Hmm… very useful." the supervillain judged in a contemplative tone.
What? Why would she come to the conclusion that I was attracted to a different subpopulation of distastefully flawed organics?
Tattletale's power was known to be weak against discerning motivations and intentions…
…especially when particularly starved for information.
She can comprehend homosexual attraction, but cannot comprehend the glory of the blessed machine.
As such, she discards such a conclusion before even considering it.
Oh? My reasonable and perfectly justified appreciation for superior android waifus has befuddled her deduction powers? That's good to know. But what if I deliberately…
"He's clenching his fists, pacing and keeps glancing at the building." Tattletale reported after watching for a few seconds, "He's feeling impatient and anxious about Carol and whatever she's handling for him. He's worried that whatever it is Carol is doing for him might not work."
That wasn't true. But that did narrow my suspicions: Deliberately-conveyed body language can fool Tattletale's power? Or perhaps it's because I'm part-machine that is what's muddying up her readings? Need more data.
"Is it related to his Tinkertech?" Coil proposed. "Maybe a transaction with a Tinker organisation like the Toybox or the Elites?"
"We can't even be sure it's his." Tattletale countered. "He could just be the dumb muscle of the cybernetics Tinker. Rogue Tinkers don't usually venture out in the open on their own."
Vox-packet source found at Coordinates: (1266.67, 8535.12, -38.02)
I see you, Coil.
Now just wait until I can get back to my main cogitator at my shack, and I can perform all rites and rituals for hexing that Magos Designation has taught me. Let's see how effective your timeline-splitting power can be when the machine-spirits of every piece of technology you own listens to my commands. Your phones will relay your every conversation to me, your electrical system will track your footsteps, and your computers will offer every datum that passes in their memory for my perusal. But what would really be sweet is if I do not even give you a chance to use it.
But before I could fantasise more about tearing down the snake, Carol's motherly form walked out of the IRS building. Even at a distance, her reassuring smile was visible to me as she strolled towards me.
"Attorney Dallon is coming back." I heard Tattletale point out to Coil.
"Lay low until I contact you." He instructed back to her before ending the call just as Carol reached me.
"You'll be pleased to know that it went as smoothly as it could possibly go." the blonde mother nodded- looking like she was feeling proud of herself. A cursory mental check to my shack's cogitator told me that I can now spend my legally (but despicably) gotten gains that I got from people buying my Loot Boxes. Machine-God forgive me, but I did it for the android ass.
"I'll take your word for it." I nodded, pretending not to have the ability to access my computer with just my mind. And that response, Carol raised a blonde eyebrow as she smirked good-naturedly.
"I don't know whether that's naive or flattering of you to take me at just my word." Carol wondered out loud.
"Please." I waved it off, "We're both professionals, and professionals have standards."
Genuine smile and blush. She's really flattered.
Likes being treated seriously, especially as an attorney.
Likely immensely proud of it. Specific reasons unknown to me, but proud all the same.
"Speaking of professional standards…" I turned towards Glory Girl who had closed the distance and was loitering some ways behind me. She froze immediately as my red eyes settled on her, "Your daughter did well being my bodyguard. Almost unnoticeable."
"Uh… thanks?" Glory Girl muttered as she took off her shades and hat- golden blonde hair spilling past her slender shoulders. Her black hoodie and torn jeans contrasted well with her hair.
"How long had you known she was there?" Carol asked me, more bemused than anything else.
"Since she ordered her first poutine." I shrugged, "If I may, I'd like to compensate your daughter for her excellent bodyguard services."
Oh, that won't be necessary." Carol tried to smile it off, even as Glory Girl's expression lit up at the thought of spending money handed to her. However, her mother did not seem to appreciate that and the older woman sent a pointed stare at her daughter.
"Yeah, I only did as any hero would." Victoria sighed, and my Logis Acceleritas filled in the blanks.
Friction exists between Carol and Victoria over allowances.
According to old social media posts, Carol does her best to impart her ideology of selfless cape work onto her children, but is less than successful. Previously identified financial dry-spell only exacerbates the friction.
Excellent opportunity to ingratiate myself to a well-known heroic cape. Good for business, good for PR, good for safety. All at a relatively cheap cost. No downsides.
To convince Carol: Highlight the fact that this wasn't regular New Wave activity.
"But I insist!" I gregariously but gently pushed, "It's only fair since this sort of attention was beyond normal hero duties. Wouldn't want people to think that this was New Wave aligning themselves to me, rather than this being a simple business transaction."
Carol seemed to think it over for a second before nodding in acknowledgement.
"I see what you mean." She relented with a thoughtful hum, "Well, I guess just this once."
And I nodded- turning to face her daughter who was almost vibrating with excitement as our eyes met.
"Here, at the standard hourly rate of a cape bodyguard, Miss Dallon." My modulated voice thanked the younger blonde, and Victoria immediately brightened up as I handed her a small envelope that was pleasantly chunky with cash.
"Woah! Look at all that dough-" She gasped as she peeked into the envelope before remembering her manners, "I mean, It was my pleasure, Mr. Magos. You're surprisingly nice for a scary cyborg."
"Victoria…" Carol berated.
"No, no, it's fine. I'm proud of what I have tinkered. Thank you for noticing." I waved it off, and I meant it. Though, the younger blonde just scoffed- her blue eyes glancing at my metal hands.
"Kind of hard not to notice…" Victoria quipped. "So, are you planning on joining the PRT?"