Bit of a slow day again today. Various unexpected ultimately minor but kinda vexing things happened to slow me down.
Quick recap: we’ve met the Reagan Six before — Falcata was, as you’ll recall, their huckleberry — and they’re the Lyte Brigade’s Oddly-Similar-Yet-Markedly-Different Team of Rivals.
Also, Egeria is quickly becoming the MVP of these Daily Writing Exercises. I really need to get her into a real story ASAP.
Egeria has been enjoying her recent travels with the Lyte Brigade. She wouldn’t consider herself the guild’s seventh member, or even the unofficial seventh member. She’s really more of an associate, but that’s fine with her.
The Lyte Brigade stop suddenly in their tracks as they happen across a group of six rivals with a tagalong Elf of their own.
“Golly,” Egeria mutters in amazement. “It’s like lookin’ into the mirror in Mrs. Cumberdale’s sitting room.”
“Oh great,” Matilda says. “It’s Evil Us. Again.”
“Don’t you we’ve forgotten about losing the Tome of Sorphronius to you guys,” Nathaniel Reagan, leader of the Reagan Six declares. “We’ve been waiting for this.”
“I see their fashion sense hasn’t changed for the better,” Amara mutters. The Reagan Six are still clad, as ever, in full black leather.
“Now,” Egeria wonders aloud. “What do y’all think the odds are that we’d happen to happen across our own evil doppelgangers?”
“Twice!” Pela notes.
“The one with the shield’d be Evil Nolan,” Egeria muses. “That one looks so much like him that they gotta be related, so that’s Evil Matilda.”
Egeria points to the Reagan Six’s dark-haired Elf with the ruby necklace.
“Judgin’ from how she’s making puppy-dog eyes an’ kissy-faces at Evil Nolan when she thinks no-one’s lookin’, that’s Evil Cousin Amy,” she declares.
“I do not make kissy-faces!” Amara and Evil Amara declare simultaneously.
“Oh, darlins,” Egeria sighs. “Bless your hearts if y’all really think that.”
She clears her throat.
“And that leaves Evil Sir Tancred, Pela, and Falcata,” she concludes, pointing to the other members of the Reagan Six. “And I’m supposin’ that one there is Evil Me.
“Bit o’ a sticky wicket, innit?” the Reagan Six’s tagalong Elf asks in a Middelmerish accent. “‘Aving to be compared to a country mouse like you.”
Egeria gasps in outrage.
“Why are we just standing here?” Evil Nolan asks. “We should be beating them up and taking their stuff!”
“I’d like to see you try,” Pela says, reaching for her crossbow. “We beat you once already.”
“And, and what you going to do about it, shortie?” Evil Nolans. “Bite my ankles?”
Egeria gasps in outrage.
“Y’all,” Egeria says. “I think we outta crush ‘em all, drive ‘em before us into the Sea, and exult in the lamentations o’ their womenfolk.”
The others state blankly at her.
“What?” Egeria asks defensively. “I got somethin’ on my nose?”
“Well, no,” Nolan mutters.
“I’m allowed to be mean every now an’ then,” Egeria insists. “‘Sides, Evil Nolan over there called Pela a shortie. What kinda friend would I be to let that slide?”
“Thank you!” Pela exclaims. “See, guys, a little empathy every now then is all I’m asking for.”
“Look, Pela,” Nolan offers. “I’ll freely admit we’re maybe not as aware or attentive of your height as we should be. But can it wait until after we win?”
“Again,” Matilda adds with a sideways glance to the Reagan Six. “I mean, heck, show Evil You who’s boss, Pela, and I will personally build you all the stepladders who will ever need.”
“You guys are the best,” Pela says. “Okay, now I’m especially going to beat up Evil Me for your sake.”
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