1.08 – Oh… O’Natural?

“Oh no! You have a new attack! But what kind of name is that for an ultimate attack?! It’s like a comic book sound effect! KABACKKKKK!” Leo yelled dramatically, waving his action figures in the air. He laughed, flushed with excitement, only to stiffen when Quinn poked her head through his doorway, one eyebrow raised in amused judgment.

“What are you up to, kiddo?” asked Quinn, newly fourteen and exuding a confidence that annoyed Leo almost as much as her sudden growth spurt. The way she was blooming made him feel small and awkward—especially those new boobs she had. He flushed bright red whenever his eyes drifted there, though he wasn’t sure why they fascinated him so much.

“Um—” Leo stammered, jerking his gaze away. “A-actually, my favorite hero’s fighting right now! Somewhere way up north, I think!” His voice wavered for a moment but soon steadied as his enthusiasm overtook his embarrassment.

“Oh, that Mistral chick?” Quinn asked as she stepped fully into the room and plopped down beside him, slinging an arm over his shoulder like she owned the place. “What’s she up to now?” She smirked, about to add something sarcastic, but Leo cut her off with a raised hand and a broad grin.

“Just listen! It’s getting good!”

“The fight has begun!” the announcer bellowed through the speakers. “Garou is standing by as these two long-time rivals face off. Oh! This is the worst thing she’s ever done! This S-plus threat, the Dark Angel—no, Black Angel herself from space—is crushing the city with one of her trademark singularities! The waves of energy coming off the thing are tearing surrounding homes to pieces. Everything in its path is being obliterated! When will our Canadian heroine and Garou put an end to this threat!?”

Leo’s eyes went wide. “A singularity?! That’s—” He scrambled to lift his action figures, holding Black Angel higher than Mistral. “SINGULARITY! SINGULARITY!”

“Oh, that attack is so powerful!” Leo switched to Mistral’s voice as he made his toys clash in midair. “You’re destroying everything! But I’ll stop you, you evil, horrible villain! I’ll freeze you so hard!” He froze mid-battle, tilting his head in thought, scratching it as questions began piling up in his head. How would she even do that?

The announcer’s voice rose again, breathless. “After a fierce skirmish, Mistral and Garou have cornered Black Angel! Watch the footage! The Black Angel is fleeing from the concerted efforts of this hard-hitting member of the Society of Sentinels and her outsider partner. Wait—where is she going now? Does she intend to set another trap?”

Leo paused, looking up at Quinn with wide, curious eyes. “By the way, uh, what’s a singularity?”

Quinn blinked, clearly caught off guard, but then she laughed. “Oh—um…” She waved a hand as if the answer was obvious. “She’s singing a really loud song, and the city is shaking to pieces! Isn’t that neat?”

Leo gasped, bouncing in place on his bed. “That’s so cool! I didn’t know she could sing! But if it destroys everything, isn’t that, like, really scary?” He scrunched his face, deep in thought.

“Yeah, it’d be really scary,” Quinn agreed, puffing her cheeks in mock seriousness. “It’s, like, a majorly wicked song, and it goes, like, really deep and then suddenly shoots up like, wheeeeeeeee!” She shrieked an exaggerated high note that made Leo clap his hands over his ears, glaring at her with a long-suffering expression.

But then he started screaming too, mimicking her ridiculous tone at an even higher pitch.

Downstairs, Laguna narrowed her eyes at the sudden racket. The muffled shrieks and laughter above made her grimace, but after a moment, she sighed and let it go.

When he grew older, Leo would look back on what Quinn had told him and giggle. He’d realized she probably had no idea what a singularity was either and had just made it up on the spot. And yet, a part of him, the wide-eyed innocent child within wondered: Had Black Angel released… a single? Of villainy?

