"I, uh, guess that explains this mess. So," Ret-Borg nodded at Psyis who had glossed over Izime's introductions. It was pretty clear that the man's nonchalant attitude had rubbed Dark Night the wrong way. The cyborg asking Izime a question while he kept watching Psyis curious as to who'd answer, "Do I contact everyone now or?"
Unsure of how to respond Psyis glanced down at Izime. Though it did make her feel a bit uncomfortable to do so. Ret easily able to tell just how much control Izime had over the situation as he answered for his supposed wardens.
"You can. I'm just waiting for some food, that I.V. drip was worse than a caloric-cube." Izime nodded at Ret surprised that the two heroes were even bothering to ask. Izime figuring that Ret-Borg would have contacted someone as soon as they'd left him in the stasis chamber. Though it appeared that Ret had a bit more patience or understanding than that.
"And some clothes?" Psyis asked, glancing at the portion of Izime that was still under the sterile hospital white blankets.
"Yea I'd rather not go into League lock-up wearing this." Izime chuckled a bit as he responded. Glancing up at the thessian as another thought crossed his mind, asking her quickly. "Is there some tech scrap laying around?"
"Cradle needs to eat to; it doesn't need to be nice or high-tech it can be civilian." Izime asked Psyis before turning towards Ret-Borg who'd probably have a better idea of what the station had in excess. "Even basic RAM is fine."
"I can go down and get something?" Psyis offered, it wouldn't be any trouble to fly down to snag something from a computer shop once the station was passing over the sun-side of earth. The station circling quickly in orbit she'd just need to wait until they were over a continent where the stores were open.
"I'd appreciate it, or Cradle would." Izime nodded offering his thanks on Cradles behalf. Reaching out and brushing at the bird that'd just brought him back to life.
"I'll head out here in a little bit OK Cradle?" Psyis leaned down a bit, glancing at the raven who was probably as hungry as its owner. The thessian offering a few words to tide the creature over until she could go and get it some food as well. Red eyes watching as Izime's pale hand ran through the black alloy.
Ret-Borg stood still, waiting for the two to remember they weren't alone. The cyborg making several conclusions about the two and confirming his suspicions from earlier. The thessian in front of him seemed to be taken in with this Izime. Enough so that she'd attacked Ret relying on Izime to call out the shots. Not just in attacking the station seeing how quickly the alien had neutralized the cyborgs weapons.
Ret not quite sure how he felt about his fellow league member trusting someone outside their group enough to leave that kind of decision in their hands.
Even less sure how he felt about Izime being right.
Each attack from the thessian had simply clipped a connection or unlatched a hose de-powering each weapon painlessly.
"Ret how long will it take for Radiation Man to get here?" Psyis pulled her eyes away as she felt Ret-Borg's discomfort building.
"He's on his way so ten minutes maybe less, depends on how Leona and the kids are doing. If theres a fire or a plane falling, well you know how Radiation Man gets." Ret-Borg responded, crossing his arms as he had an unspoken conversation with the thessian where Izime couldn't hear. Only giving a simple answer instead, "He's on his way."
"Dark Night?" Psyis asked unbothered by Ret's prying mind. Confident once again in her own choices, Psyis stood beside Izime refusing to leave friends side just because another League member felt uncomfortable.
"A little longer," Ret shrugged giving a not really committing to a response in the real question. He hadn't contacted the man, but Stan had certainly noticed when the call went out for James, so he'd left regardless. The cyborg gave the thessian her odds straight up as a fifty-fifty of fate, "it takes a bit for the Dark-Jet to make it up here but he's also not as prone to pit-stops."
"OK I'm going to stick around for a bit until I know who's showing first." Psyis decided after hearing Ret's thoughts. Not wanting to run the risk of Dark Night trying to undo all the work they'd done.
Not that doing anything drastic would go over well for Stan. Izime was behaving perfectly fine even if he was still treating the League a bit too casually considering his position.
