Side One, Ep.2 "Double Dog Dare"

[Ireth]

((In that case, I think I'll stick with the luck I've got. ^^))

Vincent

Awkward. "I see." I deem it wise to say no more about that, and focus on moving the corpses. I hope the townsfolk won't think ill of us, arriving in town just before such calamities. Maybe doing our part to deal with the danger makes up for having lured it here in the first place.

Diana

As I sling the corpse over my shoulder to carry it to Brown's, the feathers on my back shift and itch. My thoughts wander while my body works. When I really think about it, becoming a valkyrie would bring more benefits than drawbacks in my case. For one thing, I don't have to give up my life with Vincent and Ariel. Bringing a blessed child into the world would be another wonder. I don't know how long it will take for my wings to grow out, but I'm sure others will watch my back for me until then. Learning to fly, though... will that come as instinctual, or will I have to learn from a fellow valkyrie? I think of the tiny woman who gave us strength when we fought the frogmen. Will we meet her again someday, maybe on Mount Neverest?

Vincent

I catch Diana's thoughts as we head toward the remains of the steakhouse, and smile despite our grim task. If extraordinary things only happen to extraordinary people, then my Diana is exceptional. I fully agree with her logic in accepting the wings -- really, she would give up nothing, and gain much. A mortal valkyrie... would she be the only, or simply the first? I guess that much depends on whether or not we have children together. The thought is both thrilling and daunting. I doubt I'll get over it anytime soon.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Emma is able to pick up Vincent's thought concerning her. She thinks, I meant there was no affair, Vincent. She amazed by the fact she was able to read another's thought, which may be the only reason she's not embarrassed.

However, Vincent is proven correct that Emma having to face Mrs. Brown is an awkward situation. There, in front of the smoldering ruins, is a weeping woman. It doesn't take mind-reading skills to figure out that she just discovered she is a widow.

 

[Ireth]

Vincent

I glance at Emma when her thought slips into my mind, and nod without speaking. The sight and sound of Mrs. Brown weeping before the ruined restaurant draws my attention, and I wonder how we might best comfort her. I look at Emma again, wondering if she wishes to be the one to do so. She did bring it up, after all. Then again, given the speculation around her and Mr. Brown, true or not, it might not be best for her to speak first. What to do, what to do?

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Emma's eyes meet the widow's. Memories flood into the widow's mind, and Emma is surprised that she can read them! What she sees in Mrs. Brown's mind triggers her own memories.

The women face each other. One with the desire to tell truth, the other with the desire to tell the world.

 

[Ireth]

Vincent

Memories whirl through my head as I look back and forth between Emma and Mrs. Brown. This is more than I wanted to know, but I think it's important that I DO know, judging by the feelings I glean from each woman. The truth must be known, and not just by one or two. The trouble is, what should I say, if anything? Is it any of my business to speak out?

Being a mentalist is such a headache... my mind all but overflows with memories, and so few of them are mine.

Diana

I look nervously at my companions, feeling left out of some all-important loop. But maybe it's better that I'm left ignorant. By the troubled look on each face, it seems nothing pleasant is going on. I'm not sure it entirely has to do with the corpses we carry. I keep my peace, waiting for something to happen.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Emma is at a loss for words at first. She settles on the ordinary, "I'm sorry."

Mrs. Brown is seething. "Sorry? Is that what a home wrecker says to a widow? Sorry!"

Vincent notices that he is the only one bearing the weight of the corpse now. Emma's telekinesis is too unfocused to be of any use.

"You saw something terrible, but…"

The widow turns to Diana. "You're a fool to let her stand this close to your husband! My Charles was the most important man in the Asahi Beach community, and even he let this vile temptress lure him to the south side of town, where more of her kind writhe in the streets like snakes in heat."

 

[Ireth]

Diana

I look at Mrs. Brown with wide eyes, and scowl as I shake my head at her words. I can see quite plainly what Emma is, or at least purports herself to be, but I have complete faith in Vincent's fidelity to me. My hands are full, or I would sign in answer. She's wrong.

Vincent

Now I feel honor-bound to speak up on Emma's behalf. I let the corpse thud to the ground -- holding it up by myself is both difficult and distracting from the matter at hand. Or maybe it's the matter at hand that's the distraction.

