Spider Quinn 16 Tempest and Change Part 4

 

“So, where are you headed?” Daria asked. “I could drive you?”

 

“The Historia at first,” Anna answered. “Apparently, SpiderGirl is often on the roof.”

 

“I have heard that,” Daria said. “Probably because it offers a good vantage point. I have been up there, looking at the town, myself.”

 

“The Historia too,” Ben added.

 

“Just no making out while I’m driving,” Daria said.

 

“Um, we don’t do that,” Anna said. “The hypochondria.”

 

“Anna!” Ben said as they came up to the parking lot.

 

“Sorry,” Anna said, as she kissed her boyfriend on the cheek.

 

Ben rubbed the cheek.

 

Daria sighed as she unlocked the Lexus.

 

 

Quinn and Brittany left the school grounds before changing to SpiderGirl and Ninja Talon respectively. They then went in different directions, with SpiderGirl heading southwards, to patrol the downtown.

 

 

Daria parked in the parking lot behind the Historia. “I didn’t really know this was here,” Anna said as she got out.

 

“It’s one of those hidden places that people don’t think about,” Daria said.

 

“Like in those stories you like, only more mundane,” Ben said.

 

“That makes sense,” Anna said.

 

“I’ll show you the backstage area if you want,” Daria said.

 

“What about the apartments?” Anna asked.

 

“They’re hardly used, and therefore boring,” Daria responded.

 

“Oh, right,” Anna said.

 

 

Daria and the couple entered the backstage area and saw Quentin measuring something near the stage. “Anna, Ben, this is Quentin Beck, the new special effects person.”

 

“Hi,” Anna said.

 

“Hi,” Quentin said.

 

“What are you doing?” Daria asked.

 

“What does it look like?” Quentin asked.

 

“I don’t think anything needs to be done back here,” Daria said.

 

“I need to know what I’m working with,” Quentin said.

 

“Draw up a plan for what you want to do, then bring it to Quinn and I before the rehearsal tomorrow,” Daria said.

 

“Sure thing,” Quentin said.

 

 

“A little suspicious,” Anna said as they entered the theatre room.

 

“I agree,” Daria said. “I’ll tell Quinn later.”

 

 

Entering the café, Daria heard Mrs. Rowe call out to her. “Coming,” she said.

 

“The critic was here in the morning,” Mrs. Rowe said.

 

“And what did she say?”

 

“That the integrity of the arts is important.”

 

“Of course it is,” Daria said.

 

“And then she talked to Quentin and left.”

 

“I’m beginning to think Quinn’s misgivings might be right.”

 

“How so?” Mrs. Rowe asked.

 

“He was measuring backstage when I came in from the parking lot. He’s doing something.”

 

“Maybe I could call Joey or Robert?”

 

“I wouldn’t bother them yet. I will talk to Quinn later,” Daria said. She then ordered a coffee and chips.

 

 

As she waited, she showed Anna and Ben the stairs up to the roof. “Thanks, Daria,” Anna said.

 

Daria nodded. “Just be careful. The edge isn’t that high.”

 

“No problem.”

 

 

Ben looked out as Anna led him out from the stairs. He could see the nearby mountains in the distance. “The northern Appalachians, right?” he asked.

 

“That’s right, although it is some distance,” Anna said. “Come, you’ll have a better look at the town.”

 

Ben followed her out and looked around. He could see a lot more of Lawndale, then he usually could. “I didn’t think the Giant Strawberry was that, giant.”

 

“It is several stories tall,” Anna said.

 

“That’s right,” someone said.

 

Ben turned and saw that it was SpiderGirl. “SpiderGirl?”

 

“That’s me. I usually come here to look and think, often to listen. I know Feli,” SpiderGirl said, using one of Anna’s nicknames.

 

“Kind of,” Anna said. “I might have vented to you a little when the mentoring with Quinn started.”

 

“Is that all?” Ben asked.

 

“I was still wondering if it would be good,” Anna said. “And it was when Gerald was being difficult.”

 

“He still is,” Ben said.

 

“I guess so,” Anna said.

 

“It’s going well?” SpiderGirl asked.

 

“Mostly,” Anna said. “It’s more that everything else happening sometimes distract, like Groundhog Day.”

 

 

SpiderGirl was silent. She had talked to Anna and Ben about it during the mentoring sessions, and thus knew how they were holding up in that regard. She also knew that Anna felt trapped by her ‘weird’ reputation, which was why she was a misfit. ‘One can’t help what they are interested in,’ she thought. Despite everything that had happened, she still had an interest in fashion.

 

 

Anna was having similar thoughts. She looked at Ben. She knew he was trying to deal with his hypochondria after his experience with that Copperhead.

 

“Penny for your thoughts?” Ben asked.

 

“Change and the desire for it,” Anna responded.

 

Ben looked out over the town again. “Superheroes and teens running this theatre. Maybe we could come on Friday?”

 

“That would be good,” SpiderGirl said. “Support the theatre.”

 

“So, you will be there as your secret identity?” Anna asked.

