Feathered Friends

Cardinal watches Phoenix leave the base and climbs the fire escape of the nearest building, jumping from rooftop to rooftop, trailing behind her as close as he dares. He’s not sure what he expects to find. He’d noticed she hadn’t been to the house in a while and as far as he knew she had no other place to go beside the Base and His house. Bishop hadn’t recaptured her, or he wouldn’t have seen her at all. They eventually arrived at an old house at the end of a suburban corner - it looked like something from a horror film, its pitched roof covered with hanging shingle and yard enclosed by a tall iron fence.

He followed her from the base for a few days in a row. She seemed to be able to come and go as she pleased, but something felt off about the whole situation with the house. He had to know what was inside. Next time Renata is making her way out of the base on her usual schedule, he approaches her with a couple deep coughs to signify his presence.

“Ummm, excuse me Renata, can we talk?” Cardinal uses his traditional raspy voice.

Renata pauses when she hears the familiar voice, but doesn’t turn toward it. “Oh, hello Cardinal. I don’t know, are you sure you have time to talk? There must be some new info or lead you need to track down immediately. Wouldn’t want to get in the way of that.” She starts walking again.

“Please wait, I have nothing to chase down today other than you. It’s about the house you’ve been going to. That place feels eerie. I’m worried. What have you been seeing there?”

The feathered teen whirls around in annoyance. “The house I’ve been going to, hm? You’ve been following me! Am \*I\* one of your investigations now? For your information, that is a very nice house and the owner has been very kind to me. She gave me an invitation to stay, which is more than I can say for you!” The air around her has grown extremely heated, Phoenix’s eyes and feathers seeming to glow and smolder. “It might surprise you to find out that \*some\* people actually want me around!”

With that, Renata morphs into an enormous flaming bird and launches into the sky. It’s clear that she’s flying toward the house in question.

“Wait!!” Cardinal runs after her. Not bothering to keep his camouflage, he scales the closest building, jumping from house to house. But Renata at her top speed is much faster and she soon becomes a flaming speck in the distance.

Cardinal stands at the only place he could think of that Renata would go… The house from the horror film. It creaks as he approaches, and lightning strikes as the calm winter day is replaced by ice cold rain. He does his best to sneak in through the garage, camouflaging himself against the wall. But as he walks, the room gets darker and darker. Eventually it was pitch black inside and it went on for what felt like an eternity.

A shot from the darkness fires, hitting the wall right in front of him. Could they see him?  It must be Bishop. They’d come back for Renata! He knew something was off about this house. He springs into action, dodging into a roll and punching where he thought the shot came from. It feels like he landed a hit, knocking the goon flat. Then another shot rings out, and another, Cardinal is doing his best to keep up. Why were there so many and why isn’t he able to see the bullets coming? If he at least knew how many he was up against he could formulate a plan, but he can’t let Bishop recapture Renata! Or was she working with them? How much did he really know about her? He’d just met her. She seemed nice if a bit flighty, but was she really who she seemed?

Renata is sitting inside the living room of the house, legs pulled up to her chest and scowling profusely as she leans back into the chair. Mystic Madge enters with a smile and her usual cheery disposition, carrying a tray of tea and cookies. There's three teacups. For who? Gally isn't home yet or he would have come to say hello… He and Renata have really hit it off so far.

"Nice to have you back, dear." Madge chirps pleasantly as she sets down the tray and begins to pour. "I can see you're upset about that boy again. Why don't you go check on him in the garage? Tell him he really shouldn't have tried to sneak in without an invitation."

At first Renata perks up a bit, but then she remembers she's mad at him and goes back to frowning. "Why don't you just tell him to go away? He said your house was 'eerie' and apparently was worried about me staying here. Which is pretty laughable, since he never even invited me \*inside\* his house much less offered a place to stay…"

"Now now, it would be impolite to leave him stranded out there. I made those spicy tea sandwiches you like for when you get back."

There's a pause as Renata considers before she sighs and stands up, heading toward what she was told is a garage. When she opens the door, she sees a strange scene. Cardinal is certainly there in the dark. But he seems to be- fighting things? She watches in confusion for a moment before recognizing that there must be illusions.

At first she thinks about leaving him like that. Serves him right! But then she notices something else… Cardinal seems to be truly distressed. And that takes the fun right out of it. With another sigh, Renata reaches over and flips on the light switch. That should hopefully break the illusion.

"Come on," she says with annoyance. "Miss Madge says you shouldn't have tried to sneak in without being invited. You should apologize."

With that, Phoenix leaves the door open for him and starts walking back to the living room. Those spicy tea sandwiches are gonna be hers and she is \*not\* gonna share.

