"Comeuppance like a mofo, foul karma boomerang delivered all pro, D. I'm proud," Shabazz admitted. "You're scary, but I'm proud."
The rest of the team sat wide-eyed and mute, their stunned gazes going between Damali and Carlos and back again.
Carlos chuckled. "D, didn't I just catch a ration for doing something like this?" Damali blew him a kiss from across the room. "Oh, man, you should have seen my sisters work it, though! I had Nuit backed up in a throne, and Lilith hissing - then he bulked on girlfriend."
Carlos held his hands up in front of his chest. "As long as you had your clothes on, I've got no beef." Then he smiled. "You backed the brother up into his own throne? Damn, D, you're vicious."
"We bombed all seven levels," Damali said in triumph. Shabazz and Mike looked at each other and mouthed the word seven. The gesture rippled around the room, rendering everyone mute for a few added moments.
"And, I've been thinking," Damali said, starting to walk.
"Ya know, when we do this tour, I'm really not feeling peace- - per se."
"Sleep on it," Marlene said. "You're still battle-high." Carlos laughed. "Yeah, D, adrenaline is all in your sweat."
She gave him a glance that said Later, but definitely, and ignored the protests. "Nan, I'm feeling more like a Take A Stand: End the Violence Against Humanity concert. There's a difference. One is more passive, and my music isn't flowing in me like that." She looked at Jose for support. "Like, we have the old standards that built us up over the years as the Warriors of Light... and some new stuff that we can refine and get out there ... I don't know, like, 'Wounded Lover,' and all that, for the love portion of the show. For the part that gets into what happens when the madness continues."
"I feel you, D," Jose said. "Like, the concert in L.A. and during the early days, when we'd call evil out, and you'd strut across the stage with the squad, ready to rumble, holding up your Isis."
"That was some of your best stuff, D," Carlos admitted, looking at her and almost forgetting the team was there.
"Yeah, then you'd drop back and croon about those that got lost in the battle, and what missing them was like - Sydney, redux," Jose said, glancing at Carlos. "It was awesome. And we'd end on a note of hope with something bangin'."
"Then, I suppose, while we have a little hiatus, we oughta get back to seriously trying to lay down some closing tracks," Shabazz said, glancing at Rider, Mike, and Marlene.
"Maybe we can get some serious choreography going to include some of these newbies,
just like before."
"Oh, no, I'm strictly paperwork and backstage," Dan said.
"Me, too," Bobby said. "I'll be on security detail in the wings with the Covenant and Mom and Dad. Forgetaboutit."
Shabazz smiled. "Aw'ight, not everybody is meant for the limelight. But we'd work you in, if you wanted to."
"I don't sing," Inez said, laughing.
"But you can dance your butt off, sis," Juanita said. "How about you, Kris?"
"Uh..."
"I'll teach her," Inez said.
Tara held up her hands. "I'll carry an Uzi in the wings. I'd feel less scared doing a tunnel run than stepping onstage."
"No lie," Carlos said, shaking his head.
"Oh, man, no - I am not accepting that from you," Jose said, laughing hard when Carlos's eyes widened.
"What'chu talking about, Jose - be serious, man."
Damali covered her mouth and laughed.
"I am serious," Jose said. "If this is a worldwide call to arms, you have to get out there and - "
"Do what?" Carlos said, talking with his hands as the older Guardians began to stare at him as though considering Carlos insane. "I don't sing, I don't - "
"You can spit, brother. I've heard you," Jose said with tri umph.