Shayera was debating between a gunmetal gray one-piece with a metallic sheen that zipped halfway down the front, and a sleek black piece with several cutouts on the sides when Bronwyn asks for help choosing.
She puts her hand on her hips as she looks at the different ones Bronwyn'd already picked out.
Is there one she wants me to pick? Like, should I go with the most revealing one? Make her think I want to see all of her body, or something? I mean, a guy who had the hots for her would want that, right?
"Um, well, could you hold them up? Let me get a look at them?" Shayera stammers to break the deer-in-headlights vibe she was sure she was giving off.
She catches a tinge of stress-laced sweat as Bronwyn holds the different styles of swimwear up. While most are tame, there's one string bikini in the group. She tilts her head at that one. Wait. Why would I pick that for her? I'm not a guy; she'd be horribly self-conscious in it, and so would I since I picked the stupid thing out. Hell, no.
She shakes her head, and points to the racing suit. "I'd say that one. It's you."
"You're probably right. I wish they had this Bee on one of the other suits, but this would just never leave my closet."
She quickly sets it aside without a glance, but she lingers a little longer putting the others back.
Finally, with a slightly embarrassed smile she holds up one of the other bikinis, striped in tangerine and white, "I think I'm going to try on this one too."
Kenneth waited until Alexandra got back in the car before leaning forward from the back seat. "See, I told you it was a gun, no one's happy to see you." Turning to Jusker, he continued without awaiting a reply, "Glad to see you took my advice about the mask, I know they're a little suffocating, but technically vigilantism is illegal." As he spoke, he patted a black duffel bag sitting next to him on the seat. "What we're up to is investigating what happened last night. As to how we found you, well I've got a couple ideas, but this is her show, so I'll let her tell you or not."
Kenneth leaned back in his seat and glanced over at Alexandra. "Where to now? The police station, or back to the scene of the fight?"
Okay, so, If I remember the stakes, You owe me a secret. A big part of me wants to lord this over you. But f$!+ that, We're already at each other's throats. So, tell me. what is your problem with me.
She stops him before he can make a smartass comment. This began before you and I had exchanged many words. I called you Ninja-Boy, but that was before it was a pet name, so it's not that. and it's not a distrust of newbies, cause you were downright welcoming to Jusker and Shadowboxer. It's like reverse Super-envy, except you don't have powers either. So, why did you dislike me from the moment we met, if not earlier.
At his "Nobody is glad to see you" remark, she flips the bird to Apex. But she nods as he offers the maskYeah, Actually... Alexandra tosses him a beat up black hoodie. Picked that up in a charity shop. I know you can do your own costume, but It might be better to do incognito.
You weren't that hard to find. Still a private investigator, remember. Incidentally, if nearby Shelters or Charity shops ask if your cousin Kiera got into contact with you... yeah, sorry about that, it was the easiest way, and I wanted some muscle along in case this case went sideways today, and more monsters appeared. We're gonna go talk to those kids. you in?
"It's clothing made for getting wet. For swimming in. It's tight against your body -- well, most of it is -- so you can swim.."
"Do you not just swim in the nude here? Among my people, clothing is not meant to be worn while swimming, as it can cause you to drag while trying to swim, and is tiring."
"Skuld, did you think we were going to get into the hot tub while we were still in our normal clothes?"
"Are not all tubs here hot or cold?"
"Skuld, Shayera. Help. I can't pick."
"I think the one with the straps would look fetching on you, although frankly I don't see the appeal in clothing made to go swimming in." offers Skuld as she looks through the swimsuits in the "big and tall" section. "I wonder that you wear swim clothing at all, given how small these articles of clothing are." As she speaks, she holds up a two piece bikini for emphasis.
"Okay, tell you what, I'll try that one too. Maybe it'll be too cute to pass on." Maybe it won't give her an aneurysm. Let's go gently though.