 

“That would be telling. But I will be at the play at some point,” SpiderGirl responded. “Or maybe multiple points. You can’t deduce my secret identity that way.”

 

“I have wondered, but I don’t want to know,” Anna said.

 

 

Quinn arrived home shortly before dinner, thinking about the conversation with Anna. ‘She’s not likely to find out. Besides, the theatre is likely to be packed for Tempest, despite the critic’s description of it.’ She entered the kitchen, where Daria was writing something. “Hey, Daria.”

 

“Hi, Quinn,” Daria said. “I found Quentin being suspicious this afternoon.”

 

“Really?” Quinn asked as she sat down.

 

Daria then explained what she, Anna and Ben had found.

 

‘They didn’t mention that to me as SpiderGirl. But maybe they didn’t think it was worth mentioning to a superhero,’ Quinn thought. “It does seem weird,” she said.

 

“So, I told him to design something and he’ll get back to us tomorrow.”

 

“Before the rehearsal?” Quinn asked.

 

Daria nodded.

 

“I’ll be tutoring Angie, but maybe we can do it in the bookshop.”

 

“I’m sure it will work. Soundproofing was added during the refurbishment.”

 

“Oh, of course,” Quinn said.

 

Their mother then entered. “How was school today, girls?” she asked.

 

“Other than Mr. O’Neill wanting to ask about the critic, it was fine,” Daria answered.

 

“And tutoring Brittany?” their mother asked.

 

“That went well, but I can’t say more.”

 

“And you, Quinn?”

 

“As usual,” Quinn answered.

 

 

Later, Sandi was ready to search again. After Samara Collins was Anna, listed in the yearbook as Anna Felicia Coultard. ‘There she is, smiling as she usually does,’ Sandi thought. She knew that she was Stacy’s neighbor and considered that she seemed more confident since Quinn had started mentoring her and the other two. Sandi shook her head and downed the energy drink. “Findu mann sem heiter: Anna Felicia Coultard!”

 

She found Anna at home, reading one of her many books on Celtic folklore.

 

“Nineteen down,” she commented. ‘Quinn does seem to be thriving in her mentoring role,’ she thought. ‘And Stacy in the Anime Club. Do I need to find another extracurricular activity?’ As if being the Enigma and helping Daria investigate Oscorp and the other vigilantes wasn’t enough. ‘I’ll ask Ms. Li about what might be available tomorrow.’

 

 

At midnight, Daria crept down the trellis to where Sandi was waiting. “What is it tonight?” the latter asked.

 

“High Hills Park and then downtown,” Daria answered with a twirl of her staff. “I’ll fill you in on the way.”

 

“Did something happen?”

 

“More like something may be happening,” Daria answered.

 

 

Sandi listened as Daria explained what she, Anna and Ben had seen. ‘Is it a coincidence I searched for Anna earlier?’ she wondered. ‘Of course it is!’

 

“You’re quiet,” Daria said as they crossed a street.

 

“It seems everyone is trying to change their roles,” Sandi said. “That is a reason why I’m a rebel now. More than ‘Linda’s mini-me’.”

 

“And I’d say that being ‘Linda’s mini-me’ wasn’t good for you.”

 

“Definitely not.”

 

 

They arrived at the Park, and saw that Tania was there with the other Wiccans. ‘Does Tania want to be more than a student who happens to be a Wiccan?’ Daria wondered. ‘Is that why she started going around investigating the vigilantes and why she’s in the play?’ It was something to consider.

 

“Are we just going to wait?” Sandi asked.

 

“Yes. Tania may then come over.”

 

 

Sandi was bored and was about to just leave Daria when Tania finally came over.

 

“I will be ready tomorrow,” Tania said.

 

“That’s not why we’re here,” Daria said. “You did well yesterday.”

 

“You were praising Brittany,” Tania said.

 

“Jealousy?” Sandi asked. “I know that feeling.”

 

“Not jealousy!” Tania said.

 

“Brittany is throwing herself into the role,” Daria said. “Like it resonates with her.”

 

“She’s more than the cheerleader,” Tania commented. “Even if that is what she has presented herself as the for last few years.”

 

“Exactly,” Daria said. “As you are more than the Wiccan student, I’m sure.”

 

Tania nodded. “Then why are you here?”

 

“You can join us on our investigations of Oscorp,” Daria said.

 

“Is she?” Sandi asked. “But what if, you know.”

 

“We’ll deal with it when it happens,” Daria responded. She turned back to Tania. “What do you say.”

 

Sandi nodded.

 

“With what you just said, yes,” Tania responded.

 

‘Great!’ Daria thought, still hoping that Tania wouldn’t figure out she’s Dafoanairi too quickly.

 

 

SpiderGirl and Ninja Talon met at the Historia as they both patrolled in the early hours. “Anything?” the latter asked.

 

“After school, Daria, along with Anna and Ben, found Quentin backstage measuring something. They found it suspicious. We’re going to talk to him about it before the rehearsal.”

 

“Do you want me there?”

