Monday July 23, 2018: 8:00 PM

  I woke up this morning at my normal time of half-past four and I saw Bright-Eyes sitting on my chest like a sleep demon, looking at me with annoyance. I think that Rex realized that I was up, by the lack of snoring, and he growled out in Draconic that the noise has been going off and on all night, but has been quiet for at least a half an hour or so. I gathered that the text messages were going off all night on the phone. I sighed and decided that if it was important enough, Jonathan would call me, like he knows to. I performed my morning ablutions, got cleaned and dressed, and then set about my morning energy gathering meditation.

  Once this was done, I went to go check my phone for the record of texts. There was an absolute plague of texts and contacts. The oldest was from Bob, who texted me at quarter to nine, “Boy, when I suggested Saltine, I knew I expected a bit, but I didn’t expect THAT much. Good Job, she looked very happy.” I reflected back that Amber had mixed reactions from what I saw, but then again, I can be kind of blind to that at the most important of times, so maybe Bob saw the Saltine crew picture after the meal. Makes sense, since he recommended the place to me.

  The second oldest was from Jonathan, at nine o’clock, telling me that he needed a briefing ASAP with what happened over the weekend. I figured that he meant the interference with Ricke, maybe Fire Captain Wayne already contacted him? Or maybe the incident with the pickpocket on Sunday? I did give him Agent Smith’s contact number, so maybe that was a stupid idea. I resolved to call him, and maybe apologize, as soon as I was done reading all of the other texts.

  At a quarter to eleven, I had gotten a text from Pepper, telling me that “Tony just saw the pics and that he is sending his congratulations that pendant is incredible.” I guess that the tech genius likes the look of the pendant? She added that he needs the specs on that design ASAP. Then she wrote “So Happy for you two”. I guess she is referring to the successful pass off to Amber?

  At eleven PM Clint had sent me a quick message telling me that he saw me (I didn’t see him ANYWHERE this weekend. Am I slipping?). Then he complimented me on stepping up my game. Maybe he is referring to me stepping out of the shadows? Then he told me that the piece is serious. He must be referring to my armor. Likely that a picture of it dropped after I stopped the vagabond on Friday night. There was text to it but it didn’t really make much sense, unless, then I realized that there was a case of items being ascribed genders, like cars being female. Then it hit me. The Bike HAS gotten better since he last saw it. I reminded him that “She Doesn’t Drink, She’s electric, but I can’t wait for him to get here too.”

  At quarter till midnight, I got a quick text from Jonathan that ANOTHER person, a young teenage girl, was just saved from dying to a GSW thanks to the Mustang Gloves, and that Councilwoman Doyle was going to be having a press conference first thing tomorrow. This was big news. The fact that one person was saved was a treasure, but two in under a weekend? That’s absolutely precious and makes my work valid. It certainly brought a smile to my face, learning that we saved the lives of two people this weekend alone.

  At a quarter past midnight, I got a text from Steve, telling me that he just saw the news, that he is so glad that I’ve found someone who is clearly so worthy of my efforts. Thinking on it, could he be referring to the young girl who was just saved? I mean, everyone is worthy, unless they are not, so maybe he is just confirming to me that they were? I know that he is from an older time, so maybe the phrasing is a relic of that? Still, I’m buoyed by the confirmation that Captain America knows that we are doing good work.

  At half past the witching hour, I got a text from an unknown number telling me that I had Impressive Speed with a Very Public Move. I think that was about the vagabond that I swiftly disarmed and knocked out Friday night? The number told me to call them first thing, but didn’t tell me who they were at all. I resolved to put them to the back of my queue, and I hoped that maybe I’d get information from someone else about who this is, or maybe they would text me again to let me know.

  At quarter to four, I got my last text before waking, from Wong, telling me that my commitment is strong, and that she has powerful protection now. He must be referring to Amber’s Pendant. Wow, I can’t even detect magic that far away. He must really and truly be the sorcerer supreme to be able to not only detect such magics but be able to see an aura about it. But then again, it wasn’t a very magical item, so maybe with distance there is an issue. Then he said that he looked forward to meeting her and seeing this craft with his own eyes. Again, people referring to inanimate, non-sentient objects with sexes.

  Just as I was about to text Jonathan back, at ten 'till five o'clock, I got another one from him, telling me that they’ll handle Councilwoman Doyle’s presser at half past eight. He added that they are going to spin this all positively. He added that my commitment is a huge PR win, and that he’d see me at seven o'clock for the VECTOR Visor meeting, at the Southside Regional Fire Academy, assuming that the Visors are everything that I say they are. He added a line reminding me to bring a visor at least for the display. I forgot that I didn’t let him know that I had all of the order done, ten visors and the remaining four pairs of Mustang Gloves and SHAPE Goggles. I’ll just bring everything with me.

  I’m glad that S.H.I.E.L.D. is handling the presser, as I wouldn’t want that much publicity or attention. It seems way too stressful and annoying. And take up WAY too much time. I’m glad just being a low-key superhero that makes things to help save lives, and sometimes bust criminals. Councilwoman Doyle was very thankful for my commitment too, yesterday, so maybe it is a really good thing that I am not there, as I wouldn’t want to accidentally see someone who had benefited from my anonymous charity.

  After Jonathan sent that last text, I realized that I didn't need to text him after all. I was about to text back to Bob, the first one who texted me, when I received a text from Amber, right at five o'clock asking if I slept okay, and that she was just getting off of work. I texted back, asking if the shift went okay (trying to see if there were any issues with the pendant). She said that it went fine, but would love to get together again soon. I thought about it, and realized that I still had something that I had promised her that I had not done yet, and sent back asking her if she still wanted to see what else my armor could do.

  Amber replied in the positive that she'd love to and asked what she needed to do. I replied that she should wear something nice (thinking nice and comfortable), and that I would be on my bike shortly. Amber agreed immediately, and I got everything in my bike for the later trip to the Hampton Firefighter academy. I told Bright-Eyes and Rex that I was sorry for the amount of texts I got last night, but that maybe they can rest a bit now. They both just scowled at me.

  I left the unit and got on my bike. There was still some time left on my Phantom Chopper enhancement on the bike, so I jumped on and rode off, locking the unit behind me. There was little traffic, and it was still before sunrise, so I decided to have my armor visible for the time being. Driving through the streets in my void black with the green stripes blazing away, pin pricks of starlight flickering throughout the armor. I certainly didn’t disobey the speed limits, but I didn’t take my time either, as there was a limited amount of time to do this and get it right with the schedule.

  I got to Amber's Apartment not too long after, around quarter past five, and noticed a rather skeezy looking man, just lurking by the edge of the apartment building. He didn't do anything, but I was certain that he was watching me, so I surreptitiously took a picture of him to pass on to Jonathan. Amber came down in a very... Flowy cerulean blue dress with almost transparent white flowers on it, her pendant on full display. She immediately rushed to me with a smile on her face and leapt behind me on the bike, hugging me tight. I told her that her dress was... Vibrant. She seemed very pleased with the comment.

  We then quickly drove to the tallest building I knew of, the Dominion Tower. I parked the bike and took her by the hand up off the bike, and made my way to the stairs up the building. Once we got into the stairwell, I lifted her up to carry her as I rushed up the stairs, night time burning away, to get to the top of the building, running all the way. We were at the top, and I took off my Greater Talisman of Benevolent Winds, itself a ring shaped pendant with four words inscribed into it in a foreign language, and added it to the chain that held her previous pendant, placing it around her neck, telling her it would protect her should all else fail during this. She smiled, looking up at me with a dewy look in her eyes, and I got in the Running Hunters Stance, picked her up in the bridal carry, and ran towards the edge of the building, transitioning to a forty-five degree climb at the very end of the roof.

  I ran on the wind for a full minute, ascending another eight hundred feet, until we were over eleven hundred feet off the ground. Then, when my capability for Air walking was over, I started gliding with her in my arms, slowly descending while travelling five feet forward for every one foot in elevation we lowered. For almost ten minutes, we glided with her in my arms, being cradled, with her arms around my neck, looking up at me, slowly lowering, descending at about one hundred and twenty feet a minute. She was squealing in delight as the wind rushed through her hair, and her shoes dangled from her toes, just staying on barely. We must have cut quite the scene, against the morning sunrise, a figure as black as the void with green stripes and lines, and the flickering stars, carrying a red-gold-tressed woman in a sky blue dress.

  We glided for what I would estimate to be over a mile, around and through Downtown Norfolk, with the morning sunrise as our backdrop, and the ground mist slowly dissipating. We finished our little excursions and landed back where my bike was, with me gently setting her to stand. Getting my bearings, I realized that I needed to rush to get to the Southside Regional Fire Academy on time. I told Amber that I was sorry, but that I could not take her directly home, but that I had been having so much fun that I lost track of time, that I needed to rush to get to the Visor demonstration. I offered up that she could go with me, if she wanted, but that it likely wouldn't be fun.

