2.07 – A Strange Family

Aurora walked out of the station, cheered up by the positive reactions she got from the rest of the police. Ruffino frankly was a meanie. A few officers had waved at her or offered polite nods, and one even murmured a soft “nice work” as she passed. Their acknowledgment was small, but it bolstered her spirits. The sun shining on her wings further helped improve her mood, each ray catching the shimmering gold highlights in her feathers, making her glow even brighter.

Flapping them powerfully, she rocketed into the sky, savoring the rush of wind against her face. The sheer freedom of movement never ceased to amaze her, and she made a few laps around the precinct for good measure, a bit of playful defiance directed at Ruffino. Try and stop me now, Detective Mean-streak, she thought, laughing softly to herself. Flying higher, she tilted into a gentle roll and then straightened, letting her mind wander as she enjoyed the experience of flight anew.

She didn’t want to go home just yet. The thought of being indoors felt stifling after the day’s exciting events. She reconsidered going to the camp today. The idea of seeing Sarah again brought a soft smile to her face, but her thoughts shifted to the crane incident, and her expression sobered. There’d already been one disaster to worry about, and who knew what else might come up. Best not push my luck. I’m a superhero now and we’re disaster magnets. I was probably rushing things anyway, I needed to cool my head anyway. Deciding to forestall her visit to Sarah, she veered towards the bay, catching the updrafts of warm thermal currents that spiraled off the water.

As she rode the thermals, she couldn’t help but replay Ruffino’s attitude in her mind. The detective’s sharp tone and scrutinizing glare grated on her. What’s her deal? Aurora wondered, her wings beating powerfully as she glided over the edge of San Isidro. The city skyline sprawled out before her, taller buildings rising like modern monoliths against the blue sky. She weaved between them effortlessly, her thoughts a storm of irritation and self-doubt. Maybe I should’ve just handed over my contact info. But no, she’d probably find a way to turn it against me. Crabby Detective can wait.

Soon enough, her family’s condo complex came into view. Winging lower, she approached the small wooded copse near their home, choosing her landing spot carefully to remain hidden. As she descended, the sun caught on her wings one last time, and she paused to hover briefly, allowing herself to relish the golden glow before she touched down. The woods were quiet, save for the rustling of leaves as her wings folded neatly against her back. She reverted to her normal form in a flash of light, her superhero attire replaced with her usual street clothes. Her cellphone and Ruffino’s card shifted back to her pants pocket as part of the transformation.

Scaling the familiar fences and walls with ease, Leona dropped into the complex grounds like a seasoned gymnast. Hopping down from the final ledge, she jogged up to their condo. Throwing open the door, she bumped it closed with her heel, her shoes scuffing the floor as she passed into the living room. The clock on the wall caught her eye. She had two hours to spare before Goonie would return from her cafe.

The sound of footsteps drew her attention, and Quinn stepped out of her room, her face lighting up as she spotted Aurora. “How’d it go?” she asked eagerly, her words coming in a rush. “Was she surprised to see you? Did you tell her about your new superhero identity? What about the staff? Did they totally freak out?”

“It didn’t go,” Aurora sighed, leaning heavily against the nearby wall, her shoulders slumping under the weight of her frustration. “There was a near disaster in Seaside City. Some idiots at the crane operating company didn’t properly inspect their equipment, and I had to stop the huge thing from collapsing into the street. Then I had to fly over to the local precinct and make a statement. The detective there was not thrilled about me showing up, but they pretty much forced me to stay, so I couldn’t exactly leave gracefully. By the time I finished ‘formally introducing’ myself to Ms. Crabby Cop, it was too late to go see Sarah.” She crossed her arms tightly, her brow furrowing. “Honestly, I’ve got enough on my plate without adding more… for today. There’s always tomorrow, though. Right? I still have to figure out how to tell Mom.”

Quinn leaned back in her chair, raising an eyebrow. “First of all, don’t tell Mom anything about your plan to rescue Sarah. You know how that’ll go.” She smirked faintly. “Second, heroics are great and all, but seriously? You’re already doing meet-and-greets with Seaside’s cops when you still haven’t introduced yourself over here! Priorities, Leona.”

