Chapter 2: Ludi
Tori
Tori was late, upset, and hungry as she walked downtown for the most important meeting of her life. The hospital refused to let her leave until a head doctor signed off on her release. No matter how much she insisted the stab wound had already nearly healed.
Yes, her ribs had literally been exposed to the coastal air last night by a ghostly samurai. But John had taken most of the blow trying to save her anyways. Even though it had kind of been a waste considering her Pheonix spirit was already giving her a pretty strong healing factor despite its young age.
Annoyed with the red tape and late for an important meeting with the Table. She marched out onto the streets of Saint Narie. After pulling on the spare clothes, she had Mouse grab her from home last night. And realized immediately her car was still in the possession of the cities Suits.
Fortunately, the Easy Clean Laundromat wasn't a terribly far walk from where she was.
Unfortunately, the wall of winter coats in front of her was moving forward at a pace just far enough below her usual walking speed that she was starting to fantasize about burning the whole crowd.
Forcing down a frustrated scream. She simply sighed and pulled out her phone to check her texts. Right as a man practically walked into her from her right
Tori, with plenty of time to analyze the situation. Thanks to the boosts she received from her Pheonix spirit companion. She took in his filthy and torn clothes. Unnaturally skinny frame. And the vacant look in his eyes. Like he was daydreaming in the middle of the city.
With all of that noted. She immediately filed him away as another drug addicted bum. And sharply slammed her elbow into his face. He stumbled back a few steps holding his nose.
Annoyed by the interruption while she was already late. She quickly wiped the blood from her elbow and tried to refocus. She lifted her phone back up to try and check for messages again.
A small black flip phone she received from Elysium as part of the lieutenant bracket of benefits. Not that John even knew he bought her the phone with how often he was out of Saint Narie these days. Tori thought. Rolling her eyes at her bosses' recent decisions.
Her screen showed one unopened message.
Fuck. she cussed angrily.
A message from Mouse 2 minutes ago. “Where are you?”
Tori forced down another scream. Considering her burn everything and run plan for another second before wrestling herself back into being ok with the slow pace.
Only a million miles to go. This is fine she thought reassuringly to herself, her right eyelid definitely not twitching.
Breathing deeply to calm herself. She typed back frantically. “About 20 minutes out, had to walk, suits took my car from the scene last night.”
Mouse responded instantly. “Fuck them. Didn't even think about that.” then a few seconds later “I’ll tell the table.”
Hopefully they didn’t push her. Things had been getting bad before last night. But now that John wasn't around to keep them in line. The table might drop all of Saint Narie into war over their old grievances. Just another reason to be there now. A voice inside herself justified. None of these unbonded jack offs are as important as you. Use your powers. You know you want to.
She forced it down. It was just the remains of her old addiction to Stardust. Urging her to flex her superiority in a bid to lower her energy reserves. That way it could tempt her into refilling them, better than ever with a quick fix. A powerful-
She ground her teeth and stopped that train of thought in its tracks. She hadn’t relapsed in three years. Not since John pulled her out of Marissa’s crew. She couldn’t let him down now. Not when he’d left her in charge of Elysium's territory while he was in the custody of the suits heading west.
Her phone buzzed again. She nervously lifted her phone.
“They’re arguing over the Port play coming up soon, you have time”
She chewed on her lip nervously, little flames flickering in the air around her as she stressed. Elysium had once controlled all of Saint Narie. Every group clearing plays with John before making any moves.
But John had lost that position after the Golden Waves incident. Tori had asked him about it, but he had just shrugged. Refusing to explain himself to his inner circle in Elysium. She still thought Davey left more because of that betrayal than John's actual actions that night.
Not that she could blame him. She had unapologetically stayed with John.
Mouse of course had too. But Mouse would have volunteered to drive west for an apparent prisoner meeting request, in a government van surrounded by kingsguards, to speak with an old friend on the promise the government would bring him back right after. If John for some inane reason decided, he wanted to do such a stupid fucking th-
Tori rubbed her eyes and sighed.
She still didn’t understand why he’d done that. Much less. So immediately. Leaving the scene of her assault, which he’d broken his own house arrest to prevent in the first place. Just last night.
But the protocol these days for when he was out of Saint Narie, was well established. And it was starting to wear down his authority.
Elysium had already fallen a long way from the unifying golden order of Saint Narie’s under belly. But after John's disgrace, and his now growing urge to leave the city for weeks on end. Only to suddenly return unannounced and grab the reins back. Always seemingly without any intention to explain.