As she’d planned for a long time, Laguna planned to finally introduce Leo to her very own small café in San Isidro, Au Naturel. She had used the funds from selling her stake in her father’s business to establish the cozy space, but she had taken extra time away from running it to focus on Leo during his early days with her. Now that he was showing encouraging signs of recovery, she felt it was time to dedicate more energy to her hustle.

Laguna’s days were endlessly packed—twenty-five hours a day, eight days a week, by her joking measure—but no matter how demanding her schedule, she always found time to prepare a healthy, lovingly cooked meal for her children. For Laguna, this was non-negotiable.

She had vowed long ago that as long as it was within her power, her family would never go hungry, that no one near her would ever go hungry.

Her Leo would never lack for nourishing food, even if Goonie had a strict rule against serving meat at her table most days. In those early years, when Leo often lost his appetite, it had been a battle. She knew it wasn’t her cooking that put him off; it was the aftermath of his trauma, something that only time and love could heal. Goonie had both in abundance and was more than willing to give them freely.

Nowadays, she had the opposite problem.

Once in a while, a wheedling Quinn would team up with Leo’s angelic face, and Goonie’s resolve would falter. She’d cave and cook something that was good for the heart—but only in a spiritual sense. She loosened her restrictions far more for Leo than she ever had for Quinn, and their combined persistence even forced her, reluctantly, to master the art of frying chicken.

Though fried chicken was as far as she went in terms of meat (aside from the occasional fish dish), she never partook herself.

When Goonie opened her café, Quinn stepped up to help with Leo after school. She’d prepare him snacks and spend quality time with him. But, like most teenagers, Quinn still wanted personal space, so she kept just enough distance to prevent Leo from clinging too much. Despite this, the siblings remained tightly knit.

One day, Leo asked a question that stopped Goonie in her tracks.

“Auntie Goonie, why are you so busy all the time?”

Laguna looked at him closely. He wasn’t just curious—he was lonely. The realization hit her harder than she expected. Had she let her work take her away from what mattered most?

And then came the other questions—about clothes, about what it meant to be a boy or a girl. Leo’s curiosity always leaned in one direction, and while it concerned Goonie in terms of potential challenges for his health, she wasn’t surprised. She’d seen the signs before, in friends and acquaintances who’d confided their similar experiences.

But first, Laguna decided to tackle the easier question.

“Leo,” Laguna said softly, guiding him to sit beside her, “you need to understand something important. What I do—it’s what puts food on our table. It’s how I make sure we have everything we need. Running this business earns a great deal of money, and honestly, I’ve been ignoring it lately so I could spend more time with you.” She paused, brushing a hand gently through his hair. “But even with my wonderful staff covering for me, I can’t keep shirking my responsibilities forever.”

She leaned forward slightly, looking him in the eye. “I know you’ve noticed me being gone more lately, and it’s made you feel lonely—like I’ve left you behind. But I promise, sweetheart, that’s not the case. I’ve never left you behind, even if it feels that way sometimes.”

Her voice grew warmer, tinged with pride as she continued, “This place I take care of? It takes care of us too, in its own way. And I think it’s time for you to see it for yourself—to see the business I’ve worked so hard to create for our family.”

Leo blinked, tilting his head. “Biz-nuss?”

“Oh—O’Natural!” Quinn struck a dramatic pose as Leo turned toward her with wide, questioning eyes.

“What?”

“YES!” Quinn grinned, clearly enjoying the spotlight. “It’s an amazing café called O’Naturel! Mama runs it! She’s the boss! She makes the menus, handles the money, hires people, and looks after everyone there. I even waited tables once—it was so fun!”

Leo’s expression lit up. “A café? With lots of yummy Goonie food? Yay!”

“It’s ‘Au Naturel,’” Goonie corrected gently, emphasizing the French pronunciation.

“Yeah, yeah, I know!” Quinn waved her off. “It’s French or something. Like au jus! Bonjour! Merci! Right, Mama?”

“You’re the one who should have mercy on me, Quinn,” Goonie laughed, ruffling her daughter’s hair.