Leona groaned, dragging her hands down her face. “Don’t remind me. I’m already bracing for the ‘why didn’t you report to us first?’ lecture when I finally do. But Seaside—Seaside had that crane accident, so…”

Quinn shrugged, her smirk widening. “Sure, let’s pretend that’s a good excuse. But seriously, nice job saving the day. Seaside must be thrilled. Meanwhile, we get stuck with yesterday’s leftovers.” She flicked a dismissive hand toward the window. “They sure get all the shiny new stuff up there, pfft!”

“Yeah, it just worked out that way,” Leona said, throwing her hands up in exasperation. “Because I had to destroy the crane to keep it from falling on people and causing secondary accidents, I got majorly sidetracked.” She let out a long sigh but smiled despite her frustration. “Anyway, supers aren’t really common enough in either city right now. Crabbyno thinks I’m unnecessary. I think I’ll introduce myself to the police here tomorrow morning. It’s only fair since this is my real home city. It’ll be a nice change walking into a Police Department without being escorted by a police officer for a change,” she added dryly, her lips curling into an ironic twist.

“A cop escorted you? Did you think he was cute? Did he excite the all new super you?” Quinn teased, her grin widening mischievously.

Leona stared at her sister like she’d grown an extra head. “What is wrong with you?” she asked, her voice dripping with mock disbelief.

Quinn laughed and shook her head. “Hah, my sister, professional escort to the police. What shamelessness!” She clutched at her chest in a fake fainting spell, giggling as she retreated to her room.

Leona shook her head, stomping her foot lightly. Quinn sure can be a pain in the ass. Deciding she’d had enough banter for one day, she headed for her own room, shutting the door behind her, sinking onto her bed with a sigh, letting the exhaustion of the day’s events finally wash over her. Within minutes, she drifted off into a light nap, the quiet of the condo lulling her into a brief escape from reality.

A sudden racket downstairs jolted her awake. Groggy, she rubbed her eyes and sat up. Goonie’s home early? she thought, her mind still foggy. Her gaze shifted to the shattered globe on her desk. Grumbling under her breath, she slid off the bed to pick up the scattered bits of glass. As she gathered the fragments, she wondered idly what her auntie would think of everything that had happened today.

Speaking of which, Goonie yelled up the stairs, “I’m home! I have dinner!” The sound of her cheerful voice echoed through the house, pulling Leona out of her thoughts. She blinked and chuckled softly to herself. Dinner was usually something vegetarian, thanks to Goonie’s efforts to keep them all healthy, but once in a while, she’d surprise them with chicken or shrimp for the kids from a nice restaurant on the way. Leona smiled wryly, wondering about the chances of there being any meat tonight, especially after the special breakfast they’d had that morning. Still, the smell wafting up from the kitchen was promising, and she headed downstairs to chow down.

“Can I help set things up?” Leona offered as she stepped into the kitchen, but without waiting for an answer, she started grabbing plates and utensils, clearly kissing up to soften Goonie’s eventual parental judgment. The little extra effort couldn’t hurt, right?

Goonie, busy unpacking containers, looked over and smirked knowingly. “It seems like you’ve already decided to help. Sure, go ahead. Just don’t drop anything, sweetie.” She continued setting out the food, pulling off lids to reveal steaming dishes.

It seemed like squash pasta was on the menu tonight. Leona gave it an appreciative sniff, trying to suppress her disappointment at the meatless option. As though reading her thoughts, Goonie added with a sly smile, “Before you go thinking that’s all I’ve got for my cute daughter, I got some chicken tacos from the little Guatemalan place nearby.”

Leona’s face lit up, and she practically beamed at her aunt. “Seriously? Chicken tacos?” Her stomach growled in anticipation, her mouth already watering at the thought of the spicy, savory goodness. “You’re the best, Goonie!”

“Of course I am,” Goonie said with a wink, setting the foil-wrapped tacos on the counter in a row. Little bits of onion and cilantro poked out from the foil’s interior.

At that glorious moment, Quinn strolled into the kitchen, her headphones slung around her neck. Without a word, she opened the fridge and started pulling out juice boxes, setting them on the table with practiced nonchalance. Despite her casual demeanor, she shot a look at Leona, her raised eyebrow silently asking a question. Did you tell her yet?

