What should have been a simple life in the desert sand and stars becomes anything but. Haunted by dreams of a life of violence, and seeking answers as to why, Peridot and her friends find themselves caught in an ancient battle between Light and Dark...and find that the cost of being a soldier is higher than they might have ever thought.
Frosted: And that is exactly why we don't have time for your games! Go out there, get what we need, and do not mess around!
Celestial: Have I ever let you down about this?
Celestial: Name one time I messed this up! Just one!
Frosted: You--those stores up in the Highlands!
Celestial: That was your intel, not my choices!
Celestial: but don't you get it?! That's another problem! We're working off bad intel and fudging Mayor Herb! He's just using you!
Frosted: I am using him!
Celestial: For what?! Dad, what does he have on you?!
Frosted: Excuse me?!
Celestial: The only reason you'd let anyone boss you around is if they had something on you! What does Herb have on you?! We can get out of it somehow--some way that's not this!
Celestial: If you'll just talk to me, I can get Mom and we can--
Frosted: Your mother would kill us all for this, you idiot!
Celestial: ....
Celestial: Dad--
Frosted: No. This conversation is over--do your job, Celestial! That's all that matters now.
Across town...
Peridot: I'm back!
Citrine: In here, baby!
Peridot: Mom--yikes! How many suspects is that?
Citrine: *aggravated sigh* Too many. It's like trying to track the stupid hydra!
Citrine: Narrow down one lead and fifteen more pop up all over the city. Bah!
Peridot: Can I help? Fresh eyes?
Citrine: ...maybe. Okay, look, this case started about ten years ago. Last any of us figured, these robberies were supplies for some sort of magical ritual, but your Ma and Caly didn't recognize what kind. Can you see any pattern here?
Peridot: Um...what was taken already?
Citrine: Herbs, flowers, tree saplings in one part of town, crystal dust in another...it's all over the map, kiddo, I don't know what they're trying to do...
Peridot: ...well, in games and stories something this big is usually a summoning?
Citrine: ...a summoning?
Peridot: Yeah, like...well, if it's this big and involved I'd guess like, final boss level kinda thing? Does that make sense?
Citrine: ...too much. Aspen, asphodel, bloodroot. Where's my herb dictionary...
Peridot: Ma and Miss Caly didn't recognize it?
Citrine: No. But that was when I asked what the parts meant in general, not...combined. I didn't think...*sigh*
Peridot: You didn't think...what? Mom?
Citrine: ...there's...something big your Ma and I need to tell you, kiddo, but I don't know how. I've never known how.
Peridot: Would just coming out and saying it work?
Citrine: The problem is with that is it's absolutely insane. Like call an ambulance we need help insane.
Peridot: Mom, we're all already that crazy.
Citrine: This is beyond that. This is...*sigh* Honestly it's something out of a bad anime. Final boss level isn't wrong.
Peridot: Mom...do you...do you want to wait for Ma to tell me? or..I can ask Miss Caly?
Citrine: No. Your Ma and I will tell you, I just. *sigh* Watcher, Peri, I wanted us to have more time.
Peridot: ...there's never enough time, Mom. And it...it feels like we're running out of more and more by the day, doesn't it.
*phone buzzes*
Peridot: Unknown number? Who...
Text from: Razz Berry
Razz: Got a new fight for you, Lime-girl. Usual place, usual time. You'll get your intel then, so don't noshow me.
Peridot: Yeesh...friendly, aren't they. Okay, Cel, where are you...
Text to: Cel
Peridot: Got a new mission to run. Will you go with me?
Message sent. Message seen: TBA
Peridot: ...the heck?
Peridot: Whoa--sorry, Ma!
Fern: No big. What's the rush?
Peridot: I need to talk to Cel about something but he's not answering his phone. Figured I'd drop by before school.
Fern: Oh-ho?
Peridot: Don't sound like Father Winter, Ma, it's not that! It's a...school project.
Fern: Uh-huh. Sure it is.
Peridot: Ma!
Fern: I believe you, really! But he's not gonna be there, sweetie. Caly was complaining last night that his dad switched custody days on her this week.
Peridot: ...oh.
Peridot: ...well at least I can just beat Meadow to school today, then.
Fern: *laugh* You kids. So, any plans for Spooky Day? You're a little old for trick or treating, I guess?
Peridot: There's gonna be a dance club thing at the Llamante this evening, but yeah. No more costumes for me.
