Becoming Monsters: I'm Blue Ch. 31

Becoming Monsters is the creation of AiLovesToGrow, setting used with permission.

The idea for this story comes from Amethyst Dragonfly.

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Chapter 31: Pursuit of Happiness

“So… that all happened.” Abbey and Justin were sitting at the dinner table, and Abbey had a mug of chicken soup in her hands. Not exactly the heaviest or most complete dinner, but it felt right.

Justin breathed a deep breath of the steam from his own mug, enjoying the smell of it as much as the flavor. “Yeah. Uh, for the record, I wasn’t expecting us to have to defend against a gunman on day zero. Those usually wait for week two from what I hear.”

Abbey did a double-take, then realized her boyfriend… fiance… husband… WHATEVER he was right now was joking. It was just a bit harder to catch given all of the everything that had happened that day. “At least the Marshal is on it. And what is it that I was hearing about an explosion earlier? You went to Camp before I did, did you get any better info?”

Justin nodded. “You could say that. I’d just gotten to Camp when it happened, looks like an Ability-based explosion where that Lich was using his minions for construction. Whoever did it missed, though. Must have gotten set off by one of the minions, Vyrlokar was angrier than a hornet but said he could fix it. I smell a rat.”

“A rat? Not an accident?” Abbey’s head tilted.

“Yeah. We’re in the middle of a place where literally everyone lives and dies by their abilities. Anyone with the juice to make a bang that big but who entirely missed? Not one of the Delvers of the Seattle Camp. We know they weren’t trying to help because it didn’t do any actual earth moving, either. And because the Lich obviously didn’t know it was coming.” He paused to take a sip of the soup. “Just look at how the Delver we ran into handled what he was trying to do. Direct goal, immediate use of his tools to get what he wanted. He just underestimated what he was facing.”

“Good point, and that would point to both an outsider and someone who either hates Vyrlokar personally… which I doubt… or doesn’t want the Expo to go off smoothly. There are a few too many people in that last category to narrow down easily, but at least it’s somewhere to start.”

“Honestly, it smells like something my Dad would do. It’s his style, especially when he’s been embarrassed. Always went for the throat in the court of public opinion, and the best revenge for him would be to make the Guild Hall look incompetent.” Justin sighed. “I know there’s too much going on and too little concrete evidence to prove it, but I’m pretty sure that’s it.”

“I hope you’re wrong, because if it’s him then it means the rivalry between the Delvers and Soldiers is going to get a lot more heated soon. I’ll let the Admin staff know, though.” She stood to go get more soup from the pot on the stove, but paused in thought. “Actually, Justin, back it up a few sentences. About the guy who wanted my Bound Object. How did you even know I was in danger? Before I smoked out I couldn’t even see you, but by the time the good part started you were there and ready to do violence on my behalf with that rather artistic sword of yours.”

Justin shrugged and took another sip as she filled her mug. “Couldn’t tell you. Felt like it was about time to come find you, then I’d barely gotten you into line of sight when I saw the guy square up with you and started sprinting. He shot at you by the time I was halfway up, and I don’t think I’ve ever run faster than taking him down.”

“I’m not normally one to cheer at a white knight, but given you were charging to my rescue I’ll make an exception.” She took a sip of the soup. It was pretty good for something that came out of a can, and since her parents were on the way back to Texas it meant that they had to do their own cooking again. Both of them just happened to forget today, which was understandable. “So how was work? And class?”

“Perfectly boring compared to everything else, but Quiverbow’s going to get her Gold’s worth out of me. I swear she knows more about how to apply my Class Abilities than I do, and I’m the only Shaper she has on staff.”

Abbey gave a small smile. “And that’s why you’re an apprentice, dear. She’s the master. So how did class go, since you dodged that part?”

Justin sighed. “Kind of hard to focus on literature, even when I like the movie, when real life is as hectic as it is.”

“Oh? Is it the fantasy book that was sitting on the nightstand? With the masked man on the front?”

Justin nodded. “Yep, got it in one. It is absolutely inconceivable how boring the class is when by all rights I should love what we’re going over. Hard to be motivated about it.”

Abbey walked back over. “If I remember correctly, that one had a very distinctive and famous sword in it. Maybe that can be your next glass creation, once your current project goes through its proofing stage with enchantments?”

“Huh, now that you mention it, that’s a really good idea. Makes a kind of theme for the gallery if I ever put one together.” His brain started to go on that line, but visibly stuttered. “Hey, Abbey, quick and really random question.”

She looked back quizzically. “Go ahead.”

“Where are Todd and his group? I haven’t seen them all day, and they’re usually back by now.”

