The Adorable Archfae - vol. 01

The vines retreat back into the ground. Dustin and his men drive off without knowing how close they came to a superhero beatdown.

You follow behind Sean and Todd at a safe distance. Not that it really matters. Todd is way too out of it to possibly notice you. He is having enough trouble walking. And Sean seems focused on the task at hand. He walks quickly, dragging Todd along when he needs to. He starts to put up more of a caring act when they get close to Micah’s place. Sean wraps an arm around Todd and helps him up the steps.

Sam answers the door and his eyes go wide. "Oh my god. Is he ok?"

"Does he look ok?"

"Shit. Micah is out, man. He--"

Sean holds up a hand. "Nothing Micah can do anyways. His wounds aren’t fresh. Those monsters really did a number on him and then tossed him aside when he couldn’t fight anymore. Help me get him inside."

Sam quickly takes the load from Sean. He helps Todd inside, careful not to harm the boy any further. Sean follows him inside and shuts the door behind him.

You fly around to the back of the house and find that the kitchen window has been conveniently left open again. The group stays in the living room, so it is a little hard to hear but you get the important bits.

Sam asks who this kid is and Sean explains that he is a friend of Lex. He worked all day to track him down and it is a good thing he did because Todd wouldn’t have lasted much longer out there on his own. Sam is clearly worried about how spaced out the kid is. He thinks he might have brain damage and wants to take him to the hospital, but Sean says Todd will be fine.

Sean was sniping the kids. Some of them at least. He was working with Dustin. Sam at least didn't seem to know. Did Micah? Was Sean actually going to do something bad in the sewers if she hadn't interrupted?

The question was what to do with the information. People tends not to react well if they're told one of their closest men is a traitor. Sam had only just met Archfae, if she jumped in now accusing Sean, it likely wouldn't go well. So she had to talk to someone without Sean in earshot. Todd right now at least seemed okay. Though she agreed with the hospital, still she would have to reveal herself to insist.

She takes to the air, and goes in the opposite direction she went last time looking out for golden wings. For Micah.

It doesn’t take long to locate Micah. In the night sky those golden wings are a little hard to hide. He is transfixed on the ground below and doesn’t notice your approach. On the ground there are plenty of onlookers gawking up at the angelic being flying through the sky. They only get more excited when a human sized fairy joins the mix.

Micah seems startled when he finally notices you coming toward him. "Archfae! Did you find her? I thought we would meet back at my house. Has something bad happened?" The worry on his face and in his voice feels very real. If he’s playing you then he is a damn good actor.

She looks cautiously down at the onlookers, before hoping they can't be heard. 'I found her, she's fine however...there is something we need to discuss.' She takes a breath, briefly rehearsing the story she'd worked on as she flew over.

'I've also been watching this group. I've learned a ringleader. He calls himself Dustin. When I fond you teenager she was tracking him, and the person he was talking to.' She hesitates, this was the fun part. 'Ot was another man. Dustin was talking about los of merchandise, as he gave the other guy a boy. I stopped your friend before she ran in. That bit at least was believable. 'She said...that the boy was name Todd, was why she got involved. And that the other man...was one of yours. Called Sean. As she says the last words she tenses slightly, watching Micah's reaction.

'I followed him and Todd. The boys out of it. They're back at your place, with Sam. Sean's acting like he just found him, rescued him. rather than getting him straight from the person responsible. Lex....she said she had been unsure to trust you, that..she had heard rumours. Perhaps this Sean of yours he's...not the person you think he is, is the reason behind these bad rumours.

Micah listens to you with deep concentration. There is no hint of recollection at the name Dustin, but his eyes light up when you mention Todd. This hopeful look is slashed when you tell him Sean might be involved with the fighting ring. For a while, he remains silent. His eyes dart about as if he is replaying dozens of memories in his head.

"Thank you... This isn’t something that I want to hear, but I'm glad to know. I..." he looks back up at you. "Lex is alright then? And Todd... I should have kept a better a watch on things. I have had my doubts about Sean’s... methods. I never imagined he might be working with our enemies though. I hope this is just a misunderstanding but I can’t sit on the sidelines any longer if it is putting people at risk."

Micah sighs deeply. "I’m going to have a discussion with Sean. Please tell Lex that I’m sorry I let her down. I’ll do everything I can to help her friend... could you watch over the boy? Todd? Things might get heated between me and Sean. It is probably best if we get him out of the area in case things get dangerous."