  Amber immediately agreed and hopped back on the bike with me. I punched in the address into my SHIELD phone and saw that there was an accident on the Berkley Bridge, stalling traffic. I smiled and told her that she was going to get to experience something else today, and I took off down the Elizabeth River Trail until I could get good access to the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River. We hit the surface of the water and Amber was giddy as we careened around a ferry heading the opposite way, and looped around a large set of docks that seemed to hold ships in repair. We veered down the river passing ferries and recreational boats on the river, where I knew that there would be people taking pictures of the sight, until we could get a good place to find a ramp close to where I needed to pull off and go up. We crossed where the Downtown Tunnel would go underneath us, and I found that ramp, right next to some place called Ocean Yacht Marina.

  We drove out of the marina and headed down some residential roads, catching up as fast as we could. We finally pulled into the Southside Regional Fire Academy, with just two minutes to spare, Amber holding me tightly as we did. Agent Smith, Fire Chief Wise, and another man that I didn’t know were there talking as we pulled up at the speed that we were riding at. It was just then that I cancelled my existing Phantom Chopper spell, as it would have elapsed within five minutes of us stopping. I got off the bike, and turned to lift Amber up off the seat, setting her down, her eyes staring up at me as I did, before pulling a large box out of the saddlebags on the side of the bike.

  As I pulled the box out, and turned, I noticed that Jonathan had gotten up to me fairly close, and I handed him the box, telling him that it took a little effort but I got everything made before he could say anything. He opened up the box and he saw that there were the ten visors, along with four pairs of the SHAPE Goggles and four pairs of the Mustang Gloves. Agent Smith greeted me by name, telling me that I certainly cut it close to the wire. Then he looked at Amber, and told her, “Good Morning Ms. Day”. Funny, I had never even thought to ask her last name. She replied with a sheepish hello, and then he politely asked her if she could remain by the bike for a minute.

  Amber did, and I followed Agent Smith to where Fire Chief Wise was, along with the other man, who was introduced as Mike Barakey, a seasoned veteran firefighter, who will be the crew lead that is testing the new lenses. He took the box of lenses, minus the gloves and safety goggles, and took them back to be integrated into the regular kits, after the introductions were made. Fire Chief Wise asked me if those were more of the goggles and glove sets, and I told him that they were, and that they were the completion of the twenty pairs of each promised. Fire Chief Wise nodded, and told us that he was escorting us to the test observation room. He asked Jonathan if the young lady would be accompanying us.

  I could see Jonathan visibly sigh before he agreed that it would be for the best. Amber was beckoned over, and she came right away. The three of us followed the Fire Chief and sat down, where there were a plethora of screens where a lot of different information was going to be documented, apparently including live feeds from cameras positioned behind the visors, so they could see the view of what the firefighter was looking at. Fire Chief asked me for a briefing on what these visors could do differently than the normal visors. Jonathan looked at me, indicating that I had to handle this, maybe as revenge for giving that street thief his number, so I perked up.

  I told the Fire Chief that the main benefit of these lenses is that they have an internal and external coating, that is both corruption resistant and has higher refractory scores with the following substances: Ash, Soot, Smoke, and Fire. The Fire Chief was listening, and asked some valid follow-up questions, such as durability and resistance to temperatures, to which I told him that they should be as strong or stronger than current visors in all categories. After fifteen minutes, we got informed that the Ignition Officer was establishing a stable controlled fire, and that the firefighters would be going in, in five to ten minutes. Jonathan asked the Fire Chief if he could go over the current safety parameters with Ms. Day, as he had something to discuss with me briefly. Fire Chief Wise smiled and said that he could teach her a fair amount in a few minutes.

  Amber seemed to be listening intently as Agent Smith got me to follow him out to the hallway, and then to the empty office across the way. He shut the door after I walked in, and he looked at me, with some degree of frustration, pinched the bridge of his nose, and sighed, before starting a briefing. He told me that the two saves in JUST the first weekend of operation are a major win. The way that I handled the encounter with J.D. Ricke was sufficient at the very least, and the fact that I got Fire Chief Wayne to present information to S.H.I.E.L.D. was a very smart move. The FACT that you got a City Councilwoman to back you so quickly is excellent posturing.

  However, he continued, the massive firehose of attention that the events of this weekend, ESPECIALLY the spectacle this morning, while a HUGE PR WIN, is a catastrophic security failure. He told me that I’ve PLASTERED Amber Day’s image alongside mine not only on EVERY screen in this city, but most of the world too. He told me that this means that Amber Day is now THE MOST visible civilian associated with a superhero in the region, possibly even the world. He told me that I’ve made her a weakness to my heroics, while I managed to successfully ground myself to the people of Norfolk. We need a contingency plan, TODAY.

  I was stumped for almost a full minute. I really had not intended for her to get this kind of flack, at all. He must have seen the downtrodden look on my face, and he softened just a little, telling me that I had good instincts for bringing her with me to this, that she is undoubtedly safer here, with both myself and him here to keep her safe, but that we CANNOT do any more impromptu couples flights over the city. There needs to be planning, and he needs to be advised in advance. I took in his chastisement with understanding of just the differences that I had not seen before, between this place and Magnimar.

  I asked him what would be best. He told me that at eight thirty, Councilwoman Doyle’s presser is going to occur. That is locked in. Jonathan added that since the back and forth happened BEFORE my little Aerial Affection flight, and definitely before the little Love Boat Slalom, that this was going to have to be added in to the brief that gets sent to her crew when we send the positive news about the VECTOR Visors. He asked me how certain I was that these would work, to which I told him that I was as certain as I was about the goggles and the gloves working. He seemed a bit relieved at that, and asked me for a quick rundown of what they actually do.

  I told him that not only do they allow you to see perfectly clearly, through Ash, Soot, Smoke, and Fire, but they allow you to breathe perfectly in it as well, and, I added, that they are self cleaning. He looked at me and asked if everything I made did that. I told him it was cheap to add, and that it was a good selling point. He smiled a little and muttered a bit about Prestidigitation and presentation over Dungeons and Dragons, huh? He asked why I didn’t bring up the breathing, and I told him that it was a hidden benefit, because it was something that could temporarily be passed on to someone who the wearer is touching.

  He looked at me oddly, for a few beats, and then it dawned on him. He spoke quietly, and hurriedly, saying that this can help save people stuck in fires. I agreed, but offered that it had a time limit, and that they could only pass it on to others while the wearer was holding them, and that while the other person had it, the wearer lost it, so I didn’t want them to think that they could just go without other gear, and then get in trouble when a hero gives someone else his breathing capability and falls. Agent Smith told me that this was something that we just couldn’t keep to ourselves, and I agreed, saying that I wanted them to know, but only once it is more acceptable for “magic” to be used, because there is NO technological way to explain away that little feature.

  Agent Smith was a lot more calm than before, and our time was running out before the demonstration. He looked at me and said that I couldn’t have planned a more grand exhibition over this past weekend if I had tried. I told him that I really was just trying to keep her safe, and it was just one wrong move after another. He looked at me oddly and told me that most heroes keep their loved ones hidden from this world, or at least in an unassailable position, like Tony Stark with Pepper Potts. Well, he added, that since everyone knew that we were engaged, that there was nothing to do about it.

  Then he noticed the confusion on MY face. He stammered, and went on a rant, saying that Councilwoman Doyle KNOWS we are engaged, Tony Stark is blowing up on social media about how “His Boy certainly knows how to put on a show for an engagement.”, Pepper Potts had Stark Industries congratulate us online, saying that we make a lovely couple with a pure show of commitment to each other and the city, and even Steve Rogers and Clint Barton have posted congratulations about it. Hell, he said, Councilwoman Doyle is making that a key feature of her presser, how we are committed to each other, and to the city. He looked me dead in the eyes and said that Amber KNOWS that she and I are engaged. He looked at me and asked if I really didn’t mean it like that.

  I told him that I… I had never even thought about something like this yet. I told him a quick version of how when I was at David Drake’s school, that he told us how diseases and microorganisms between planes are likely VERY different, and that before we do anything, we should get a Heal spell to ensure that we are not carrying anything dangerous. I went on to tell him that I had not disliked Amber at all, and that if I had thought that I might have had a chance, I would have courted her properly. I stammered and said that there were no magical healers, so I figured that I wouldn’t take away from her chances by not being able to be in a true relationship with her. Then… Then he started laughing, and he would not stop, for a full minute.

  He looked at me after his laughter died down, and said, “Man to man, do you want to be with her? Because if you don’t we can make that happen, but if you do, we can help that work too. You have to make a choice. Preferably now.” I looked into my heart, and realized that more than anything, what I had said was true. I was committed to her future and her safety. I told him that this might not have been the way I wanted it, or ever expected it to happen, and I don’t know if she’ll like what she sees of me outside of the hero, but, I want to give this a go. Agent Smith laughed and clapped me on the shoulder, telling me that this was the most bass-ackwards proposal that he had ever heard, but trust it to come from me.

  I asked him how we can keep her safe. He told me that I could either keep her in the Chrysalis, permanently, or they could take her to get some crash courses in everything she needs. She’ll be wiped from systems, have to leave her job, and possibly heavily decrease any connection she has to family. And, he added, that I was going to have to be the one to get her to agree to it. I looked at him and asked if I could just fight another six drones. He laughed and we went back to the other room.

