It had been six months since, Alia had last seen Stu.

Due to her experience writing gossip columns, she knew how to scour the internet and her scant resources in Sky City to catch some tidbit of news or a blurred out photo. A boot in mustard yellow boots shouldn’t be easy to miss. But, even exhausting everything she could possibly do--Alia was stuck.

Nothing. She tapped a pen against her head. How does somebody just disappear like that after everything they had endured?

“He’s probably just going to lie low for a bit. He’s not really a high rank among them anyways so he probably took a pretty big hit.” Vik had explained when she’d pestered him about it. “He wouldn’t want you to stir up too much, so if you’re trying to find info be discreet about it. We don’t know what we’re up against and knowing why Sky City is off limits to civilians we probably don’t want to find out.”

Elina Electric though was strangely more popular than ever. Her pouty lips stood out from every magazine at the grocery store check out. Her eyes batted as she modelled for trendy brands. And everyone Alia was close to always would remark on her merits.

Alia had gone shopping out one stormy day when she passed a television store that was playing one of her many interviews, The talk show host was resplendent with blue eyebrows and a glittery pompadour Elvis style, he asked in mock concern, “Everything seems to be going so well for you Elina. Fabulous dress. Fabulous new car. You’ve got a booming career. We couldn’t be happier for you, but alas a beautiful woman just needs a man to share that all with. Tell me are the rumors true that you’re seeing a fellow Super who’s recently gone underground on a mysterious assignment.”

Elina’s smile was radiant. Although Alia could feel that she was nervous. “My my Sinclair you’re so naughty. You’re going to get me in trouble.”

“Then let me do the deed properly. Is your special someone a Mr. Stupendous Wave?”

She gasped and then laughed it off. “Even if it was I would never tell you.”

“I’ll take that as a confirmation then. You heard it first here folks Elena Electric and Stupendous Wave are still on.”

“Oh Sinclair, those are silly rumors. When have I not been anyone without a camera flashing? There’s no boy or man here. Maybe when I’m back to Sky, I’ll meet somebody.”

The interview went on, but Alia had stopped paying attention. Her feet moved of their own accord as she walked back to her apartment. She dumped her shopping bags on the counter and booted up her laptop. She sneezed violently for several minutes as she breathed in large amount of dust.

Alia opened up a search engine and typed in: STUPENDOUS WAVE SECRET MISSION. The loading wheel turned, indicating it would take several moments so Alia went and made herself a cup of coffee. She drank it while she waited.

The screen finally loaded with a single message: YOU ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO COMPLETE THIS SEARCH.

Her heart caught in her throat as she remembered Vik’s advice. She’d reached the limit of what she could do. Stu was gone. She couldn’t contact him. Alia racked her brain for something. She closed her laptop angrily. “I just want to talk to you,”

She felt a pair of hands clasp around her waist and pull her into a solid wall of muscle. Alia struggled and dropped her coffee cup which was deftly caught by an agile foot and tossed to a waiting slightly webbed hand. Alia looked up. “Stu?”

He smiled sheeply. No mask this time. Instead he was dressed in civilian clothes. A black fleece top with too many pockets, Adidas athletic pants and running sneakers. “You can talk to me whenever you want to, Alia.”

“Vik said that you were on probation and that things were bad and that I should stay away from you.”

“You should stay away from any Super who comes to Charm City from Sky City.”

“I know the biological dangers of relations between Supers and humans. I did study that in school and I’d like to think I’m of a reasonable intelligence to know that--”

“I’m like that vampire from the books where he stalks the girl and tells her she’s delicious.”

Alia laughed. She realized it had been a while since she’d really let herself relax. She took the cup from his grasp and proceeded to wash it. As the suds were being washed off, the water formed into a tendril and it was softly taken from her and replaced in the drying rack.

“I probably shouldn’t do that in front of a non-Super.”

“Can you be here? I don’t want to get you into more trouble than you’re already. I messed up last time and you were publicly shamed for it.”

Stu shrugged pulling her next to him on the couch. He reassuringly traced circles into her palms. “It’s ok. Politics is politics, the council wanted to make an example of me. It had mixed results. The concept of a Super and non-Super doing anything in a non-diplomatic capacity is a liberal idea unfortunately. I can’t help being a pawn because I’m playing the game. If I was just a Super, they probably wouldn’t care. I’m training to be a Superhero so this is part of my job now.”

“It doesn’t have to be.” Alia said softly.

“You blog for money but your actually using that money so you can help people too by being a healer.”

“I mean I’m sure our hospitals are nothing when compared to the advancements in Sky City.”

“Yeah you’re right, probably not. It’s separate, but we also have different needs.”

Alia paused. She didn’t want to ruin the mood, but she knew if she didn’t ask, the questions would eat away at her. “Why didn’t you say anything for six months? I was worried. I don’t need to know where you are every minute of that time, but couldn’t you send me something after that disposition?”

Stu stiffened, his face turning serious. “I wanted to, but I don't have that freedom. I needed to pay my dues to society and show I was serious about my obligations. It’s complicated.”

“Are you still with Elina?”

“No. I’m not. From you’re tone I can see that you’re not a fan of her. She has good intentions, though she’s not one to care for the feelings of others. She’s a force of nature though and through.”

“Is there something you came here for?”

“Yes.”

“I haven’t really been blogging as much as my federal student loans came in.”

“I noticed.”

“What do you want from me then?”

“I wanted you to offer you an opportunity to work undercover with me in Sky City.”

“What? I have no powers. I could die.”