Fern: Too bad! You made a really cute ninja...and so did Cel, come to think of it. The cutest ninja couple ever.
Peridot: Ma!
*both laugh*
Fern: Just be home by curfew, okay? And --
Peridot: Look both ways before crossing the street, I know!
Fern: Look all ways before crossing the street!
Fern: ...Watcher, when did you get so big? You're almost taller than me!
Peridot: Almost, Ma, almost. I've still got some growing to do before that happens.
Fern: Eh, not much. Now get going. You don't want to be slower than Meadow, do you?
Peridot: Cel you big jerk...
Edelweiss: Morning! Did you beat Meadow and Ribbon this time?
Peridot: Huh? Oh, yeah...they went up to class already...
Rose: What's with that, anyway? Some kind of bet?
Edelweiss: Sort of. Old kid's game, I think. It just...stuck.
Rose: Eh, could be worse. ...The fudge is with you, Peridot? You look....distracted?
Peridot: I've been trying to get hold of Cel all morning...he switched to his Dad early but he's not even answering my texts!
Edelweiss: That's weird...he normally always answers you.
Peridot: I know! It's starting to worry me...
Rose: Maybe he's busy? If he's not here and his Dad needed him...
Edelweiss: Could be. I wouldn't worry too much, Peri. Cel can handle himself.
Peridot: I know, I just--
*first bell rings*
Peridot: Ugh...why'd today have to be a school day?
Edelweiss: I'll text Dad, see if he knows anything.
Peridot: *sigh* Thanks, Edie.
Rose: You two are making mountains out of molehills! Maybe something came up on that side of the family, that's all.
Peridot: Probably....*sigh* Okay. Being late to class won't bring him here, will it.
Edelweiss/Rose: Nope!
Lunchtime...
Scarlet: Nothing? Still?!
Peridot: Still. And apparently Mr. Peak didn't show up to work today, either.
Dawn: Okay that's just weird.
Candle: Family emergency?
Peridot: Cel's never mentioned family on his Dad's side, though...
Scarlet: Not an early internship, that's for sure. Strange...what else is there?
Candle: Um...early Spooky Day party?
Peridot: To switch custody days and pull him out of school AND miss work? Nah. Can't be.
Candle: Okay, well...maybe he needed Cel on a case?
Scarlet: A detective pulling his teenage kid out of school for a case? Can't see it.
Dawn: Eh, Mr. Peak's a real piece of work. I wouldn't put it past him.
Scarlet: You met?
Peridot: What's he like? Cel won't talk about him.
Candle: He's a real piece of work. He came to practice once, to pick up Cel early? Dude looked...so disappointed in him. It was weird.
Candle: And Cel got this weird look in his eyes, too.
Peridot: Weird how?
Candle: Like...like he was waiting for his pops to drop dead on the floor right there. Or expecting it, maybe, I dunno. Like I said, weird.
Scarlet: You're all weird--who's going dancing tonight?
*chatter continues*
Scarlet: I'm not sorry--are you out of your mind?! You could have been hurt, or worse!
Raven: You got in a fight club?!
Scarlet: We all got lessons, but this is...this is something else...
Razz: Feel like I should warn you, though--that guy's boss was wondering who and why wanted to know this. You're gonna start attracting attention digging this hole. You sure you want that?
Razz: nah, that's a freebie. I haven't seen the kid since you were here before. I know he's got work with some of the other gangs around town, but...
Peridot: Yes I got into a fight club!
Raven: What for? What could be so important that you'd need to do that?!
Peridot: Answers! Who attacked Mom, who hired them to do it...Cel swore Razz could get us the answers and this is the trade!
Scarlet: Peridot...
Peridot: Don't look at me like that! Cel was there last time and now I'm telling you so if something happens you'll know where to look!
Raven: Know where to--no. Nope, no way!
Scarlet: You have completely lost your mind if you think you're going again. Do you know what happens to people in places like that?!
Peridot: Yeah, but I can't just not go! If Razz has the info I can't just--
Scarlet: --let it go. Ugh, fine. FINE! But I'm coming with you.
Peridot: Whoa, hold up!
Raven: And if Scar's going, I'm going. Plain and simple.
Scarlet: We're not letting you do this alone, Peri.
Peridot: ....thanks.
Scarlet: Don't thank me yet. I'm going to wring Cel's neck for getting you involved in this!
Raven: How did he even know about it?
Peridot: He said his Dad had some contacts? I guess informants or something...