'Surely it would be best if I aid you, if Sean is to lash out. I have seen what they do to their pawns, what would they do to their own men? Though she did want to get Todd to safety, if Micah was an ally she didn't want to immeadiatly be by herself again after finally deciding to trust someone.

She could lie, say she would briefly take Todd to where Lex was. Except that would be leaving a dazed boy alone by himself. [b]'Perhaps..Todd looks like he needs a hospital. He could go there, or I get him to safety then I come back? I could also make sure your other friend is safe. I convinced her to head to a friends, rather than rush Sean, said I would follow and see would would happen.'

Micah thinks it all over. For a while. He seems very indecisive and you begin to get an idea of why he has entrusted so much authority in someone like Sean; even if that trust may have ended up being misplaced. "I could use your help. I have no idea what we’re walking into and I am no fighter. If things are as bad as you have indicated and Sean... you might be the only one capable of protecting Todd and Sam. It looks like I got my own guardian angel today. Thank you for offering your assistance."

The two of you fly back to his home, talking over a bit of strategy on the way. Micah is going to go in and talk to Sean. He’ll make sure the window is open and suggests you hang around back to listen in. If things go south, he wants you to see Sam and Todd to safety and only after that is done, come to his aid.

When you get to the house it is easy to hear the heated argument Sean and Sam are having about what to do about Todd. Micah dispels his wings and heads in through the back door. He leaves it open a crack, and sees that the window is already open. When he walks through into the living room everyone goes quiet.

"Micah, I’m glad you’re back. I’ve been out all day but I found the guy Lex was worried about." There is a heavy silence in response to Sean.

"Sam, can you take Todd into the other room. I need to have a discussion with Sean."

"No." There is clear hostility in Sean’s voice. "Todd is in no shape to... He should stay here with me."

For a long minute, no one speaks. It is as if each party is trying to figure out how much the other one knows.

"What’s going on Miach?"

"I would like to ask you the same thing. Todd isn’t well. Let me--"

"There is nothing you can do." It sounds as much a threat as it is a statement.

"Sean, don’t--" Miach suddenly stops. You hear Sam let out a gasp of surprise followed by the familiar sounds of a human imitating the barks of a dog.

Well this seemed like exactly what 'going south' sounded like. Archfae is through the back door before she even before she has a chance to think, getting in between Sean and everyone else.

'Sam get them both out.' Even as she speaks she realises that she as Archfae never explained how she knew their names, or where Micah lived to save Sam. She would come up with a lie later.

Micah had wanted her to protect Sam and Todd, but she wasn't about to leave him, especially if he had gone into Fido mode. She is barely aware of he vine that come in through the windows, trying to block Sean's path to anyone but herself. She probably should be trying to be more subtle, suggest they just wanted to talk. But that had failed with Micah, and right now she wasn't in a subtle mood.

'Why no hospital Sean? Don't want them to know what your friend did to him? What did you two do to stop him from sharing what really happened? What you did?'

Sean is stunned when you walk through the door. Micah is curled up on the couch and looks happy to see you. He gives a quick yelp of a bark. You can see the recognition in his eyes. It is unclear if it is Micah recognizing Archfae, or Fido recognizing Lex.

Sam wavers for a minute, unsure who to listen to. Ultimately, he goes with you. He grabs Todd’s hand and starts to lead him to the back door before Sean shouts for him to stop. Sam looks to you for reassurance.

"What is going on here? Who the hell are you?" Sean asks.

"It doesn’t matter," Sam finds his voice. "Answer her questions."

Sean remains silent. It is clear on his face that he knows the jig is up. You can see the wheels turning behind his eyes as he tries to think of a way out of this. Sam shakes his head in disappointment and goes toward Micah. That’s when Sean pulls the gun and starts firing at anything with a pulse.

---

Dice Pool Limit: 5

Current HP
Archfae: 3

Threat Ratings
Mini-Boss: Sean Miller: 1

Side Objectives
(1 round time limit)Protect Everyone Until They Get Clear: 3

The others safety was the most important. Even as Sean's draws the gun Archfae speaks arcane words, putting all her focus in it, causing the vines to grow and rapidly form into a wall separating Sean and herself from the other free and the front door, and protecting the otehrs from wild bullets.

