We landed near Davison's shop.

He was gracious enough to let us change inside—out of the costume and into civilian mode. We could've gone home, but there was no doubt in our minds that at least a handful of our housemates had watched the big broadcast, and if they had gotten a hold of us, we would've never found a good opportunity to leave.

Better to let that happen after everything was settled.

White flakes were still falling as we made our way to Velveteria on foot.

"You know, I just realized how cold it is today." I said as we trudged through the snow. Jess looked at me and chuckled.

"I guess a hot stuffy costume can be a blessing at times. I've been freezing my ass off all night."

She looked up at the night sky.

"I just wanted to say sorry. For avoiding ya lately."

"You did?" It felt that way a little, but I didn't want to say anything.

"Yeah. You know, this whole thing..." She lifted the arm her living bracelet was sealed on. "...It kinda freaked me out. Like, a lot."

"Understandably."

"And then meetin' the O.G., it was like a dream come true and just the distraction I needed." She elbowed me with a smile. "No offense, but ya can be a bit morose at times. A real Debbie Downer."

"Me?!" I feigned indignation. "Now that's absurd. I'm cool, hip, and funny. You just can't appreciate my advanced entertainment skills."

"Sure thing, Grandma." she laughed. "Did all your friends at the old folks home tell ya that?"

She shook her head.

"I missed this."

"Me too." I said as we arrived at the museum. "But now it's time to celebrate a job well done. Ladies first."

She opened the door and slipped in. "I think neither of us can be described as 'ladies'."

"Fair enough."

As soon as we entered we were greeted by a familiar face.

"What took you so long, Miss Chelsea?"

The receptionist groaned. She was sporting a massive cut across her right cheek. Someone had stapled it shut. Jess looked at me with a grimace and I nodded. That couldn't be healthy.

"I had to hang out up here waiting for your tardy behind so I can finally lock up. Really now. A bit of urgency. It's not that hard."

She strode behind us and locked the door.

"Alright. Time to enjoy myself."

As soon as we entered the hideout proper the atmosphere shifted massively.

Loud music was blaring over the speakers and the usually self-serious and stuffy residents were living it up as best they could.

Some were dancing, some were just talking, some were doing......other things, out in the open with very little shame. And of course, most were drinking.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

The receptionist led us deeper inside, and the further we got the lighter the mood became. Little origami cranes were fluttering in the air, one even landing on Jess' nose, to her great amusement, and as we entered the room that had once belonged to Souto two Asian paper dragons zipped by us, breathing what was probably some kind of alcohol instead of fire into any empty glass they passed.

"Ah, there she is. Finally bothered to show up too, eh?" a slightly intoxicated voice yelled over the music. It was Manet.

"Did you catch the broadcast?" I yelled back. This was why I usually avoided loud parties.

"I did. It gave me chills. I made a good call recruiting you. That decapitation at the end....masterful improv. Chef's kiss. You should join us full-time. Bet you'd make it far."

I raised both my hands and shook my head. Time to shut this down fast.

"I'm flattered, but I don't think so, This was just a run to me. I'm open for more collaboration in the future though, if you can afford it."

Manet shrugged.

"Suit yourself. The boss is somewhere in here if you want to speak to him. So are the other guests. Duchamp and Nitsch fucked off somewhere, don't know where."

I nodded.

"Good to know. I'm gonna go mingle some more."

Manet raised his glass and receded back into the crowd.

I looked around for Jess, but she too had disappeared in the sea of people. This room had never been all that big, but now, stuffed with what must've been two-thirds of this entire Petite Group cell, it seemed massive.

Steeling myself for unwanted accidental touches, my least favorite inevitability of large, or at least well-attended parties, I dove into the mass of intoxicated buffoons on the search for someone to talk to.

It wasn't too long until I saw Smear, standing near the middle of the room, throwing something in the air. Once I managed to move a few feet closer I could see what it was.