"I know what you think you saw, Mrs. Brown. Emma tells me there are rumors of an affair between her and your husband, and she claims innocence. I for one believe her to be honest. Your husband, on the other hand, was hiding a great deal more from you." Thinking of little Ana makes my blood boil.

I look at Emma, knowing I'll need more information about things before I continue speaking. Scattered memories and speculation on my part do not a firm testimony make. I hate to pry, but this is a matter of Emma's honor, and I need the whole truth.

((LS, disregard the PM I sent you. Figured this would be easier. ^^))

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Brown's

"The truth," Emma says to the widow, "is that your husband tricked us both."

The widow stands up, glaring at the nun.



Dojo

Master Dan III seems puzzled by the tiny fairy. "Seems like only yesterday I was sitting on your head."

"It was yesterday, dad," says Dan IV.

Dan V cleans two wakizashis. He prepares to dice some vegetables. Glancing at Fenella, he says, "I hope this meal is fit for royalty." He whispers to his father, "Do we know anyone who can cook? I'd hate to honor these warriors with a crappy meal!"

Pidge says to Muziko, "I'm going to park this thing around front. If you and your pixie friends would like, you're welcome to clean up at my place. The Dan's were able to fix my place up, it's like a pixie hotel—not that I'd charge any of you to use the room!"

 

[Ireth]

Vincent

Emma's memories surge through my mind. I take them in slowly, needing to learn all I can from each one. At last I meet the gaze of Mrs. Brown, my eyes narrowing. "Shall I tell you the truth?"

I don't wait for an answer.

"Your husband, Mrs. Brown, had a young woman for his lover. To protect her privacy, I will call her Alice. He meant to deflower her, but Emma came to Alice's rescue. The only reason she let your husband live was because you arrived on the scene. Alice escaped unharmed, but not without other consequences. To keep Alice safe and free from the touch of men, Emma bought her freedom from Charles. Charles kept Alice in his brothel to keep Emma away from her, and he also slandered Emma, by claiming he'd had an affair with her." My heart pounds with rage as I speak, and my fists clench involuntarily. "It was easy, since you had already seem them together, and knew a little of what happened. He just filled in the blanks as he saw fit."

I take a deep breath, trying to keep a cool head. My eyes never leave Mrs. Brown's face. I have no ill will or judgment in my heart toward Emma for her feelings toward Ana. Some of the greatest people I know are those who love others of their own sex. Not the least are Jason and Zeph, two young men whose love has been tested and found stronger than death.

 

[Ireth]

Diana

I look back and forth between the others, but keep my peace. The tension and anger in the air is palpable. I hope this doesn't escalate to fighting -- there's been quite enough of that tonight.

 

[Ruby]

Fenella

Oh, really, I hope there isn't going to be more fighting?

I glance at Diana. Her body language shows that she thinks there is.

And just when I thought we were finally going to get a decent meal- ahem- a meal, too!

 

[JRFLynn]

Jeisera

My mouth drops at this story of twisted love, not fond of triangles. I'm partial to circles, actually. Confounded as to why geometry popped up at a time like this, and craving pie for some reason, it's prolly just my wonky brain trying to cope with the bizarre happenings of this day. A nap might do Riff and I a fair bit of good, to tell the truth. Well, if there's a fight, whoever's daffy enough to try it will feel the sting of my pointy arrows!

In the meantime, I help Diana clear the bodies we come across.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"A brothel…?" Mrs. Brown approaches Emma slowly. "To think my husband deceived me. Me…!"

As she speaks, the widow's flesh appears to loosen. Her eyes darken. As Fenella and Jeisera close in, Brown's palms spread open as if her fingernails suffice as blades. She is unarmed, forty-plus and slender. If not for the strange aura rippling around her, the widow Brown would appear completely harmless next to Emma.

 

[Ireth]

Diana

I tense as Mrs. Brown approaches Emma, and instinctively move to shield the nun. I have little to no idea what is going on, but I refuse to see an innocent woman injured. It strikes me that I am an innocent woman in this case, but the revelation is distant. I do not want more fighting, but if it comes, then so be it, I will take my place at the front.

Vincent

I resist the urge to smile as Diana moves to protect Emma, in a very Shieldmaiden-like manner. I would, of course, expect nothing less. My gaze stays on Mrs. Brown, and my eyes narrow as I wonder what will happen now. This is not how I would have liked to end this night.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Brown's (What's Left of It)

The widow looks older now. But it's not just her flesh that's distorted. Her clothing appears to be made of crumpled paper fluttering in the wind. Her hair appears to be alive.

