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Tales of the Legendary/Riot Force Reports: You Scratch My Back...
Tales of the Legendary/Riot Force Reports: You Scratch My Back...
#1
"Is this seat taken?"

Lisa looked up in surprise at the elegant, dark haired woman that had walked up behind her spot in the cafe. She looked around at several nearby empty tables,
but shrugged. "No, not really," she said, getting a nod as the other woman sat down. They broke into small talk after a while, and Lisa learned that
her companion was a businesswoman that'd come to Paragon a few months ago and was running a number of businesses throughout the city through her main
office in Steel Canyon. Lisa, in turn, gave the 'publically consumable' background she'd gotten used to using with strangers regarding her current
career. The woman seemed interested enough, and the conversation continued apace for a while until out of the blue, she said "How are Terrence and Rhea by
the way?"

That set off alarm bells in Lisa's head. True, none of them had really bothered with hiding their identities, and
their costumes weren't exactly designed to obscure people's vision of them(someone in the Legendary'd once joked that Gamma's costume
didn't really obscure much at all, anymore). However, given Rhea's tendency to be nicknamed "Emmy" in combat and Lisa's powers'
tendency to completely ruin any sort of film or digital recording media close enough to observe her face in any detail, the possibility of someone not only
knowing who she was, but also that she, Terr, and Rhea were together moved out of coincidence and into heavily researched investigation that one could
definitely not chalk up to a "random stranger". Given the woman's comments about Steel Canyon and her slightly Asian bearing, perhaps one of the
Tsoo....

Her companion seemed to recognize this passing on her face, because she held up her hands non-threateningly. "No, don't worry. I'm not some
archvillian trying to dismantle your life from a civilian angle. We've worked together before, though you might not recognize me without the helmet,"
she smiled. Lisa blinked, before some pieces clicked together. "You're one of the Sabres?" she asked quietly. Getting an encouraging nod, Lisa
thought about what she'd said and what Terr'd informed her of the Sabres' background in Paragon. The final pieces clicked together.
"Silicon?" she asked, getting a tight smile in answer.

"Yes. I admit, I could have told you I was coming beforehand but....well, call it an eccentric entrepeneur's odd sense of humor," she smiled.
"Anyway, I'd appreciate if you'd...well."

Lisa nodded, understanding. Many of the Sabres kept their identities secret even from their teammates on both Riot Force and among their coalition mates in the
Legendary. While she was aware that Ifrit and presumably Alice were aware of some of the Sabres' identities, to be brought in like this obviously indicated
some considerble trust. "I won't tell anyone..."

"Well, you can tell your significant others. I wouldn't dream of putting that burden on you. Terrence seems to have taken a shine to my group, and
Rhea....well, she's more discreet than I imagine some people would give her credit," she smiled. "Still, to save you problems, you can call me
Sylia. Sylia Stingray."

Lisa nodded, and they began chatting again, this time about shared exploits and comrades. Aware of Sylia's identity, Lisa was aware she still had to keep
certain things from idle ears, but the older woman seemed remarkably adept about getting such sensitive details across while seeming to discuss nothing in
particular. Eventually they began talking about their recent jobs for Portal Corporation, and Sylia nodded. "I must thank you for that. It's a
remarkable help, especially with Rhea offering to help with our power troubles later on this week."

"It's nothing, really," Lisa said, before Sylia shook her head.

"No, it's indeed something, and I intend to repay you....through various methods that I've discussed with Rhea."

Lisa blinked. Rhea hadn't mentioned anything, but Sylia's earlier comment about her discretion suddenly made sense. "Um...what sort of
methods?" she said, remembering some of their banter while destroying zombies on that alternate world.

"Well, as I said, I run a series of stores. You've shopped at at least one before."

"Really?" Lisa asked, surprised. "Which one?"

"A Woman's Intuition?" Sylia provided, getting a scarlet blush in return. She laughed. "Anyway, I'm quite aware of the...problems you
have with anything particularly perishable, especially in the bedroom. And I'm willing to offer to create some specialty pieces for both you and Rhea that
are quite capable of withstanding such wear and tear indefinitely."

Lisa gaped. Her scrounging quest that'd led to gaining the sheets now adorning their bed had been a considerable hassle and would've cost her a good
deal through Woolworths if she had decided to just purchase the salvage components. To be offered such a thing for free... "N...no. I'm sorry.
It's flattering and I'd love to have something like that, but I can't accept something like this. I mean, I know how much radiation-resistant
fabric costs. Believe me, I've looked into it," Lisa said. "The sheets alone ran me a ton of trouble in getting them done. For you to just
swallow the cost entirely...I can't."

Sylia smiled in a way that almost seemed patronizing but came off more as someone gently correcting some misassumptions. "Well, for one thing, this
won't take anything remotely near that amount of fabric. Secondly, I'm a businesswoman. I have my contacts
that are willing to do more for me than randomly hitting up strangers probably got you. If I can successfully design lingerie that can withstand the wearer
being on fire while it's being worn, intentionally, then I can manage a little hard radiation."

"But I can't possibly afford what that must cos-" Lisa began before Sylia cut her off.

"No, I won't hear of you paying, at least for this first piece. It is a gift in appreciation for your help. In fact, given the level of help you,
Terrence, and Rhea have provided me and my girls with, I probably owe you an entire recreational wardrobe, but we'll settle for this first garment and
perhaps a line of credit at the Silky Doll if you like it," she said, smiling at Lisa's expression as to having a line of credit at a store stocked
exclusively with frilly, silky bed things.

Sylia smiled as she idly picked up both their tabs for the dinner from the waiter while Lisa was distracted. "I'm a woman of means, and one who
dislikes not repaying debts owed, Lisa. Think about it for a bit, and come by the Silky Doll when you reach a decision, hmm? It's on the card," she
said as she stood up. Lisa blinked as she made a polite farewell and then looked at the card sitting on the table.

The Silky Doll




Making Sure That Your Effort Is Spent Fending Him Off, Not Reeling Him In




1400 S. Bronze Way




Proprietor: S. Stingray


Looking up, Lisa considered for a moment the sort of things she remembered from one particularly self-indulgent night before her powers had manifested, when
she'd spent a small savings on something from the local Victoria's Secret(which had never been worn in front of anyone in her life, but that was beside
the point). The possibility of something like that now.... She tucked the card carefully away, certain to give it careful thought.

*****

Amusingly, this grew out of what was supposed to be a simple snippet. However, as
bits and pieces of it came together, the full amount obviously was more than a mere snippet, thus meriting its own title.
---
"Oh, silver blade, forged in the depths of the beyond. Heed my summons and purge those who stand in my way. Lay
waste."
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#2
I am amused, and eagerly await more.

No problems with your portrayal of Lisa. Paranoia followed by "No I couldn't possibly... well ok" is about right.

Terrence will be worn out, and then the toys will have to be used.
-Terry
-----
"so listen up boy, or pornography starring your mother will be the second worst thing to happen to you today"
TF2: Spy
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