Up on the stage, an out-of-touch comedian tried a few wan jokes, to wan applause. Levi and Arsenic wandered the rows as unobtrusively as possible, offering snacks to any and everyone. The petite skewers vanished. They went back for more, again and again, handing out flutes of champagne, tiny skewers, little finger snacks, even the chicken nuggets. The supers snatched them up, barely casting their eyes at Levi and Arsenic in their server outfits.
As he walked, Levi scanned the crowd. His eyes drifted from face to face. Shiny outfits and gorgeous dresses clashed with superhero costumes. None of them belonged to a certain Blasterman. He scowled, glancing up at the box seats. He’s not that special. Right?
Expensive-looking people sat in the balconies. They tapped expensive-looking glasses together and sipped gold-flake-studded liquor. Blasterman did not sit among them.
He lowered his eyes back to the crowd, frustrated but not out of ideas. As he brushed by Arsenic, he leaned in. “Do you think he went to the restroom?”
“Who? Alpha?”
“Don’t be dim. Blasterman,” Levi replied.
Arsenic shrugged. “He’s only human. Who knows?”
Levi bit his lip. His nose wrinkled. “Dammit, you fuckin’ eye-beam-shooting asshole. Where did you go? I’ve got some special chickie nuggies for ya, c’mon.”
“Be pretty impressive if he could shoot eyebeams out his asshole,” Arsenic commented.
Nodding, Levi pointed at him. “Right? Everyone can shoot eyebeams out their eyes. Out the butt, though…that takes real talent.”
“You two!” an authoritative voice barked, at a restrained stage whisper.
Arsenic and Levi turned. A man in a smart suit helped a woman in a long-sleeved, floor-length purple velvet gown over to them. Arsenic stepped forward, accepting the woman’s weight.
The man shook his head, crossing his arms at them. “What are you doing? Couldn’t you see Amethyst had collapsed? Isn’t it your job to look after us guests?”
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“Of course, sir. Our apologies, sir,” Levi said, ducking a short bow to the man. He peeked up at his face in between bows. The chin. The cheekbones. Those cold eyes. Levi grinned to himself, just a little.
Blasterman frowned at him. “What are you smiling for?”
“Ah, I’m sorry, I’m sorry. Could I interest you in a chickie nuggie, as apology?” Levi offered up his tray.
Blasterman blinked. “A…what?”
Levi coughed. “Chicken nugget, sir. Ahem. That is. A baked organic chicken bite.”
“You think a chicken bite is enough to apologize for this oversight?” Blasterman asked, staring at Levi.
“Of course not, good sir. I’ll take you to the manager in just a moment. But first, a chickieeeeen bite?”
Blasterman glared at him for a moment longer, then snatched up a chicken bite and tossed it back. He marched off, back to his seat, leaving the two of them with Amythest. “Take good care of her.”
“Yes, sir. Naturally, sir.” Levi bowed one last time as Blasterman left, then turned and grinned at Arsenic. “Let’s take her somewhere cold.”
“We’re gonna actually…?” Arsenic gestured at Amythest. She slumped against him, her eyes fluttering, half-conscious at best.
“Why not? She’s kinda cool,” Levi said.
Arsenic squinted at him. “She’s a super.”
“Yeah, well, sometimes, some of them are cool.” Levi shrugged. “We’re all just trying to get through the day, man. I’m only here to cast judgement on the active assholes.”
“And in the future, when she becomes like all the rest? Kills a dozen civilians that we could have saved, right here, right now?”
“Okay. Sure. What about the hundred civilians who die because we killed her now, while she still had good left in her? Are their lives worth less than the twelve she kills later?” Levi asked.
Arsenic squinted at him. “I wasn’t being literal about the dozen—”
Levi waved his hand, silencing him. “I know. Listen. I don’t cast judgement prematurely. Once someone’s an asshole, all bets are off. But until they fuck up, I don’t care. I’m not gonna ruin someone’s life because of what they might do. If I do that, I’m no better than them.”
“Sounds suspiciously like super logic,” Arsenic murmured, narrowing his eyes.
“Yeah, so what? I used to be one. What’s the problem with that?” Levi asked.
“You?”
“You can do anything if you put your mind to it. Come on. Let’s get this kiddo into the back. She needs a lay-down.”
“You were a super?”
“I was a player before that, back when we were still calling people players, believe it or not,” Levi said. He took Amythest from Arsenic and started carrying her into the back. “On second thought, keep handing out chickie nuggies. I’ve got this handled.”
Arsenic blinked. He staggered back. “You were a player? Wait. How old are you? There haven’t been players…no one’s been called a player for forty years now.”
Levi winked. “Moisturize and apply sunscreen, kiddos.” Carrying Amythest, he left Arsenic alone on the floor.