“Can I be a waitress again?” Quinn asked eagerly as they started gathering to leave.

Leo thought it over, then began hopping up and down. “I wanna be a cool hero more, but I wanna be a waitress too!”

“Dress and all, huh?” Quinn teased, her grin mischievous. “Oh, Mama, if I have to wear a uniform, can I wear shorts underneath?”

Goonie chuckled. “I suppose so. But don’t grow up too fast, sweetheart. Enjoy being a kid while you can. Maybe in another year or so, if you’re still set on it, I’ll buy you a uniform.”

Quinn pouted. “But I need more than just my allowance! There’s so much I want to try!”

“Me too! Me, me, me!” Leo interrupted, twirling on the spot. “I want a dress too! I’m tired of shorts! They’re boring and ugly.”

Quinn gave him a knowing look, and Goonie smiled warmly.

“Of course, sweetheart,” Goonie said, squeezing his hand gently. “Yes, you can have a dress.”

Quinn’s jaw dropped before she burst out laughing, pointing at Leo with a wide grin. “I KNEW IT! You’re a girl, Leo!”

Leo’s face broke into a radiant smile, bright and filled with all the colors of the rainbow.

All the dots connected, and the family glowed with quiet happiness as they left to visit Au Naturel.

“Welcome to Au Naturel!” Goonie exclaimed with theatrical flair, throwing her arms wide as they stepped through the doors of her café. The place had the charm of a classic ‘50s diner but with a whimsical twist: instead of vintage cars and retro advertisements, the decor leaned into tie-dyed curtains, crystalline lamps, and glowing electronic candles. The lighting was warm but soft, giving the plush seating and colorful carpeting an inviting, cozy vibe.

Patrons were an eclectic mix—some dressed in outfits that perfectly matched the café's bohemian aesthetic, while others looked like they had just wandered in off the street. Leo’s eyes lit up the moment she saw the place, and with a squeal, she dashed forward, spinning in circles as she tried to take it all in at once.

“Leo!” Goonie called after her with a laugh, pressing a hand to her cheek. “She’s coming along nicely,” she remarked to Quinn, who smirked knowingly. Both of them had grown used to Leo’s bursts of energy, especially when she was excited.

Quinn grinned and rolled her eyes. “You can’t contain her once she gets started.”

“Take her to a table, please,” Goonie said, gesturing to the seating area. “You’re in charge for now. No waiting on tables yet; you’re too young. And—”

“Where’s my dress?!” Leo interrupted, bounding back to Goonie with wide, expectant eyes.

“Um—” Goonie stifled a laugh, bending down to pat her head. “Why don’t you sit down first and enjoy some food? Soak up the ambience, and I’ll explain more about what I do here. This café is my dream, and I want you to understand it before anything else.” She straightened and smiled warmly. “If you really want to help, maybe we’ll talk about it when you’re fifteen. But for now, just be a kid, okay? No one’s going to accuse me of child trafficking.”

Leo tilted her head, confused. “Trafficking? What’s that? Cars and stuff?”

Goonie blinked, then laughed heartily. “Oh, no, sweetheart, not trafficking as in streetlights or vehicles. Don’t worry about it.” She waved a hand toward Quinn. “Go on, take her to a table. And don’t bother the customers!”

“C’mon, squirt,” Quinn said, grabbing Leo’s hand and pulling her along. Behind them, Goonie turned to greet a customer—a cheerful man in his fifties wearing a bandana who opened his arms wide as he approached her. “Goonie!” he called out with a grin, and she embraced him tightly.

“Still a bit of a hippie, huh?” Quinn muttered to Leo with a giggle as they reached their table. “Mama loves giving hugs.”

“HUGS! THEY’RE THE BEST!” Leo declared loudly, beaming as she plopped into a seat. The two settled in, sitting side by side in a corner where they could watch Goonie interact with her patrons. She was in her element—chatting, laughing, and moving effortlessly between tables like a queen holding court in her domain.