Trying to catch his breath, Cardinal looks at his surroundings and sees no sign of Bishop agents or armed goons of any sort. \*is this magic again?\* In his befuddlement, he follows behind Renata. For all intents, it seems to be a calming home as a woman sits next to Renata sipping tea.

Renata is seated once more, holding a small plate piled high with tiny crustless sandwiches. There’s an empty spot on the serving tray where they clearly used to be, though she did deign to leave some other refreshments behind - cookies and different kinds of sandwiches. She’s mid-bite into her first one when Cardinal enters the room, and does not bother to look up at him.

Madge looks over at Cardinal with an expectant smile, motioning at a steaming cup of liquid and empty plate that were clearly set for him.

"Well?" Phoenix says exasperatedly. "Aren't you going to apologize to her?"

The girl bites into her next sandwich.

Cardinal tries to forget his exhaustion and swallow his fear after what just happened. Who knows what tricks this woman has up her sleeve. He walks over to Miss Madge and stands as tall as possible above her. “What are your intentions with Renata.”

Miss Madge calmly sips her tea, and turns to the belligerent young boy with a warm, motherly smile. “I intend to watch her grow into a beautiful phoenix, and help her rediscover this magical world that she is in.”

Lucas holds his stare for as long as he can, then collapses into the chair next to Renata and speaks in between heavy breaths. “I’m.. sorry for…trying to... break… in.”

“Thank you, dear. I believe you two have some things to discuss. Renata, would you be a dear and bring the dishes into the kitchen for Cait when you're done please.” Miss Madge gets up and leaves the room with a knowing and mischievous smile.

“Thank you ... for the save... Renata.” Cardinal says as his arms and legs slump against the rather large chair.

Renata continues eating in silence for a few moments before finally glancing at him out of the corner of her eye. "You're welcome." She pauses again. "What were you seeing anyway?"

“I wasn’t seeing much. It was dark and I thought Bishop agents were shooting at me. I thought it was another trap. I worried they had you again.“

"Again? Bishop has never 'had' me. Wait-" She turns her full attention to Cardinal for the first time since he arrived, the hint of a smile at her lips. "You were worried about me?"

He gasps for a second. “Umm yes. It’s a superhero’s job to worry about those in trouble. And you were in trouble. And therefore I was worried ‘cause you were in trouble.”

"Oh." Renata looks clearly disappointed for a moment, then turns up her nose again and grabs another sandwich. "Well as you can see, I wasn't in any trouble. So you can leave whenever."

“I guess you’re right then.“ He starts to get up, then slowly sits back into his chair “Wait. If Bishop didn’t have you, then who did?”

She gives him an incredulous look. "The mages of course. I only officially met Xandrin. The rest always just kind of came and went. Usually on the days they needed my help and brought me gifts and things. And I wouldn't say they \*had\* me. They were just taking care of me. The mages did hatch me after all."

Cardinal leans forward. “Hatched you?! I um... they hatched you. I- I have many questions. Does that mean you were an Egg? What kind of help did the mages need? Were they letting you outside?

"Well-" Renata looks a bit uncertain for the first time. "They called it hatching. I'm not really sure exactly if there was an egg or... I mean I wasn't really there for that part. Anyway," She preens a little bit to regain her confidence. "I'm very helpful you know. I can do a lot of things! They didn't need anything very exciting though. Just some blood and feathers and such. I wasn't really supposed to go outside because it's dangerous. But then inside became dangerous too, so I don't think they can blame me for that." She finishes with a satisfied nod.

Cardinal slowly clasps his hands together, placing them next to his mouth and leaning further forward in the chair. “Renata, that sounds horrible. They kept you locked inside a house only to come and get you when they needed samples of you, like you where their experiment. You are a person, you deserve to be treated better than that.“

The phoenix's face fills with confusion and she frowns. "They needed my help. That's different. And they brought me lots of nice things. I wasn't \*locked\* inside, they just didn't want me to go outside. They wanted to keep me safe. You said you were worried about me because it's a superhero thing, and I wasn't even in trouble. How is that different?"

“It’s different because I didn’t expect anything in return. They only gave you those things so you’d do what they wanted. What do you think would have happened if you’d say no, that you didn’t want to help them?”

"You don't know that!" Renata shoots to her feet, facing Cardinal and looking down at him angrily. "You've never even met them! Why would I say no? I like to help! I like to feel useful and wanted!" She looks surprised to have said that out loud, growling and spinning away to put her back to him. Her voice grows a bit quieter. "Better that than just being some 'superhero duty' to worry about… Weren't you leaving?"

Cardinal slowly gets up and moves past the table, wrapping his arms around Renata in an embrace. He drops the raspy aspect of his voice and speaks as Lucas. “I’m sorry. Without you I don’t think either of us would have made it out of that house, and I like you more than just my superhero duty.”