Tori was worried he was starting to test the Table's patience.
Tori could feel the tension growing, most of the Table was an ex-Elysium member. Most with a grudge of some variety against the man. She forced down a sigh as she thought of Davey and his conspiracy like obsession with John and the whole Table being some sort of government plant.
Some of the grudges made sense in their own sort of way. Marissa had personally been raising and training Tori before John stepped in to take over. They were all under Elysium back then. But Marissa had always been independent.
Plus. The victims of the Golden Waves incident had been her men.
Gerard and Ryan never even flinched when the original turf was broken up. Their land was so important to the city's ongoing market that no one even made a bid. Which was probably why Davey had shacked up with Gerard as soon as John refused to explain himself. He couldn’t stay with Ryan after kidnapping him to try and make John break his word about non-violence.
Tori still thought Davey was actually just crazy and hiding it very well. If Tori had any authority back when John made Nilaa leave. She would have tried to push Davey into going with her. But he was the only member of the Table other than mouse she could really trust if things went south for her. No matter how much it annoyed her. They'd grown up training together after all.
None of that was that bad all things considered She could handle snarky comments during meetings. No, the most annoying drama she had to deal with while filling in for John was easily the Suits. John hated when everyone called the “cops” that. But after years of John offering to work with them and selflessly helping them solve crimes. They still didn't hesitate to start trying to tail and arrest him the second he showed weakness. The definition of lifting a knife behind his back.
Pushing down her annoyance at the city's police force she thought about her approach to this meeting. They probably didn't want her and mouse on the Port Play due to their comparative weakness, so she needed to try and work that in last. Not give them enough time to force her out.
In truth, if all of the different offshoots of Elysium that were struggling over the city tried at once. Elysium would fall that night. Before that wouldn't even have been an idea in Tori's head. But before she would have flown, gloriously flaming through the air, to her meetings around town. Suits be damned.
Things were better now that she wasn’t just breaking everything in her life. John had helped her build the foundations back up. She owed him her support for all of it. She just wished he was around enough these days for her to give it to him. It was like he was asking the city to kick him out.
Tori sighed again. Moving back to her mental breakdown of the city's relationships. Liam up north didn't have any interest in anything that wasn't his family's brewing business or smuggling racket. An old group that had more of an alliance with Elysium than most of the other groups from day one.
For as much as Marissa pretended to care about the city's politics. Tori had always gotten the feeling she was only interested in running the town's second, smaller, port and trading with the Karline's for pieces of magic knowledge and artifacts. It obviously was a tactic that worked. She consistently made more crowns and had stronger units across the board. With twice the number of usable artifacts and grimoires to raise magicians. She was able to defend her smaller land better than any other individual group in Saint Narie.
Shawn hadn’t come to a single meeting since Elysium broke. He sent a representative every time, however. And seemed to still be upholding all the routes Davey used to run in the south. But he clearly wasn't interested in any of the new politics. A worrying mindset for a group bordering Elysium to maintain. Tori spent more money on monitoring the least active table member than any other by far.
His lack of reaction to Davey's betrayal. Shawn was his lieutenant before Davey’s incompetence kicked off The Golden Waves incident.
Tori felt her heartbeat rising. She was circling the topic in her mind. But Davey wasn’t really to blame for how bad everything had gotten. No one could have predicted that Davey was actually devoted enough to his conspiracy theories to kidnap the boss's son Ryan for answers. The first surprise came when John had doubled down. Continuing to hide where he had been going, but also upholding his role as the head of Saint Narie's table. Trying to mediate a non-violent solution no matter the circumstances. Even with his son involved. More patience than Tori ever thought John would be willing to show for Davey’s nonsense.
But all of that had been thrown out the window so fast.
Sighing, Tori pushed past her thoughts on John. She could talk to him all about it again when he got back.
If he ever gets back from his totally temporary trip to prison, she sassed to herself. Seriously, what kind of old friend is this important. And then with the slightest shiver of nervousness He didn't used to be this secretive.
She realized she was chewing on her thumbnail at this point and crossed her arms to stop herself from raising her fingers to her lips while she slowly walked forward.
Moving back to her mental preparation. She noted Ryan shockingly also seemed unphased by Davey's actions. As if he understood where he had been coming from. Entirely possible considering he was only a few years older than Tori and him. Being the adopted son of John must have exposed him point blank to some of John's more eccentric traits.
