Sidekick V-Sides 1: Le Crappy Day
What do villains do on a bad day?
Lando
This is Lando. He is a sweet boy with terrible timing and a habit of drooling a little when he snuggles you with his face. It’s one of his favorite ways of waking you up in the morning.
…Time for this week’s story…
Sidekick V-Sides 1: Le Crappy Day
Some days are so miserable nothing can make it better. When that day comes once per year, there are few options. You stay busy and try not to think about it, you wallow in sadness, or you get yourself a baguette, some meat, cheese, fruit, some expensive wines, and try to be at peace instead of taking out your misery on others.
That was the choice LeFiels made every year when that day came. He strolled down to his favorite bakery for a baguette, followed by a few stops for other items.
“Fig butter? Don't mind if I do.” LeFiels took the fig butter and moved to the back of the store for dried fruits.
A bell chimed in his pocket. It was a message from Theo. LeFiels and some associates encouraged Theo to go by his alias, Morpho, when meeting new villains. Theo was of such a kind heart that he did not realize the risk of using his real name as his network grew.
Theo’s message read: Hey LeFiels! Are you free for an hour or two? I need your help. Can't text about it.
Relieved that Theo had learned some discretion, LeFiels was overtaken by a sense of panic. Was it a trap? Recently, the frequency of Theo’s texts had diminished. LeFiels had been relieved, preferring to keep to himself. Now, it was cause for alarm.
Someone distancing themselves then asking for help is the clear sign of a trap. But, this was Theo. Thanks to his super power, LeFiels knew Theo’s heart and character. When they met, LeFiels knew that when things happened the way he knew they would, he could count on Theo. He was right then, and nothing had changed. LeFiels calmed his nerves and told Theo he’d be there soon.
“Empty the register!” A voice boomed from the front of the store. The panicked cashier quivered in fear.
LeFiels approached quickly but quietly. The gunman had a ring on his left hand. LeFiels could feel his fear, not all of which stemmed from his present actions.
“Excuse moi,” LeFiels beckoned. The man spun to his left, gun shaking.
“Don't move!”
“It's okay, my friend, I'm unarmed. I see you in distress. I thought I could try to help.”
“You can't help me.”
LeFiels could feel the man's life. He had a young son, but he and his wife were broke. She had been unfairly fired and he was a laborer with an injury who had recently been let go as well. After a recent fight, he felt a need to provide at any cost. He was a good person making a bad decision.
“If you will allow me, I see you have a wife, perhaps even children? On this day when I was five years old, my parents were killed in front of me.”
The man’s face melted. The gun stopped shaking and drifted away from LeFiels.
“Growing up without them was devastating. The world was not kind. I implore you, sir, be it prison or death, please do not leave your family alone. They need you.”
The man's hand fell and he sobbed. LeFiels wrapped an arm around him, and he leaned in for a hug.
“Thank you,” he said to LeFiels, pulling away. He turned to the cashier, who was both afraid and astonished. “I'm sorry.”
The cashier nodded and glanced at the gun. LeFiels gestured for the weapon. The man handed it off and nodded in gratitude, then left silently.
“Excuse moi,” LeFiels got the cashier’s attention while tucking the pistol away behind his coat. “How much? I have this fig butter and these fruits.”
“Uh…” The cashier was too shaken to process the request. “Just take it.”
“Thank you. Have a beautiful day, mademoiselle.”
LeFiels stuffed the items in one of his bags and stepped into a beautiful, slightly chilly day. A cigarette was lit and hanging from his lips within moments. After a stop at Theo’s he could go home and relax. Normally, he would not have accepted a work request on this day, but Theo was an exception.
Theo’s last message read: Let yourself in, we're upstairs.
Theo lived in a warehouse apartment with some other villains, who had all become closer since they started working with Theo. As instructed, LeFiels let himself in. He stepped into a dark room filled with silhouettes. Intense panic shot up his spine, then the lights clicked on. LeFiels dropped his groceries and pulled out his gun, pointing it around in a panic.
“Happy Birthday!” a crowd of villains roared.
“What the hell is this? Is this a trap? You bastards aren't going to kill me!”
“Woah, LeFiels, relax.” Theo approached with his hands up. “Slicer said today is your birthday and you're always grumpy. I thought we could throw you a surprise party. I sent Hydraxia to get some good wines. It's not a trap. You want to put the gun down and have some fun with your friends?”
“So, we're friends now?”
“What do you think?”
LeFiels looked around the room. It was indeed a party. Hydraxia gave him an awkward smile, holding a bottle of wine. LeFiels slowed his breathing and finally let out a sigh of relief.
“Don't scare me like that.” He tucked the gun away.
Everyone laughed and Theo gave him a hug. After the mood relaxed, one of the new villains to their gang, named Inverse, shared that nobody celebrated his birthday either. Then, Theo collected everyone's birthdays so they could celebrate each other since nobody else did. This was enough for a few villains to shed tears. After LeFiels wiped one from his cheek, Hydraxia bumped him with an elbow.
“That little punk doesn't realize what this means for people like us.”
“I think that's why we're all here, doing whatever he asks us to.”
“Yeah? Well, I just figured it out, okay? If anything ever happens to that kid, let's just burn the world down.”
“I'm good with that. Happy Birthday, LeFiels.”
Next Time
Sidekick 3: The Truth - Part 1