More Meteor Showers Bring Even Stranger Powers. (O/A)

[Rikki Tikki Travi]

The Count of Monte Carlo

The feeling of Gidget holding on to him made Ako's heart race more than the earlier chase had. He revved the bike's v-twin once and pulled away from the curb, merging smoothly into traffic. He tried to keep the ride smooth with new passengers. He planned to take her down some of the curvier back roads on the outskirts of town, maybe stop at one of the small diners he'd seen out there, but he'd save the high-speed riding for later. For now, he'd let her take in the sights of the city like only the open space of a motorcycle can give. With no roof or walls around them, it was easier to see everything.

Gidget turned her head and laid it against Ako's back. It wasn't nearly as scary as she thought it was going to be. It was actually quite exciting. She could even say it was cathartic to a degree.

It was something she could definitely get used to.

As the couple rode through the city, several reinforced sedans with dark tinted windows began to move into position. Messages were sent, directions given, and a plan was put into action.

One of the sedans began to follow Ako and Gidget. Distant at first, but it steadily began to close the gap.  

[The Count of Monte Carlo]

Ako had been checking his mirrors more than Henry Hill in Goodfellas for a while, but with Gidget snugged against his back and his bike rumbling happily beneath him, his paranoia steadily began to subside. The sun was shining bright, traffic was moving well, he even managed to catch most of the traffic lights on green. It was a good day.

The biggest annoyance was a car that persisted in hanging around what little blind spot he had. It wasn't the Mustang from before, it was some teen in a sub-compact. The girl probably didn't even know what a blind spot was. Judging by the phone in her hands, the whole world was her blind spot. The situation was easily handled with a gentle twist of the throttle and an extra throaty roar from the bike. Not a massive burst of acceleration, just enough to gain a few car lengths and put the compact in his mirrors. A quick glance confirmed that she was now at a safe distance, and there was even another car between them. A dark sedan.  

[PixelMuse]

Rikki Tikki Travi

She gently stepped out of the embrace and guided Freya to her side so she may approach the strangers.

She stood a pace away from them and offered her hand. Not in a way that would suggest they kiss her rings, but rather in the more conventional way that is conducted among equals.

"I am Kaelonni Eleilya Soichi Crescent: Queen of Tal Loomi and Grand Master Ninja of the Soichi Clan. I understand you have a matter of grave importance to bring to my attention?" she asked.

Trinity looked around the grand hall. It wasn't what she was expecting at first with all the computers and monitors. She could imagine Gidget either gushing over the technology, finding something to fix or noting that some things may be obsolete. Trinity could not keep up with the latest in technology as closely Gidget would, but there was no doubt that she would give the highlights on things she'd find.

When they started to near the Queen and her throne in a blink of an eye Freya threw a punch at the queen. Her throne, crumbling away in the process of the impact. Trinity bit her lip and was in a stance prepared to defend the queen if necessary, if Freya continued. She wondered if she was being controlled again. Then her worries subsided as it was revealed that this was how they normally great each other. Though at the moment she couldn't remember anything on this sister, Kaelonni, not in the memories they shared to train, or the years spent training with them. Not until recently mentioned, last month and today. It may have been a security measure considering her position, so this didn't bother her so much.

As she and Liv were addressed she stepped forward and bowed briefly. She felt it was still a good idea to maintain somewhat a diplomatic appearance. "Your highness, I thank you for seeing us under short notice. One of the meta-human civilians had been taken from Valhala through shadow. She was taken by Dusk and he had told me you won't live to see sunset. We suspect that he would bring in an army somehow, while riding in on the dragon form the meta-human is capable of taking."

Nova Blancke

 

[Rikki Tikki Travi]

The Count of Monte Carlo

The biggest annoyance was a car that persisted in hanging around what little blind spot he had. It wasn't the Mustang from before, it was some teen in a sub-compact. The girl probably didn't even know what a blind spot was. Judging by the phone in her hands, the whole world was her blind spot. The situation was easily handled with a gentle twist of the throttle and an extra throaty roar from the bike. Not a massive burst of acceleration, just enough to gain a few car lengths and put the compact in his mirrors. A quick glance confirmed that she was now at a safe distance, and there was even another car between them. A dark sedan.

After following them for a few intersections, another black sedan pulled up beside the first one and began to work it's way to Ako and Gidget's side. Shortly afterwards a third black sedan began to pull up to the opposite side.

Gidget had been looking around the city when she began to notice that three identical cars with dark windows were starting to box them in.

"Ako?" she asked with a concerned timbre.  

[The Count of Monte Carlo]

The concern in Gidget's voice registered to Ako almost before he even registered her voice. He glanced to the mirror to see her face and maybe get a clue as to what was bothering her, but instead he noticed the black sedan form earlier taking up almost the entire view. Spot checks to either side revealed two more identical sedans. Every mafia and crime movie Ako had ever seen told him this was a very bad thing. It looked like he'd have to show his skills at speed sooner than he'd wanted.

"Hang on tight." He said over his shoulder, "Lean with me, not the bike."

