Chapter 6

After the movie, they went to another part of the shopping center. One of the stores there was set up to sell the bus passes, so she went ahead and bought one. She was careful to keep the receipt for the promised reimbursement.

They spent the rest of the afternoon at the pool, just enjoying the day. Angel had not had many chances to do that since she changed.

When she got home, there was a message from the theater. On Saturday, she would do the other one that was not near the stops. For the next three days she would be doing theaters near bus and light rail stops. She was to call the manager or an assistant manager at the Chinese to let them know she got the message, and to let them know if that presented any problems.

She decided to wait on making that call, since her parents would be getting home soon. That way, she could find out if they had any problem with the schedule before talking to anyone at the theater.

She found a chicken in the refrigerator, and seasoned it for roasting. While the oven was preheating, she peeled and cut up some potatoes to roast with the chicken. After setting things up the way she wanted them, she put them in the oven and set the timer.

She decided to tease her mother, so she went up to her room and got one of the old action figures (boys still couldn't stand to call them dolls) she had kept, and sat it on the sofa. She sat next to it, and turned on the tube. By the time her mother walked in the door, the illusion of an afternoon spent goofing off was somewhat spoiled by the smell of roasting chicken.

"What, no boy this time?"

Angel indicated the figure next to her. "I think I overdid it," she pouted.

After a startled laugh, her mother commented on the smells from the kitchen. After a brief conversation about dinner, she went upstairs to change. Angel followed, telling her about her new schedule and asking about problems.

"I don't see any problem ... help me with this, will you? ... but you need to run it by your dad and see if he has any problems."

"Is he coming home on time?"

"He's supposed to. One never knows." The phone rang. "Could you get that, honey?"

It turned out that her father was not coming home any time soon. Yet another integration crisis had reared its ugly head. He listened to her proposed schedule, and only had one reservation.

"You'd probably better not count on me for a ride tomorrow or Sunday. The last one of these took five days of massive overtime and headaches to fix. Other than that, it sounds good."

She assured him that she would make other arrangements for a ride, then sent her love and ended the call.

Her mother was disappointed about the call, and about missing it. She knew she could call and talk to him if she really wanted to, but he was going to be pretty busy. She checked her calendar, then told Angel that she could take her on Saturday.

Angel called the theater, and talked to the manager.

"I'm glad you called. Make sure you get there on time tomorrow, and let me know if there are any problems. In fact, please call me after you leave." He wouldn't say any more about that, so she let it drop after agreeing to call. Not for the first time, she wished she had a little of Lena's powers. Or even what David would be getting.

I heard that!

Hey, I'm on the phone with my boss! I'll call you in a minute.

She finished the call on a more upbeat note, then called Lena.

Lena answered with "That doll was a cute touch!"

"Action figure, thank you very much! Snooping again?"

"No, but your mom was more startled than she let on. I wondered what the fuss was."

Angel told her about her schedule, and the odd way the manager acted. Lena offered to try and find out what was behind it, but Angel decided to let it drop for the time being. She did mention that she wouldn't mind at all if Lena paid some attention to her vicinity while she was at work the next day. Lena agreed, and offered to meet her at the theater after work.

"And of course," Angel giggled, "since we will be right there and all, you wouldn't mind seeing another movie."

"And the popcorn. Don't forget the popcorn!"

"I knew it! You just like me for what I can get you!"

"I thought you already figured that one out!" Lena was barely restraining her own mirth.

They talked for a few minutes, then Lena added "Before I forget, do you have any dinner plans next Friday?"

"Not that I know of. MOM! Any plans for dinner next Friday?"

"Hey! Cover the phone when you do that. What'd she say?"

"Apparently not. Why?"

"My folks want me to invite you guys over. Your dad's been here, but they'd like to get us all together."

"Daddy might not be able to make it," Angel cringed a little about the way she described him, "He's got some big problem at work. I'll see about Mom." This time she held her hand over the pickup while she consulted.

"What time do you want us over there?"

They exchanged arrangements, then goodbyes.

While Angel was on the phone, her mother was making a salad to go with dinner. The rest was just about ready, so they set the table and talked. She told her mother about the invitation, and her mother surprised her by thinking some sort of acceptance back to Lena. She could see what David meant about the look of such activity.

After that, They described their days at work, and impressions of coworkers.

Over dinner, Angel talked about the conversation with David, and what she had seen in him.

"If he's that powerful, he'll probably have to register."

"What does that mean?" Angel asked.

She explained that the registry had been created after a number of incidents with unusually powerful morfs. In addition to being listed in a special part of the central registry, they need to report their status to their school, the police departments where they live, work, and/or go to school, and to their employers.

