Palm was starting to suspect that Theda was potentially a demon from whatever rendition of hell was popular nowadays.

Around a week ago he began to undergo the unparalleled torture that was exercise. How normal people managed it was beyond him, push-ups, sit-ups, running you name it. He'd suffered through relentless strain that would make any grown man cry for his mother, he begged for anybody to set him free of the prison of his own making.

'Stop being such a drama queen it's been five minutes.' Theda deadpanned.

Oh how he wished Theda would stop lying just to extend his suffering. The spirit raised a brow, 'I'm not joking you have another three hours left.' No sooner had the words left her mouth Palm decided that the best course of action was to collapse on the floor and not get back up.

'Can't you just fly the axe into the enemies skull, why do I have to do anything?' Palm whined. He had been training for the purpose of building up strength and learning how to properly 'wield' his weapon but he couldn't understand why. So he simply lay on the floor of his now much cleaner and recently repaired bar unwilling to move a muscle.

'For the last time, I can't do everything myself' Theda sighed, 'I can do more than just swing myself around, but to do so I can't also be fighting for you.'

He still thought it was dumb. Rather than reflecting on it however, he instead opted to lecture her on how too much exercise could permanently cripple him. Complaining that his mental peace had been disturbed.

The spirit seemingly oblivious to his cries for help simply circled around him a few times seeming pensive. 'It's a shame I couldn't speak to Hercules' she muttered grimacing, 'I suppose desperate times call for desperate measures.'

'What are you talking about' Palm questioned lazily watching her float above him. The ghost ignored him a second time preferring to rub her fingers against her temples until she suddenly straightened her back as if struck by a bolt of lightning.

'We're going to raid a police armoury' Theda stated.

'I think I've accepted that your completely insane at this point' the barkeeper responded fixing the ghost with a flat stare, 'Mind indulging me on why?'

'Why I'm insane, or why we have to raid an armoury?' The ghost replied cheekily before dramatically pointing upwards, 'Listen in and listen well Palm, if you want to make it up there you have to prove you belong with the big fish. Now, normally I'd suggest joining the war effort since nothing builds reputation like leading the kingdom to victory.' She then looked down disappointedly at the man before her. 'But something tells me you wouldn't survive a day out there.'

'Rude...' Palm retorted weakly.

'So I've come up with a solution.' She continued, 'We're going to get you some defence and your going to hunt some criminals.'

'Never mind I figured it out' the barkeeper stated flatly, 'Your not mentally unstable your just incredibly stupid, which is somehow worse.'

Her response was to slam the wooden handle of the axe on his nose. It hurt a lot.

....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Eva was distraught she had been buried under a mound of paperwork that only ever seemed to increase in size the longer she worked, and had been stuck this way since she arrived at Checkmate over six months ago. Half a year of constant lobbying and Investment had only just barely managed to turn around the opinion of the city in the eyes of the general public, it was a miracle that was previously thought to be impossible.

Yet during this time where she should be spearheading the reform effort, she was instead stuck dealing with damage control. To say that criminals had their hooks deep into Checkmate would be an understatement, and after discovering one too many officials under the payroll of some of the most influential crime groups in the city she became paranoid. Constantly looking over her shoulder in order to move her plans forward while trying to stay one step ahead of her enemies.

She sagged in the high-tech comfort chair she had ordered for her long work hours. But even it's stress relieving comfort was not nearly enough to help her. What was once a beautifully well decorated room had turned into a storeroom for mounds of paper which piled themselves up on the floor, a few comically reaching the ceiling looking down on the exhausted princess.

'What a life I'm leading' Eva thought to herself tiredly.

As she rubbed her forehead in annoyance a sweet melody graced her ears. Trumpets and flutes graced her ears in a loud crescendo supported by low but constant drum beats, which echoed like soldiers footsteps. It was the Kingdom's national anthem and also warning that she was being contacted, quickly taking out an earpiece from a nearby radio she greeted the caller.

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"Good afternoon Father I hope you are well" She managed in a strained voice, the constant meetings had really taken it's toll. But she still attempted to sound as professional as she could, after all it wasn't every day you were called by the Blinding Emperor himself.

"Eva I must ask that you return home immediately and quit this foolish escapade" Her father commanded in a stern voice, His voice was exceptionally low and gruff, the princess knew it stood as a point of pride for him to have a deeper voice than most other men in the room.

Rolling her eyes she replied croaking "Is mother trying to get me back already? you should tell her to quit it." She was sick of the woman's incessant worrying, as much as she loved her.

After what sounded like a short argument from her fathers side of the line the Emperor eventually responded in a much more subdued and quiet 'Eva you sound as though your running yourself ragged and I believe that your mother has a point.'

"What and just abandon all the hard work I've put in so far?!" Eva retorted angrily, her voice raising as high as she could muster. "Isn't that what you value most father?"