"Got some pork rinds, cookies, and a couple biscuits!" Constantinople called out as he walked back into the room, jerking a thumb over his shoulder as soon as he saw the two red eyes locking onto him.
The exorcist not wanting to be caught slacking by the thessian he quickly offered an excuse for the lack of proper food. "The kitchens closed by the way."
"Clothes Constantinople?" Izime asked the exorcist, mind more focused on dressing properly after the purple woman had reminded him of his nearly bare butt under the covers.
"Right, here's a bit of something before lock up," The exorcist nodded at this friend while giving Ret a bit of side-eye.
The exorcist wondering just why he was being used as the gopher when there was a perfectly good Ret-Borg standing there doing nothing. Constantinople having asked once already for Ret to go and get Izime some clothes.
Constantinople not bothering to complain, instead just lodging a mental ticket with the psychic as he left with a nod, "I'll be back with the jumper."
Psyis watched as Izime quickly opened a few of the bags of snacks, stuffing his face. Chewing through the bits of cookies and chips that his friend had brought. Reaching out and taking a sip of the drink as well Izime looked around the room.
Teal eyes landing on Ret, the cyborg and Savior Orbital watchman a bit unsure of what to do with the man. The cyborg's two charges both seemed to be pleasantly enjoying their stay at the moment.
Ret watching as another handful of chips were stuffed down and washed away with the exorcists prized liquor.
"Do we not have rations?" Psyis huffed in disappointment as she turned towards the cyborg asking about some proper food for Izime.
"I think he's fine Psyis." Ret-Borg sarcastically gestured towards Izime on the bed not quite willing to run around the station like Constantinople. The cyborg feeling a bit peeved at how the prisoner was being treated. "Look at him chips and bourbon?"
"Yea let's just pack the malnutrition'ed man full of junk food and alcohol." Psyis tried to put things into perspective for the mechanized man. The thessian hoping the hands that she'd put on her hips didn't come across as bossy and more as reprimanding.
"I am right here." Izime glanced up at the two heroes that were casting sparks in the air as they fumed over his treatment. The A.I. quickly grasping both sides of how the two seemed to feel and not caring a single bit. Deciding instead to try and speak up, and over the food in his mouth.
One Izime quickly closed as Psyis turned on him now instead.
"I know and you're not complaining I-" Psyis started in on Izime until she realized how familiar her tone had gotten. Close as well, Psyis only realizing she'd acted out of character after seeing the surprise on Izime's face. Pulling away from him now, sitting the bag of chips she'd just snatched from his hands back down.
Magenta hinting her cheeks a bit as she turned away far more comfortable in chastising Ret-Borg, "Go find some real food please, not just get distracted by the vending machines outside of the cafeteria. I don't care if it's something from the emergency rations in the vehicles."
Ret-Borg nodded no longer arguing as he considered what Constantinople had just fed the man.
Though that was Constantinople's usual attitude with his injured comrades. The man had probably just wanted to give his friend a bunch of junk food as a get-well gift.
The cyborg certainly not considering the way Psyis was acting as he left the hospital room.
Ret took a different path instead just deciding to pull some rations from one of the vehicles in the bay.
Dark Night could bill Miss Psyis later for using their personal supplies on a prisoner; that'd teach her to order him around.
Back in the sterile room Psyis stood quietly, slightly gobsmacked at just how she'd been acting. Jumping Ret over the food Constantinople had gotten and acting so defensively over Izime.
She wasn't oblivious, Psyis knew where that attitude had come from.
The place that anger had leapt from wasn't bad per-say, just very complicated. Well intended at first that little snap was the first sign that she needed to really start sorting her feelings on Izime. The thessian moving well past her cape, starting to feel personally protective of Izime.
She didn't need to ask why as the way was sitting in the bed quietly munching away with his pet bird.