While she was in the dressing room she did her best to explain through the door, "It definitely started with function - clothes that dried fast and wouldn't drag so much underwater. Normally as little as you're comfortable with." Her voice was briefly muffled, but came back as she continued. "And that way we can swim well without having to be naked in public, which is after all kind of a taboo here."
The door reopened and Bronwyn walked out in the tangerine and white bikini, at first not with quite the practiced confidence and poise she'd shown in her pumps...But it's not that much less than I wear to compete at Track. I guess they can see my abs... But the bottoms really aren't that different.
"Well? Verdict? "
"It's clothing made for getting wet. For swimming in. It's tight against your body -- well, most of it is -- so you can swim..""Do you not just swim in the nude here? Among my people, clothing is not meant to be worn while swimming, as it can cause you to drag while trying to swim, and is tiring."
"But people here swim in public. Which means no nudity, usually. It's actually against the law in most places to go around naked, and that includes in public pools and beaches."
"Skuld, did you think we were going to get into the hot tub while we were still in our normal clothes?""Are not all tubs here hot or cold?"
Shayera has to pause and look strangely at Skuld For that one. "You have to be kidding, right? Doesn't Asgard have bathhouses? Hot springs? Led Zeppelin sure thinks so. A hot tub is just an indoor hot spring."
When Bronwyn finishes trying on the tangerine bikini and steps out of the changing room, Shayera makes sure not to look at Skuld's reaction. She was sure the open admiration would be much more apparent on the Norse princess' face. Instead, she looks appraisingly at the girl who is in love with her.
It's Bronwyn. Bronwyn in a bikini. The color's pretty cute, but it's not too far removed from her track outfit otherwise. It shows her abdominal muscles. The top provides a bit less support for her breasts, but her exercise regimen has kept them fairly compact anyway. Strong muscles in her arms and shoulders, too. The result of her work with the javelin, certainly. Long arms, she has more reach than me; I'd have to get inside, stay close where she wouldn't have as much leverage on me. A couple strikes to her nerve... Dammit.
Shayera blinks out of her train of thought, chagrined that she had let her fighter's instincts take over. It's second nature to her; threat analysis and a plan of attack against everything and anyone she encounters. She'd had it instinctively after the lab, and Whippoorwill's combat training had further refined it.
She drops her gaze and stares briefly at the bathing suits in her hands. I waited too long before saying anything. She attempts the Herculean task of salvaging this. She looks back up, abashed. "It's better than I thought. I was afraid the orange wouldn't flatter your skin tone."
Skuld still seems confused: it's not that she doesn't get what both Bronwyn and Shayera are saying, but it's like someone trying to explain that you can taste color.
"You have to be kidding, right? Doesn't Asgard have bathhouses? Hot springs? Led Zeppelin sure thinks so. A hot tub is just an indoor hot spring."
"Of course we have hot springs and bath houses in Asgard, but I had not heard the word before; also, where is the Zepplin being led to, or is this one of those things that seem to say one thing but say another?"
Skuld appeared to be about to say more, and then Bronwyn stepped out, and all thought went sprinting from her mind like they had superpowers of their own.
Okay, the "one with the straps" is definitely staying in the changing room. She was considering waving her hand in front of Skuld's face, or possibly pulling a fire alarm - whatever it would end up taking, but the look of absolute deadly focus in Shayera's eyes stopped her cold.
I know that look, but why now?
"Yeah, I figured the stripes would help soften the contrast. Glad it worked."
***
Oh, crap. She caught that, Shayera thinks when Bronwyn's expression twists and becomes unreadable. Shayera takes a quick glance and confirms that Skuld is enraptured. Rather than looking over Bronwyn's body, Shayera meets her eyes and gives her a smile. "It's nice. I still think the one piece is you, though."
Bronwyn's smile returned, "¿Por que no los dos? After all, 'I am large, I contain multitudes.' I'm sure at least two of them should have a swimsuit.
"Speaking of which, Skuld, uh Skuld - Skuld?! Do you want to try yours on? I'm guessing you don't have an alternative for tonight otherwise."
