Got the Grimoire, Chapter 51

Chapter 51

Saturday, March 26, 2011

I sighed into my coffee mug as I scrolled through my calendar, seated at the kitchen island and going over my schedule.

A peaceful and restful week had been exactly what the doctor ordered. No new villains trying to muscle their way into Brockton Bay. No new S-class threats popping into existence. No Endbringers. Just the bustle of everyday life. Finishing up getting all the little bits that make an apartment habitable, something I’d been putting off with all the other insanity. Getting Mimi a phone. Spending time with Crystal and my friends. It was… nice

But that didn’t mean life wasn’t busy. I’d been promising my teammates a housewarming party and I was too damn stubborn to go back on that. Everyone deserved a chance to just kick back and relax. It was surprisingly easy to get Piggot to OK it. Some of us still had to be ‘on call’ so to speak, but so long as no pressing emergencies came up, we were free to all hang out together. I invited my coworkers’ families of course, though there was little of that. Other than a civilian girl that Robin was seeing and Rory’s family, there was no other close or immediate family amidst my team, which kind of made me sad in a way. Everyone deserved to be happy, but here I was with the most active social life of the bunch apparently.

In addition to the Protectorate, I’d also extended an invitation to New Wave and since I’d promised, Lisa. I knew even as I sent the evite that there was going to be several kinds of trouble from that, but a deal was a deal. I thought about inviting the Wards, but I didn’t really know them all that well outside of a professional capacity. Taylor had been up for consideration as well, but explaining to my coworkers why I was friends with a teenager without outing my Kage identity would have been… tricky.

Plus she’s seen the place already. Probably will again if Kage, Firestorm, and Arachne are going to keep doing their thing. Crime won’t go away forever, even if outside interests are kept out of the city.

And even that cannot be guaranteed forever, Raziel chimed in. Nature hates a vacuum.

Then we’ll have to try and fill the void with alternatives. Make crime unsustainable or downright undesirable.

So long as Mankind exists, there will be crime. It is inevitable.

Maybe, but I can mitigate the worst of it. And I’ll certainly be keeping any larger organizations out.

Which reminded me that I still needed to take care of the Merchants. They hadn’t been much of a priority, but they were gaining some traction now that certain markets were left without a supplier. Plus there was still Oni Lee and the ABB, which was now beginning to fracture since it was clear Lung wasn’t coming back.

I sighed as the full force of my upcoming workload hit me like a truck. I wasn’t anticipating anything truly dangerous, just time consuming and tedious. A game of catch and whack-a-mole.

Lee should be easy, just blind him with Lunatic Eyes and then-

“Morning!” I felt a pair of lips press against my cheek and then Crystal was whizzing past toward the coffee pot.

I blinked. “When did you get in? Better question, how did you get in here?”

My girlfriend rolled her eyes as she began to mix a ludicrous amount of creamer into her coffee. I mean, I wasn’t a black coffee drinker myself, but she reminded me of an old pal who’d do practically a third creamer and the rest coffee. Seriously, I’d tried hers once and it was almost syrupy sweet.

I waited patiently as she drained her mug before she finally spoke. “Mimi gave me a key.”

“When?” I asked exasperatedly. “And why didn’t you just ask for one? I could have given you one anytime.”

“I didn’t ask, she just gave me one the other day,” she said. “I think she’s still worried I’m like… jealous or going to dump you or something because she lives here. She’s always super nice and accommodating, which is not the usual vibe I get from her when you two are talking.”

“She’s usually like a slightly less tense version of Amy,” I confirmed. “Y’know, all sarcastic and dark humored. I guess I didn’t notice that she behaved all well mannered around you.”

She rolled her eyes again. “That’s cause you can have the perceptiveness of a rock sometimes.”

“Guilty as charged.” I took a sip of my coffee. “Got anything planned today?”

“I figured we could grab breakfast. Already checked, you don’t have a shift.”

“How could you possibly have checked that?” I asked, baffled.

“Wards have access to your patrol schedule so that they can request to pair up with a Protectorate member,” Crystal explained. “Vicky is dating a Ward. Do the math.”

I groaned and pinched the bridge of my nose. “I’m going to have to have words with Dean about operational security.”

“Now now, don’t be too hard on him,” she chided. “Vicky has a way of getting exactly what she wants when she applies herself fully. Poor guy didn’t have a chance.”

“Hm,” I grunted noncommittally.

She smiled slyly and practically stalked forward, leaning over the granite counter-top until we were practically nose to nose. “Are you saying I couldn’t get you to spill some non-essential information to me if I asked nicely?” She practically purred the words and it did things to me.

I cleared my suddenly clogged throat and managed to say, “Well no, but I wouldn’t fold as easily as Dean.”

