ALEXiThymiA: Chapter 58: Déjà Vu

Chapter 58

Déjà Vu

The event was staged. Everyone appeared to be ready and waiting. The nervous twitching implied that everyone was aware of something that was about to happen. What that was, Alexa didn’t quite know.

Years of dealing with people led her to understand that people didn’t normally just form semi-circular formations, unless they were expecting to see something. Alexa recognized this and was instantly prepared for anything.

Then there was movement from the crowd.

“Prepare to die!”

Instantly Alexa was prepared to defend not only herself, but also Luke. Fortunately, her ever moving eyes read the details of the person who shouted the phrase.

Small Human (Gina Rojas): Emotional state: Playful.

Alexa read the status first, before realizing that Gina was in costume. Not just any costume, but a very familiar costume.

For tonight’s event she had worn her own Dread Pirate Roberts costume. One where she was equipped with a thin plastic sword that she held up menacingly at Luke.

“You have been deceived highness, this is not the real Captain Roberts, for I am the real Dread Pirate Roberts, which I will prove to you now.”

Smiling Luke got in his own stance and said a line that was totally wrong.

“You seem a decent person, I’d hate to kill you.”

“You seem a decent person, I’d hate to die.” Gina replied.

With that the two danced in a fake duel. Even though it was fake, it was clear that Luke had nowhere near the skill level and proficiency as Gina had. It was also clear that Gina had a much higher endurance threshold than Luke, as she never seemed to tire.

Alexa knew this from healing the girl, she had clearly been given more and more Endurance crystals in order to increase her chances of living. But ultimately just having an improved body that was made poorly was just that, an improved poorly defined body.

By contrast, Luke now seemed to be tiring out greatly. It wasn’t so much that his attributes were lacking, but that he had to move twice as quickly to fend off the relentless onslaught of strikes made by Gina. She was like a graceful dancer, flowing and moving about with ease. By contrast, Luke’s larger frame and size meant he needed to hold back, both to avoid truly hitting Gina, but also to avoid swinging about wildly to strike at the spectators.

Finally the two exchanged a flurry of blows, one that ended with a quick wrap around strike and a flip from Gina. Within seconds Luke’s sword went flying off into the crowd. Fortunately, the school being made up of supers, a student deftly caught the blade.

“You really aren’t as bad as people claim.” Gina said, holding up her sword in a clear sign of superiority.

At that, Luke broke character and stood up straight to ask “what?”

At that Gina just smiled, “I just want you to feel you’re doing well. I hate for people to die embarrassed.”

With that, Gina gave a final lunge forward and struck Luke. Luke being the over acting ham that he was, grabbed the sword and pinned it next to his side.

“Gah!” He cried out, then spinning about wildly, he looked at the gathered people until his eyes finally locked on the one person he had been looking for. There not too far away was Inigo Montoya, or at least Julie dressed as Inigo Montoya.

He spun over to her, then still playing up his death by combat he spoke. “I regret many things, but I do not regret our time together.”

At that Julie paused. “Was that from the movie?”

“No, it is even better, it is from the heart.” Luke responded.

At that Julie just rolled her eyes. “That was terrible.”

Average Human (Julie Swinton): Emotional state: Lying.

“Would you grant a dying man a request for a dance?” Luke asked.

“All right, that’s enough drama.” A powerfully built woman came forward and spoke to the crowd. “Thank you, Sophomores, for your impromptu drama show. Now back to the real party.”

Tall Human (Angelica Gloria Docker): Emotional State: Calm.

Click.

The girl, Angel, clicked her fingers and instantly a paused music system began playing lyrics to a song that Alexa knew quite well.

Who you gonna’ call?

With that, the gaggle of students who had been set in a semi-circle all began to break up. By this point Gina had already come over to Alexa and gave her a hug.

“I’m so glad you came.” Gina said, as she hugged Alexa tightly. Well as tightly as the small girl’s frame could manage.

“I am too.” Alexa said, in her normal tone.

Then looking up, Gina released her grip slightly as she looked up at Alexa. “So did you get them?”

Small Human (Gina Rojas): Emotional state: Excited.

Alexa cocked her head to the side and looked at Gina for a moment before the memories of their last conversation together hit her. At that, Alexa remembered, “yes, I have them in my room.”

“Awesome.” Gina said, as she was all but jittering with excitement.

Seeing her Alexa couldn’t help but feel drawn in by the small girl’s magnetic personality. This wasn’t the feeling of emotional attachment, as Alexa knew she had a long way to go for that. But this was more of a personal want to feel, to truly be able to experience the highs and lows that this world had to offer. She felt that if she stayed near Gina then she too might learn to experience the highs and lows that the world had to offer. Or at the very least, she felt she could learn to experience the world vicariously through her friend.

With the party officially started once more, the two made their way to a corner.

“Hey, I love the dress. Prom queen right?” One boy asked.

“No, she is Carrie after the pig’s blood drops on her. Thus, the red dress, moron.” A second boy said.

Alexa just looked at the boys in confusion, before answering. “No, I am Buttercup.”

“Like a Reese’s?” The second boy asked.