'I'm the one done with your and Dustin's bullshit.' She speaks as thorned tendrils grow from the cage she's made around them.

Sean grits his teeth as the magazine runs dry and he is unable to score a single hit. He looks around at the vines that have layered around the two of you, completing an enclosure not unlike the fighting rings he helped force others into. His face shows the recognition. He has become the animal backed into a corner.

He throws the empty gun at you and charges forward. Punches and jabs are thrown with a mixture of speed, skill, and desperation. The surprising tenacity has you on the ropes for a minute. He may be a human with no known super powers, but he clearly has some skill.

You allow small openings to spread between the vines and force a large gust of wind through to get some space between you and Sean. He throws up his hands to shield against it but cannot stop from being pushed back to the middle of the room. When the wind stops he looks up at you with pure rage.

"I don’t know who you are but you got the wrong guy." Sean continues on like this. Spewing lies that stand no chance of being believed by anyone. All the while his eyes are darting around the room looking for anything that may give him an advantage in this fight.

When he finally finds it, Sean dives across the room toward a bookcase. Before you can stop him, he has a lighter pulled from his pocket held in front of a conveniently placed aerosol hairspray can. "Burn." The makeshift flamethrower spits fire all over the room. The couch, the ground, the ceiling, the vines. Everything lights up as Sean laughs.

---

Dice Pool Limit: 5

Current HP
Archfae: 3

Threat Ratings
Mini-Boss: Sean Miller: 1

Protect Everyone Until they Get Clear: SUCCESS!!!

'Then why did you just fire at your friends?

She could just enclose the burning vines on him. But that wasn't herolike, and she'd been told to be a hero. No it wasn't because she was tole. Its because she was. So instead she opened the vines behind her, letting a gust of wind blow in to stop the flames, even as vines lashed out to grapple and pin Sean to the floor.

As she clams she begins to speak new words, words to affect the air pressure, the clouds, the atmosphere around the house, the area, as the sky darkens preparing to rain if the fire spreads.

Sean has no answer for that. He doesn’t even try to respond. Vines wrap him up before he can spread more chaos and your magic quickly starts to douse the fires. Before long, this place is looking... well like total shit. But it is no longer an escalating issue.

Sean struggles against the entangling vines but it is no use. He isn’t going anywhere. He finally realizes this and awaits his fate while you deal with the last of the fire.

"I guess it was only a matter of time before Micah got someone like you in his employ. I didn't realize he was recruiting behind my back. He's more clever then I thought. I’m sure you guys will make a wonderful duo." He says this with both spite and a sense of hopefulness. "I do believe in the cause, but sometimes you have to be willing to crack a few eggs to make the omelet; you know? Micah ain’t willing to do that. If you’re taking my place, I hope you’re willing to get your hands dirty when time comes or all of this has been for nothing."

'The only asshole going behind peoples back is you.' She crouches on her knees in front of Sean. 'iI'm just someone who happened to be in the right place at the right time to cotton on to your bullshit. Micha only met me 20 minutes ago.Yet him and Sam trust me more then you. Why? because I saved Sam from a car wreck that you could have stopped by telling him you knew Dustin, that he didn't need to go tonight.'

She stands up again, removing all the vines except the ones trapping Sean. 'Cracking a few eggs.#? You mean the exact people you claimed to stand for? You're hands aren't dirty they're covered in blood and money. Tell me how to find Dustin.'

She didn't know what to do with Sean. Would she be able to convince the police he was a shitbag? Unlikely. Best let Sa and Micah decide if and when they returned

Sean shakes his head in annoyance and defiance. "You need to grow up. You’re out here flying around looking like a magic pixie and trying to tell me what to do? What do you know about life down here for people like me? Nothing, that's what. Everyone that grows up like me talks a bit talk about how they want to change things but do they ever do it? No. Because eventually they come to a wall. A line that they won’t cross. I’m willing to cross it if it means a better life for everyone.

"You think the elite scum at the top are scared of crossing those lines? Give me a break. Not everyone is all unicorns and rainbows like Micah. We were never going to succeed at changing things if we kept going about things his way."

"I’m sorry you feel that way." You both turn to look at the front door. Standing there with a paper bag full of fresh produce is Micah’s mother. She walks into the room and takes a look at her charbroiled sofa. You look back to Sean and his expression has changed. He looks like a kid caught with their hand in the cookie jar.