Leona shook her head almost imperceptibly, her lips tightening into a slight frown as if to say, Do you think Mom would still be this chill if I had? She gave her sister a hard look before redirecting her focus to the taco in her hand. The warm tortilla cradled the tinga chicken, and she bit into it with relish, letting the mix of smoky, savory, and semi-sweet flavors distract her from the conversation waiting to happen.

The three of them settled in at the table, the quiet clatter of utensils against plates and the crunch of tacos creating a soothing, almost rhythmic backdrop. The air smelled faintly of cumin and lime, mingling with the savory tang of bacon that still faintly lingered from breakfast. Goonie, as always, savored her squash pasta, twirling the thin, golden strands around her fork with methodical precision. She sometimes mused aloud that her kids were like cats—an odd observation, considering there hadn’t been any cats in this house in Leona’s memory.

"You can teach cats to eat vegetables," Goonie had once remarked with a wry smile. "But that doesn’t mean they’re getting what they need to grow and live." It was her playful way of acknowledging the carnivorous tendencies of her children, despite her own strict avoidance of meat. And while Goonie herself never touched the bacon she'd cooked that morning, the mere act of preparing it for her kids had made her feel connected to them in her own way.

For Leona and Quinn, the act of eating meat wasn’t just about nourishment—it was indulgence. Every bite of the tacos was savored as though it were a treasure. Leona had devoured her first taco with almost alarming relish. Quinn, on the other hand, took her time, nibbling the edges first as if she were teasing the food before getting to the heart of it.

“And what did you two get up to today?” Asked Goonie after properly chewing her latest forkful of her own vegetarian meal.

Quinn was the first to respond, shrugging as she leaned back in her chair. “Well, I’ve been messing with my deck all day, but on the other hand, I imagine Leona’s been flying about, probably saving kittens or something.”

“Ha-ha, very funny,” Leona retorted with a roll of her eyes.

Goonie snorted, smirking as she set her cup down. “Your sister’s much more of a homebody these days, even though her head’s stuck in the clouds.”

“How can you be so sure?” Quinn countered with mock seriousness. “How do you know what your pet cat does when you’re working? Maybe he does a little tap dance or charts the sky. Or plots the downfall of society. For all you know, Leona’s been out spreading… enlightenment.” She wiggled her fingers for emphasis.

Goonie gave her a skeptical look. “Okay, what’s going on?” she asked with a laugh. “Is this some kind of weird philosophical thinking from my wild child? Or are you trying to imply that your sister’s getting a Buddha belly?” She narrowed her eyes at Leona playfully. “You’re not, are you?”

“No!” Leona exclaimed, her cheeks flushing. “I’m skinny, and planning on staying that way!” She had half a mind to jump up and stomp her foot in protest but settled for an exasperated smile. Goonie and Quinn were ridiculous, and it was contagious. “Anyhow, with the way we usually eat, we know where the weight would come from. Though, with how we only eat all that wonderful, healthy food, I wouldn’t be surprised if my heart just stopped suddenly.”

She crunched into another taco, savoring the flavor as she muttered to herself. “Mmm. Hypocrisy never tasted so good.”

Quinn snickered but said nothing.

Leona hesitated for a moment, her mind racing before she glanced at Goonie sheepishly. “Um… by the way, d-did you hear about the new superhero in Isidro and Seaside today?”

Goonie blinked, her brows lifting just slightly, her face settling into an expression of mild curiosity. “No, I haven’t had a chance to check the news today,” she replied, her tone casual but with a faint note of interest. She tilted her head, her fork pausing halfway to her plate. “Huh? A new one picking up where El Aguilla left off? Well, it’s about time, I suppose. Hopefully, whoever this ‘hero’ is won’t get all the criticism he did.” Her voice carried a trace of exasperation, as though remembering the endless debates and controversies that had plagued the former hero.

Without missing a beat, Goonie gathered another mouthful of her squash pasta, blowing gently on the steam before popping it into her mouth. Her expression remained composed but expectant, her sharp eyes fixed on Leona as if she could see through whatever veil her daughter was attempting to maintain. “Anyway,” she added, her tone deliberate and probing, “what’s going on? I can tell there’s something more you’re teasing.” She gestured vaguely with her fork, as if trying to draw the answer out without saying it outright.

“Oh, I heard this new one’s a real troublemaker in her own way,” Quinn teased, her tone light but relentless as she poured herself more juice. “She flies around causing all kinds of mayhem, just to fix it herself.”