  When we got in, Fire Chief Wise was telling Amber some interesting tidbit about the history of firefighting equipment, but once the door was opened, she immediately turned to look at me, and in her eyes, I finally recognized “it”. I smiled back at her, genuinely and whole-heartedly, and went to sit next to her, where she leaned against me, and I held her tight with my arm, instead of her just hanging off of me. Agent Smith shook his head with a smile on his face, and quietly muttered under his breath that the Avengers are NEVER going to believe this, before he started texting some people whom I could only expect were the various people that he might have had contact with that were also texting me. Honestly, it only matters so much, as this feels good enough to not care about anything like that. Fire Chief Wise chose that moment to tell us that the test was about to start.

  We watched through a couple of cameras as the group broke in through the doors, and then they seemed to go through the process of fighting the fire with almost inhuman accuracy. We could hear discussions between them, where the clearly identified areas of concern, hot spots, and the bases of fires. They went through the training in almost record time, although they were taking it with much less alacrity than the best time might entail. From what we could hear, there wasn’t any elevated stress, and in less than ten minutes, they were done with the scenario, and heading back to debrief and get ready for the next attempt. When they did, we overheard them talk about the conditions.

  From what Agent Smith (who was diligently taking notes), Fire Chief Wise, Amber, and myself heard, not only was spotting everything easier, but they didn’t feel as contained and restrained as they usually would with the regular lenses. A second team had been waiting on standby, and they got the helmets and lenses, the only items that needed to be, swapped out between the two teams, with the oncoming team noting that there was no dust, soot, or ash left on the visor at all. I could feel Jonathan looking at me, boring a hole in the back of my head, but I had chosen that moment to look down at Amber, who was softly falling asleep, from being up all night. I realized that she had sacrificed her comfort to spend this time with me, and decided to at least do as much for her. I squeezed her a little tighter, and I could hear a happy sound escaping from her in her sleep.

  By the time that the second team was done, having been even faster than the previous team, the consensus was that these lenses were a real upgrade from the normal ones. That was when two of the proctors tried them out, just walking through a smoke choked out hallway, and they came back with the same assessment. I asked Jonathan quietly if this was a good enough datapoint for the Councilwoman’s speech. He showed me his screen where he was already typing up the email to be sent out, and nodded enthusiastically, but silently. I looked over at the Fire Chief, who was about to be boisterous, but then saw Amber sleeping, and smiled before saying quieter that these are the best results he had heard.

  The Fire Chief cautioned us that they would need to see how they panned out for longer durations and multiple duration events, but that after he saw what the SHAPE Goggles could do, and got reports about the people who were saved by the Mustang Gloves, he was willing to bet that these VECTOR Visors would be a big hit as well. I quietly replied back that my only concern was ensuring that the firefighters were more able to perform their tasks quickly and efficiently. Fire Chief Wise said that he could understand that motivation in me, and offered up that he can keep Agent Smith in the loop for any changes or issues. The Fire Chief then continued, saying that if these continue with their tests and are as good as they are showing to be, that Norfolk is going to demand more, as they can be made. From what the results are showing so far, they will help them get to people and attack the source, that much easier.

  Agent Smith told him that as long as these results continue, that we will definitely be putting the visors into the slow production run capability that we have. The Fire Chief stood up to shake Agent Smith’s hand for the two successful attempts at these new visors. Agent Smith looked pleased as he did, and then told the Fire Chief that we had some important meetings to attend. He nodded and said that he was going to go down and personally debrief both teams for their assessments. Jonathan said that he hoped that the results were even better than what we had overheard, and that the Fire Chief should get in touch with him if there are any questions or concerns.

  I knew that I was going to have to get up soon, and that I didn’t want to disturb her at all. I whispered into her ear that I was going to stand and carry her to the car. She seemed to sleepily smile and didn’t resist when I positioned her slightly more vertically and stood, as I quickly turned and helped her stand enough that I could easily pick her up and carry her again. I did so and her arms almost automatically went around my neck and her head rested against my chest. I looked over at Jonathan, and he nodded.

  Thankfully, all of the doors were larger than normal, to help accommodate fully equipped and dressed out firefighters, so getting through them and out to the vehicles, while carrying her, was nothing major to accommodate for. As we got outside, into the sunlight, Amber turned her head even more into my chest and I tried to keep her face away from the sun’s own piercing rays. Agent Smith was taking a quiet phone call, as he went ahead and opened the back door on his S.H.I.E.L.D. SUV, and I gently placed Amber in it and buckled her up. I whispered to her that I was going to have to talk to Jonathan for a bit, but that I would be back with her shortly. Jonathan was just finishing up with his call as I got next to him.

  Jonathan looked at the SUV, where Amber was, and back at me. He told me that we were going to have to have a full debrief on everything, and that this was going to take a while. I offered up that if we went back to my Chrysalis, that she could safely rest, and even be rejuvenated after an hour of sleeping, for the proper discussions to take place. Jonathan said that he was going to have to get S.H.I.E.L.D. brass’s input on this, but admitted that she would probably be safer at the unit. I told him that I could just put the bike up on the roof of the SUV, if we had a way to tie it down.

  Jonathan led me to the back of the SUV where he opened up the hatch to show a veritable bag stuffed with items, including a set of flat straps that had a ratcheting mechanism made into them. I hefted up the S.H.I.E.L.D. E-Bike, itself is only about two hundred pounds, with all of the bells and whistles on it, so well within the range of the nine hundred pounds that I can lift overhead, with equipment anyway. We ratcheted it down while Amber snoozed away in the back. Agent Smith told me that this one time, I could sit in the back with her, but that he wasn’t going to be a chauffeur all the time. As I was about to get behind him in the back seat, he gave me a smirk and told me, “No Funny Business either.”

  Amber cuddled right into me, her head on my lap as she slept. Jonathan looked back at me in the mirror and I gave him a distinct “WE ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING” look. He was a little stern looking in response, but turned the SUV on, and checked the time. He looked back at me again in the rearview mirror, turned on the radio, and told me that I needed to listen to Councilwoman Doyle's public presser, as punishment for the weekend events. It was just before eight-thirty, and the voice from the speakers announced that this was WNOR, with Rumble in the Morning, cutting to a News release. The radio then changed tone slightly and I could hear someone tell the assembled that Councilwoman Doyle was going to be giving an address and then answer some questions.

  Then I heard the voice of the polite woman who had congratulated our commitment (not I realize it was MY commitment to the city, but OUR commitment), greeting the people and telling them that the city of Norfolk is on the verge of a true rebound from the events of the Devastation. She went on, telling the crowd that, “From the events of this past weekend, she felt so much hope that she just hoped that everyone else felt as much hope as she does, after learning all of this. This past weekend, two people were saved from death. A respected man of the community and just late last night, a young teenage girl. Both victims of gunshot wounds, and people who would have died on the way to the hospital, DESPITE the care that they were receiving from our top notch emergency response professionals.”

  “However, thanks to a pilot program, personally approved by the City Council, and initiated by S.H.I.E.L.D., the inventions of one of Norfolk’s own residents, Mr. Curtis Zine, who you all now know to be the hero saving us from drug dealers and gang violence, Verdigris, were in the hands of those dedicated paramedics, and they were able to stabilize the people for their trips and get them to the hospital, able to be saved by our top notch professionals at Norfolk Sentara Hospital. These inventions were freely given by our Hero, and in turn, they are saving lives, in the very first weekend of their use. These inventions help first responders diagnose an individual’s physical state, and help stimulate platelet activity to prevent people from bleeding out when they are dying. These first inventions are already, in just the first weekend of use, proving to be ABSOLUTELY PRECIOUS to the life saving capability of our city. And the fact that he gave them to us, Norfolk, free for us to have and use, is just the smallest hint of his magnanimous nature.”

  “Just this morning, just scant moments before this meeting in fact, I was informed that Mr. Zine was not stopping there. Fire Chief Wise, our noble and experienced manager of the city’s Fire and Rescue squads, oversaw the successful test of ANOTHER new technology, this time, one set out to aid our firefighters. The equipment is a newly designed set of visors for the firefighters helmets, that replace already existing ones exactly, allow the firefighters to see clearly through Ash, Smoke, Fire, and Dust, to get through to the source of the blaze, and help find the victims that need their help the most. Already, Fire Chief Wise is telling me that this alone is helping our firefighters breathe easier. I am told that they even resist dirt, grease, smoke, and soot, and have passed durability tests with higher than previous requirements.”

  “Added to this, S.H.I.E.L.D. is partnering with Verdigris to create a production line of his bespoke equipment so that ALL of our first responders can have this lifesaving gear. This is a true commitment of all levels, public, private, and civilian. But, this commitment for public safety is not the only commitment we are celebrating today. As many of you know, I was there to see the commitment professed between our newly exposed hero, who had been exposed saving the lives of others from a rampaging drug addict, when he was “off the clock”, and just trying to enjoy a nice meal with friends. And he did it without killing the addict, causing no more blood to flow on our streets.”