She could see it now. “No dinner till you explain the artistic significance of Mozart.” “Name three core issues with the Roman Empire that contributed to its decline before dessert.” “No sleep till you journal about how you could have improved your actions efficiency today by at least 30%”
And on and on and on.
The man was perpetually obsessed with bettering himself. It was terrifyingly admirable. He spoke, acted, and conveyed charisma to every person he had ever met. But being close to him could sometimes feel more like being fond of a textbook, or familiar with a T.V. show. Some specific barrier existed between John and the rest of them it seemed.
She was chewing her thumbnail again.
Annoyed, she recrossed her arms. Moving her thoughts to the goals of the last table member. Gerard was all at once the greatest threat, and closest ally of the modern Elysium. Running the largest port of Saint Narie. Just across the bay from West Point Alexander's port, where all the government and military vessels were constantly coming and going.
Gerard was more involved with the government and the city's formal politics than any of the others. Performing hours of paperwork every day to schedule and clear the boats of citizens, private companies, shipments. As well as reporting violating crafts to the Suits and defending the coasts from the few Apocalypse Beasts that drifted this far up the west coast. Gerard was one of the few almost legal members of the table. Emphasis on almost.
Most of his crowns came from blatantly stealing from the cargo of military and political vessels before they could enter the bay. As if he was some modern pirate version of Robin Hood who redistributed the wealth to his region. It was only a matter of time until the government got fed up and sent a Kings Guard. Or divine child forbid, one of the four pillars. To reinforce the sovereign power of the U.A.N.’s council.
But anytime she mentioned it he just laughed. Saying none of the suits here hated him enough to report it. The amount he stole was too small for the military bases it was meant for to be affected or care. And the whole U.A.N. was too cowardly to react. A victimless crime.
But Tori hated it all the same. Her guts could never settle quite right in the week before a Port Play by the table. Which of course was this week, with the shipment this Saturday apparently being unusually large. She of course was going join the raid, every play resulted in months' worth of profit in a single night. But she hated all the stress around it. It made her want the Council to just address it, declare war and give her an enemy to burn. None of this quiet political warfare. With taxes raised on the goods they were about to need, or certain routes being shifted in response to every slight and criminal action.
It was a battlefield made for people like John, Gerard, Marissa, and as much as she hated it, paranoid bastards like Davey. But she didn't feel comfortable on it. John assured her it was because she was new still. Only working as the fill in head for John for the past few years. Making the youngest Crown level member in the whole of Elysium's history three years ago. At the young age of 19. But she feared she would never be able to make plays like the others without help from some kind of mentor.
Just look at Gerard. He managed to break the law more consistently than anyone else and had a place at the next Suits volunteer barbeque. Probably at the table of honored citizens. Tori couldn't pull off something like that. When she’d tried, all she’d gotten for it was stabbed and John arre-
She took some deep breaths, trying with everything she had not to double over in the missile of the crowded street. Sweating horribly, she felt her stomach twist like a coiling serpent inside her. She could practically feel it trying to crawl up her throat.
John wasn’t arrested. She tried to calm herself down. It wasn't your fault, no one could have predicted it was Fairfield. Even John was wrong about the murders.
All true, but none of it helped her calm down. Only imagining Muse trying to hold things together without her got her walking smoothly again. Maybe she couldn't make herself strong for her own sake. But she would rather go toe to toe with a Kings Guard than abandon her closest friend.
Besides she continued now that she was calmer. Gerard is ridiculous. Unrealistic expectations did not help anybody.
That was one of John's quotes she realized. He was still giving her sound advice. Even when he was miles and miles away. She thought rolling her eyes
Truly Gerard didn't exist on a standard criminal's scale. Every other group was rightfully considered enemy number one by the suits. But Tori had seen and heard of Gerard at several chief's weddings. And it was obvious why. The man could simply become friends with anyone.
The suits could fuck right off if they decided to befriend me Tori thought. Proving again that Gerards skill set was not hers.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
After the Dark Age of the early two thousands. The United States emerged fractured, but still willing to fight. The first step of this was merging the Cia, Fbi, and local level of police into one organization focused on civilian protection. All under the name Federal Bureau of Central Intelligence for Civilian Defense. Or F.B.C.I.C.D.
Everyone just called them suits.