“Oh, what a shame,” Goonie sighed with exaggerated drama, leaning back slightly in her chair as if the weight of the world had just been confirmed. She shook her head slowly, her voice carrying a note of wry disappointment. “It’d be nice if a decent superhero took up around here for once. Someone who knows how to stay out of unnecessary scandals.” Her lips curved faintly in a knowing smirk before she took a sip of her juice.

She set the glass down and tilted her head, her expression sharpening with curiosity. “A flyer, huh?” Goonie’s tone lingered just long enough on the word to hint at something unspoken, her eyes glancing toward Leona, as though daring her to elaborate or confirm. Her fork hovered absently over her plate, forgotten for the moment as her focus locked in on her daughter.

“Plus,” Quinn continued with a sly grin, “I hear she tries to influence the minds of pure and innocent girls. A real shady character.”

Goonie shot her daughter a pointed look. “I can’t tell if you’re trying to make fun of this new superhero or if you’re being sarcastic and implying that you’ve never done anything like that yourself.” She turned to Leona with a shrug and a smirk. “Well, even though you have a justified bad reputation, I’ll assume it’s the former,” she quipped, her voice laced with humor.

Leona couldn’t help but giggle, the sound bubbling up like a warm counterpoint to Quinn’s mock irritation. She stuck her tongue out playfully in a gesture of mock defiance, her grin smug. “Looks like you lost this round,” she teased, her eyes sparkling with triumph. Goonie’s calm demeanor had effortlessly disarmed Quinn’s impish antics, leaving her sister metaphorically disarmed and visibly frustrated.

Quinn narrowed her eyes, pointing her fork at Leona in mock menace. “Oh, I’ll get you back for this, don’t you worry,” she muttered darkly, though the hint of a grin tugged at the corners of her lips.

Leona’s grin widened as she casually retrieved her phone from the table. She already knew where this was going. If she didn’t cut Quinn off now, the teasing would drag on until dinnertime. “We’ll see about that,” she said lightly, her tone daring.

Flipping through the news feeds with practiced ease, Leona had a distinct plan forming. If Quinn thought she could keep poking fun without consequence, proof was the quickest—and most effective—way to derail her completely.

Leona’s fingers flew across her phone’s screen as she searched for footage of her heroic exploits that day. It didn’t take long—plenty of onlookers had risked their necks to capture the spectacle on their phones, and naturally, the appearance of a new superhero was already drawing more attention than the crane accident itself. She navigated to a forum she frequented, grinning when she saw an entire thread dedicated to videos and speculation about her. The footage of the blimp heist wasn’t as abundant—most of it was blurry or from poor angles—but the crane rescue was a different story. One video in particular stood out, showcasing her saving the day with impressive clarity, with even better pictures of when she preened, sitting on that cement block.

Triumphantly, she downloaded the clip and dashed around the table, holding out her phone for Goonie to see. “Here, check this out!”

Goonie leaned in to watch, her expression shifting from curiosity to amusement as the video played. Unfortunately, the cameraman's voice could be heard muttering in the background, “Damn, she’s hot. I’d totally hit that.”

Leona’s cheeks turned scarlet, and she nearly dropped the phone in embarrassment. “Oh my God!” she gasped, mortified. She turned the volume down, but the damage was already done. Her mortification only deepened when she glanced at Quinn, who looked far too amused for her liking.

“Well,” Quinn drawled, grinning like a Cheshire cat, “he’s not wrong. She is pretty hot. And hey, I guess you’ve got a new lady-love to pine over, huh? Poor Mistral’s gonna be so disappointed in you, little sis.”

Leona groaned, covering her face with one hand. “Ugh, why are people such perverts?” Despite her embarrassment, a tiny, unwelcome part of her couldn’t help feeling a little flattered by the compliment.

“Well, I can see she’s already pretty darn popular, and why she would be,” Goonie remarked, her tone even yet tinged with that familiar analytical edge. Her eyes flicked toward Leona, as if searching for a reaction. “Are you planning to cosplay as her next, Leona?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Leona tilted her head, a cautious smile tugging at her lips. “What makes you think I’d want to cosplay her?” she asked innocently, though the slight pink dusting her cheeks gave her away.