Cradle hopped a bit closer to the thessian watching as she directed the others to ensure that its bond was cared for properly. She was right the chips Izime was eating along with the oddly enchanted grain liquor weren't optimal for his recovery. The magic seemed to be aiding in restoring some of its bond's vitality, but food was best.
The crowess still refusing to provide anything on her own though so Cradle hopped over, making sure to carefully fan her scent away from Izime. Quickly hopping back as she reached down to pet its head nearly tainting it directly as Cradle narrowly avoided the attack. Not wanting to be touched by such a fickle female Cradle turned and returned to Izime's side, hopping just a few inches away
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
"She'll get you food here in a minute Cradle." Izime brushed at Cradles breast nudging the raven, watching as the larger flat black feathers split to reveal the nanite down underneath.
Glad to once again have the true sense of touch and sight Izime enjoyed the moment as Cradle threaded its beak between his fingers, eyes closing gently and croaking softly. A bit curious as to why the bird was being so overly affectionate but happy to supply the attention. Cradle so content in its nuzzling it wasn't aware of the purple and blue hand that was delicately stroking its back.
"How are you feeling now," Psyis asked, one finger poking beneath the black metal feathers as she asked Izime.
Red eyes glancing about the bird and bed but not the owner of the other hand that was petting the bird, the beds occupant. "Better than last night?"
"I've had a remarkable recovery." Izime kept brushing at Cradles cheeks, the bird fluffing itself occasionally. Avoiding the occasional affectionate peck as well as the thessians question, "Rumors of my death will sadly always be greatly exaggerated, though this was a closer call than normal."
"It's a normal thing for you?" Psyis decided to not touch on Izime's casual response. That wasn't her place to speak on. The Thessian instead speaking up on something that she did want to speak about. Psyis trying to approach opening up the topic of her and those complicated feelings about Izime like an adult, "It wasn't for me, it was surprisingly scary watching you almost die."
"Maybe my fourth time will be the charm huh?" Izime chuckled trying to wash away the invitation for a more complicated conversation with his gallows humor and the offer of a favor. The transactional A.I. trying to cut a deal with the psychic isnted, "Once I'm back in business, I'll owe you one."
"I didn't do all of this so you'd owe me Izime and we don't even know if you'll go back yet." Psyis pulled her hand back. A bit confused at Izime repeated dodged her attempts at initiating a more personal discussion.
Every single time she tried to open that book Izime slammed it back shut.
"Izime about last night," Blue cheeks puffing with purple, Psyis decided to dive in directly. Building all her courage to the point it'd dyed her skin. "If you wanted, we could go to the mo-"
Only to be stopped at the edge of no return; red eyes looking up as the door to the medical bay was pushed open.
"Not interrupting, am I?" The slightly shorter Constantinople looking between the two not bothering to stop at the door, well aware he was.
The exorcist intent on interrupting Izime before he'd swindled Psyis into the same kind of deal that only had Izime visiting him once every two years. Constantinople intending to keep doing so as well, until the chaotic hearted thessian decided to stick to one side of the fence.
"No, we-thanks for the jumper, Constantinople." Psyis felt the words die in her throat as the exorcist chastised her in his mind. Not arguing as this was the second time it'd been pointed out in less than ten mintures.
Instead of continuing she just nodded towards the prison outfit in the exorcist's hands letting Constantinople take the lead.
"Orange Classique" Constantinople let the jumpsuit unfurl, the legs smacking the white floor while the zipper jingled.
The exorcist looking between the two who'd been fondling the raven as he joked, "I think that's what they call this color in France while I was in it; only the best for you Izzy. Now finish eating so we can get you down to holding, we don't want anyone thinking you're gonna pull a runner."
Izime nodded pushing the hospital table away and stood to reach for the orange jumpsuit.
Izime immediately regretting his decision as it'd given Psyis a full view of the diaper he was wearing. An unfortunate side-effect of being in a medically induced coma on life-support, at least someone had changed it recently.
