Abbigail looked at the information laid out before her. She knew the information she should be looking over. The various teams coming up at the next event. The members of their teams and the like, but no. Right now, the young woman was looking at something else. Rosalyn Crowley, her friend, was in the room with her, leaning back in her seat and taking a sip of wine. “So taking on your mentor, huh? Why don’t they put you and her on a team?”
Abbigail rolled her eyes. “She’s a winner. I couldn’t buy a win. Pretty simple math. Also, Valora and the people running the fed are enemies, why would they not try to form a wedge between us. Takuma isn’t so bad. He and the Rebels of Society make some sense. You should come with me next time I meet up with them.”
Rosalyn smirked. “Sorry luv, I’ll stay clear of your little band of illiterate communist thugs. Their little red book says people like me, and you should be killed.” Abbigail raises an eyebrow. “What do you mean?” Rosalyn sits up a bit straighter and nods. “I’m a noble woman, Abbs. Disgraced noble by my peers, yes, considered a family of degenerates and such, but nonetheless I am of noble blood. Lifestyle choices aside, I am the bourgeoisie.” Abbigail nods. “I know that, but why group me in with you?” Rosalyn raises an eyebrow. “Have you really asked yourself why your reflexes are so good? Why you have no problems making friends and influencing people? You don’t think it’s funny that a magic user in Chicago took you in? That Valora picked up where she left off?” Abbigail rolls her eyes. “First off, mom wasn’t a magic user. Ask anyone she worked with in the Chicago P.D. Or in the city.. Half of them will tell you she’s a con artist.. Shit if she was a magic user, maybe we wouldn’t have been so god damn poor all the time.”
Rosalyn smirks. Magic doesn’t work like that. Certain materials.. Gold, Diamonds, Rubies, Platinum, valuable metals and minerals are bloody impossible to recreate.” She holds out a hand and whispers a word a diamond the size of a small ball appearing in her hand. “I can create the illusion of a diamond, but not the real thing.” Abbigail’s eyes widened. “Holy shit that stuff’s real?!” Rosalyn nodded. “Another reason you might want to avoid the riff raff that is the RoS.. when they learn who you are and what you can do, they will respond one of two ways. They will try to exploit you for their own ends, or try to treat you like their Russian counterparts treated the Tzar and his family.”
Abbigail rolled her eyes. “You’re judging people you don’t even know.” Rosalyn nods. “True. I don’t know these people. You know what I know? I know what people in Northern Ireland said. I know what the working class in Blackpool, and Manchester, and Liverpool said when the elites fucked them over. I know how people react when people in my social class piss on them. I’m not saying they are wrong. I’m not saying I don’t sympathize with them. What I am saying is that if you’re naive and if they use or hurt you, I am going to create a special hell of a dimension for each one of the wankers and lock them in a hell I’ve specially created for them for all eternity.”
Abbigail smiled. “Thanks.. I think that’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me.. But the magic.. Why hide it?” Rosalyn rolls her eyes. “Witch hunts ring a bell? That was what happened the last time we were naive enough to think we could exist openly. Also, Catholic Inquisitions aside, there are a number of organizations, good and evil, I’ve heard rumors Warhammer is one of them, that take a very unhealthy interest in magic and try to use what they can and kill off those they can’t control and manipulate. Likewise, those of us who can use magic made a pact of sorts.. If you’re not born into you bloodline of magic users, or a supernatural bloodline that would know about such things anyways, we would prefer that you keep the opinion that magic is all fairy tales and such. People are much better off not knowing the real terrors waiting in the thinly concealed veil of this world.”
Abbigail nods. “So why tell me?” Rosalyn smirked. “Simple. You’re part of that world. I’m actually surprised it hasn’t manifested yet.” Abbigail blushes a bit and clears her throat nervously. “Umm.. it’s possible it might have.” Rosalyn raised an eyebrow. “Indeed? Give me details.” Abbigail nods. “Question first. I ummm don’t have the guts to ask Valora so I’m going to ask you.” Abbigail takes a deep breath. “Do you feel bad at all? I mean British tax payers give you an allowance, right? Just because you’re a noble? How is that fair?”
