Karen sat with her head down at the main bar of The Hawthorne, seated between Clio and Starfire, her two new personal bodyguards. Surrounding them were dozens of patrons who were engaged in the usual revelry associated with such establishments.

The atmosphere was a happy and lighthearted one, and yet…Karen herself was looking rather gloomy.

The Boston concert on the eleventh of January had gone down without issue. Karen had rocked and R&B’d her way through her latest album, and performed several encores in addition. She even performed some of her older songs, for the younger fans in attendance; something the company would have normally grumbled about.

But not that night. No, to use Sterling Record’s words, it was a “narrowly averted disaster” for their PR department, as two concerts being attacked in a row could very well have brought the tour to an end. Just the fact that nobody was injured made it a much needed gasp of air for them.

Karen had also been grateful, of course. Exhausted, but grateful.

She had spent the entirety of the twelfth sleeping in, enjoying the stark contrast that the silence of her hotel room offered to the previous night. The downside to this was that, by the time she awoke, it was already night.

And after the attack on the first of the month, her bodyguards had given her a curfew of seven in the evening--unless she was performing, that is.

Well, fuck that.

“Old enough to shake my ass in front of thousands of strangers, but not go out when I want, or drink what I want,” grumbled Karen into her glass full of grape fruit juice. ”There’s seriously something wrong with that, don’t you think?”

Yes. It sounds like the human aging process is difficult.” Starfire agreed, not sure how Karen’s age related to drinking beverages and shaking her ass. Star’s spot at the table was empty, but every once in a while she plucked awkwardly at her jacket or sleeves. She’d never worn clothes this restrictive before. Black wasn’t really her color, either.

Clio cupped her chin a hand, elbow propped up on the bar. Her free hand traced circles around the rim of her martini glass. She had been evidently more irritable and tired the past few days, and it showed in the way she simply grunted at what Karen had to say. Whenever she was on the job, she was attentive and precise, but in moments of relaxation like these her melancholy showed through.

She hadn’t gone out as her vigilante self in days. Nor had she had to use a sufficient amount of magic. She felt drained. Turning in her seat, she stared out into the bar. “Sitting here brooding isn’t going to do anything but lead to more brooding.”

”I’m not brooding,” said Karen broodingly, taking a heavy gulp of her juice. Her eyes darted between Starfire and Clio. ”But if you don’t want to sit here, then what do you want to do? It’s been a while since I’ve visited Boston.”

Starfire glanced back and forth between her two friends, who were acting much grumpier than usual. ”What about a show? What kind of shows are there?” After a moment of thinking, she leaned toward her friends.

”Do you both need to go to sleep? How often do you need that?” She whispered, as if it was some kind of embarrassing secret.

”Wi, manman, mwen bezwen tan ti bebe mwen an.” Clio mumbled sharply, blowing out a heavy breath of air. The alien blinked, confusion apparent on her face. ”The last thing I need right now is sleep, Star. I need action before I implode.”

Karen hastily nodded her agreement. “Yeah, and I’ve been sleeping all day, remember? I couldn’t be more wide awake if I tried.”

Starfire looked concerned over at Clio. ”You will implode, Clio?” She asked.

”Yes, Star, I will truly implode if I don't get some form of excitement in my life." Clio's face was twisted into something serious, as if she were struggling not to cry at the revelation.

Starfire looked shocked. ”Oh, no, Clio!” She exclaimed. ”How long do we have? Should I attack you right now? ” She said, beginning to rise from her seat.

Karen placed a hand on Starfire’s shoulder, shaking her head. Concern had now overtaking her previously sombre expression. ”She’s speaking figuratively, Star.” Starfire sat back down, still looking worried but now understanding that Clio wasn’t in immediate mortal danger.

Karen then turned to Clio and reached out to cup either side of her face. The other mage looked as if she was about to have some sort of breakdown, all of the sudden. At the touch, Clio's eyes went wide and she flailed, bumping into the patron behind her.

”Woah, hey, hey, hey! Breath, Clio!” Karen gasped, having intended to try and focus her friend on the encouraging words she would’ve offered. Instead, she found herself appeasing the startled man who was now wearing his glass of gin. Starfire frowned, not knowing what to say.

”My friend is having a hard time, sorry!” Karen apologized.

The older man glared at the three of them, before stalking off towards the bathroom. At least he hadn’t recognized Karen; he was a bit out of her audience’s demographic.

Clio closed her eyes, released a breath, and stood from her seat. She smoothed down her pantsuit, eyes still squeezed tight. She couldn't just escape, which frustrated her to no end. She was on the job, and these were her friends, abandoning them would leave her with no one. ”Let's...get out of this place?" She said tentatively, one eye flying open.

Karen smiled gently to her, nodding. ”Sure. It was getting a little stuffy in here anyway.”

Throwing her head back, she downed her juice and set her glass on the bar counter before sliding down to her feet. Pulling her beanie down over her head, she glanced to the other two girls before heading towards the door. Starfire stood, adjusting her top and followed.

She really had no idea where they were about to go, but some fresh air would probably do Clio a lot of good.

Clio followed Karen out the door, and as soon as she was out it was like a bloodhound on the prowl. Her neck craned, and she was on high alert, seeking out any sounds or disturbances in the night. ”C'mon," She called to her companions, sprinting in her heeled shoes toward the nearest alley.

”Um, okay?” said Karen, offering Starfire a shrug.

Starfire, eyes strikingly bright in the darkness of the early morning, gave a passing glance towards Karen before following in a half-run after her friend Clio. She turned the corner and got a bead on her friend. Clio and Starfire first met in an alleyway. Perhaps Clio liked alleyways more than she realised?

