Quoted By:
You laid down the rules that you created and went over them one by one, making absolutely certain that each and every clause was understood with perfect clarity. You wanted your business to be legitimate, and you wanted to avoid having some self-righteous superhero come crashing down on your heads because of some unnecessary collateral damage.
You weren’t against killing when you felt that the guy deserved it, but leaving a trail of bodies wasn’t ideal when you were working in this city.
And…Matt was right. You were getting sloppy. Careless. Lashing out with anger and violence would only get you so far. You need to start planning ahead, pick your battles and your words with far more caution than you have been these past few days.
Being quick to whip your guns out would only get you in trouble, and it would probably set a bad example for Cindy. She wasn't an impressionable young child, but you still didn’t want to take any chances. If your actions had a negative effect on her, or Peter’s development, you don’t think you could ever forgive yourself.
Fortunately, neither Cat nor Prowler had any issues with the terms that you proposed. You’d have to fill Flint in a little later, but that was no problem.
Right before you could bring the meeting to a close, however, the communicator that Bobbi gave you started buzzing furiously. You picked it up, read the message, and started jumping for joy! Literally!
Well…it was more like you were backflipping and somersaulting for joy.
<span class="mu-b">“What’s got you all hopped-up?”</span> Cat asked, in mild amusement.
<span class="mu-r">“FLINT’S READY TO BE RELEASED!”</span> you shouted, landing on the back of the couch that they were sitting on, surprising both of them.
As soon as they heard the good news, they started celebrating alongside you. Even Prowler sounded happy, for once! After hearing about his convenient mutation, you were all incredibly excited to see the big guy in action.
When you went to tell Cindy about it, you noticed that her smile was a bit more tacked on. It was forced.
<span class="mu-r">“What’s wrong?”</span> you asked.
She shook her head, trying to play it off by saying that she couldn’t get the design of her costume right. But you knew better, and pressed the matter further.
Eventually, she gave in, grabbed her notebook and expressed her concerns in word-form.
<span class="mu-r">“...You want to visit your old home?”</span>
Cindy nodded. It was hesitant at first, but she grew more enthusiastic with each passing second. You weren’t sure if that was a good idea…but it was what she wanted. The girl could use a little closure. You just had to make sure that there weren’t any authorities, or vampires, around.
Noticing the sudden shift in atmosphere, Cat and Prowler were giving you concerned looks. You reassured them with a wave of your hand to let them know that it wasn’t anything that they should worry themselves with.
(Cont.)
