly slid his fingers against her throat, tone turning commanding. "Nik, get a bottle of tea from inside, ice it." He turned angry eyes toward the female detective. "Tell me what happened." His raspy voice was direct, demanding.

From over his shoulder, Kekoa cleared his throat. "What triggered this attack?" He clarified, eyeing the doctor briefly. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the girl's brother race inside as directed.

Winsong frowned. "I asked about the black haired skater and if he had indeed tried to abduct her as the report had said, sir." She reported shortly. "I didn't realize the questioning would cause a panic attack. I apologize."

Nik arrived with a clear unlabeled glass bottle and a glass of ice, he knelt down by Patch and handed them over before reaching over to pull Mari to sit up, tucking the loungers pillows behind her for support. Patch set the glass of ice against the side of her neck, letting the cool soak against her skin. Largely he seemed to simply be ignoring the chief and detective.

Kekoa turned toward the far end of the yard where BD and the other detective had stepped off. In a stark contrast to the garish-haired young man, an older gentleman with slicked back salt and pepper hair and sharp eyes sat in one of the iron chairs. Kekoa silently counted his lucky stars that the man was there as it seemed to be the only thing keeping the crowing troublemaker from rushing over. He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

Mari was breathing hard, but it wasn't as laboured, the cold glass had seemingly helped. Patcher poured the tea, filling the glass about halfway before pressing it to her lips. "Small sips, Mari. It's fine. Just concentrate on breathing." He advised. A short look was shot up at the chief. "I believe it's time you and your jackbooted friends leave." He advised. "You are causing undue stress to my patients."

Kekoa frowned, but nodded. He seemed to silently confirm some information with Winsong before looking back to the concerned patcher. "We've gotten the confirmations we needed to continue the investigation, our apologies to your patient Doctor Belgrave. Please give her our apologies when she's recovered."

He gave a silent signal to the others, turning to leave. As he did, the officers followed suit, mounting their vehicles one by one in a steady cadence of doors opening and closing and followed by the quiet sound of the electric vehicles driving away. Kekoa's SUV was the last to depart, leaving behind a single black luxury sedan, and a pair of white coupes; all with darkly tinted windows.

With the police forces gone, BD now rushed over to the group, sliding on the grass as they dropped to their knees to come up beside the lounger. "Maize-Daisy? You okay?" Behind their energetic approach came the cool and collected steps of the salt-and-pepper haired man.

Maize squeezed her eyes shut tightly a moment, lifting her hands to try to take the glass from Patcher's hands. Her breathing had steadied, and the burning sensation had quelled, she was slowly gaining her pale colour back. "Sorry…" She managed quietly.

The older man spoke up as he approached. "While that may be an effective way to end an interview, Miss Leeds. It's not the way I, personally, would condone." Despite the sharp features and intimidating presence, he offered a gentle smile in her direction, whether she could see it or not. Nik smirked from beside her, patting her shoulder comfortingly. "I agree with the boss, Mari. Burning out mid-sentence is probably a bad look."

Maize flicked her hand weakly at her brother. Then fell back against the lounger's back. "Kay…" She drawled, easing her eyes open to look at the gathered folks. "Gimmie some air…" She mumbled before wrapping both hands around the glass again, holding the cold bottom against her sternum.

Respectfully, Nik and Elliot stepped back. BD refused to move away and instead simply sat in a half squat next to her. It didn't seem to bother her much and she sighed. "I don't know wha-…" She started.

"It's fine." Nik interrupted. "They got whatever information they wanted, and hopefully they'll actually call before coming next time. So don't worry about it."

"Speaking of calling." Elliot glanced back at the trio of left behind cars. "What is she doing here?"

Nik followed the irritated doctor's gaze. "No idea. She showed up before Kekoa. Just after you called actually. Hasn't bothered talking to anyone this entire time. Probably waiting for some dramatic opening to do whatever it is she's gonna do."

"Knowing her position, she more than likely is staying out of the police business and waiting until it's appropriate to approach." Mister Cleemon offered.

"Fucking bitch needs to fuck off to hell." BD snapped bitterly from next to Mari's shoulder.