She took a seat next to Shayera, close, but carefully not touching while they waited for Skuld. For a moment it looked like Bronwyn was about to speak, but finally she just reached into her bag and got out her phone.
**taptaptaptaptap**
Bronwyn: Are you okay?
***
Shayera leans over, glances at the screen that Bronwyn wasn't exactly hiding, and understands. She pulls out her own phone and looks at the text. She taps out a reply.
Bronwyn: Are you okay?
李秀英: Yeah. OK. dont worry about me
Bronwyn: Shayera, come on. I've seen that look. You give bad people that look.
Bronwyn: What are you afraid of?
Bronwyn: Or are you mad at me? Cuz I made everything weird?
李秀英: I'm not mad at you. Its how I am
李秀英: I was made this way.
Bronwyn: I know.
But that's not all you are.
Bronwyn: And it's not the only way you look at me.
李秀英: I focused too hard. Mind went in the wrong direction. Didn't mean it.
Bronwyn: I know. I'm not worried about that. But seriously. You saw me in a bikini and went into Fight or Flight. Is this too weird?
Bronwyn: Are you Okay?
Some muscle along. Never before had Jusker been referred to as "the muscle" in a group. Honestly, it felt good. He takes the hoodie. "Incognito. Right." In truth he didn't have a costume; it had never occurred to him that he should need one. T-shirts and jeans, like what he has on, are the only costume he owns. But if I'm to keep making money from hero work, I should probably get one. But... What would my name be?
He scoffs at the mention of shelters. "Don't worry, I didn't plan on going back." Suddenly he realizes-- she knows about him. About his situation. He'd never been ashamed of it, because nobody he knew was any better off, but if he's going to be teamed up with these two and the others, then he's going to be seen as different. He gives her a long look. "But where I came from don't make any difference. I do just fine."
Shayera looks up from her phone, wide-eyed. She shakes her head vigorously. "That's not what happened!" she says out loud. Her voice didn't actually echo through the store, but after so much silent tension it certainly did in Bronwyn's ears.
Without thinking, Bronwyn puts her hand on Shayera's shoulder. She continues, "I am okay, honestly. It's just, well, hang on." She starts typing on her phone again, deciding against speaking out loud for this next part.
李秀英: You're my best friend, and I want to give you what you want.
Shayera's fingers hover over the phone for a few moments, trying to compose in her mind what she wants to say. Coming to a loss of trying to explain her confusion over her own sexual orientation, she quickly stuffs the phone back in her clutch purse. She runs her hands through her hair. All I want is to keep hanging out with her. How would that change if we become girlfriends? Do we go on dates? I've had one, and it ended pretty badly. But, maybe that's what we could do?
She eyes the changing rooms cautiously, then looks at Bronwyn in her eyes. "I was wondering, maybe, if you'd like to invite me out on a date?" she says, her voice barely above a whisper.
In a voice barely louder than the pounding of her heart, Bronwyn simply said, "I'd love to."
Shayera gives a half-laugh and fusses with her hair a bit. "Wherever you want. That's fine by me. And I can pay, if you want to do something fancy. Or not, you know. Up to you. Just, whatever you'd like. You know?"
A smile flickered across Bronwyn's face as she replied, "That's good to know. I'll let you know what we're doing later, but for now let's have a fun girls' night out, okay?" She gave Shayera a brief side hug before standing with a laugh and heading back towards the changing rooms. "I probably should have changed back first, huh?"
Shayera laughs, feeling relieved, and shakes her head with a devious grin. "No! I was thinking you should wear it out of the store! With those nee gold and white pumps you got! Then we can get you a sash that says, 'Miss Halcyon' on it..."
Before any retaliation is forthcoming, Shayera gathers the swimsuits she was going to try on and hurries into one of the changing rooms.
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*Before*
Kenneth's eyebrows pop up. "Oh it was definitely earlier, figures you wouldn't get it, being the Silver Shadow and all."