Izime quickly grew even more mortified as he imagined thanking Ret; reaching behind him Izime quickly ushered Psyis out of the room.
Constantinople finding himself shoved into the hall shortly after.
Constantinople looking over at the magenta that tinted the purple and blue cheeks, Psyis' pattern swapping about a bit quicker than normal. A smile forming even as complicated as he felt watching the two get along. The exorcist posing a quick question towards the Thessian that smile not quite leaving despite his tone.
"Just friends, right?" Constantinople walked backwards until he was leaning against the wall in the hallway blue eyes never leaving red. The question ending more as an accusation that a honest inquiry. "Nothing we need to talk about?"
"No..I mean yea were just friends I-I," Psyis stumbled as she tried to honestly answer Constantinople's worries. The thessian failing as even she realized how flimzy her denial sounded.
Red eyes glancing back towards the room where Izime was changing as Psyis finally found an honest answer, "I don't know Constantinople, Izime makes it..."
"Complicated I know." The exorcist nodded already well aware of just how influential Izime could feel in a life from personal experience. The salesman had easily lessened Constantinople's own workload with just a simple idea.
Let alone what Psyis must feel, between the two's obvious chemistry and the way she'd literally dived into who Izime was. The woman not usually so easily read, but there were now very obvious signs. She'd been hooked by something she'd found or felt during those few days.
The exorcist already well aware of just how badly the road those hot feeling lead down could hurt. Constantinople having taken that drive many times. More than a few of those exes would sooner see him burning in hell than even speak to him again. The con-magician not wanting that outcome or anything similar to happen to his two friends.
"Especially seeing as you still have a thing with Steven, and you were just making eyes at my toaster." Constantinople voiced his own opinions on the issue.
Trying to sternly police the emotions that seemed to fly between the two, "He just got out of a coma and doesn't need you dumping that in his lap, and he's certainly not going to be your bloody rebound for a Blane."
"No, I don't Constantinople that ended months a-" Psyis started to refute until her own voice came hauntingly from Constantinople's mind.
His memory playing clearly the rejection from just a few days prior where she'd used the same excuse to refuse him. The words that hadn't left her mouth tasting like an even worse reason to backpedal on that choice now.
The thessian furrowing her own brows as the exorcist staked his own claim.
Psyis even finding the guts to defend herself as she tried to keep some semblance of a chance on the table, "Toaster? Yours specifically now I guess seeing as you know how I feel. Izime wouldn't be a rebound from Steven Constantinople, I can be genuinely interested."
"Just a few days ago you were too tied up to move on," Constantinople nodded not caring how Psyis felt about him stepping between the two.
The exorcist hoping he could at least keep things in some kind of perspective that wasn't entirely rose tinted. "So, yea, my bloody toaster."
"Don't get upset with me for saying no now when you said it first," With a bit more bluntness than he'd intended the con-magician sat Psyis back on her heels.
Shaking his head the exorcist gestured back towards the closed door where his friend was changin hoping she'd be understanding, "I introduced you two with the intention of putting that stupid idea in your heads."
"All kinds of eggs came tumbling out of the cart Dark Night tipped, so yea that's my bloody toaster until otherwise stated because this isn't over." Jim casually laying out all the things that made the situation complicated beyond just the chemistry between the two.
"I invited him to drinks, I'm the one who gave both of you that push," Constantinople explaining just why he felt so comfortable taking up that position, "What's worse is at the end I left thinking Dark would just forget about it. I already feel some kind of responsible about anything that happens now, let alone between you two specifically."
"Lass listen, I just want to know you're both thinking clearly and you genuinely care." Constantinople took a step back verbally not wanting Psyis to completely back-off Izime.
"I knew my mate was interesting, but he deserves more than passing interest," Jim hoping that the thessian would understand what he meant with his next words, "Steven was interesting: an interesting choice for sure. Izime's not just a choice you get to make, you two deserve lot more just than interesting."