Her grin sharpened. “But you admit that you’d fold?”

“Oh like a house of cards,” I said shamelessly.

“Good.” She closed the remaining distance to pull me into a kiss before darting back and refilling her mug. “So, I was thinking breakfast, then shopping for the party tonight, sound good?”

“Oh, sure, but I mean… I know it will probably be a little boring, that really how you want to spend your day?” I asked tentatively.

“It’s called spending time together, not everything we do needs to be dates or life and death battles against supervillains,” she pointed out.

“Ah… Yeah, fair enough.”

***

I quickly learned that shopping with your significant other could be quite fun. Something about constant teasing and flirting I suspect. Then of course, was the fact that I wasn’t constrained by things like a budget (I was still getting used to having millions of dollars at my finger tips. I don’t think I could spend it all if I even tried), carrying everything (pocket dimensions were great), or groceries needing to go into a fridge or freezer (see previous). Plus we could shop wherever we wanted to without being mobbed.

“I sometimes think half the reason you’re dating me is so that you can take advantage of the fact I can hide who you really are,” I mused as I applied an illusion over us.

“Half?” Crystal had teased.

Not all of it was even shopping for the party, some of it was just simple window shopping, checking out different things around the various stores of the Boardwalk and just admiring. I’d offered to buy basically anything that caught her eye, but Crystal had refused.

“Sometimes it’s just fun to look,” she’d explained.

So she checked out some jewelry that caught her eye, clothes, and surprisingly enough, comic books. She wasn’t as big of a secret nerd as her cousin, but she was still interested in some of what Earth-Bet’s rather altered comics industry had to offer and of course, Earth-Aleph’s stuff. I was pretty curious myself, finding that Aleph had a blend of more classic comics (I picked up a bundle of Spider-Man to hand out to basically everyone I knew) as well as some comics that were clearly more inspired by Earth-Bet’s superheroes.

The original web-serial had seriously understated just how prevalent the Protectorate was in the public eye. Maybe it was because the protagonist wasn’t a superhero or worrying too much about her own problems, but cape culture practically dominated the pop-culture scene. The comic books were just one part of it, there were movies, shows, video games, and merchandise of all shapes and sizes. It was kind of crazy, but made sense when I thought about it. That kind of thing was already popular on my original Earth, but combine it with real breathing superpowered people? It was like taking the combined popularity of the MCU and fusing it with the cult followings of major superstars like Taylor Swift.

No wonder PR was such a big deal to the PRT and Protectorate. The smallest changes in public opinion probably influenced millions of dollars worth of public consumption of their merchandise, which would have knock on effects in every other sector under their influence.

As we were shopping at the comic shop on the Boardwalk, I noticed Crystal staring rather hard at a comic in a display case.

The Adventures of Hero: Issue #1

On the cover was the Tinker himself, albeit in a rather well done comic style. But all of the gear was right and it looked like he was battling a villain or rather, a whole gang of villains on the front cover.

“That’s a neat looking one,” I said. “Looks original and mint too.”

Crystal glanced over at me with a smile. “You have no idea. That run started only months before he died. Original issues are pretty prized commodities these days.”

“No price tag,” I noted.

She snorted and shook her head. “Because only the real hardcore fans would be willing to shell out the required amount.”

“How much are we talking?”

“Five figures. Maybe six to the right buyer.”

I almost choked. I knew that in my original world an original issue of Action Comics had sold for over six million, but that was a comic from the thirties. The comic I was looking at could barely be a decade old, if that.

Still…

“You want it?”

Crystal eyed it momentarily then shook her head. “Nah, I’m more of a Legend girl.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Not Alexandria?”

“What, cause women empowerment? Kinda sexist of you.”

“Yeah, I maybe should have thought about that…”

She giggled and nudged my shoulder with hers. “Legend is my favorite because I always wanted to be like him. The best flier, the best Blaster in the country, maybe even the world. Plus the man is fine as hell.”

“Pretty sure you aren’t his type,” I joked.

“A girl can window shop,” she said imperiously. “Don’t lie and say you haven’t done the same, I saw you looking at that Narwhal comic over there.”

“Ah… I like tall girls?”

“I’m a tall girl. She’s a giantess.”

I smirked and briefly layered an illusion over us and then myself so that I was at least a foot shorter than her. “Uppies?” I asked innocently, holding out my arms.

Crystal smothered her laugh with one hand while aiming for and pushing my actual face away. “You’re such an idiot.”

“Maybe, but I’m your idiot.”

“True.”

***

Once we’d gotten everything together, I went back to my place and started the set up process, while Crystal took off to get ready for the party.

