The New Girl

“One thing that Batman comics got right is the habit of Enhanced to find themselves adopting other Enhanced. Even in the cape community, or maybe especially in the cape community.”

“See, what happens is, some idiot does something horrible to an Enhanced teen and draws a cape’s attention. Said cape does something arguably justified to this person, and takes the kid in. The system is badly set up for Enhanced, and this tends to end up with responsible capes, hero, and villain, taking in a suddenly homeless, powered waif.”

“We just aren’t putting them in bright colors to be our personal bullet distractors. I mean, come on. Bruce Wayne was a dick that way.”’

James Marsdale, “Comics and Real Life, Where They Unite and Divide.”

Madam Ruan answered her cellphone as it rang, turning away from the laptop she denied knowing how to use when her grandson was around. He felt good, helping her with it sometimes. “Hello, Elenore. I was wondering if you were staying out all night. Calling to let me know?”

“No, we’re on our way back.” The younger woman said. “But we’ve had a wild evening. I have a new foundling; she’s going to need the full granny treatment. Her Name is Talia. She's fifteen; I’d say about five three, maybe ninety pounds. Kriegsmarine, of all people, brought her in from a tweeker chop-shop.”

The elderly woman turned to her computer, and switched tabs to Amazon, bringing up women’s clothing, checking for selections that could be delivered by the next day. “So, check her for obvious health issues, and watch her for drug issues while making sure she eats. I can do this. I have done it before.” Grandma Ruan replied. “I’ll put her next to my room for the first few days. Do we have her things, or do they need to be fetched?”

“I was going to take Thud and go get it. Can you have the lawyers get me any paperwork her previous guardian needs to sign?”

“I’ll call and have them forward it to you.” Granny said. “I’ll tell them to make an electronic signature, then you can use your IPad. Oh, and make sure not to bring anything dirty or troublesome into the house. You make me worry about bedbugs.”

“Great, I needed that mental image.” Elenore groaned. “We will drop her off and I’ll pick Thud up. I’m sure I’ll be able to figure out where she's from, by looking up the police reports. Oh, and change of course. This feels more like a night for Mystic than El.”

“I’ll tell Thud to put on his suit and mask. Remember, they must also sign the ‘not under duress’ portion. I’ll get a special notary on the task.” She commented as she quickly selected a few t-shirts, hoodies, and easy to re-seam jeans and pants into her shopping cart.

“I’ll make sure to get that signed too, thanks Granny.”

A short while later they pulled into the house and Anzy headed right for her kitchen splitting in three, which caused Talia to freeze in shock as she got out of the car.

“Yeah, Anzy can be five distinct versions of herself.” Erica explained. She was sticking close to the other girl. Elenore was climbing out of her own car and talking to their big Hawaiian friend already. “Hey, want to go somewhere quiet?”

“Uh, sure. I don’t know what I’m supposed to be doing. I’ve never been in a place like this.”

“Yah, I know right.” She led her into the house and down the stairs, taking her into the home theater, closing the door. “Go ahead and take off the headphones, it’s sound proofed to a crazy level. I come here when it is too much, myself. So, are your auditory senses your only enhancement, or is it all of them? I got the full package, but my eyes are the star of the show.”

“All of my senses are a bit enhanced, but my hearing is the strongest, whispers are the same as regular speech, and I can hear dog whistles, but I’m not like listening to quiet conversations a block away or anything.”

“Oh, thank God. You’re not stuck with hearing what’s happening miles away crap. I knew a kid who got that. They installed what amounted to anti-hearing aids straight into his head.” She shook hers. “Your headset, Beats by Dre?”

“Um, yeah. One of the porch pirates gave them to me for Christmas last year, they have noise canceling. Not that it helps much in a firefight.” She pulled the lime green headset off. “It’s weird being somewhere so quiet. Like a headache I didn’t know I had going away.”

“I know. Me and Levi did the same to our bedroom here. I also wear a mask when I sleep, in case I randomly decide to peek through my eyelids.” she chuckled. “We’ll get you some Raycon’s too.” She showed her own ears. “Almost as good as the beats, but a bit lower profile so people don’t wonder why you’re rude about headphones when they talk to you. Also, I just think they’re a bit better sounding, by just a touch, but that’s a personal opinion.”