He pauses for a moment to collect his thoughts. "If I'm going to tell you this, it will be once and with no interruptions. This is my 'secret' so I'm going to tell it my way.
"What I've had against you is the fact that you are the Silver Shadow, and there is no hero name that I despise more. People think that it takes something special to be a hero, but we know better. The rest of the team are like kids who found a gun and decided that meant they were cops, and that's true of most heroes I've found. But there was one hero that knew what he was doing, knew he didn't have some power bestowed by chance backing him and chose to put on the mask anyway, the Silver Shadow. And within two decades he had destroyed that name. For every time he was in the papers saving the city, he was in it five times for drugs, gambling and fighting with his teammates.
"If that wasn't bad enough, his successor made it into a pattern. Do you never wonder why the Silver Shadows have such short hero runs? I mean there are still plenty silver and bronze generation heroes still active, so why not the Silver Shadows? The public always thinks it's because their bodies gave out, which is enough of a strike. But I've personally watched the Silver Shadow destroy a team from the inside out, with his bad behavior and his infighting, and I know it wasn't the only one. The Silver Shadow isn't out heroing because he can't find a team to take him.
"But the public and the heroes don't blame that on their failings as individuals. That all happens because the Silver Shadows aren't special, because they're baselines. And so every time someone tells me that I shouldn't be doing this, can't be out here doing this, it's because the Silver Shadow told them that. That is why I have a problem with you."
By the end of his rant, Kenneth was shaking slightly from the emotion he'd unintentionally let out. Looking down for a second, he took a deep breath.
"But you know what, you're right, I've been unfair. Maybe you'll succeed where your predecessor's didn't. Now let's get going, I need to be home for dinner and I want to know what's up with these kids."
=============
Feeling the tension in the car ratchet up, Kenneth decided to redirect the conversation slightly.
"Whatever. So, neither of the two of us got too close a look at the insides of the robot. A lot of psychic and magical constructs lack internal consistency. Did the robot have any glaring errors? Anything lacking obvious support or means of mobility? Obviously it's supposed to be super tech so it may be hard to tell, but you had a better view than us."
Once inside the changing booth, Shayera tries to keep her mind focused on the swimsuits she was trying on. Both suits were one piece, scooping low in the back to give her wings lots of room. They could almost be a superhero costume if their fabrics had more durability to them. She tosses that idea out. She's not one of the spandexed hero crowd and has no desire to join them.
She steps out wearing the sleek black number with the open sections in the sides. She poses once to gauge the others' reactions.
===============
Skuld still seems confused: it's not that she doesn't get what both Bronwyn and Shayera are saying, but it's like someone trying to explain that you can taste color.
"You have to be kidding, right? Doesn't Asgard have bathhouses? Hot springs? Led Zeppelin sure thinks so. A hot tub is just an indoor hot spring.""Of course we have hot springs and bath houses in Asgard, but I had not heard the word before; also, where is the Zepplin being led to, or is this one of those things that seem to say one thing but say another?"
"Oh, don't even try to make sense of band names. There's nothing but confusion ahead if you try that. The Beatles are not insects. The Who really know who they are. Queen is actually a group of guys. And the Rolling Stones aren't a bunch of round rocks."
Okay, posing's not fair... Wait! We're going on a date. Doesn't mean I can leer, but I'm allowed to Look at my...
Well, we're not really girlfriend and... girlfriend. Girlfriends. Yet.
What's it going to be like working with her on the Team? It's going to be weird pretending we're not together...
Man. I still need to tell my parents.
Okay, drama-trauma later.
Cute girl in a cute swimsuit now.
"I love the cutouts, very chic." And if we were on the beach at sunset, and it was a little cold so I had to hold her to keep her warm, what a great place to rest my hands... She blinked, hard, focusing all her energy on not blushing. "Umm, what do you think, Skuld?"
****
"Though, according to Mom, the Stones do Rock. And I think Queen might have been on purpose too..." Bronwyn coughs discretely.
"I think you look rapturous." offers Skuld, clearly blushing.
