Roy

  I was the last one back to the party, which apparently didn't notice the absence of its hosts. People were still drinking and talking just like they had before. The purpose of the event, our recycling center, was pretty low on everyone's list of priorities.

  I guess that is a good thing. Depending on Nola's mental state, we may not be able to give any more demonstrations. I guess everything happens for a reason.

  Verdandi came up to me still in full costume as I was lost in my own head.

  "I need a break from this costume. It is so hot in here I think I am cooking. And I can't even drink in this thing" He said quietly. He was probably speaking in his language rather than his broken English. I can't tell the difference between English and non when I am in my domain. I should probably figure out how to tell the difference. Eventually. It could be a problem otherwise.

  "Head to your shed, I'll grab you a drink and some steak. You'll have to stay out of site till you get it back on." I said back quietly as well.

  "I am aware. What do we do about the rust holes?" He said. He had a point, the shed wasn't in the greatest condition. By design of course. A choice I was now regretting.

  "Keep the lights off. It will be a pain for you, but I think its our only option right now. That or I can find you a long straw to stick under the mask." I said

  "I will brave the dark for some respite." Verdandi said "Is everything alright? I saw everyone leave recently, and you all look tense. Well, tense-er" He said

  "We have two more groups that know something. One government and one private. We have to deal with both before it gets worse" I said leaning closer and speaking quieter. It would be nice if I could choose which language I was speaking. If I could choose to speak Verdandi's language rather than have Nola passively translate it to his ears we could converse without any real fear of people listening in.

  "Deal with how? Should I grab a weapon?" He asked

  "Not yet. We are going to see how bad it really is and try and mitigate it. For now rest up. I will want you there, in costume, when we confront the government people later. If we can keep them out of the magical part of this, we will." I said to him. He nodded the oversized head and started towards the chemical shed. He remained in character, and stopped along the way to take photos with some older women. I have a minute till he gets out of costume, but I shouldn't keep him waiting. I angled towards the bar.

  There were a few people ahead of me, slowly filing through the line. The bartender was moving with a good pace, but it still felt like forever. Everything felt like forever. Ever since Nola went quiet I had been the one having an anxiety attack.

  This was always bound to happen. Especially with how fast we were growing. But...

  Is it cruel to say I expected her to handle it better? I mean, I would also probably be a mess. Yeah, that's a bit of hypocritical expectation. But it isn't like she killed someone. She tried her best at dealing with some sort of gang bullshit. If anyone died, it was probably deserved, right? But it could be bystanders. And hell, even if it wasn't, they're still people. People that had lives, people that care about them, people that depend on them.

  Yeah, I can see why she's a little messed up.

  I suppose it couldn't be as morally uncomplicated as killing a zombie. Which is apparently something that exists out there in the wider universe. I really need to toughen up, mentally and physically, for all the things that will come as we grow.

  We both do.

  I poked the bond again, hoping to hear from her. Still nothing. If I didn't hear from her by the time we were done with the party and the NOAA people, I would do a deep dive to link back up. That's not the kind of thing you do with witnesses.

  "And what can I get you tonight sir?" The bartender asked as I got to the front of the line. It was a reflexive question, one he had probably asked a hundred times tonight. It was only after he said it his face lit up in recognition. "Hey, this is your place isn't it?" He asked

  "It's a partnership, but yeah. I'm 'the guy'. Thanks for being here by the way." I said back.

  "It's the coolest thing I've seen in a while at one of these parties. You take old tvs?" He asked

  "Anything but explosives really" I said, repeating the line Dave had given me earlier. We didn't want the heat of the atf looking into us as well. Tyler would almost certainly go to jail if they did.

  "Sweet. I may be back here tomorrow, if you are open Sundays. But for now what can I get you, we have cocktails, wine, beer...."

  "Just the biggest glass of water you can get me. The mascot is dying on me. And yes, we should be open tomorrow. Assuming we don't have technical issues." I said back

  "Ah the joys of new tech. I remember getting an early version iphone. So many kinks to work out. I bet your tech support guy is really busy here." The bartender said as he filled a pitcher rather than a glass with ice and started pouring the water. I appreciated that. I bet Verdandi would too. Less trips back and fourth

  "Thanks for your help." I said as he handed over the pitcher. I didn't bother to answer his tech support question. I didn't have a good answer and he didn't need to know more.

  I broke away from the line and snagged a plate full of meat from one of the serving areas. I don't think it was any specific persons food, but at this point I wasn't gonna stop to ask. I was paying for all of it anyway. These people can wait longer for their free meal.