She went on to point out that it wasn't as bad as it sounded. Under most circumstances, they couldn't legally be discriminated against or unduly harassed. And many employers and school groups regarded the powers as potential resources rather than threats.

"Like the way Mr. Moore, the theater manager, thinks about me?"

"Exactly. Without your abilities, you'd be just another teenaged body to clean the theater, sell concessions, or work the ticket booth - for little more than minimum wage. Instead, you're a valuable asset, a specialist who might save the theater a lot of money and trouble."

"Or like Miranda at the boutique."

"Right. I imagine that Lena is registered as well. Her teachers will take steps to keep her from being able to cheat on tests and such, and when she gets old enough, she will not be welcome as a customer at certain kinds of gambling establishments. On the other hand, those same places might pay her an excellent wage to help spot cheaters, thieves, and other threats to their businesses."

"Am I registered?"

"Not in that sense. You are in the central registry, but your evaluation showed that you weren't dangerous enough to meet the requirements. So you don't need to do the other things, and most people won't find out unless they're told or shown."

"How is Lena dangerous?"

"Well, aside from the danger to people's privacy and the like, just think about what she could do if she put her mind to it. While it's not in her nature, someone with her powers could drive someone to a killing rage, a suicidal depression, or a deeply delusional state. Such a person could cause someone's hand to push the wrong button at the wrong time, or turn a steering wheel the wrong way. Any number of things."

"You sound like you're afraid of her."

"I'm afraid of her potential, but not her. If I didn't trust her implicitly, I wouldn't let you two spend so much time together. Besides, didn't David make a similar comment about your own potential for destruction?"

"I'd never..."

"Of course not. But it is the difference between what your powers could do, and what you would do. Such acts would go completely against your values. Against your whole sense of who you are. So I'm not worried."

"But the..."

"Yes. That was before you knew what you could do. And even then, it's a lot milder than some people your age would've conjured up if they had the chance."

The conversation shifted to more trivial topics as they finished the dishes and went their separate ways. Angel went to her room to check her mail. She really didn't expect many replies from his old friends. It was too soon, and it would be a lot to accept. But there might be one or two.

To her surprise, nearly all of them answered. Some thought she was joking, and said so. A few were very upset, and their abusive messages reflected that. She had expected that, so it didn't hurt as much as it might.

But the real surprise was the number of positive ones. Especially from his female friends. In terms they usually used for a loss of virginity, they welcomed her to womanhood and expressed their support. They also commented on the reactions of some of the others, and shared the local news and gossip.

She didn't understand why there were tears running down her face by the time she was done reading.

It's a girl thing, silly.

Was I that loud?

Kinda. Especially when you read a few of the more emotional things. By the way, sorry I overheard your dinner table talk. My 'ears' perk up when someone mentions me.

Like the old horror movies and fantasy novels? She Whose Name Must Not Be Spoken?

Gee, thanks, plague girl.

Well, since you heard anyway, are you?

Yes, I'm registered and all that. And wait till you see the hoops they jump through to avoid even the suspicion that I might be cheating. There was definitely laughter in her mental voice.

They talked some more, and Lena asked whether she wanted her to ride to the theater with her.

If it wouldn't be too much trouble. I didn't want to have to drag you there and have you wait around.

S'ok. There are a couple of stores there that I haven't been to in a while. Think one of your folks can drop us off at the park-n-ride on Monday? It'll be easier from there.

I'll check, and let you know.

Her mother said that it would be no problem. She also said she was happier with Lena and Angel riding together. Less chance for trouble.

After relaying the response to Lena (who heard it, anyway), Angel decided to get ready for bed. She would have to get up earlier in the morning than she really liked.

And she was right.

After dragging herself out of bed and into the bathroom to get ready, she got some good news. She was apparently done for the month. She would take precautions that day, anyway, but it was still a relief.

She made a mental note to research ways to use her elemental abilities to make it less of a problem.

She had no problem deciding what to wear. The uniform shirt was clean and ready, and the rest was prescribed by theater rules anyway. Her only real choices concerned underwear, and she went for comfort.

She made sure Lena and her mother were awake and getting ready. Her mother was cooking breakfast, but was not fully dressed. She thanked her, then reminded her about her need to go to work.

While Angel was eating, and her mother was changing, Lena added her two cents worth.

What a waste of a perfectly good Saturday. You owe me, working girl.

Would another free movie do it? Angel thought, with a grin.

Throw in a Brunchie and a drink, and you got a deal. Angel could almost see Lena's grin as well.

Deal.

Even with directions and an early start, they only got there ten minutes before she was scheduled to start. For some reason, the road crews were more active on Saturdays than on weekdays, and apparently more active during the summer.

"Of course!" Lena explained. "They avoid the rush hour traffic on the weekends, and they can't do a lot of their work with snow on the ground. Or even with the asphalt frozen."