Except John, who was obsessed with accuracy. Meanwhile, The U.S. military was thankfully excepted from this far too long Acronym. Originally, and to this day, considering itself an independent force. While also Legalizing active soldiers' ability to hire themselves out to any group they desired while off duty. Meaning U.A.N. soldiers could be found fighting for or against crime depending on the wages between waves. Selling themselves to crime for pocket change if they were so inclined.
Hero for Hire, or H.O.H. (pronounced Hoe). Became a popular joke for annoyed citizens to refer to Blessed soldiers. Who everyday broke the law in their off time for higher wages. Only to swear to citizens' protection the next day on the coasts.
All of this to say. The Suits were as secretive as the F.B.I., as cocky as the C.I.A., and as inefficient as the local police. All at once.
Tori would rather burn anything in her way than call them for help. And as strong as John was, he shouldn't have ever needed them either. Yet he kindly included them on almost every investigation he started. Stunning Tori as he watched him lead them to every solution, snapping at him every step of the way.
Better to just ignore them, Tori thought. Not like they ever show up on the coasts.
Speaking of the coast. Tori checked her phone to see it was about 2:30 pm. She and about half the table needed to leave by Six pm for their shifts to the West. Meaning this meeting could only run for the next three to four hours. That sounded like a long time now. But once the members got going, the time would fly by.
She stood on her tiptoes to try and see the laundromat she knew to only be a block or so more away. But at 5’7’ she was unfortunately too short to see over the crowd before her. Setting herself back down more full of nervous energy than ever. She shoved her hands into her pockets to avoid chewing her nails more.
Finally, she thought as the front door of the Table's laundromat front appeared on her left. She pushed through the glass door, ringing a bell over her head. And walked quickly past the young teenager running the place. He was flipping through a magazine with both headphones in his ears.
She pushed through the flimsy wooden door at the back of the shop, ducked through a curtain to the right. And walked into the official meeting room of all of Saint Narie's criminal masterminds. At least the ones who controlled significant amounts of land.
Gerard spoke first, the tall blonde man shifting his massive tan muscled body to face her as she walked in. Wearing a kimono and khaki shorts held up by a thin black belt and large white slides on his feet. He appeared like he was lounging on a beach, not deep in enemy territory.
“The star of the show arrives!” he said in a friendly tone. “Do not worry, Chief Daniels has already assured me your car will be returned to you soon. And we were not waiting long regardless.”
“Speak for yourself.” Cut in Marissa. The older lady was wearing a shawl over a long white dress. A small, weaved hat with flowers decorating it sitting on her hair. “I’m entirely too old to be made to wait for a young lady at her own meeting.”
I am going to make John give me so many shifts on the beach when he gets back, Tori thought to herself, suppressing her reactions so Marissa wouldn't see weakness and shift into her secret demon form. She had to be a demon or a vampire. Tori thought maliciously, intentionally pretending to not hear the older lady mumble about Tori’s “Harlot-esque” dressing tendencies.
Mouse stood up on her tiptoes behind the table and mouthed a loud “Sorry” silently as she walked out. She was only there to fill in till her leader, that being Tori, arrived.
That being said, Mouse looked adorable today Wearing a blue and white tracksuit and some black athletic shorts. Clearly, she slept here last night, or she would have changed for the cold snap that came in last night.
Good, someone she trusted had witnessed how much pain John was putting her through. She could use that to make him pay her back after this was over.
Gerard looked over at Marissa.
“We should get to business now that she is here though.” He said jovially. Effortlessly mediating the tension as best as it could be considering the history of the parties involved.
Ryan, the dark-haired young man, he was now aged 24, looked up from his book, Some ancient looking textbook, likely about some minor characteristic of magic. And stated “Yes, I really don't want to spend more time in this dusty closet than necessary.” with a dry tone. Glancing around the laundromat with distaste before setting aside his book and leaning forward. Wrinkling the front of his brown tweed suit.
He wasn't wrong, Tori relented. The dust back here had gotten quite thick. This was the old meeting place used back when Elysium was all one group under John. They'd been using an old town hall quarter in Ryans turf since the split. But with John gone and Tori in charge she had wanted to establish her dominance. Calling for a return to this setting, not directly threatening, but implying she would change the table's rules without John around to stop her.
Kid with a gun wasn't the best approach to authority. But without John's tactical abilities, or the smooth talking of someone like Gerard she needed to get everyone to take her seriously somehow.