  “No, we are here to celebrate the commitment shown by this hero to the woman he loves. I was there when he ‘promised a commitment to her safety and her future’.” Amber must have heard that in her sleep, because she cuddled into me even more, and I could see a big smile on her face. The Councilwoman continued, “Such beautiful words and commitment were only matched by the precious engagement necklace he had given her. A beautiful piece that I do not think has had a match yet. In exquisite fabrication or composition.”

  “Then, we, as a city, were privileged enough to witness his acts of appreciation and love, the flight over the city, showing her all of the city he cares for and protects, from his unique view. It is only in sadness that they had to cut it short, as he had to deliver the visors to be tested this very morning. And due to the Berkley Bridge being stopped because of an unrelated accident, he had to take his… unique form of alternate directions, resulting in the marvelous display on our Elizabeth River. This shows us that even in the darkest of times, love and commitment are there, and that our hero will put our city above all else. We are deeply honored to recognize Mr. Curtis Zine, Verdigris, our Norfolk Knight, and his betrothed, Ms. Amber Day, into our Norfolk family.”

  “In conclusion, we have a man who has sacrificed his own wealth, time, and security, to give us the means to save more lives, the family of which are here with me, celebrated a beautiful new union, and all in less than the time it takes to get a bill through the city council for the Mayor to sign. I will welcome any questions, but the families of the two saved people had requested a moment to speak.” Her voice stopped when another woman, with an accent started speaking. “Mr. Zine, I’ve never met you, but I have heard that you personally have saved people. Now you are giving that ability to our first responders as well. Because of that, my husband is alive. Bless you and your lovely fiancee.” After a minute, another voice, a male, came on. “Mr. Zine, my daughter was going to die. The policeman had admitted that when the ambulance came. When I saw that EMT reach into his bag, and pull out a different set of gloves, I thought that it was something that they were doing because they didn’t want to touch her. Then I saw her breath again. You cannot know how much that means to me, sir.” I could hear him choke up a bit at the end.

  The Councilwoman came back on, and said that she would answer a few questions. The first one shouted out was asking if Verdigris and Ms. Day would be at the conference, to which she replied that Mr. Zine and Ms. Day had interrupted their celebrations to rush the visors to be tested. Surely, she added, that we can give them a little time to themselves. Another question was shouted about the rumors that someone in the city government was trying to block this, to which Councilwoman Doyle told them that this was a serious accusation, and that they would look into it. A final person yelled out a question, asking if Verdigris was a new member of the Avengers, to which Councilwoman Doyle told them that she had no knowledge of the Avengers current roster, and that she hoped that they wouldn’t poach him away too often. With that Councilwoman Doyle said that there would be no further questions right now, and that they could forward any further questions that they had to her press secretary, and then the station went back to the commentary program that was running.

  Hearing the first words from the commentator had Jonathan immediately shutting off the radio before looking in the rear view mirror at me directly. “Well”, he said quietly, “that is the kind of public relations and press good will that you literally cannot buy, except that she basically did, for the cost of brunch for two at Saltines. This was a masterful stroke for her, and I bet that my workload will quintuple before the end of the day. You certainly don’t do anything in halves, do you, Mr. Zine.” I was silent as I looked down at Amber, and brushed a stray hair behind her ear while she slept.

  Then, a lot of tension seemed to melt out of him, as he added, “You know, you have probably just done the single largest thing to get the thought of the Decimation off the minds of everyone for at least a few days. Thank you for that, specifically. Now people will be looking at getting more of your SHAPE Goggles, Mustang Gloves, and VECTOR Visors out into not only the Norfolk populace, but to even more locations. You cannot imagine how large we are going to have to scale up your operations. This was certainly the weekend to “go big” I guess.”

  Jonathan added that he was going to be taking the three of us to the Chrysalis, and that we were going to have a long discussion after that. I nodded and noted that it really was the safest place, and that with the items I have there, I can put Amber to rest in my cot, and she could be fully rested in an hour. Jonathan snickered and said that this is good, because we can use that time to get everything ready for when Director Mack and the rest get here. I sheepishly added that Wong had already been set to visit me today as well. He almost stopped the car before asking me when.

  I told him that he was arranged to be arriving at ten, to which Jonathan laughed and said that this was good, because the Director wouldn’t be here until after noon, so hopefully things can proceed fairly busily and by the book. For the rest of the trip we were quiet, and I just sat there with no talking, looking at Amber smiling and sleeping on my lap. I heard Jonathan turn the radio back on, and a song was playing on the radio. The lyrics that were sung, “Well Baby, I surrender to the Strawberry Ice cream, Never ever end…”, before Jonathan shut it off again, muttering enough of that right now. Jonathan muttered to himself that he was going to have to hear that too much in the upcoming days.

  We got to the unit, and I gently extricated myself from underneath Amber, whispering to her that I would be right back. She grumbled but didn’t apparently wake up. I got out of the SUV, and got the bike down from the roof, and directly opened up the storage unit door. Jonathan waited until I had the door open to leave his own door, keeping an eye on the surrounding areas. I went to the other side of the back, and gently told Amber that I was going to lift her up now, and that she didn’t need to wake up.

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Amber stayed sleeping, if only barely, as I lifted her up and carried her into the storage unit, and then the ten, before whispering to Rex and Bright-Eyes that we had a new long-term guest, and were going to have a deluge of other guests today. Rex snorted and Bright-Eyes immediately jumped off the cot and winded herself around my legs as I walked into my bedroom of the three, placing Amber on my cot, and putting my enchanted thistledown bedroll over her. Before I could leave, she grabbed me by the wrist while still asleep, and pulled my hand to her pendant, before sleepily saying, “Stay with me.” I told her that she could not be safer than where she was right now, and that I would be no more than a few feet away, but that I had arrangements to make that would make her life better with me. She relaxed her grip, nested up in the elven bedroll, and whispered, “I love you, my Knight.” before succumbing fully to the restorative sleep offered by the magic encompassed within.

  I walked out to the central area of the tent, to see Jonathan sitting at my floating table, on a camp chair, looking pensive, and asking if I had anything alcoholic to drink. I produced the bottle of Whiskey I had, after I had given Bob the rest of the Oldlaw, and poured him and myself each a tall glass worth. I took a drink out of mine, as he did his, and I sat down across from him. He started out, fairly quietly, looking at the room I had placed her in, and asked if she was asleep. I shrugged, and told him that yesterday at noon, I had picked her up for the Sunday Brunch, and then she was non-stop until I dropped her off at work just before eight pm, and I picked her up after she got home from her work schedule at around five in the morning, and has been up until we got into the SUV, for whatever rest she had there. The bedroll will do its magic, but it will likely make it difficult for her to wake up before an hour is up.

  Jonathan nodded, took another drink, and told me, bluntly, that he needed me to confirm… this. Not a delay because of magical dimensional diseases, or proper courtship, or misplaced gentlemanly couture, that she and I are moving forward. I looked him dead in the eyes and said that yes, this is happening. Not just because it means the world to her, but because it does to me too. Jonathan finished off his drink, said, “Slainte mhath.”, which he said meant cheers and good health.

  “Now,” he added, “the difficult part. What are you willing to do or deal with to keep her safe?” I told him that I would do whatever it takes. Jonathan nodded and asked if it meant that I had to keep her here, in the Chrysalis forever, would I? Even if she didn’t want to? What if it meant that I had to send her away? Could I?

  I thought about that, and told him that her safety is more important than my comfort. That I could not stop her if she did not want to continue, but that if she did want to continue, then I would enchant anything needed to get this done. Jonathan nodded and pointed his glass to the bottle, which I passed to him. He filled his glass up again, took another drink, and told me that I was going to need to tell her that she couldn’t go back to her apartment, or her job, or really her old life. She would have to be made aware that she can’t be a superhero’s partner, and still be a bartender at Black Tuna Bar and Grill in Norfolk, Va.

  I contemplated that, and asked him if we could find something that she could be good at, either in S.H.I.E.L.D., or maybe even Stark Industries? Jonathan laughed, and reiterated, “A Staff Mixologist for Tony Stark, one that Pepper Potts KNOWS he can’t hit on? That might be the easiest thing to get to happen out of this whole debacle. Yeah, I’ll check to see about making it work. But what about the rest? Her apartment? Her friends? She doesn’t have any close family left, from the Desolation, but it would be a LOT more difficult to contact them. We’ve already scrubbed a lot of the information even before the Press Conference went live, but what will you tell a villain if he thinks that he can manipulate you by attacking her family?”

  I looked Jonathan in the eyes again, and told him, “I will tell him, that if he hurts her family, I will deliver unto him every wrong that he perpetrated unto them. I will tell him that I can watch him while he sleeps, track him through the most unforgiving climates and environments, know his every plan and scheme before he even has time to enact the first step. I would add that I can see the next two weeks ahead of time, and that he does not win, because I ENSURE that he doesn’t. If need be, I can turn off my inefficient non-lethal proclivities, and commit to full, justified, unrestrained vengeance. Not revenge, but vengeance, because vengeance is holy, and I will bring holy fire down upon those who wrong me or mine.

  And I won’t just stop with their death, so they cannot hurt another, I will eradicate every written instance of them, their name, their deeds, their very existence. After they have been punished, I will make it as though they never existed. I will even remove memories that others have of them. They will be something that walked the world anonymously before death, because they will have made no ripple, after they have taken her from me. I would tell them to pray to whatever thought or deity they put faith in that they never make me take that step, because I will unleash the justice of a wronged man unto them.