Upon entering the alley, Clio created a spiral staircase of shadow up to the top of the building to the left. A surge of energy went through her, and she sucked in a giddy breath. She quickly ascended the staircase, looking down to make sure her partners were following. She had never had to trouble herself with extra people before, but there was a first time for everything.

Starfire unsteadily walked up the spiral staircase. It was like some kind of dark inversion of her own transversal abilities. Quietly, she followed behind, her Earthling made shoes stomping silently up to the roof. Once to the top, she adjusted her jacket and sleeves again, looking unquestioningly at her friend Clio.

Karen wasn’t afraid of magic. It would be difficult to be when it was a constant presence in her life, whether she liked it or not. Still, Clio’s sort of magic was strange to her. Different than her own. It was Chaos Magic, she knew, even if she hadn’t wanted to say it out loud. The stuff flowing through her friend was the very same power that corrupted Timothy Vanz and made him attack her.

Still, she followed after Starfire, ascending the shadowy steps while wrapping her arms around herself against the chill of the night. It was easily the coldest night she’d felt in...well, a while.

Clio's eyes scanned the horizon, and for a moment, all was still. She waited. Then, she began to run, sprinting toward the edge of the building. At the last second, she jumped off the edge, arms flailing as she leapt to the other building. Behind her, a bridge of shadow formed between the two buildings, mostly for Karen.

She continued leaping between buildings, creating a bridge between each structure, seemingly inexhaustible. They must've moved at least a block when she stopped. She crouched at the edge of a rooftop, staring out into the street below her. A man was walking beneath her. Scrawny, with a stride that gave away his lack of confidence. About twenty paces behind him, a van was creeping along the street. Tinted windows, no lights illuminating a license plate.

Perfect, Makaya thought. She held up a hand to halt the girls behind her.

Karen stared down into the alley, panting lightly. She engaged in regular exercise, getting in her hour of cardio each day. Even still, all this leaping about had winded her quite a bit. Worse, she had no idea what they were even doing!

”Clio,” she whispered, ”what the fuck?”

Starfire glanced at her friends. She had dropped to one knee and was looking at the man, and then back to the van. Clio looked like she was planning some kind of ambush. Not having said anything since the bar, Starfire was now trying to remain stealthy. Stealth wasn’t exactly her people’s strength, but a basic method she was taught was to cover her eyes with one hand, peaking through the fingers using her left eye. Starfire was curious as to what her friend was doing and kept silent, letting her friend concentrate.

”Not Clio!" Makaya hissed, still staring down at the man and the van that was steadily getting closer.

Karen raised her brows at the response, but said nothing.

It's about to happ-I know, dammit! Let the star do her work, alright? Makaya groaned inwardly. The van had completed its approach.

In a matter of moments, the door was pulled open, the specimen was pistol-whipped and grabbed, and the van was peeling off. Starfire raised her eyebrows and leaned over the roof.

Makaya rose from her crouch, raising a hand to crash the car with a solid wall of darkness. As she did, though, no magic came.

"What the fuck! Clio, is this you?" She asked herself, struggling to form the wall.

“Why are you talking in third person?” asked Karen, though her eyes followed the path of Clio’s hand to the van, a chill running up her spine when the man was struck with the pistol. “Oh shit, is he being abducted?”

Starfire turned around and saw Clio cursing and glanced to Karen. ”I think so. We should do something.” She said, turning around and standing to her feet. Glaring and biting her lip she began summoning a bolt in her hands. Her stare traced the back right wheel of the van. After a second of charging, the bolt would have the kinetic force of a grenade, though without the lethal shrapnel. Putting her right leg forward Starfire stretched her left arm back and prepared to throw the bright green energy that trembled with explosive power within her palm.

”W-wait!” Karen said, placing a hand on Starfire’s wrist, her eyes wide with shock. ”You might hurt that poor guy they just dragged in there!” The alien turned over her shoulder and paused, the bolt fizzling into non-existence.

The screech of the van’s tires pierced the night, and Karen turned to see the van begin to speed away. Although she didn’t want Star to potentially send it tumbling across the street, she also didn’t want them to get away. Sucking in a breath, she pointed her index and middle fingers at the front tire that was still within her sight.

”Arcanum sagitta!” said Karen, a purple lance of light launching from her fingers to pierce the tire just as the van was making a turn. Once more the air was filled with the screech of tires, the van veering off course and smashing into a parked moving truck.

Smoke began to rise from the engine, and the driver could be heard swearing.

Starfire nodded at Karen then turned to the edge of the roof. Rolling her neck she took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. ”Torshezebah,” She whispered to herself. With that, she took a step off the roof. About a foot down of falling, her forward foot popped like she fell onto a trampoline. It echoed with sound like a ping pong ball being hit very hard while a firework went off indoors. A flat green disc expanded from her heel and then faded with the sound. Another step, another step, gaining speed, the pops growing louder and the discs spreading farther.

A few moments later she was over the van. Like an acrobat she spiralled through the air and landed hard on the roof of the van, her pantsuit being tossed this way and that, the nicely fitted attire becoming unbuttoned and extremely ruffled. Rolling off she landed by the driver side door. The driver, dressed in a thick hoodie and a balaclava, looked bewildered and frustrated at this sudden inexplicable turn of events.

Makaya, during Starfire's acrobatics, had completed her argument with herself...for the time being. She stepped off the side of the building similarly to her friend, but rather than bouncing back up like a trampoline, she landed on a squishy platform of darkness. Taking large steps on multiple platforms of shadow, she walked straight onto the street, approaching the fray on their level.

Glancing above her at Karen, she created a spiral slide down to the street. The other girl seemed capable, but it would just be faster this way. Karen, for her part, seemed to appreciate the effort and immediately launched herself down the slide.