Mimi had actually finished up her part by the time we got back, cleaning the place top to bottom and getting all the dishes and silverware laid out. I began to pull items from the pocket dimension where I’d stored them temporarily, setting up a pair of ice chests and filling one with soda, water, and other non-alcoholic beverages, and the other with beer and wine. Some hard liquor and mixers went into the fridge, but none of my teammates struck me as ‘partiers’ not to mention some would have to maintain sobriety just in case they got called in.

I cursed when I realized that I’d forgotten ice. It was always something. With a flick of my wrist and a muttered word of power, I filled both ice chests to the brim with sparkling cubes of ice.

There, perfect.

A wise use of your stunning cosmic power.

Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit.

I use the tool that fits the situation. Any higher and you might not understand that you’re being insulted.

…I liked it better when you were quieter, Raziel.

You wound me, my dear host. Shall I go haunt the mind of another?

We both know you can’t do that.

Let an angel dream of the freedom he once had…

I shook my head and blocked him out fully, much to his muffled annoyance.

“Wow, great use of your awesome S-class powers,” Mimi scoffed as she walked by.

I glowered. “Don’t you have a toilet to scrub?”

“Already did,” she said smugly. “Plus I heat sanitized it. Fire can kill basically anything if it’s hot enough.”

“Can’t beat mundane utility I guess,” I mused. “What a great use of your amazing powers.”

“Ah, using my own logic against me,” she said with mocking sadness. “Whatever shall I do?”

“Go get an actual job?” I teased. I didn’t really care that she was still free loading, but I liked needling her.

My jibe struck true and she clutched her heart dramatically. “That eager to be rid of your dear roommate?”

“Nah, I just want you out of the house. Can’t be good for you doing… whatever it is you do all day.” I frowned. Actually, what does she do all day when I’m not home?

“I’ll have you know that I have been job hunting, the market is just fierce right now,” she said. “Most of the good jobs right now are in reconstruction and while I’m pretty handy with a hammer, don’t go asking me to toss around hundred pound bags of concrete like they’re full of air. I’m just not that muscular, see?” She flexed one thin arm to demonstrate.

“Mhmm, whatever you say. You think about applying for something online?”

She snorted. “With what qualifications and what computer?”

I rubbed the bridge of my nose. “Mi, I want you to be self sufficient. Not because I mind you being here or anything, the company is actually nice, but because you’re an adult and you should at least have the ability and option to be stable on your own. I’ll help you with that stuff, just ask.”

She crossed her arms and glanced away. “You’ve already given me enough. I’m not asking for more.”

“Fine, then I won’t ask.” I’ma order her a computer tomorrow. “Hey, can you get the door for me?” I motioned toward the balcony as I hefted a tray laden with various offerings to the BBQ. “It’s about time to start on all these.”

She just stared for a moment, then shook her head in a way that suggested I was an idiot. “You have telekinesis, dude.”

Oh, right. Mundane utility. “Bite me, I’ve had these powers for like two months now. You get used to doing things just a specific way when that’s how you’ve done them for twenty-four years.”

“Whatever you say.”

I grumbled and started cooking. It was relaxing and I fell into the rhythm of flipping patties and sausages until they were all done and ready. I was cleaning the grill when I heard the doorbell ring and Mimi jumped off the couch to go answer.

When I opened the door to let myself in, I was just in time hear the last snippet of conversation. “-lis, but please, just call me ‘Colin’.”

Oh hell.

“Hey, Colin,” I said hurriedly, walking over and motioning him in. “I see you’ve met my roommate already.”

Colin nodded affably. “Yes, I was just introducing myself to Mimi here.” A puzzled expression crossed over his face. “Roommate? That seems highly inappropriate considering you already have a significant other.”

I opened my mouth to explain, but Mimi beat me to it. “I’m gay, so it never gets weird.”

Colin nodded again, as if that explained everything. “I see, that makes sense. Oh, I brought this as a housewarming gift.” He held out a bottle of rather expensive bourbon.

“Oh, thank you, Colin, you really didn’t have to go out of your way like that…” I took the bottle and scanned it.

“It was no trouble at all, I assure you. Ah, I just came from work, would you mind if I used your restroom?”

“First door on the left.”

“Thank you.”

As he wondered off, I gave Mimi a look. “You’re gay?”

“Pft, no. But its easier than explaining the whole ‘homeless’ thing. So that’s your boss?”

“Mmm, more like supervisor, but yeah. He’s a good guy.”

“He’s a weirdo with how he talks. All fancy and formal. But he’s pretty hot for an older guy.”

“I’m afraid he’s taken.” Or would be as soon as Dragon worked up the nerve to just confess to him. “This is the first time I’ve spent any time outside of work with him. Be a good host, eh?” Now that I was thinking about it, it was the first time I’d ever seen him in civilian clothing too. Double weird.