He was drawing confetti bombs on a notepad with his left hand, then pulled them into reality with his right. The sketched explosives popped with a loud bang and rained black and white pieces of Christmas confetti onto the dance floor, where it immediately dissolved.

When he noticed me he stopped and hurried over.

To my utter confusion, he pulled me into a tight hug.

"MC, you were great! The halo and the final beheading......inspired, is all I can say!"

I pushed him off me, trying not to be too forceful.

"Oh yeah. Forgot you don't like that, sorry. Still, amazing. You know what? I'll give you a 50% bonus. Hell, Witchling too. If not for her we would've started without you."

This Smear seemed like a completely different person from the one before. I had expected some changes, but this was a bit much.

On the other hand, extra cash.

"So, what's next for the Velvetaria Petite Group?" I asked.

"Everyone has their own projects, so we'll keep working on those. I already got the message that a few new people want to sign up. Going to handle all of that tomorrow. For now, though, the mission is 'Have Fun and Enjoy Yourself'. Our collab is not over until you clear it, alright? So get on that!"

I shook my head and chuckled.

"Alright, alright. My weary bones will not rest until the dark deed is done."

"Good woman! Carry on, then." He downed a full glass of whatever he was drinking and went back to his confetti.

I forced myself through the partying Villains until I reached the back wall. There was a bit more space at the edge of the room, and for the first time since entering it, I could breathe easy. Celebrations like this, while probably a bit more orderly, had been a dime a dozen during my time as a Hero. Now I could say without a shadow of a doubt, I hadn't missed them.

I took an empty glass from the table next to me and held it up as the paper dragons passed. When I lowered it again it was filled to the brim with a dark beverage. An unorthodox method of drink disposal, but I liked it. Very creative.

Curious, I took a sip.

Rum and coke. Not what I expected, but it wasn't bad. I leaned against the wall and scanned the crowd for familiar faces. Mostly, I was looking for Jess, but anyone else was fine too.

After a few more sips I felt something tapping my shoulder.

I was lucky I didn't take another sip before turning, or I would've had a very awkward spit take. Anyone else was fine too, huh? My stupid brain should really stop tempting fate.

The thing that tapped me was a skeletal bone hand. Boneyard stood before me, a grin plastered on her pale face. She turned away and gestured for me to follow.

Once her face was turned I banged the back of my head softly against the wall.

God dammit.

But I had to go. The Master Controller had to stay in character.

I debated for a bit whether or not to take my drink with me before I decided it didn't really matter. Stalling would just delay the uncomfortable future, not avert it. With a sigh, I followed the black-clad Villainess to the painting.

It was the painting that had led to Souto's cell and/or bedroom. Boneyard stepped inside and I did the same.

The sudden quiet on the other side was jarring. My ears were still ringing when the costumed murderer began clapping. Not with her hands though.

Okay, kind of with her hands, Only parts of them though. The fleshy part of her arms hung limply out of her sleeves, while her bloody hand bones crashed into each other again and again. The sound was....unsettling.

When she was done she thankfully reinserted her skeleton into her body, her arms not leaving the slightest hint anything had ever been amiss.

"Good Job.........I didn't think.....you'd start upping your notoriety......so soon.....after our talk." She chuckled. "You must really......want to join."

I forced a smile and shrugged.

"What can I say? When the Master Controller wants something, she works for it."

"Oh yes.....and that is very admirable........I don't think......this will be enough......but soon.....If you continue like this.....I promise."

"Oh, that's a shame. I need to really step up my game for next time then."

She shook her head.

"Don't worry.........I wasn't convinced before......that you really wanted to......become part of the family......."

She put her hand on my shoulder. Her full hand, thank god.

"......but now I do..........Haunt trusts me.......he values my input.........if I vouch for you.......you'll be one of us.......in no time."

On that note, she removed her hand and slouched back through the painting, into the party.

I looked at the drink in my hand and took another sip.

"Well, shit."