A knock came at my door, sharp enough to startle me. I frowned and put down my spoon, I'd been enjoying that bowl of oatmeal. Finally managed to get some brown sugar and god did it make it tolerable. I flipped the hood of my hoodie up, then grabbed a spare mask I kept around for people that liked to bother me when I was off duty. I had a while til I had to get on patrol and worse, today--

“Amaranth.”

“Miss Militia,” I replied evenly. We'd been seeing a lot of each other lately, and after yesterday I was...nervous. “What's up?”

“Please get dressed,” she replied, checking her wrist. “You're needed at a meeting in twenty minutes.” My eyes bulged.

“What did I do wrong?” I asked, sweat pricking my back. “I'm sorry I didn't say about Armsm--”

“Amaranth.” I snapped my mouth shut. “You're not in trouble, but we do need to discuss something. Please, take a moment to finish eating, then get dressed. I'll wait out here.”

“You can take the couch,” I offered, pulling the door open further. It felt shitty to leave her standing out there...

“If that's alright,” Miss Militia said, coming inside and walking over to the couch. “Have you considered moving down to the Ward quarters?” I grimaced as I walked back to the table.

“I dunno,” I answered honestly. “I...like having my space.” I also like having in-suite laundry, and not waking people up with my screaming.

“That's fair,” she replied, nodding as I began eating again. “It can be difficult, adjusting to spending a lot of time with your peers.” I just nodded and ate as quickly as I could. “More generally, how are you feeling?” I paused, halfway through a bite, then shrugged and finished.

“Fine I guess,” I replied, taking my empty bowl to the sink. “I don't know, it's all kind of...fucked.” She made a noise that I took for assent.

“Things are quite difficult right now,” Miss Militia admitted as I headed to the closet and grabbed my costume. “That won't always be true, but I'm sorry it is.” I grunted in response and stepped behind the door, changing quickly. Once I'd settled my costume against my skin, I stepped out again.

“It's fine,” I said, not really wanting to dwell on it too much. I wasn't sure how long it'd be 'right now' after all. “Anyway, meeting?”

Miss Militia checked her watch and nodded. I pulled up my mask and hood, then we headed out. I tried to keep my nerves from showing too badly, to just look normal. Well, as normal as a superhero could really. We headed up a stairwell, which did make sense for them to have but I'd never seen one here before.

Up...huh, maybe I really wasn't in trouble? Well, that didn't really mean anything, come to think of it. I'd been debriefed up here last time, and that led me to several days of console shifts. This was probably something similar. I'd told Battery what would happen too late, and same with Miss Militia. They were probably, reasonably, pissed I hadn't talked about it before.

I sighed and mentally readied myself for a real interrogation. I wasn't all that sure how I was going to explain this, and really didn't trust myself to keep a story straight. I'd have to do my best though, since the whole 'hey I read about all this in a fucked up web serial' wouldn't leave a good impression. Hopefully they wouldn't have a lie detector to hand...

“In here, please.” Miss Militia opened a door for me. I paused, just for a second, then headed in.

It was a fairly small board room, with a table that just sat eight. Three of the seats were occupied, one by Director Piggot which did nothing to ease me nerves. In another sat Gallant. Oh yeah nothing serious, the head of the Wards, the director of the local PRT, and the acting leader of the Protectorate ENE. 'Not in trouble' my interdimensional ass. Battery was in the third and I sat across from her, staring at the whorls in the wood, hoping against hope I had just fucked up in a normal way.

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“Amaranth,” Gallant began as Miss Militia took a seat. My eyes flicked up and I saw his smile before looking away. “How are you feeling.”

“Fine,” I lied, and he knew. “Um, what's all this about?” Playing dumb wouldn't get me anywhere, I knew, but going in here like an actual precog all 'okay let's get this over with' would invite them to actually class me as one.

“Battery and Miss Militia have made interesting reports,” Piggot spoke up, shuffling a few pieces of paper. “I think you already know why you're here.” I grit my teeth.

“Last night,” Miss Militia said, sitting next to me. “ You mentioned feeling that Armsmaster was going to be attacked by Mannequin, and then he was.” I nodded. “And Battery reported you said something similar about an attack on the headquarters.” Another nod.