Rosalyn snickers. “Heh.. it’s not. It’s simply how it is. In certain older, more civilized times… it was an agreement of sorts. The commoners paid their taxes and duties to us, and in return, we protected them. Provided them the means to live a life of dignity. Do you think my servants are disadvantaged? My personal girl, yes she attends me. In return her and her family live in a house most people of her class would kill to be able to have. I paid to send her children to Cambridge. I gave letters of recommendation for each. She took care of me. In return, I took care of her and her entire family, Much more so than any American company cares for their workers at any rate. Now, as for me.. I use my allowance as you call it for actual expenses. Food, utilities, etc. Leisure and such I fund out of my own pocket.” Rosalyn paused for a moment and raised an eyebrow. “Why? Are you implying you believe Valora has sold out? Used to being rich and such?” Abbigail sighs. “No. I saw her in the ruins of L.A. But I mean it’s odd that McStrump’s actions have her so upset.” Rosalyn nodded. “Do you know how she got that money? You think wealth like hers just appears? Now Samantha is real damn smart. She’s done a real good job covering the tracks… I’m actually surprised the CIA didn’t try to recruit Samantha.. People of her intellect and ability usually aren’t allowed to wander around freely. Governments tend to view people of her intellect and ability as a threat if not properly recruited and tied to the government. Anyways if the government is able to untangle the web and find out that Valora has much more money than she can legally account for, it will make the McStrump regime’s accusations against her seem a lot more rooted in fact. Right now McStrump is a pariah. Valora will find many people willing to shelter her. If McStrump and his fascists can produce evidence that she might actually be a terrorist or criminal, that help will disappear very quickly. Your turn now.”
Abbigail sighs. “I umm.. Sometimes I see what’s going to happen, before it does.” Rosalyn sips her wine, seemingly unsurprised by this and nods. “Clairvoyance, or Precognition if you’re overly scientific minded. How far?” Abbigail blinks. “Huh?” Rosalyn smiles. “How far ahead can you see, luv?” Abbigiail sighs. “2 minutes.. Then my nose bleeds and my head hurts.” Rosalyn nods. “Psychic abilities put a lot of stress on the brain. Push too hard too soon without proper training and you risk stroke or aneurysm That’s the bloody nose.. Your body warning you you’re at your limit. You ever tell anyone about this?” Abbigail laughs. “Right… so they can lock me up? Plus I wasn’t sure it was real.. A lot of times something changed.” Rosalyn nods. “I won’t get into terminology right now, but pop culture might favor the term ‘Butterfly effect’ basically you can’t look ahead in time without inevitably changing it.. Because you looked. It’s a cautionary tale. Don’t look into the future unless you absolutely have to because you have no idea what will change and who will get caught in the backlash.. Basically the story we use to stop us from going to Vegas and making shit tons of money gambling on sports. And yes, we’ve all had the temptation to do just that.. “ Abbigail laughed a bit and nodded ‘So it’s possible to go longer than 2 mins?” Rosalyn nods. “With practice, yes. It’s also possible to go less than 2 minutes.. For someone with no official training, 2 minutes is bloody good start. More to the point, it might provide help in your matches too. Can you do anything else?” Abbigail nods. “Sometimes I hear people talking but their mouths aren’t moving.” Rosalyn nods. “Telepathy. Gotta be careful with that one.” Abbigail nods. “Yeah one time I heard how badly someone wanted to have sex… gross.” Rosalyn laughs. “No dearie.. I mean you can broadcast as well as receive.. With practice and focus, you can control someone’s thoughts.. Implant a memory.. Make them forget you.. Force them to do something you want them to do. But that should be a bit down the road for you.” Abbigail nodded. “So.. do we have an idea on who my birth parents are?” Rosalyn nods. “As promised, I’ve done some research and I have some ideas on that. I want a little more time before we really get in depth. Besides, you might want to talk with your tag team partner. Find out where his head is at.”
A day later, somewhere near the U.S./Mexican Border:
Abbigail and Sato sit in the small bar. Takuma watches as Abbigail drinks her beer, Abbigail raising an eyebrow. “I don’t know what’s worse.. Your disapproving stare or the fact that I almost think I can hear your thoughts.” To Abbigail’s surprise, Takuma show no sign of surprise or disbelief. But seemed to accept this as within the realm of possibility. “You are more in tune with the universe than most people. You reactions in our matches are hard to hide if one pays attention. However.. Alcohol.. It’s not good for your chi. Or your body.” Abbigail laughs a bit and looks at the TV, listening to the report about events and the efforts of Senator Ernie Flanders. Sato followed her eyes and then looked back at her. “I.. don’t speak Spanish. Do you?” Abbigail smiled. “Yeap.. growing up on the South Side of Chicago. You learn. Then you get better at it when Valora Salinas takes an interest in you. From the news report and the Senators comments.. I’m assuming your meeting didn’t go well?”
