Charlotte now served under me out of a mixture of obligation and fear, but I wouldn’t feel secure in my reputation until I’d divorced Skitter from that image of a weaker, abused Taylor.

Fair enough, I guess.

I worked on all five costumes at the same time.  Low-level multitasking was either a minor benefit that had come with my powers or, more likely, a skill I’d developed in the half-year I’d spent micromanaging thousands or tens of thousands of bugs at the same time.

Yeah, that’s a thing we’ve been subtly seeing Taylor get better and better at. Keeping track of all the bugs within range at once, directing multiple parts of the swarms at a time, that kind of thing.

I didn’t need to expend any focus on the simple task of laying out the thread, and the only time I really had to pause to give them direction was when it came to the creative input and the more complicated tasks of deciding how everything fit together.

Insects may be decent tailors, but fashion designers they are not.

I could only make some calls on style and what would suit the respective recipients’ tastes when I’d made enough progress and seen the groundwork laid out.  Where I could, I used my bugs to model ideas and options, forming possible shapes for masks, collars and armor panels.

Hah, that’s neat.

The pair had spent some time with their families before returning to my lair.  I’d been anxious in the meantime, worrying they would have second thoughts or turn me in, wearing my costume and waiting in a nearby position in case capes converged on my lair.

I can’t blame Taylor for worrying about being double-crossed by a new recruit who wasn’t originally villainously inclined. The idea sounds… familiar.

I’d been both gratified and relieved when they’d returned.  One hurdle crossed.

Unless of course someone’s playing the long game, like Taylor was.

I don’t think either of them is, but it’s something worth considering, though Taylor has enough to worry about.

Both Sierra and Charlotte had seen me bleeding, when I’d come back from rescuing Bryce.  It sounded so minor, but I didn’t want them imagining me as hurt and mortal when they were supposed to trust me and look up to me.  What bugged me even more than that was the fact that Charlotte knew my secret identity.

Yeah, if one of them were to betray you, Charlotte would be able to do the most damage.

I was fairly certain she would keep it to herself, but she’d seen me as Taylor.  She’d seen me at what was perhaps the lowest point in my life.  From a distance, but she’d seen it.

That’s also a good point. If you really want to be someone who doesn’t show weakness, having been seen getting shoved into a locker probably isn’t ideal.

But are you sure not showing weakness is really the best way to go about this?

I missed staying at the loft, when things were easy and I was free.

RIP the Loft.

I was happy with how things were going with my new recruits, but I was realizing that living with them would mandate changes to my lifestyle.

Gotta sign a roommate contract and everything!

There were appearances to maintain, and I couldn’t be seen slacking off or being a slob.  I couldn’t sleep in or put off my shower until later in the day.

Ahh, yeah… she has nowhere to be Taylor. Even out of costume, even when she’s up in her private quarters, she has to be Skitter, for her minions.

Tying the times at the Loft to freedom makes more sense with that in mind.

I couldn’t let myself collapse in a sweaty heap after a hard morning run.  I’d woken up at six in the morning to be sure that I could run, shower, dress and look like I was on top of things by the time they were up.  After a late night, it left me feeling a little worn around the edges.  I harbored some concerns about my ability to help Dinah if this kept up.

It’s as you said to Sierra. You’re a human underneath the mask. Maybe after a while, you can let yourself begin to let that show more.

Then again, there are more recruits a-coming, and the more she gets, the less she’ll feel she can do that.

It’s the pressure of being a boss, and it’s the pressure of being a ruler. Two slightly different, but very similar things.

“Got black, more black, dark purple, blue and blotchy crimson.  Take your pick.”

Blue and crimson, huh? Were you considering alternative colors for Tattletale?

Also I’m not sure “blotchy crimson” is a good choice if you want them to look non-threatening. That sounds like it looks like blood.

Charlotte took a black mask that would cover her eyes and the lower half of her face, adjusted it until the eyeholes were in place, and then set about fixing her hair.

But yeah, Sierra might take the blotchy crimson one. The color suits her.

“Sierra?”

“Not much point.  My hair is pretty recognizable,” she flicked one of her dreadlocks.

Oh yeah, that’s true.

Might be worth it to take the other black one anyway, just for coordination’s sake. Make the two of you look like you’re basically in uniform, to appear more professional.

“Won’t do any harm.”

She took the second, smaller black mask.  While she put it on, I deposited a fly and threaded twine into the second origami cube so she had her emergency signal.

Yep, double black it is. Nice.

Both girls nodded their heads.

“If you don’t have any questions-”

“I do,” Charlotte piped up.  “Do you have a mask I could wear?”