Where indeed. Todd, Ghata, Song, and May (with Alex in her arms) were much closer than he might have expected. Almost exactly 50 feet away, on the third story of the house. As they were returning from the Guild Hall themselves, Todd had spotted motion where there should not have been. Someone was there. Someone who did not belong, looking like a sneak thief. With a shout (that hadn’t carried downstairs), he took off running to give chase with his friends right behind him.

The figure kept ahead of them, running like death itself was behind them instead of just four people. Well, a Human, a golden-blonde Kumiho fox-folk, a rampaging tiger, and a VERY angry Greater Succubus. Perhaps the threat assessment was accurate. They were dressed in dark and fully-concealing clothing including a ski mask, there was no way to identify them except as an intruder. Down the halls, around the corner, diving through an archway to the stairway. For some reason they chose to go up the stairs instead of down, perhaps seeking a less-traditional exit from the building or uncertain as to how high up they were. May’s wings boomed as they flapped to lift her upwards, holding the giggling Alex close to her bosom as she did so. The Tiger and Kumiho also ascended the steps far faster than their target could. Where there had been some separation a moment before, now the person’s lead was minimal.

Give the intruder credit, they tried to escape. They got to the top of the stairs, ran four steps, found a door, and immediately pivoted to go there and try to barricade themself. The problem, of course, was the thump that resulted when the door didn’t budge. Locked, and secured so hard it was like it was a part of the wall itself instead of leading to a random room.

That delay was more than enough for them to get swarmed under by furious fur, pinning them down far harder than their struggles could possibly escape. Todd caught up, and without ceremony yanked off the ski mask. A rather pretty woman’s face with blonde hair was revealed. A very familiar one. “Brittany? What are YOU doing here?”

She’d stopped struggling but glared back. “You can’t be asking that every time we run into each other, Todd, I kind of live in this area.”

“No, you live in Seattle and work at a bank. We are in neither of those places.” Todd nodded to his companions, who let go and shapeshifted back into the petite Indian and Korean women they appeared as most of the time.

Brittany was impressed. “Alright, so I forgot what your bunch was capable of. Sue me, it’s been a while. Haven’t had to run like that in over a year.”

May stepped into view, her normally-sultry voice carrying a hard edge. “I suggest you explain how and why you came to this house before I take steps to disable you before we call the police. This place isn’t exactly on your normal list of haunts.” One clawed hand was up and pointed at her, implicitly threatening in several ways despite the other one carrying a giggling baby.

“It’s not mine, but I tracked Abbey here. Across bus stops, through a college campus and into a dorm, in a random mostly-empty room where a door that shouldn’t exist somehow stands on an inside wall anyway. Then I walk through, suddenly I’m here smelling sea air and a couple of moments later I’m getting chased through the hallways. Does that sum it up well enough for you?”

Ghata looked sharply over at Todd. “If Brittany could get through the doorway, that means anyone could. That’s a problem, and not one I think Abbey and Justin are aware of.”

“Should have figured they’d let you guys in on it while I had to snoop.” She seemed put out.

Todd shrugged. “Comes with being supportive. We can tell the lovebirds about this tonight. Those two aren’t separating any time in the next millenium if I’m right… and if that’s a question on my next exam it’ll be the easiest one I’ve had to answer yet.”

“And what makes you say that?”

“Todd used all three of his Wishes to be together with her, even if the first one was not really intentional. The man could have had anything, and he chose Abbey. Three times. No offense, but I can’t think of anything more significant than that. Makes what we went through look like nothing, I’m not sure I would have been able to do that in his shoes.”

Brittany deflated a bit, there on the floor. “So he did use his third Wish. And he didn’t go off the rails. Never been so happy to lose a bet, you know?”

Song had a sardonic look on her face. “What did you bet?”

Brittany shrugged. “Nothing out loud, just with myself. SO. They’re getting married. That’s a thing that’s going to happen.”

Todd nodded. “Part of his last Wish already made rings, and I don’t think they’ve taken them off since.”

“Oh, so they’re MARRIED married, just gotta make it official.”

“Pretty much.” Todd thought for a second. “You might want to stand up. I mean, this place hasn’t had a lot of people in it, but we also don’t clean up here too often.”

She scrambled up to her feet. “Both of them are working at Camp now. Okay, looks like I got a bus ride in my future.”

May lowered her claw. “What do you mean by that?”

“If I let those two do this at their own pace, they might never actually get married. The time will never be right, they get too comfortable. Next thing you know he’s dying of old age and she’s finally showing some gray, and all they have left is regrets.” Brittany was stretching out, trying to keep her muscles from stiffening after the recent exertion.

“That doesn’t seem fair.” Todd actually managed to keep a straight face for almost four seconds after saying that. “Okay, okay, maybe it does. I’m not sure what you think you’re going to accomplish going to Camp, though.”

