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Both of you watched as Esther tried, and failed miserably in her attempt to hit a tennis ball that she’d bounced into the air.
You nodded.
<span class="mu-r">“Clearly.”</span>
Callisto gave your arm a light punch, and you pretended that it didn’t hurt as you glanced around the court.
<span class="mu-r">“Got any basketballs around here?”</span>
Callisto turned to look at you.
<span class="mu-g">“Basketballs?”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“Yeah, basketballs. I know it’s not your thing, but it’s easier to play b-ball away from proper courts than most other sports.”</span>
Callisto made a thoughtful noise, her single eye scanning the horizon.
<span class="mu-g">“It can’t be that hard to find one. Maybe our little event coordinator can <span class="mu-s">poof</span> one into existence.”</span> she suggested.
<span class="mu-r">“Speaking of Ember, I need to make a quick call.”</span> you said, pulling your phone back out and calling her number.
Callisto nodded and took a few steps back. Not that it mattered. Her hearing was so good that she could eavesdrop on your conversation without even needing to strain her ears.
<span class="mu-r">“Ember, did you find out where the signal was coming from?”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“Hey. And no, I can’t find it anymore. The signal’s gone. It just up and disappeared as soon as I got close.”</span> she explained.
<span class="mu-r">“At least you found your phone.”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“Yeah, but I’ll be rearranging my apps and changing my settings for a week. I can barely find anything anymore.”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“Better than having it stolen. Shit-!”</span> Ember replied, letting out a curse at the very end.
<span class="mu-r">“What happened?”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“It’s Screwball…! She keeps trying to get me to show up on her stream. I’ve gotta get out of here before some of the other mutants show up. See ya!”</span>
And without further warning, she hung up. You stared down at your screen, caught somewhere between annoyance, suspicion, and amusement. Iara’s selfie made for a surprisingly cute background photo.
You turned your attention back to Callisto. She was patiently waiting a few feet away, casually pretending that she hadn’t just heard that entire exchange.
<span class="mu-r">“You didn’t happen to notice someone else using a phone here, did you? Other than Screwball and Spider-Man, I mean.”</span>
She fixated a single blue eye on you.
<span class="mu-g">“Not that I’ve seen. Why, what’s wrong?”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“No reason.”</span> you lied.
<span class="mu-r">“Just being paranoid, I think.”</span>
<span class="mu-g">“A healthy dose of paranoia never hurt anybody.”</span> Callisto said with a smirk.
<span class="mu-g">“It’s probably just some kids sneaking pics of us and all these decorations. This is supposed to be a huge Halloween event, right? Screwball’s been yapping about it all day. Someone was bound to show up.”</span>
You supposed that was a reasonable assumption.
<span class="mu-r">“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”</span>
<span class="mu-g">“I’m glad that you agree. Now, stop worrying about your cell phone and start looking for a basketball for us to use.”</span>
—---------
(Cont.)