  There was still sadness there. And she seemed quieter than normal. But she was talking again. Progress.

  Give me just another second and we can talk

  I said through the mental connection as I picked up the pace towards the shed. Now I had two reasons to get over there asap.

  And of course, the universe decides now to throw the woman in the red dress in my way now.

  "Hello, I..."

  "We will speak to you after the event, like I said. For now I have to take care of my employee." I interrupted, sidestepping around her and beelining for the shed. I would have to break line of sight before I opened the door. I don't want her looking in. Verdandi is probably out of the costume by now waiting for me, that could be a problem.

  "Wait. I can help with that. The mascot right? Heatstroke or something?" She said starting to follow. Was she hoping to get a tour of the one restricted area or something?

  I do not understand what she wants, she knows we are going to talk later.

  "What do you want?" I asked bluntly. Probably more bluntly than I needed to.

  "To help. I want to know what you are up to sure, but I don't think you and your friends are some terrorist organization... anymore. Sorry if I came on a little strong. It is a really neat machine." She said after a brief stutter step. She was still following me to the shed.

  "I don't need help with this. I just need a break from the noise. I'm glad you no longer think I am a terrorist. I can't wait to expand on that bag of worms. Later." I said back to her as I reached the door. I switched the plate to the top of the pitcher and balanced the ensemble as I opened the door as little as I could with the other hand. Sure there's a curtain now, but there is no reason to tempt fate.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  She raised her hands in surrender before saying "Alright. I'll go back to my wall. And I will see you there after. Maybe we can start over there."

  I nodded back at her as I slipped in the slightly ajar door "I will see you there then."

  I pressed the door closed behind me. I would have to be quiet in case she was listening outside.

  And she did. The party was lit, little floodlights everywhere. But it was still dark. Nola's light was bright like the sun, not bright like a flashlight.

  I had to blink a few times to get used to it.

  "I will assume you had a hand in this and we are not at risk from the light?" Verdandi asked from the corner. He was sitting on top of the fake toxic waste barrel. Even knowing it was just brown water I still wanted to have him get off it. No need to encourage bad habits that might bite us later. But there were more pressing issues.

  "I come bearing gifts." I said as I handed over the plate of meat and the pitcher of water "And yes. Nola made sure there are no issues. The sound is taken care of too." I said

  Verdandi nodded and attacked the water and the food.

  "I'll leave you to that. I need to talk with Nola a minute." I said as I walked to the other side of the small shed, and faced the wall.

  First off, are you doing better now? Is there anything I can do to help?

  That's not a good start.

  You realize you are asking the nearly impossible here, right? Stop thinking?

  Alright. I will try. Just... moderate your expectations.

  She thought at me humorously.

  Gotta try to not quip back. Just bite your... mind tongue

  There was a moment of pause as I assume she collected her thoughts.

  Nola, you're stalling again. Stay on task. I know its hard. But we can get through this.

  Nola, I am so sorry.

  Oh. Sorry. Shit, what does that mean.

  I am trying really hard not to think about anything right now. It is not working

  I pushed comforting thoughts through the bond. While trying to silence the more judgmental thoughts in my head. There's a lot to unpack there. They lying is a problem.

  ooh boy.

  This is a bit of minefield

  I am proud of you. And I am disappointed. You are... new... at this. And so am I. We are doing the best we can. I'm sure there's more to what happened than what you saw. You can't see inside peoples heads. Just mine. You did the best you could with limited information. I wish you had gone non lethal, but you can't change the past.

  I am so not qualified for this.

  We have to try and put systems in place to do better in the future. Especially as you grow. As much as I'd like to believe this will be the last time something messed up happens, I doubt it. If... something similar happens, we need to have a plan. That way you aren't reacting. Well, you are reacting.. but not all willy nilly.

  Good. Now we just need to figure out how to implement it. And I will make sure that is near the top of the to do list.

  Bit your mental tongue Roy. Bite it.

  Well.

  That presents a tiny little bit of a problem.

  Deep breath.

  Well that is good news.

  Yes we could have.

  Can you promise me, right here and now, no more secrets. I don't want to make it an order, I know that hurts you. Cuts away your personality. But I want you to make a promise: No more secrets between either of us.

  And she meant it. Deeply. I could feel the commitment to that promise in every part of my mind

  When she said it I felt a tingle of magic again. She did to. It wasn't the same as an order. But something permanent had happened.

  Now I just have to figure out what that was all about

  Shut it.