//------------------------------// // Soda, Secrets, and Plan A // Story: Consequences // by shallow15 //------------------------------// Adagio sat down then smiled at Cantata. “I have no idea. Who is she?” Cantata's expression didn't change. “Try again. And if you lie this time, all three of you can get out right now.” Adagio didn't respond right away. The two of them stared each other down, Adagio frowning, Cantata waiting. Adagio's mind raced, trying to figure out the best angle. Would it be better to just get out now or come clean and risk Cantata throwing them out anyway? The siren leader was surprised to find she was actually having difficulty making the decision. The nurse had taken them in without question, genuinely wanting to help Sonata. She hadn't asked for anything in return and had offered to let the trio stay as long as they needed. She didn't ask any prying questions, and generally, had been a huge help to the three of them. The hell with it. “You met her, didn't you?” Adagio asked, slumping back in her chair. Cantata nodded. “She showed up at the hospital last night. Her and her partner were looking for Sonata. She was... pushy.” “That's what she does,” Adagio replied. “She smashes her way in and doesn't let up until you give her what she wants. That partner of hers is the reasonable one.” “Agent Drops? Yeah, I got that impression. She did most of the talking. Shadow just stood there and glared as Dr. Caduceus answered their questions.” Cantata got up and grabbed a soda from the fridge. “You want one?” “I'm fine. Thanks.” Cantata returned to the table and popped the can open. She took a long drink, then fixed Adagio with a more inquisitive look. “What did you do to get the government looking for you?” “We exist,” Adagio sighed. “The three of us, we're... not from here. Not this country, not this world.” Cantata quirked an eyebrow. “You're aliens?” “Not in the way you think. How we got here and where we come from isn't really important, and it's probably better if you don't know. Tempest and her partner investigate stuff like us. We ran into them a while back in Manehattan. Managed to get away, but it looks like we crossed paths with them here.” “What do you mean 'stuff like you?'” Cantata asked. Adagio sighed again. “Aria! Sonata! Get in here!” “Gimme a damn minute!” Aria shouted. “I just got out of the shower!” “Put on a damn towel and get in here!” Adagio shouted back. She groaned and looked at Cantata. “This is what happens when you're not here.” “I've got sisters. I can relate.” “We're not sisters.” Sonata and Aria entered the kitchen. Aria in the aforementioned towel, and Sonata in a tank top and sweats. “What's going on?” Sonata asked. “Tempest and Glitter showed up at Cantata's hospital last night looking for us,” Adagio reported. She gestured at Canata. “She'd like to know why they're looking for us.” Aria frowned. “Plan A?” Adagio shook her head. “No. Just a demonstration.” Aria let out an exasperated sigh. “I told you this was a bad idea.” “Not now, Aria.” “Then when, Adagio? If they've tracked her down, it's only a matter of time before she becomes a liability. For all we know, she's stalling us long enough for Tempest to show up!” “If she was going to do that, we'd probably be tranqed and in the back of a van right now!” “Quit acting stupid!” Aria was leaning over Adagio and getting into her face. “You're the one who's supposed to be on top of shit like this! It's always been the three of us against this world! It's the only way we can stay safe!” “And I say we can trust her!” “You said we'd seen the last of Tempest in Manehattan too, and look where we are now!” Cantata stood up, walked over to the purple haired siren and gently pulled her away from Adagio. “I know you don't trust me, Aria. But I'm not going to throw you out or turn you over to them. I just want to know what I've gotten myself into.” “Then you should have minded your own business!” Aria snapped. “Aria, enough!” Adagio stood up, and pushed past Cantata. “She's involved now, whether we like it or not.” “Plan A would take care of it!” “And I told you we're not using it! She wants to see what we can do, then let's show her.” Aria blinked as Adagio winked at her. She looked past Adagio's hair to the nurse, and let out a snort. “Fine. Whatever.” Adagio turned back to Cantata. “Don't freak out by what happens, okay? We're not going to hurt you.” Cantata nodded and sat back down at the table. “I'm ready.” Adagio looked at her fellow sirens and the three stood in a line in front of the table. They opened their mouths and Cantata stared in awe as the sound of their voices washed over her. Aaaaah-ah-ah. Aaaaah-aaah. Aaaaah-ah-ah. Aaaaah-aaah. Cantata felt the song flow over her. She felt serene and relaxed. She leaned back in the chair, feeling her muscles relax and her eyelids grow heavy. The song penetrated her skull and soothed her mind. Nothing mattered but listening to the song. The song was everything. The song was all. The song stopped. Cantata blinked and shook her head. She was alone in the kitchen. She stood up sharply and dashed to the living room. The sleeping bags and blankets she had left out for the sirens were neatly folded and stacked on the couch. There were no signs of any of the three girls' belongings. Cantata went to her bag, still sitting on the small table next to the door. She wasn't surprised to see that all the cash that had been in her wallet was gone. What was surprising was the note in its place. This is what we do. Thanks for the help. Please don't try to find us. --Adagio Cantata crumpled the note in her hand. “Sorry, Adagio. You don't get to make this decision.” She nodded in satisfaction when she found her car keys still in her bag. She hoisted the bag on her shoulder and went back out into the late morning. She had friends to find.