Sato nods. “He’s a good man. But he doesn’t…” Sato thinks for a moment. “Can you….” He gestured towards the TV and Abbigail sighed. “I...honestly don’t know.. I don’t know how I would even try to-” Sato leaned over and nodded. “Focus. Look at the Senator. Focus on his thoughts. Take a deep breath, hold it for a second or two, and then let it out slowly, controlled.” Abbigail followed the instructions. “Can you?” Sato shakes his head. “No, but the techniques for meditation should give you some focus and control over your abilities…” Abbigail nodded and refocused. Soon she almost couldn’t actually see the Senator. “He’s afraid. He thinks McStrump wants a civil war and that you and the others are playing into his hands. He believes McStrump will use the unrest as an excuse to cancel the elections and establish martial law.. Ugh…” Abbigail broke her concentration and wiped the blood from her nose.. Taking a few moments to gain control over her body before speaking again. “What happened?” Sato shrugged. “The people are tired of waiting, Abbigail. They’re tired “Trust me, this time things will be better.” If Flanders gets elected, do you think Congress will pass any of his reforms?”
Abbigail nods. “Maybe..” Sato shakes his head. “You know they won’t. I agree with Flanders.. To an extent, I think we are playing into McStrump’s hands.. But if we win...we can change things.”
“And how many people die in your little revolution?” Both Sato and Abbigail turned around to see Valora standing there. Sato stood up. “I have a message for you.” Valora walked over, grabbing a chair and turning the back towards the table, straddling it. “Well. This should be good.” Sato nods. “Project Insurrection is going ahead. Abbigail can fill you in on the details. The Latino contingent will not go along with the plan without your say so. I guess you weren’t kidding when you made yourself out to be their leader.” Valora nods. “I don’t need to brag kiddos. I’ been there. I done that. I got the fuckin’ scars.” Sato narrows his eyes. “A leader should listen to their people! They want this!”
Valora narrowed her eyes. “A leader also needs to stop their people from doin’ something fuckin’ stupid! McStrump used you two to force me to go along with his North Korea bullshit. That little war resulted in the West Coast being a fuckin’ wasteland! You fuckin’ kids think revolution is cool. Fine. Tell me how fuckin’ cool you are when there are tens of thousands of dead people on your conscience. Pro tip.. You can’t ever wash that much blood off your hands.. And no short term gain ever justifies it.” She stands up and walks over towards the door, pausing to talk over her shoulder. “One more thing.. I hope you aren’t too fond of sleep.. Too many dead people.. You see their faces every time you close your eyes.” Sato nods. “And if we believe the cause is worth the price?” Abbigail stands up too. “Val.. people are already dying.” Val nods. “I’ll… talk to my people..if they’re on board with this… I’ll listen to what they have to say.” Abbigail blinks. “Wait a minute… why not set a trap in the meantime?” Valora raises an eyebrow. “At the show.. On camera.. Take Senator Flanders’ side.. You, and me and Sato have a big argument.. Let the assholes think they’re dividing us.” Valora shakes her head. “I like where your head is at but Allen Anderson won’t buy it. And it might almost be worse if he does.. He doesn’t tend to ask people for help as much as he tends to fuck with their minds until they do whatever he tells them. McStrump is too paranoid anyways.. And there’s the chance the ruse could confuse our followers amongst the people” Abbigail frowns. “Huh..” Valora smiles. “It was a good idea and, with different enemies, would work.” Valora says before leaving. Sato and Abbigiail look at each other, Sato looking out the door she left by and speaks. “Does she really?” Abbigail nods. “Yes. I don’t think she’s even conscious of how many millions of people she saved… she only sees the ones she failed to protect.” Sato nods. “Hopefully, we can persuade her.. Or her people can. They’re looking to her for leadership. We should probably go over the upcoming match. Project Insurrection is later. There is time to plan for that.”