After a while, Quinn leaned in, lowering her voice. “Leo... earlier we talked about it a little. But maybe we should talk more.” She hesitated, studying her sister’s expression. “You really wanna be a girl, huh?”

Leo looked at her, and her smile was blinding. Her cheeks turned pink, but she didn’t look away. “It felt really right when you both called me a girl,” she said softly, the words carrying a mix of shyness and absolute certainty.

Quinn smiled back, her heart swelling. “Well, if it makes you happy, then I’m happy too.” She ruffled her hair. “I always thought I’d have a little brother, but having a little sister is just as awesome.”

Leo’s eyes sparkled as she leaned against Quinn, grinning ear to ear. For the first time, it felt like everything was starting to fall into place.

Some days later, Goonie started bringing the kids to Au Naturel more often, partly to save on babysitting costs. Quinn usually took on the lion’s share of responsibility for keeping Leo entertained, but once in a while, a kind-hearted customer would step in to help. Leo, in particular, was fascinated by some of these patrons—many of whom had long hair, which she began to wonder was a trendy fashion she’d missed. Quinn, however, didn’t seem impressed by the observation.

Leo’s curiosity often got the better of her. Despite the booth they’d claimed offering a good view of the café, she took frequent, stealthy trips to the bathroom, using the detour to peek into neighboring booths and at central tables. She rarely disturbed anyone—just stared at people’s faces with wide-eyed wonder. This often earned her warm smiles, though occasionally, her inquisitive nature would result in an impromptu hug from a stranger.

When that happened, Leo’s face would flush bright red, and she’d become adorably flustered until a staff member came to her rescue.

Eventually, Goonie noticed her little explorer’s antics. Crossing her arms, she gave Leo a stern look, wagging a finger.

“I told you not to bother our customers,” she scolded.

Leo sagged under the reprimand, her guilt written all over her face.

Quinn, lounging in her chair, waved a hand dismissively. “I told Leo to stop checking out the—” She paused, narrowing her eyes thoughtfully as she examined a medallion hanging around the neck of an elderly man seated nearby.

The man, Mr. Davis, was a regular at the café. His face was unremarkable yet distinctive thanks to his sparkling eyes and tanned, weathered skin. He carried himself with the air of someone who had seen a lot of life but still retained a playful curiosity. Today, as Leo had finally approached him, he’d distracted her by sharing tidbits about outdoor survival skills and identifying useful plants with medicinal properties.

“The boy’s no trouble,” Mr. Davis said kindly, gesturing toward Leo. “Neither of them are.”

Leo’s face fell slightly at the misgendering, but she quickly rallied, smiling brightly. After all, it wasn’t official yet, and she didn’t want to spoil her chance to learn something interesting.

“Well—” Goonie barked a laugh. “If they’re not bothering you, I suppose that’s fine.” She bustled away, calling over her shoulder, “You two behave.”

Leo nodded enthusiastically, eager to hear more from Mr. Davis. As he continued his stories, her eyes repeatedly drifted to the medallion hanging from his neck. Its intricate design—a mandala-like pattern with a star at its center, surrounded by symbols she couldn’t decipher—was mesmerizing.

Noticing Leo’s fascination, Quinn smirked and decided to press the issue. “Cool, seal of approval acquired—you can cut the act now, Mr. Davis.”

The man blinked, caught off guard. “Pardon me?”

Leo gasped, covering her mouth as she shot Quinn a sideways look.

“Ah, I see. A skeptical mind,” Davis said with mock solemnity, stroking his beard. “A great tragedy of the modern age.” He leaned back, his tone growing more dramatic. “Kindness and educating the young are the sacred duties of the old, my dear—a creed for those who love peace.”

“Educating kids to mix a thousand and one herbs to cure everything from joint pain to bad vibes?” Quinn quipped, unimpressed. “Nah, still not buying it.”