  But then again, I still have non-lethal methods of punishment for… lesser sins. I could make them permanently, and irrevocably blind and/or deaf, if the crime warranted it. Without any physical damage at all. Their eyes or ears would cease to work, entirely. They would pass every gross physical test of integrity, but they would be without those senses for the rest of their lives.”

  Jonathan asked me what I might mean by “ inefficient non-lethal proclivities”, and I told him, "My non-lethal tactics are an inefficient tactical choice that I make. Every day. And that someone shouldn't make me decide to go fully efficient. I mean, my green fire activates on EVERY shot I take with a firearm. I'm only using a .22 semiautomatic with rubber bullets currently. Imagine a fully automatic sub machine gun with EVERY bullet wreathed in green fire."

  Jonathan swallowed the shot he had left in the glass quickly and asked if I would really go all out. I told him that I made a promise to her, my commitment to her future and her safety. If something makes me break that promise, then I will have nothing left of that promise than to exact holy justice upon them. Jonathan nodded and said that this was something that could be used, not officially, but possibly spread through back channels. Then I had another idea.

  I asked him, why couldn’t it have already happened? He looked at me oddly, and then it started to dawn on him. I clarified that we could create a “ghost”, some criminal who supposedly had already done something vile to Amber or her family. I hunted him down. Eradicated him. Erased him from memories from all except a few scattered (hypnotically implanted memories) criminals that have memories of this supervillain that tried to break the Norfolk Knight by attacking his loved ones, and as a result, does not exist any more.

  I told him S.H.I.E.L.D. should not actively spread this, but possibly let it be leaked to the right individuals, after an encounter is planned to have happened. Maybe use a LMD or something that could be readily destroyed or something for a final boss, have them hire out a group of henchmen, and let one or two of the henchmen remain to remember it. Maybe shortly after Amber gets a crash course in training from some of the higher ups in S.H.I.E.L.D., at least in self defense and whatnot. Also, maybe I could teach her to become an adventurer in my own system. She wouldn’t be my apprentice, but she could still be powerful in her own right.

  I told Jonathan that we could work with anything to get her safe, and that I would bring every trick I have to the table, and wring out any numerical advantage I could to keep her safe. Jonathan nodded and asked me if I was comfortable telling him exactly what the pendant I gave her did. I told him that it was a fairly weak pendant that would allow her to perform the same kind of Prestidigitation and Mending powers that I can normally do, at will, and once a day each, she can use Cure Light Wounds and Obscuring Mist. Also, once a day, it can Stabilize her, like the gloves do, if she is rendered unconscious, and if she is, then the Cure Light Wounds will automatically activate after a minute of being unconscious from damage or injury, if it hasn’t already been used that day. Also, she can make it look like cheap costume jewelry as often as, and for as long as she desires.

  I added that I had also just given her a ring pendant that can go on the chain, that will enable her to activate a Featherfall effect if she falls more than five feet, once a day. Jonathan listened intently, and asked if there was anything else I might be considering for other items. I offered up that I would likely prefer to create a set of armor similar to mine, at least the base effect, and add to it the ability to change shape and design to look like anything she wants. I added that I would be adding a field effect that would reduce the amount of damage that she could take, at least for a limited period of time. I added that it was something I was considering for my own armor, but that was on hold for now.

  I asked Jonathan next, if he intended on having Amber leave permanently, or if she was going to be trained and then return here? He told me that this depended a lot on how receptive she was to the training, because the faster that she took to it, the quicker she might get back. I asked him what helps this training, if it was mainly a matter of the mind, or the body, or some other factor. Jonathan told me that it was a mix of everything, as there were different aspects to master for each. He asked me if I wanted her back, and I told him that of course I did, but I had been foolish enough to recognize that I needed to bow to someone else’s wisdom.

  Jonathan said that this might have been the wisest thing that he had heard me say, and I replied back to him that even a blind chicken gets a kernel of corn if it pecks long enough. Jonathan laughed at that and agreed that it was a wise statement. I offered up an expanded list of everything my equipment itself can do as well as what I can do. I started working out that list, and included the non-held items that I had, but annotated them as that. The list was… expansive.

  Jonathan whistled at this and said it certainly was a broad based list. I agreed and mentioned that I was going for a variety of hopefully complementary abilities, rather than just trying to increase how much an item might help any one field. I told him that it ensured that there was something that I could do for any specific scenario. Jonathan nodded again and said that this was good reasoning. We talked a bit more about what I was expecting to tell Amber when I went to wake her up.

  Jonathan then got up to head out, but was clearly still intoxicated, so I led him to the guest bedroom and to a cot so he could take a nap himself and sleep off the several shots of liquor that he had imbibed. Then I steeled my nerves, and walked over to my bedroom, where I opened up the curtain and saw Amber, peacefully napping on the bed, with Bright-Eyes curled up next to her. I took the spare cot and set it up next to mine, and laid down in it, while I looked at Amber and brushed her reddish gold hair out of her face. I heard her say, in a no longer tired voice, that it better be me laying next to her and no one else. I told her it was, and she opened her eyes before seeing me and smiling.

  I asked how rested she was, and she told me that she felt like she had slept an entire night. I smiled and said that the bedroll that she was under did that. She leaned up and seemed a bit surprised that she was still wearing the dress from earlier and I told her that I didn’t feel right changing her, but that there was a facilities room in the next chamber to us, but that I needed to prepare her for what she would see. She listened to me raptly, as I told her about the Rhamphorynchus Rex, the Mother Cat Bright-Eyes and her six kittens, and the eight dedicated wrights that look like various Avengers, scaled down. Amber leaned up and said that she would take advantage of that shower and would gladly appreciate it if I had anything she could wear afterwards until she had the chance to clean the dress herself.

  I reminded her that she could use the pendant to do that, and she smiled, and said that she would prefer wearing something of mine. I found my old tunic from when I got here from Magnimar, and presented it to her. She put it against her chest, and found that it would go to knees and smiled, saying that this was perfect, before walking out of my bedroom and into the facilities chamber. I went back out to the table and got all of the water available, before turning it to mead with my Tears to Wine spell. I heard her singing a beautiful song while she was showering, and I quietly whispered to Rex that we were either going to get very cramped soon or we were going to be in a bigger place.

  Rex looked at me and said that we were already several bodies above what he thought we were going to be, so what is one or two more? I thought about it, and he really did have a point. After a while, Amber came out, bouncy, wearing just the tunic as she pulled up a camp chair and sat next to me. I offered her a drink, and she gladly took it, saying that she wasn’t saying that she was prepared for all of this Sunday, but that she was glad that she was going to be a part of it. I told her that I was glad to, and that was why I had to talk to her right now.

  Amber looked at me, and she looked a little worried. I took her hands, and looked her in the eyes, and started my speech. I told her that I wanted, no, I needed her to be with me and safe. I told her that I couldn’t bear the thought of her being at her former bar, where I can’t be at all hours, and that I was pulling some strings, that when she wasn’t with me, she could be a mixologist for Stark Industries and S.H.I.E.L.D. functions. Amber asked me if I was really going to try to get her into Stark Industries, and I told her that I wouldn’t force her to work, but that if she wanted, I would push for her to be considered for that position. Amber shrugged and asked if she really needed to, as she was kind of tired dealing with pushy people always being rude, not that she thought Tony Stark would, but he does have a reputation. I asked her if she was okay with leaving the bar even if she didn’t go to Stark Industries. Amber smiled and said that she felt that she could use a break and possibly a new, more traditional, career path, and then she winked at me.

  I sighed in relief that part of my request went well. I then let her hands go for a minute to make a sweeping motion, to indicate the whole of the Chrysalis, and gently grabbed her hands again, to look her in the eyes, and continued. I told her that her apartment wasn’t safe anymore. There was someone there watching for me and her this morning when I got there, and S.H.I.E.L.D. has indicated that her apartment is known to a lot of nefarious entities. I looked her in the eyes, and told her that I needed her to live here with me, even if she was only comfortable staying in the guest room until she is more comfortable with me.

  Amber looked at me, and a smirk crossed her face, before she smacked my arm, saying that of course she would be moving in with me. That she couldn’t exactly be expected to remain away from her fiancé, now could she. She said that she would like to gather her things and say goodbye to her roommate, but even that was conditional on what S.H.I.E.L.D. and I thought was best for us, and of course we were going to need better furniture in our bedroom, after all, a small chest with a few sets of clothing would not exactly do for her. I smiled and reached behind me, and grabbed the old dastana that I used to wear with the old armor, and placed them on her. She asked me what these were for, and I told her to say the word, “Vestimenti”, and focus on whatever you want to be wearing.

  Amber looked at me a bit oddly, but did so, and the tunic she was wearing became a very ornate white dress with a lot of lace, sewn on pearls, and other accents. Amber squeed and asked if she could do this whenever she wanted. I told her that she could, and that the bracers would protect her slightly as well. Amber said the word again, and she was in a shorter version of what she wore to our brunch and jumped up on my lap hugging me and saying that this was the best gift she could ever get. I smiled and told her that we can still have S.H.I.E.L.D. get whatever of her belongings she wanted, and we can arrange for her to talk to her roommate from text or call, but in person probably wouldn’t work.

