The weirdest thing about being an undercover teenage super hero, Linh decided, was listening to people talk about her in class.

  The new member of Pacific Vanguard was a hot topic at school the day after her epic battle, and Linh was forced to sit there hearing her classmates speculate and postulate all about her, all the while pretending that she had no idea what they were talking about.

  Jazz of course relished the opportunity to tease Linh, loudly proposing all sorts of outlandish things, including suggesting that Linh was some sort of shape shifting rabbit alien. Which honestly wasn't that far from the truth, at least until Jazz suggested that she was powered by carrots. (Linh reminded herself to hide her carrot sticks from Jazz at lunch.)

  Mercifully, most of the students weren't overly interested, and the discussion didn't last very long. Unfortunately, the kids that were interested were the creepy ones. Linh was tempted to use her Doctor’s note when they started using words like “waifu” and discussing fan art and cosplay…

  “So, how did your Mum react?” Jazz asked when they sat down for lunch, unwrapping some kind of exotic pastry. Linh had no idea where she got these things, Jazz always seemed to have access to an artisan bakery.

  Linh winced, “I uhh, I forgot to call her back,” she admitted.

  Jazz froze.

  “You didn’t.”

  Linh nodded, “I did.”

  Jazz laughed, “And you survived? How did you not get murdered when you got home?”

  “She tried,” Linh replied, “She threw a pot at me.”

  Jazz shuddered, “I’d rather fight that guy you arrested than your mum.”

  “Agreed,” Linh said, rubbing the spot on her head where the pot had bounced off.

  “Still,” Jazz continued, “You deserved it.”

  Linh couldn't dispute that. She had almost died on national television, not calling Mum after was a capital offense.

  “Though a pot? Really?” Jazz asked, and Linh nodded.

  “Could have been worse,” Linh replied, “She was also holding a knife. Though, I would have dodged that one.”

  “You should buy her a present,” Jazz advised, “Or a coffin.”

  Linh snorted, “Sure, let me just ask her for some money first.”

  Then she paused.

  “Wait,” she said, “I wonder if I’ve been paid.”

  “Paid?” Jazz asked, “Like, from the team?”

  “Yeah,” Linh replied, pulling out her phone, “I’m not sure how much, but I’m supposed to be on a Rookie’s salary. Mum made sure of that.”

  She pulled open her account balance and froze.

  “What? You get paid in fish or something?” Jazz asked, leaning forwards to see Linh’s screen.

  “Holy shit,” she said, looking at the number.

  “That can't be right,” Linh said, staring at the frankly enormous figure.

  “That's like, lawyer money,” Jazz said, “Linh, you’re making bank.”

  “I better call them, this has to be a mistake,” Linh replied.

  She considered dialing Beacon, but decided against it, the man was so busy, she didn't want to bother him. Maybe Kestrel would know?

  She called the other woman, whose number she had saved under “Vanessa (work)”.

  Kestrel picked up almost immediately.

  “Rabbit!”, she said, “Is something wrong?”

  “Umm,” Linh began, not entirely sure how to phrase this, “So I checked my bank account…” she began.

  “Oh, yeah, it's payday. Is there a problem? Yours didn't come through?” Kestrel replied.

  “I think I got way too much,” Linh said. She told Kestrel the amount, and the woman laughed.

  “Sweetheart, that's on the low end. You're getting rookie rates,” Kestrel explained.

  “But,” Linh replied, “It's so much! Why is it so much?”

  The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  “Because you're a super hero? Rabbit, you almost died yesterday to save lives. You earned it,” Kestrel said.

  “Besides, if heroes are paid well, they're less likely to take bribes or skim funds from somewhere.”

  Linh blinked, “Is that a problem?” she asked.

  “Used to be,” Kestrel replied, “These days, not so much.”

  “Huh,” Linh said, “Guess I’m rich now.”

  Kestrel laughed, “Enjoy the benefits sweetie, and rest up, okay?”

  “I will, thanks,” Linh said, ending the call.