 

SpiderGirl shook her head. “You don’t need to be. Besides you should probably focus on the rehearsal.”

 

Ninja Talon nodded and looked out over the town again.

 

 

Lawndale Sun-Herald

Tuesday, February 20, 2001

Dafoanairi, a Snarky Fifth Vigilante

A few nightclub attendees report that there is a new vigilante calling herself ‘Dafoanairi’ in Lawndale, fighting crime with a quarterstaff and sarcasm.

 

Daria put the paper back and continued towards school. ‘It’s inevitable that there would be media coverage of my activities. But at least it’s accurate.’

 

 

SpiderGirl also read the paper at a different news stand. She placed it back and continued towards school. ‘I’m still not sure that Dafoanairi is Daria,’ she thought. ‘Either way, Daria also seems to be breaking out of the role she had assigned herself. She’s no longer just a reclusive bookish sarcastic teenager.’

 

 

Sandi knocked on Ms. Li’s door ten minutes before homeroom.

 

“Ms. Griffin?” the Principal asked when she answered the door.

 

Sandi entered the office. “I still haven’t any extra curricular activities after the last one ended rather abruptly.”

 

“That’s one way of putting it, Ms. Griffin. Are you re-creating that Club?”

 

“No. I was looking for something else, but I’m not sure what.”

 

“You’re not the only one. Ms. Blum-Deckler hasn’t found one either,” the Principal said.

 

“There wasn’t a need to mention that.”

 

“I guess not.”

 

“So…” Sandi prompted.

 

“I’ll compile a list of existing extracurricular activities and get back to you. What do you say?”

 

“Then I look forward to getting it.”

 

 

Around 10:00, Officer Xanthe Peterson entered the Historia. Kalina Ondrovick had been reported missing, as she hadn’t come home the night before. Her brother had come to the station earlier in the morning, distraught. ‘With everything else happening in Lawndale these days, something more usual,’ she thought as she entered the café. Elisabeth Rowe was there.

 

“Xanthe?” Elisabeth asked.

 

“I’m afraid that Kalina Ondrovick has been reported missing. Her brother said that she was coming here yesterday,” Xanthe said.

 

“She was here yesterday, about this time.”

 

“Did you talk to her?”

 

“Yes,” Elisabeth answered. “About her criticism of the first rehearsal of Daria’s play.”

 

“I heard Daria call in to complain.”

 

“And she also criticised the fact that Daria and the others are running the theatre.”

 

“I see,” Xanthe said. “What else happened?”

 

“She then talked to Quentin Beck for a while. But I don’t think he’s here at the moment.”

 

“That’s the Special Effects person Quinn hired, right?”

 

“Yes,” Elisabeth asked.

 

“Mind if I check that he’s here?”

 

“Go ahead.”

 

 

Peterson and two other offices then searched the Historia from top to bottom and found that Quentin Beck wasn’t there. Nor was there any trace of Kalina Ondrovick.

 

 

Nothing?” Elisabeth asked when Peterson came back into the café.

 

“He wasn’t here. Give us a call when he returns, right?”

 

“Of course!”

 

“Thanks,” Peterson said.

 

 

Jane was annoyed. It used to be that she and Daria were alone at the table at lunch. ‘Sandi! Why did it have to be Sandi? Anyone else, even Upchuck, would have been better.’ She looked over to where said redhead was sitting with the boy nearly everyone called the Head. ‘I wonder what he thinks about what’s going on, but I’m not going to ask him.’ She looked at where Daria was sitting. Sandi was there, along with Harry, Tania and now Philippa Bynon and Brittany. ‘I’m like a seventh wheel or something.’

 

 

“Jane?” Daria asked when her best friend sat on the opposite side of her from Sandi.

 

“I miss the days when it was just the two of us,” Jane said.

 

“Things are changing,” Daria responded.

 

“A little quickly, if you ask me,” Jane said.

 

“I admit, it is quick, but we need to keep up with what’s going on,” Daria said.

 

 

Jane took in what Daria said. ‘Of course,’ she thought. ‘But I was happy being an artist who had started being a gadget wielding superhero and hanging out with my friend who could understand my alternative leanings.’

 

“We were talking about Quentin,” Brittany said.

 

“More suspicions?” Jane asked.

 

 

Daria told Jane what she, Anna and Ben had seen and that she and Quinn would be talking with him that afternoon.

 

“Maybe we should have just gone ahead without a special effects guy,” Jane responded. “Would have given Quinn more time to look into his background.”

 

“Probably,” Daria said. “But then that would have invited even more attention from critics.”

 

“You’re not letting her get to you, are you?” Harry asked.

 

“Of course not, but it’s the perception,” Daria said. “I want the play, and the Historia to succeed.”

 

“I think Quinn made the right choice,” Brittany chimed in. “Her suspicions started after he was hired, right?”

 

“That’s true,” Daria conceded. “There probably wasn’t anything she could have done differently.”

 

“Let’s see what happens this afternoon,” Brittany said.

 

“That’s all you can do,” Sandi said.