At first Renata stiffens up in surprise and mild alarm. But then he speaks without that weird inflection he always uses. His voice sounds familiar... but she's more distracted by what he says. Relaxing slightly, her tone is still somewhat doubtful. "Really...? I mean you could just be saying that so I stop being angry with you… You're probably right about the house though."

“Really”. He grips her a little tighter but as he tries to hold onto her, the heat gets warmer & warmer. “You know you’re really hot, right?”

"That's a weird question. Of course I know I'm hot. I'm basically an embodiment of fire." Renata squirms out of the hug and turns to look up at him, eyes narrowed. "Well if you're \*truly\* sorry, I guess I can forgive you. This time. Just don't let it happen again."

He smiles underneath his mask and returns to his chair, switching back to his normal raspy tone. “You know, the horses miss you.”

"They do?" Her expression clears up like the sun dispersing a cloud. "Hm, maybe I'll stop by to visit them… After all, they're not the ones that were in trouble." Renata returns to her seat as well, sipping some tea before happily munching on another sandwich. "Do you go to school, Cardinal?"

“I do attend, but they don’t let me in with a mask on so I’m not Cardinal at the time. Why do you ask?” Cardinal shifts back into his chair and lets down the hood of his cowl.

The phoenix looks confused. “So if you’re not Cardinal at the time, what are you? Can you just- choose not to be you?” Excitement (with a hint of nervousness) replaces the confusion. “Oh, Miss Madge said she was going to enroll me! She said it’s a great experience and builds character and that maybe I’ll make some more friends.”

The faintest outline of a grin seeps through the mask. “Sorry, that bit about the mask was a joke. I would say it's more the other way around- I am who I am, but I can become Cardinal when needed. When I said codenames are important, keeping that identity secret is part of that. Cardinal is my codename, so it's like another me.”

With a loud cough, “Madge is of course right about school being a good thing. I’ve made many friends while I’ve attended, which can be quite fun. You will also need to learn to study, as the test can sometimes be difficult.”

“Hmmm…” She eyes him closely. “If you say so. Is that how everyone’s codename is though? Because I’m pretty sure it’s still the same me either way…” There’s slight disappointment. “Is there anything else I should know for this school thing? I um, I really don’t want to make a fool of myself. Not that I would! I mean it’s super unlikely but…” The sentence trails off after her sudden defensiveness, as Renata bites into another sandwich.

“Hmm. If you are worried about tests, I am more than happy to help you study. As for specifics- I wouldn’t start any fires. I would join an after school club or sports team, they are a great way of making friends. Feel free to ask questions to the teachers, but don’t talk back to them. Walk on the right side of the halls when going from class to class. Always dress well to school. Talk to anyone you can, whenever you get a chance. Do not get in fights. Always put your gym clothes in the wash basket after PE. And treat others kindly.” Cardinal continues to list things for a few minutes about various school procedures and everyday things after. “That’s just about everything.”

The fiery young girl listens intently, nodding now and then as the list continues. It's clear that she's trying to commit all of it to memory. "That's all? It doesn't sound too bad. I can make new friends. Plus I have some friends there already, yes? Does the Jackal go there? Melody? And you'll be there too!" Realization strikes and the smile falters. "Oh but it's the 'not you' you… right."

His tone shifts into an apologetic one. “I may not even go to the same school as you and Melody. I don’t believe she would use her codename at school. But yes, it would be the ‘not me’. If we do go to the same school, you and the ‘not me’ could become friends all over again.”

"Oh. There's more than one school. That- that makes sense. Really big city. Lots of people needing school I'm sure…" She looks down. "Guess we'll see. At least there's still the Big Team too! We get to maybe be superheroes." The thought seems to brighten her up a bit.

“We will definitely become superheroes. With your firepower there is no way they can turn you down, and I can always use your help tracking down Bishop activities.” Cardinal ponders for a moment. “What if we already are superheroes? What does a hero do- save people in trouble, fight evil, and do it all without expecting anything in return. I’ve done all of that at least once and we are joining a superhero team, so maybe we already are superheroes?”

"You think so? I mean- yeah who wouldn't want someone with the power and abilities of a phoenix!" Renata puffs up her chest a bit. "Hm, I don't know that I've done enough of those things to be a superhero yet… But you probably are! Cardinal, can you- tell me about other superheroes? Ones that people really know and admire?"

The two teens chat a while longer, with Phoenix enjoying her tea and snacks while Cardinal regales her with stories about [[Sledge]] and her battle with [[Chimera]]. Eventually it's time to part ways and she escorts him to the front door, waving goodbye happily as Cardinal exits with much less fuss than how he arrived.

As Renata brings the dishes to the kitchen like Madge requested, her mind is filled with tales of superheroes and dreams of herself among them.