#virtue character

When it comes down to it, Virtue thinks that Absinthe is a romantic. A fool-hearty, ridiculous, stupid romantic, but a romantic nonetheless. She’ll rant and rave up and down the halls that no she’s not and I don’t even like romance, but Virtue knows better. 

Every gesture, every gift, every heart-felt word is a sign and a treasure. The idea of a fantastical journey, even one grounded in the real world, is overly appealing to Absinthe’s soft heart, even if that journey belongs to someone else. To put it simply, every moment of Absinthe’s life is tinged gold and pink with meaning, adventure, and desire. How is that not a romantic’s view of the world?

Tonight, however, takes that to a completely new level. Whereas normally Absinthe will find cosmic meaning in what song she hears first, and that’s the extent to their fantasy, the person playing guitar in front of her has taken the toned down rose tinted glasses and shot it full of trenbolone.

It was supposed to be a relaxing night, too, which is why Virtue is so fucking annoyed at the singer. Bardic Inspiration finally got a big break, opening for a tour in a few weeks. So of course Michael decided now would be the best time to go further his game developer career, leaving the band short of a guitarist. Today was the last day of try-outs, and after a night of going out and taking it easy they would decide who would be the newest member of their little entourage.

At least, that was the plan.

Alas, the glue of the group, the poetic Absinthe Malone, chose a bar with local musicians. Secretly, Virtue was hoping that this wasn’t because Absinthe didn’t feel like anyone who tried out over the last few days was “it”. Hoping is useless when you know better. 

“Virtue, I think it’s him.” Absinthe whispers in Virtue’s ear. “I’d need to sing with him, y’know, but I’m almost positive it’s him.”

Virtue groans and rubs their hand over their face. “We just spent four days doing tryouts for 54 different people. How do you know none of them will work out?”

“You know why.” She prods them with her elbow, and Virtue almost hates that they know exactly what she means. “Besides, if this works out, and the band likes him, makes your job easier, right?”

“I don’t think you know what my job is, Sin.”

Too late, she’s already gone up to him as he finishes his song. He’s talented, Virtue will easily give him that. Almost as good as Michael was, at least on the guitar. He has Michael beat on vocal talent, no matter how easy it is to do that. 

Objectively, he’d be a good fit musically. The covers he’s been playing are in line with even Gemini’s stranger tastes, he’s clearly competent enough to learn Michael’s parts, and he can actually hold a tune.

But the biggest problem is the one that Virtue’s been having with almost everyone who tried out. One of the three band members doesn’t like them with a passion. With Gemini it’s more understandable, she’s aggressive and touchy towards almost everything in life. She’s loud and brash and gets on peoples nerves if they’re not prepared. 

In fact, that last fact was so common that a large portion of people who tried out would almost get into fights with the drummer. Granted, some of them were her fault, but nobody in the band wanted someone who Gemini could rile up so often. That fact made Virtue incredibly angry some days.

If they managed to get past Gemini, Airael was the next large obstacle. Virtue doesn’t even know why he dislikes the people he dislikes, but the fact is always loudly announced. If any person simpered or whined when told that they were an “inherently unlikeable musician” (ooh boy Virtue wanted to strangle Airael for that one), the bassist would point blank refuse to have them considered.

And most unfortunately for Virtue, it was Absinthe who took the cake in terms of most tryouts disliked. If they played fine, then Absinthe would sing with them, and then make a disgusted face and sit back down. If they didn’t play fine, she’d tell them to leave while glowering at the paper in front of her.

So overall, Virtue wishes that Bardic Inspiration was filled with anyone else right now, and wishes that everyone stop looking for the magical perfect guitarist to show up and just get on with it. Hopefully (against Virtue’s best interests), this random guy playing the guitar on a Thursday night will finally put this saga to rest.

“What’s Sin doing?”

Virtue jumps as Airael appears next to them. Considering how tall he is, it should be impossible, and yet he always finds a way to sneak around.

They sigh. “She thinks that this guy is the one.”

Airael hums in thought, and looks him up and down. “Well, he sounds good, and doesn’t look like a douchebag, so I wouldn’t mind.”

“Do you think Gems could get to him?”

Another pause as Airael looks at Guitar Guy again. “If she does, I don’t think it’d be too awful. Too early to tell, though, you know that.”