“Well,” Goonie said, with a knowing glance, “you’ve always been pretty spot-on with your Mistral cosplay. Though I have to say…” She leaned back in her chair and swirled her fork idly in her pasta, her tone shifting to something slightly more critical, “her costume looks… less official than your Mistral getup.”

Leona tensed a little, watching her mother closely as Goonie continued. “It’s not bad—it’s just… well, she almost looks like she stepped right out of Greece or Valhalla.” Her lips pursed ever so slightly, her disapproval subtle but definitely not hidden.

Quinn smirked from her spot across the table. “You mean, like a Greek goddess? Or a Valkyrie?” she chimed in cheekily, clearly enjoying stirring the pot.

Leona bit her lip, unsure if she should defend herself or let Quinn keep the spotlight. Either way, her mom’s words echoed in her ears, leaving her with a mix of pride and nerves.

Quinn seized the opportunity for another jab. “Anyway, I heard she came here straight from a Mardi Gras parade,” she said with mock seriousness. “But she lost her beads in transit.”

“Hey now!” Leona protested, her cheeks flushing as she stomped her foot in frustration. “This was supposed to shut you up, not give you more material!” She crossed her arms and pouted, her lower lip sticking out in a way that only made Quinn’s smirk deepen. With an exaggerated huff, she plunked her phone down on the table and turned to Goonie, seeking an ally. “Um… I gather you don’t like the costume?” Her voice softened slightly as she added, “I thought it looked really nice. Like, it’s both feminine and… super sexy. I mean, if you’ve got a body like that, you kinda have to show it off a bit.”

Goonie tilted her head, her lips curving in a thoughtful yet teasing smile. “I’m just saying,” she began, her tone calm and measured, “when I was younger, the ladies’ uniforms were a lot more buttoned-up and professional. You didn’t see so much skin back then unless it was for a beach day.” She took another delicate bite of her squash pasta, pausing as if to let her words linger in the air before adding, “Oh, there’s nothing wrong with her costume—it’s attractive and approachable, sure.”

Her gaze slid over to Quinn, her eyebrow arching in that knowing way of hers. “Don’t you think it’s a very appealing costume?”

Quinn grinned like the Cheshire Cat, her taco pausing mid-air. “Appealing? Oh, it’s downright iconic, Mom. The kind of look that makes a statement. Shows off all kinds of confidence and assets,” she added with a wink, clearly aiming to keep pushing Leona’s buttons.

Leona groaned, burying her face in her hands. “You’re not helping, Quinn!” she grumbled, her voice muffled but dripping with exasperation.

Quinn hesitated and shrugged. “Actually, yeah… for sure I like her costume,” she admitted with a sheepish grin. “It’s pretty cool.”

Leona folded her arms, narrowing her eyes at Quinn. “See? Even you think it’s cool. So, quit teasing me already!”

“So yeah, we all think it’s appealing,” Goonie said in a matter-of-fact tone, her eyes lingering on Leona for a moment longer. “It’s just more revealing than something you’d normally wear comfortably,” she added, her voice softening slightly. “I was a little surprised by it, is all. But I’m glad you’re getting comfortable in your own way, Leona.” She reached out, her hand warm and gentle as it stroked Leona’s cheek lovingly, a touch that both reassured and unsettled Leona.

Leona blinked, gaping uncertainly, her pulse quickening. Had she actually guessed? Could Goonie, her ever-practical mother, have figured it out already? Could she imagine her daughter—her baby girl—being a superhero? The thought lodged itself in Leona’s chest like a weight.

Still somewhat dazed, Leona pressed on cautiously, her voice quavering as she tried to anchor herself in the moment. “Umm… actually, Mom.” She paused, her heart thudding. She took a deep, calming breath and clenched her fists under the table. “Okay then… what if I told you I was literally spending the day flying around just like Quinn said… what if I said everything she’s implied was true… except for the sexy parts!” Her voice climbed an octave as she huffed indignantly, her cheeks flushing with both embarrassment and defiance.

Goonie’s brows furrowed, her expression carefully neutral, though a flicker of confusion played at the corners of her mouth. “I’m not understanding,” she said slowly. “Were you really running around the town all day?”

“Don’t forget enlightening people,” Quinn added dryly, a mischievous glint in her eye as she crunched into another taco, some tinga sauce leaking around the corner of her lips and a cilantro leaf fluttering down to onto surface of the table.

