Blood Bee stood on the top of a residential building across the streets from the absolute shit show of what was her first solo assignment from Blue. How did things come to this? A simple intimidation to a alley way murder, and destruction of an entire factory and who knows how many casualties. It all spiraled out of control so quickly.
At first it was the spineless squid guy who tried to betray them and warn Brick Forge of the attack before it happened, as if a traitor in their organization wasn't bad enough. If he hadn't called another informant he didn't know was also working for Grave Blue for help hadn't told her what he was planning then things probably would have been even worse.
But that's not what happened, she took care of him personally. She wasn't sure why he had chosen to try to save this particular hero now of all times, it was pour timing for him to lose faith in what Grave Blue was trying to accomplish. Maybe she should have asked him before injecting him with enough of her venom to kill a elephant... oh well.
But the other mistake tonight was hiring that double fisting numbskull for this job! Her wings beat in irritation as she glared daggers down at the now buried waste of money.
She had thought bringing in such a giant and intimidating client of theirs would scare the old crusty retired hero into paying his debt to them. But apparently years of getting his head knocked around playing hero must of messed his brain up so bad he didn't have a lick of commons sense left in that skull of his. Seriously She never would have expected him to antagonize Yontsunote into a fight.
And sure Yontsunote was kinda known for having a insatiable desire to fight heros. But she had thought he wouldn't even be interested in fighting an old man, let alone go on a murder spree on the other randoms who were unfortunately still working this late. She had thought he'd been alone by now.
But now seeing the useless destruction he caused during his tantrum. She would be lucky if Blue didn't kick her out back onto the streets for this, Though Meredith probably wouldn't let Blue do that to her, she wasn't gonna start thinking she was going to come out of this without some punishment.
"I could hear you buzzing from a block away BB. If you don't stop your wings fluttering you're gonna get the heros attention." Came a voice all to failmilary grating to Blood Bee.
She let out a irritated grunt. She didn't buzz.
"Ahh.. I see things are going as I had predicted they would."
Tau, with his talent launched himself across the gap of the buildings and landed next to her in a gust of wind.
"What are you doing here Tau? This is my assignment Blue gave me."
"Yes this is, Your assignment, and judging by how things have gone I'd say its a good thing I decided to get involved. I finished cleaning up your little, mess you left back in the alleyway BB. You know he still had a note on him that was a warning for Brick Forge. If I hadn't got that it would have tied him back to us as an informant."
BB's antena twitched as she mentally kicked herself for making yet another mistake tonight, but she wasn't gonna show any of her own embarrassment to Tau. Showing that would make her look weak. Instead she tried to justify her actions.
"It wouldn't have been a problem we have more then one informant." BB said flatly.
"After all, we still got you." She said not really hiding the sneer in her tone.
"Yes, we do, and you should be grateful for it. It's a shame I can't say the same about you sis."
"And what's that supposed to mean?" BB turned away from the mess of her handy work and glared now at Tau. Who was now walking to the backside of the building. If he was wanting a fight than she'd be more than willing to do it if it gave her the chance to prove to him how capable she really was.
Tonight's events were just a flook. She'd never fail this badly ever again, next time she'll bring even more and stronger clients with her!
"Blue trusted me with this! He believes in me! Why can't you!"
Tau didn't respond right away, instead he played with the button on his blue police shirt for a bit before letting out a breath like he was talking to a misbehaving child. Which only angered BB even more.
"What you think I'm not strong enough to do this is that it!" BB approached Tau with her stinger arm cross against her chest and glared back at him. An open invite for a fight.
But Taus own eyes just showed disappointment.
"Our line of work requires more than just raw strength and a fancy talent BB. There are delicate balances that we have been carefully changing for years. Each bribe, each intimidating visit, and every assassination has been planned out meticulously to the last detail. Did you even plan any of this?" Tau gestured behind back to the ruins of the building.
"Grave Blue is more than just a mindless gang of street thugs with strength enhanced talent users. We are far more than that. And if you haven't realize that after all these years, then you're gonna end up like that good for nothing Yontsunote across the street. Defeated, and left behind by the rest of us." Tau turned away and without another word opened his palms out flat and launched himself forward and away on to the next building, and then the next, quickly disappearing into the night.