"I guess that makes sense. Well, here we are. Can you show Mom around while I'm busy here?" And she added mentally And keep an eye on my situation?

I should have held out for a Banuba to go with the others! "Of course. No problem."

She tried the side door that should have been unlocked. It wasn't. She tried the other doors, with the same results. Lena, she called, I can't get in. Is someone there?

Yes, and he is aware that you're there. It is some kind of company politics. Try calling Mister Moore.

She did, and he called the office there. After another couple of minutes, a tall, impeccably dressed man came to the door. As he opened it for her, he growled "You're late."

"I'm sorry, but I was told to be here at nine o'clock. I got here at ten till, but the doors were locked."

"I have no use for excuses! My employees know they are to be here at least fifteen minutes before their shifts."

Don't back down. It's not personal or a MORFS thing. He just likes bossing people around and setting impossible standards so he can yell at them.

"My understanding is that I work for the chain, rather than you. If I do work for any one manager, it is for Mister Moore. Do you have information that contradicts that?"

"I'll have to look into that. Go thumb in, then get to work." He wasn't going to give an inch.

He is angry at the implication that his theater is not as clean as it should be. Be careful how you say things, but it is mostly something between him and the other managers.

If Angel thought it was tough the day before, going through the process with Mr. Moore hanging over her shoulder, it was absolutely nerve wracking doing so with this guy all over her. He never did anything "improper", just glowered and glared.

She found four hot spots, and a little less of the general contamination than at the Chinese. With each thing she found, his frown got deeper. She sincerely felt sorry for the kids who did work for him. Especially those on early shifts that day.

When she tried to lighten the mood by pointing out that he had done better than the Chinese, he chewed her out for spreading gossip. Lena let her know that he was secretly pleased, but he had no intention of letting her know that.

Finally, she was done. She thumbed out, and went toward the front. She had "asked" Lena to have the two of them decide what movie to go to, preferably before she got to the box office.

They did, but she groaned at the choice. It was the chick flick David had avoided the day before. She got the tickets, filling out more paperwork than before (and annoying the other people in line) in the process. And it was the same at concessions. But soon, food and drinks in hand, they were on their way into the theater.

As they settled into their seats, Angel noticed one of the air vents. It had some mold and mildew at the edges, and was spraying a fine mist of mold spores when it blew. It was a relatively harmless variety, as far as she could see, but she wanted to make it a point to check the vents in the Chinese when she did her next shift there.

She was surprised to find herself caught up in the movie, reacting much the same way as her mother and friend, at much the same places. For just a fleeting moment, she wondered whether Lena was doing that to her.

No, I'm not! Now shut up and enjoy the movie.

Angel was embarrassed to have even had the thought, much less letting Lena "hear" it. She would have to learn to shield her thoughts. In the meantime, just what was that guy doing at the house of his girlfriend's sister?

She laughed. She cried. She gasped. She sighed. And all too soon, it was over. Time to go.

"So ... what do you think of chick flicks now, Angel?" her mother asked, teasingly, as they got into the car.

"Hmmmph. Must have been a fluke or something. Would have been better with a chase or two."

They weren't buying it. I'm such a girl! she thought.

"Got that right." Lena chuckled, out loud.

When they got home, there was a message to call David.

He let her know that he had a late afternoon appointment for suspected MORFS. He said that the advance notice helped, and the fact that it was Saturday. "Sunday appointments tend to be emergency only, and even then they're hard to get."

He asked whether she could come over for a brief snack and introduction. She asked her mother, who agreed. He said they would swing by in a couple of minutes to pick her up. She hurried up to her room and changed out of her work clothes. She threw on a t-shirt and her shortish denim skirt, then hurried through refreshing her makeup.

When she got downstairs, her mom and Lena were talking to a man and woman she didn't know. Since David was there, too, she assumed they must be his parents. His father was about six foot four, with an athletic build. His mother was about five foot ten, with slightly pointed, ears, green eyes and vertical slit pupils. Her build could be described as lithe, Angel decided.

Lena excused herself and left.

Don't leave me! Angel mock begged.

You'll be fine. They're good people. And David didn't tell them about the scam part - just Pope Hill.

Everyone else exchanged goodbyes, and Angel left with David and his parents. They exchanged pleasantries on the short drive to their house.

The drive to their house was short but pleasant. When they got inside, they sent David to get the food ready, and asked her to sit.

"I hope you understand," his mother began, "that our main concern is David's well being. He is convinced you are genuine and one of the good guys. We don't know you, and can't judge."

His father took up the theme. "What we really need is some indication about your abilities. So, if you don't object, we propose a small test."

"What kind of test?"

"Look at us, and tell us what you see."

