Valkyrie Cain

         Her date with Fletcher had gone quite nicely, though she had the feeling he was staring at her most of the time. They had sat by the pier, eating the picnic Fletcher had made them. It was relaxing, and Valkyrie had truly enjoyed it. Other than the part where they strolled over the Tanith and Kenspeckle subject, it was very enjoyable.
         Now she was outside her house, feeling the odd sensation of going through the door. She was more used to going through the window, but her Reflection was hiding in her room, for Valkyrie had called it earlier and old it to tell her parents she was out for a stroll. Valkyrie paused with her hand hovering over the door knob. She took a deep breath, and gripped the handle as tightly as possible. Right before it swung open, she forced a big grin on her face. She walked in the house, then froze, as both parents stared at her. Her mother asked,"Whats wrong with your face?" Valkyrie scoweled and muttered,"Nothing mum..." Suddenly Desmond Edgley jumped down the stairs, his chest puffed out proudly, and his chin up. That was, before he tripped and had to un-puff his chest, grabbing the nearest chair for support. He straightened his tall frame and scoweled, muttering to himself. "Ahem. Anywho...guess who just finished a new building 3 miles away?" Melissa Edgley smiled and murmured,"Dont lose it agian..." Desmond looked up,"Huh?" Melissa froze,"Nothing dear..." Valkyrie smiled to herself, wandering off into the kitchen. Her stomach groweled, and she decided 2 days was not a good amount of time not to eat anything. As her hand reached for an apple, a scream rang through the house, and her heart dropped into her shoes. Valkyrie bolted into the living room, chest heaving, when she saw Melissa gripping her stomach and gritting her teeth. "Whats wrong Mum?" Her mother looked up and forced a smile,"The baby just decided to show me how strong it was getting, thats all." Valkyrie felt her heart ease back into her chest, and her breathing calmed. She smiled a genuine smile, and climbed up to her room.
         She shut the door behind her and un dressed, changing into the black and red clothes Ghastly Bespoke made for her. Valkyrie handed the Reflection the discarded clothes, and the Reflection caught them without missing a beat and put them on. "What was the screaming?" Her reflection asked. Valkyrie shrugged,"Nothing, no one got hurt." The Reflection nodded silently. It peered at Valkyrie without saying a word. Valkyrie scoweled,"What?"
"You look different. You....feel different."
Valkyrie stared blankly. "Whats that supposed to mean then?"  The Reflection shrugged,"You know how China Sorrows makes people fall in love?" Valkyrie raised an eyebrow. "Ya?" The reflection nodded,"Your starting to....do that to. Fletcher noticed it to." Ah, Valkyrie thought, so thats what he was staring for. No, wait, she did not have Chinas powers. The thought was ridiculous. "Your insane." Valkyrie said. The reflection stared,"Go see Skulduggery or China, see what they say." Valkyrie frowned, "No...I dont need to?" The reflection shrugged, and walked downstairs. Valkyrie stared at the spot the reflection vanished and shook her head. Then she picked her phone up and flipped it open, pressing buttons with her thumb and dialing Skulduggerys number. She held the phone to her ear with her shoulder, and played with her thumbs. On the third ring it answered, and Skulduggery Pleasant, in his smooth velvety voice pronounced,"I am a genius." Valkyrie smiled into the phone,"Is that so...?" Skulduggery answered,"Yes."
"Why."
"....Why?"
"Yes. Why are you a genius?"
Silence on the other end. Then Skulduggery said,"I just am. My geniusness is visible to everyone, even though you decided to be stubborn and not accept the fact I, am just superior to you." Valkyrie shook her head,"You keep telling yourself that, Skulduggery, though no matter how 'genius' you are, 'geniusness' will never, ever be a word. Um.. I have a question." The other end lasped in silence agian,"Yes?" Valkyrie swallowed,"Is it possible to...gain powers you never knew you had over time?" Skulduggery was silent, then said,"I suppose. It has happened in past history. Why?" Valkyrie froze,"Um...No reason." Theres no question he knows somethings up, Valkyrie thought. Skulduggery replied,"Valkyrie?"
"Yes?"
"You dont need to be scared of me judging you. I would never do that."
Valkyrie frowned,"I know. You coming to pick me up?"
"Oh yes....Yes ok."
Valkyrie hung up. "Nice going Valkyrie..." She muttered. "Whos Valkyrie?" Valkyrie whipped around, to see her mom leaning agianst the door frame. Valkyrie forced a smile,"A friend."
"Which one?"
".....The friendly one?"
"Well thats good then." Valkyries mom peered at her,"Did you change?" Valkyrie froze,"Yes...I spilled water over my other clothes." Valkyries mom nodded. "Oh...ok then. Bye love." And with that her mother walked out.
  Valkyrie un latched the window, leaping out and landing gracefully in a crouch. She froze,"Woah..." That was the first time she jumped down the two story building without magic. She paused, then grinned. "Im so telling Skulduggery that..." She straightened up and lifted her head to see a black car in front of her. She strolled over to the car, hands in pocket, and climbed into the passengers seat of the Bentley. She turned to click her seat belt in, and lifted her head to see Skulduggery peering at her, head cocked. Valkyrie scoweled,"Why is everyone staring at me today.."
       "That was quite a jump, Valkyrie. Anyway... remeber the last time you were confused about something, and you didnt go to me? How you were almost the reason for the nearing apocalypse?" Valkyrie scowl intensified,"Yes?" Skulduggery continued,"Maybe you should tell me why your having questions about your powers." Valkyrie swallowed,"Its really nothing. Its a ridiculous thought..its just that Fletcher, and the reflection, and my mum, they were all staring at me, like there was something wrong with my face. Then the reflection said....something about powers, and China Sorrows...gabber really, nothing to worry about." Skulduggery nodded slowly,"So...you were wondering if it was possible that your powers are growing, perhaps similar or equal to China Sorrows?" Valkyrie nodded,"Is it possible?" Skulduggery nodded pleasantly,"Oh yes, quite. But, though i sense something different about you, I find that another set of powers is nothing for us to worry about. It could of just been China in her Remnant form last year. Her body was infectious as the Remnant was making her powers weak, and when she touched you, they could of burned into you." He paused. "Though of course you find it that with new powers, your better then me. Which is of course perposterous." She nodded slowly, "Ok...so I could be like..China?" She slowly started the beginnings of a smile, imagining Chinas face as she realised she gave Valkyrie her powers with a single touch. But Skulduggery was still rambling,"Seeing as I am superior to everyone, espescially you." Valkyrie laughed,"OK, OK, I get it Skulduggery. Answer my question." He nodded,"Its highly possible, but as I said, nothing to worry about." His voice softened, "See...That wasnt so bad, was it." Valkyrie glared, "Shut up. Where are we going, anyway." He glanced back at the road, "A little wonderful place." Valkyrie raised an eyebrow,"Really?" He kept his composure, then faltered,"Good God no." Valkyrie sighed and relaxed into her chair,"Cant wait then."