The pair watch as Absinthe moves the microphone and gets ready next to Guitar Guy. She’s almost vibrating with excitement, but Guitar Guy is chewing on his lip and shifting his feet. Whether out of nervousness or anticipation, Virtue can’t tell.

“Ooo! Is Sin gonna sing a song tonight?!” Gemini makes her way to the duo and stands in between them with a large grin. “Is he gonna be the one?”

“We don’t know, Gems.” Virtue almost sighs, the exasperation almost drowning them. Why is it that everyone they work with is so exhausting? “If, against all odds, Absinthe likes him, and Airael likes him, and you don’t kill him, then I’ll talk to him. But who knows if that’s ever going to happen.”

Gemini’s grin only grows sharper. “Cross my heart hope to die, I won’t cause any major problems.”

“That doesn’t help with anything.”

“C’mon, Virtue. She’s so cute she’d never hurt a fly.” Airael bends over towards Gemini and gives her a peck. “Look at her.”

Virtue groans. “Flies are not who I’m worried about and you know it.”

“Look at her!”

“Ahem.” The group turns to look at Absinthe standing at the front of the small stage with a big smile. Even a year later, Virtue can’t believe how perfect she looks with a microphone in her hand. “I thought you all should get a little bit extra on this beautiful night! So a little change in vocals for this song!”

She looks back at Guitar Guy and mouths a countdown. He starts to play the beginning of Absinthe’s little brother’s favorite song, and Virtue decides to watch him play instead of watching the crowd like they normally do. 

Absinthe starts to sing, and the familiar wave of unending care, love, and excitement rolls through Virtue. The dirty secret of Bardic Inspiration’s success, their singer’s ability to push their emotions out into the world using music, literally. A secret held only by her three bandmates, and one ex-bandmate. 

Virtue watches as Guitar Guy relaxes, and then tenses his shoulders. He takes a deep breath while playing, closes his eyes for a moment, and his body relaxes again. When he opens his eyes, they follow the crowd, and slowly find Virtue’s gaze. To his credit, he doesn’t flinch. He’s probably played here a few times, if a stranger’s stare isn’t startling.

Their shared gazes hold for a few seconds more, and he goes back to scanning the people who are likely looking at the stage with a new reverence. Virtue can understand their reaction. It’s similar to their first time hearing Absinthe sing. The pure force and genuinity of the emotions sent out feels like touching divinity in so many ways. 

The more that Virtue studies Guitar Guy, the more they see how subtle his reaction to the Power is. His face didn’t change, other than the initial tensing it’s not apparent what happened, but he’s truly relaxed now. The tensing in his legs is gone, he isn’t sitting perfectly straight in the chair anymore, and he’s actually looking at the crowd.

The singing stops, and there’s a taunt silence as everyone realizes that the music isn’t playing. They clap, Absinthe does a dramatic bow, returns the microphone to its stand in front of Guitar Guy, and she skips over to everyone. 

“I think he’s the one, guys.” She grins. Airael holds out the drink she’d been sipping at earlier, and she shakes her head. “I’m already on cloud nine. That was better than any time I sang with Michael.”

Virtue starts to corral them over to a table to talk as Absinthe gushes over the feeling of being on stage with Guitar Guy. She can barely sit still, and Virtue orders some food for the table.

Airael puts a hand on Absinthe’s shoulder, and she stills. “Sin, we need to talk to him first.”

She turns bright red and leans over so her candy green hair hides her eyes. “Sorry, sorry, yeah, of course. We do this together. I know that.”

Gemini cackles and ruffles Absinthe’s hair so it starts to stand up. “We know, Sin, you’re just excited.”

Absinthe whines into her hands and puts her head on the table. “Leave me alone to die of embarrassment.”

Virtue hums as the food arrives. “So I shouldn’t bring up you essentially bullied a random stranger into letting you sing one song for their set.”

There’s a muffled scream, and Virtue knows that she’d be banging her head into the table if they weren’t in public. Everyone laughs, and Airael pats her back sympathetically.

“Can someone kill me please?” Absinthe begs, and everyone laughs again. Virtue turns to watch the rest of Guitar Guy’s set absentmindedly.

“Also, what’s his name? You never told us.” They ask, and get another muffled scream in response.

“I don’t think I can do this.”