May chuckled at this. “Oh, that part’s easy. Abbey and Justin aren’t particularly religious, so trying to ambush them with a church ceremony isn’t going to have a hope of succeeding. Thing is, that isn’t the end of the list of possibilities. Brittany wants to see if she can get one of the Clerics in on it.”

“Exactly.” Brittany was looking up at the ceiling, a gesture Todd remembered from her days at the university. “They’re already married in the Status. At least one of the Clerics should be both traditionally ordained and more than happy to make it official by law and before God.”

Todd nodded. “That makes sense. Still doesn’t explain why you’re planning on a bus ride. Or a delay, we still have daylight.”

“Uh, Todd, you might not have noticed, but we aren’t in the Guild Hall. Not sure where we are, but it smells like we’re by the sea somehow and the Hall isn’t. I figure the door was a teleporter or a pocket dimension of some kind, either way we still need to go back and get on the bus.”

“Honestly, closer than I thought you’d be. Follow me.” Todd turned and walked back towards the stairs. The others quickly followed with Brittany close behind. Back down to the second floor, to the back corner opposite the one she was expecting, to another door there. “Not sure if this place does more, but it links to reality in two places besides its physical location. One is where you came through, one…” he opened the door, revealing darkness, “is here. Sharp right when you step through or you’re going to hit your nose.”

Curious despite herself, Brittany did so. She raised a hand in front of her as she did, just in case, which meant that she felt the wall before running into it (unlike Justin). One right turn, ten steps, and she found herself bouncing off of a very large and very hirsute redhead who might have been Human or might have been a Yeti. He looked down at her. “Watch where you’re walking! Don’t want to send you flying.”

“Sorry! New around here.” Brittany put on her best Innocent Confusion Face (not a Class Ability, but she always thought of it capitalized) and took a chance that this guy would know what she needed. “Uh, actually, can you point me towards the Clerics? I need to ask them about something… a bit embarrassing.”

The big man laughed in a big and booming voice. “Oh, that’s definitely something almost all of us have had to do. Head out to the Healer Tents, one of them’s always there. That way.” He pointed with one meaty hand.

“Thank you, sir.” She breathed a sigh of relief as he walked off, only to practically jump out of her skin at a sudden sound of a footstep on gravel behind her.

“Smooth.I could almost believe you didn’t already know where the Clerics hang out.” Todd had a sarcastic grin on his face.

She took off walking in the direction the man had pointed just to make them follow. “Because I actually didn’t. This isn’t exactly a place where it’s easy to get away with my ability set, so I haven't exactly been memorizing maps.” The route took them past dueling rings and legal stalls, food vendors and jewelers, assessors and repairmen and maintainers and all of the myriad things that made the Camp tick. Off to the practice fields, and next to those the medical tent where the Healers who weren’t doing their jobs Underground plied their trade.

And standing with them, off to one side dispensing advice and the occasional spell was a gangly-looking Chameleon Beastfolk wearing a white robe. On one side of his chest was a Guild Badge depicting an open book shining with light, Guild Pantheon. On the other was a very different one depicting the earth with a snake surrounding it, the World Serpent. The Lord of Endings and Beginnings was a good place to start, so Brittney didn’t stop walking until she got to him.

The Chameleon looked at the group… with one eye. His other was tracking around the practice field, wisely searching for trouble before it got far. “You bunch seem determined. I’m Daniel, the Cleric on duty right now. How can I help you?”

“This is going to be a bit of a long story.” Brittany took a deep breath to order her thoughts. Todd’s group looked on in amusement as she did her best to make the plan somehow NOT sound like the craziest thing to happen on Earth since the Change redefined what “normal” meant.

Before she was halfway through, Daniel had both eyes securely on her and a long-suffering look on his face. “So let me get this straight. You have two friends who are not particularly religious, but who are bound together in the Status by multiple powerful magical effects.”

Brittany nodded. “Yes.”

“And these two are very much in love, but neither is likely to make the first move to make it official.”

May confirmed it with an “Absolutely.”

Daniel’s eyes fixed on her for a moment. “Ah, yes, not trying to be Racist, but trust the Succubus to know the difference between lust and love.” He looked back at Brittany. “And, of course, the part you didn’t say and seem to hope I missed, at least one works directly for the Marshal at the Main Hall. Yes, I know Abbey is employed there, don’t be shy about it.” He pinched the bridge of his nose, admittedly a much larger target on him than most. “And you want me to help you on behalf of the Lord of Beginnings, so that you can ambush them with a wedding ceremony to make sure it gets done. Is this approximately correct?”

“Um, approximately, yes.” Brittany managed to look sheepish.

“Well, I have some bad news and good news. The bad news is that they are already quite securely together by the Status, so this is neither an ending nor beginning. The World Serpent will not likely grant a request to assist this. The good news is that this is an incredible story, so you may not need it. Guild Leader Smith, the man I take earthly commands from, is a Cleric of Bob the Storyteller. He will likely be more agreeable.”