A self-conscious smile tugged at Bronwyn's lips. "Thank you. But I, uh, I meant about Shayera's suit."
Skuld blinks and says "Oh, uhh…" and then looks at Shayera.
After an almost uncomfortable moment of silence spent staring at Shayera, Skuld says "I believe that many men will find you attractive in that garment." and then gives a thumbs up, though she seems unsure of the gesture.
Bronwyn gives Skuld a nonplussed look at her assessment, but lets it pass. "Well, let's grab you something cute too and hit the tub! Sound good? I still haven't gotten to see Shayera's new place."
"I still don't see the need, but if you want me to wear one, I shall." says Skuld, grabbing the first swimsuit off the rack and going into the dressing room with it. It is a simple two-piece bikini with a floral pattern not unlike those you might see painted on the walls of some swimming pools.
After a few moments, Skuld calls out from the dressing room "Are there any bigger ones? This does not fit me."
"Sure, umm... Are both parts too small?" She hadn't seen the tags or anything on Skuld's first attempt, so Bronwyn just grabbed a small armful of her best guesses before heading over to Skuld's booth.
Alexandra sits impassive as Apex lays into herOkay. You make a few fair points. Bu honestly, I've heard this variant on the "with great power" shite, so lets go through this. First. you and I aren't normal. We're baselines, but both of us won the f$~@ing genetic lottery. Borderline eidetic memories and high IQ's, with only minor examples of the mental illness that tends to accompany such traits, we're people who have athletic builds and abilities. that's not all what we are, we both worked our asses off for it, but most people couldn't do what we do.
As for My dad and Grandad's drinking, gambling, and infighting. well, the drinking is... okay, Vices are a recurring issue in my family. with the stuff we deal with, we need a pretty f!%*in' good stress release valve. Sh takes a deep breathe, and a sip from her thermos. And the teams... well, the most recent one wasn't really his fault. He is just someone who notices all the cracks. like me. It's hard to be that person. I would think you'd get that.
And yeah. Me Grandad, and Dad are the only notable Baseline heroes. Most people aren't cut out for it. We're constantly training, picking stuff up, and we fight cheap, and run often. it's not easy to be a Hero without powers. hell, It isn't even with.
No, It doesn't. Just where you're going. Alexandra agrees with the now be-hoodied teen.
Can't say I saw it. I was trying to figure out the game, or neutralize the kids. Knew I wouldn't do dick against the monsters. But we should look next time they appear.
Alexandra pulls into a darker alley, and starts undoing the buttons on her shirt. Apex, you might wanna get changed too. She says, reaching into the Back-seat and retrieving her costume.
Shayera watches the exchange between the two, then tries to summon some enthusiasm to add to her voice. "Yes! Let's hurry up here," she says as she retreats to her changing room. She hurriedly pulls off the black swimsuit and gives the gunmetal one a chance by putting it on as quickly as she can, while listening to Skuld and Bronwyn talk outside. Apparently, Skuld wasn't good at eyeballing clothing in her size, or she'd deliberately picked out something too small.
She cracks open the door, peeks out to look for Bronwyn. She makes eye contact, follows her eyes drifting down, then reaches to the zipper on her suit and pulls it up a little higher. Whispering to her, she asks, "Do you want me to check on Skuld? I noticed a couple bikinis that I think would suit her."
Bronwyn bounced her eyes, chagrined, but then after a moment's thought shook her head.
"I don't want her to feel like I'm avoiding her or anything, I've got it." Not like it's hard to find something that looks good on Skuld anyways.
"Feel free to join. Maybe finish putting on your clothes though first," she teased.
After all, she was glad she was back in one of her new outfits - a tight-sleeved sweater and leather pants, navy blue on black - especially if Skuld needed some help. It would probably be better if at least one of them were dressed.
"The uhh….actually, it looks like both parts." if someone could sound embarrassed, Skuld would.
Bronwyn gave an amused look at the sky, then moved for the door, "Okay, cover up what you can, I'm here to help."