Her father simply sighed in response "Sweetie your not even a Supernatural what your trying to do is incredibly rash, what if you get hurt?"

It grated at her to be reminded of her failures especially by her parents, all of her other siblings made a contract with the guardian of her household but it seemed to refuse to even speak with her. Despite brushing it off to focus on her other skills she secretly resented the unfairness of not even being given a chance, resentment that only grew the more she saw how her older siblings won awards for contributing to the war effort. Or how her younger siblings were accepted into prestigious learning facilities outside the entire Blinding Kingdom, to spread her fathers name as powerful Supernaturals across the galaxy.

But she was an adult, and learned when to put a lid on her emotions. In a bold move she announced that she would be reforming the entirety of Checkmate which was essentially the pit of failures under her father's reign. Life in the kingdom essentially boiled down to results and if one could not play an adequate enough role in society they were cast aside. Given her position many people expected greatness from her and she would rise to the occasion or die trying.

"Supernatural or not I'm going to make a difference here, In fact I already am." the princess stated firmly. It didn't matter if her family had what she did not, she would contribute to the good of the Kingdom and she would help her parents no matter what. "So please let it go."

"...I understand" her father responded wearily "Just don't push yourself too hard, we're proud of you Evangeline." Eva felt her heart warm slightly at those words, if nothing else at least she wouldn't be a failure.

"Thanks dad, and while your at it could you stop sending me all these suitors?." the princess joked, she knew her father and he definitely wouldn't go down on the second matter without a fight. Not that she minded, she had been looking for a suitable husband for a while, not that it had been going well.

"ABSOLUTELY NOT." The Emperor boomed. "I will not have my daughter being not only one of my oldest but still without a proper partner, I'm sure you will find one to your liking." Surprisingly enough after a few moments her father continued in a much meeker tone "Now I have to have a conversation with my wife on why your still not coming back, stay safe alright?"

"I'll pray for you" Eva replied with a light chuckle "Goodbye father."

"Goodbye Eva" her father responded.

Click.

Sighing the princess turned back to the mound of paperwork that had been calling her name. But before she could get her work started another interruption graced her bedroom turned office space. A much older man stepped in wearing a biker jacket and a pair of sunglasses. The powerful musculature of one Noah Waters had found itself into her abode seemingly in distress.

"Off to blow up another bar?" Eva questioned amusedly, much to the war veterans horror "And what's with that outfit?"

"That ain't funny your radiance" Noah sighed taking off his glasses "I just got back from out of town, It's a nightmare out there"

"How so?" the princess replied. It was surprising seeing the older man back in action so soon after his incident earlier that week. The man was a rather unstoppable force of nature it was difficult to imagine him struggling in a fight let alone losing one. Unfortunately she hadn't managed to squeeze all the details out of him before he was immediately sent back out to fight some of the major crime groups, who unfortunately seemed to be more than willing to sacrifice as many people as it took to maintain their influence over the city. She would just have to ask his daughter the next time she saw her.

"People are resisting, and no not just the criminals the regular folk too." he said rather numbly.

"Shouldn't they be welcoming a chance at a better life?" the princess questioned. She would normally be observing the state of the general public in order to make changes on the reformation effort based on their reaction to certain policies. But in thanks to some incredibly annoying people she was relegated to completing an overabundance of documents requiring her personal seal of approval. It was aggravating, the board of directors at Mercy seemed to be unwilling to take her seriously despite everything she gave them.

"They're scared Ma'am, they either are too worried about change or are under the thumb of some crime boss" Noah continued, "As much as I would love to keep going we're currently doing more harm than good."

Eva tapped away at her desk in thought. She should have expected it in all honesty, when you combine spineless wimps who can't act as functioning members of society with dangerous criminals it's a recipe for chaos. But on the other hand she started the entire reformation effort because she believed that the situation could be salvaged. It was just a matter of the right outlook and changes.

If only she could just personally force both sides to listen she would be able to enact much greater change. But she wasn't her father or her siblings, she didn't have that kind of capability.

Noah who was aware of her growing distress offered a suggestion "If I may your radiance" He began "How about a civilian interview?"

"A what now?" Eva replied staring blankly at the veteran.

"You know the incident I had earlier this week?" Noah continued his tone growing bolder "I met some barkeeper who I'm sure I could convince to do some talking, to show that we're not as scary as some people think."

'It isn't the worst Idea' the princess thought, while she doubted it would achieve anything of note it could be helpful, without much cost to herself either. "Alright" she spoke slowly "As long as he's an upstanding citizen I'm sure we can work something out." She then took the time to clear her schedule for the next morning, as it turns out taking some of the androids from her home had done wonders in improving her productivity. Eva was sure they could handle the workload while she was gone.

"Thanks for the trust princess" Noah responded with a smile.

"Not a problem Noah, just make sure not to accidentally cause more property damage" the princess commented smiling back.