QUaKE, who supervises the roleplaying boards.
~*treechimes*~, who can be found fangirling over theMonstrous Seacustom merch threads.
And darkSwitch, who draws probably the best fan art I’ve ever seen in my life.
With Wallace as rainmaker, together they make the Angels, the guardian clans of Orcus. In the story, the Angels are the ones who keep the planet in balance. When something—like the corrupted hand of the Alliance—threatens that balance, they intervene. These Angels keep the balance on my forums, as moderators.
I feel like I stepped into Power Rangers. They wait for me to say something.
“Um” is all that comes out.
“You make agreatKite Waters,” says Cole. “Too short, though.”
“Cole,”Megan warns. She bounces the little girl on her lap, who giggles. “You look great, Eliza, don’t listen to him. Now sit down, both of you. Eat something!”
It’s half invitation and half demand. I slide onto the seat next to Wallace. The saber gets stuck in the chair legs.
“Turn me toward, Wallace!” cries the girl on the computer, Chandra. Cole swivels the laptop around until Wallace and I appear in the webcam. I sink down farther, face hot. “Wallace,” Chandra says, “what is this nonsense about the newAuburn Bluechapters not going up soon? Izzy and Ana are the only canon ship I like, youcannotdisappoint me with this.”
Sorry. Wallace shrugs.Soon. I have the rest of the story outlined, I just have to find time to write it. School’s been killing me lately. And with the transcription ...
“Oh, yes, the transcription you won’t let anyone see yet.”
You can see it when more is finished!
“Don’t worry about it, Wally,” says the other girl, Leece. Leece and Chandra sit in two very different rooms; Chandra’s walls are blank and dark brown, while Leece’s are bright and covered inMonstrous Seaposters. A huge stuffed seacreeper rests beside a pillow behind her. “If you have the inspiration to work on the transcription, do that. Besides, Chan doesn’tknow what relationships are good for her.”
“Excuse you!” Chandra barks. “Were you there when Izzy and Ana were forced into their arranged marriage? Were you there when they formed a relationship of mutual trust over the inner workings of airship engines? What about all the times they saved each other while fighting the Alliance? They never even knew if they romantically loved each other—they just grew together. And that is perfect and beautiful and no one can take it from me!”
“Excuse me, everyone?” A voice comes over the speakers. The girl dressed as a sushi roll at the cash register holds a microphone. “It’s almost time for the costume contest. If you’d like to be entered, please come fill out an entry card and put it in here.” She holds up a jar shaped like a grinning skull.
“Oh,yes.” Cole pushes himself out of his seat. “Anyone else entering? Wallace and Eliza, don’t answer. I’m putting your names in anyway.”
Before I can say no, Cole is gone.
Wallace’s shoulder bumps mine.He’s always like this, he texts only to me.We won’t do it if you don’t want to.
I dig my fingers into the edge of the seat and stare at the tabletop, deepening my breaths so it doesn’t feel so much like my lungs are being crushed. Stand in front of all these people, in this costume that isn’t even mine, and expect them to, what, applaud? I’ll fall on my face.
“Eliza?”
I look up. Wallace, Megan, Leece, and Chandra all stare at me.
“Um, what? Sorry?”
“Oh, honey, don’t look so worried!” Megan says. “I just asked how long you’ve likedMonstrous Sea.”
“Maybe three years?” I say.
“Wow, so you liked it pre-Masterminds,” Leece says.
I liked it pre-everything.
“Is Kite your favorite character?” Chandra asks.
“Uh, no ... Izzy is.”
“Mine too!” Chandra jumps in her seat, her squeal loud enough to crackle the computer speakers. “No one understands the greatness that is Izarian Silas! That idiot Cole dresses up like Rory as ifhe’sthe best Silas, but the only reason Rory Silas is any good is because Izzy is his father!”