I understand this desire. She doesn’t want her name sullied, or to be arrested in her home for working for Skitter.

On Skitter’s side of things, that does kind of run counter to the idea of wanting people to see her subordinates in a positive light, unless she can find a particularly non-threatening mask.

(Using live bugs for a mask does not fulfill that.)

I frowned.  “I was hoping you guys would put a more human, less sinister face on things.”

“I don’t want to run into someone I know and have to explain.  Not that I think anyone I know lives around here, but-”

Yeah, it’s a very reasonable desire.

“Okay, no, I wouldn’t expect you guys to go unmasked when I won’t.  That wouldn’t be fair.  Give me a few seconds,” I told them.  I headed upstairs to my office.

So, whatcha got?

Probably nothing like the one Taylor herself wears, since those take a while to make.

Over the past few days, I’d received deliveries of the more specific and obscure items I had requested from Coil.  Among them were cases of more exotic bugs, a sturdy work table I kept upstairs in my room and five mannequins with custom measurements.

…or, she might actually have some of those lying around after all, because she’s been working on costumes for the other Undersiders! Nice!

Coil’s people had taken the time with Brian, Lisa, Alec and Aisha to get comprehensive measurements and hand casts.  Bitch had refused.

Ah, yeah, that’s what I was thinking too. I was going to mention that but forgot. Much like I forgot about Aisha. As one does.

But yeah, even if Rachel wasn’t currently considering leaving the Undersiders behind – which she might not have been when this happened – she’d refuse. Not much for costumes, that one.

This had led in turn to the creation of the mannequins, which had been shipped to me and set up on the pedestals beneath the shuttered window.

I’m sure a certain biosphere tinker would approve.

One mannequin for each of my teammates and one for me.

I guess you do need one for when you want to make changes to your own costume.

There was also a little folder of notes from each of the others on what they wanted, including some photos, clippings and print-outs for reference.  Grue had included pictures of the little statuette he had bought at the Market, which he wanted me to copy for his new mask.

Ooh, nice!

I’m sure there’ll be a lot of neat fanart of these new outfits. 🙂

I wonder, will they be colored? I hope Tattletale keeps her lavender.

I hoped to have a costume for each of us in short order.

That’s going to be very nice and useful.

I didn’t like Coil, pretty much despised his methods, but I did agree with his sensibilities on some things, like personnel and making sure people wanted to work for you.

Yeah, though in Coil’s case it seems to be in a more manipulative sense.

But yes, this is important. It’s why Hookwolf might become a bad recruitment to the Slaughterhouse Nine, it’s why Burnscar already is a bad recruitment, and it’s why Shatterbird should probably just stop recruiting people in general.

It wasn’t like I couldn’t afford it.  I had yet to spend the earnings from any of my earlier villainous stints, since Coil was providing everything major I needed.

Oh yeah, and because you previously felt it wasn’t your money to spend, intending to turn it in alongside the Undersiders.

“There’s another reason I’m putting you guys out there.  Two people aren’t going to be enough for what I’m planning long-term.

Recruitment!

“Have you heard the good buzz about our Lady and Savior Skitter?”

I want you two to trust your guts on this, but you’re also going to be keeping an eye out for possible recruits.”

So do they just report about the recruits to Taylor afterwards, or do they try to actually recruit on the spot?

The former seems more like Taylor’s style.

“You’re hiring others?” Charlotte asked.

Does that surprise you?

Or maybe you’ve got someone in mind?

I nodded.  “I’m looking for people who are young, reasonably fit, and able to follow orders.  With you two out there, I’m hoping others see a pair of girls who are secure, happy and healthy in my employ.  You recruit someone I decide is worth keeping?  I’ll reward you.  But this isn’t a competition, got it?”

Sounds good to me!

“That’s the general plan.  We’ll work out other tasks and maybe other signals later, in case you need my attention but not for an emergency, or if you want to cancel a request for help, whatever.  That leaves payment.”

Those do sound worthwhile. Maybe separate cubes for different messages? Though something reusable might be nice to have for the less emergent situations.

“I was wondering about that,” Charlotte said.  “But didn’t know how to ask.”

Well, guess you were lucky Taylor already had it on her to-do.

“We’ll try for six to eight hours a day, five days a week, but consider it flexible.  Not to spook you or anything, but I’ll know if you’re slacking.

Of course she will.

I’m thinking two hundred and fifty dollars a day, and obviously it’s under the table, so you’re not getting taxed on it.”

Sounds like a pretty good salary! Of course, it comes with risk because of the whole “people may violently disapprove of your employer” thing, but still.

“That’s a little more generous than I was expecting,” Sierra said.

That’s pretty much how it went for Taylor too.