Leaving BB alone with her temper boiling over, her fist clenched and stinger dripping with venom.
She wasn't gonna be left behind! She was going to prove herself, no matter what it took.
"I won't fail again."
---- Hikari's House 1:57AM---
Jacob pinched the bridge of his nose and tried to blink the tiredness away from his eyes. He didn't expect to be up this late still, looking at the clock it was almost 2 AM. he had to be up for school in four hours. So reluctantly he closed his notes for the next session of T, T & T. Most of the notes were on Obsidian dragons. He had written pages and pages of world building details like where they usually nested, what their alignment was, and what their goals were. From what he found in the official guide book they were described as fearsome but brittle creatures. Their obsidian scales made them weak against any type of physical attack, but they made up for it with intelligence and magic. Obsidian dragons were some of the only ones to ever ambush their prey. Their black scales allowed them to seamlessly blend in with the night sky. Their slick black wings allowed them to glide for miles without making a single sound. And There were even some cases where these types of dragons would use magic to mimic the pattern of the stars on their scales to help them blend in even more! The more Jacob read about them the more excited he got! They were just so freakin cool!
He was also excited for character building this new fight will do for Kasais character. Kasai made a character very similar to himself jacob had noticed. A frost paladin. Reirrick Stonefeets backstory talked about how his hometown was burned down by a black dragon. hopefully this tie in with Kaisis character backstory will help him get move involved of the roleplaying part of the game rather than always just waiting for a fight to start. Jacob figured that this Obsidian dragon would be a good pair up with him and make for a interesting fight too.
Cheeky he was also excited to pull this up against Perran. Obsidian dragons weren't evil aligned like the necromancer was, so his Monk wont be able to ability stack his holy damage buffs against it. Everything was almost ready.
Jacob was just so excited about it! Sure he'd be regretting it in his early morning Physics class tomorrow, but it will be worth it!
He let out a big yawn as he finished putting all his notes into his folder that was well past its paper holding limits and was only being held together by a make shift duck tape latch with velcro. Standing up and turning off the reading lamp in the living room he started heading upstairs towards his bedroom.
The old worn out stairs creaked under each footstep, about half way up he slowed his pace not waiting to wake anyone up from him finally going to bed. But at the top of the stairs Jacob noticed he wasn't the only one who wasn't asleep yet.
"Perran? What are you doing up so late?" Jacob recognized Perrans height in the darkness, the only one in the family who was taller was Dad, on account of his talent making him a bit taller than average.
Jacob hadn't noticed Perran come home, usually he came home around 10PM, but the last two nights he's been out way later than he ever has before. And he never got a chance to ask him.
Perran turned to Jacob in the dark, half his body was still behind the small closet door. while hard to make out it looked like he was still in his work uniform. A half cut thick leather jacket Perran told him protected him from the heat of the forge, his pear of boots which he was still wearing inside, which was something he never does.
"Perran? What are you doing in the medicine cabinet?" Jacob asked again cautiously. Perran hadn't responded to his initially question. Though Jacob was certain he had seen and heard him. Was he alright, did something happen at work?
Before jacob could stop it his Talent appeared beside him, pointing all these things out, a perfect recreation of Perran still in his uniform. It was still dark so Jacob would bet Perran couldn't see it but nevertheless he still swatted it away with his hand. He had to get better control of it if he ever wanted to be a hero.
Perrans head moved to the side for a bit from the motion, before turning back to the closet and then down at the floor. His breathing sounded... quick. Jacob was about to ask him a question again, but Perran finally spoke.
"I'm fine Jacob, I just got a headache that's keeping me up."
Perrans cheery voice was almost jolting to Jacob in the dark, a stark contract from how he was looking.
"Sorry I didn't disturb you from your notes did I?"
"My what?... Oh right yea my notes, yea they're.. nothing, just some notes for this weekends session." Jacob responded.
So Perran had seen him working on his notes, so he must have walked past him while he was buried in his books and didn't realize it.
Perhaps he was looking into things too much. He did have that problem sometimes. But something... Something still felt off. And Jacob couldn't shake the feeling.
Without much thought Jacob blurted out his question. " Why are you still wearing your work clothes?"