Goonie’s gaze shifted to Quinn, her tone sharpening with the precision of a mother cutting through nonsense. “Are you joining some kind of a weird sun worshipping cult?” she asked pointedly, her voice heavy with skepticism. The absurdity of the question made Leona gape in disbelief.

Had she actually missed the point entirely, or was she playing dumb now? Goonie, who always seemed to know everything before anyone said a word, was actually guessing wrong now?

Quinn chuckled under her breath, clearly reveling in Leona’s discomfort as she crammed another delicious last bit of taco into her mouth, licking her lips afterward. Her smirk was the epitome of smug satisfaction.

“You’re being way mean to me right now, big sis!” Leona blurted, stomping her foot in frustration and clenching a fist at her sister like a child on the verge of throwing a tantrum. Quinn merely shot her a sidelong glance, unbothered and utterly victorious.

Goonie’s quizzical stare didn’t waver, and the silence that followed stretched uncomfortably between them, thick with tension. Leona fidgeted in her seat, her shoulders slumping as the weight of the moment bore down on her. Finally, she sighed deeply, her resolve hardening as she straightened up. “Okay, I guess I have to just put it out there. Don’t freak out, okay?”

Her voice trembled, but her hands were steady as she closed her eyes tightly and summoned the power within. A golden glow enveloped her, the air shimmering as her form changed.

Her auntie absolutely freaked out. “Oh my God!” Goonie yelped, recoiling as her chair screeched against the floor. The air filled with blinding light for a moment. Her hand flew to her chest, her expression a mixture of astonishment and panic as she shielded her eyes from the flash. “Leona, what—what is this?!”

Across the table, Quinn rubbed her eyes lazily as if nothing particularly unusual had happened. “I’m gonna need to get a set of goggles fitted with welding lenses,” she mused, her tone dry and matter-of-fact. “They’d be really stylish, and they’d come in handy whenever Leona does this.” She waved a hand dismissively toward the still-glowing figure of her sister before casually returning to her meal.

Goonie blinked rapidly, trying to process the image before her. She rubbed her eyes too, as though scrubbing away some illusion, but there Leona stood, unmistakably radiant and undeniably real, taller and a completely different person. “Wh-what…? Who are you?” she stammered, her jaw dropping as her hand froze midair, caught between reaching out and retreating.

“That’s Leona Lite, of course. Same bubbly personality, now with 100% more light and feathers. Why, she’s so great, she’s practically heaven-sent. Supplies are limited, so freak out about the big reveal now.” Quinn’s voice dripped with mock reverence, her smirk practically a permanent fixture on her face. Even now, she wouldn’t stop, clearly enjoying the chaos.

Goonie gasped audibly, her hands flying to her mouth. “Oh God, are you joking? I sure hope you’re joking! Oh GOD! It was the bacon!” she exclaimed, her voice rising in panic as her gaze darted wildly between Leona’s glowing form and Quinn’s smirking face.

“She’s just joking, Mom! It’s what Quinn does!” Leona stomped, her blush deepening as she flared in indignation, her radiant wings giving an involuntary flutter. Now fully in her superheroine form, she glared at her sister with the weight of righteous frustration. “If you keep that up, big sis, I’m gonna clap your trap or bind you so tight you can’t move!” She punctuated her threat with a sharp gesture, and a glowing golden ring materialized out of thin air, snapping around Quinn and pinning her arms to her sides. The restraint fastened Quinn snugly to her chair, effectively still her body if not keeping her from running her mouth.

“Leona! Are you serious?!” Quinn protested, struggling playfully against her glowing bonds. She wriggled in her seat, her grin never quite fading as though she were reliving a personal highlight reel of her sister’s antics. “I didn’t volunteer to explore your new bondage kink. I do not consent, hero!”

Ignoring Quinn’s bitter protests—remarkably similar to the criminals she’d subdued earlier that day—Leona turned her full attention to Goonie. Her expression softened as she launched into a detailed, heartfelt explanation of everything that had happened to her that day, from the golden transformation to her crime-fighting escapades. Her hands fluttered as she spoke, mimicking wings and emphasizing dramatic moments.

Meanwhile, Quinn jabbered incessantly, tossing sarcastic commentary into the air as if testing how much she could get away with despite being restrained. “Yeah, yeah, you’re a regular Saint Leona of the Shiny Wings Brigade,” she quipped, wriggling one more time as though testing Leona’s magical ring’s strength.