Nik sighed. "Be nice, she's Mari's godmother." Though he didn't look entirely pleased himself. He looked down to Maize, who was now breathing much easier, and was sipping the last of the tea. "If you don't want to see her, I'll tell her to come back some other time." He offered kindly.

Mari sighed, letting her head drop to the side dejectedly. "So I wasn't imagining it, the wicked witch of Garwin North did deign to visit us poor dregs."

"I do wish you wouldn't call me that, Marigold. Some people may take it to mean that you don't like me." A clear, assured voice lilted into the conversation. "And that stings." She added.

BD leaned heavily against the lounger Maize was on. "Imperious." They snipped.

---------------------------------------------------

"Lovely to see you Madame Mayor." The older Mister Cleemon said. "Nikolas, should we move ourselves inside where it's more comfortable?" The lawyer offered in his most diplomatic tone.

Nik nodded, heading inside ahead of the group as they began righting themselves and making their way inside. Mari shot a look at the two cars, knowing who occupied them. She hefted herself up with BD's help and only barely acknowledged the Mayor's presence.

The Mayor herself seemed utterly unfazed by the woman's attitude, standing in a smart, elegant, suit that hugged her fit form. Her shoulder length light brown hair was pinned into a french twist, held in place by a jeweled hairpin. Her voice lilted up at the suggestion. "So long as I am actually invited…" She might have been playing for sympathy, but she didn't seem to believe she actually needed an invitation.

Mari dismissively waved a hand at the woman's direction. "Do what you like." She muttered. "You never just show up 'just because'… so we might as well."

BD muttered something incomprehensible at Maize's shoulder as they got inside, then plonked themselves next to her on the sofa's arm when she sat down, in the general safety of the house they allowed themselves to lean back, exhaustion rolling off of their shoulders.

To their credit, Mari's brother and BD's uncle ushered themselves off to Nik's office. Maize suspected it was to talk about the investigation. She watched the pair head to the back of the house from the corner of her eye.

Patcher alighted on the other end of the sofa from BD, though he did at least sit on the sofa properly, unlike the neon vulture perched on the arm. He slitted his eyes a moment, eyeing the golden hue surrounding Maize, settled, still stable for the moment. Slowly he turned to watch the Mayor swoop down onto the chaise on the other side of the room. She leaned casually on the arm, immediately toying with a pen on the side table.

"I wish I had the best reasons to visit you Marigold." She lilted, turning to look between the three before her. "I would love to have just casual reasons to visit my only goddaughter."

Mari rolled her eyes with a sigh. "Yeah, but you're so -busy- running the city." She bit her bottom lip before finishing the thought with 'into the fucking ground.' Instead, she sat up, crossing her legs with an exasperated sigh. "So what actually brings you by?"

"I thought it'd be best if you got the news from me, instead of the police chief." Mayor Swaine slipped a hand into the bag hanging from her shoulder, retrieving an envelope. "So I asked him not to tell you, especially in light of what's going on."

Maize narrowed her eyes, looking between the made up face of the mayor and the thick envelope. For the moment, she refused to make any motion to accept it. "What news?"

"Your street-roaming days are over, Marigold." Swaine said flatly, eyeing the woman in front of her. BD tensed up, but didn't move. Mari's eyes leveled on the woman, narrowing slightly.

"What's that supposed to mean?" She was being careful with her tone, not raising her voice, careful to control her heart rate.

"It means your little gang is disbanded." Swaine snapped the envelope in the air at Mari. Not backing down.

"It's not a gang." Mari snapped. "It's a -legal- and -registered- community outreach organization and community-led defensive watch. I put a lot of time and effort jumping through every single legal hoop you and the police department made to make the Pact Rats a -legitimate- and -legal- organization. Even as the mayor you aren't allowed to just -disband- it because you don't like us."

Maize could feel a trail of heat working up her spine again. "That isn't -fair-."

Swaine leaned forward. "Marigold. It is not my decision to do so." She said tensely, practically holding the envelope in her goddaughter's face. "Due to the serious and numerous allegations against your group, it was decided to -temporarily- disband your legal orginazation status. Now take the paperwork."

Mari's hand moved up and snatched the envelope from Swaine's hand. Satisfied, she sat back in the chaise and crossed her legs once again. "Thank you." The mayor smiled.