“No, you morons. She is clearly princess Buttercup from the Princess Bride.” Angel said, coming over and forcing the boys to back away by the way she inserted herself between them and Alexa and Gina. It was simple, she used her body to physically separate the two of them, from the gawking boys.

The boys who looked like they were about to protest the new girl’s arrival were stopped short with little more than an intense glare from the powerful female.

Tall Human (Angelica Gloria Docker): Emotional State: Feigned Ferocity.

With that one glare, the boys were shut down and decided to leave the immediate vicinity.

“Sorry about that. Sometimes boys don’t get a hint.”

Alexa nodded.

“Th, Thank you.” Gina said, a slight smile coming to her face, though it was clear she was a little nervous.

Angel for her part just smiled at the pair.

“I don’t think I’ve had the chance to properly introduce myself. My name is Angel.” The muscular woman with a half-shaved head said with a wide smile as she held out a hand to Gina first.

Gina for her part looked frightened by the gesture, but then nodded to herself and mechanically shook the hand.

Looking at the girl, it was clear that she was infected with the Lykanthropy virus. Alexa watched in amazement, as she saw the energy of the wolf swirl in the taller than average girl’s body, before seeming to give off a faint energy signature on Gina.

Alexa for her part just watched the exchange of energy, wondering if this was some form of marking territory that wolves often did to assert dominance.

With the handshake done, and the energy exchanged. Angel turned her attention to Alexa.

“You’re a werewolf.” Alexa said.

At that, Angel just gave a forced smile.

“Yeah. Though we like to think of ourselves as dual natured.” Angel said, as if having to explain what was socially acceptable and not acceptable to someone completely new to the world.

During this whole exchange, Alexa watched how the wolf spirit within Angel snarled and seemed to growl at the provocation. Then with a measure of will, Angel managed to reign in the wolf, if only for a moment.

Tall Human (Angelica Gloria Docker): Emotional State: Feigned Calm.

Alexa nodded.

Then when Angel held out her hand, Alexa grabbed the hand. This time when the wolf tried to do the same type of imprinting of energy, Alexa Absorbed it, easily.

Angel was shocked for a moment, while it was clear she couldn’t see the exchange of energy, not like Alexa could. She could tell that something had happened.

“I could stop it for you. Make it so you are in control.” Alexa said, holding onto the hand.

Snap.

The wolf, not Angel tried to pull her hand free. At that, Alexa just held tight.

Angel took a second to process. She looked first from her hand that was not moving, then to the deadly serious expression on Alexa’s face.

“Wait, you mean…” Angel began, but then trailed off. She looked around to see Julie who was smiling and talking to Luke.

Alexa noticed the look but couldn’t quite understand why she would look to her. Until she turned back to Alexa and seemed to have an intense understanding in her eyes.

“That was you? You, made them Progenitors?” Angel asked, her voice going low to a near whisper, as if saying the question too loudly would cause others to think she was either insane, or that she might somehow dispel the ability.

“From my understanding they will still need to make themselves Progenitors, I just made it so they no longer had to fight the wolf spirit.” Alexa said.

Angel stared at Alexa for a long minute.

During that time Alexa watched as her face went through a myriad of changes. Before finally settling on a final form.

Tall Human (Angelica Gloria Docker): Emotional State: Determined.

There was an intense ferocity in her eyes, as she looked at Alexa.

“Come with me.” Angel said, as she still holding onto Alexa’s hand now began to pull her through the party.

Yank.

There was a moment when Angel tried to pull, but was stopped by Alexa who just turned to Gina.

Gina, now realizing that this was all being stopped because of her just looked panicked for a second.

“You should come along too.” Angel said to Gina.

Gina nodded, then seeing that Gina would come along, Alexa followed Angel as she made her way through the party goers up to the second floor.

“Already got the new girls?” A second werewolf asked.

“Shut it!” Angel growled.

With that, the second girl who glowed with the spark of Lykanthropy just cowered slightly.

With that done, Angel nodded to herself, before moving forward.

Angel took them to the room that was the first room of the converted house. A quick hand being placed on the door, caused the magical symbols on the door to register the owner of the room.

Click.

Within a second the magical protections of the room disengaged and the door opened to reveal a slightly used room. Looking at everything, Alexa saw the signs of someone who was constantly moving and active. The pile of sweaty clothes in the corner denoted an above average active lifestyle. The room was clearly a double room, but only one person lived in it, if the way Angel’s stretched out belongings denoted anything.

Once Gina and Alexa were in the room, Angel closed the door behind them, and then held herself in front of the door. It was clear she was using her own body to prevent either of the two from leaving.

Glowing eyes.

Alexa watched as the wolf was clearly frightened of the situation and attempted to take control. Fortunately for Angel, she seemed to have slightly more control over the situation than one might expect.

Panting.

With a clear force of will, Angel forced her wolf spirit at bay long enough to cause her eyes to stop glowing. At which time she said two words that truly showed her desperation at the situation she now found herself in.

“Do it.”

Alexa nodded.

Then with lighting fast reflexes, Alexa reached forward and grabbed Angel’s face.

Instantly the message of power appeared in her mind.