She went to respond to Ryan's statement. She should probably say something positive, lik-
A male voice echoed through the small dusty room before she could speak. “Yes, it is high time we started this fateful meeting.” Davey walked out of the shadows to the left of the table.
Tori's eyelids started twitching.
He slammed his hands down on the table, leaning forward. “You all are hiding something from me and bird brains over there-”
Tori couldn't stop herself from screaming.
“Shut the fuck up Davey! I’m tired of your bullshit. Why are you even here right now? This is a meeting for the heads of all the individual powers in Saint Narie. What power do you have? You can't even use your fucking sword you're always carrying around. Just shut the fuck up. I swear to to the Divine Child himself do not say another word holy fucking shit I will fill you with my god damn flames if you say even one more letter of your fucking nonsense!”
Davey was now standing a few steps back from the table looking embarrassed. Nodding and trying to figure out how to hold his hands while taking in everything Tori was saying. Nervously settling with his thumbs in his pockets by the time she was finished.
Liam of all people, he usually avoided speaking all that much at these things, spoke up at that. “Not to defend the lass,” he started. “But why is the dickhead at another meeting? Shawns the one, supposed to be taking care of him. Where's that fecker been?”
Tori took the chance to breathe. Davey shifted nervously.
Somewhere off to the side, Mouse opened a bag of chips to snack on.
Ryan responded almost immediately. “You know how Shawn is. He handed off the territory we gave him to his piece, which would be that annoying boy, and hasn’t left the hideout since.”
Liam nodded sharply, sitting back once more. “Aye, that sounds like the ol’ captain.” and that was that. Davey seemed to be twisting in place like he wanted to ask everyone there a million questions about that exchange, but Tori glared at him. Eager to back up her threats.
Marrissa spoke up next, “That level of murderous rage is unbecoming on a young ladies face.” she commented pointedly.
Tori was too emotionally drained to do anything more than sigh at that.
Finally speaking she apologized. “I am sorry about that outburst. I hadn't seen this man in person since his actions at the night of Golden Waves.”
The room collectively looked down, expressing grief in their individual ways.
Gerard looked up first, “May I ask about how you are recovering from your experiences last night?”
Tori nodded, it was part of why she had chosen her light outfit in spite of the weather, she needed to be checking the stitches.
“It's healing fine. John was wrong about the blade blocking my healing effect. The phoenix outranked its curse apparently.”
Ryan scribbled some notes down on a blank piece of paper at that. Likely intrigued by the source of whatever curse the blade had.
Turning her back to the table she pulled down the right strap of her crop top. Eventually showing the still healing scar on the back of her ribcage. John had saved her life, placing his arm before the assassin's blade.
It had cost him the use of his right arm temporarily as a result. His bear spirit, evidently, did not outrank the curse. Yet, another reason he needed to stop protecting her she thought to herself pointedly. She healed better than the old man anyways.
Also, yet another reason she didn’t like him going west with kingsguard members. He was weakened from saving her life against the last Apocalypse Machine manifestation.
And on top of that the guards were pressing charges for him breaking his lasting house arrest to show up and save her. It all made her want to scream.
Gerard, meanwhile, leaned back, seeming pleased at the nearly healed wound. Likely remembering the gruesome view of her exposed ribs, the night before. Lying bleeding on the street while John had put down the Apocalypse machine she and him had been hunting.
Well, she had been hunting. Just following his step-by-step instructions from within the isolation of city ordained house arrest. She corrected herself sarcastically
Marrisa spoke up, dragging Tori out of her thoughts. “I can't believe John let you do that to yourself; it ruined your countenance for good. I should never have let him take you away from Aeaea.”
Briefly confused, Tori wondered why she thought John let her get injured, and why it ruined her appearance. She quickly remembered her back tattoo. The Elysium crest and a depiction of heavenly gates surrounded by wings, beams of light, and nude angels of both genders. “Oh right. Yeah, he helped sketch the first draft too. Said he loved its vibe.”
Marissa refused to look at Tori until she finally covered herself again, much to Tori's amusement.
In the gap, Gerard spoke again. “To answer your earlier question. I brought Davey here because I will no longer allow him to “Shack-up” as he puts it. On my territory. He has overstayed his welcome in the port alliance.”
Tori nodded, “I’ll take him back. We never even sent him your way in the first place. I doubt John's all that mad after everything else.”
