2 Revenge of the Bubblegum Princess
By the tiger's tail Or we live and die by our choices!
Cobalt sits at the vanity in her baby-blue 'Alice in Wonderland' dress. Deedee is doing the 'Princess of Cats' makeup for a meeting with Lain tonight, giving her a very youthful, kid-like look. Strapping both Sorrow and Heartbreak to her legs, Cobalt feels less awkward in this punishment dress from Sabine. Meanwhile, the tormenting egg goes to work, getting the usual cool-and-collected-if-not-usually-drunkish Kodachi all hot under the panties.
Taking a step back, Deedee looks over her work. "You look absolutely amazing, boss."
Not amused, the Princess explains, "It's penance from Sabine. She knows how much I hate shit like this, immensely."
Deedee looks confused and asks, "Then why send it ... and my outfit, too?"
The Kodachi replies, with a smile crossing her face, "She's letting me know she loves me, but she's still incredibly pissed at me."
"Cobalt ... you have a strange relationship."
"Don't I know it, Deedee. Don't I fucking know it."
Reflecting on the trip from Blackstone to the Crimson Swan, the pair reflect on the trouble Deedee got the pair into.
**********
Behind the wheel of the '67 Impala, Deedee is enjoying the roar of the engine, as it howls down the highway. Her blue-streaked compatriot, known to her friends as Cobalt, sits lost in thought, watching the trees fly by on the highway. While they're cruising, her thoughts drift to her love, her mate, her partner, her Sabine. Chuck Berry's 'Johnny B Good' blares from the radio.
Deedee gets the daydreaming warrior's attention, "Hey boss, the car needs a fill up and I need a bathroom." The Kodachi just nods her agreement.
Very unique businesses are come across when traveling the back highways. The black Impala pulls into Rowena's 'Last Stop Rest Stop'. Cobalt looks over the business combo— a strip club, a gas station, and a diner.
"Excellent choice, Deedee, definitely my kind of place."
Exiting the vehicle, the Princess of Cats leaves Deedee to fill the car up, while she checks out the strip club.
A well-built man, rocking a mullet and a flannel shirt, is thrown flying out the front door. Three people, who best can be described as extras from the movie 'Deliverance', follow the thrown-out man. Cobalt thinks, 'Yep, definitely my kinda place.'
The blue-streaked badass watches intently, as the three square up on the fallen man. She follows the action, waiting for the moment, wondering if she needs to step in. It's a fine line between an ass-kicking and permanent brain damage, after all.
The three local yokels begin circling the downed man. From bits and pieces of the conversation, it seems captain mullet accused the three of doing something to his little sister.
You want to give them a chance to fight fair? Or, at least, wait to see if mullet can handle it?
Strolling like a jungle cat on the Serengeti, the battle-tested Kodachi speaks fiercely. "Gentlemen, and I do use that adjective loosely, it would be in your best interest to walk away, now."
The three swamp people look at each other, confused. The sudden interruption, by the stunning women with blue-streaked hair and blue eyes, dressed in ripped jeans, cut-off shirt and her fingerless gloves, is something entirely new in their world. They do not even notice she stands with the confidence backed by skill and sharpness of mind.
The three swamp boys snarl, that they'll just as easily kick her ass. The first one, wearing a white wife-beater and shorts, introduces himself as Junior LeRoy.
"Now listen up, little girl, this has nothing to do with you. Chance Pettimore has thrown some very serious allegations our way, soiling our good name. Now, around here, that's a serious offense that we have to rectify. So, I suggest you take that cute, little ass back to your very nice car and be on your way!"
Shrugging her shoulders, "I truly appreciate the compliment on my ass. But I'm going to have to decline the rest of your request. Leaving a man to be pummeled isn't really my style."
Junior LeRoy turns to his two siblings, "You think she'll make good stock."
The second brother, wearing dirty blue jeans and a scruffy flannel, going by the name Fit, replies, "She's a bit on the skinny side for my taste. I need more cushion for the pushin', if you catch my meaning."
The last brother, Leeroy LeRoy, just laughs like a hyena on meth. Nodding agreement with his brothers, his dirty overalls are stained in grease and blood. He is truly disgusting in look and smell.
Speaking to Cobalt, Junior sneers, "Aren't you kinda young to be partaking in this particular establishment. What are you, like seventeen years old?"
Having issues of coming to grips with her current physical change, the Princess of Cats retorts, "Imagine just how embarrassing it'll be when a little girl kicks your ass!"
He lunges at her in a rage. The valiant warrior simply side steps the charging lummox, sending him tumbling with an arm throw. He sails to the ground with a crunch sound, and a quick kick to his face, makes sure that he isn't getting up quickly. Seeing their brother utterly humiliated, Fit and Leeroy rush, throwing wild punches. Blocking and slipping behind Fit, Cobalt simply shoves Fit into Leeroy, they both crash on Junior. Now, all the LeRoys are in a heap.
Cobalt stands over the fallen LeRoys. "This is your chance to grab your pal and get the fuck out of here. He's slightly concussed, but if you want to press this issue, I can arrange ambulance rides for all of you! And you three idiots don't strike me as the investing-in-health-insurance types."
Fit and Leeroy untangle themselves from each other, slowly picking up Junior, carrying him to their truck and taking off, as their yelling, colorful language, and local profane sayings fade with distance.
Finally finished parking, Deedee comes running up. Checking on the downed man, Deedee helps him to his feet. Cobalt keeps scanning the parking lot for further potential threats. The slightly tenderized Chance, in apparent frustration, lashes out at the two Good Samaritans.
Deedee quickly squelches Chance's anger, and explains that he can't help anyone from a hospital bed, after all.
He mumbles, "They would have confessed, eventually."
Shrugging her shoulders, "Well, it's awfully difficult to hear a confession when you're unconscious. Secondly, let's say you got the confession. What then? You have affirmation and your word that they admitted anything at all. You didn't really think this through, did you."