A Kernel Of Truth
is a Worm fanfiction story where Annette's side of the family has a more... supernatural bent than in canon. It is in progress as of October 2022.
This fanfic contains examples of:
- The Alcatraz: The Birdcage, as in canon. Mal being able to get in and out to talk with Marquis with apparent ease just goes to show how powerful she is.
- Always a Bigger Fish: Allfather is the leader of the Neo-Nazi gang Empire Eighty Eight, and his sole appearance in the story has him fleeing from Mal after she sets The Wild Hunt upon him.
- Batter Up!: How Taylor deals with annoying monsters in her closet.
- The Dreaded:
- Mal Linwood, Annette's mother. Myrddin claims that she causes Bring My Brown Pants moments in the PRT staff aware of her, and even Marquis is very wary of her. Considering that she can get in and out of the Birdcage, the reputation is probably well-earned.
- Annette's not bad at being this herself to those who get her mad, even terrifying Lung into not moving to the Bay.
- Exact Words: When New Wave contacts Myrddin to check on Mal's background, he cautions them against dealing with her, especially if she offers a "boon". When informed she used that exact word and Carol accepted it, he audibly breaks in fear, and explains the best they can do is follow the agreement to the letter.
- The Fair Folk: It's eventually revealed that Mail is some variety of fae, and tends to abide by their Blue-and-Orange Morality. Notably, Myrrdin is terrified of the prospect of making deals with her.
- Happily Adopted: Amy eventually gets formally adopted by the Heberts, and is much happier there than at the Dallons, though she still gets along well with Vicky.
- Horrifying the Horror: Annette is capable of terrifying Lung away from moving his operations to the Bay.
- I Need a Freaking Drink: When Myrrdin learns of New Wave's interactions with Mal Linwood and her extended family, he soon goes out and tries to get drunk enough to forget it.
- Little Miss Badass: Taylor batters the literal monster in her closet into submission.
- Outside-Context Problem: Taylor and her family are at least part fairy and do not abide by the rules of parahumans. Just to name one example, the inescapable parahuman prison known as the Birdcage? Taylor's grandmother Mal is able to enter and exit it at will.
- Things That Go "Bump" in the Night: Taylor mentions a monster under her bed in the first chapter of the story. The first hint toward how this Taylor differs from canon is not that she's scared of him, but that he is making too much noise.
- This Is Gonna Suck: Myrrdin is not happy to learn that he'll be sent to the Brockton Bay Protectorate.
- The Wild Hunt: Mal sets it on Allfather. Also, it is led by Danny.
- Wrong Context Magic: Mal and family are not parahumans, let's just say that. It's eventually revealed that Mail is actually a variety of fairy.
