The folded arms were to tip the other off that Mama Mathers was looking. It was more of a concern for Rain than for Erin. Erin’s introduction to the woman had been fleeting. New visitors that were brought in as serious residents were given a glimpse of her, and a bit of a listen of her voice. Most didn’t even realize what had happened, until they broke a rule.

The effect was weaker, only kicking in if Mama Mathers was mentioned by word, written or spoken, or possibly if she was thought about at the same time as a strong emotion was felt.

Erin couldn’t tell the others any more than he could, or Erin wouldn’t have been allowed to come.

“I’ll eat your sausage if you don’t want it,” he said.

“You go right ahead, you madman.”

They drove into the city, and his arms were crossed for much of the trip.

⊙

“Just don’t tell me whatever you end up doing to him, and we’re golden.”

“That’s fine,” Snag said, again.

In the background, the dog girl approached, the girl in the bodysuit, scarf, and demon mask walking at her side.

“Bitch,” Tattletale said. “This is kind of a clandestine meeting.”

“My favorite kind,” the girl in the demon mask said. Snag startled, his hand raising. Tattletale moved forward, hand out to rest on top of it.

“My recordings do not like this person,” Kenzie said. “I’m getting a billion and two warning messages.”

“Memories don’t track her,” Victoria said. “She was relatively new when I left Brockton Bay. Cameras record her better than the eye does, but the footage degrades over time.”

“Uuuuugh,” Kenzie groaned. “This messes up so many things. Let me reboot.”

The screen went dark.

“Our memories of this should be fine, unless she’s gotten stronger over time.”

“Do powers do that?” Rain asked.

“That’s a complicated question with a lot of answers,” Victoria said. “Kid capes tend to get a better grasp on their abilities than adults do, but that’s partially because they adapt to the agent’s wavelength. It’s part of what feeds into the myth that kids are stronger.”

“Not so much that they’re stronger,” Sveta said. “Just that there’s less person and more power?”

“Something like that,” Victoria said.

“I know that reality pretty well,” Sveta said.

“There are other things. Some have hidden uses or nuances that aren’t made obvious to the user. Most powers are instinctively usable, but there are gaps, sometimes, or things about the power you need to figure out.”

“We’re back!” Kenzie announced, as the screen lit up, showing the camera footage, Tattletale’s group all gathered. “And I have to say I love gothic doll girl’s dress. That’s awesome.”

“Don’t wear a frock, Kenzie,” Tristan said. “A tinker in a frock would be a travesty.”