Sparks Beneath the Surface.

ＴＷＯ- I'm Burning Up.

When Andrea and I made sure one another were okay and fully debriefed on everything that happened when we got seperated, we said our goodbyes and I walked over to Dr. Fusion. I still can't believe that this is actually happening. That I'm really here and he's standing right in front of me. If I find out that I was knocked unconscious by the pizza guy when he attacked me and this is just some very realistic and detailed coma dream I'm having, I'm going to be gutted.

"Ready to enter the belly of the beast?" He asks.

I shake my head, "If I wait for when I'm ready and for my mind to wrap around all of this, I'll be standing here 'till I'm 90," I say and he snorts, "So, there's no time like now."

I marvel at the sight of my surroundings; it looks like an elaborate police station. Fluorescent lights hum overhead, casting long shadows across corridors lined with reinforced doors and observation windows. Filing cabinets and case boards overflowing with reports on shapeshifters, cursed objects, and unsolved paranormal homicides. Evidence bags hold items that seem to twitch or whisper when you pass too close, while entire labs buzz with the work of scientists trying to reverse-engineer magic like it was chemistry. Multiple bullpens alive with agents, some in tailored suits with glowing marks inked into their skin, others sipping burnt coffee while poring over crime scene photos of claw marks and ectoplasmic residue. A large digital map glowed in the command centre, tracking what I assume are supernatural events in real time. A few of those robots I see at fight scenes zoom past me and I shudder.

"Whoa, they're fast!"

Elian grins, "They're called Shmeebobots. I'm sure you've seen them out there cleaning up after our fights and stuff, but they're also kind of like robot butlers. They're always zooming around the place to make sure everyone gets anything they need, so, if you need a coffee, a file, maybe even a shot of tequila," He mutters the last suggestion quietly and I giggle, "They're your guys. Or, bots."

Elian leads me to one of the bullpens, and there are people inside. It takes me a few minutes before it registers who exactly they are, and my heart stops. Holy shit. "This is the Den, it's where you'll hopefully be working soon. Lemme introduce you to the crew, and please, don't hesitate to call us by our first names. You gotta get used to it somehow. Danielle, this," he points to Starstruck and Hermes who both look even better in person, "is Kiyomi, or as you may know her, Starstruck, and that's Benjamin, Benji for short, and you may know him as-"

"Hermes! My little brother is your biggest fan." I gush, and Benjamin raises his eyebrows.

"Really? Wow," He clasps his hands together, "I think I like her already. Tell your brother he has great taste."

Elian clears his throat, "Try coming on a little stronger, why don't you? Benji, please. Let's be serious and give her a proper tour."

Starstruck, or Kiyomi, rolls her eyes at Elian and nods at me. "Nice to meet you, Danielle. Don't let Eli boss you around too much, he gets way off on the power trip."

"I do not!" Elian scoffs.

"Uhhh, yes, you do, bro. Don't even try to deny it to this pretty young lady," Benjamin begins, then he flashes over to me with his super speed, leaving a trail of sparkling green lightning behind him, "Danielle, was it?" He winks and kisses my hand.

"She's been here what, ten minutes, and you're already trying to make some weak ass pass at her, Benj?" Madame Ador walks over, clearly very relaxed.

"Can't blame a guy for trying, can ya?" Benjamin jokes. Kiyomi rolls her eyes and jabs him in the arm, prompting a small, "ow!" from him, which makes me giggle.

"Don't mind Benji, he is like the community dick around here. Name's Kamari, very nice to meet you, Danielle." Madame Ador tells me, and we shake hands.