Maddalena watches the exchange with equal parts interest and confusion. Though she smiles as RinRin gives his demonstration. “That's a useful skill.” she comments off-handedly, remembering how frequently she used to be able to do that with her own daggers. “Are you two sure you have no divine blood?”
"None," they said in unison. They looked at each other and smiled.
(gtg cya tmrw)
(cya!)
“You certainly could fool a crowd if you claimed that you did.” she points out with a casual shrug.
"Mhm," RinRin said, casually floating a foot off the ground. "As for where to go next…" he shrugged. "I'm not sure. Monsters tend to stay out of major cities, so from here, you could go to St. Louis or Chicago. Those are the nearest major cities. But, beyond that, I'm not sure. I–" he falters. "Stay out of Chicago. Monsters might hide as the criminal population. Go to St. Louis. Maybe we'll find some answers there." He thinks for a moment, then says, "When I arrived, I sensed a barrier around the hotel coming from you, sister. I was unable to simply teleport in. I had to trick the magic into thinking I was a simple box of mail." RinRin raises an eyebrow. "Any idea how you're doing that? I mean, I can do the same, I'm just wondering how you're managing it."
Mallory frowns. "I didn't even know I was doing it."
RinRin shrugs. "Well, don't dispel it until you get on the road. Shift the shield. I sense trouble nearing." He looks behind him. "Good luck, sister. You'll need it." He vanishes.
Mallory looks at Maddi. "Let's go then." She walks to the car and gets on the road for St. Louis.
Maddalena listens carefully to RinRin’s words, finding it a little strange that monsters would leave such a large target alone. His comment about hiding as criminals makes more sense to her. Then again, as the patron of thieves, she would know more about certain types of criminals than most.
“I hope that your barrier is strong and undetectable.” she points out just before RinRin leaves. “Otherwise you could be inadvertently sending out a signal for where we are.” But she nods and follows Mallory to the car.
Mallory drives for a while, almost eager for Maddi to ask questions, and Mallory knew she was full of those.
Maddalena sat quietly for a while before letting out a short soft laugh. “You and your brother’s blades are named after each of you.” she mutters, a little surprised at the realization.
"Well, I didn't actually have blades until the fight in the park. Apparently, he froze time when we both went berserker. He studied the blades and told me in my mind to call them Malyara blades." Mallory says. "He named his, I assume."
“I realize that.” she nods. “I was aware that he froze time but… the more time I spend with you, the more I am convinced that you really are… like me.” she admits. “I know that you both just said that you are not but… the amount of power you apparently have is something that I have only seen amongst the Parthenon.”
"Which is?" Mallory asked.
Maddalena blinks, briefly stunned by the question. “You are joking, right?” she asks. “Literally stopping time, your unique weapons, which you can transform into others, your brother's cat; I’m assuming that is his familiar, and the fact that you are radiating a shield right now that can block out your brother. I’m surprised you’re not able to summon monsters yourselves.” she lists off.
"I- I'm sure I can. Rin, can you do that?" Mhm. he answers in her mind. "He said yes. But, I swear, we aren't demis, or descendants of any sort, as far as we know. Our parents had no such abilities, neither do our grandparents. RinRin just decided one day when he was very young to pursue it. He discovered the true power of the mind. He taught me how to start a few years ago, and he told me about the Mind trance would maintain the power and give better rest than sleeping normally. He showed me his accomplishments and I agreed." She paused. "That's all there is to it."
“What?!?” Maddalena yelps at the confirmation before continuing to listen. “Power of the… Yeah, right. I don't think that’s what it is. As far as I’m aware, the power of the mortal mind is limited to things like telekinesis or telepathy… empathy perhaps even. Not summoning monsters and stopping time! You must have some blood somewhere in your line the question is…” she trails off for a moment. “Did your brother decide this on his own or did someone prompt him to?”
"My own," RinRin answers from the backseat. "It's a long story. Well, not really. I believe Mallory already told you. When I was young, I was regarded as an outcast, and I began to figure that out by the time I turned 6. That's when I started pursuing this. I've looked into the past. We have no special blood. We are the only remaining mortals with powers. In this universe at least." RinRin smiles.