Mari bristled, opening the envelope and unfolding the documents, glancing them over while Swaine continued. "There have been multiple violent altercations, involving your group, in the past two weeks. As a city representative, it can't be tolerated. Especially when my goddaughter is the leader of the group involved."

"We didn't star-" Mari interjected, Swaine holding a hand up to stop her protest.

"It doesn't matter who started it. You were involved. People were injured, badly, and property was damaged. Neighbourhood watches only go so far. And violence is not an acceptable solution."

"What about the-" Mari tried again to speak out, silenced again by a raised, gloved, finger from the mayor.

"It doesn't -matter-. There are serious allegations against members of your group. Bobby especially." She shot a look to the orange-haired enby. "The charges are merely being investigated at the moment, but assault, public disturbance, vandalism, and arson are all being leveled against various members of your group. These are very serious allegations, Marigold." She looked sternely at the younger woman.

"What the FUCK? Those are BULLSHIT!" Maize refused to hold back any longer, shooting up to her feet and shouting. "ARSON?! Really?! Where are these supposed charges coming from? We have a right to face our accuser!" Maize snapped, glaring down at the haughty woman before her, breathing hard. She could practically see smoke coming from her own mouth, feeling that hot flare of injustice riling up her spine.

"Until the investigations are finished and your people are cleared of all charges." Swaine retorted calmly, looking up at the beast of a woman before her. "You are not legally allowed to gather in public places as a unit." She stated firmly.

"Horseshit! All of this is absolute bullshit and this is unfair!" Maize didn't care she was effectively throwing a tantrum. "We didn't do anything wrong! We protected people from being hurt and we're the ones being punished!” Taishon flowed from her lips like water . “You can't do this to us!"

Coldly, Swaine looked up at Marigold. "You know I don't understand you when you speak that wretched half tongue." She sniped. "So calm yourself and sit back down before you throw yourself into another attack. Honestly."

BD tensed, digging their fingers into the arm of the sofa.

Maize stopped, her jaw tense, her hands shaking at her side, she fell heavily back onto the sofa, glaring hatefully at the mayor.

"Don't look at me like that. I told you it wasn't my decision. Even Chief Kekoa believes it's for the best. For your safety, and for the safety of your friends." Swaine, waved a hand dismissively. "We do realize you were being targeted. That's why we're disbanding you. You'll be reinstated as soon as your people are cleared. Don't forget that part." She sighed heavily.

"We're worried about you Marigold. You've been working with this… unique… grassroots party for years. Even Kelani has spoken very highly about how much good your group has done."

"If he's so worried then why aren't there people helping to protect us from situations like that?" Why are MY people the only ones stepping up?" Mari snapped sharply, fighting with her own voice to not begin crying angry tears.

"You know there isn't enough budget. He's been trusting your group so far to take care of the areas he's unable to staff, while his department handles the more important areas of the city. But when your group is inviting trouble, it's not solving the problems you set out to handle." Swaine sat back again, eyeing Maize, while largely ignoring the other two. "While the investigations are happening, I'd like you to come work with me."

Maize flinched, closing her hands tightly and digging her fingers into her palms. The last part refused to register. "What?"

"I want you to come with me. Come work with me as part of the cabinet. It won't be as exciting as being on the ground, but you could do a lot of good in the office under my tutelage."

"We're suppose to be organizing for the town ha-" Mari began.

"Not anymore." Swaine shortly reminded her. "Your protests are cancelled, Marigold. I know you had put in your paperwork for the gatherings at the proposed construction and the rezoning meetings. I did, in fact, read the petitions you submitted. But your situation has changed, Marigold. You won't be able to do those things legally, and if you do them anyway, Chief Kekoa and the others will be forced to consider your gang as potentially violent, and act accordingly."

The warning was chilling and cut throughly through Maize's core. She cringed, crossing her arms over her stomach defensively. Maize hated the woman in front of her. The woman who pretended to be so helpful and so caring. The woman who could justify any decision she made. Maize's stomach turned, lurching on itself.

A million words wanted to launch themselves at her, but Maize bit her tongue to keep them back.

"The community…"

"The community will be fine for however long it takes to get this whole situation settled. The city won't fall apart simply because Bobby and the others aren't wandering around it." Swaine snapped. "Other organizations exist, they will pick up where you leave off. But if you go against the decision, you won't be reinstated. Ever. The Pact Rats will be labeled a violent organization and treated as a threat to the public safety."