Cato paces back and forth behind the stage, wringing his hands. The heavy black and green boots accentuate every step with a dull thud as the speed starts to pick up. Virtue closes their eyes to push down their annoyance.

They grab Cato’s elbow and force him to stop. He looks at them with surprised eyes, then quickly looks away. Virtue tugs him around so that he’s facing them. 

“A few things. One, you’re here anyways, so you have to do this. No backing out. Two, you’ll be fine. And three, you’re going to ruin the look if you pace to the point of sweating.” Virtue gestures to Cato as a whole at the last point.

And they’re very serious about point three. It wasn’t easy getting a last minute creation for Cato’s inaugural concert, but they managed to get it just in time and damn it they’re not putting all that effort down the drain.

The custom neon green lightning design on the boots, the black jeans with handmade goldenrod patches sewn in the same bright green, and the dark green vest with accents of gold. 

The colors were Airael’s idea, “He’s new and shiny, green and gold work very well to say that. And black because he’s moody, like an emo teenager or some shit like that.” Making those colors neon was, as it always is, Gemini’s hand.

Absinthe hits Virtue’s shoulder. “You’re the worst at this.” She chastises, and gently removes Virtue’s hand from Cato. “Look, dude, it’s going to be terrifying the first few times, but you’re not alone. So even if you want to literally show your ass to the crowd and stare at Gem the whole time, we got you. Or stare at my new ‘do.” She dramatically flips her newly dyed, newly shaved bright blue undercut over to the side and strikes a pose. “Since, y’know, I’m the best looking person on the stage.”

“Arguable!” Airael yells from further backstage. Cato huffs out a laugh, and Absinthe stands back up in a more relaxed position.

“But seriously.” She puts a hand on Cato’s shoulder, and smiles kindly. “We’re here to help you. Rae, Gem, and I are all used to this live show environment, even if the touring part’s gonna be new. You’re new to all of it, and we want to support you however we can. Okay?”

Cato’s face breaks into a small smile, and he nods. “Okay.”

“Good.” She squeezes his shoulder, and turns back to Virtue. “You’re the worst at this.”

“And you’re not.”

Absinthe sighs, shakes her head, and leaves to find the rest of her band. Virtue looks back at Cato, who’s staring at the space Absinthe once filled. 

“Do me a favor, kid.” They say as they grab his guitar. They shove it in front of him, making him look into their eyes, startled. “Don’t get starstruck with your own bandmate.”

Cato’s face turns from awed, to afraid, to confused faster than Virtue ever thought possible. “If you say so.” He shrugs, and takes the guitar. “You’re the boss.”

He runs off in the same direction as Absinthe, and Virtue laughs under their breath once he’s out of earshot. Virtue’s not the boss, just the manager. He’ll figure it out eventually, they just hope he’s not too close to the sun when he does.

Overall, the first concert’s pretty good. Cato finally figures out how to fit the groove by song three, and looks much more relaxed by the end. And the reception to him replacing Michael was pretty good, from what Virtue saw while at the merch table. 

The lead band, Moneyz, is pretty good too. Good group of people, which Virtue had made sure of when setting up this whole tour in the first place. Once the venue had emptied of people and all the sound set up had been safely put away, and instruments secured in the van they’d be taking across the country, Moneyz invited Bardic Inspiration to a diner for some food and relaxation.

When everyone got their drinks and figured out their order, Moneyz frontman, Lim, leans in towards Virtue. “I’ve never seen a band manager so involved in the actual band itself.”

“We’re not a very typical band setup.” Virtue leans in as well. “They make all the music, and produce it. I do everything else.”

“And sometimes they play the fiddle.” Absinthe adds absently as she sips on her coffee, then returns to the conversation she was having with Gemini and the Moneyz’s drummer. 

Lim hums. “Fiddle, ey?”

They shrug. “I learned some violin in high school. They’re technically the same instrument without the bridge.”

Lim hums again and leans in closer. “So how good are you, Virtue?”

Virtue sits back and clutches their mug close to their chest. “I’m not going to join your entourage. Get another fiddler.”

Lim groans and flings backwards into the cushioned seat. “I wasn’t asking for you to join, just to play on this tour with us.”

Virtue glances at the rest of the band. Even though everyone seems to be talking to someone else, Absinthe’s shoulders tense, and Cato’s eyes flick to the side where Virtue is sitting for half a moment. 