He was going to give her a full instructional later on how to move as a passenger during aggressive maneuvers on the bike, but there was no time now. He hoped the short and sweet version, as well as her prowess at problem solving, would be enough. He twisted the throttle and the torque of the v-twin propelled them forward.

Even if the sedans had modified engines and professional drivers, it would be hard to compete with the acceleration provided by the bikes power-to-weight ration. They would catch up, but for now Ako was able to get ahead of the cars to his side and get around another car ahead of him in traffic.  

[Nova Blancke]

Liv wasn't sure on what to say if she had anything to say at all so she just kept quiet. This whole thing was just...weird. The greeting, the fact that this island was just floating here, the high tech stuff, freaking elves! Everything.  

[Rikki Tikki Travi]

The Count of Monte Carlo

Even if the sedans had modified engines and professional drivers, it would be hard to compete with the acceleration provided by the bikes power-to-weight ration. They would catch up, but for now Ako was able to get ahead of the cars to his side and get around another car ahead of him in traffic.

Gidget held onto Ako tightly and did exactly as he said. She tried to assess the situation as best as she could, but it was hard for her to concentrate at such speeds.

The sedans moved aggressively. They weaved in and out of traffic in order to try and close the gap with Ako. There were more signals sent out, and more sedans joined in the chase in the intersections ahead.

Some 5 cars were pursuing Ako now. The car's tweaked engines allowed them to catch up at points, but they found themselves hindered by their inferior handling of corners.

Ahead, there were several intersections that had been blocked off by SUV's. Not so much in a way that would box Ako and Gidget in, but in a manner that would suggest they are being lead somewhere.  

[Rikki Tikki Travi]

Kaelonni studied the newcomers silently. She was a bit vexed by the blonde one's refusal to acknowledge a Queen's greeting.

Her pupils seemed to quiver again. Her brow raised ever so slightly at what she had witnessed.

She turned her head toward Freya and asked, "Am I to assume that this one is the student you speak so highly of in your letters?"

Freya blushed as she cleared her throat.

"Ah, yes she is. That would be Trinity Smith. Shadow meta and current host of my demon...but you probably already knew that last bit."

"The hot one is Liv...Liiiiiiv...?"

She paused as she came to realize that she didn't know their transporter's name. Her blush ran a bit deeper from embarrassment.

"Ahem, well...she is the one that brought us here. Apparently she is a sapper meta that can cancel out powers and wield light."

The Queen returned her attention to the newcomers. She addressed Trinity first.

"It grieves me to see that you must bare my sister's burden. Though, I am pleased to see that it has not consumed you as it has so many others. Perhaps there is hope for you."

"In regards to your warning of immanent danger, I thank you for the forewarning. Though I know not of who this 'Dusk' is, the approach of a dragon without warning would have brought the island to a near stand still. Now that we know what to expect we can be ready."

She motioned to a nearby aid and whispered something in Elfin tongue. The aid nodded and made haste toward an exit.

"She is leaving to fetch my husband, the captain of the guard. Since you seem to be the most knowledgeable about the approaching danger, I would greatly appreciate it if you would coordinate a plan of defense again the coming threat with him."

"Freya, I believe Mother would actually like to speak with you before you disappear without saying a word like last time."

Freya scratched her head nervously. "Ah, right, of course. It's has been a while hasn't it. Welp, I'd better go knock that out then."

"Take care of yourselves girls. I'll meet back up with you later."

With that she waved to them and jogged toward her mother's chambers.

The Queen smiled at her kid sister before turning her attention to Liv.

"Young Liv, if you would be so kind as to indulge me for a moment, I'd like to speak with you in private in this calm before the storm. That is, if you don't mind?" she asked kindly.

PixelMuse

Nova Blancke

 

[Nova Blancke]

Liv scratched the back of her head with a suppressed smile as she looked away. Yeah, she forgot to mention her last name to Freya. Liv's mistake she had to admit. Though she had this feeling that there was something off. She never fully trusted someone. Came with her job really. Besides she may have been employed by Daedelus at first but she never ever trusted them to hold their end of the bargain.

The Queen's request to speak to her in private did catch her off guard. Why would she want to talk to her? The only thing that could come to her mind is that she somehow knew Liv was still able to use her powers or how she knew where this place was. In either case, she had to show proper respect. Despite thinking Royalty is outdated.

"Of course not your Highness."

******

Theonis nodded." You have my word. The moment I know something, anything at all, I will tell you. " The young head also stood up after he received the envelope. There were still plenty of things he didn't know anything about yet. At least he'd know about this one soon. He put the envelope in the inside of his jacket.

"I'm sorry things didn't turn out the way I intended"  

[PixelMuse]

Rikki Tikki Travi

She turned her head toward Freya and asked, "Am I to assume that this one is the student you speak so highly of in your letters?"

Freya blushed as she cleared her throat.

"Ah, yes she is. That would be Trinity Smith. Shadow meta and current host of my demon...but you probably already knew that last bit."