”Wee!” cheered Karen as she hit the ground. She then blushed lightly and cleared her throat. “Who said that?”

Leaving that behind, she ran forward toward the van. The simplest solution would be to crush it, but she felt like Clio would make her magic falter again should she attempt to do anything that could injure the innocent within.

The driver turned and reached for something, but the alien outside the window was upon him. Forming a hard light shield around her fist, she punched through the glass sending it shattering. She wrapped her hands around the man’s collar and pulled hard, attempting to wrench the man out the window. “Hghk!” The man wordlessly articulated his discomfort as the seatbelt kept him in place as he was choked against.

Frowning, she punched him across the face and he recoiled, stunned. The passenger revealed herself finally having a clear shot. Starfire’s eyes widened and she ducked out of view as gunfire wizzed pass the driver and out the window. “Augh, what the hell!” The driver cursed. “You almost shot me! I can’t hear anything- Jesus!”

“I was trying to hit her!” The passenger said defensively, still aiming her pistol toward where she last saw Starfire’s glowing green eyes. Starfire knew the villains inside only had a few ways out. The driver had his door, the passenger had her door, and everyone inside the main van, including the victim, had the double doors at the rear of the van to escape.

So Starfire decided to reposition quickly to the front of the van. She did a quick pop onto the moving truck the van crashed into and began charging up her starbolts. Not sure of where she went, the passenger and driver were taken by surprise as the windshield shattered and they began being battered with intensely hot, high velocity spheres the size of a basketball.

As the pair of idiots that had been driving the van began getting assaulted by orbs of green fire, an Acolyte --who, before giving up his name to their Great Lord, was named Rebastian-- of the Nameless Cult scoffed. These pitiful thugs were anything but useful. He had long ago sensed magical energy, but it wasn't being put off by this wielder of flame.

No, there were others who wished to disrupt his Lord's work.

"I sense magical drivel." He spat, turning and throwing open the back van doors with the power bestowed upon him by his Lord. Telekinesis.

Upon seeing the two approaching women, he pointed at them, sending forth his group of thugs. "Kill them!"

The five thugs, some carrying makeshift clubs and others pistols, hopped out of the back of the van and charged.

Makaya cackled, and as the first round of gunfire went off she threw up a shield of darkness, a sort of test to see if Clio would allow the magic. It worked flawlessly, absorbing some of the bullets like jello before they clinked to the ground, harmless.

Karen stopped beside Clio, having finally caught up to the others. What the hell were they even doing down here? This was all completely out of left field!

God, how did she wind up in this situation? She had just wanted to go out for a night on the town, and now they were being shot at! There were, like, five of them, too! What the hell could they do against so many people? It was only thanks to Clio that they weren’t being riddled with bullets right now!

No, shut up and focus, Karen.

Sucking in a breath, she drew upon the Arcanum that flowed through the ley lines. Quickly thrusting her finger at the nearest thug’s weapon, she said, “Zestaino!”

Almost immediately, the gun began to glow red. Screaming, he dropped it onto the floor of the van where it began to smoke.

With a gleeful giggle, Mayaka sent a chunk of the wall forth, causing it to wrap around the body of a gunman mid-shot. It was very similar to her attack on Timothy, though this time she didn't plan on releasing the void midway. She shoved it down his orifices, raising a hand to make the darkness expand and cause him to explode. It had been so long since she'd been out, she just wanted to stretch her legs a little, have fun.

As she went to do this, though, her magic sputtered out. Not just the darkness within the gunner, but the shield protecting her. The gunner collapsed, unconscious, but otherwise unharmed. ”I swear to fuck!" Makaya growled, shaking her hand in front of her face. ”You're going to get me killed!" Knowing the self-centered attitude wouldn't work very well, she added. ”And Karen, think of Karen!"

At this, the thinning magic roared back to life. A barrier formed once more, a half cylinder surrounding the two women. Makaya turned to the singer, huffing. ”Ya know, if you-never mind, just help me!"

Meanwhile, Starfire was occupied with the driver and passenger. The two of them undid their seatbelts and dived out of the car for cover, their seats blackened and charred. Quickly, the pair began firing up at the green-eyed woman standing on the roof of the moving truck their van had crashed into. Yelping Starfire withdrew her energy into a protective shield. While Clio’s shadow barrier absorbed the bullets like jello, Starfire’s hard light armor send the bullets ricocheting and pinging off into the distance. Ten bullets slammed into the armor around her skin in rapid succession and she could feel it failing. Quickly, she drew the armor away from her self and launched a Starbolt at the driver. It hit him square in the chest and he fell backward, the wind knocked out of him. Starfire cried out as a bullet dug into her unarmored side. Focusing on her armor again, the rest of the bullets bounced off. She leapt off the truck and onto the passenger, sending the gun scattering. The woman looked up at her, and Starfire could only see her wide eyes that quickly shut as Starfire punched her across the face.

Starfire vaulted over the hood of the car and saw the driver trying to recover. He raised the gun and fired, hitting Starfire in the shoulder. Fortunately the armor caught the bullet but it was starting to hurt. She delivered a swift side kick to his jaw and knocked him out. Putting a hand to her ribs, she winced as her fingers were slick with her dark crimson blood. The pantsuit was ruined! Hearing a commotion from the back of the van she focused up and hurried to aid her friends.

Back at the rear of the van, Karen had busied herself by casting more Zestaino spells at the gunmen, depriving each of their weapons as Clio focused on maintaining her barrier. As hard as it was to believe, it almost seemed like they were winning! Winning a fight they had no business being in!

Fantastic!

”Zestaino--that’s the last one!” said Karen, glancing to Clio.