“Only for the tour.” Virtue says. “And I get paid $300 at the end.”

“You’re underselling.” Lim narrows Lim’s eyes.

“I’m not meant to be a commodity for the stage. The 300 is for making me be one.”

“You got a deal.” Lim holds out a hand. Virtue grabs it, and they both give one firm shake before retreating back to their drinks.

Virtue falls back into their silent observation as Lim turns and starts a conversation with their lead guitarist Emen. In general Moneyz seems to have a good rapport with one another. The drummer Kuovi, while not the most bright, is incredibly earnest and clearly the emotional heart of the group. Emen is the primary songwriter and the lead guitarist, and his ingenuity shows even when just talking to others. The bassist, Shanty, is the youngest by far, just turning 18 a few weeks ago, but she has a lot of spirit and spunk for someone her small stature. And Lim, lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and frontman of it all, terrifies Virtue.

While Kuovi’s enthusiasm melts all but the coldest of hearts, and the creative twist of Emen’s speech can get most to open up, Lim is the only one who truly understands how to manipulate a conversation to Lim’s benefit.

There’s the slightest hesitation before every sentence, a brief breath to make sure the just right words have been selected and put together in the just right order to get what Lim wants. If it wasn’t for their old obsession with speech and behavior patterns, they probably wouldn’t have even noticed. They didn’t even notice until watching Lim talk to Gemini and get her to soften up just a little on Kuovi. 

At least Emen, for all his charm and suave words, was just a flirt.

The group falls on top of a table covered in papers. It must be late out, because the windows outside are darkened and there's nobody in the room. Nobody, that is, except for a lanky kid with an eyepatch.

They stare at each other, in the dark, endlessly. Taking in everything they can. The kid is wearing a large coat and looks almost exhausted, in the way teenagers do. Then, suddenly, he disappears. Like he wasn't there in the first place.

Virtue is the first to speak. "Who the fuck was that?"

Bug is the second. "I have no clue."

The third is the sound of footsteps clanging on metal, a door opening, and light coming into the dark room.

The kid appears out of the doorway. Then, a person with bright green hair and neon yellow eyes. And then . . .

And then it's Virtue. But it's not Virtue, because Virtue doesn't look like the weight of the world is on their shoulders, and their hair is shorter.

"Look!" The kid gestures to the group, his voice cracking slightly. "Why would I lie about them?"

Not-Virtue is looking at the group, and then to the neon green haired person, and over again. "Electrode." They say, and that definitely sounds like Virtue's voice, but it can't be. "I don't remember this."

Green hair, Electrode, stares right at Cato with nothing but anguish and fear. "Yeah." Comes Cato's voice, right out of Electrode's mouth. "I don't either."

-

Cato learns that the kid's name is Nightmare, which . . . the other one's name was Electrode so that must be a thing. They learn that they're in a warehouse owned by Electrode, who must be some higher up who just happens to sound like Cato.

Currently the band is in what is called the 'caffeine room'. It's a room with over 15 coffee dispensers, and everyone has a mug in their hands.

"So." Nightmare sits on the table in front of everyone else. "How did you get here?"

"We were playing a game." Virtue says. "I was winning-" Gemini sticks out her tongue and Virtue returns the favor. "I was winning when Gem hit me with a spell. Something tugged at our chests, there was blue light and then we were here. I guess."

There's some strange look on Nightmare's face, almost wistful, in a detached way. That's when Cato realizes something.

"Wait, when I say Bardic Inspiration, what do you think of?"

Nightmare's face closes off almost instantaneously, the small gleam in his eyes gone and his face blank. "I don't know if I am allowed to say."

"Why?"

Nightmare turns slowly to Cato, eyes flicking up and down. The memory of their voice coming out of Electrode's mouth still weighs on them.

"I don't know if I'm allowed to say."

There's footsteps, and Nightmare looks at the entrance with a flicker of confusion. Not-Virtue appears from around the corner.

"Are they okay?" Nightmare asks.

"They're in the lab." Not-Virtue responds.

There's a moment of silence that fills the room as Not-Virtue and Nightmare watch each other. The lights flicker, and Nightmare disappears. The band turns and looks at Not-Virtue, who in turn looks at them.

