ALEXiThymiA: Chapter 43: Super Time At the Hospital

Chapter 43

Super Time At the Hospital

Tuesday came faster than anyone anticipated. While everyone knew the importance of the day, it was after all, the day that Judge, Warder, and a few other current and former Supers all came to Campus. The true purpose for their visit was only known to a few. At least that was how everything was supposed to be at first.

As it turned out, many of the supers on campus made their intentions clear from the very beginning. Many requesting, if not outright demanding to meet the Super Healer Aru’ka.

The number of supers on campus was only a good thing, as apparently there were a lot of sick people that had made the pilgrimage to the local hospital. Ms. Peacock was already in her Super uniform to help streamline activity.

“Should we go through with this?” Mr. Mackie asked.

“We have the support of half a dozen supers. Along with the TSI offering some of their auxiliary staff to help this event. No, we made this mess, now we must deliver.” Ms. Peacock said, wearing everything for her former persona, well everything but her mask. For this she was just Ms. Peacock, principal of Dawning Light High School, and former internationally recognized Super.

“What should we do about the healer?” Mr. Mackie asked.

“We will just grab her from her room.” Mr. Peacock said, trying to keep straight all the different supers that were on or around campus.

Mr. Mackie just shook his head. “She is already in class.”

With that, Ms. Peacock shook her head.

“She knows what day today is, doesn’t she?”

“I believe she is aware, though she might not be formally aware of the code and conduct of Supers.” Mr. Mackie noted. This was the general two-hour early dismissal allotted all students before they were to make a public appearance as their super identity.

While it might come across as easy to predict whom is whom, particularly when said student didn’t show up to class. Then two hours later a student with a similar build was seen on the news helping in the community. There was also the counter argument, the one where having Mr. Mackie pull a student out of class just before their viewing. That tended to be far more memorable in the minds of students and bystanders than anything else.

Not that they were exactly able to hide a talent like Mr. Thyme from others on campus. There were after all, only so many students who ever obtained the ability to heal. To make it so that child was a 6’2 giant of a female that was eye catching only made her anonymity worse.

Still there was nothing for the pair to do, they needed to pull her out of class. Even if it would create a memorable moment, one that could potentially breach her true identity from that of her super persona.

“There is nothing else for it, we need to get her in costume before the other supers identify her.” Ms. Peacock said.

“As you wish.” Mr. Mackie said, then with that, he quickly teleported away.

Ms. Peacock blinked at the seemingly random response, but soon paid it no mind. There were so many things that needed to be done. Of course, the two main celebrities, the two alumni who recently retired were the headliners to help. If Ms. Peacock didn’t know the truth, she would almost swear those two were here to recruit her. As it stood, she decided to have them play up that possible angle for why they were here to help.

“Here you go.” Mr. Mackie said.

With that Ms. Peacock turned to find Alexa. Well Alexa with an armful of letters.

Ms. Peacock just raised an eyebrow at the sight.

Fortunately, Mr. Mackie was there to help answer the unspoken question. The question Alexa seemed reluctant to acknowledge.

“It would appear that Ms. Tutlidge made note to the Sophomore class that Judge, and Warder would be in attendance today. Then when I went to retrieve Ms. Thyme, everyone used that moment to provide their personal letters to the two heroes.” Mr. Mackie added.

“You didn’t tell them why she was being summoned?” Ms. Peacock asked.

Mr. Mackie just rolled his eyes at the comment. “They had a pack bond active last time she went as a healer. They even set up a rotation to guard her while she slept if you recall.”

“Right.” Ms. Peacock said, remembering hearing something to that effect last time.

“So, they know the reason for the visit of Judge and Warder?”

“It would appear so. Also, I would add that it likely wouldn’t take a mental genius to put the pieces together as to why so many supers would come on a Tuesday. Particularly with the news stories going on. In particular, the story about the British Prime Minister being here with his daughter.” Mr. Mackie added.

Right, that was another headache that Ms. Peacock had to deal with.

“Well, looks like you will be busy for a while. Are you ready?” Ms. Peacock asked.

Alexa just shrugged, then answered in her monotone. “I believe so.”

“Good, that’s the spirit. Now suit up.” Ms. Peacock said, slapping her hands together with feigned enthusiasm.

Alexa just nodded and proceeded to the changing room.

From there it was only a short twenty minutes until they went out and were greeted by a half dozen current and former supers.

As Alexa, in her disguise of Aru’ka followed Ms. Peacock, several supers came forward.

Aru’ka waved, and fortunately her veil covered her mouth which would have shown an expressionless line on her face. Instead, many of the supers took her perfect posture and stoic mannerisms as a sign of supreme confidence, as if she was somehow born to be a Super all along.

Ms. Peacock in an effort to cut down on the number of vehicles had it so that Judge and Warder would ride along with her and Aru’ka. This also gave the idea of possibly providing protection for the healer, should anyone try to do anything.

There was also a lead vehicle lead by Current Supers Polyglot and Redline, while the vehicle behind them was filled with two other retired Supers who had family in need of healing. Their appearance here was two-fold, to both assist with protection, and to ensure their family members were seen.