Absorber Class Material Found: Would you like to absorb essence of Werewolf?

“Yes.” Alexa said.

Angel looked shocked by the word, as the entire process was not one she had expected. Everything from the touching of her face, to the sudden answering of an unknown question. Still this was good, as her wolf was also confused.

This was all the time that Alexa needed, as she began absorbing the essence of the werewolf that flooded Angel’s body.

Grr.

The wolf did not like being attacked, not so brazenly, not by someone who was merely prey.

The wolf tried to take control, to claw at the attacker. For a time, the wolf even succeeded. Glowing eyes appeared, as Angel tried clawing wildly at Alexa.

Wham.

Within a second, Gina who had been moving away in horror, knowing there was nothing she could do against a Werewolf, let alone a third generation wolf like Angel just stared on in horror.

She watched as Angel’s hands turned into fierce claws and lashed out at Alexa. Fortunately Alexa was faster, so much faster than the still changing werewolf.

Alexa grabbed the slashing hand, spun the wrist under the body. Then tackled the struggling to transform werewolf to the ground.

Rip.

There were sounds of ripping cloth, as the dress that Alexa wore tore while she moved to straddle Angel from behind. Only after a second did Gina realize that Alexa had managed to somehow pin both of Angel’s arms under her body. Then with deft movements, she managed to twist the wrists of the growing clawed fingers and pin them down to the small of her back with one hand. Then with her second hand now free, she reached up to grab the wolf under her jaw as fingers pinched in tight to the werewolf’s exposed neck.

Thump, thump, thump.

While the arms were pinned, the werewolf’s massive legs were still free and kicking at the floor.

Gina found herself taking more and more steps back, until she tripped over a basket filled with freshly folded clothes.

“Ooof.” Gina said, as she fell down then immediately tried to jump up as she felt the plastic container bending under her weight.

By the time she managed to roll out, and get back to a standing position, the fight was over.

Alexa was still over top of Angel. But Angel was now just Angel again. The wolf that had been taking control a moment ago was nowhere to be seen.

Alexa for her part smiled brightly, as an energetic glow filled her eyes.

Seeing the look, Gina felt both excited and a slight twinge of fear.

Alexa looked down first to Angel, making sure she was okay. Then her face changed as a twinge of panic filled her face as she looked at Gina.

“You okay?” Alexa asked.

Obviously, Gina was fine, she had been well out of the fight area. If not for tripping over a random object on the ground, she wouldn’t have even fallen. Still, there was more to her question. She wasn’t asking if Gina was okay physically, which she was okay physically. No, here Alexa was asking with her true eyes, eyes that spoke of a sudden vulnerability, if Gina was okay with Alexa.

Seeing her so vulnerable, Gina paused, before she answered truthfully.

“Oh, my gods! That was amazing!” Gina said running over and grabbing the now eye level Alexa in a hug. This was it; this was her moment. This was when she would steal a kiss from Alexa, it was so perfect. Taking a half step back, she looked into Alexa’s now glowing electric blue eyes and paused. She wanted to remember this moment. Then, just as she was about to make her move, Alexa wiggled.

“Yeah, I’m kind of stuck down here!” Angel said, as she wiggled her body which in turn caused Alexa to move.

“Right. Sorry about that.” Alexa said, getting up, and making it so she was well outside of Gina’s vertically challenged range of being able to steal a kiss.

With that, Angel too got to her feet, with a quick help up from Alexa.

“Thank you.” Angel said, taking a slightly wobbly step. Then years of her supernatural grace and power kicked in, as she regained her balance almost immediately. She paused, as she looked at herself.

Angel held up her hands, as if wondering if she had somehow gotten a new tattoo that she wasn’t aware of. From what Gina could tell, no the girl had the exact same number of tattoos as she had previously.

In fact, the only difference between her earlier appearance and now, was that her clothes appeared to be ripped and torn. Her flannel shirt that she had been wearing was now ripped, along with most of the seams in her denim pants.

Looking at her Gina couldn’t help but ask, “what were you supposed to be?”

“A biker chick from Seattle.” Angel said.

Gina paused, as she thought about that. “Isn’t that what you are normally?”

“Of course, but why try to be something I’m not.” Angel said.

Gina paused, about to argue that this was the exact purpose of Halloween, but decided against it.

Fortunately, Alexa saved the day.

“How do you feel?”

Angel paused, then looked at Alexa. Their eyes locked for a moment, then Angel answered truthfully. “How do I feel? I feel amazing! Like that constant voice to do violence is now gone. I could kiss you.”

Badump, badump.

At that, Gina felt her hand go up to her now rapidly beating heart. No, this can’t be. She thought.

“Good. I am glad you feel better.” Alexa said, then turned to Gina. “Do you want to head back to the party?”

It was clear that Alexa was still emotional, that she was still riding the waves of energy. At least that was what the glow of her eyes now told Gina. Seeing that, and realizing this was her moment still, she nodded her head vigorously, not trusting her words at the moment.

“Wait, before you go. I need you to speak to someone.” Angel said, not quite blocking the door, but holding her hand up to stop their impromptu egress.

“Who?”

“My father. There is something we need to talk to you about.”