Scarlet: Or something. Could that be why he wasn't around today? Something to do with this...Razz?
Peridot: Well, the only way to find that out is to ask them, so.
Raven: Watcher you're insane.
Scarlet: Peri...is this worth it? Really? Auntie is fine and still working the case! You don't have to go looking for answers.
Peridot: Yes, I do. Someone wanted to shut her up and I want to know why.
Scarlet: And if they try to shut you up, too? What then?
Peridot: Then I'll deal with that then! It's really not a big deal, Scar.
Peridot: I can handle myself. Besides, that's what you two are gonna be there for!
Raven: Scarlet, why is your cousin so crazy.
Scarlet: Don't look at me, I wasn't born into the crazy.
Peridot: Oh, very funny. Look, you two really don't have to come along--
Scarlet: Ah! We're coming along. If you try to go by yourself I WILL call Auntie Fern!
Peridot: ....tattletale.
Raven: Hey now, that's not a nice thing to say to someone trying to keep you alive.
Peridot: No, but it is the truth.
Scarlet: I won't deny it. You're just a regular old berry, Peri. If you get in over your head, that's it.
Scarlet: Can you really blame us for being worried about you?
Peridot: No, I just wish people wouldn't worry so much! I'm not made of glass, you know. Why is everyone always so worried about me and my safety?
Scarlet: Because we're your family and we love you. You do the same for us, right?
Peridot: *sigh* ...yeah, I do. Okay, well...we'd better get going. Don't want to be late.
Later....
Raven: This place has people living in it? I thought they'd all been given better housing and moved out for reconstruction...
Scarlet: I think that project got stalled by the mayor...the people are better off, but the place stayed the way it was.
Peridot: And the fights moved in. Oh--did you two pick new names yet?
Scarlet: Sanguine.
Raven: Sunshine.
Peridot: *snort* Okay then. Razz! Have you seen Ramune the last couple of days?
Peridot: Razz?
Razz: Hang on! Now, listen. If your boss wants that intel, you've gotta take her down. Otherwise I tell her what he told me, got it?
Fighter: No skin off my nose, but yeah. I got it.
Fighter: but what does a teenage girl want with that info anyway?
Razz: Fudge if I know. Your boss was just as surprised to hear I was asking for those three. How long...
Fighter: Long enough.
Fighter: ...if I win, do I get to ask her some questions?
Razz: Deal was for the intel. What you two work out's between you. Just, uh, she knocked the last guy out hard so watch your nose.
Fighter: Ha!
Razz: Hey, he went down like a sack of rocks! Don't underestimate her.
Scarlet: ...if you need help, scream. Okay?
Peridot: I will.
Peridot: Razz!
Razz: Just a second, geez!
Scarlet: ...
Raven: We can take them. If we have to, we can take them.
Razz: The fudge is this? Where's Ramune?
Peridot: You don't know?
Razz: Nope! And this is one on one, not--
Peridot: Relax. Same as last time.
Razz: It better be. Alright, you two, out here with me. And no funny business.
Scarlet: Good luck.
Peridot; I don't need luck.
Scarlet: No, you need sense.
Razz: the fudge is that kid...
Raven: Did you know she could fight like that?
Scarlet: No...I had no idea.
Razz: So, I did some digging. The three who attacked Citrine? They're dead.
Peridot: What?!
Razz: From the sound of it, they got taken out for not finishing her off. Somebody wanted a clean break.
Razz: And before you ask, the who's going to cost you another fight.
Peridot: Of course it will. Fine, well, sign me up for another fight.
Raven: Lime, are you sure?
Peridot: I'm not leaving with no answers. Who could afford to off three people like that, anyway?
Scarlet: People you don't want noticing you...or this place.
Scarlet: Is it even safe to ask who did it? It won't pull them down on this place?
Razz: Fudge if I know, kid. But if you can pay the piper, I'll pass the message along.
Peridot: Positive.
Razz: Right, well, your funeral I guess. So, next fight may be a while--
Peridot: Great! One question: have you seen Ramune these past few days? He won't answer my calls or my texts.
Scarlet: Or is that question gonna cost a fight, too?
Razz; Last I heard, he was working with some corrupt cops, too.
Peridot: ...corrupt cops?
Razz: yeah. I think he let slip his dad was a detective on some politician's take? Something like that.
Razz: Stupid kid's probably neck deep in trouble.
Peridot: And you don't...know which politician it is?
No comments:
Post a Comment