  Amber shrugged while sitting on my lap and holding her pendant, saying that her most important item was with her right now, but that there were some things that she wouldn’t mind having S.H.I.E.L.D. get, and it would serve her roommate right, for not believing her when she told her that we were engaged. I told her that I was glad that she was taking this so well, because I had another thing to ask of her. Amber looked at me dreamily, and asked what it was. I told her that this was the most difficult request, that I needed her to be willing to get a crash course in self defense and S.H.I.E.L.D. policy and procedures, as being with me will necessitate her knowing these things. Amber playfully slapped me on the shoulder and said that it would be rough to be away for so long, but that she understood the reason, and that she’d put her all into the training, before her face started to get closer and closer to mine.

  Just then I heard the familiar crackling of the marvelous sparkling circle and we both turned our heads to see Wong, who looked at us with a slight smile and asked us if he was interrupting anything. Amber froze for only a moment, before getting up and told him that he wasn’t interrupting anything right now, and that she recognized him as Wong, as her betrothed had told her that he would be coming soon, and then she welcomed him to our humble house. I stood up and walked around the table to greet Wong with a handshake, and asked him if he would like some honest actual tea. He asked me what kind, and I produced a lacquered box and said, Gyokuro.

  Wong gave an appreciable look before telling me that it was an excellent choice, and that I had a keen sense for the refined, and that he would gladly accept. We sat down and I started making the tea. Amber was paying rapt attention to every step. When the tea was done, I poured out the tea for all three of us, and sat down across from Wong, with Amber almost attached at my hip. I politely, and formally introduced Wong to Amber, and Amber introduced herself as my future wife.

  We talked for a bit, before Wong asked Amber if he could possibly inspect the betrothal gift, as he was intrigued by the structure and the enchantment. Amber was skeptical at first, but after my confirming hand on her knee (which was bare now, for some reason), she took off her pendant and handed it to Wong. He inspected the auras of the two items, the pendant and the talisman for a few minutes and handed them back to her, telling her that they were valuable beyond compare, and that the material value is only the start of their value. He looked at me and asked what it was composed of, and I told him how it was made from Phoenix Core, Gelid Heart, Blight Stone, Sonus Chord, and Galvanic Spark, with some additional Rubies for the eyes, and electrum for the mountings and metal highlights. I asked Amber if she could possibly get me the two ornate boxes on the top shelf of the bookshelf.

  Amber immediately jumped up and grabbed both of them, bringing them back to the table. I told Wong that one of these had the names and what they did, written on them. The other had just the names. I added that the one with the details, was for him and the Masters of the Mystic Arts, I opened it up with all five of the stones emanating power. I pulled the one with just the names on it, opened it up, and told him that these were for Pepper Potts and Tony Stark. BUT, I added, that I didn’t trust my wisdom in the pacing of providing them. That is why I am entrusting the set destined for Stark industries to the Sorcerer Supreme. I will have fulfilled my end of the bargain, getting them made, and giving them to you to transfer as wisdom prevails, and if you desire, I will give my recommendation for when Stark Industries will be able to be given each stone.

  I went to tell him that I would only think it is good if Tony Stark was provided with a new elemental stone, in the following order: Heat (he already has), Cold, Acid, Sonic, and finally Electric. I would also recommend that he only receive a new stone every month. This should give him the time to rationalize the power and capability of each, and also time to figure out the best uses for each stone, integrating them into the world’s defensive and power ecostructures. I also will NOT be making the devices to make more of these elemental stones until he has the properties of that stone defined. And the devices will be tailored to make him… think.

  Wong obviously wanted me to continue, so I reminded him how he had to say, “Calorem Me, Pepper” for every stone he wanted enspelled into a Phoenix core, and that there was a limit of one per six seconds of manufacture. It couldn’t be a recording or an A.I.. It had to be him or someone else saying the phrase, and only those of good alignment and with some degree of Engineering Knowledge could get the device to function. The other devices will be similar. The one that produces Gelid Hearts, will require him to make a new, ice or cold related pun every time he wants to use it.

  The “new” factor wears off after ten minutes, so they could be repeated, but only once every ten minutes. He will not be made aware of that at first though. For the Blight Stone, or the stone that becomes acidic, it will require him to create a new insult directed at me, with the same rules for repetition as the Gelid Heart Manufactory. For the Sonus Chord, this will require introspection. A solid minute of contemplative silence to activate, but every minute generates ten of the stones, provided the raw material is placed in the device in sufficient quantities. Finally, for the Galvanic Spark, he must provide a true, honest compliment to someone other than himself.

  Wong had a slight smile when I had laid it all out, telling me that this was a test that demonstrated a keen understanding of the subject. I added that, of course, we can schedule the deliveries so that the three, now four of us, looking at Amber, can use my scrying mirror to monitor Tony and Bruce’s understandings as they receive each item in turn. Wong then produced a very light, fairly small pouch, and placed it on the table, and told me that this was Pepper Pott’s promised delivery of resources, and that she is in full agreement with the tempered rollout. Wong added that Pepper told him that the Warehouse deal would be completed by the end of the day. I thanked him for passing along this message.

  Wong noted that he would have to be going, and went to stand. I immediately stood before him and Amber was only seconds behind me. I started to bow and she did as well. Wong bowed to us as well, and looked over at Rex, before scratching him under his chin, before picking up both of the boxes of the Aelemental Stones. I thanked Wong for his time, and he told me that he was going to be counting on me more for mystical support. I told him that I would be available whenever the world needs me.

  Wong nodded and offered up that if Amber does not show any aptitude for my magic, maybe she could learn some things at Kamar-Taj, at least enough to become comfortable with the magical artifacts that you seem compelled to bestow upon her. I thanked him, and told him that if Kamar-Taj needed relics as well, I might be able to make more. Wong looked back at me and smiled for a minute before he started his marvelous sparkling circle. As he stepped through, he wished Agent Smith a good day as well. Agent Smith came out of the guest room just after Wong said that and disappeared.

  “Great, I’m resting off some severe terror induced drinking and the Sorcerer Supreme just wishes me a good day as he exits through a portal in the middle of the wall. Is there anything else I don’t know about you, Curtis? You don’t have a deal with an Avenger to provide them with bespoke gear on a for trade basis, do you?” When I didn’t answer immediately, he continued, “Oh god, you do, don’t you? Of course you do.”

  I told him that Hawkeye had texted me late last night to tell me that he would be swinging by for a few days to get an upgrade on his “fit” whatever that means. He shook his head and said that this tent might actually be the most defended place for Amber right now. He took a swig of the tea and asked if I had anything stronger that was non-alcoholic. I took the pitcher of heated water for the tea, and cast Caffeination on it, turning it into strong coffee. He took a drink and sighed, saying that that hit the spot.

  I asked him if he could tell me how many Agents would be here with Director Mack. He told me that he didn’t know, but that it might be anywhere from the cavalry to three to four. I silently asked, The Cavalry, to which he clarified Agent May. Amber looked at me, and at the pitcher and asked if I had really just turned that water into coffee. I told her that I had, and that the mead that she had drunk earlier was water that I had converted to mead. She muttered that I really was magic, with somehow having even MORE stars in her eyes.

  Jonathan looked at me with a distinct hint of disappointment, before Amber cleared her throat and said that she had already accepted me before she knew I could do magic, why would she be LESS inclined to stay with me now. Jonathan snickered a little and said that with an attitude like that, we might not even need the “Verdigris Nuclear Profile”. Amber looked at me, and I told her that Jonathan had asked me what I might do if someone threatened me. I then told her everything that I had told him. Amber was quiet for a moment before she sheepishly asked if I’d really do that just for her. I told her of course I would, that she was mine, and I would never stand for someone mistreating something of mine.

  I didn’t think I’d ever see it, but Amber seemed even prouder than she was before. She muttered something about not being able to wait until later. I strategically chose not to acknowledge hearing her statement. Jonathan asked if I had any food as he sat down. I asked him what he’d like, and he smiled, remembering, and said that he’d like some runny eggs, crisp toast, and soggy bacon, and some sweet tea, South Carolina Style.

  I told Amber that this was going to be an important thing for her to learn. I walked over to that same bookshelf, and got the red lacquered box, bringing it down to the table, and having her place her hand next to mine. I told her that this box is magic, and reacts to your desires and thoughts. It creates a kind of universal food, that is changed to the desired food temporarily. It can provide food for every meal, along with a drink. The drinks do not have caffeine, alcohol, or sugar, and are really just flavored water.

  I whispered the command word in Amber’s ear, and she smiled, saying the word and opening the box, pulling out a plate with the requested items, and took them over to Jonathan, before using her bracers to change her outfit again, this time some mid-shin wide dress with a short sleeved button up top, done up in the colors of my armor. I thought the affectation was nice and told her that she looked good, and she beamed after that. Jonathan just groaned and started eating. Amber went back to the box and asked me what I’d like. I smiled and told her what I usually pick, and she created it and put it in front of me before getting herself a carbon copy of what I had ordered for her Saturday night at her Black Tuna Bar.

