Alecs POV
Alec face lost his smile as he caught the cuffs in the air. He still didn’t like them, even if he was the one using them. He walked up to the girl who was still trying to find her way out of the restaurant. He slowly snuck around her and slipped the first of the two cuffs on.
Opals POV
Opal was surprised at her own actions when she slunk away from Ae-Rito say anything, but she still managed to squeak out a soft. “I’m sorry.” She felt even more sorry as she realized she wasn’t saying it to Ae-Ri.
Winston’s POV
Winnie finished cleaning up, joining the grotesques in the living room. White splotches of flour speckled his cheeks and arms and he sank into the couch, assuming Remedy was trying to figure out the faucets again.
Sienna’s POV
Sienna inhaled sharply as she her Ae-Ri fuss over Opal. What did I do to her? Yeah, right. Like I’d let anything happen to her. She wished she could hurl the thought at Ae-Ri. She felt the cuff slip on around her wrist, tentatively reaching out to the mind of whoever was sliding them on, but retracted as she felt a small zap of electricity through the link she was trying to forge. “Outlet, you got yourself caught?”
Ae-Ri's POV
Ae-Ri's heart plummeted. "Opal…" she whispered, stepping forward again. "Come on, we're going to W—To Firefly's"
Anthony's POV
He drifted around the room, wondering if Winston had noticed his absence yet. Eventually, he made his way to the other boy's desk.
Winston’s POV
Winnie curled up on the couch, beckoning for Sam to join him. He admittedly missed the small creature already. Remedy refused to let Winnie coddle him, so he would simply have to coddle Sam instead.
Alecs POV
Alec felt his usual smile return to his face. “What can I say, the scary girls made me a changed man.” He joked, slipping on the other cuff.
Opals POV
“Okay,” Opal said, unsure of what to do next. All she could think about was Pasithea, and how she desperately wanted to help her, but even if she did, she would simply be arrested by Ae-Ri right after. With a small sigh of exhaustion at her own thoughts, she asked. “Is that the crazy guy?”
Sienna’s POV
“Oh I’m sure she did. Going to settle and be her trophy husband now? Do I get an invite to the wedding?” Sienna replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Ae-Ri's POV
Ae-Ri gave a nod. "Mission Control is making me work with him. He's using this as a leverage to buy his freedom. Look…. I don't know what she did to you, and I know you don't really want to be associated with me anymore….. so I'll leave you be when we get to Winnie's."
Anthony's POV
Anthony paused with his hand on one of the drawer handles, a surge of guilt drowning out his confidence. What was he doing, snooping around in Winston's personal belongings? There was no reason to….. he was just being a nosy asshole. The thought shouldn't have bothered him, but at that moment, it was powerful enough to make him turn around and leave the room.
Winston looked up as he heard footsteps, breaking into a smile as he saw Remedy. “What’d you think? Can I talk you into stayin’ here with me for awhile?” His eyes were wide and pleading, silently begging the other boy to give in and stay.
Alec’s POV
“Only if you’re nice.” He responded, laughing. He carefully guided her back towards Mirage.
Ipals POV
“No, wait… I’m sorry for what I said.” Opal cried, “I shouldn’t have said that. I didn’t mean it, and I am sorry.” Opal did feel sorry, about everything, but still felt guilty and relieved over the subject of Pasithea, making her wonder what was going on with her
Anthony's POV
Anthony came to a stop halfway across the room, his wariness evident through the way his eyes darted about the room. "I think I'd be stupid to turn down the proposal of actual shelter," he said cautiously, "But as soon as my contract with the Guard is done, I'm leaving."
Ae-Ri's POV
Ae-Ri froze. What? An enormous wave of relief crashed against her, but she did her best to contain it. "I—We'll talk after I've dealt with Pasithea," she finally managed, swallowing.
Sienna’s POV
Sienna ignored Alec, straining her powers against the cuffs to try and mentally reach out to Opal. She had no idea if it would work, but it was worth a try. ”Sweetheart, it’s okay.”
Winston’s POV
“You can stay as long as you’d like.” Winston already knew there was no way he was going to let Remedy back out onto the streets to suffer, but he also knew the boy needed to feel as though he had the freedom to do as he chose after being alone for so long. “You’ve been a real angel so far. I sure won’t mind if you wanna stay afterwards.”
Alecs POV
Alec tapped Mirages shoulder, “Hey, she’s harmless now, do you want her?”
Opals POV
Opal stiffened at Pasitheas words slipping into her head. Thank you Pasithea, and I’m sorry that I lead them here, even if I didn’t mean to.