They close their eyes, take a deep breath in, and slowly let it out. Their eyes open, and they stare directly at Bug. "Look. I am going to be as transparent about this as I can be without getting into Electrode's space."

"What's up with Electrode?" Gemini asks, putting her face into her hands. "Wait not like that. I meant, who the fuck lives in a warehouse this big in fucking New York, with at least three people?"

Not-Virtue's eyes move towards Gemini, staring at her with a near violent intensity. "You aren't prepared for that answer." They look back at Bug. "As I was saying, you all are from the past, as well as a different timeline than this one. Not too different until about an hour ago, but still different."

"How do you know that?" Bug stands up and crosses its arms. "What do you know that makes you so skittish around us?"

Virtue stands a little taller, and their shoulders roll back ever so slightly. "You know, having one of the people who works for you appear inside of your room yelling about people coming back from the dead in a flash of light is worrisome. Especially since their death fundamentally changed the course of history."

Cato's going to be sick.

"At least, three people back from the dead." They look at Virtue. "I never introduced myself. Hi, I'm Virtue, ex-manager of popular cover band Bardic Inspiration."

Cato misses how Virtue's eyes go over everyone but them.

"It's so nice to see you all again."

-

Electrode isn't panicking. No, they're not. They're not thinking about rotting corpses and mutilated bodies and blood and organs and screaming and-

No. Not thinking about it. They're not thinking about it.

Someone is behind them.

They spin around and see Nightmare at the entrance, watching, as he usually does.

"I know that this is hard for you." He starts, and oh what a way to start. "But, hear me out, there's a baby you in there. Who has no clue that you invented anti-gravity boots."

Okay yeah they're actually not thinking about it anymore. They have boots to put on.

-

Virtue . . . should stop hanging around Electrode so much. Or maybe more because seeing everyone devolve at that bombshell was actually funny. Or, well, it was until Electrode came flying in on their boots.

"WHAT THE FUCK?!" Airael yells as Electrode's boots power off. "I'm done! I'm done. There's only so much I can fucking take. Can I go to bed? I'd like to go to bed."

"There's a couch in the hallway to the lef- and he's gone okay." Electrode watches as Airael stands up and leaves, not that anyone blames him he deals with all of their shit. Then, they look at Cato. "Y'know, I was planning on having several mental breakdowns just now, seeing as how I was the one to see your corpses, but then Nightmare reminded me of something."

Bug moves to stand in front of Virtue and Cato. "What is it?"

"Oh, nothing too important. Just that if you guys never came here, Cato there would invent anti-gravity technology."

Cato furrows their brow. "Wait, what?"

"You invent anti-gravity?"

"That's . . . that's a thing here?"

"Only for me, yeah." Electrode grins. "Plus a lot of other things. I've Rickrolled national television at least four different times."

Oh fuck. Cato thinks. They're me.

"Hey, what's with the look?" Electrode frowns, moving past Bug and standing next to Cato. "Sure, I'm horrifically traumatized and violent with a history of robbing banks, and am in charge of every villain known to man. But consider-"

"Consider what?" Gemini snarls, standing up and trembling with anger. "Get away from Cato or I'll make you."

Electrode ignores her, Virtue blends into the shadows and disappears from view. "Consider this: I've spent the last eightish years being able to invent whatever the fuck I wanted. Using the money of rich people. Also I know the future. Mostly."

Gemini starts to move to get Cato away, and Electrode's head snaps to look at her. "They don't know but I do so tell him now or go to bed with your girlfriend."

Gemini looks at Cato, mouths an 'I'm sorry', and leaves.

Bug turns around suddenly, pointing a finger at Electrode. "What just happened?"

Electrode sighs. "One moment." They look at Cato. "Y'know, you could use your Power for something other than controlling peoples bodies and nerves. Like inventing, or being a human battery, or something I dunno. And that law degree. Start changing the world."

Electrode turns to Bug. "So, turns out V is the only Unpowered one in BI. But also is the most important person in this timeline on my side so honestly who's the most powerful one?"

"Still you." Virtue (second Virtue?) appears behind Bug, who yelps and moves to leave their vicinity. "And your very intelligent plans."

"Only put together by you."

"Not really."

"Let me compliment you!"