Her friend’s earlier ramblings hadn’t been lost on her. She had clearly been…talking to herself. Not even in a casual way, either--more like a full on argument! It was something she would definitely have to talk to her about, once they were out of danger.

The Acolyte cursed the thugs as they dropped their heated weaponry like the cheap dolts-for-hire they were. It was time for him to step in and get the sacrifice back safely. Speaking of which, where was the sacrifice?

The back of the van was entirely empty. Stomping like a child throwing a fit, the child of the Nameless Lord raised his hands, summoning up his magic. He tugged at the barrier of darkness, and successfully ripped it away after a moment of back and forth with the chaos mage who had summoned it.

"Fight, before I use you as bludgeons!" He roared to his hired, weaponless guns.

Makaya couldn't believe herself. She had really lost her barrier to this puny thing that decided to call himself a mage? She was going to get back at him for that. Darting forward, she made contact with the first thug. Summoning up her daggers --which were more reliable than her magic at this point-- she weaved beneath a clumsily thrown fist and hit him straight in the nose with the blunt part of the blade. A crack could be heard, and a cry of pain flew from the man's lips.

She wasted no time in glancing behind her, only hoping Karen was still backing her up while she fought her way through the thugs.

“WAAH!” screamed Karen, running away as one of the thugs began to chase after her. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw the longer-legged goon was starting to gain on her. Swallowing hard, she pointed at his shoe. ”Zestaino!”

The thug howled immediately as his shoe was lit on fire. Using the opportunity, Karen closed her eyes and kicked him upside the head with all of her strength, sending him tumbling head-over-heels onto the ground.

Slowly opening her eyes, Karen stared down at the prone form of her assailant. The sound of Clio fighting the remaining kidnappers quickly pulled her attention back to the van, her knees reflexively locking together at the formidable opposition her friend was up against.

Forcing herself to take a step forward, she did the only thing she could think of and began casting more Heating Charms at the thugs’ shoes. She had never drew this heavily upon the ley lines at any point in her life before, and her body was starting to ache.

Makaya was starting to react to her magic as well, though she was far from burning out. She had switched to a tactic of knife fighting and shadowmancy, throwing off her enemies with assaults on both sides. She did nothing too lethal, but at this point she wasn't even sure if Clio could stop her. The chaos flowing through her veins was like steroids, and as she drew upon the cracks between the planes, she knew she was regaining control of this vessel.

With the aid from Karen, Makaya was able to cut a clear path to the acolyte through her opponents. A gravelly giggle ripped through her throat upon seeing him. She hardly noticed when a thug's unconscious body flew toward her. It slammed into her side, the weight of a sleeping body sending her to the ground. Makaya looked up in shock as her blades were ripped out of her hands, but she quickly summoned them back to her person. She rose to her feet, throwing a dagger at him which he held in midair only for her to summon it back.

The game would've been fun, if she weren't pissed.

The Acolyte was seemingly unbothered by the rage in his opponent's eyes. He could sense the Chaos coming off of her, similar to his own but different all the same. She was evidently used to her magic, which meant she had to have been utilizing it for some length of time. His only question was… "Who is it you serve?"

“Arcanum Sagitta!” shouted Karen, drinking as heavily from the ley lines as she could to power her Arcane Arrow, launching it directly towards the Acolyte. She fired one, and then another, the first two being equally as powerful, but the third notably less so, and the fourth being little better than her standard blast.

Falling down onto her knees, Karen grasped her arms as her body began to shiver with pain. Shit, she had really pushed herself way too hard tonight…

Solely focused on the woman before him, the Acolyte was caught off guard when the first two bolts of magic struck him square in the chest. The blasts that came with the streams of purple magic were enough to knock him backward, onto the pavement. The other bolts flew above him, but he was already out of it.

As he saw stars, Makaya was quick to react. She approached, daggers in hand, ready to end this once and for all. Something nudged at her though, and she turned to look at Karen. After all, it had been her companion who had taken the man out. The poor girl was on the ground, looking worse for wear. She cursed her weaker self.

Taking a heeled boot, Makaya stomped on the Acolyte's head once, just heavy enough to put him out cold and form a big, split bruise on his forehead. Turning around, she strolled over to the girl, holding out a hand to pick her up.

”You're gonna be alright." She promised, voice pitched higher than usual. She didn't want to dilly-dally. ”Nothing a lil' R-and-R can't fix."

Karen slowly noddled, forcing herself to her feet. Her legs wobbled slightly as she took deep, steadying breaths. ”Yeah...I’ll be fine. But let’s call the cops and get out of here.”

At that moment, Starfire finally showed up, preparing her hands for a blast attack. She relaxed when she saw that the rest of the goons were taken care of, whether scrambling away holding stab wounds or plain unconscious. Putting a hand over the bullet hole in her side, trying to hide her newly ruined pantsuit she walked over to the other two. Unfortunately there was an exit wound as the bullet passed through her body, so the pantsuit was doubly ruined though Starfire didn’t notice.

”Clio, Karen, we won!” She celebrated. She focused on Clio.

”Also Clio, what was the purpose of this activity?” She asked, glancing around at the recovering goons and beat down acolyte.

Karen grunted, rolling her shoulders--and immediately regretting it. ”That’s a good question. I just wanted to have a fun night on the town, not feel like I’m on the period from hell.”

Makaya smirked at her two companions. ”Had to stretch my legs, haven't had my time in a long time." She inspected Karen warily, before doing the same to Star. She noticed the girl cradling her side, but she seemed good enough to walk. Plus she had that special healing thing, she'd be alright.

“Yeah, we’re going to have to talk about…that, when we get home.” said Karen, taking out her burner phone. She often used it to call in pizza or obtain other items, since having “Karen Hernandez” show up on the other end was more trouble than it was worth in most cases.