Jusker relaxes somewhat when Alex deftly disarms his accusation. "It looked like something from a cartoon," he says as he pulls the hoodie over his head. As if to confirm the girl's story, it smells like a thrift store. "The power core was big and red and right in the middle, with the words POWER CORE written on it. At least, I'm assuming that's what it was. A bunch of wires leading from that into the arms and legs. I mean I don't build robots, but I'm guessing they don't actually look like that on the inside." He looks down to make sure his amulet is well-hidden beneath the hoodie.
His heart beats faster when Alex starts unbuttoning her shirt. "Oh. I, uh, didn't realize we were at that point already." He dutifully looks in the other direction, but tries to make the most of his peripheral vision.
Jusker gets a bit of a show, though she doesn't change out of her underwear. Alexandra seems unaware of his eyes upon her.
When Bronwyn opens the door, Skuld is holding her skirt up in front of her, but the mirrors on all sides blunt the effect. She is holding out the swimsuit by the straps and blushing furiously, which is odd given her previous speech about nudity.
"Oh! Umm. I thought you'd-" she gulped "I thought you'd cover more than that." She looked mostly away, holding a fistful of swimsuits out in front of her like a shield.
Whispering fiercely she asked, "What happened?! This isn't too small this is just you being naked!
"It's too small. It doesn't cover everything, and it's uncomfortable."
Eyes mostly shut like she was trying to sneak a peek at an eclipse without being struck blind, Bronwyn dropped her fistful of swimsuits on a bench and held out her hand "Okay, okay. Just give me those and - try on some of these. Do you know how to read the tags? I'll go make sure we've got something bigger, okay? Maybe with some better coverage and - wait, were you just messing with us when you were talking about swimming naked? Why would this embarrass you and that wouldn't?"
Shayera pulls the second swimsuit off and hastily gets dressed so she could give Bronwyn a hand with Skuld. She slips out of the changing room and tosses her choices on the "keep" pile before heading into the racks to pull out a couple more choices for the Norse goddess. She also can't help but notice the boys and men loitering just outside the store hoping to get a peek at Skuld in a bikini. She gives them a stern glare and matches back to the changing rooms.
Hey, here's a couple that I think would look good, plus a one-piece that will work with your long torso--" she starts as she peeks inside. "What's going on?" she asks as Skuld is red and looking embarrassed.
Kenneth grunted noncommittally at her response. "Justify it however you like. You asked, I answered. Now let's get going, we don't have all day."
=========
Kenneth was grateful to be in the backseat and barely kept from laughing at Jusker's clearly conflicted feelings. He couldn't help a quick glance at the rearview mirror himself, but quickly turned to his own tasks out of respect. Taking the opportunity, he unzipped his bag and began his own change. Pulling the shirt over his head, Kenneth considered aloud "We should ask the boys what they know about the design of the robot, and I'll see if I can find a canon design of it. It might be important to find out if the projections are based on the source material, the victims or our potential third party."
As he slid the mask on, Apex spoke up. "Is this going to be okay with your cop buddies? It was one thing to get caught up in the fight as it happened, but this seems like it's a pretty clear violation of the SIDEKICK laws. I can pretend to be eighteen, but that won't hold up long if we actually get taken in and could cause problems in the long run."
"I am embarrassed about how big I am." says Skuld as quietly as she can.
It was probably the most human thing she'd ever heard Skuld say. "Skuld... No one feels 100% good about their body 100% of the time. But let me tell you: You are completely over-the-top gorgeous. Wouldn't change a thing.
"But if you feel that way, that's fine too. We'd both love to help. Anything you want to downplay, anything you want to emphasize, they've got a suit for that, and we'll find the perfect one.
"Now can you put something on so I can hug you?"
Shayera arches an eyebrow in confusion as she tries to decide Skuld's self-consciousness is due to her height, or her bust size. Figuring that it's not her place to ask, she hands the swimsuits off to Bronwyn. "Here. I'll be just outside."