Mr. Davis chuckled. “Why not? As the Bard himself said, ‘There are more things in heaven and earth, young one, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.’”

Quinn grinned. “Ooo, Shakespeare! And yeah, I know. I’ve read the guy. But I don’t trust anything that sounds too out-there or too good to be true.” She tilted her head, feigning innocence. “Hey, that medallion around your neck—is that part of a ritual? You know, sacrificing lambs under the full moon with a stone knife?”

“H-Hey now!” Davis exclaimed, wincing. “No! I wouldn’t harm anyone—or anything! But, I have been known to, uh, moonbathe occasionally—” He cut himself off with a cough, already regretting his candor.

Leo blinked at him, her expression blank as she tried to figure out what he meant, but his awkwardness made her giggle.

Quinn, however, smirked. “Oh, so you’re a perv.”

Mr. Davis practically leapt from his seat, looking around nervously. He muttered under his breath, already wishing he hadn’t vouched for Goonie’s kids. With a deep sigh, he sat back down, eyeing Quinn cautiously. “So, I gather this is all about my relic?” He lifted the medallion from his chest, debating whether to tuck it into his shirt. Instead, he shrugged and let it dangle.

“Yes!!!” Leo exclaimed, leaning forward like a spring-loaded trap. Her curiosity was almost palpable. She didn’t want to be rude by asking about his curious medal-thing, but she glanced at Quinn with starry eyes, seeking her sister’s unspoken agreement. Quinn, noticing her younger sister’s look of reverence, smirked and preened.

“We both noticed that thing right away. It’s not like you’re trying to hide it. What’s it for?” Quinn asked, arching an eyebrow.

With a roll of his eyes, Davis sighed. “If you must know, ahem—it’s a focus for internal energies. A tool for meditation. It’s not anything that kids should play with.”

“Ooh? ‘Internal energies’? We talkin’ bout Tai Chi Masters or Wizards, Harry?” Quinn pressed, her tone steeped in half-sarcasm, half-genuine interest.

Leo perked up at the question, holding her breath as she waited for the old and now mage-hippie’s answer. She fidgeted slightly, kicking her feet under the table.

“————Energy for spell-casting—” Davis paused, clearly deliberating how much to say. He let out an annoyed sigh and added, “But sadly, I lack the power to… I—cannot.”

Leo, caught in the spell of his words, suddenly fell off her chair with a clatter. Quinn burst into laughter, slapping her knee between giggles. “You’re—hehe—hilarious! You’re really just playing pretend!”

On the floor, Leo pouted, her face crumpling into a mask of disappointment as she stared up at Davis like he’d crushed her dreams underfoot. Davis winced, now longingly eyeing the café’s exit. He cleared his throat and stood, brushing nonexistent dust from his pants. “Ahem. It’s been fun, kids. REAL FUN.” He adjusted his collar, reaching for his bag.

Even though Davis wasn’t what he seemed, Leo couldn’t let him leave looking so distressed. She scrambled to her feet, blocking his path with wide, imploring eyes. “Wait! Don’t go!” she exclaimed. Her voice quivered, earnest and apologetic. “I—I’m sorry that my sister’s been bullying you.” She glanced over her shoulder, deploying her patented puppy eyes on Quinn.

Quinn reeled back, clutching her chest like she’d been mortally wounded. After a beat, she looked away, her cheeks tinged red. “S-sorry,” she muttered grudgingly, scuffing her shoe against the floor.

Around them, café patrons took notice of the drama, some pretending not to look, others outright staring. A few cast disapproving glances at Quinn, making her shift uncomfortably.

After a moment of hesitation, Davis sighed, setting his bag back down. He tugged the medallion over his head and held it out to Leo. “I’m not giving this to you, kid—but to thank you for your kindness... Would you like to hold this for a moment?” His other hand ruffled Leo’s hair, ignoring the now-quiet Quinn.

Leo tilted her head, her expression serious and curious. Slowly, she reached out and placed her hand on the medallion.