She looked up the number for the local police, before starting to dial it. A hand was quick to snatch the phone out of her grip, Makaya's eyes flaring.

”What are you doing?"

Karen blinked in confusion when her phone was snatched out of her hands. ”Hey! I’m...just calling the cops, like I said. What are you doing?”

”Getting time with the culprit. The cops are probably coming this way as we speak." She looked around, throwing her hands in the air. ”Do you see the victim?"

Karen scanned the area, frowning. The only ones there besides them were the groaning thugs on the ground and the Acolyte. ”I guess he must have ran. Can’t blame him. We should leave these guys to the cops though--we’re in no shape to follow up on anything, Clio!”

”Stop-" She looked extremely frustrated, but stopped herself short. ”You may not be in any shape, but I am. This guy is a weirdo, it's obvious." Makaya pointed at the sleeping body. ”There's something going on here."

Karen frowned deeply. She was sore, she was tired, she was shaken up from having to fight a bunch of armed thugs. Clio was being strangely difficult tonight and she just didn’t understand why. She didn’t even like the sound of her own name, apparently. “I agree that there’s something going on here, Clio--something that’s way beyond us right now! Star is hurt, I’m hurt, and you’re...well, something is clearly going on with you, because you’re not acting like yourself!”

Makaya's head was beginning to hurt. Clio didn't like this conflict. She was a pleaser who wanted to keep her job. Pathetic! It was pathetic! She groaned, cupping the sides of her head. "Fine! We've wasted too much time."

Karen reached out to snatch her phone back from Clio, and finished calling the police. There was only a single ring before a woman on the other side answered. “Um, yes...I would like to report a kidnapping on…”

She glanced up at the sign across the street. ”McKenzie Avenue. The perpetrators are unconscious.”

Ending the call before the operator could respond, she turned the burner off. She’d probably have to get a new one after this, since the cops had that number now. ”There...now, can one of my bodyguards maybe help me back to the hotel without getting me shot at?”

Starfire bit her lip and looked regretful, finally speaking up. ”You are right, Karen. I should have told you to stay on the roof before I did something foolish. I am sorry.” She approached her employer and stood dutifully by her side, reaching out with her free hand to take Karen’s.

Karen shook her head, and accepted Starfire’s hand. “Well, at least it’s just magic burnout. I should feel better in a day or two.”

Makaya watched the two of them, before sighing and nodding. She was slowly losing steam, it was time for her to retire. ”Whatever ya say, boss. Would you...er...prefer a cab?"

Karen laughed wearily. “Thanks, but I’m good with Star. I prefer orange to yellow anyhow.”

Starfire gently tugged at Karen’s hand and began walking at a brisk pace back to the well-lit and safe luxury of the hotel.

”Ugh…” Karen groaned, rolling over in her bed.

She felt like hot garbage. Everything ached. Everything was stiff. That was still an improvement over how she felt before going to bed. It was the first time she had ever experienced what was commonly referred to as “Mana Burn” in mage circles.

It wasn’t something she cared to make a habit out of.

Throwing back her covers, Karen stepped down onto the plush, thankfully heated floor and staggered her way towards the bathroom. Wearing a tanktop and shorts, she had carelessly discarded the rest of her clothes on the floor--a sign of just how weary she had been, as she was usually a bit of a neat freak.

After showering and brushing her teeth, she hobbled out of the bedroom to make for the kitchen. A bowl of cereal would be enough, she didn’t really feel like eating much more right now.

As the kitchen came into view she noticed Starfire with her back turned, examining a collection of silverware. Right beneath her left shoulder blade the fabric was ripped outward and slightly dark with liquid, revealing the orange skin and quarter coin sized hole in that said skin, though Star didn’t seem to mind too much.

”...S-Star? What are you...” Karen’s words trailed off as her eyes fell to the wound in her shoulder. ”Oh my God! You’re bleeding!”

Rushing over to her bodyguard, she started to frantically examine the wound. She knew she’d been hurt last night, but she had no idea that it was something this bad! Why hadn’t she told anyone? This would need medical treatment!

”We...we need to get you to a doctor, or something!”

Starfire perked up in surprise and set the fork down, turning to face Karen. When she heard what Karen was so frightened of she smiled reassuringly. There were faint bags under her eyes and their natural bright green glow was duller than normal.

Karen! Karen, relax, I am fine. I can heal from this. For at least...eight more of the Earth hours, I believe, I will be fine.” She blinked a little slower than normal.

Karen frowned, eyeing her wounds for a moment longer. She had never heard someone be so dismissive of a gunshot wound before, but then...Starfire was an alien. She knew how her own physiology worked, no doubt.

“Wait, if you could heal like that, why didn’t you? You had all night to rest!” said Karen, resting her hands on her hips.

Nevermind why she was still in her hotel room.

Starfire shook her head. A wound like this would take two of the Earth hours to heal. Once I am healing, I can’t stop. I am...vulnerable during that time.” She confessed awkwardly, like she was admitting a weakness she did not want to admit.

”You would be vulnerable too during that time. If those people in the van sought satisfaction during the night, I would have to be awake in order to fight them. I promised to protect you, Karen. So I did.” She finished confidently.

Karen’s shoulders sank, her lips pursing.

Star’s heart was in the right place, and it really was rather touching. Still, she doubted the people in the van could recognize her in the dead of night, with her beanie on. They probably were too busy panicking to take in many details about them, anyhow.

”Well, I’m awake now, so you should really get some sleep--”

A knocking was heard at the door, causing Karen to turn. Who could be disturbing her during the morning hours?