  She sat next to me again, and we ate and discussed what the plan was and what we were committing to. I swear that Jonathan asked her at least three times to confirm her decision, and then asked me to leave the tent for a few minutes, so he could ask her some personal questions, which I complied with. I walked out of the storage unit, and saw a somewhat roughed up tomcat prowling around. I had a whim, and cast Truespeak, and asked the cat what he was looking for. The tomcat looked up at me, and said that he was looking for the piece of tail that was around here.

  I looked at him and communicated that I didn’t know what he was talking about. The cat sniffed the air and yowled that I reeked of her. I took up a more imposing posture and told him to walk away now. The tomcat said that her brats were old enough, she should be ready. I asked him if he thought that he was a big enough cat to fight me for her. He snarled and ran off.

  Standing around, I cast Ears of the City, to get an idea of the rumors for the past several hours, at a rapid pace. A LOT of the rumors were regarding Amber and I, so I skimmed those to find the most relevant. Apparently there were already rumors that I had “merked” someone that had threatened Amber, but there were rumors that were conflicting that there were gang members that were policing their own. I noted everything and looked around. I noticed the S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent trying to sneak up on the storage unit unawares.

  I called out the exact location and distance away from the unit that they were, and exactly what they were wearing, and, after shifting into the Running Hunter Stance, told them exactly what they ate and drank over the past few hours. I heard them swear and ask how I could even know that. I also told them the brand of gun lubricant that they used. They shut up after that. I told them that they can either come forward, or wait for the rest of the group to get here.

  They quietly said that they would stay out here, as they were the forward observers for the Director’s visit. I thanked them for their due diligence, and said that I was going to be going back inside. I dimensionally hopped through the roll up door, and gently parted the curtain to go inside. Jonathan asked her one more time for her to confirm. She said that she was confirming all of it, and that she didn’t need the Stark Mixologist staff position right now, looking directly at me with a smile, but would be willing to fill that role for events. Jonathan nodded and looked at me, and I told him that the forward observers were here and that they were not happy that I could tell them where they were, what they were wearing, what they ate and drank in the last few hours, and what their brand of gun lubricant was from over thirty feet away.

  I added that I was going to need a few minutes to write down everything and explain each aspect of it. I added that I would give an estimate of future abilities that I expect to acquire. Jonathan thanked me,and I grabbed a blank notebook. I started writing and filled out several pages, with the explanations of every aspect of everything that I can do, or possibly could do in the near future. After about twenty pages, I was down to parsing some of the minor interactions between spells, alchemical items I could make, and skills.

  I handed the complete booklet to Jonathan, and told him that this is what I could do, or might be expected to possibly be able to do in the foreseeable future. Jonathan read through it and asked if this was true. I told him that I didn’t hold anything back now. Jonathan balked at the sheer concentration of the information. I told him that I wasn’t being facetious when I had promised what I would do. Jonathan nodded and said that he had to wait for Director Alphonso Mackenzie, and he would be reading this while he waited outside.

  Before he stepped out, he looked up at me, and told me that I should ask Amber what she wanted, because while it is close, it isn’t exactly the same, and we need to be on the same page, entirely. I looked at Amber and asked her what her truest desire was. She was somewhat shy when she whispered everything that I had apparently missed throughout the day. I held her close and told her that this was something I could get behind. I could feel her melt into me even more.

  It wasn’t fifteen minutes before Jonathan walked in, followed by Director Mackenzie, and two more agents, one of which were the ones that I had told what they had eaten and their gun lubricant. I stood up and shook Director Mackenzie’s hand. Amber followed my lead, and all six of us sat down at the table in the campchairs. I thanked Director Mackenzie for his direct attention to us. The Director replied back that I had done something terrible and terrific at the same time.

  Amber grabbed my hand and I put my other hand on top of hers. Director Mackenzie said that he could see that this wasn’t just a political play for relevancy and support, so that makes this all the more difficult. I nodded and said that I could understand that, and I know that Amber will need… a lot of directed attention to get brought up to snuff for the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Director Mack said that he can understand the needs of love and relationships, but that he needed to hear it directly from her. I asked Director Mack if he wanted to have the room for asking her, so that I can’t influence her decisions.

  The Director said that he had gotten the briefing from Agent Smith, so all he needed was verbal confirmation. I patted her hand, and Amber said that she was sincere about everything, that she was giving up her career, her apartment, her friends, and her past, for a future with me. Director Mack said that this makes things a lot easier, as now she has two choices. She can either stay here, in the Chrysalis, forever behind this gilded cage, or she can join an accelerated training program with someone who actually volunteered for this, the Cavalry, Agent May. I smiled when I heard the name, and told Amber that the choice is hers, but that May is the best at what she does.

  Amber said that she would take the training option. She added that she wanted to be the best she can, for herself and for me. I smiled, and thanked her. I asked the Director if we might have a day before shipping her out, as an Avenger had specifically demanded to meet her and they were arriving in town tonight. I don’t wish to delay you or your important details, but if I may, you might be able to have your team do a sweep of the warehouse that Jonathan brokered the deal for, where we will be moving production to as soon as the building is safe and ready. The second thing I need to ask, is that I need to start training students if we are to increase the production rate of these enchantments. I am limited to eight pairs a day right now, of the gloves or goggles, with my current resources.

  For the purposes of acquiring students, I need those who are adult, selfless, intelligent (over 140 I.Q.), good engineering skills, willing to work and benefit the world anonymously, and preferably vetted by Captain America and Natasha Romanoff, before my final test. I do not possess the ability or reach to find these students. I would need S.H.I.E.L.D. to have their chops on vetting them, as I would expect them to be S.H.I.E.L.D. employees, unlike me, being an unpaid associate. The Director seemed to think that this was fairly wise and said as much. I thanked him for his backing, and told him that my final test is not an intellectual one. If they are intelligent, and knowledgeable about the matters of engineering and science, I can adjust their skills. What I need is bravery and morality, that is what my test will check.

  Director Mack said that this made sense, and said that Agent May would be here tomorrow to collect Prospective Agent Day, tomorrow morning. Bright and early. I thanked him as he got up and motioned for Jonathan and the other Agents to follow him. That left Amber and me alone in the Chrysalis, for the first time. Amber smiled at me and asked me if there was anything that I wanted to do before Hawkeye arrived.

  I know that there are two answers for this, and each is equally important. I sadly told Amber this, that I was split, that I wanted to spend time with her, but I felt that I needed to spend the time working on her gear, so that she would have the best shot at this possible, and be able to get back to me the quickest. Amber asked me how long it would take to make everything that I wanted to make for her. Amber asked if I would be okay with her watching my process, and I told her that it would be absolutely perfect. I asked her the next big thing, that I was going to need to find a lot of items to make into these items, among what either she or I have.

  She asked me what I needed that I couldn’t make, and I told her that I was planning on enchanting the following for her, a pair of shoes, a belt or something worn around your waist, a vest or something that she wears on her… chest, a pair of earrings, something that can work as a gun holster, and I’ll be enhancing her new kote as well, and a gem to go on it. Without hardly a minute, she came back with the shoes that she was wearing the day before, a broad, thin black strap of some sort that apparently is designed to support certain parts of her anatomy, her earrings from the night before, and a delicate thin chain that looked to be long enough to go around her waist. I told her that I would work on the kote last, but she just took them off immediately, showing that she was still wearing the tunic I had given to her. I smiled at her and asked her if she wanted to participate. Amber smiled and nodded, and I told her that this was just something that would require her to place the items in the Quality Improvement Chamber, with a ruby, and after an hour, swap to the next item on the list.

  I added that between those times, she can be next to me, listening and observing, because if I have my way, she will be learning everything I can teach her. Amber smiled and took the list that I quickly jotted down the order that she was to put which items in the chamber, and started the Mini-Avengers all working on the first item, and Amber came over to sit next to me as I instructed the first Mini-Avenger, Wong in this case, to start working on the belt. After I had instructed him, I went to the Mini-Ironman and had him start working on the left earring of the two, working to enchant it as needed. Amber pulled her shoes out of the Q.I.C., and went to place that wide black strap into the Q.I.C., with a giggle. With the first two starting, I got the third one, Mini-Thor, working on the armor crystal.

  Amber had gotten to the end of the list I had given her, and she started placing other items in there, after she requested permission. I got the next item started, the black strap that Amber had produced and then enhanced, and then brought it to me, where I was giving this task to Mini-Black Widow. I got Mini-Hulk working on the newly reshaped shoes, and Amber sat next to me, smiling. We got up and then got the Mini-War Machine set up to work on the pistol harness, being that he should probably be good at it. After Mini-War Machine was up and working on his task, I got Mini-Captain America to start on the second Earring, hoping that he would do it justice. Finally, Amber’s Vestimenti Vambraces got worked on by me and everyone available to help, to get it finished by eight.