"A man and a woman, parents concerned with their son."

Her father gave a half smile. "We were thinking more of the way you saw what will happen to David."

"Oh. I shoulda figured that. Let's see..." she looked at the father and let her subconscious tell her what there was.

"You," she pointed at him, "are very fast, obviously strong but not superhumanly so, and some kind of elemental. Metal, it looks like. Cool. You also have some sort of mental shield thing."

She looked at the mother. "How shocking." she grinned. "An electricity elemental and a metal elemental married to each other. That must make the sparks fly."

His mother blushed, as the father barked out a short laugh. Just then, David came back into the room.

Angel went on. "You also have some kind of shields, made from your element. You can see well in the dark, and have improved balance and flexibility."

They were impressed, and suggested making a start on the nachos before they got cold.

After some small talk, punctuated with enthusiastic eating, they asked if she could take a last, preMORFS look at David.

Angel decided to make a point. "Sure, if I get to see some of your parlor tricks."

"Ouch!" David's father responded. "I guess we deserved that. I'll go get something while you start."

As he left the room, Angel took a good look at David. She munched on a cracker as she let the information gel. His father returned as she cleared her mouth to speak.

"He's going to have large, feathery wings and a strong build. He'll be as tall as you," she indicated his father, "or maybe a little taller. Despite his build and weight, he will fly easily. He will have telesense, both audio and visual."

She drew a breath, and let it out. "He will have illusionist ability, and a limited ability to transmute matter."

"Limited?" David and his parents chorused.

"He'll only be able to change a relatively small volume at first. Like his other abilities, that will grow with age and practice. I don't think he'll ever be strong enough to change the world," she grinned, "But if you ever wanted a solid gold Cadillac, he might eventually manage it."

His father let out a low whistle.

Angel waved her hands theatrically, as though over a crystal ball. "Thus speaks Madame Olga."

"Hey, I thought Cassie was the fortune teller?" David quipped.

"No, she's the MISfortune teller. I just tell your future." She returned. Everyone laughed.

"Ok, my turn." His father said. He held a small chunk of a silvery metal in his hand. It seemed to melt, yet never seemed to be liquid. From the middle of the blob, a head emerged. A very female head. Soon the body followed, dressed in graduation style robes. In front, arms formed, and hands, holding a small sphere. In back, wings unfolded. The features and details became more refined and lifelike. The figure, about two inches tall, seemed to shake her head and flutter her wings. She turned and "looked" at her sculptor, then up. Some strands of her hair rose as supports, and a small halo formed. The figure smiled, and froze.

"Wow!" Angel was clearly impressed.

He handed the figure to his wife, who ran her fingers over parts of it. The robes became blue. The face, a pale pink. The hair yellow. Finally, the wings became an iridescent rainbow. She handed it to the stunned Angel.

As Angel admired it, David's father told her (with meaningful glances at David), "It's a titanium alloy. Very light, and very strong. And uniquely suited to electrical discoloration like that. We both had significant power to begin with, but it took us years of practice to get that degree of control."

As she went to (reluctantly) hand it back, he said "It's for you. A gift. To thank you for your help with David."

She felt a little bad about that, wondering what they would think if they knew she had been the one who caused him to transform in the first place. But she didn't let it show.

David had an idea what was going through her mind. "You deserve it," he assured her.

"Here," his father held out his hand for it. When she handed it to him, he pulled a necklace chain out of his pocket. As he turned the figure over, she noticed that some of the hair arched out to form an opening. As she watched, the jump ring at the end of the chain deformed to slip through the opening, then reformed. He handed it to his son.

David turned to Angel. "May I?" he asked, holding the chain open. She nodded, and he fastened it around her neck.

Seeing Angel's embarrassment, David's mother changed the subject. "What are we going to do for flying clothes?"

"Well, we can't do much until we know his measurements. Maybe we could go with something like that." his father grinned, pointing to the necklace.

"Aaagh! Not that!" David responded.

Angel giggled. "He's still afraid he'll wake up as a girl."

"It happens!"

"Yes, dear. We know. And we'll love you just as much as a daughter as we did when you were our son." His mother had a devilish sparkle in them.

"You will? I will?" He turned to Angel. "What did you tell them?"

The others laughed. Angel explained. "Only what you heard me tell them. Your precious Y chromosome is safe. But your overreaction to your mother's teasing was a wonder to behold. Believe me, if you did switch sides, it wouldn't be the end of the world."

David opened his mouth to say something, then bit down on it. That moment, and the way it turned out, told her she could trust him.

After some more talking, and eating, they were all fairly comfortable with each other. But David was starting to feel distinctly uncomfortable. He was feeling nauseous and fluish. He made a crack about his father's cooking, in reference to some of the later snacks.