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
Perrans head tilted to the side at that question. He then looked down as if noticing he was still wearing his gear. he placed his right hand on the jacked and clenched it.
"oh... i guess I forgot to take it off before leaving..." Perran turned away from jacob, Closing the medicine door. He was walking back to his room but again something was.. Off. Perran always walked with somewhat of a limp but even in the dark Jacob could see he was more dragging his leg then walking on it.
"Perran... did... Did something happen at work today?"
The question stopped Perran, and the two of them stayed in a awkward stalemate of silence for what felt like an eternity. Three times he heard Perran take a breath as if about to say something but then he'd let the air back out.
The silence and hesitation was all Jacob needed to know that that something did happen but what. Why was his limp worse? Was he hurt? Was he being overworked? Should he get mom and dad? He should probably get them, they'll know what to do.
Jacob started to turn back down the stairs to go wake up their parent but stopped when Perran spoke again.
"I-..." Perrans voice broke the silence like shattinger glass. For the first time Jacob can remember Perrans voice sounded. Broken. But it was only for a moment. Perran strained his back with a muffled grunt, and took a breathe again as if to reaffirm himself again.
"I... Quit...." Was all Perran said.
"You... Quit your job?..." Jacob asked, trying to make sure himself that he wasn't so tired that he misheard Perran.
"Yea... I... couldn't do it.... you all were right. I couldn't handle it..."
Perran continued down the hall to his room, his limp was forced into a steady walk which caused Perran to give out a short exhale each step.
"Perran that's not what I...."
"It's alright Jacob" Perran cut him off. he placed his hand on the door and rested his head against it. Letting out a large sigh that made him seem more tired than Jacob was.
"i know you meant well by it. I really do."
"No, Perran I didn't mean that you're-" Perran cut him off again, a little firmer this time.
"Jacob... I just want to be alone right now. Please just give me some space." Perran closed the door behind him. And the loud Click of the lock shut down any thought of pushing this any further.
Jacob stood in the hallway alone.
The words that he'd been wanting to say still stuck in his throat. I never thought you were weak Perran.
On the other side of the door Perran fell to his hands and knees the first aid kit falling from under his jacket so Jacob wouldn't see it. He barely caught himself with his non broken arm, but couldn't stop himself from retching in the middle of the room. His vision got blurry and he could only take short quick breaths because every time he tried to take a breath he felt as though his own ribcage was crushing his own lungs.
His weak frail body was in so much pain. But he did his best to suffer in his own silence. He's already been a burden enough on everyone around him. He couldn't let his mistake tonight affect the Hikaris.
He acted so selfishly, trying to prove himself only put himself and Cougi in danger. Brick Forge was right, he was just a disaster waiting to happen.
And tonight he proved it, not just to everyone else, but also do himself.
Perran gripped the the blood stained carpet of the room. All he ever did was make people worry about him, or cause problems, because he was just a stupid, stupid talentless selfish person.
No matter how hard he tried, he always just messed things up.
If only that villain had killed him all those years ago none of this would have happened. He was stupid than to try to be a hero and he was stupid now to have thought he could have been of any help during that attack.
Tonight he should have... He should of...
Died
The word hung in his mind. That word had floated in the back of his mind during that whole ordeal, the only thing keeping it at bay was his other thoughts of trying to save Cougi. But now that Cougi wasn't in danger and he was alone... It was much harder to push back on.
Things would be better if you weren't around.
No.. No I'm not giving up not yet.
Perran wasn't gonna be a burden anymore, on Brick Forge, not for Cougi, not for anyone. Including the Hikari's!
Without his job, he would just be a leech his foster family. And they were already struggling enough as it is with him contributing to the rent. There's not a chance they'd be able to afford the house if he stayed.
And forget about getting another job. It took Perran a year to get that job at Brick Forges place, and look how that turned. By now He's probably been blacklisted from working anywhere else.
So he has to leave, tonight.
Opening the first aid kit he riffled through its contents before finding what he was in dire need of. He pulled out box of Talent enhanced medical gauze. Out of habit he read the front of the box
"ENHANCED WITH PAIN RELIEF TALENTS! SEEK MEDICAL HELP AFTER APPLICATION."