Maize bit her lips tightly together. Swaine looked her over, casting a fleeting glance to the distasteful BD and the doctor in turn before looking back to Mari. "Everything you've built will crumble." She reiterated. "So think about my offer. You can come live with me, and you'll be able to be more direct in your actions. There's a lot of political opportunity to be used by meeting with the people I do." Swaine's voice softened. "You'd be able to do just as much, but different, good from my office." She offered, honeyed words dripping from her burgundy red lips.

Maize clenched her hands tightly together. Nik's voice chimed in from the doorway. "I think it's a good idea Mari."

His voice made her cringe tightly. Her shoulders dropping forward as her head drooped down, hiding her face in a curtain of hair.

It made sense.

That was the part that pissed her off most. It was -logical- and it was the most logical answer to the current problem. Temporary or not, the Pact Rats were done for. And Maize knew that if Heather Swaine had her way, they'd never be reinstated as a legal organization. All the work she'd done to get them as far as she had. It didn't have to be her godmother's decision, she took the chance presented to crush Maize's work.

The Pact Rats had been rallying public opinion against most of Swaine's projects around the city, supporting the people into inundating the Mayor's office with every form of communication possible to put a stop to allowing corporate investors take over private land or to allow corporate megastores to push out the local businesses.

The Pact Rats had pushed for the renovation of several parks, rather than their destruction, they'd petitioned to have several historic buildings preserved and turned into museums of culture rather than torn down to make room for corporate investor holding housing.

The Rats had been the bane of Swaine's investment-driven vision for years. But Marigold had made sure, the whole time, that they were publicly untouchable. On paper they were a legal community organization and official neighbourhood watch group. Core members were allowed to make citizen arrests when necessary, and their roster included all of the skate crews across the city that had pledged to make the city better. Each town hall they'd had hundreds of members show up to protest Swaine's investment projects, or support the local decisions. Maize and her crew had their fingers on the pulse of the actual city's communities. And that never did seem to align with Swaine's ideals for turning Garwin into a tourist metropolis.

Maize felt sick to her stomach. The out of place gangs suddenly coming into town made sense. Why they didn't belong in the places they were harassing. Why they seemed to come out of nowhere and specifically seemed to be picking fights where the Pact Rats were gathering.

Maize's world felt unsure, she wanted to cry, to scream, to yell at the injustice of this, of everything. Hot, angry, tears streamed down her face, burning trails down her cheeks and neck.

She hated her godmother more than anything right now. Even without proof, she knew that this witch of a woman in front of her was the reason her friends had gotten hurt. She knew in the pit of her gut that this smiling bitch of a politician was the root cause of everything that had happened to her crew lately, why the shopping arcades were less joyus, why the weekly market had been so dreary. Why her beloved city was crumbling.

Maize's hands balled tightly together, nails digging angry red lines into her palms, threatening to break skin.

A firm hand touched her shoulder, squeezing it supportively. Maize turned just enough to see BD's smile to her side. Their voice was quiet. "Pact Rats stay together, Maize. We'll be fine no matter what happens. We know the truth. And truth will always out, right?" They gave her shoulder another squeeze. "Don't worry about the rats." They offered.

Beside Nik, Mister Cleemon spoke up. "Bobby? We should get home, let them work out family matters." His tone was matter-of-fact, though he cast a disapproving glance toward the Madame Mayor.

BD gripped Maize's shoulder tighter, reluctant to release her. When he did finally let go, she could still feel his hand there, and she reached up to her empty shoulder, fighting back more tears of

angry hurt. Without looking up, she listened to the distinctive clink of BD's boots walking away.

Nik spoke up again. "Aunt Heather's house has all those guards, Mari. I know you always try to handle everything, but it might be a good idea to stay there."

Don't make it logical, Aneki… don't make it make sense. I won't be able to say no. She pleaded internally, her guts feeling like eels writhing in her core.

"I object." Came the even-keeled raspy voice of the silvery doctor still perched silently on the sofa's far cushion.

Eyes turned toward the pale doctor. "Oh?" Swaine intoned, eyeing them. "To what, precisely?"