“Well—that explains your nightmare last night,” Goonie said thoughtfully once Leona finished. She frowned, her brow knitting with motherly concern. “And the weird lights coming out from under your door… It’s not like I didn’t see those, but I thought it was just an electrical issue I’d need to look into.”

Leona’s wings twitched slightly at the memory, and she glanced down sheepishly. “Sorry, Mom. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

Goonie waved it off and continued, her tone turning serious. “So, have you… talked to anyone else about this aside from your sister?”

“She’s only talked to me and the police in Seaside City,” Quinn chimed in unhelpfully, her grin wide enough to rival a Cheshire cat’s. “Oh, and a few police in San Isidro, too. But they all adored her! I mean, how could they not? Look at her!” Despite being bound, Quinn managed to strike a mock pose of adoration, drawing an exasperated glare from Leona.

Goonie’s lips pressed into a thin line. “What I meant was, have you talked to anyone important about this? Like a real superhero?” she asked, crossing her arms as her maternal instincts flared up again.

Leona’s glowing form dimmed slightly as she sighed, shaking her head. “Where would I find one, exactly? They don’t patrol in either of the sister cities these days—not often, anyway.” She shrugged, a wistful tone creeping into her voice. “It’d be really nice to talk to someone with experience, but I don’t exactly know how to reach out… and if I did, how would it go?” She hesitated, then gave a shy smile as her glowing figure shimmered. In a flash, she transformed back into an 18 year old version of her regular self, complete with the same clothes she had been wearing earlier resized to fit her taller frame.

“The detective in Seaside doesn’t like me,” she added with a soft huff, folding her arms across her chest. “She was really clear about it, pressuring me for every piece of personal info she could get on me. She’d have forced me if she could.”

“What would it be like if I met a superhero now?” Leona babbled, her expression brightening as her thoughts turned wistful again. “Would they like me? I’m really nervous about it. Do they josh around with each other like we do? Or are they always super serious? I really want to meet at least one though… and someday Mistral, for sure… maybe as her peer.” Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she said the name, her voice tinged with awe.

Goonie raised a skeptical eyebrow. “Well, you’re on all the fan sites now, I’d imagine,” she pointed out dryly. “Don’t the more established heroes have a way of knowing that you’re here? Won’t they come checking eventually? They could probably also contact the police and get their statements about you.”

Leona blinked, her smile faltering as Goonie sighed and stepped closer, her voice softening as she added, “Anyhow, maybe it’d be best to get you cured.” She reached out to wrap her arms around Leona in a warm hug, her voice trembling just slightly. “It’s just too much trouble.”

“What?!” Leona froze, her wings twitching slightly at her sides as she blinked in disbelief. “But I don’t want to be cured! This is a dream come true!” Her voice cracked slightly as she stared at her mother, her radiant form dimming as doubt crept into her heart.

“It hasn’t been easy, that’s for sure, but I never thought it would be so fun!” Leona’s face lit up, her voice carrying an infectious enthusiasm. “It’s such an amazing feeling. I love flying! Do you know what that’s like? To float in the cool air, feeling it blowing around you, whipping your hair all over, feeling the sunshine soak through you to the core. It’s positively heavenly.” Her wings gave a little flutter as she sighed dreamily and smiled. “I never liked the sun as much as I do now. Plus this way, I’m 100% a girl without needing any surgery.”

Goonie’s expression softened, a glimmer of understanding replacing her initial hesitation. She nodded slowly, her motherly instincts tempered by the clear joy radiating from Leona. “If you’re that set on it, we’ll keep your powers and identity a secret,” she said, her voice calm yet resolute, as though sealing a silent promise to shield Leona’s newfound life from the world. Her gaze lingered on her daughter, her smile both warm and wistful. “I hadn’t considered how much you’ve truly changed in this form… even though your body…” Goonie paused, her smile deepening, a blend of relief and lingering concern evident.

“I’ll admit,” she continued after a brief moment, “it does make me feel better knowing that you might not have to go through surgery after all. That part always worried me. If you ever wanted kids…” Her voice faltered slightly, and she cleared her throat, glancing away for just a second. “Well, there wouldn’t have been much of a way back, unless you’d… ahem.” She trailed off delicately, giving Leona a knowing look before letting out a soft sigh. “This, though, this is probably for the best. It feels like everything just clicked into place for you.”