Gerard nodded back “Yes, well it's not all bad. Do not forget about all the money we will soon make off the coming shipment this weekend.” He reached over from where he was sitting to pat her back. His massive frame covering the distance of the circular table easily.
Liam chimed in “And the spirits we can make with all that expensive grains. That should cheer you up lass. Even after all this bad news.”
Marrisa sighed. “I see you two are making me the villain again. I don't understand how you all expect me to sympathize with her. Not if you all expect me to keep delivering bad news.”
Ryan pushed his glasses back looking slightly embarrassed, and Davey appeared to be writing down large parts of the conversation in a notebook.
But Gerard and Liam didn't so much as flinch, simply looking at Marissa as if expecting her to say something. Both with wide faux smiles.
Sighing she continued, “Tori, you and Mouse will not be participating in this upcoming Port Play. The ship has less resources and more guards than the predictions showed.” She said the last part with a sharp glare at Gerard. Then continued “So you are now considered a liability as non-crown level combatants.”
Tori somehow managed to remain calm. Responding promply. “John needs some of those items. He left me in charge, and I need to make sure we get them.”
Marissa nodded. “I’ve decided I’m willing to add the silver water, gold dust, saint bones, etc. that John was planning to grab in addition to my original plans.” She slid a paper she pulled out of her purse across the table. “Here's my initial prices, we can negotiate these according to the actual haul after the play.”
Tori could feel her blood pressure rising. “There would be no need for negotiating a price. If I got the items myself. As you know, I can already spar on Johns' level, and Mouse has survived numerous Crown tier combat situations with us before. If you would listen to-”
But Marissa had started shaking her head, and finally spoke over Tori “I will not listen. You lost the right to ever counsel me when you left Aeaea.” The statement seemed to end the conversation as she looked away.
Tori clenched her thigh with her right hand under the table. “Very well, Next topic, Gerard, Marissa, and Liam. I need you to stop running your routes through Elysium territory.
Liam took this one, speaking in a tone that conveyed how little of his question was actually a question “And who is going to stop us?”
Tori clenched her thigh harder, trying to stop any fire from manifesting around her. “Right, I know I cannot prevent any of you personally from escorting your dealings through Elysium property. But you cannot escort all of your dealings now, can you?”
Liam nodded and said, “And of course we will secede from the table if you were to be found attacking any of our shipments and men, even if they were taking a shortcut through your territory.” He was speeding through the familiar arguments. Likely just because he wanted to get through the farce of negotiations without John backing her up.
Tori wasn't sure how she felt about that.
She was authorized to do anything in John's absence. But declaring war was obviously not what the old, self-called, pacifist would want. A statement with less surety than ever behind it considering some of his recent actions. But he had sworn off all violence for decades before that. A paragon of kindness and generosity, especially to Tori.
And she didn't want John to come back to a city of ruins after a week with her in charge.
“Very well, I will have to request you to each host an Elysium member. Not to supervise your actions. Simply as a show of good faith. Gerard, I will have to insist Davey stays on your port compound until John's return-”
Davey made a sound as if to protest at the exact same time as Gerard, but some flames flickered around Tori as she looked up at them. Buth chuckled nervously and looked away.
Carrying on Tori finished with “And I hope you will allow them to return to Elysium daily for briefings, purely in the interest of their comfort.”
Liam nodded, “Smart, watch our actions, and avoid having to take back the annoying lad.”
Ryan nodded as well, “As far as politics goes this answer suffices.”
Marissa spoke up again, negative towards Tori as she always seemed to be. “We're going too easy on her. If an actual government body was pressuring her, they wouldn't push new unwatched staff on them like that. Best case scenario, they’d just lock them down in a specific part of their building till they chose to leave.” She seemed particularly offended by this idea for some reason. “This isn't a Spy Film, you’ll have to just trust me without placing a rat in my base”
Tori nodded; she was prepared to recommend other options. Such as, reinstating an older, shared, route system. For all their benefit. Maybe even relaying all the crown level units' locations to each other as a sign of trust. But Gerard was shaking his head at her, evidently, she should drop this one.
She turned to Marissa and said, “Very well, thank you for your comments.” Before continuing to the next phase of the meeting.
“Does anyone have any particularly important news from their territory to report?”
Out of the shadows to the tables right. A red mask peeked forward. A man stepped forward. None of the Heads flinched but Tori had to force herself not to. Gripping her thigh under the table again.