-

Cato is sitting on the back porch of the band’s shared house, their head in their hands. Thoughts and images swirl around in their minds, anxieties and fears they thought had gone away months ago resurfacing in a torrent of hatred and despair. They put more pressure on their head, trying to push the thoughts out. Static buzzes across their skin, causing their body to twitch violently in a desperate attempt to rid themselves of it. 

They can feel one of their hands tapping their sternum, and their other hand flexing. Their head hurts. Something whispers in their ear, not there but it sounds so real. Whispers they were told years ago, whispers they told themselves forever. 

“Cato?”

Cato makes a small sound, whirling around so fast they fall down the stairs. Their dry eyes lock onto Virtue, who’s looking at them with concern. 

“So you found out.” They say, coming down the steps slowly, like they’re approaching a wounded animal. They probably are. 

So many things that Cato wants to say rise up in their throat and die on their tongue. Their mouth opens and sounds come out, but nothing makes sense. Why can’t they talk they have so much to-

“Cato, I need you to focus on my voice.” Virtue. Speaking. Words. “Take a deep breath.” They try. “Hold it for one, two, three, four, release nice and slow.” They know they breathe out too fast. “Deep breath,” Cato breathes in. “One, two, three, four, release.” Cato breathes out. At some point, Virtue stops talking and instead exaggerates their own breathing. How long have they been here? 

“What . . .” Cato chokes out. “What time . . .”

“It’s about threeish.”

Cato nods, curling closer to themselves. “You didn’t have to do anything.”

Virtue moves carefully, sitting next to Cato. “I care about you and your wellbeing. I do what I do because I care.” They look at Cato, brown eyes scanning them. “You’re special, kid. Do you know why we took you in?”

“‘Cause I’m good at guitar.” Cato mumbles. 

Virtue nods. “That’s part of it, yeah. But I’ve been working with Bug for years now. He doesn’t just choose anyone who has skill. Xe needs to feel a spark with someone. And ey felt that with you.” Virtue looks at Cato, eyes soft. “The moment you started playing, he knew you needed to be a part of the family.”

“Why’re you tellin’ me this?”

Virtue stands up, stretching. “Because I know how it feels to be lost and alone, and the sense of unworthiness that comes with it. Because reminding you that you aren’t alone, and that you have worth, is me caring for you and your wellbeing.” They smile at Cato. “If you ever need something, just ask.” And with that, they leave Cato in the backyard under the still sky.

-

Electrode wakes up early in the morning in bed. Their hands are bandaged, and everything tidied. It’s peaceful, it’s quiet. It’s nostalgic.

They carefully walk down the steps, ignoring how quiet the halls are. How quiet the downstairs is. How quiet the dining room is when they enter. 

Virtue sits at one of the tables, their sudoku puzzle book open in front of them. On the table are two cups of coffee, one steaming, one not. They scribble something in their book, the scratch of the pencil loud in Electrode’s ears. 

They sit down in front of the hot cup of coffee, gently taking a sip. It’s warm and sweet with that hint of bitterness that Electrode loves. They take a sip and watch as Virtue stares at the number puzzle. 

In this moment, Electrode remembers why they took their name, and it’s like the world stops. 

You’re too good for me. For this.

You need something good to do this.

Virtue looks up, seeing Electrode’s eyes on them, and smiles. A small, soft smile that Electrode hadn’t seen in years. They write something in the margins of their book, and pass it over.

Help me?

Electrode makes a soundless laugh, writing back.

I’m shit at puzzles

Virtue hides their growing smile behind a hand, barely being able to respond.

You think I care?

Electrode grins at that, nodding at Virtue and starting their inane scribbles in the empty boxes. By the time they finish the puzzle, the coffee pot is drained and the sun is high in the sky, and Electrode, for the first time in a long while, feels truly happy.

-

Electrode waits for the Circles to leave before storming to their lab. With everything that’s happened recently, Leto being forced to participate in a government-sanctioned raid, losing over 500 kind, loyal workers, the Circle Heads pledging themselves to Electrode. It’s too much. They need to blow off some steam.

They slam the heavy metal door shut, storming to the CD player in the corner. They turn it on and press play, letting their mind be lost to the music. They go over the experimental blueprints that they had drawn up last week, deciding to try and make something. Gods, they need to do something that wasn’t absolutely vile. No matter how good it felt in the moment, it always felt worse afterwards.

It needed to be done, though. All of this needed to be done. Life dealt them a shit hand with one decent card, and fuck they really should be used to the cards she keeps giving.