Her smile faded slightly as a shadow of concern flickered in her eyes. “Still, I can’t help but worry about you in another way now. Superheroes… they take big risks, and they don’t always survive long enough to get as senior and tenured as Vanguard or the Midnight Avenger.” Her words hung in the air, weighted by her fear, but tempered with quiet pride for the person her daughter had become.

Leona’s attention shifted to Quinn, who was still wriggling gleefully in her chair, her eyes dancing with amusement even as a sheen of sweat glistened on her forehead. Her sister really didn’t know when to quit. With a flick of her wrist, Leona recalled the golden ring binding Quinn. The glowing restraints dissolved like wisps of light, and Quinn pouted theatrically, rubbing her arms as if they’d been through some great ordeal. Freed at last, she resumed eating with exaggerated relish, muttering something under her breath about “bossy little sisters.”

Leona crossed her arms, shooting her a knowing look. “You’re impossible.”

Quinn smirked through a mouthful of food. “And you’re weird. Guess it runs in the family.”

“So, you’re completely a girl in this form?” Goonie asked suddenly, her tone genuinely curious but laced with a mother’s concern. Her gaze flickered toward Leona, searching for confirmation.

“SHE IS!” Quinn interrupted loudly, almost knocking over her glass in her enthusiasm. “...Ahem, trust me. Very, very, very much so, yes.” Her head bobbed emphatically, her grin wide enough to make Leona groan.

Leona’s cheeks flushed crimson, but she couldn’t help grinning. “I am! Well, only when I’m like this. I can be the same age as big sis, technically, without the boybits hanging down there.” She hesitated, her fingers fiddling nervously with the edge of her shirt. “I’ve been so fixated on my wings that I haven’t really thought too much about that fact as much as I should have my superpowers… though it makes me even happier, a dream come true. It means a ton to me, and though I haven’t focused much on it, it was the first thing I noticed when I changed, before my wings.”

Goonie’s smile wavered slightly, but she hid it well, nodding with a wry expression. “Well, I’m sure you’ll only transform when it’s necessary and not just to… mess around with your fully female body,” she teased lightly, her tone half-serious.

Quinn made a soft, petulant noise and turned her attention back to her plate, poking at her food as though it had personally offended her.

“For now, it’s probably more important to test your powers than anything else,” Goonie continued, steering the conversation back to practical matters. “Are you planning to patrol the city before sundown from this point on?”

“For now, yeah.” Leona nodded thoughtfully, her fingers tracing invisible patterns on the table. “I don’t know what my powers are like at night yet. There’s a lot I don’t know. I feel there’s an affinity I have for the sun, and if I fight at night, I don’t know if that would be a problem. And I do need to test the limits of my powers so I can understand them more fully. It’d help keep me from getting into a situation where my lack of know-how about them might cause a problem.”

Quinn scoffed loudly, standing up and smoothing down her clothes with an exaggerated huff. “Hmph. Good luck with that,” she muttered, strutting toward the doorway like an actress exiting the stage.

“Seriously,” Goonie said, her tone sharpening as she refocused on Leona. “Have you given any thought as to where you can practice, or even what to practice?”

Leona hesitated, her wings shifting slightly as she mulled over the question. “Not so much yet, no,” she admitted. “I guess seeing what I can do at night is a good place to start. But where? I don’t know. I could go out onto the bay and shoot at waves or something.” She paused, a faint grin tugging at her lips. “But if my powers cut out there, I’d probably have to take a dip however far from the shore I was.” Her grin widened, tinged with self-deprecation. “I don’t know if that’s taking a risk, but I know I was drained when I had to deal with that huge crane. I didn’t feel as though the transformation would ever reverse against my will, but I was sure tired, anyhow.”

Goonie’s expression shifted to one of concern, but she quickly masked it, reaching out to place a reassuring hand on Leona’s shoulder. “Well, maybe I can drive you someplace tonight to try out your powers and experiment? What do you say?”

Leona’s eyes lit up, her wings’ feathers ruffling slightly as a warm smile spread across her face. “I think that’d be a good idea,” she said softly, her voice filled with gratitude.