She goes back to the benches just outside the changing rooms and sits down. Bronwyn will make Skuld feel better. That's what she does, she thinks as her emotions dance around the outskirts of jealousy. Even the vaguest hints of it annoys her. There's nothing to get worked up about. She's not going to suddenly realize she's in love with Skuld. And even if she does, doesn't that solve all our problems? It certainly takes the pressure off me, for one thing. I won't have to be something that I'm... not... sure I am."
She folds her arms as she pushes all those thoughts away with a force of will.
Bronwyn tried to catch Shayera's eye, tried to make sure she knew that Bronwyn wanted her help too, but no go. Okay. Weird. Maybe she's- No. You know what? You can just ask her. Later.
If you really need to know.
Well, much as I like to laugh at the law, particularly the SCA, I wasn't actually gonna bring you guys into the room. She says, taking out an earpiece/camera,a nd puts it on herself. You'll be able to see and hear everything in there, and talk to me. Consider this an olive branch She takes out a laptop, and opens it, inputting a long, complicated password, and putting it in Jusker's lap. The Mic is sensitive. please don't yell.
Skuld pulls her shirt back on and then her skirt.
"Okay, c'mere," Bronwyn finally opened her eyes all the way.
Except for her brother Patrick, who she only saw a few times a year, Bronwyn didn't really hug anyone taller than her. It was a little weird, but she was really glad to do it. She'd never heard Skuld sound so... Alone.
A tight squeeze later she asked, "Better? Then let's find you something amazing to wear. Shayera thought this one would flatter your..."
Skuld takes the swimsuit offered and tries it on, which after stepping out of the dressing room appears to be a better fit. AFter redressing, she takes it with her to the register.
"Thank you both. I...thank you." is all she can muster the words to say.
Bronwyn reaches up to squeeze Skuld's shoulder, "Of course, Skuld. Glad we found one you like," then, letting go, she turned to Shayera, "So - when do we get to see your new place?"
Shayera grins, relieved that whatever was going on with Skuld in the dressing room wasn't disastrous. "As soon as I check out, we'll go," she answers Bronwyn.
She does just that, buying the pair of swimsuits she looked at, as well as Bronwyn's and Skuld's selections. Then she gives a quick call to Ms. Quinn to have her waiting with the car as they exited the shopping center.
Their driver takes them through the downtown Tower District, full of dizzying skyscrapers that makes it feel like they're riding through halogen-lit canyons. The convertible gives them a great view from the ground of the towering buildings around them.
After navigating through the mazelike roadways and thick traffic, Ms. Quinn takes an unexpected turn onto a ramp that descends into the ground underneath one of the highest skyscrapers in the city. They all go through a couple checkpoints and finally come to a bank of fancy elevators in the underground parking garage. Shayera hops out and grabs her own shopping bags, plus all the swimsuits. "Ms. Quinn or somebody will pack them up and make sure they get to your place," she explains as she gives the driver a wave.
She waits until her friends join her in one of the elevators, then with a sparkling grin she says, "Home."
The elevator doors close and it rockets skyward, causing bellies to drop in those not used to flight. It still takes a few moments despite the elevator's speed, then it finally slows and the doors open.
Stepping into the apartment is breathtaking. Huge walls of glass reveal the Halcyon City skyline in two directions. The apartment itself is three stories, though most of it is wide open, with staggered balconies overlooking the lower floors.
An abstract art sculpture hangs from the high ceiling just above the elevators, and chrome railings give the entire aparment a modern gleam. Shayera steps up to the second floor and drops her bags off to the side. "Abacus: lights. Half-settting." In response to her command, several lights come on, illuminating areas like a large bank of couches in front of an entertainment center and a sleek modern kitchen, but still leaving the apartment dimly lit enough that the lights of the city are not diminished.
Shayera looks back at Bronwyn and Skuld to see their faces. "Kitchen, bathrooms, bedroom, lounge," she says as she points in various directions. "So, do you want to check out the crime labs first, or do you want to go out on the balcony?" she asks with an excited grin.