It wouldn't fix him, but it would help him at least get some sleep for a hour or two.
A white roll of gauze that was almost completely used up was pulled out, Perran carefully undid his welders jacket, and winced as he pulled it off his left shoulder.
Lifting his shirt was a painful experience as most of the blood had dried bonding the shirt to his bruised skin.
On his left side was a large black and blue bruise that went from his chest down to his thigh. And even though he couldn't see it he could feel his back wasn't in any better condition.
Leaning against the mattress he slowly wrapped the reaming gauze around his chest, deeming it was more important to try to fix his breathing rather than his arm or leg.
It took a few seconds and a few wrap arounds before Perran began to feel the effects of the gauze. A tingling sensations that felt like cold water flowing over his skin relaxed his muscles and the pain began to lessen.
His chest loosened and he was able to breath a little easier. Though not by much. This wasn't the high grade stuff you could get at an actual clinic. Rather it was something bought at a corner store, usually for small burns or bumps for normal people.
He doubt it would do anything to what he now definitely suspect to be broken ribs. Same for his left arm. He really had over done it tonight.
Pulling himself up onto the bed Perran closed his eyes and tried to get a few hours of sleep before leaving.
It wasn't difficult, as soon as he laid his head down, sleep finally took him.
When the bell rung to dismissal the final class for the day Jacob wasted no time in gathering his things and heading home. With his approaching graduation there were a lot of things he needed to get done like apply to the Hero training program at the HCC who were having tryouts in five weeks. And he was very much not prepared.
Around him the other students were chattering away about all their future plans, what colleges they were applying to, job opportunities, moving to new cities. But not many had talked about wanting to be a hero. It seemed only those with talents that the media thought seemed perfectly suited to hero work even considered it an option. This included people with talents like, being able to turn into a ethereal animal of their choice, A guy who could teleport himself and others short distances, and Kasai's Ice claws. Which speaking him, was standing in the usual meetup spot, absent midendly picking at his teeth with one of his claws.
Kasia's white hair and "Stay away from me" look he gave anyone made him rather easy to find everyday.
"Ready to go?" Jacob asked approaching him.
Kasai gave an achologing grunt before walking out the front doors not even checking to see if Jacob was following or not. Tipical.
The walk home only took them about twenty minutes but it felt way faster to Jacob as he was overthinking a problem he's been meaning to face for awhile.
The HCC standards for who gets to enter the Pre Heros Courses has been getting higher and higher, which was a good thing he guessed. It meant that only the best of the best were getting in and being trained. But the problem was... He wasn't really sure he fit the standards.
While he loved the talent he got, it didn't really help him fight or save people. It was more of a... Party trick. And a inconvenienced at most times. Having your intrusive thoughts just materialize for all the world to see wasn't really a good thing to have happen. Hes body instinctively shuttered at some of the more embarrassing moments in particular. The shutter got the attention of Kasai whose expression said "What now?"
"Its nothing Kasai... Just thinking about the HCC Tryouts."
"You're still gonna try?" Kasai asked. But not with his usual mocking tone he used whenever Jacob talked about wanting to be a Hero.
"Yea... Aren't you gonna---"
"Convince you to give up on your stupid idea? Wheel heels said if I tried to crush your dreams again she'd sell all my belongings at the pawn shop." Kasai stopped and turned to face Jacob.
"And I believe her." Before continuing.
"Oh I see." He'll have to thank Nakama for that.
They walked for a bit longer in silence before Jacob decided to test the waters and see just how much Nakamas threat could be used to his advantage.
"So Kasai... With the try outs coming in a few weeks.. Would you maybe wanna do some sparring with me to practice?"
"She said I couldn't shatter your hopes and dreams, she didn't say anything about me actually helping you try." Apparently not very far Jacob thought to himself. If this was a session of T,T&T he's say he rolled low on persuasion.
They only waked a few steps insolence before kais unexpectedly continued the conversation.
"Why not ask Perran? He may be talentless, but he does watch a lot of those championship fights."
That.... Actually wasn't a bad idea.
Jacob didn't want to disturb Perran today as he wasn't sure how he was feeling. And after telling Their parents about what Parren had told him about quitting last night they had told him the same thing Perran had, that being to just give him some space for a bit.