The CD ends, and Electrode hits play again.

They continue working, letting the music slowly take them away.

It ends, they hit play.

They work.

The third time it ends, the third time Electrode presses play, they stand and listen to the slow beginning, shaking as it continues and grows in intensity. As the song hits its climax, they finally let out a scream, a burst of electricity coming from them and causing the player to burst.

“No fuck fuck fuck no.” They snap out of their emotional stupor and open the player with some amount of difficulty. The CD inside is charred, and they slowly take it out. The disc is completely ruined.

“No, fuck, no this can’t be happening. Not today.” They cry out, feeling the lost sensation of anxiety rise up in their chest. “I can’t- it’s all I have.”

A plastic CD case is held in their peripheral vision. Electrode turns and sees Virtue holding it. “Have mine.”

Electrode shakes their head. “No, no, that’s yours. I-I won’t-”

“They were yours more than they were mine.” Virtue emphasizes. “I wasn’t there when it went down, but I was there when you joined.” Electrode looks at Virtue, who’s holding back tears. They pull their best friend close and hug them, sobbing into their shoulder.

There’s a mumbled train of ‘thank you’s and ‘I’m sorry’s from Electrode.

There’s a knock on the open door, and Electrode pulls away at record speed, eyes no longer red and a grin on their face.

“Leto! Welcome to the lab! Let me show you around!” They walk to the ex-hero, who looks exhausted and haunted. Virtue’s eyes trail Electrode with a hidden sadness. They place the CD next to the player. They take a deep breath, holding it for a moment, and finally lets go.

-

Zephyr didn’t know that the Agency had bugged her room until she was sent to lead a raid into Electrode’s warehouse. She, some low tiers, and a small police force, were dropped in and, no matter how hard she tried to stop it, she couldn’t. She realized too late. 

This is the last thing she wanted. The people who work for Electrode aren’t evil, just desperate. She, too, would have taken Electrode up on the offer of a job if it weren’t for the goddamn life-long contract.

Most of them aren’t even Powered. Virtue isn’t even Powered.

The low tiers and police blow the first few doors down with explosives. There’s sirens and workers running to what are obviously safety shelters. Many of them are gunned down before Zephyr can say ‘no’. 

The man with the lanyard and pins stares at her, blood seeping through his shirt, and she sheds a tear for him. When none of her entourage are looking, she goes to him. He gives her his space pin and whispers his last words to her. She closes his eyes and rushes off to try and stop more bloodshed. 

She gets to the Work Room before the heroes and police, seeing Virtue and Electrode. Electrode looks furiously at her, and she chokes back a sob. Zephyr falls to her knees and presents the pin, trembling.

“I’m so sorry.” She whispers. “I didn’t know until it was happening.”

Virtue and Electrode share a look, neither looking happy about it. Electrode steps in front of Zephyr. With sharp eyes, they analyze her, and nod.

Her nerves are on fire as her body moves without her command. She walks behind Electrode but in front of Virtue, who has adorned a simple white masquerade mask. She tries to move, but her body won’t listen. Why can’t she move?

The rest of the entourage arrive, covered in blood, and Zephyr wants to throw up. They ready themselves, the head captain saying something about this being the easy part. Zephyr wants to laugh. She’s the strongest of them and not once in three years has she ever been able to get close to the green-haired villain. Today was the closest she’s ever gotten. 

They ready their guns and Electrode laughs. Their distorted voice sends shivers down Zephyr’s spine and obviously unnerves the offensive group. Virtue tugs on Zephyr’s elbow, dragging her away. 

“You don’t know what you just set in motion.” The distorted voice cackles. She looks back and sees Electrode explode in a mass of lightning bolts. 

The hero-police force are thrown backwards, some sustaining burns and some not rising. 

“Find the detonator!” One of the heroes yells, and Zephyr knows deep in her bones that this wasn’t a trick or invention. This was Electrode’s hand being shown, and everyone was looking at what they had played instead. 

The anti-gravity boots activate, making Electrode hover above them, and Virtue shoves her into a room and closes the door just as the screams start.

Zephyr stares at Virtue, who seems unnerved, with horror. Flashes of her interaction with The Drain coming back, not much, but enough. Her nerves suddenly settle from the burning sensation they had been feeling before. She steadies herself, gasping on sobs. Virtue is looking with emotionless eyes peering through the mask.

