Page 72 of Velveteen vs. The Consequences of Her Actions

“Jack?”

They both turned toward the sound of the Princess’s voice. She was standing at the top of the tower stairs, a solemn expression on her face.

“Vel’s awake, and she’s asking for you,” she said.

* * *

The Night Shift was good at her job—all her jobs. She could have run a hospital emergency room without anyone’s help, and had, under extreme circumstances. When Jack and Action Dude followed the Princess back into the recovery room, Velveteen was sitting up in her bed, the sheet still wrapped firmly around her, exhaustion in her eyes.

She blinked at the sight of Action Dude, looking nonplussed. Then her attention moved to Jack, who tensed, waiting for the yelling to begin.

Instead, Velveteen smiled. “Jack,” she said. “Hey.”

“Hey,” said Jack, stepping around the Princess and starting for the bed. “How are you feeling?”

“Like I just lived three years in less than a week, and did most of it without a pulse.” Velveteen’s smile turned wry. “I think I scared the Night Shift.”

“Sometimes nurses need a good scare,” said Jack.

Velveteen nodded. “I guess so,” she said. “Jack…”

Here it comes, thought Jack, tensing.

“You saved me,” said Vel. “I wouldn’t have made it out of Winter without you. Come here.”

Jack went to her, and if the people watching assumed that her tears were joy and relief, well, that wasn’t her fault. Telling them that they were wrong wouldn’t have changed anything, and so she didn’t say anything at all.

* * *

It was three days before Velveteen was strong enough for mirror travel. Jack wasn’t the only one who accompanied her to the North Pole. The Princess was there as well, and three instances of the Night Shift, and Polychrome, Victory Anna, and Action Dude, all of whom glared at anyone who suggested that they might be unnecessary. The Seasons had stolen Vel away from them once. They weren’t going to let it happen again.

Velveteen leaned heavily on Jack and the Princess as she walked, with the Night Shift following close behind, clucking about how she shouldn’t be out of bed. Together, the group walked to the Hall of Mirrors. The doors were closed. The steps were full. Santa Claus and the Snow Queen; Hailey Ween and Scaredy Cat; the Persephone and Lady Moon. All of them looked to Velveteen, waiting to hear what she would say.

“None of you,” she said, in a voice as worn-out and weary as the rest of her. “I choose none of you. I’m going home.”

Santa Claus smiled. Persephone nodded. Hailey Ween scowled.

“Then you’re free to go,” said Santa Claus. “The Seasons thank you for your service.”

“Fuck you all,” said Velveteen. She turned to go, and Jacqueline Claus, daughter of Santa, heir to the North Pole, was there to help her home.

At least one of them was going home.

APPENDIX A: Velveteen and Allies

VELMA “VELVETEEN” MARTINEZ

Assessed power level 4

Age: Twenty-five.

Age at time of power discovery: Unclear; presumed twelve.

Appearance: Velveteen is a Hispanic female of average height and weight, with shoulder-length dark brown hair, brown eyes, and pleasant features. She does not display any visible deviation from the human norm.

Power set: Semi-autonomous animation of totemic representations of persons and animals, most specifically cloth figures, including minor transformation to grant access to species-appropriate weaponry. Capable of short-term resurrection, although this will eventually prove fatal to both Velveteen and the resurrected if it continues too long.

Profile: Velveteen was acquired as a corporate asset by The Super Patriots, Inc. at the age of twelve, and was one of two animus recruited despite the standard injunction on individuals within that family of powers. She remained with the company for six years, departing on her eighteenth birthday after a conflict with her teammate, Sparkle Bright. This conflict was orchestrated by the Marketing Department, under the orders of the CEO.