Micah’s mother acts as if you aren’t in the room. She places the grocery bag on an end table and goes to kneel next to Sean. "I had to do it," Sean tells her.

"I don’t doubt that you think that, Sean. Where is my son?" Sean looks at you. The woman stands and turns to face you. She waits as if she is expecting an answer, but does not repeat the question.

Lex grits her teeth at the pixie comments. She should probably make some comment about appearences, and true magic and what not. Nope. 'A lot seeing, seeing as I haven't known where my next meal is coming for for the past few years. Whihc is worse than you seeing I guess you get some nice cash for selling out those you are claiming to stand for. I've been a fairy for what, two weeks and already done better than you and your false pretence. If the line is selling out friends, then I;m walking in the wrong direction. /b]

Even with the hissed response her emotions are still built up. It wasn't going to get into his head. Nothing ever got into other people head. She's about to continue when Micha's mother turns up. She fight the age old need to point to Sean and immeadiatloy blame him for the burnt furniture and damage.

[b]'Sam. Sam took him to safety. She answers, not able to look the women in the face. Too many reminders. SHe points towards the door the group left by.

For a brief moment you see relief wash over Mrs. Beradi’s face before it returns to one of practiced neutrality. "That’s good. Sam has always been very reliable. Unlike Sean here. Can you do me a favor and sit him up? This is no way to have a conversation." Micah’s mother points at one of the burnt sofas. It is no trouble for you to rearrange him in a sitting position, and then she indicates for you to sit next to him.

"I take it that you are responsible for Micah’s worsening condition?" she asks Sean.

Sean cannot look her in the face. His silence tells her the answer. "Is his father involved?" For a moment, Sean’s eyes flick upward to meet hers before he looks back at the ground. Mrs. Beradi sighs deeply. "If only you had said something, we could have helped you Sean. He’ll kill you as soon as he learns you failed him. You know that right? I cannot do anything to protect you now. The best I can offer is a sincere wish of good luck."

She turns her attention to you. "Are you working with my son? I don’t recall hearing about any supers in his organization. What is your name?"

Mrs. Beradi looks confused. She asks Sean, "Dustin?"

He clears his throat and answers, "Dustin Barris. He’s--"

She rolls her eyes. "I know who he is." She turns back to you and laughs. "No. Dustin is not Micah’s father. Dustin is a skilled con artist that I thought Abram Beradi had cast aside years ago. Dustin may be a terrible man but he is not one I am afraid of. I am very disappointed in Sean, but there is nothing I can do to protect him from my ex-husband. If you want to try to protect him, be my guest."

Mrs. Beradi reaches into her purse and pulls out a cellphone. She taps it a few times and raises it to her face. "Micah, are you alright?" The world starts to be drowned out by an ever increasingly loud ringing noise. You feel as if you are going to faint. You close your eyes and try to shut off the world. The ringing stops.

When you open your eyes, both Sean and Mrs. Beradi are looking at you with very concerned expressions on their faces. "Are you alright, dear?" Mrs. Beradi asks. Her hands are empty. She doesn’t even appear to have a purse.

The phone in the kitchen rings. Mrs. Beradi excuses herself to answer it. She pauses next to you and places a comforting hand on your shoulder for a minute before continuing on.

"So are you willing to help me?" Sean wastes no time asking as soon as she vanishes into the kitchen.

She was beginning to fucking hate these not-phones. What the hell was going on. And just when she managed to take someone out without screwing up. Lex takes a deep breath as she opens her eyes. That thing, that device, it was gone. The others didn't seem aware. Sam had seemed confused as well. Was it a vision of the future of something, future tech? But since when she fairires care about that sort of stuff. It made no sense as a power for her. Maybe that mime Magpie kept going on about.

'I'm fine. Just, listening to the trees, making sure the area is safe.' She didn't want to be seen as a another moment of weakness.

As Sean speaks she rolls her eyes and let's out a disgusted sound. 'Help you? No. You deserve to be locked up, and pay for what you've done. But won't learn anything when dead, and I'm not going to let someone die while I'm around.' Though if Micah's Dad was coming for Sean, it could be a good way to get him to turn up. Though using bait...was that really something she should do?'