Stilt City is just as miserable in winter as it is in summer. The difference is a matter of opposites; it's freezing and clammy, as opposed to steaming hot. The cold cuts like the heat doesn't.

  Etienne isn't a fan of either extreme if he had to admit as much.

  Today, rather than sporting his usual bodysuit, the lean dark-skinned man is dressed warmly though he still wears his usual cloak against the cutting sea breezes. If he were out to perform, he might still wear the bodysuit. But today he's after something different.

  The twins that he's all but adopted are settling in. Truly they're like feral cats, starved for attention while still being suspicious of it. He wonders sometimes how much damage has been done to them but that's not something he can truly fix. All he can really do is provide them safety and care and let them decide on their own that they're safe.

  They remind him of Bog in that way.

  But that's not why he's here either. After a good deal of investigation, most of it done casually in local bars or after performances, he's discovered who ran Jacinthe and Océane into Old Shoreside.

  Of fucking course it's Arnie.

  Arnie Bauer, a petty thug if he's anything at all, is not truly in charge of...much of anything, really. Unfortunately, he's one of those men who's convinced he's more important than he is. Etienne usually doesn't pay him much mind. But after driving the twins into the most dangerous part of town to do their busking, he's suddenly become a priority.

  Etienne bares his teeth in something that's distinctly not a smile.

  The performer gets out of his skycar in Old Shoreside by the warehouse district, sending it to hover somewhere convenient for a quick getaway - just in case things go south. He knows full well that there's not much point in trying to get Bauer to see sense. He has to try, though. If for no other reason than to make sure no other children are put in danger.

  The confrontation goes about as poorly as expected. The man will insist that he was just trying to keep the square free of lowlifes - never mind that those "lowlifes" were a couple of teenagers. Etienne has to excuse himself before he loses his temper; tempting as it is to simply shoot the man he's got a few supporters. The results would be more troublesome than he likes and it would also expose the twins to retaliation.

  No, perhaps it's best to simply expose the man for the cockroach he is.

  So minded, Etienne takes to the familiar streets of Stilt City. He's known to most of the buskers. And of the ones he knows - and some of the ones he doesn't - nearly all of them have grievances with Bauer.

  One of the things he does best as a performer is to control a crowd, whether it's to awe them with his performances, shock them with his feats - or to convince them that there are more of them than there are of one single rat who doesn't know better than to keep his hands off women, intimidate men for no good reason, or drive children into danger.

  At any rate he rallies the street performers, of which there are a surprisingly large number in Stilt City. Etienne holds the attack until he knows Bauer's going to be alone in a run-down office building halfway to Shoreside.

  The crowd, a hundred deep at least, waits for Etienne's signal; a sharp knock at the door.

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  "Who the fuck is it?"

  "Your retribution!" Etienne calls dramatically, holding his arms out. And yes it's all a bit theatrical, but what is he if not a performer?

  The short balding man peeks outside - his dark eyes widen at the sight of the crowd arrayed against him.

  Someone flings a glass bottle. Etienne knows the person; they could've struck Bauer between the eyes if they'd so chosen. Instead the bottle impacts the moldering bricks and shatters, scattering glass shards.

  "We want you out of our town!" comes a shout from a woman who'd complained of Bauer harassing her. Beside her another woman repeats the cry.

  "Get out and stay out!" shouts someone else. It's a chant that's taken up by the crowd, a battle shout that intimidates the thug they're here to oust.

  Until Etienne silences them with a wave.

  "Well, are you going to blow me off again?" the purple-haired man asks, wearing a tight grin.

  "Fuck you!" Bauer replies, but he scampers through the crowd as best he can, hops into his hovercar and, without bothering to seat himself properly. "You ain't heard the last of this," he screams. "I'll get you back you fucker!"

  Most of the crowd gives him the middle finger as he drives away.

  Etienne knows better than to think he's heard the last of this matter, but as his fellow performers gather around to pat him on the back he grins triumphantly. It's enough for today that the city may be a bit safer for not only the twins, but for the people who busk in the street.

  ---------------

  They're all back in the apartment they've begun sharing when Etienne tells the twins what he's accomplished.

  "You didn't have to do that," Jacinthe tells him, working on a bowl of cereal.

  "Yes, I know. But, well, what's done is done, right?"

  He examines the dark-haired teenager's response closely, without seeming to, as he might examine a crowd before a performance. They don't seem angry. Despite their caveat, they seem...grateful.

  "Can we...talk about something else?" Océane asks suddenly.

  "Of course."

  "Do you think we're ready to perform yet?" the teenager asks, looking up from their own meal. "Giselle said..." They trail off a little.

  Suddenly both children are looking up at him. Clearly they're looking for his appraisal, which he finds flattering and heartening both. "I would say you are," he says carefully. "Do you feel ready? Shall I arrange something for you?"

  They nod in concert.

  So shall it be.