“That makes sense, not that I really got out much. Uncle kept me busy. If I wasn’t doing cars, it was air conditioners or e-learning.”

“Let me guess, you absorb YouTube tutorials like a sponge.” She chuckled. “Anzy does that when she’s bored. One of her is frequently bored.”

“I also read manuals. Uncle would usually dose me on Mondays so I could absorb more material quickly.” The girl looked around as she spoke. The furniture here all looked nice and expensive, so she dropped down and sat on the floor.

Erica sat on the floor next to her. “You know we are going to have to make sure you aren’t going to tweak out on us. We cannot have you fighting with Kar1n over catalytic converters.” She joked.

“Eh, not an issue at all, blacking out isn’t fun. I don’t really crave it, not like the others at the flop house. Near as I can tell it doesn’t work the same on me. It makes me brainier, and enhances my senses, or at least that’s what uncle says.”

“Weird, but not unheard of. Likely a physical complication more than a magic feather issue. “

“Magic feather? What’s that?” She was relaxing a bit. The older girl understood her, since she was also enhanced sensory.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

“Ever see Dumbo? Some folks have psychological blocks regarding their powers. They come up with a thing or action needed to use their powers, like Dumbo’s feather for flying. “

“Never seen it, but that makes sense. So, what am I supposed to do? I’m not sure why you’ve brought me here.”

“You know, in your case I think we’re all going to be figuring that out.” Erica admitted. “But working at the shop is on the table, if you worked in a chop shop you at least have the basic skills. If you’re big brain, you fit in well around here. Penny, Badger, and to a lesser extent Levi all have that going on, so you’ll fit in. Anzy isn’t a brain, but she collects skill sets like most people do baseball cards, so she can kind of be relatable to. I know what the sensory thing can be like. Right now, just catch your breath. The Boss ain’t going to let you fall out into the cold or anything.”

Talia nodded, her fingers twisting the edge of her T-shirt. “I’ll be happy to help at the shop. I am used to working. It feels wrong to not be doing something.”

“Hey, it’s fun. We mostly work on our own projects, either whatever weird crap Badger has going on, or some wrecks from Copart’s we are rebuilding to sell most likely. Imagine a chop shop that reassembles the cars and has actual licenses.”

“You all seem happy here.” Talia said. “But isn’t your boss likely to be irritated that you brought me here? I mean, they obviously have money.”

“Oh yeah, she’s rich.” Erica nodded. “And she’s the one Kreigsmarine contacted about dropping you off, so you’re not going to be a major surprise to her. She’s not going to be upset. Worst case, she’d talk to the academy about finding you a place there, which wouldn’t exactly be a bad thing either, but I don’t see her doing it.”

“That’s good. Most people don’t handle surprise guests well. Do you think your friends will get my stuff? It would be good to get a shower and change. I feel like I’m getting everything around me dirty.”

“Nice thing about hardwood floors, and the theater seats end up with a bunch of mechanics crashing on them watching the Fast and the Furious after work all the time, so they wipe clean nicely.” She assured her. “But they’ll get your stuff, or we’ll find something around here. Although we might be able to get you something more comfortable now.”

She helped the other girl up, and they put their ear protection back before heading upstairs, finding Cassidy and Carl talking to Anzy.

“Oh, there you are! I made you something to eat!” the chef said, urging the girl into a chair and slipping a nice soup and sandwich in front of her, both hot. “Tomato bisque, and an Italian Beef with some au jut. That’ll put some warmth in your bones, on a chilly night.”

“She threw that together in the time I’ve sat here. Speaking as a speedster, I have no idea how she did it.”

Carl nodded, eating his own sandwich. He did not care how it was done. “She should meet Lisa.” he murmured.

“I should meet Lisa.” Cassidy joked.

Talia looked at the food. It was like something from a magazine. She took the sandwich double checking with a glance that it was okay and took a bite. the flavors danced over her tongue, like nothing she’d ever eaten before. She closed her eyes and just sank into it. Eating with an almost mechanical dedication. Chewing and savoring every bite before turning to the two bowls. She drank the brown broth in the small bowl, which was beefy and oniony, then used the spoon in the red tomato soup which was clean and weirdly a bit smokey and cheesy. She didn’t speak or make a noise till all the food was gone.

