"You'll stay here for now," Richard said to the group of superhumans born in Hawkins Lab, patting Steve's shoulder. "Tell him if you need anything—this is his house, loaded parents, so milk him dry."
Hopper and Richard brought the superhumans who had survived death's door back to Hawkins Town. When the twin sisters and Ricky learned that Hawkins Lab had been destroyed by Richard, Eleven, and their friends, admiration for Richard and the others soared.
They'd had the guts to escape, but after years of hiding they still hadn't found a way to fight The Lab, not even daring to approach the town. Richard and the rest had broken through while trapped in that hellhole and toppled the evil facility. The memory shamed Ricky's group, so when they heard about The Upside Down they agreed to help without a second thought.
Carly had nowhere to go, drifting like duckweed. Revenge no longer drove her. She lived for two things only: honoring her four dead teammates by staying alive, and helping Richard and Eleven solve the riddle of The Upside Down.
Shared goals make for easy traveling companions.
Four visitors arrived in town. Years on the run had left them penniless, and Richard wouldn't dream of putting them up in some apartment.
Mainly he feared prying eyes; Carly was a wanted fugitive after all. After a quick talk with Steve and Steve's parents, Richard simply moved them into the Harrington mansion.
Steve's parents had lived through the Pseudo-human incident. Whether because Richard possessed arcane knowledge and power or because he'd saved the entire Harrington family, they had no reason to refuse his request. Besides, Richard was a true friend who exerted a positive influence on their son, so help was only natural.
The superhumans loved the lavish Harrington villa—no close neighbors, every amenity provided. A perfect hideout.
And so Steve gained four roommates.
"I'm Ricky, Number Three," Ricky told Steve, looking a bit sheepish. "My power is controlling how people feel about me. Basically… I can make anyone like me for no reason."
Steve blinked. "A cheat code for being a total heart-breaker!?"
"No, no, don't get me wrong—I'm old-fashioned about relationships. I've only ever dated one girl."
Steve laughed at Ricky's panic. "Relax. As long as you don't use it on me or my friends, no one's going to complain."
Ricky scratched his head in embarrassment.
Jamie and Marcy, the twins, giggled at Ricky's teasing and stepped forward to introduce themselves.
"I'm Jamie, Number Nine, Marcy's twin. I generate extreme heat and flames," Jamie said.
"I'm Marcy, Number Nine-point-five. I… don't have a power. I just feel everything Jamie feels," Marcy said softly. Compared with her outgoing sister, she was quiet and shy.
Hearing Jamie's ability, Steve instantly thought of the shared weakness of Reverse World Creatures. He elbowed Richard. "Hey, Chade—did you hear? Jamie's power is heat and flame."
"Exactly. She's tailor-made for fighting The Upside Down—she'll be a huge help," Richard said with a grin.
Jamie thumped her chest. "Richard told me about The Upside Down on the way here. If you need me, just shout."
Steve turned to Marcy. "So, Marcy, if you're not powered, why did Dr. Brennan bring you to The Lab and stamp you with a number?"
Marcy gave a small smile. "My sister and I are linked. When I'm near her, her power peaks, and sometimes her ability gets dangerous. I'm the only one who can calm her if she loses control."
Steve nodded. "Then you're amazing—and a key part of our fight against The Upside Down."
Finally Steve looked at Carly, who kept it short: "Carly, Number Eight. I create illusions."
To demonstrate, she conjured a life-like black bear that lunged at Steve. If Richard hadn't grabbed his shoulder, he'd have dived sideways and probably smashed the furniture.
Arms crossed in front of his face, Steve watched the bear pass through him and dissolve into sparkles.
"That was insane," he said, wiping cold sweat but grinning. "Your power could help us build courage."
Seeing his reaction, Carly's lips curved; she knew he'd be easy to live with—he wasn't afraid of her ability.
Richard added, "Courage training aside, with 3-D effects that real we've got to introduce you to Jonathan. No director could refuse an assistant who delivers perfect practical shots for free."
"Director?" Carly asked, puzzled. "Your friend?"
"I'll introduce you later. He's set on becoming a cinematographer-slash-director. Ever seen the movie demon child creel? He shot that," Richard said, folding his arms. "Fun story behind that film—I'll tell you sometime."
"It's late; you've had a long trip. Rest tonight. Tomorrow I'll introduce you to the rest of the town. Some of them are… colorful, but don't hold it against them," Richard said, settling the four in, then rode his Ghost-Work smart bike home.
After four days away, Richard's house had been completely renovated. Thanks to his popularity—and the generous townsfolk—local tradesmen jumped at the lucrative one-price job the moment they heard the town celebrity needed repairs.
Money talks, and the whole job was finished in days with almost no supervision from Robin.
Robin wouldn't stay over tonight; Richard was about to release the vengeful spirits from the basement, a process risky for ordinary people.
Days apart, the spirits greeted Richard like long-lost friends, circling him joyfully until he urged them to find new hosts.
Back in bed, Richard smelled freshly laundered sheets and guessed Robin had done his laundry while he was gone—an unexpectedly nice touch.
"Good haul this trip. Haven't opened the skill panel in ages—let's see what I can do," he murmured, rubbing his hands as his mind sank into the mental space of the panel.
[Agent: Richard (Grade E)]
[Skills: Programming (A), All-around Housework (A), Culinary Arts (A), Shooting (A), English (B), Misfortune (D), Phantom Spirit Body (C)]
[Derived Skills: Hyper-digestion, All-beings Analysis, Universal Repair]
[Case Files: Phantom Parasite (001), Specter Rebirth (002), Pseudo-human (003), Dying-Hypnosis Notes (004), Evil Seed Doll (005)]
[plot points: 1469]