Bronwyn's eyebrows shoot up her forehead, "Wow. This is... really nice!"
"Okay, first - let's make sure to add that kitchen to the tour at some point, but," a lopsided smile crept across her face, "Let's start with the view."
It would be really rude to ditch Skuld so we can go out on the balcony together. And I have no idea how to do it. Spending time together all three of us would be better anyways.
As she walked through the apartment and got a good look around, a thought struck her, "Did you end up with any of your things from the Clocktower? I know a lot was lost when it collapsed, but Whippoorwill and I went through it for some things before that.
"I love all your new outfits, and all this stuff looks great. I just wanted to make sure that you'd been able to get anything you wanted to keep."
Rather than a ledge jutting out away from the side of the building, Shayera's balcony is like a wedge cut into one corner, giving it a slanted ceiling rising out from the entrance. A table and some chairs are on one level, while some steps lead down to a lower area with the hot tub and some deck chairs.
The view is dazzling. A few other skyscrapers match the height of the tower, illuminated with their colored spotlights from below. Farther out, the bejeweled skyline stretches on into the night. Stepping closer to the railing, the breeze picks up, and the dizzying height of the apartment is obvious.
Shayera shakes her head in response to Bronwyn's question. "No, there wasn't much left. Well, nothing intact, or anything I really miss."
Bronwyn nods, "To new memories then."
Her eyes sparkled as she took in the beauty of the city. She'd seen it from higher up, but not in... not in quite a while.
"So, your secret identity must take a beating from living with a balcony like this. I would always just fly right from here. Actually..."
She walked towards the railing, kicking off her pumps as she went. The grip wouldn't be great, but it should be manageable. Carefully, but honestly not as careful as she could've been, she wrapped her legs around the railing in a reasonably firm grip.
This. This is exactly why I never wear skirts. You can't run, jump, or climb in 'em without having to worry.
Her cheeks slightly pink, she let herself hang, feeling the wind whipping around her with a contented smile.
"Okay, eyes front, ladies. And don't worry, I promise - if I fall I'll scream Real loud"
Shayera's hand flies to her necklace and she gives it a sharp yank to pull it off. Her wings appear behind her instantly and she gives them a couple tentative flaps. She tosses the charm on the table as she moves into ready position in case Bronwyn slips, but she doubts that her friend will.
She points to a series of devices along the upper edges of the balcony's roof. "One-way image projectors," she explains. "We can see out, but no one can see in. It's a nice little feature and it helps to hide the fact that Wingblade lives here. We could all be naked out here and no one will get a show."
She kicks her own heels off next to Bronwyn's and goes to the railing. She hops up and sits on it as casually as if it'd been two feet off the ground. She waves Skuld over, inviting her to come close to the edge and experience the view from a better vantage.
Bronwyn listened to Shayera's explanation of the devices; her cheeks stayed flushed, obviously because of the wind, and not because she disagreed about what would or would not be a show.
"So I know at your old place you had cameras. Is Abacus the only one watching here? Or is Whip keeping an eye out too." And does Abacus really just mean your 'dad' in the end?
Shayera spins around so her back is facing the dizzying expanse of empty space. Her wings instinctively open up and catch the winds, letting her lean back in a relaxed pose rather than plummet backwards from the railing.
"There's mostly listening devices, so I can talk to Abacus wherever I am in the apartment. There's a few cameras, too, if I need to do some video chats. And I'll bet Whippoorwill's got her tech guy to hack into Ab and keep tabs on me. She's like that. She seems standoffish, but she's always got to be in the know."
As Shayera leaned back next to her, butterflies that had stayed quiet despite the height and the wind began to stir in Bronwyn's stomach.
I will never forgive myself if I spoil our friendship. I hope I'm doing the right thing.
Hey, God? I promise we'll talk about the whole gay thing later, but for now? Please, please help me not ruin this.