"Maize's moving to your manor house, mainly." He lifted a hand, ticking gracefully on his fingers. "A huge upheaval like that could trigger more of her constitutional attacks, and as her primary care physician, I need to be able to monitor her condition. Seeing as my clinic is here, I don't relish the idea of trying to respond to an emergency situation." Cooly he leaned forward. "So I would require concessions at the very least to make sure that her health is being taken care of optimally."

Swaine narrowed her eyes at Elliot, or was it El? She knew the doctor would transition between the two identities but she was having trouble telling which of the personalities was currently making demands. Of course, that spoke to how firmly the good doctor believed in them.

"That's easily arranged to have whatever you need of your clinic established on the property. If it would garner your approval and support." She twirled a hand, inviting the Patcher to continue. "If Marigold agrees to stay with me, as Nik pointed out, my manor is much safer than here. Even if you only consider my security details. But you're welcome to set whatever health schedule you feel is best. Would that be acceptable?" She looked at the doctor, then to Marigold.

"I don't intend to take no as an answer Marigold. Someone tried to kidnap you. Someone else pulled a weapon on you. People were seriously hurt, and you could have been killed." Her voice turned cold. "I will not allow my goddaughter to stay in a situation that puts her life in danger. This is not a game, Marigold."

Mari stood there, crying quietly in frustrated anger that she refused to let out. Her mind howled in anger but she bit her lip to stay silent.

Patcher lifted himself up and stepped over to Mari, wrapping a slender arm around her shoulders.

Patch would be there?

She wouldn't be entirely alone if Patch was there. And he'd be in contact with the others.

It was a fine thread of connection to her friends. Her crew. The tiniest and thinnest of threads that even Swaine wouldn't be able to logically cut away.

It still wasn't fair. Nothing about this situation was fair at all. But they were right.

Juan had apparently tried to take her somewhere.

Was he some part of her plan to take the Pact Rats down?

She couldn't remember what happened, she remembered flashes of gold, ley, and hearing Juan and BD's voices. She remembered the woman with the knife and something about how they were going to take her and BD somewhere.

The warmth that rolled over her back was less than before, it wasn't flaring up with her emotions this time as she tried to remember. Patcher squeezed her shoulders reassuringly again.

Maize nodded silently, she felt forced into a corner. They were right, and she knew it.

But she hated her godmother for everything she was positive she'd contrived. And she was going to prove it. If only to reaffirm to herself that her instincts were right.

"Fine… I'll go." She said, barely whispering the response as she stared at the floor in front of her feet.

Patcher squeezed her shoulders again. "I'll make arrangements for those lessons we talked about. You won't be alone up there, I promise."

Nik stepped over, gently patting her on the back. "I'll come visit you, too, no worries. And I'll keep you up to date on the case, okay?"

Heather Swaine clapped her hands together excitedly. "That settles it then. Nikolas will bring anything you want from here when he comes up in…" She looked thoughtful for a moment, tapping her lip. "Two days?" She nodded, as if her own decision solidified the answer. "So you can make a list of things you'd like him to bring. Don't worry about clothes or any of that sort of thing. We'll go shopping for a whole new wardrobe tomorrow after you've gotten some rest." She smiled giddily, then held her hand out to Mari.

"So let's go home Marigold. I'm very excited for you to see the manor. I've been planning for this day since you were little."

She swept Mari up against her shoulder, pulling her slyly out of the doctor's arm; then without a moment's hesitation began walking her towards the waiting cars outside. She gave not a single second for objection from any party. Ahead of her, one of the black-suited guards opened the door to the slick black vehicle. Mari was swept into the car's inky back seat with the Mayor close behind before the door shut.

Patch watched the cars pull away, narrowing his eyes as they disappeared down the street. This was not in the plans he and BD had set up. Slender fingers stretched up and along his neck, sweeping through his hair as he turned his head upward.

"This is going to complicate things." He muttered before sighing heavily. "Nik, you got any liquor?" She flung her hair out behind her. "I could really use a stiff one."

"El? For you anything in the cabinet." He smirked. "Elliot's paying me back for it later though."

The doctor rolled their eyes, then followed the budding lawyer to the den. "Fuck you Nik."

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