  She looked at Jazz, “I guess we're going shopping then.”

  Going shopping with Jazz was far more fun now that Linh had money of her own to spend. Usually it meant watching her friend drop a month's worth of Linh’s income on a pair of shoes, but now? Now Linh got to fling the dosh around.

  In theory, of course. In practice, she was conservative. She wasn't particularly materialistic, but she definitely needed a new bag. And some boots. Several pairs of boots.

  Okay, fine. She bought several pairs of boots. A cute little pair with ribbons. A pair of big, stompy platform boots that made her almost person-height. A pair of soft thigh highs that Jazz had demanded she grabbed. Linh was grateful for her physical boost as she hauled all the boxes around, along with her new giant rabbit-shaped backpack. Jazz had teased her relentlessly for that one, but Linh liked Bunnies. They were literally her spirit animal.

  “Right!” Jazz declared, “Next stop, coats.”

  “Coats?” Linh asked, and Jazz nodded enthusiastically.

  “Coats,” she said seriously. Jazz had elected herself director of retail therapy, and was taking her role very seriously.

  “But I have a coat?” Linh replied, and Jazz snorted.

  “You have a ratty thing from the kid’s section at Target,” Jazz responded, “That is unacceptable.”

  Linh was dragged from store to store, Jazz leading the way.

  “Now, we have to pair those boots with some layers,” Jazz explained, “Oh, and some stockings. You have great legs, even if they are only doll sized.”

  Linh was quickly buried under a few more bags, each containing another piece to the fashion picture Jazz was crafting for her.

  “And skirts,” Jazz continued, “You got the right idea, but we need frillier. You're tiny, boys love that. Give them a hint of thigh between the skirt and stocking? They’ll drool over you.”

  Linh wasn't sure she wanted to be drooled over by boys, but she had to admit that Jazz was spot on. Linh was looking the cutest she ever had. She wasn't even feeling self conscious about how much taller Jazz was. It was a whirlwind of consumerism, with Jazz indulging as well.

  “Right,” Jazz said, as they were taking a break in the food court, bags clustered around them, bubble tea and sushi on the table before them.

  “There's only one thing left,” Jazz said, and Linh frowned.

  “We have shoes, skirts, tops, coats, bags and even a beret,” Linh said. “What else could we need?”

  Jazz grinned wickedly, “Lingerie.”

  Linh paled, “No,” she said.

  “Yes,” Jazz replied, “I’m willing to bet you’re still wearing stuff from the kid’s aisle.”

  “So what?” Linh said, “It's not like anyone is going to see it.”

  Jazz shook her head, “Girl, it's not about that. It's about confidence.”

  “Besides,” she added conspiratorially, “With how hot you’re looking? Who knows what may happen?”

  Linh blushed, “...fine,” she replied. It was easier to just agree to make Jazz stop talking.

  They finished their bubble tea, then Jazz dragged her off to one of those stores that Linh had never dared to even look at, let alone enter.

  What followed was a storm of lace and embarrassment as Linh was double teamed by Jazz and one of the sales girls. It got even worse when Jazz insisted on getting a matching set, for bestie reasons. Linh didn't protest. This was the happiest she had ever seen her friend. She knew Jazz was self conscious about flaunting her family's wealth in front of Linh, and now she could go wild. A little discomfort and embarrassment was worth it if it meant she got to watch Jazz glow.

  “We have got to do this again,” Jazz said, as they left the mall, both girls buried under a mountain of packages.

  “I don't think I have enough space in my house for more trips like this,” Linh replied as they headed towards Jazz’s car.

  “Besides,” she added, “I should probably save money from now.”

  “Pssht”, Jazz said, doing her best to wave her hand dismissively, “worry about that later. Right now? Enjoy yourself. You earned this, after all.”

  “Yeah,” Linh replied.

  She had. The girls loaded their haul into the back of Jazz’s hatchback, barely having enough space, and Linh hopped in. A warm feeling filled her as she watched Jazz start the car. This was the happiest she had been in a while. It was worth taking a small beating if it meant she got to make Jazz happy. Her friend's smile was worth any amount of pain.