The man said “Hello.” In a friendly tone. Before continuing from behind his mask. "Shawn has sent me to inform you that the cleaning job for last night's fight is finished and that the entirety of his rumor mill has become obsessed with the Miles family.”
Tori nodded along. Calmer now that she recognized the patch that marked him as part of Davey’s Militia. A ridiculous name considering everyone knew Shawn was the leader. He was merely pushing the responsibilities off onto Davey. The thing is, Davey had left Shawns turf over a month ago. And neither Shawn, nor the other members of “Davey's Militia'' seemed to want to change the name. She started grinding her teeth the more she thought about Davey.
Looking over at him. He was wearing a formal suit, black dress jacket, black tie, white undershirt. All paired with bright pink fuzzy pajama pants covered in little rabbits. His stupid katana was across his back, and a revolver at his hip. As always. And he was scribbling down notes about the meeting, like some stupid alien obsessed version of Ryan.
She rubbed her eyes. Oh god if only Davey was more like Ryan.
She looked back over at the man who was just finishing speaking.
Clearly Shawn was lazier than ever, sending lower-level employees to table meetings like this every chance he got. But when she heard the second part of his message, she became intrigued.
“What is the Miles family up to?” she asked curiously.
The man began speaking again, “Apparently a member of their inner family was exiled to the streets for lacking any and all spiritual energy.”
Ryan looked up at this. It was obvious why. Even Tori knew it was physically impossible to be born without spiritual energy. It was one of the gifts bestowed on all humans by their gods. Ryan was likely to start tracking him down.
Tori thanked the man and he nodded, sitting down on a bench supposedly to wait out the rest of the meeting. Tori sighed and relaxed. Then she decided to make a joke to lighten the mood. “And if anyone else is in the shadows, you better step out right-”
She stopped speaking as she felt a presence appear on her left. A red scaled wing poking into view. She didn't even have time to react before the room exploded into violence. She suddenly found herself sitting in the seat Marissa had occupied, looking head on at her old seat that was now in splinters around Liams Hammer.
A golden spear was being thrust through the strange priestly looking, horned, humanoid chest by one of Gerard's massive arms. Pinning it to the back wall. Its skin was pale white, it wore long deep black robes with gold trim, and had wings. Red and scaled, as if draconic. Its two horns stuck up from the sides of its head, made of rough looking black material, and curling slightly inward at the top.
And its head was falling to the floor courtesy of the silver longsword Ryan was now holding. He had transitioned to standing on the table at some point.
She heard Mouse lean around the corner to look in, and watched Davey quickly look around in surprise. And knew that if it had only been them. They likely would have died just then.
She glanced around. None of their physical appearances had even slightly changed. Barely any Idealization meant they’d used practically none of their power. That was insane to think about considering it took about half her Lei before she could match John who was supposed to be around their level.
It meant he had likely not even been trying in all their sparring.
The various members shuffled back to their original seats, Tori stepping aside for Marissa. She also noted Shawns representative had disappeared at some point.
She walked over and stood by the thing's body. “This is a government Apocalypse killer unit” she stated. “They’re meant to hunt terrorists, they sense terroristic intent against the U.A.N. and stop it on behalf of the government and suits.” she looked around the room, “Why was it here.”
Ryan spoke up first “Before you go anywhere crazy, I can answer that. They are about as reliable as any government project. Cheaply made with some control spells and dragon's blood. They often follow standard criminals such as us by mistake.” He spoke confidently as if reassuring her. That a terrorist tracker being in her base was no big deal. “It was just shoddy construction on behalf of government enchanters. They're really very cheap, the whole body should fade away over the next 30 or so minutes” He finished.
Immediately, she replied. “What I meant was. How did it get in here?”
Ryan sat back at that one. Johns' wards should have prevented intruders of that level. She looked around. Before Marissa said “John must have not been keeping up the rituals on this old building. We haven't met here in a while.”
Tori nodded slowly. That made sense. She would have to stick to bases she knew John had been frequenting recently if she wanted to be safe it seemed. They continued discussing various specific news from around the city for a few more hours. But nothing else exciting happened during the meeting.
“Very well.” she said eventually. “If there's no more interesting news you wish to share with the Table. Then we should adjourn. It’s nearing five p.m.”
The various members nodded, standing up and shaking hands. Each ready to leave the small dusty room. Tori rubbed her forehead and started walking over to speak with Mouse when Marissa stepped in front of her. Tori flinched back, terrified and narrowly avoiding a heart attack.
