Catcall Epilogue

Once I finished my story, a dense silence enveloped Eternus, and I left him in awkward silence. His trademark veiled compassion shone through embarrassingly.

"I'm sorry that hap-"

"No, don't be. I've got into this mess because of my lack of nerve, which I intend to rectify. It just honestly feels amazing to talk about this to someone finally. I hope that you can do the same because, despite all my jokes, Eternus, I do care about you," I said while looking at him in complete seriousness.

From that sentence alone, many emotions clouded over Eternus' face as if the genuine concern was alien to him. Nevertheless, his various walls started to break down as he decided to jump in with his tall tale.

"Fine, then I guess it's my turn," he said sadly.

Eternus launched his update with that, telling me everything his team has gone through after Omna. The first contact with the malicious Monarchy of Monarchs. Ricochet's ill-timed romp across the lower levels during Scarlett led to their capture. To their eventual imprisonment and consecutive escape.

Then the Damage's delirious descent into his recruitment program and the struggle against the crazed Dr. Nefario. To the present, they now seek to make their mark on the lower levels. Once again, I was endlessly intrigued, not excited as I see that they were still the same amusing Cons as before for all their hardships.

So with my interest peaked and my ambition becoming stronger, I decided to show honor amongst fellow thieves once again and threw Eternus a proverbial bone.

"Well, if you're that serious about this, then I might have a way that may give you guys a leg up you need. If you're up for it, I mean."

"I'm happy to do whatever it takes if it's worth it, Nerve, so just give it to me straight."

"Despite obvious surface values, I was a rookie in the lower levels too. And on my first couple of outings, I realized that this underworld of ours is more of a community than I originally thought. So much so that upon further digging, I realized that every year, pretty much every criminal worth their weight in gold participates in an event called the Villain Expo. And it seems this time it's going to commence around the end of January. Its location is vastly different every year but think of it as a convention for supervillains."

"And the heroes just don't know about this?" he skeptically.

"Of course they do; this has been a tradition even during the Aftershock days. I'd say anyone but the rookies or low tiers wouldn't; it's just that the head honchos tend to take the necessary precautions to make sure it still stays an urban legend."

"Sounds like an easy way to get absorbed and shipped off with future cellmates if things get bad," Eternus said judgmentally.

"Don't be that way Eternus, if you want to get ahead in the middle levels, you need to work with us, not against us. I don't know what you did to Omna, but recently she's been on the warpath, and surprisingly groups like us are in hot demand. Plus, I'm sure Gum can tell you that we have rules and regulations that'll keep you safe both in and out of the Expo. Besides-."

At that moment, I leaned closer seductively, making my final point all the more clear.

"It'll give us more time to have fun little moments like last night."

Before any form of kiss could take place, I pulled back and stood, gazing across the horizon of a city that was about to get even more interesting, while leaving Eternus with this ponder on this little catcall.

"I'm not saying it doesn't come without risks, but the connections and gear you could make there are worth more than anything you've made in the lower levels. But, course, I guess no matter what I say, it all comes to one question. Do you have the Nerve?"

On that note, I left Eternus with that to ponder on as I decided to skydive off the building, feeling freer than I've ever been in a while. Knowing that instead of stories now, I had allies to motivate me.