“He-” She heaves out. “I didn’t even know his name.” She finally lets the tears out, sobbing as she holds the bloody pin to her chest. “I couldn’t save anyone.”

Virtue grabs Zephyr as she collapses, gently letting her down onto the floor so she can lean against the wall. 

“They knew the risks.” Virtue whispers. “We’ll send money and condolences to any family or friends they had.”

Zephyr barely keeps back a wail. So many families torn apart that she could have prevented. If only she had- if only she had-

Electrode walks in, mask thrown into a corner, and not a speck of blood on their suit. They and Virtue exchange whispers, and then they set their gaze on Zephyr. She wants to curl up and die, she failed. 

Electrode’s ungloved hand gently touches her own. “Their deaths aren’t because of you.” They say with certainty. “If they were, then you wouldn’t have this.” They touch the space pin. “You wouldn’t have cared.”

Zephyr wants to fight them, tell them how wrong they are, but she’s so tired. She wants to sleep forever.

Electrode squeezes Zephyr’s hand gently. “We’re going to get justice.” They whisper, voice deathly sharp. “You can join us in it.”

Virtue looks at Electrode with surprise. “But what about-”

“Fuck it all. I just lost 500 good, hard working people and I’m not gonna let the government glorify the 20 that caused this massacre.” Electrode cuts them off. “I’m not gonna hide anymore, either. Call the circle heads, we meet in two days.”

Virtue nods and leaves the room. Zephyr tries to curl into herself, but Electrode doesn’t relinquish their hold on her hand. 

“Zephyr.” They say, much softer than they have been all day, more like the way they are when they fight. “You’re gonna see a side of me that’s unlike what you’ve seen. I hide the way I am around the circles from you, and I hide the way I am around you from the circles. If you want to join my cause, I’m gonna wait until after the meetings. If you wanna leave, leave. I already have a way to get you out of that shitty contract and I’m using it.” They say, and Zephyr’s breath solidifies in her throat. What do they mean?

Electrode looks at them. They have freckles, light and dusting the area right under their eyes. “Leto, please believe me when I say that I won’t let you get hurt or die. Not now.”

She wants to scream at the use of her civilian name. She hasn’t been Leto for so long now.

Electrode seems to recognize this, as they say one last thing. 

“Don’t lose who you were.” They plead. “I did. I did the moment I made my moniker. Don’t make the mistakes I have.”

They stand up and go to leave, but Zephyr Leto calls out Electrode’s name.

“Who are you when you’re not Electrode?” She asks, and Electrode looks sad.

“A child who died a long time ago.”

-

Cato leans over the table, sparks flying out of their fingers in a controlled stream. There’s piles of junk surrounding them, as well as many half-eaten plates of food and mugs of cold coffee. 

Virtue gently raps on the wall, walking into the underground lab. Cato looks up, brown contacts out and their natural yellow showing, accentuating the dark circles cradled underneath. Their long strand of hair falls back in front of their face. 

“What are you working on?” Virtue asks gently, standing next to the young adult. In front of them is what looks like a half face mask, a metal outline with the ends extending outside the visor. 

“Trying to figure out how to make a heat sensor small enough to fit over the visor.” Cato responds, voice rough. They tap the visor gently as they say it, small, harmless sparks coming from the mask at the contact. 

Virtue takes Cato’s shoulders, gently pulling them back. “That’s a problem for future Cato. After they’ve had a decent meal and more than half an hour of sleep.” They say while Cato groans. 

“But I need to get this done-“ they protest before Virtue interrupts them. 

“After rest and food.” Virtue looks at Cato with a small smile. “Take care of yourself so that you can do your best work, yeah?”

Cato gives a deep sigh, stepping back from the table. “Yeah, yeah okay. Sounds good.” They huff, pushing their newly dyed hair out of their face. “Just need this done by Thursday.”

Virtue puts a gentle hand on Cato’s shoulder, leading them out of the underground lab. “I know, and you will. You’re the brightest person I know.”

Cato waves of Virtue’s hand, spluttering. “Oh shut up! You’re pretty smart, too. Would’ve been dead long before now if not for you.”

Virtue is quiet for a few moments after that. “You find a name yet?”

“Yeah.”

“Good.”

-