"I just wanted t-" Psyis nodded enthusiastically trying to explain. She felt the emotions that were wrapped up in the exorcist's words as an appetizer.
What he saw of them, those emotions that feeling of care being what she'd been trying to find.
That's what she'd wanted to, what she'd left Kansas for, what she couldn't grow within Steven.
The exorcist only confirming to the lone thessian that behind the door was a man who had a depth that could forge her bond.
Taking a steadying breath Psyis slowed her nod as she saw Jim's shit eating smile.
Knowing his words and her reaction were all the evidence needed to prove she needed to slow down. Stepping back for just a moment was the healthier and correct choice. It was less selfish, and she could feel inside that Constantinople was right.
It would be better for Izime, that time and space shared with her just being in.
Psyis confident that it was enough to open the door to the conversations he'd shut down.
She could wait, even if it was still emotionally driven. Then she could try and open up both herself and Izime to this new possibility. The chance she'd been looking for, that something different would be worth the wait.
"Let's take a breather OK, I'm not even the one who can really say no but I'm sure Izime needs one; he's going to take one regardless. Besides everything you think you feel, consider the whiplash he's feeling." Jim smiled giving Psyis a comforting rub on her arm.
The thessian looking a bit like an alien who'd had their candy stolen.
The exorcist taking that calm moment to point out the more personal problem's the two would face immediately. Quickly adding an addendum. "Factor in you're wanting to snog a prisoner"
Though it wouldn't be the first time a hero had been caught inter-mingling it was usually frowned upon.
Frowning would be the least of it though, if it was Dark Squire who heard about it.
The already volatile sidekick would certainly blow a fuse or a flip a whole breaker if he got wind of Psyis new interest.
"I don't want to snog Izime." Psyis refuted immediately. Though she did quickly look away as the image played through Constantinople's mind.
Already feeling her cheeks tint a bit at the exorcist's vivid imagination.
"Hey, Izzy obviously doesn't hate you which is surprising, and he's perfectly snoggable. I still think you'd do well which is why I'm not letting you two ruin this, just putting the brakes on for you both." Constantinople didn't bother pointing out how weak that refusal sounded.
Just stating that Izime was so far as receptive towards her advances.
Hoping that was all the push she'd need to hold the course.
The two could then keep trying to progress down that route. "That in there is a solid start considering everything that's happened, once he's out of the Leagues hands maybe then we step back in? I want to get him off the streets, we can do tha-"
"Not interrupting something am I?" Ret-Borg asked as he rounded the corner, a few sealed packages in his arms. The tan utilitarian plastic making it obvious he'd found the M.R.E's.
"Yeah Ret, ya bloody are but too late ah?" Jim didn't bother with lying to the walking spy satellite. The exorcist hoping that Miss Psyis' fellow League member would at least allow things to play out naturally, "Do us a favor and keep anything those sensors of yours picked up to yourself."
"Give me a thousand pounds and I'll make sure Dark Squire never sees the footage of whatever I just missed in that room." Ret raised a brow, wrapping the orange jumpsuit around the meals he raised and arm.
A small panel flicking open displaying what the cyborg had missed, Ret's chromed brows raising in mock surprise. "Oh he would not like that."
"Don't bloody push it mate." Constantinople cursed even as he reached into his pocket hoping he still had some money left over.
"Ret please." Psyis just looked at the half-man hoping he'd at least be more human than to blackmail her over this, let alone to put Izime in Dark Squire's path.
"Here, like I needed the video footage to know or even this chat in the hallway." Ret shoved the handful of preserved meals still sealed in their plastic wrapping at the exorcist as he complained about Psyis' attack. "You cheap shot me over the man's pet bird."
"I said I'd get you a buffer." Psyis tried to remind Ret of the reparations she'd offered before reiterating to the two she shared the hallway with, "and it's not like that we're just friends."
The silence in the hallway dragging on for a moment.