  By the time I was done with the Vestimenti Vambraces, all of the other items were ready as well. I asked her to stand in front of me, and started bedecking her with the items, starting with her newly enhanced shoes, gently lifting each foot off the ground, and gently sliding it into each. Amber stood there steady as I moved to her head, and placed each earring in, one looking like a ruby stud, the other now looking like a sapphire stud. With the strap, the belt, her vambraces, the armor crystal, and her holster left, I looked to see what Amber would hint at next. Without a second of thought, Amber removed the tunic she had been wearing, leaving nothing else on at all, save the boots that I had placed her feet in, and I held her chest strap to her.

  Amber had a coy smile when she looked at me and said that I should put it on her, like all of the other equipment I had so far. I started to place it around her chest, and fastened it in the front. Amber smiled as I fumbled a little and said that we’d just have to see if I was better at taking them off than putting them on. I gulped audibly and continued with the work. I took the thin chain belt, now with a pearly white spindle for an end, and crouched down to be at eye level with her waist and got close to pass the chain around her back and around to the front.

  Amber said, in a not so quiet whisper, “You know, you don’t have to keep your hands to yourself.”. I gulped again as I found my focus and pulled the pearly white spindle through the loop and fastened it back behind and around itself. Amber breathily sighed when the magic kicked in, helping heal small injuries that people get throughout the day, without even realizing it. I took it as my cue to get up and grab the metal vambraces that would adorn her arms, and slid them on her. My final two actions were to adhere the armor crystal to the back of the forearm of her right side vambrace, and grab the holster, and tell her that it would probably be better for her to have her tunic or some other clothing back on, before I adorn her with this. Amber sighed and pulled the tunic on, and said that it was just one more thing for me to take off later.

  I put the harness on over the tunic, and she moved around a bit before saying that it was probably a little constricting right now because the tunic was rather loose. I told her that since she can modify her clothing, with the vambraces, she could relocate the tunic above it. Amber smiled a little and asked if I was the kind that liked leather straps. Just then, I heard the roll up door open with force. I shot up and got ready, before we heard Hawkeye say that it was just him.

  I breathed a sigh of relief, and quietly told Amber that she might want to convert her tunic to something a little more normal. Amber had an almost pixieish grin when she said the command word, and the tunic became a similar black and green dress, but the cut was a bit more body hugging, and the hem was quite a bit higher, a little higher than mid-thigh. She stood next to me, kissed me on the neck, nuzzled in and said, “We will both still know exactly what I’m not actually wearing under this.” I maintained my composure as the flap for the tent opened up, and Hawkeye walked in, sporting a more black hooded outfit than normal. I stepped forward with Amber, and shook his hand, and was about to introduce her, when she stepped forward herself and introduced herself as the, hopefully sooner rather than later, Mrs. Amber Zine.

  Clint’s eyebrow rose and looked back and forth between us, before shaking her hand politely, and asking if we had a few minutes to talk before he found accommodations at the Wyndham Garden Hotel. I smiled and noted that S.H.I.E.L.D. probably still had their standard room open, as I didn’t believe that the director or even those on the security detail would be staying there. Clint nodded, and brought out a bottle for both of us. He told us it was a Lagavaulin 1990, since he remembered that I had a taste for whiskey, and didn’t know what Amber liked. Amber said that this was a very good whiskey, that they didn’t even have this at the Black Tuna.

  Clint snickered and said that the guy who had it had been running a drug ring that was targeting children, and that he certainly didn’t need it when he was in jail. I smiled and asked if he wanted to open it up tonight. Hawkeye shook his head, and said that Jonathan briefed him on what the situation was, and that while he was certain that Agent May would do her best, that Amber should be ready for a grueling workout. Amber perked up and said that she looked forward to it. She asked Hawkeye if he wanted any kind of drink, and Hawkeye looked at her and then back at me, before smiling and saying that he would love one, but that he needed to get checked in, and that he would be back to say goodbye when Agent May came to collect Amber.

  Hawkeye shook both our hands again and pulled me in for a hug, whispering to me that I probably shouldn’t keep her waiting too long, that he’s seen that kind of look in another’s eyes, and that he might be surprised if I get up tomorrow morning. I thanked him for dropping by, and that I would get started on whatever he needed made tomorrow morning. He nodded with a smile and said that he’d lock the gate from the outside, just to make sure we are not bothered again tonight. As he left, and we heard the gate close again, Amber turned to me, having changed her dress to have an even higher hemline and a lower cut neck, and asked if I was ready for dinner. Amber proceeded to produce the meal that she had redirected my way, when I had needed an alibi. I sat down at the table and she sat across from me, her foot rubbing the inside of my calf from time to time.

  We finished our meal, and then she asked me to help her get the bed set up. When she got up from the table, she had subtly changed her dress again, to be even tighter, with an even higher hem line. I walked with her and found the two cots. I put them together and placed the sheets and bedrolls over them. Amber shut the curtain to the room, with both of us in it, and pushed me back against the cots, before altering the outfit back to the tunic, and telling me that it was time for me to take it off of her, and adding that we would not be interrupted this time.

  Wow, here goes with the list

  Ventimenti Vambraces:

  Aura faint illusion and abjuration; CL 1st

  Slot wrist; Price 1300 gp; Weight 1 lb.

  Description

  These black and green +1 Dastana are placed over the wearer’s arms. The wearer of these dastana can, on command, choose to transform the appearance of her current garments into any other nonmagical set of clothing. These new clothes fit her perfectly and are always clean and mended unless she specifically designates otherwise. When she removes the dastanas, her clothes revert to their original form. *perk Solar While exposed to sunlight, this item causes an enemy adjacent to the bearer to become dazzled for as long as the two remain adjacent.*

  Construction

  Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, Craft Magical Arms and Armor: disguise self, ; Cost 650 gp

  Amber’s Armor Gem

  Pretty Standard Lesser Crystal of Arrow Deflection. *perk Lunar, when in moonlight, enemies nearby get -1 to sleep and similar spells*

  Amber’s Holster:

  Pretty Standard Endless Bandolier. *perk Enemy Glow: Constructs*

  Amber’s Dimensional Stride Shoes

  Copies of Curtis’s.*perk Lucky: 50% chance to have a +1 luck bonus to a random save category*

  Amber’s Left Earring:

  Aura faint transmutation and divination; CL 3rd

  Slot headband; Price 3050 gp; Weight - lb.

  Description

  This ruby earring takes up the entire headband slot, and cannot be worn with another headband item. This earring allows the wearer to call upon the secret memories of the world to aid the wearer in unlocking knowledge, and keeping other knowledge that they run across. By contemplating for a minute, the wearer gains a +5 competence bonus on a Knowledge check. If you have five ranks, you only need a standard action to receive the bonus.

  Also, you may activate a Scholar’s Touch spell every round while touching a book, to get the equivalent of reading that book for one hour. *Got the perk Draconic, for Red Dragon, so Fire Resistance 3*

  Construction

  Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, Fox’s cunning, Scholar’s Touch, ; Cost 1525 gp

  Amber’s Right Earring:

  Aura Moderate Evocation; CL 7th

  Slot (-); Price 1400 gp; Weight - lb

  Description

  This sapphire earring is part of a pair. Once per day, the wearer of each stone can send a message (as the sending spell) to the bearer of the other stone. If no one is in possession of the other earring, no message is sent and you know the communication failed. *Got the perk Lucky: 50% chance to have a +1 luck bonus to a random save category*

  Construction:

  Requirements: Craft Wondrous Item, sending, Cost: 700 gp

  Amber’s Ahem Chest Strap

  Aura faint abjuration; CL 1st

  Slot torso; Price 2,500 gp; Weight —

  Description

  This strapless black bra grants the benefits of an endure elements spell when worn. You must wear the chest strap for 24 hours before it begins to take effect. This garment offers magical protection in the form of a +1 resistance bonus on all saving throws (Fortitude, Reflex, and Will). *Eager: The item always wants to be worn or held by its owner. The owner can draw an eager weapon or handheld item as a swift action, don eager armor in half the time, and don any other eager item as a swift action, though it takes twice as long as normal to remove eager armor and 1 full round to remove or stow any other eager item. The DC to disarm or steal an eager item increases by 5.*

  Construction

  Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, endure elements, resistance; Cost 1250 gp

  Amber’s Chain of Love

  Aura strong transmutation; CL 12th

  Slot waist; Price 3,700 gp; Weight - lb.

  Description

  This thin silver chain belt provides their wearer with a +2 competence bonus on Acrobatics, Climb, and Stealth checks. Once per day as an immediate action, the wearer of Amber’s Chain of Love can reroll any one failed Acrobatics, Climb, or Stealth check, taking the result of that check in place of the first failed check (even if the second result is worse). In addition, a section of the chain can unfold to become a fully functional set of masterwork thieves’ tools. A DC 22 Perception check is required to notice this section of the chain.

  The tip end of this belt is a pearly white spindle. The wearer regenerates 1 point of damage per hour. They also get a +2 sacred bonus on saves against death effects and attacks that rely on negative energy. *Perk: Shielding: This item negates the first magic missile directed at it or its bearer each day. If a caster directs multiple missiles at the bearer simultaneously, reduce the number of missiles that strike the bearer by one.*

  Construction

  Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, creator must be 12th level; cat’s grace; Cost 1,850 gp