“That’s… okay, that’s good to hear. Where can we find Guild Leader Smith?”

“By turning around and looking for the obvious candidate.” Brittany, Todd, Ghata, Song, and May all nearly jumped out of their skins. Little Alex, thankfully, giggled at the sudden move. They spun around to face the direction of the slightly-squeaky voice. Before them stood another man in a white robe, but this one stood out more than even Daniel had. He was an Otter, but that was hardly worth noting some days. No, his fur was electric blue. He, too, wore the badge of Pantheon, but nobody present could possibly fail to feel the weight of his gaze. The man represented power, and a lot of it. “No need to repeat yourselves, I was here long enough to hear the summary from Daniel. Would you believe it isn’t the first time I’ve heard a tale along those lines?”

Daniel chuckled. “Coming from anyone else, sir, I’d have doubted that statement. Coming from you, perhaps it is true.”

Todd recovered the fastest. “So, uh, if you know what’s going on, can you help?”

“Walk with me, please. Daniel, I was going to relieve you to take a break, but it seems I’m needed for a bit.”

“No problem, sir. I’d rather be doing this than that.” The Chameleon’s reply was genial.

The electric-blue Otter turned and started walking, the others followed other than Daniel. “So. Quite the conundrum. Absolutely fascinating situation you’ve gone and borrowed for yourself.”

Ghata, still appearing in her Human form, had a quizzical look on her face. “What do you mean by that?”

“I mean that you need not step into this one, so I have little pity for the complexities that are going to result in your life from it. Now, under any normal and almost any abnormal circumstance, I would tell you that you are on a fool’s errand and to desist before people and friendships get hurt. This is a more… unique kind of thing. I felt the Wish magics recently, and what you describe does gel with what information I have managed to gather. And so, I feel, this situation is one that can in fact call for the kinds of intervention you speak of. Ah, here we are.”

The building they stopped at was a relatively small one, but the shape was distinct. A broad rectangle, almost entirely one room other than a closet and a small workspace, with a steepled roof and pews. There might not have been a cross up top, but this was definitely a chapel. He led them to a table behind the pews, in an open area that might be used for studies of scripture or alternatively might be used for someone who wasn’t pew-sized to be able to come and pray.

“Come, sit, get comfortable. Obviously I didn’t have materials prepared for this conversation, but somehow I don’t think they would have helped.” The others got seated, but Guild Leader Smith did not. He continued to walk about the room, fiddling with minor things. Picking up a piece of litter here, setting books straight there. “I’ll get the good news out of the way. Bob the Storyteller seems to approve, and so do I. This is highly unorthodox… and coming from me you can take that to the bank… but it does seem to both be well-reasoned and for the best of all parties involved. And an excellent story. Do you have any plans for how to go about this… surprise, shall we say?”

Brittany shrugged. “Honestly, I got the idea less than an hour ago and didn’t expect to get this far today.”

Smith paused, turning his head to look at the group with an unreadable expression on his furry face. He set down the Bible he’d been moving. “Ah, one of those. Common enough around these parts, as you might expect. Impressive for its degree of completeness given that it is improvisational. What Guild are you with? I didn’t catch that and didn't see a badge.”

Todd coughed gently. “We kind of aren’t. None of us are Delvers, we just know the people involved and figured this would be the place.”

The Cleric sighed a bit. “Bold of you. Intrepid, even. Perhaps less well-considered than I’d thought, but again I can hardly fault that. What were the names, again? Need to make sure I have things straight.”

Todd chimed in. “Abigail Denise Williams and Justin Majors. She prefers to go by Abbey.”

“I do know both of those names. Abbey is that new blue girl who just started working for Marshall Shapiro. Justin… ah, right, Quiverbow’s apprentice.” Guild Leader Smith was rubbing his chin in thought, a gesture that seemed like it should have relied on a beard being there.

“That’s them.”

“Alright, I’ll tell you what. Find out their schedules, find a time that you can get them here, to this chapel. I can take care of the rest. You just need to be there to witness it.”

A sudden creak behind them shocked all six people in the room. They all turned to face the source of the sound, a door opening. The door to the office in the rear of the building, the only offset space there. Revealed in the doorframe and silhouetted against the light was a man. One of unassuming height and features, wearing business casual clothes. If not for his kippah and the Guild badge showing a six-pointed star with a golden pomegranate, it would be unbelievably easy to miss who it was. Marshal Shapiro was there, and none of them had realized it.

“I came by to ask you some questions, Guild Leader Smith, but it seems like that will wait for a moment or two. What is this that I’m hearing about Abbey and her fiance?”