Both the other heroes giving her a look so grating that Psyis spoke back up doubling down, "We're just friends I'm not attracted to Izime at all, what-so-ever got it."
"Mmm well Radiation Man's going to want a full explanation," Ret-Borg didn't bother with adding in his own two cents as it wasn't him, she'd need to convince. "See if you can get him to believe that."
"He's here?" Asked Psyis, taking in a nervous breath as she looked down the hall towards the docking bay where Radiation Man would have landed. The psychic briefly wondering where the Zexxian had gone instead of Izime's room before deciding she'd find James later to talk.
"In the viewing bay." Ret shook his head jerking his thumb over his shoulder not bothering to look down the hall as his handed down Radiation Man's orders, "Waiting on both of you and our newest prisoner now that he's awake."
Ret tilting his head a bit, looking pointedly between the exorcist and the door to Izime's room. Hoping he made it clear that the exorcist should go check on his friend as the two actual League members needed to have a chat.
"I'll see if he's dressed then." Constantinople nodded at Psyis and Ret, the cyborg seemed to want a moment to talk to the psychic alone. The exorcist giving a heavy sigh already dreading dealing with the boy-scout hero as he headed into the room where Izime was waiting, "Izzy?"
Ret-Borg and Psyis stood waiting until Jim had walked away the door shutting.
"I won't say anything." Ret-Borg tried to start the talk Psyis needed to have. The cyborg not surprised by the childish refusal that came from her.
James was essentially like Psyis' family so she would think he was the better option to talk to. Ret stepping in now because he didn't think that the Kansas man would but a firm foot down. The cyborg wanting to quickly disarm the possible problem that the two could turn into.
Despite his joking nature Ret had zero interest in having a drama bomb of that magnitude released. Dark Squire and Miss Psyis' issues aside, it was a conflict of interest as a member of the League. The thessian already compromising herself just in joining in the assault on the station.
She didn't need to put 'emotionally' right beside it by trying to jump into a relationship with their current prisoner.
"So, time to go see Ja-" The thessian quickly tried to change the subject. Psyis honestly thinking that it'd be easier to hear this from Radiation Man. It'd certainly be easier to explain at least. James always seemed more open to hearing the human side of the issues she had with dawning her cape.
Psyis not surprised to find Ret-Borg not having any of it in comparison. The cyborgs metal arm reaching out to stop her even though she'd yet to move. Psyis quietly wondering just how many other heroes would be pulling her off to the side like this. Thankfully none of them had tried doing anything really dumb.
She might actually feel irritated if they started talking about Izime like a criminal or trying to push her back to Steven.
At the moment their worry was understandable enough, both Constantinople's and Ret's so far. Just as long as the cyborg kept his issue with her possible attraction towards Izime on a professional level.
Psyis not wanting to catch grief for a crush she wasn't even sure she was having yet. Maybe she just cared a whole lot as a friend, or it was just a bit of odd tension and not actual chemistry.
"You do though unless you want both Dark Squire and Dark Night going against you in the League." Ret cut Psyis off, not wanting any part of the potential drama that her choice could kick off.
Firmly putting a metal foot down on the situation, hoping she'd at least listen to him as a neutral party, "Do this right Psyis, I don't want to see you kicked for having an obvious conflict of interest."
Ret giving a nod of appreciation at the friendly and understanding smile Psyis offered him. The metal man glad that the thessian was willing to try and follow the barest guidelines for starting this kind of relationship.
The cyborg deciding quickly that he'd not feel one way or the other about whatever became of Steven and Psyis or this new potential match with Izime.
Though the sounds of panic and the way the door to Izime's room came bursting open told Ret that this wouldn't be the last time this particular prisoner caused him problems.
"Izzy? This isn't funny mate we had a deal!" Constantinople came bursting out of the apparently empty medical room. Eyes wide as he turned towards Psyis, yelling out in explanation. "He's GONE!"