“Oh I’ll be such a good host,” Mimi smiled, all teeth. The effect was diminished by the playful glint in her eye. I knew she wouldn’t do anything to seriously compromise her identity or that of my team. I hadn’t actually told her that everyone on the guest list was a cape, but she was smart enough to guess since she knew I was Protectorate. But when doing my little brain mods, I’d included a healthy respect for the unwritten rules. Even if I didn’t already trust her personally, I trusted my magic too.

Another knock and it just so happened to be my favorite power couple. “Hey Ethan, hey Sam, come on in.”

“Evening, Mak,” Ethan said graciously as he waltzed inside. “Very nice digs. I approve.” He noticed Mimi in his brief glance around the room. “You afford this thanks to those side gigs of yours?” Translation: Bounties of the Slaughterhouse Nine.

I chuckled and clapped him on the back. “Something like that. Ethan, Sam, this is my roommate, Mimi, we’ve been friends for a few years now and help with the rent never hurt anyone. Mimi, this is Ethan and Sam. If Ethan misbehaves, feel free to lodge a complaint with Sam, she’s good at handling him.”

“Hey, I’m not that bad!” Ethan protested.

Sam just smiled and shook Mimi’s hand. “What Mak said.”

“Help, I’m being attacked and not even my wife is on my side,” Ethan complained.

“Nice to meet you too, Mak has nothing but good to say about you guys,” Mimi said politely, but I could see the glint in her eyes.

Ethan lit up. “Seriously?”

“No, he’s all hush hush about his job for the most part.”

Ethan deflated. “Oh.”

“He did mention that Sam was really nice and helpful when he first started and that you give good relationship advice. We should compare notes, you have no idea how long I was trying to help this guy get a girlfriend.”

Colin rejoined us a moment later and we moved the conversation into the living room. Mimi got along well with Sam, the two apparently sharing a love of certain television shows, which answered my question as to what she got up to while I wasn’t home. Ethan and Colin got into a friendly debate about the socio-economic factors that led to the formation of the gangs of Brockton Bay and whether or not any of the captured villains deserved the Birdcage. I listened, fascinated by hearing Ethan pull out big words and wax rather philosophically about human rights. Just because he was somewhat unserious, didn’t mean the man couldn’t be scary smart or well spoken when he wanted.

Another knock sounded and I silently detached myself from the conversation to get the door. The Pelham family awaited me, all smiles, and I welcomed them all in happily. I got a hug from Sarah which kind of startled me, a firm hand shake from Neil, a fist bump from Eric and last, but definitely not least, a kiss from Crystal.

“Surprised you didn’t just fly onto the balcony,” I said to Crystal as I grabbed her and Eric a couple of sodas.

“I wanted to, but then we’d have had to carry dad and that might have drawn attention and messed with your identity, all that jazz,” she explained.

A few minutes of mingling more, then Shawn and Hannah arrived at roughly the same time. I was actually a little surprised that the latter had showed, but she soon had a glass of wine in hand and was gossiping with a small circle that included Crystal, Sam, and Mimi like there was no tomorrow. I feared what I might have unleashed.

The Dallons arrived shortly after, Vicky and Mark looking pleased as could be while I’d never seen Carol and Amy looking so much like mother and daughter with the twin expressions of ‘I’m only here because my husband/ sister demanded I be here’. It was amusing enough that I almost laughed, but greeted them like a good host and began to offer drinks.

Rory stopped in very briefly to say hi, but had to leave, citing that his girlfriend was in town and he was introducing her to his family. I appreciated that he took the time to even do that much. Not like we’d had much time to really bond.

Robin finally got there almost an hour after Colin first arrived, the speedster somehow the slowest of the Protectorate. He accepted a beer and burger with a nod of thanks and ambled over to chat with Neil, Mark, and Shawn.

Now who am I forgetting? My brain was rather frazzled from all the socializing and playing good host. I knew I was forgetting about something and it was going to bite me in the ass, I just knew it.

The doorbell chimed and I frowned before going over and opening up. Right, Lisa.

“Hey, Lise, how’s it-“ I paused when I noticed that Lisa wasn’t alone.

The Thinker gave me a wide grin and tugged an embarrassed looking Taylor Hebert forward so that they were should to shoulder. “Hey, Mak! I brought a plus one!”

…Goddammit, Lisa.

***

A/N: My new goal for next week is to write at least 500 words a day. If I do that, I might get two chapters a week out or at the very least, I won't have to shove so much writing onto just Sunday. I put in a solid thousand words of this last night and just that helped quite a bit. Anyway, some slice of life and character interactions. And Lisa being a troll, because she can. Let me know if I forgot anyone, I think I covered the entirety of the Protectorate, but maybe I missed someone. Hope y'all enjoy and have a good week. Be seeing ya later :)