She leaned in and spoke good naturedly, “You should come down and visit the island. It’s been too long. I’ll set aside a ticket for you tomorrow morning.”
Tori immediately tried to decline. “No, no really it's okay you don't hav-”
But Marissa walked away without listening. Dejected, Tori noticed Davey off to the side motioning for her to walk over. Rolling her eyes, she began heading toward him. He slipped through a side door and held it slightly open for her to follow.
Once he was in the room he turned around, just about barely taller than her. And began speaking. “Alright Tori, I’m going to need you to do me a huge favor. I need access to Johns fil-”
Tori raised a hand and cut him off “No Davey, I’m not giving you access to John's files. Bye”
“Wait! Wait!” Davey called out behind her. “Fuck, seriously. There's no hope. they’ve got you completely fooled out there.”
Tori turned back around at that and said “Davey, you can call me an idiot all you want for trusting the family that raised me.” She said gesturing back towards the table and its members who were all gone by now. “But I’m not the one dumb enough to betray them all, then stick around time after time. We can't keep forgiving you forever.”
He crossed his arms ““We” used to mean me, you, mouse, and Ryan.” Tori rolled her eyes but didn't move. She wanted to hear his point. “But you remember when Ryan got taken aside after a meeting just like this. They told him something when he hit twenty-two. And for the past two years, he hasn't said a word more than he needs to in our directions. They're all in on it, we are being lied to.” His volume increased as he spoke, annunciating every word, and motioning with his hands in time with his points.
Tori grabbed his hands and looked him in the eye, “And if we waited till the same age, maybe they’d let us in on it. Your own logic makes you sound crazy for trying so hard. For what? To find out a secret they're already planning to share.”
He shook his head, “The pieces indicate they’re after a goal beyond all of this. Bigger than the city. John acting the way he did. Killing those people like that. Tori, you know this is bad right now. I can’t wait years to know why all of this is happening” He sounded serious. Tori almost wanted to give in. But he was an idiot, and his theories were ridiculous.
All of the table members were aliens, secret ocean monsters were mind controlling them, they had traveled back in time to destroy the world. He was right that things were bad, but it was the Apocalypse. Things were going to be bad in the Apocalypse. Him searching for reasons was just going to drive him mad.
Tori let go of his hands and stepped back. “Were old friends,” He looked up at that, hopefully. “But I need you to go watch Gerards territory for me like the Table decided today.” He looked back down. Tori carried on. “Once you get back in a week or so, I'll help you patch things up with Shawn. Get you back to your old hideout” She turned as if she wanted to leave but stopped when he spoke.
“I’m going to figure this whole thing out early, or they’re going to tell me,”He said. “This is a “win-win” for me. I just don’t like how deep into all the gang stuff you're getting. We never wanted to be making calls at the Table meetings Tori. We just wanted to live, and we did that. You can do whatever you want now”
Tori looked at him, understanding a bit that he saw this all as a game, that he wanted to win being a human in the apocalypse. But she had her own desires. She owed John everything and wanted to live up to and surpass his expectations so she could truly help him accomplish his goals. Neither of them were really speaking to each other right now. Intrinsic and extrinsic motivations just had no common ground.
She nodded, turning halfway and saying. “I’m working for something other than myself right now.” He rolled his eyes at that, turning partly away from her himself. But she continued “Maybe our goals will align more than this after “you figure it all out.” But for now. I’m willing to help you get back to your original hideout. If you help me right now.”
He thought for a second then said. “Deal.” then continued. “I hope we can work together more in the future.”
Tori Let out a huge sigh. “Fuck you Davey, get lost.”
They both chuckled and he patted her shoulder as he walked out. Off to annoy Gerard with some stupid plot.
Tori aimed for the bean bag Mouse was watching cartoons on at the back of the shop. Really, they needed to move to a more secure location. They needed to start looking into the Miles kid. They needed to get ready for a potentially dangerous trip to Marissa’s Island tomorrow.
But for now, she was going to sleep next to her best friend and watch some cartoons she thought as she collapsed next to Mouse into the weird 4th dimensional feeling of laying on a bean bag. Letting out a contented sigh.
Mouse poked her cheek with a chip.
"Hey, don't go to bed.' She whispered adorably. "We have to be at the coasts for our shifts in like half an hour."
Tori groaned.