Anthony's POV
Anthony's body went rigid. "I thought I told you not to coddle me," he answered flatly. His face hardened as he approached the couch and sat down, ignoring Samuel and Don's pleas for attention.
Ae-Ri's POV
Ae-Ri turned, slightly startled by the abrupt gesture. "Don't touch me," she growled, beckoning to Flicker, who was hovering above their heads. "And yes, I want her. Thanks."
Alecs POV
Alec put his hands up on mock surrender. “Geez, you keep acting like that and you’ll never find love.” He teased
Sienna’s POV
I forgive you, although I am rather pissed off, I must admit. Sienna relaxed a little, pleased she could still reach Opal. Forgive my language, but your friend is a prick.
Winston’s POV
“I ain’t coddlin’ you.” Winston protested, scooting over to give Remedy some room. “I could use an extra hand ‘round here since my Ma’s always out. I’ll teach you how to pull you’re own weight. You can help me fix up the place.” He offered, trying to discreetly coax Anthony into staying for as long as possible.
Ae-Ri's POV
Ae-Ri's mouth formed the shape of a snarl. "Don't talk to me like that, Outlet. Now, get out of my sight before I reconsider our deal and capture you a second time.
Anthony's POV
"I know how to pull my own weight," he responded defensively, clenching and unclenching his fists. "But yes, I'll help. As long as you don't go all soft and mushy on me."
Opals POV
Opal giggled at Pasitheas statement, but she hoped everyone would attribute it to Alecs joke. Shes better once you get to know her. Opal assured her.
Winston’s POV
“Soft an’ mushy? Y’all haven’t even seen me get soft and mushy!” Winnie protested, glowing a bit brighter out of embarrassment. “I’ll teach you how to cook and patch up leaks. The stuff you don’t know quite yet.”
Alec’s POV
Alec laughed. “Mhm, I think I’m gonna stick around actually, this is the most fun I’ve had in a long time.” He looked around, and on a nearby counter found a wrapped, untouched, burrito. He grabbed it an dropped a handful of coins in its place.
Sienna’s POV
I’d love to agree, but strangely I’m not feeling too trusting at the moment. She paused a moment, thinking. If you find out Outlet’s full name, let me know. I’d rather enjoy messing with him a bit.
Opals POV
I’ll try. Opal messages, turning to Ae-Ri. “Do you know Outl- the crazy guys actual name?”
Anthony's POV
"Fine, fine.." he muttered and averted his eyes. "But you need to stop treating me like I'm a wounded animal in need of your help. I'm older than you, for god's sakes!"
Ae-Ri's POV
Ae-Ri slipped a chain from a pouch at her belt, clipped it carefully to the front of Pasithea's handcuffs, and pressed the button on the side of her helmet as she led both her and Opal to the doors. "This is Mirage, reporting in. Pasithea is in my hands. Broadcast is safe."
Winston’s POV
“I’ll stop tomorrow. We had a real long day, an’ I know you’re more tired than you’re actin’…” Winnie looked Remedy up and down, his eyes filled with worry. “Tomorrow you can start bossin’ me around first thing in the mornin’. But you gotta give me tonight.”
Sienna’s POV
Thank you, Opal. She rollled her eyes as she felt Ae-Ri chain her. I can’t believe she’s leashing me like a mutt.
Opal POV
Yeah, I’m sorry about that. Opal replied as Ae-Ri was finishing talking with HQ before asking again.
Anthony's POV
"Fine," the healer practically growled, pushing a hand through his hair. "Fine, yes, you can have tonight. And, for the record, the day wasn't long by my standards. If you think I'm tired now, give it a few months."
Ae-Ri's POV
"Yeah.." Ae-Ri muttered as they emerged into the street, careful not to make any contact with Pasithea's bare skin. "I'll tell you later."
Opal POV
“Alright,” Opal said, slightly dejected. Sorry, I tried, she didn’t answer though, but she said she would tell me later.
Winston’s POV
Winston broke out into a brilliant smile, getting up and heading into his room. He came back out momentarily with a comb. “Comb through it while its still damp. It’ll be silky tomorrow. Feels good, you’ll like it.” He dropped the comb on Remedy’s lap.
Sienna’s POV
Tell me later then, it’s alright. Sienna soothed. Im trusting you to make sure nothing terrible happens to me, darling.
Anthony's POV
Anthony stared down at the comb as if he had never seen one before, an expression of total bafflement crossing his face. "Do I just…..?" He made a vague brushing gesture with one hand. "Or do I brush the other way?"
