Preventative measures

'Hello, Nalini.'

'Hello.'

'How are you?'

'I'm okay, thank you. Yourself?'

'Not too bad. Go on, sit down.'

'It's nice to see you again.'

'It's nice to see you too. What's been going on your end, then?'

'Oh, nothing much really. Running up a phone bill, going to the gym, chasing criminals. Some fuckwit punched me in the face earlier today to try and get out of being arrested, so that was fun. Still, nothing I can't handle. How about you?'

'Someone punched you? That's awful.'

'Oh, it's fine, really. It's not the first hit I've taken and won't be the last. All part and parcel of the job, y'know?'

'Mm, it's happened to Ellis too... Stanley did that. I bet he told you, didn't he?'

'Yes, he did.'

'Stanley has changed since then. I wouldn't be friends with him otherwise.'

'I did think it was a bit unusual, but it's hardly my place to judge your friends. ...I don't suppose he can change further and stop dropping horrendous farts in public places though, right?'

'I can tell him that! But he's a good man. He took me in when I was homeless.'

'Ahh, I'm glad to hear that. Anyway, you never answered my question. How is everything here?'

'It's okay, although something worrying happened to Indigo.'

'Oh, really? I haven't heard from her recently.'

'She was... summoned for a talk with Miles. And by summoned I mean forcibly taken by a demon.'

'...Oh fuck! Is she alright?!'

'Thankfully. He didn't hurt her. He just wanted to talk. He wasn't happy that she stopped Wednesday from being friends with Hazel.'

'Oh, my heart bleeds for poor little him. What a fucking entitled psycho.'

'Quite. He begged her not to punish Hazel over his actions. How big of him.'

'I'd say I hope she told him to go shove it right up his ass, but that'd be really stupid.'

'I don't know what she told him. Obviously something that placated him considering that he brought her back.'

'Jesus. So if Hazel can teleport, presumably this other demon can too? And that's how Indigo was taken?'

'Yes. He's the one who took Tristan as well...'

'Jesus fucking Christ. Those poor kids.'

'It's concerning. Knowing that at any moment, they can come over and kidnap whoever they like...'

'Well, I hope the cunt gets that ability taken away from him.'

'...Hmm. Would you say that the triplets, and perhaps their mother, are at the biggest risk? Sorry to ask this.'

'...I suppose so.'

'...This will take some working out. I don't want to get anyone's hopes up, so please don't repeat this until I know for certain... But what if there was a way to encircle their house in a protective barrier that disables supernatural abilities?'

'Do you know a way to do that?'

'...ORTOS technology, hence why it may be difficult. Do you remember when I mentioned that there's a security system that deactivates supernatural abilities?'

'Oh yes, I recall that.'

'Well, the technology that does it was designed by my ex, for the Midnight Hollow facility. However, I know for a fact that he's been in contact with captains of facilities in other towns, so I'd not be surprised if it's in Devil's Port too, hence why I mentioned it to Indigo. But anyway. The way it works is in the security office, it can be customised to activate in certain areas, wherever the threat is, including the entire facility if necessary. But that's overkill, and far too complicated. What I'm thinking of is a smaller, portable version. Flick a switch, field of effect goes up, anyone within is no more special than the average human. Uh, no offence to your family. Vampiric speed, werewolf transformations, teleportation, alien meteors, kinetic magics, everything. If it's something a human cannot do, it gets stopped.'

'Wow, that sounds impressive. So is there such a thing as a portable version?'

'Absolutely! It's referred to as a PND - power nullification device, and Marcus kept one on his person quite a lot of the time. Sorry, my ex. Anyway, he taught Zaryn everything she knows about gadgetry and technology and she could probably make one. She visits her father a lot, so it's not like she'd not have access to the materials.'

'That would be amazing if she could do that.'

'The only downside is I'm going to have to ask her to keep it from him. I don't like encouraging her to keep secrets from her dad, but even if it wasn't for the fact he cannot know where I am, it's not my place to explain why the PND would be needed.'

'Oh dear. It sounds like it can't be avoided.'

'Exactly. I feel like an asshole, but getting a PND here is more important than my dumb emotions. ...How much will I be allowed to tell Zaryn? Tell her to check out the news here and use her imagination, nothing at all...? Because I want consent before I share something so personal, and I can't really ask Tristan just yet.'

'I'd offer to ask him, but if it isn't possible, you're right that we shouldn't get anybody's hopes up. Let her know the reason, if it's the difference between her doing it and not doing it.'

'I think she would if I said I needed it, she trusts my judgement fortunately, but obviously she'd understand the urgency better if she knew. Maybe I'll just tell her to Google Sunset Valley's news stories, at least that way I wouldn't be directly betraying anyone's confidence.'

'Okay. That would work.'

'I'll give her a call then, no sense in waiting.'

'Hi Zaryn.'

'Hi!'

'Where are you right now?'

'Strangetown, why?'

'I need to ask an important favour from you, sorry this isn't a social call. It's a little awkward, and I apologise for that.'

'Okay...what is it?'

'...Would it be possible for you to create and deliver a PND for me? I'm sorry to ask, honey, I wouldn't put you in such a position unless it was necessary.'

'Oh, uh, okay. Sure?'

'...Are you near a computer?'

'Yep. I took a break from my project to fart around online a bit. I've got sushi!'

'Makes a change from the usual cookies, I suppose. Okay, well if you're not going to be interrupted, I want you to search for news stories that's happened here in Sunset Valley. For context, I've befriended the Farrington family.'

'Okie dokie, can do that now. ...Oh my God.'

'...I presume you've found it.'

'What the hell, that's terrible!'

'And that's precisely why I'm asking for a PND. To make sure it never. Happens. Again.'

'Yeah... Yeah, okay. Oh my God.'

'Thanks sweetheart, I really appreciate it. And uh... I hate to have to ask this as well, but... Please don't mention it to your father...'

'I won't, don't worry.'

'Thank you. Give me a ring when you've done it and then we can organise transportation. Then when you're here, we could do something unrelated to traumatic events.'

'Yeah...Okay. Talk soon, I love you.'

'I love you too, darling. Goodbye.'

'Are you okay? I heard you crying out "oh my God".'

'Yeah Dad, I'm fine, it's nothing. I just stumbled across a picture of some really weird porn, that's all. The internet's so gross.'

'...Do I want to ask?'

'Uh... A lady pretending to be a spider, with loads of eyes.'

'...I'm going back to work.'

'Thank you so much, Nalini. It means a lot that you're doing this for my family.'

'No problem ...Do you think you might be interested in meeting her, once the PND's been delivered? If it's not too soon, I mean. Admittedly I've not had the chance to tell her about us yet...'

'Of course, I don't mind. Do you think she will?'

'I'm pretty sure as soon as I mention the word "boyfriend", she'll practically demand to meet you.'

'Ah, I'm glad!'

'Hi!'

'Hello Vincent! How are you?'

'Okay. I was reading my book about birds.'

'Ah, yes. He wants one.'

'Aww, what kind of bird do you like?'

'I like parrots because they can talk.'

'But I think we'll go for something smaller if we do get one.'

'Ahh. Could be dangerous, you never know what sort of language the bird might pick up!'

'Especially in this household.'

'It's okay, I know not to say the fuck word.'

'...Good. Please don't say it again, love.'

'...Glad to hear it!'

'Sorry.'

'It's okay.'

'Nix has been saying it too!'

'Oh dear. My niece liked to say that too. Lots. ...Still does. She's not as well behaved as you!'

'Uh oh. It's a good job you are well behaved, like Nalini says.'

'Yay. Thank you!'