But maybe talking about how to prepare him for the sparing matches might help cheer him up? It would be worth a shot.
When both of them finally made it home they were greeted by Mrs. Hikari. who was sitting on the front porch. Her Fabric like hair pinned to stitching rods she was using to make what Jacob assumed to be another blanket for the living room.
"Hello my boys, how was school today?"
"It was alright mom."
"Fine Mrs. Hikari." Kasi was polite with his response but quick to enter the house not wanting to talk anymore.
Which mom didn't seem to mind, she gave a knowing smirk, used to Kasiais behavior before turning back to Jacob who had stopped on the porch.
"Hows Perran doing?" jacob asked. His moms face changed for a split second to something of worry before going to back to its usual smile.
"He hasn't left his room all day. I didn't want to intrude so I've left him be for now. I know how much he pushed himself for that job, but i'd be a lier if I said I wasn't relieved he finally left it. Coming home in the late hours, always looking exhausted, Frankly I wouldn't want any of you working for that man." In a rare moment Jacob his mom sounded truly angry at someone, but it then switched back to more resigned tone.
"We should have spent more time helping him find a different job. Surely a safer job would have popped up eventually. Somewhere where he doesn't have to push himself so hard, like a nice office, or.. heck or even one of those Cat Cafe's in the cities." That last option brought back a favorite memory of the time the family took a trip to one of those cafes. The cats wouldn't leave mom and her yarn hair alone. In a matter of seconds she was coated head to toe in cats all fighting for her hair. They hadn't been back since.
"Oh Jacob! Don't go reminding me about that, I Can still feel their beady little claws in my scalp." She rubbed her hands through her hair as if feeling the fantom cats still there.
Jacob swatted away his cloud that had been replaying the event from his 8 year old point of view.
"Sorry mom. But it was pretty funny."
"Funny for the rest of you maybe, traumatizing for me." She said while trying not to smile out of the corner of her mouth.
They both tried not to burst into giggles for a bit, when they finally regained their composure Jacob decided now was probably the best time to ask.
"Do you think its alright if I go check on him? Make sure he's alright."
"I think now it would be good for him to have someone to talk to. You two always got along the best."
Jacob nodded and was about to head inside before his mom called out one last time.
"oh, and ask if he would want to join us for some food at Sijis Grill, Dad got some coupons from work, and with you and kasai graduating this week we thought maybe we should celebrate with a little treat."
"REALLY!? Isn't that place expensive?" Jacob hadn't expected something like this, they almost never went out to eat, and now they were going to one of the fancy family places!
"You're father and I have been saving up for a bit and doing a bit of overtime. its worth it. You've all worked so hard and deserved it. And besides, you two can't start your hero careers on a empty stomach."
Thinking back now, Jacob remembers seeing his mother work late into the night, growing her hair out long and stitching and sewing the different types of fabrics into more blankets than usual. And dad had been working extra late at the office too.
"Thanks mom! I'll let him know right away." Jacob gave his mom a big hug before running inside, tossing his backpack to the living room he ran up the stairs and to Perran room.
In front of the door was a plate of untouched food that he assumed that their mom had left out for him.
Has he not eaten all day? Jacob thought in concern.
He knocked on the door.
"Perran? Are you awake?"
he knocked again a little louder.
"Perran? Can I come in?"
Still no response.
Jacobs heart began to beat faster in his chest as his worry increased.
He tried the door handle. With relief it twisted and the door began to open.
He peaked his head around the door, opening it slowly expecting to see Perran just asleep in his bed.
But that's not what he saw.
Blood was on the ground, and there was more on the side of the bed. And and on the bed too. So much.
The first aid kit still laid open on the ground.
But Perran wasn't there.
"MOM!!! MOM!!!!" Jacob yelled.
He heard the front door swing open and his moms voice call out but his mind starting going fuzzy and the sounds blurred into mess he couldn't understand.
At some point he had backed out of the room wand was sitting in the hallway when his mom rushed to him.
He could just barely make out what she was saying.
"J--cob.. Wh-t ha-pened?"
"i-its Perran... He's not here...He's gone."