As soon as they were in and the three-vehicle convoy began making its way to the hospital, Aru’ka who had been carrying an armful of letters turned and handed them all to Judge.

“Here.” Aru’ka’s one word message to Judge. Arguably one of the most influential supers of recent history. On the outside, the exchange could be seen as Aru’ka being too frightened to speak properly to her idol. But this was just Alexa being Alexa.

“Oh, fan letters.” Judge said, with feigned surprise.

“My, I mean, Luke Thyme’s letter is on the top. He asked me specifically to give that to you.” Aru’ka said dryly.

“Oh, Luke Thyme. Is he a friend of yours?” Judge asked, trying to fake her enthusiasm.

“Oh, this one has to be good.” Warder said, snatching the letter from the top of the stack of letters.

“And these others?” Judge asked.

“My fellow classmates.”

“Oh, well that’s so nice of them all. Let them know that I will try to get back to them as soon as possible.” Judge said, her trademark smile appearing on her face as she seemed to be posing for the cameras.

Rip.

There was a tearing sound as Warder eagerly opened the letter. To find that it was a seven-page hand written letter.

“Oh, wow. His parents must be so proud. I know if they saw this, they would have to put it up on the fridge.” Warder said, as a giant smile filled his face.

Then he began to read the contents of said seven-page letter.

Smack.

“Stop that.” Judge said, lightly smacking Warder on the arm before pulling away the letter and trying to fold it neatly so it went back into the envelope.

“Sorry, my jealously protective instincts kicked in, as I wanted to make sure you didn’t leave me for a much younger man.” Warder said.

Gag.

Judge for her part just made a gagging sound.

“Ms. Peacock, can I trouble you to hold these for me, until we are done?” Judge asked, handing her the stack of letters forward.

Ms. Peacock just nodded and took the stack of letters reverently.

Of course, with the driver present the group of four had to keep up appearances. Even though everyone knew of the trio in the back seat’s true identities, that didn’t mean that others didn’t have recording devices, or that remote viewers weren’t now looking at the occupants of the vehicle to see what was happening.

As it was, Alexa detected no signs of magic. Well, she didn’t detect any signs of magic that worked. The vehicle they were in had been protected against scrying and other forms of divination.

With her enhanced senses, Alexa could see attempt after attempted viewing be rebuffed by the different runic protections scattered around the vehicle.

As the vehicle got closer, the entire convoy had to slow down. As the number of people and spectators present had seemingly grown.

Seeing the number of people, Ms. Peacock decided to use this time to go over the rules for protection.

“Aru’ka. Once we get to the hospital, we will let the vehicle in front and behind us disembark first. Then I will disembark, then Judge and Warder. Only once you have been given all clear, are you to leave the vehicle. From there, we will make our way into the hospital. The lobby on the second floor has already been set up for this event. We will go in, get a photo op with the nurses and staff. Then make our way up to the second floor. To avoid congestion, we will avoid the elevators and just use the stairs. Again, you are to remain in the center of our protection at all times. If fans come, let them, do not do anything, it is up to us, your detail to move them away. That said, if you feel you are in danger, or if you feel you are being threatened in any way let us know. The safe word for today is poppycock. If you say that, at any time know we will stop everything, close in to protect you and help you to identify the threat you noticed.”

A slight pause.

“Any questions so far?”

Alexa just shook her head, her hair still flowing about naturally around her shoulders. Once again, she had managed to hide her blond birthmark in the top of her mask.

“Good, is there anything I missed?” Ms. Peacock asked Judge and Warder. Both also apparently being aware of the plans and operations.

“The chair?” Judge asked.

“Oh right, I almost forgot. We saw your struggles at the end last time. As such we have decided to have you sitting in an elaborate chair. This will allow people to come up to see you, while you are to remain seated. Again, we cannot stress the safe word poppycock here as well. If you feel drained, or overly exhausted let us know. The last thing we need is for you to pass out from over healing.” Ms. Peacock stressed.

Alexa nodded.

“The throne that you will be sitting in, can also be used as a wheelchair to help you move. Don’t worry about pushing it, that will be up to Warder, who has volunteered to be your assistant in that regard.”

Alexa nodded again.

“Is there anything else?” Ms. Peacock asked the pair.

Warder just shrugged his shoulders.

“Probably, but even if so, I can’t think of it at the moment.” Judge answered.

“Regardless, we covered the basics. We know the safe word, and we know what to expect. I guess there is nothing else to do but go forward.” Ms. Peacock said, of the four, she looked the most flustered by the number of people who were in attendance at the hospital. As people were standing in lines along the road, to record the procession of supers.

Finally, once they got to the hospital entrance the motorcade parked.

Click-clop.

The sounds of doors opening could be heard.

Click.

“Look, there they are!” Fans began calling out as they say the heroes emerge from the vehicles in front and behind their vehicle.

“Well, looks like it’s showtime.” Ms. Peacock said, as she exited.

With that Warder exited the vehicle at the side facing away from the hospital, while Judge left on Alexa’s right, towards the hospital entrance. A quick look around, then Judge’s hand snaked in and gestured for Alexa to follow. With that, Alexa’s second attempt at being Aru’ka the tall healer began.