“I can protect you and the Council was impressed by your actions so they want to see us together as a duo. They would like me to bring you to them within twenty four hours. But once you finish with the task, they don’t want you to linger in the City as you aren’t being promoted to a Super. And you can’t blog about it.”

“Oh I didn’t intend to. I’m so excited. I get to see Sky City as a non-Super!! I have so many heroes up on my wall. But what about school? I can’t just leave. Oh and what about the pets?”

“That’ll all be taken care of.”

Alia’s tone grew serious. “What about the media?”

Stu shrugged. “The reason I couldn’t talk to you for this long is to prove to the Council that I’m not attached to you. They control the media so we won’t have to deal with it at all.”

“I’m glad I have time to think about it then.”

=//=

“Surely you can’t be serious. Who authorized this non-Super’s admission into Sky City? She’s a nobody and furthermore she’s a parah to this community. We are an advanced species that possess unique gifts beyond her understanding. She’s never going to be an asset to anyone here and for this council to recognize her as such is in my thoughts a disgrace to all the citizens under our jurisdiction.” An elderly woman in a high collared violet gown spoke angrily addressing the congregation around her.

The Council members were seated a lot higher than then so Alia had to strain her neck to keep track of the quick discussion.

“Objection.” A male voice rang out loudly. This member was dressed like a Roman gladiator, his eyes red set deep into his face.

“Excuse me, I have no finished speaking. You are of a lower rank. I can remove you from this proceeding General Hollander. The military shouldn’t be involved in internal affairs. Please review our precedents.”

A stern looking woman who was oddly shaped like a tree with roots released a stream of pink sakura petals. She opened all of her thousand eyes and stared literally at all members of the council. Her voice was soothing like molten honey--soft, sweet, strong. “Lady Luck, you are a valued member as you have demonstrated yourself to be a capable deserving hero. General, you are a rising miliary official also with merits worthy of a voice on this council. The matter is open to debate, although the vote has already been completed. The human child is in her community is excellent and through months of discourse we have come to the conclusion that she is suited to serve the Council in a capacity with a protector and friend in Stewart Wave. Further arguments only harm our goals. The Council is adjourned and I ask only the advisory members to remain for further instruction.”

With grumbles and shuffling, the Council filed out until only seven members remained. The floor rose up until both Stu and Alia were even with the councillors who were seated in a circle around them. Several members also appeared via hologram.

Stu leaned over to Alia and whispered. “”She’s the head of the Council. Her name is the Seer.”

Alia whispered back. “I can see why they call her that.”

Stu chucked softly.

The Council deliberated for a while before they turned their attention to their chosen delegates.

“Girl!”

Stu turned Alia to the offending councillor. She stuttered out the line that Stu had drilled into her mind the night before. “I stand here as bidden by the Council to uphold its decision.”

The Council was a bit taken aback.

The Seer chuckled lightly. “Stewart, I see you would like a good impression. Child you are a guest. During the duration of your stay here, Mr. Wave will be your host. Any crime you commit here will not be your burden, Steward will take the punishment for you.”

Alia was taken aback. “That’s--”

Steward pinched her wrist.

“I understand. I will obey your laws the same way that I would if I was back home. I’m not planning anything nefarious by any means.”

The Seer look on curiously. “If you had an underlying conspiracy, you would’ve already acted on it. The event with Stewart Wave did not join the annals of your web newspaper. You have no intention also of doing so.”

She felt a creeping feeling on the back of her hand that maybe the woman could read minds. Stu had not warned her of this. Alia made a mental note to ask him later or find a place where she could look up the common abilities of Supers. “I’m only here because I trust Stu. I chose not to write about him because he protected me when he didn’t have to. I may not know him that well, but I do think he’s a good person.”

“Your intuition does serve you better than it does him. But that isn’t why you’re here. I’m sure Stewart has alluded in part that you are here at my invitation. His capacity to serve us has brought us to you as our non-Super observer. Now you’re wondering what use is a human in a society of Supers? Simple, you will be ignored by everyone in most situations. In relation to us, some will view you as an inferiority, a servant to the Council? Of which, I’m sure you are aware from media. You are here to observe and assist Stupendous Wave in his current duty.”

A tall man dressed in a burgundy suit with a fantastic moustache rolled his eyes. “Enough with the bureaucracy! You’re here because we need a human who isn’t an idiot. There’s a faction of Supers who are not so enthused at becoming heroes. They want to use their gifts for self interests. Find us the ringleader. That’s all. I want a nice cold coffee with twenty sugars. ”

“Brother Sugar, please don’t--”

“It’s nothing complicated. We don’t even have an assignment worth plucking a healer from her schooling. She has friends, family that she’s lying to. The palpable tension because of the media sensationalizing her. Seer, let me give you the tea, we need Elina Electric. Not this mouse.”

Alia sneezed into her sleeve. The sound was amplified through the chamber.

“See we have a mouse with a sizable sneeze.”

A small pixie of a Super with fizzing wings and a halo of neon green hair hovered over her seat. “She’s perfect. A mouse to be our eyes and ears and darling Stu can protect her. She’s fine and fit for our ends.”

Stu put his hand behind Alia and maneuvered her out of the atrium.

“Don’t we need to stay for the final ruling?”

“No, Seer only wanted you to see and be seen for that brief moment. As we already have permission, we’re going.”

Alia stopped. “Where? No one’s said anything clearly about what the situation is.”

“We’re going to the Sky City Metropolitan Police Department, my office.”

“Oh so you did get demoted?”

Stu chucked. “Not quite.”

=//=