She blushed, looking up at the others, who had watched her devour the meal. “Thank you, that was really good.”

“You’re more than welcome.” Anzy said. “We’ll get you a few favorites other than French fries by the time I’m done.” She winked. “Though I like a good fry myself, I admit.”

“Hey, Cassidy. This is going to sound weird, but do you have a pajama pattern in your magic sewing box thing?” Erica asked.

“Yeah, I have a couple, though I don’t do a lot of nightwear. Need me to pop something out?”

“Yeah, she got dropped off here without anything, and I don’t know how long it’ll take Thud and Mystic to finish their conversation with her uncle.”

Cassidy and Carl could hear the air quotes around the word ‘conversation’. “Right, she looked at Talia who blushed. I’ll go run a few things off for her, why don’t you take her to get cleaned up? I’ll have a nightshirt done before she’s out.”

“No problem. Come on, let’s get you some towels and you can get a shower.”

The grandmother approached Erica soon after the skinny young woman had closed the bathroom door. “How does she seem?”

“Stressed, worried, not sure what’s going on. You know, normal for around here.” Erica chuckled.

“The first two issues will be quickly fixed, the third…eh she’s used to not knowing what’s going on. I ordered some Amazon for her; Talia is not going to enjoy shopping at stores the way others do. To loud.” She’d also been thinking in terms of if the girl got sick from detoxing, but didn’t say it.

“Yeah, though the boss will still take her for some fancy, but those weird personal shopper rooms are kind of soothing.” She chuckled. “Still, I can order her the stuff I use for sensory issues. That’ll help. Though I’m not sure what to think about her principal power needing amphetamines. I’m sure there’s a reason that could happen, but if she’s really processing it differently than normal humans that raises other issues about her metabolism.”

“She will need a doctor. I will talk to Penny; she will know who to contact to get the girl a physical.”

“Yeah, she’s going to need someone conversant in Enhanced physiological weirdness. I’m betting she’s going to turn out to have an enhanced physical endurance of some flavor.”

Granny nodded. “It is common. And it only makes her skinnier, looks like Calvin Klein model. Fragile and unhealthy.”

“I think Amzy’s Slavic grandmother instincts kicked in early, she’s got that ‘I will feed her’ look going on.” Erica chuckled. “I’m just glad she’s not bigger than me. Yet. She’s like

fifteen.”

“She will grow a bit with food but stay shorter and slighter. Thank goodness she has a sensible nickname, would not want to yell Metallica every time I wanted her, it would confuse Alexa, and the music would then confuse Elizabeth.”

“Yeah, we’d be having metal playing all the time, rather we wanted it or not. I wonder what music she actually likes. Oh, and the other nickname she has is Tweety.”

“Tweety? That is cute. Not sure it’s a good cape name but it is cute, she is a little bird.”

Cassidy came over with some soft blue clothing. “I kept it simple. Blue night shirt and matching underthings. I am printing her a pair of jeans and a top for tomorrow. The coat will be done by then too.”

“That’s good. I’m not sure what condition what she owns is in, but based on what she had on her, I’m guessing a lot of stuff that Solaris will consider... gardening clothes, is that how she put it? Could you maybe add an insulated shop coverall to that?”

“I'm guessing whatever clothing that kid has will need incinerated.” Cassidy said firmly. “Yeah, I can get some overalls done. I will make it soft armor, like the jacket. Considering everything, she might need some defense against this uncle and his goons.”

“You’re taking her over to the garage tomorrow?” Carl asked

“It’s her native environment. Figure she’d calm more long term once she got to working with the garage team.”

“Yes, keep her busy. Make sure she is good, not craving poison.” Granny said approvingly. Put her in the small room downstairs. Granny will keep her close while we decide where to put her room.

“That works and ironically is also what she’s probably familiar with. I wonder if that German freak even knew how young she was, or if it was just that old world “Slap a woman? Astounding!” reaction.”

“Don’t know, he probably didn’t like seeing a girl hit, especially if she was telling the others they were being stupid.” Granny said. “Erica take Talia’s things in. She won’t want to wear dirty clothes on clean skin.”

“Will do.”