Maddalena lets out an exasperated sigh. That's another thing that’s similar… Just popping into existence where ever you want. “I believe she did mention that, yes.” she nods. “But you are absolutely certain about your heritage? I’m sure you know that gods and goddesses are natural shapeshifters. We can be anyone, man or animal… Sometimes even plants or a ray of light. It was hard enough keeping track of all the Demi’s when everyone knew about them.”
"Well, considering our parents died when I was 14, I once again state we had no celestial blood." RinRin says, quite tired of her asking that question." He tells Mallory, "Turn left here." She turns and RinRin waits, sure that Maddi will ask another question.
“Fine.” Maddalena nods with a soft hum as she looks out the window. “I just have a hard time believing that any mortal can learn these things just by putting their mind to it.”
"Well, they can't. Not anymore. All the other mortal have become lazy." RinRin says. "I'm sure you have more questions?"
“Now that I can believe.” she nods with a light chuckle. “I… I'm not sure. I suppose I’m just trying to get used to how this world is now. I don't even really know what I'm wearing.”
RinRin raised an eyebrow. "They're clothes. You haven't seen that from your high and mighty palace?" RinRin asks. "I think Mallory told you that already as well. Modern-day clothes. I'm beginning to wonder how much you actually listen to her."
“I know they are clothes. I wear clothes all the time. Don't be an ass.” she glares at RinRin. “I mean what kind of clothes are they?” she explains. “The boots are somewhat familiar but I have not seen this type of material for pants before and this is the strangest cloak that I have ever worn.”
RinRin sighs. "How do you do it, sister?"
"I have no idea," Mallory replies. "It's called a jacket. The pants are jeans. Mother of Diana, you're hopeless."
“Mother of who?” she asks, before giving Mallory an affronted look. “Excuse me. I was once an all-powerful goddess! I could slay enemies with one look! Master of thievery and controller of chaos! That may not seem like much to you two! But it does not mean that just because I do not have my powers you can call me hopeless!”
"Alright, relax." Mallory says, "Rin-" She looked in the rearview mirror. He was gone. "Okay then." She looked at Maddi, "I don't- we don't have time for me to explain every little thing to you. You were the goddess of thieves, yes? Thieves must be able to take note and analyze things. Use that. Start trying to figure it out."
“I was not expecting you to explain everything. And I have been trying to figure things out.” she sighs, leaning back in her seat. “I can easily recognize patterns and can tell when something is worth stealing as well as if something is a necessity or a luxury but I can not identify what certain items are or how they function as I used to.”
Mallory sighs. "We're almost there," she says. A few minutes later she pulls into a parking lot for a rest stop. "Stay here," she says. "Actually, come with me." She walks into the rest stop and asks the lady at the desk, "Hey, do you have a map of local activities and restaurants?"
"Yes, here you go." she says and hands her a brochure.
"Thanks."
"You're very welcome, Mallory."
"How did you-" Mallory falters. She looks at Maddi. RUN! Get to the car!
Mallory bolts out the door and starts the engine, which responded instantly. She backed out of the parking lot and saw a large crow fly through the open doors of the rest stop. She senses the crow and summons a Malyara blade above it. It stabs the crow, making it spiral. She sees where its going to land and she guns the car up the road to avoid getting flattened. "Rest stops suck." she says, driving away.
Maddalena nods and looks out the window as Mallory drives. When they pull up to the small building, she raises a brow at how quickly the other woman changes her mind but follows. The former goddess frowns as soon as they walk inside. There was something unsettling about the atmosphere… which was confirmed as soon as the creature behind the desk calls Mallory by her name.
“Run!” she calls out at the same time she receives the warning, grabbing Mallory’s hand. As soon as they get safely into the car, Maddalena was about to use her remaining power to set the crow on fire, when Mallory beat her to the punch. “Nicely handled.” she sighs at their brief safety. “Do you still have that paper she gave you?”
"Yeah. There's a large shopping centre about 13 blocks this way. I need to know what kind of food you want to eat." Mallory stops at a red light, looking in the rearview anxiously.
Maddalena shrugs as she looks at the map now in her hands. “I’m not very particular. The last time I was here I remember helping many of my… I guess you could call them my followers, to get food. As long as it was eatable we didn't much care what it was.” she explains.