  Linh was skipping as she entered the HQ. Clad in her new boots, the ones with little bows, a pair of knee-high socks and a frlliy skirt she had almost managed to convince herself she didn't need, Linh was feeling fantastic.

  She was using one of the back entrances, this one purporting to be for entry to the clinic of Doctor Evelyn Cross. Which she supposed was technically true, as Doc did in fact see patients here. She just had an exclusive list.

  She was so wrapped up in replaying the events of the afternoon shopping trip, such as Jazz trying on a camisole and posing like an underwear model, that she failed to notice that she wasn't alone in the elevator.

  She bumped into a pair of hips, rebounding off to land on her butt.

  “Oww,” she muttered, rubbing her backside.

  “Oh, I’m sorry!” A pair of shoes, worth more than all the pairs Linh had just purchased combined, entered her vision.

  Linh followed the pair of long legs up until she met the slightly puzzled eyes of Kestrel.

  “No worries!” Linh said, springing to her feet, slightly flushed from embarrassment, “Sorry about that.”

  Kestrel studied her with a strange look, “Can I help you miss?” she asked, and Linh frowned.

  Why?...

  Oh!

  Linh burst out laughing, causing Kestrel to frown.

  “Sorry,” Linh said, wiping her eyes, “I entirely forgot that you won't recognise me.”

  “Recognise…” Kestrel began, before the light clicked on behind her eyes, “Linh?”

  Linh nodded. She had entirely forgotten that the team hadn't seen her human form yet. There was a reason why Linh didn't need to wear a mask when in costume, her entire face, and even voice changed when she transformed.

  “Hey Kestrel!” Linh chirped, as the woman shook her head.

  “I knew you transformed,” Kestrel said, “But I wasn't expecting to not recognise you, you look completely different! I thought some kid had wandered in.”

  Linh smirked, “Part of the whole ‘Moon-Goddess’ thing,” she explained, "I normally transform on my way up.”

  Kestrel looked her up and down, “Well, you look great.”

  Then she smirked, “I see you went shopping.”

  “Yep,” Linh replied, “went with my friend.”

  Kestrel nodded, “Next time I’ll take you. We need to get you something formal for the Ball.”

  “...Ball?” Linh asked.

  “Ball,” Kestrel repeated gravely, “We have a charity dinner next month, and while you can go in costume, that's tacky.”

  Linh paled, “No one told me about that!” she protested.

  “Well, consider yourself told,” Kestrel said.

  “Now come on, we need to debrief after yesterday's mission,” she continued, turning to head towards the team lounge.

  “Right, um. One sec,” Linh replied, removing her back pack. Kestrel snorted when she saw the giant plush rabbit, and Linh decided to ignore her. It was cute!

  “I gotta transform,” Linh explained, “Something tells me that I don't want Douche getting a look at my real face.”

  “Probably a good call,” Kestrel admitted, “Go ahead.”

  “Moonlight flows, Jade Rabbit shows!” Linh shouted, assuming the pose and doing the twirl.

  One swirl of moonlight and tastefully placed sparkles to preserve modesty later, and Linh was transformed. She picked up her bag.

  “Ready,” she told Kestrel, who was staring at her, eyes wide.

  Oh no…

  Linh knew that look.

  She backed up, but it was too late.

  Kestrel squealed and scooped Linh up.

  “Holy shit that was the cutest thing ever you are just so precious I am going to stick you in my purse and keep you forever!” Kestrel babbled, smushing Linh’s cheek against her own.

  “Guurk,” Linh replied, the air thoroughly smushed out of her. She had been so caught up in the conversation she had forgotten why she transformed in private.

  “Seriously, do you do that every time? You NEED to do that in front of the others, I need to record it!”

  “P…please.” Linh managed to groan out, but Kestrel was relentless, intent on squeezing Linh into Bunny-Paste.

  “What a twist,” Linh thought, her vision fading to black. “I survived the bruiser, only to die here.”