Starfire’s face went serious. Quietly she went past Karen. Her right hand began to glow with energy, the energy required to make her martial arts far more effective. Carefully she approached the door of the hotel and moved her eye over to the keyhole, only to see Clio’s face in the glass. Relaxing, the energy in her hand dissipated. ”It is Clio,” she announced to Karen. She opened the door and stepped to the side to let Clio in.

”Hello, Clio!” She greeted warmly.

Clio cringed at the greeting, her head pounding despite the copious amounts of Advil she had taken. Despite this, she managed a small, wary smile in return. ”Hey, Star." She stepped forward, finding herself awkwardly reaching her arms out in order to wrap them around Starfire loosely. She didn't know why she decided to hug the girl, but it felt...alright. Calming, to say the least. Starfire accepted the hug, giving her friend a quick squeeze.

Stepping back and looking around the room, her eyes fell on Karen's and quickly averted them. ”Karen...I-I came here to apologize." She stepped further into the room, waiting for Starfire to close the door. She tugged on the hem of her business attire, having woken up very early that morning in order to shower and start her shift. The door gently shut behind her.

Karen eyed Clio up and down for a moment. She looked like she was feeling even worse than herself, judging by the pained expression she made in response to Star’s greeting. It was understandable, after the night they all had.

“It’s fine, Clio. I was just...really confused. And worried. You ran off from the bar so suddenly without explaining anything, and then all of that happened...and you kept talking to yourself,” said Karen, recounting her odd behavior. “Are you...feeling any better?”

No. ”Yes. I'm feeling a lot better...more myself." She was slipping, and it hurt to admit it. Last night, she had had an ounce of control. She had been able to utilize it. At what cost? She didn't want to think about that, not when her head was pounding.

Karen frowned, stepping past Clio to take a seat on the couch in the living room area of her hotel room. Patting the spot beside her, she smiled up at her fellow mage. ”Come on, have a seat. I feel like we need to talk about a few things.”

Clio considered this, but figured it would be best to just sit down and chat before she got fired or lost a friend. Edging closer, she plopped down on a chair, her body throbbing once at the movement. ”Alright…what about?"

“Probably what you’re thinking,” said Karen, rubbing her arm awkwardly. She was no magical expert by any means, but it didn’t take one to see that whatever Clio had been using last night really did a number on her psychologically.

Taking a deep breath, she leaned back against the couch. “It’s about that magic you were using, and the things you were saying. ‘Not Clio!’, and arguing with yourself. I won’t lie--I’m really worried about you.”

Clio's brow furrowed. If there was one thing she didn't like, it was a confrontation. She could recall the first time her parents had reprimanded her for using her magic wrongly. It had stuck with her, and she had feared it since. Pressing her lips together in a thin line, she nodded.

”Yes, well, thank you for the concern. It means a lot, but there's nothing wrong with me. Really." She glanced over at Starfire, wondering if the girl was just as concerned. She caught Starfire rubbing her eyes.

Karen’s eyes narrowed, her posture becoming a little stiffer at the obvious deflection. “So, are you saying it’s perfectly normal for you to get angry when somebody uses your name? Or to snatch my phone because you want to interrogate a criminal? Or cackle while we’re in the middle of being attacked? I can go on…”

She really didn’t want to be harsh with Clio, but it seemed like asking her gently wasn’t going to get her anywhere.

Clio kept her gaze on anything and everything except Karen. ”That's not who I am." She glanced quickly over at Starfire, not wanting to get in depth while the girl was around. She wasn't uncomfortable, she just had a hard time explaining, especially in front of those she cared about. Noting the wound in her shoulder, she realized she had a scapegoat. ”Star, why don't you heal up while I talk to Karen? I'll be here to protect both of you."

The wounded woman tilted her mouth to the side, considering Clio’s words. This wound was growing tiresome, and Clio was here. There was no one on Earth Star trusted more than Clio, after all. Star didn’t want to admit it but she would be fighting at less than optimal were she to continue on like this any longer.

”Very well, Clio.” She agreed, switching her less-than-vibrant gaze to Karen. ”Is there anywhere you would want me to do the healing, Karen?”

Karen smiled to Starfire, happy to hear that she was going to do something about that gaping wound in her shoulder. “You can rest in my bedroom, if you like. I just woke up, so I won’t need it again anytime soon.”

Starfire nodded, turned around, and walked into the bedroom. She closed the door slowly, keeping her face in the door frame as long as possible before it finally, quietly shut.

Karen watched her depart, only turning back to Clio when the door was safely closed. Folding her arms, she gave her friend an expectant look. “Alright, it’s just us now.”

Clio watched Star leave, her head suddenly pounding. She turned back to Karen. ”Whatever it was you saw last night, that wasn't me. It's been like this ever since I turned thirteen."

Frowning, Karen didn’t breaking eye contact with Clio. Her answer had surprised her, but she was trying not to show it. She had assumed that...whatever that was...had been something recent in her friend’s life. ”Well, that’s one way to suck all the fun out of your teen years. Do you know what caused it to start happening?

”I…" Clio croaked, sucking in a breath. ”Overexerted myself. And it felt good at the time, but it left me like this. It accelerated the process." She gestured at herself. At her slightly sunken eyes and thinning frame. She had looked extremely full of life last night. ”It stopped for a while, when I started using my magic less."

That wasn't entirely true. Upon stopping her magic usage, she fell into a bout of depression, but it hadn't been terrible. Each time she overdid it now, she ended up like this.

Karen leaned towards one of the arms of the sofa, resting her face upon her hand in thought. They had both overexerted themselves last night, but the resulting effects on their respective bodies had been quite distinct. Was that the difference between Order magic and Chaos magic?

”By any chance, did you start using Chaos magic more heavily around when you were thirteen?”

Clio quirked a brow at this. ”Well, yes, but I've always used chaos magic. It's a family thing."