Trinity blushed and bit her lip as well when she realized that she did not formally introduce herself. She was so concern about delivering the message that she didn't think introducing herself was important. Trinity nodded as Freya introduced her. She wanted to correct her, with her statement about calling what she was hosting a demon but there wasn't a proper moment to do that right now. She was certain she would have a moment to later on, she hoped.

Rikki Tikki Travi

"The hot one is Liv...Liiiiiiv...?"

She paused as she came to realize that she didn't know their transporter's name. Her blush ran a bit deeper from embarrassment.

"Crystalion" Trinity filled in, "Liv Crystalion." coming to her sensei's aid.

Rikki Tikki Travi

"Ahem, well...she is the one that brought us here. Apparently she is a sapper meta that can cancel out powers and wield light."

The Queen returned her attention to the newcomers. She addressed Trinity first.

"It grieves me to see that you must bare my sister's burden. Though, I am pleased to see that it has not consumed you as it has so many others. Perhaps there is hope for you."

"In regards to your warning of immanent danger, I thank you for the forewarning. Though I know not of who this 'Dusk' is, the approach of a dragon without warning would have brought the island to a near stand still. Now that we know what to expect we can be ready."

She motioned to a nearby aid and whispered something in Elfin tongue. The aid nodded and made haste toward an exit.

"She is leaving to fetch my husband, the captain of the guard. Since you seem to be the most knowledgeable about the approaching danger, I would greatly appreciate it if you would coordinate a plan of defense again the coming threat with him."

Trinity bowed slightly and said, "As you wish, your majesty." she stepped back and awaited for her husband to make his appearance. She waved to Freya as she left to see her mother, she wondered briefly how old she looked. Then the Queen asked to speak with Liv privately. She wondered what they would talk about, but it wasn't her business to know at the moment so she didn't press the subject.  

[The Count of Monte Carlo]

An old saying came to Ako's mind as he saw more cars join the chase and block the intersections ahead of them; you can outrun a car, but you can't outrun the radio. The only way they could get away would be to break line of sight, but the heavy Harley couldn't turn quick enough to lose the cars. If Ako tried to take a surprise turn, he'd risk colliding with one of the cars around and behind him as the bike slowed and turned. The only advantage he had was acceleration, but the traffic and radio made that useless. He knew he was being led, but he couldn't see anything he could do about it.

With a sigh, he shifted gears and eased off the throttle, letting the bike cruise. He didn't slow down, but there was no point in over-revving the engine if there was nowhere to go. Turning his head a bit to speak over his shoulder, he asked; "Do you see any way out of this?"  

[Rikki Tikki Travi]

Nova Blancke

The Queen's request to speak to her in private did catch her off guard. Why would she want to talk to her? The only thing that could come to her mind is that she somehow knew Liv was still able to use her powers or how she knew where this place was. In either case, she had to show proper respect. Despite thinking Royalty is outdated.

"Of course not your Highness."

The Queen lead Liv to a private meeting room she used to meet with what few guests were allowed to visit the island. It used to be quarters for personal slaves to the king, but that was a practice Kaelonni and Adam had quickly done away with once they were chosen to lead. Now it was a pleasant sitting room with full furnishings and amenities.

The Queen stepped aside and ushered Liv in before shutting the door from potential prying ears and eyes.

"I do apologize. Normally I'd have refreshments ready for any guests I speak with privately. Your transport of my little sister and her student has caught us quite off guard." she said with a pleasant, honest, smile and chuckle.

Acting out of place for one of her position, she pulled out a seat and offered it to Liv. Kaelonni was never one to adhere to strict conduct. She merely tolerated it in front of her people. In

"Please be at ease and sit, Miss Crystalion. I only wish to address some points of concern. You have nothing to fear from me or the denizens of the island."  

[Rikki Tikki Travi]

Nova Blancke

Theonis nodded." You have my word. The moment I know something, anything at all, I will tell you. " The young head also stood up after he received the envelope. There were still plenty of things he didn't know anything about yet. At least he'd know about this one soon. He put the envelope in the inside of his jacket.

"I'm sorry things didn't turn out the way I intended"

Charles nodded in appreciation. "Thank you for being up front with me. Most people try to lie at first when handing me unpleasant news. I can see that you are a man of great integrity. I believe you will go farther in this position than the young inventor did."

With that he gave a slight bow of the head and was escorted out of the building by Trinity's troop.  

[Rikki Tikki Travi]

PixelMuse

Trinity bowed slightly and said, "As you wish, your majesty." she stepped back and awaited for her husband to make his appearance. She waved to Freya as she left to see her mother, she wondered briefly how old she looked. Then the Queen asked to speak with Liv privately. She wondered what they would talk about, but it wasn't her business to know at the moment so she didn't press the subject.

It only took a few minutes for the messenger returned with Adam Crescent. Adam smiled at Trinity and looped his thumbs into the pockets of his pants.

"Little Tali gave me the gist of what's going on. Come with me and let's get a plan going."

He pulled out a roll of parchment and a pencil from his right pocket. "Talk and walk, I'll write."

He walked into the great hall, merging himself and Trinity with the general public of the citadel.