x
Once Rena made it back to the hotel she slowly made her way to the couch. She sat down and just stared blankly forward.
What have I gotten myself into? I know I suggested going undercover but not like this. It was meant to be on our terms.
Suddenly her phone began to ring, snapping her out of her thoughts. She pulled her device out of her pocket and looked at the caller ID: Sy.
She let out a sigh as she clicked the answer button, resting her forehead in her palm, her elbow resting on her thigh. Before she could even say hello Sy excitedly yelped through the phone.
“I have great news! We've got an in for the school.” Sy said.
“Oh? That’s great.” Rena said a bit more unenthusiastic than she’d liked.
“You ok Mystic? You sound a little off.” Sy asked concerned.
“Ah yeah, I’ll tell you after. So tell me about the school. What do they know?”
“Ook. Well anyway. I told them that you are working undercover, looking for a villain who fled from the States to Japan, thought to be looking to join forces with the League of Villians. They understand that you working at the school is just a cover for why an American is working closely with some of the Pro-Heros since their school has ties with so many, it being a hero course school.”
“Got it. So I’ll be teaching English for how many classes?”
“Thankfully I negotiated it down to just the Hero classes so just 2 classes. They also permitted you to use their training facilities but after hours so as not to disturb the students. There is one slight catch though.”
“What’s the catch?”
“You’ll need to stay on campus for the time being. You are free to come and go, but for keeping up appearances you’ll need to live in the dorms with the other faculty members.”
“Well, that doesn’t seem so bad. At least this gives me something to do during the day. I’ve been getting a little restless.”
“I know. I do apologize. I wanted this mission to go more smoothly than the last but it seems to be quite the opposite, even with the extra steps we took to be prepared.”
“Well, that did help prepare me for the inhabitants of this world. I definitely would have been shell-shocked if it weren’t for the heads up on that at least.”
Sy chuckled “Fair point. Now.. wasn’t there something you wanted to tell me?”
Rena let out a defeated sigh. “Ah right.. Wellllll… I was sort of jumped earlier… by a member of the league….specifically..Dabi…. ”
awkward silence
“I’m sorry… WHAT?!” Sy yelped, her face turning red, not that Rena could see it at the moment.
“Dabi jumped me on my way back to the hotel earlier… he didn’t hurt me or anything but he may have threatened-me-into-working-for-the-league.” Rena mumbled the last part out of embarrassment.
“He. Did. WHAT?” Sy was definitely angry now.
“I know! I’m sorry! Look, I couldn’t exactly refuse.. He probably would have killed me on the spot. I didn’t know what else to do... Basically, he wants intel on Hawks and if it proves useful then he’ll let me into the mansion and ‘Join the League’” Rena air quoted while rolling her eyes.
It was Sy’s turn to sound defeated. “Well, that’s extremely unfortunate. But I guess it’s a good thing Hawks is already a part of our mission. We should be able to just integrate that in somehow. He can feed you information to give to them that wouldn’t compromise his position or yours. This might prove a little difficult with the addition to working undercover at the school, though.”
“I can manage. The sooner we can get this mission done the better.”
“I agreed, just.. Don't overwork yourself. I’ll send you the information for the school. We will keep the reservation at the Hotel as a rendezvous point with Hawks. Get some rest Mystic. We’ve got big days ahead of us.” Sy said as she hung up.
“Night Sy,” Rena said as she clicked her phone off. She looked out the window at the city. She got up and walked to the balcony, opened the doors, and stepped outside. The cool winter breeze hit her skin, reminding her of home. She stood along the railing and out at the lights of the skyline. Listening to the sounds of the city she took in a deep breath, holding it for a moment, then releasing it into the night. She started talking to ease the burden growing in her heart.
“Hey, mom. I know it hasn’t been too long since I talked to you. I’m glad Lucy talked me into talking to you like this. It really helps, ya know. I’m in another new world, visiting Japan actually. This mission has been kind of a whirlwind if I’m being honest. It’s in a modern society but somehow feels more unlike home than Fairy Tail’s world did. Kinda silly isn’t it? I feel sort of alone, more so than I did on the last mission. Well, there is this Hawks guy but I… I don’t know what to make of him. He reminds me of…Clark. I told you about him last time. He… was the light I needed in my time of darkness. I just wish.. He wouldn’t have left me. I drifted back into the darkness when he left. I know I’m not alone anymore but I still feel lonely, trapped in the darkness again. I don’t think anyone can fill the emptiness he left in me. What do I do Mom?”
Suddenly Rena heard a voice from above, interrupting her monologue, and causing her to turn red.
“Umm am I interrupting something?” Hawks said, hovering just about the balcony.
Rena let out a gasp and she jumped back. “Good lord Hawks. Don’t scare me like that.”
Hawks chuckled “Sorry, just thought I’d stop by and see if you’d like a drink?” he said holding up a 6 pack of seltzers. “Wasn’t sure if you drink or what you’d like so I just grabbed something simple and light.”
“Um honestly... I’m too young to drink?” Rena said questionably.
“Wait... How old are you?” Hawks asked, viable confused and concerned.
“Um, 20 technically. Though I’ll be 21 soon. Back home my Birthday is coming up in a few months.”
“When’s your Birthday?”
“January 3rd”
“Well that’s next week in this world, so who says it’s too early to celebrate? Besides, today is a special day” He said excitedly, grinning ear to ear.
“And what’s so special about today?” Rena asked, raising an eyebrow.
“It’s December 28th.” He said landing on the balcony finally.
“And that’s special because??” she asked, raising a brow.
“Because It’s my birthday.” He said with a cheesy smile.
“Oh..OH.. Well Happy Birthday then! But Why do you want to spend it with me? I’m a stranger.” she asked even more confused than before.
“Well.. to be honest.. I haven’t ever really celebrated my birthday. I don’t exactly have a lot of friends and also.. You look like you could use a drink. Weren’t you just saying you were lonely?”
Rena’s face turned bright red and she looked away. “You shouldn’t have been listening to that.”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to but… are you ok?” He said looking down, slightly pink, embarrassed he had been caught eavesdropping on an obviously private moment.
He hadn't intended to eavesdrop, he was just flying by and decided to check in on the girl. He was still concerned, and very curious, about how she got tangled in this mess. To add to it, the league had really put a strain on his patience today and he could use someone to vent to about it. He couldn't talk about his mission to anyone but he figured she could be an exception since she wasn't from this world and let's be honest.. He had a LOT he wanted to get off his chest. This mission was eating him alive and he was so over it already. But as a hero and the most suited for the job, the commission deemed him the best and only option for this mission. Lucky him, right? He was just ready to relax and take a break. Working on his Birthday was just one of the “Lucky” perks of being a hero.
~Earlier at the LOV Mansion~
Hawk was in a room with the Villain known as Twice. Hawks was “teaching” twice about the beliefs and goals of the Liberation Front. Hawks wasn't too thrilled about this “job” the league decided he could do. He was ready to meet the big man in charge and see what information he could gather about their next move. On top of that he was now on the lookout for any indication of clues to the whereabouts of a nameless guardian for the “Mystic Mission'' he was calling it.
He had tried to scope out the mansion but had no luck and was basically told to f-off by one of the members. He used the excuse he was looking for the restroom and got lost in the maze of the mansion. It really was a maze but Hawks wasn't so careless as to get lost. He had mapped out most of the mansion that he had access to and made a mental note of what was where. He had left a feather in the crack between a pair of doors to listen in on the main members of the League. They were having a meeting today and hopefully, he could gain some Intel, but the meeting was delayed because someone was late. That someone being Dabi.
ns 15.158.61.39da2