“Did anyone in your family suffer from something similar?” asked Karen. Maybe if she knew a bit more about Clio, she would be able to figure out a way to help her.

Clio squints, more to stop the light from filtering into her eyes and focus than anything. ”Yeah, there's been a few Heads of House who have gone through something similar." Matriarch Paulina, Patriarch Temple. A few lesser members of the house had experienced it as well, and climbed through the ranks to co-head or assistant to the Head as a result. They were all revered, she had looked up to them as a child.

”But that was more...extreme. They started growing, ya know, extremities, and taking long retreats where they...asked for things." The family history books depicted these extremities as extremely gorgeous, curling horns and dainty claws, a beautified face. The offerings they requested were gifts to someone of true power.

”Why?" Clio asked at last.

Karen chewed on the corner of her lip as she listened, a chill snaking its way up her spine at the mention of extremities being grown. That didn’t sound good at all. Clio thankfully hadn’t growth any extra arms or anything yet, but the fact that it had happened to her relatives didn’t bode well.

”Well...what if their more extreme ‘reactions’ started out as something closer to what you’re going through now?” said Karen, giving voice to her concerns. “And if that’s the case, it must be the result of using Chaos magic, right? Maybe...maybe you start out changing on the inside, and then it eventually changes you on the outside?”

Clio considered this, then barked a laugh that rattled her bones. ”Karen, my pop-pop's been using Chaos magic since he was born, and he's in his seventies! Looks no older than forty, though." And that was a result of Chaos magic. Not to mention the fact that her own mother and father had been using it for almost as long, and they were fine. It just wasn't something that happened in her branch of the family. No one had ever been 'blessed' enough, as they said.

”Plus, don't you think it would have started happening by now? It's been ten years since that first time." She seemed convinced.

Karen faltered slightly, considering if perhaps she had been mistaken. While she was a mage and had…experience with Chaos growing up, she was still quite a novice in the subject. It wasn’t something she had exactly devoted herself too, since she mainly just wanted to be accepted growing up. People didn’t tend to react too kindly to magic in the years following the Two Month War.

”...Then, when does this other side of you usually appear? What causes them to ‘take over’ from the normal you?” asked Karen, curious if she would also have an explanation for that.

Clio blushed, a bit sheepish about talking specifically about Makaya. The other girl had no qualms about making herself known to the world, but it wasn't the same the other way around. ”Well, she's just...there. Always. She wants me to use my magic, and she usually does it for the greater good, but in her own way. We both want to be heroes. I just view that differently than she does." She recalled that feeling, the tingling within her to go out that first night and fight.

”And when you use that magic, she gets stronger, right?” asked Karen, recalling how she had started to assert herself more once Clio started creating pathways for them along the rooftops, and especially once she had started fighting. ”And what exactly do you mean by ‘differently’? How does she think heroing should be done?”

”As long as you get the job done, and the criminal caught, there's nothing wrong with going around the law." Clio pursed her lips. ”I know that sounds bad, but I try not to let her. She enjoys her time out more than she does crime fighting. If she could, I'm sure she'd stay in charge all the time. Just to experience things."

Karen sighed.

She liked to go around the law. If it was just petty stuff, she honestly wouldn’t mind that. But this “other” Clio seemed to revel in violence, from what she saw the previous night. Her giggling laughter still rang in her ears. That definitely wasn’t alright. “Has she ever tried to get you to, you know…kill someone?”

Multiple times. But how could she tell Karen that without seeming crazy? ”No, she's violent but not that violent."

Karen regarded her skeptically, but decided not to press the issue. Things weren’t going quite how she had hoped. She felt like Clio still wasn’t quite ready to open up to her. Thankfully, she did have an idea. “...Does this other side of yours have a name? She certainly doesn’t seem to like yours.”

”It used to be just 'her' but I gave her a name whenever I became a hero. Makaya. Like the Great Sorcerer in voodoo culture. I think she likes it, because she's pretty egotistical." Clio giggled, but realized how crazy she sounded and stopped.

Karen perked up slightly with this. “Oh! So it’s not just a superhero name, but the name of the demon!”

She only realized what she had said moments after it was too late. She had been thinking aloud in that moment. “Err, your other self. Her, I mean.”

At the name, something within Clio reared its head, something ugly and hot and utterly insane. She forced her palms flat on her thighs, though this presence that she knew all too well begged her to curl them up into fists.

”Demon?" She asked, tone slightly hurt. ”She's not a demon, because that would make me one too, by extension."

Karen felt a pang of guilt grip her heart. That definitely wasn’t what she meant to imply. Still...there was no point in sugarcoating things. “You’re not a demon, Clio, and I would never call you one. But...well, I’m no expert on magic, but I do know a thing or two about this subject in particular.”

She swallowed hard, preparing herself to reveal something she had never told anyone, not even her adopted parents or siblings. Any “normal” person would react with utter revulsion, more than likely. But Clio wasn’t normal, and that wasn’t a bad thing.

“My mother...was a member of the Blackthorn Coven. For most of my early childhood, she kept my father under her thrall, and raised me to join the Coven when I was older,” said Karen, grasping the arm of the sofa with curled fingers. “I didn’t get too far into it--I was too young. But I do remember that she told me that all who embrace Chaos are destined to one day stand beside the Three Horned God as a demon.”

Staring directly into Clio’s eyes, she leaned forward. “So no, I don’t think you’re a demon, Clio...but I do think whatever is growing inside of you might be.”

”I-I…" Clio spluttered. Her heart hammered against her ribcage, and she was sure it would explode if she went on much longer. Tears stung her eyes, and she hung her head so Karen wouldn't be able to see them. ”I'm sorry about your mother," She began, failing to find the right words to say. She knew one thing, though. ”But I think I need to talk to mine."