The moment her fingers touched the cool metal, her eyes widened—and then glazed over entirely, her body freezing like a mannequin.

Davis’ eyes went round as saucers, staring at the girl’s blank expression. “What the—?” He yanked the medallion away, and Leo blinked, returning to normal so seamlessly it was as though nothing had happened.

She grinned up at him, bright and expectant. Davis frowned, poking the medallion with one finger like it might bite him. His lips pursed, and he cast a wary look at Quinn.

“Uhh, what did you just do?” Quinn asked pointedly, breaking the silence. She jabbed a finger at Leo. “My sister went all blank-like—like she was on some kinda awful trip!” She turned, scanning Leo’s face. “Leo, are you okay?”

Leo hummed thoughtfully, her gaze shifting to the upper right as she considered the question. “Hmm, I’m fine—but I don’t even remember what it felt like. Can I try again?” she asked eagerly.

Davis, dumbfounded, blinked at her. Against his better judgment, he nodded and pressed the medallion into her hand again. Instantly, her eyes glazed over once more, the transformation eerie in its suddenness.

He yanked the medallion away a second time, his lips pressing into a thin line. “It wasn’t just a fluke,” he muttered under his breath.

Leo grinned as though nothing unusual had occurred, still holding her hand out expectantly.

“Hmmm—” Davis turned to Quinn, his expression a mix of curiosity and skepticism. “How about you touch it too?”

Quinn shot him a look that could only be described as seriously? She folded her arms. “I don’t know, old man. You’re starting to sound like some wacky cult leader.” But when she glanced at Leo’s eager face, her resolve wavered. With a shrug, she extended her hand. “Doesn’t look like it hurts people. Just don’t let me turn into an ultra air-head too, okay?”

She chuckled nervously as her hand met the medallion. For a tense moment, she stared at it. Nothing happened.

Davis frowned, squinting at her like he expected a delayed reaction. Quinn tilted her head, smirking. “Nope. Nada. Guess I’m immune to your magic trinket, Gandalf.”

Davis scowled, his suspicion deepening. Perhaps the kids were toying with him after all.

Without a word, he gathered his belongings and left the café, muttering to himself about Goonie’s kids and their peculiar sense of humor.

The kids must have orchestrated a complex scheme to embarrass him. Goonie’s two mischievous children were just too much for him to handle. Davis had thought he could handle the occasional quirk, the teasing jokes of youth—but this? This felt like something more. What sealed the deal was Quinn’s complete lack of a reaction after Leo’s exaggerated act. It was clear now: Leo had been the straight man in their little prank, and Quinn the “funny man,” leading him down the garden path for their amusement.

He sighed, running a hand over his face. He’d tried his best to teach the next generation a few things he’d learned over the years, but in his heart, he couldn’t help but feel like the joke was on him. Leo had played a very naughty trick on him—no question about it.

Still, as his mind returned to Leo’s reaction—or lack of it—he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. That kind of blank stare was impossible for someone without some kind of training. He'd seen gurus, scholars, mystics touch such medallions with nothing happening. What had Leo done? And why had it worked on her, but not Quinn?

Was he losing his edge? He thought of his younger days when he could still connect with kids, when their antics seemed less like cruel jokes and more like harmless fun. But now... now he felt the weight of age creeping in. The realization stung: He was growing old far too soon. He couldn't even keep up with these kids’ antics anymore. What happened to the days when he understood their language?

And yet, there was one consequence he didn’t expect.

Later that evening, Goonie made sure her two little troublemakers knew exactly what their actions had cost her. Her voice, sharp and full of fury, rang out as she rounded on them.

“Demanding that my customers prove their wizardry!? What kind of nonsense is that, Quinzel Rosemary Ramses!?” she barked. Her hands went to her hips, her face a portrait of exasperation. “Leo, I swear! I’ve had it! What happened to common sense, huh?!”