“It's not uncommon,” Battery interjected. “For young parahumans to not fully grasp their powers at first. It may very well be that your power has another part to it.” I furrowed my brow.

“That doesn't make any sense.” If it did the why the fuck hadn't I explained this before?! “My power is a projection that's apparently invincible.”

“Powers can be weird,” Gallant offered with a warm smile. “And I don't think anyone here is accusing you of lying about them.” Liar. “I'll ask the question that I think is on everyone's lips right now though: power or not Amaranth, do you have any other feelings.”

I stared at him, long and hard. He didn't flinch, even lifted his helmet so his steely-blue eyes met my dull grey gaze. I turned to Battery, staring back impassively with folded hands. Director Piggot at the front of the table, arms crossed, looking like this wasn't worth her time. Miss Militia, giving me a slight nod and a hidden smile. I took a deep breath.

“The Dallons are going to be attacked by Bonesaw tonight.”

The world felt like it had paused, all sound muted. I stared at the table, the silence weighing heavier and heavier. I glanced around quickly, seeing wide eyes and pale faces. I stopped looking and tapped my foot rapidly against the ground. I could say more, tell them it was sometime around six, tell them...no, not that, but tell them some. If only my throat didn't feel like it was trying to strangle me.

“Alright,” Miss Militia was the first to speak, slowly and carefully, the way you walk through a minefield. “Do you know when?” I nodded.

“Sixish.” I managed to choke out. I heard a sigh.

“Thank you,” she said, putting a hand on my shoulder. I tensed and nodded. “Can you tell me any details?” I had to think about that one for a moment.

“It's--” My voice squeaked and I tried again. “It's not just her. Two creations, umm, I think one's called 'Murderrat' and her spiders and--” I cut myself off, biting my tongue, already saying too much. Had to plug the breach before I--

“That's good,” Miss Militia said gently, squeezing my shoulder. I heard the door click shut. “May I ask what's the matter?” I sniffed.

“I thought--” I choked I glanced up. The room was empty, besides us. “I thought no one would believe me, because who would? It's fucking crazy...”

“It's not.”

“It is!” I countered, glaring at her as fat tears rolled down my cheeks. “I'm a fucking freak that remembers shit that hasn't happened! No one's going to believe the girl that thinks that! I'm not even remembering them it's--” I bit my cheek so hard I tasted blood. None of that.

“I'm sorry it feels that way, Amaranth.” Miss Militia's arm wrapped around my shoulders and I found myself leaning into her. “I don't think that about you, for what it's worth I don't think anyone around here does.” I wish I believed that even for a second. “Would you like to go back to your quarters?” I nodded without hesitation. Being alone would be better, if only because I didn't have anyone perceiving me. Maybe I could get myself under control.

She let me go and rose. After a moment, I managed to get my legs under me and slowly follow her out. I felt like I'd been gutted but...lighter, weirdly. It didn't help me pick up my feet, but it made the walking more tolerable.

I'd finally done it. Maybe they'd just call it a power at the end of the day and I'd get away scot free. I guess it was the world of superpowers and shit. I mean, I had literally been taking Leviathan's tail to the face barely three weeks ago. That wasn't impossible because superpowers were a thing though, not like...this.

A sighed escaped my lips as we headed back down the stairs. There was some relief in getting it over with, not having the weight like an anchor around my neck. I still had to do something to stop Amy and...yeah, but it seemed almost doable.

It had last time too, I couldn't forget that. Getting complacent because I had some semblance of an idea had killed me as sure as Cherish, the bitch. I hugged my arms to my body and scowled, maybe I could sic the Protectorate on her. I didn't know where exactly she was of course, paying attention to useful shit wasn't my specialty, but could point them in the direction.

Miss Militia patted my shoulder as I pushed open the door to my apartment. She said some kind words I didn't fully process, so I just nodded and went inside. I plodded over to the couch and sat down heavily, staring at the stucco ceiling above. I took a deep breath in, held it, and let it back out. I took a deep breath in, held it, and let it back out.

I took a deep breath in, held it, and let it back out.