"Sorceress," Emma says.

The widow draws her hands back, but hesitates. Vincent can't read her thoughts at the moment, but anyone can see from Brown's expression that she doesn't want to send her spell through a shield maiden.

Emma goes on, "You can think what you like about me, but don't act as if you never knew about your husband's brothels and casinos and murders. Don't pretend you never wondered how overpriced beef led to a life of luxury."

Brown glares at Diana's shield. "Are your words always so strong, Emma? Or only when you hide behind a strong person?" Her hands are cupped at her hip, darkening the air between them.




Dans' Dojo

A single tear runs down Dan V's cheek. He raises his blades overhead.

His wakizashis rapidly slice and dice the onions before him to perfection. Unfortunately, his final chop halves the table.

Dan V's father is quick enough to slide a bowl under the table, which catches more than half of the onions. When the grandfather tries to help, however, one half on the table tips onto his toe.

"Ouch," says Dan III. He stands on one foot and shakes the other about as if to kick the pain away. He then says to his grandson, "You have sliced the onions to perfection. You are almost a master of onion chopping. You only need to work on control before we run out of tables."

Dan V wipes a tear away and raises his fist in the air. "But what shall become of my masterfully-chopped onions when not one of us is a good cook?"

Dan IV mutters to himself as he is the only one picking the remaining slices of onion off of the floor.

 

[Ireth]

Vincent

I watch the sorceress in awe and dread, wondering what she plans to do. It's clear she doesn't want to attack Emma now that Diana's in front of her. Diana seems to have no inclination to let Mrs. Brown any closer. Frankly, nether do I. I just wish I could read Mrs. Brown's mind, and make up my own about what to do. Attacking apes and demon-possessed drunks is one thing, but a human acting of her own accord is quite another. I don't want to harm her, but it seems I might have to.

Diana

I brace myself for a fight, still standing between the nun and the widow. The corpse is heavy on my shoulders, but I don't lay it down yet. I could use it to trip Mrs. Brown up, rather than resorting immediately to the sword. But all that depends on what Mrs. Brown does next.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"Take a look around you, Clara!" Emma says to Mrs.Brown. "We're cleaning bodies off of the streets! Whatever problem you have with me is not the world's greatest problem or yours—you should mourn your husband!"

Emma's words are hollow to the enraged woman. She contemplates the allies. Though they remain silent, they position themselves to protect the nun.

Clara Brown lets her spell fade. Vincent can't help but notice that the spell was being charged, yet the woman managed to bring it under control without releasing it.

Soon the odd distortions around her fade out. Brown is still glaring at Emma, breathing heavily.

Emma approaches Clara, saying, "I'm glad we didn't have to fight. After all, it was only a mis—"

Clara slaps Emma.

Emma is more than ready to dodge, but she lets the hand touch her, then turns her cheek in a way that the widow's hand bounces away. Emma's expression makes it clear enough that she felt nothing from the slap. Not physical pain, not anger, not embarrassment.

Clara confesses, "My spell was too weak. Had it been stronger, I'd have unleashed it upon you even if it meant your friends killing me."

Emma helps Diana with the body, her mind now focused and easily able to lift the corpse from Diana's hands. She replies to Brown, "Why would you die for him? He's guilty of the very act you hate me for."

 

[Ireth]

Vincent

I do not relax as Mrs. Brown releases her spell. There may yet be more to come. Emma speaks, and I keep my eyes on the widow. That is an excellent question.

Diana

I smile in gratitude as Emma takes the corpse from my shoulders, then return my gaze to Mrs. Brown. I hope this will end without more bloodshed, but I still have my doubts. At least now my hands are free to use my sword and shield if need be.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Brown turns to Vincent.

"You said the disgraced nun was honest. Why do you trust her?"

 

[Ireth]

Vincent

I see no point in being anything but blunt and honest. "I'm a mentalist. I looked into her thoughts -- they were clear as crystal. If she had fed me false memories, I would know."

Looking to Emma, I add, "I'm sorry for prying, but you understand I needed the whole truth. I don't do that very often at all. But I want you to know, I have nothing but respect for you." Facing Mrs. Brown like this is not likely to be easy for the accused, even the wrongfully accused.