Karen swallowed hard at this.

Clio was going to talk to her mother? Did she mean magically, or would it just be a phone call? Either way, it could be prove insightful--if rather awkward and nerve-wracking. What sort of woman was the mother who apparently encouraged such changes?

”Do...do you want me to go to another room? I don’t mind staying, of course, if you don’t mind,” said Karen, sitting up straight again.

Did she mind? No, it would be better with someone else around. ”You can stay, just, don't say anything unless I give the go-ahead. My mom's strange about these things."

She pulled her phone out of her pocket, spreading her fingers wide to cover up a majority of the Karen case. She hadn't changed it out like she said she would. Dialing up her mom, she pressed the speaker button.

After the third ring, there was a noise on the other end. "Ki jan ou fè ti bebe mwen an?" The voice said. It was full of honey, if not a bit gravelly. Before Clio could answer, the voice continued. "Poukisa ou rele m 'epi yo pa lè l sèvi avèk chodyè ou a?"

The tips of Clio's ears burned, and her cheeks turned a shade of red. ”Manman, I can't use my scrying pan right now. Could you uh, speak in English?" She glanced at Karen, apologetic.

”New York has tainted you, bèl." The heavily accented woman on the other end tsked. "You've lost your language, your ability to use your magic. Damn it all, you've nearly lost your voice! Everything about you that made you, you-"

”Manman, please. I have to talk to you about something important." Clio looked to Karen, wanting some support.

Karen winced at the woman’s domineering tone. She could tell that this particular mother was more of a teller than a listener. She certainly could relate to having a parent like that.

Seeing Clio stare at her, she immediately reached out over the arm of the sofa and gently grasped her friend’s free hand, offering her a reassuring smile. However this went, she would be right here the whole time.

Clio stared into Karen's eyes, her own slightly wide at the touch. She quickly looked away, clearing her throat. She could practically see her mother's expectant look on the other end of the screen. ”Well, Manman, my magic's been acting...unusual. And I need answers."

"Ask me anything, my love. I'm just happy you're still using it."

”I sought guidance. About the other presence inside of me, and, they said it was something bad." She released a heavy breath. ”A demon, they said it was a demon."

There was silence on the other end, then laughter. "Bèl, this guide you sought is mistaken. This is the natural progression of your magic, something many of us strive for but can't quite reach due to our own fears."

Clio looked unsure. What was that supposed to mean? Before she even asked, her mother was continuing. "Where do you think we get this power from?" Clio nearly answered, but it was clear her mother just wanted her to listen. "The realm of Chaos. The denizens there are demons, yes, and while we attempt to match their greatness, only a certain few can. This is a gift, love."

Clio's brow furrowed. It was a gift to feel like this after using her magic? A gift to have a half that yearned for destruction? This was confusing. Maddening. ”What if I don't want it?"

Karen frowned, not liking anything that her mother was telling her. It didn’t even make sense, when you really thought about it. It’s not a demon, but it’s going to make her “great” like the denizens of Chaos who were demons? She was stumbling all over herself. Just how long had Clio’s mom been drawing upon the Realm of Chaos?

"Eske ou fache?" Clio's mother asked, voice full of venom, and Clio flinched. It was like when she had first been reprimanded, all over again. Now, though, her mother was encouraging her usage of magic.

"Clio, this presence within you is power. Don't you feel good using it? She's the truth of you."

Clio felt wholly conflicted. She didn't like the way her mother was speaking to her. It reminded her of the way Makaya spoke whenever she was in control. ”Manman, I don't understand. I need-I need to go."

Karen nodded firmly, making an “end call” motion with her hand. She was already having to bite her tongue to avoid telling the old woman off, and if this call continued on she wasn’t going to be able to remain silent.

"Si ou rakwoche, pa anmède rele jiskaske ou lisid." Her mother hissed, and before she could continue, Clio was pressing the button to hang up.

Her body was completely still for a moment, before she cocked back her hand and sent her phone soaring toward the wall. Halfway there, a shadow mitt came up to catch it, before sinking to the ground and leaving the phone unharmed. Her chest heaved with labored breaths, and she shook her head. ”Sorry about that."

Karen shook her head slowly and squeezed the hand that she still held. ”You have nothing to apologize for, Clio. She’s the one wh o should be sorry. Nobody has a right to speak to you or anybody else that way.”

It was honestly a little chilling. The way she spoke to Clio during that call stirred something within her. A memory of her mother’s commanding voice as she directed her father to do her bidding.

“I’m sorry I put you through that, though,” said Karen, her posture deflating alongside her anger. “I just...I don’t want to lose one of the first friends I’ve made in years to...to something terrible.”

Clio bit her lip, moving from the chair to the couch. Slowly, she wrapped her arms around Karen's body, patting her back. She kept a bit of distance, but something within her warmed at the touch. Maybe she was a hugger. ”It's alright. You're not gonna lose me." Her voice was unsure, but there was meaning behind the words. ”I'll figure this out."

Karen had no such hesitation, and pulled Clio fully into the embrace. It felt good to see--and feel--that she was still the one in control right now. “And I’ll help you do it, if you ever need my help with this or anything else.”

She had a notion of how they might counter Makaya, but she wasn’t going to push it on Clio right now. She had been through enough already after that phone call.

”Thanks, boss, but I'm pretty sure that goes beyond the limits of the employee-employer relationship." Clio chuckled, pulling out of the hug. She still felt horrible, but that was alright. She had her support group. ”What say we wait for Star to wake up, then go out and do something fun? No fighting this time."

Karen gave her first whole-hearted smiled since Starfire went to bed. Hell, since before last night, really. “Sounds like a plan!”