Even since the emergence of superpowers on a widespread level, the villains have rarely come out on top. Whether it's their naturally competitive instincts or simply a universal law which says that for every villain there must be a hero to challenge them is unclear, but it is a fact.
Sable City is one of the few exceptions. Once a shining metropolis the city was claimed in a single day by a hitherto unknown villain named Sable. This powerful figure cloaked the city in a seemingly perpetual night and then proceeded to defeat not one, but fourteen heroes who sought to challenge them in quick succession. Within two days the city authorities capitulated to Sable and declared that the city would hereafter be an independent entity, ruled solely by Sable. The villain immediately declared an amnesty on all crimes committed within the rest of the world and instantaneously turned Sable City into a centre of villainy for the entire world.
Even Alpha and The All-American Hero, the two most powerful heroes on the continent couldn't unseat Sable, because if there is one thing that will make villains put aside their differences it is an existential threat. Every villain in Sable City, numbering hundreds by that point, joined together to turn back the forces of Good and when Sable engaged The All-American Hero above the city and sent him plummeting to earth Alpha called a retreat.
However the forces of Good have not completely abandoned Sable City. The Night Police are not omnipresent and some villains will seek to skirt, or outright flaunt Sable's rules, whether through hubris or greed. Some people in the cities underground speak in hushed whispers of Nightlight, a powerful hero who appears to help the threatened and vulnerable in their times of need. He is a symbol of hope for those who have yet to resign themselves to villainous rule and who pray for the return of the sun.
You are not Nightlight, but you know him or at least know of him. Whether you were rescued by the hero, trained with him at his securely hidden refuge or have simply heard stories and seek to emulate your hero, you have taken up Mask and Cape, ready to use your powers for the benefit of others rather than yourselves. You may not make a huge difference, you may not save Sable City, but you will make a difference for the better and after-all isn't the path of a hero always one against insurmountable odds?
Sitting in the corner of the coffee shop, Dan'i muses to herself how no matter the environment, humans just desire to go about their daily routine unmolested. Even in a city controlled by a supervillain, she watches as writers stab away at their laptops, students grab an expensive coffee and bagel, and harried mothers manage their broods via the expedience of caffeine.
Even their concerns and worries are really no different than humans elsewhere she thinks as with a casual brush of her mind she reads their surface thoughts.
Is he cheating on me?
Will she say yes?
I've got to get that promotion.
Oh, even with those horns or whatever, she's hot.
Dan'i gives a smile and a slight nod at the young man juggling a pair of drinks and a book-filled bag as he makes his way towards her table. She looks him over casually in turn. Not bad, she thinks. I wonder who the other drink is for?
"Over here, Chad," a young woman's voice calls out. Chad turns to find a pretty little brunette gesturing at the empty seat next to her in frustration. Chad looks back at Dan'i with a slightly embarrassed grin. She shrugs her shoulders and responds with a smile and an air-kiss before returning her attention to her own drink and thoughts.
Dani can sense the joy and excitement coming off of Deven before the young woman even walks through the doors of the coffee shop. She is dressed in a long-sleeved button down shirt and comfortable jeans and carries a few textbooks in her arms. She looks around the shop, eyes lighting up when she sees the enigmatic outsider across the way. With a grin, she makes her way over to the corner.
"Dan'i! I thought I'd find you here!" Deven says. "Mind if I join you?"
"Not at all, Luv," Dan'i replies with a grin. "Have a seat." She pushes out the other chair at the table. She gives a wave towards the dusky skinned girl working the counter who giggles and waves back, attempting to hide a blush.
"Was there any particular reason that you were looking for me?" she asks as she takes a drink of her tea - coffee never having appealed to the outsider. A moment later and the counter girl drops off a second cup of tea in front of Deven. She leans down and whispers in Dan'i's ear with another giggle before retreating back to the demanding customers.
Deven conceals her smile at the interaction between Dan'i and the counter girl. "Do I need a reason to hang out with an awesome person like you?" she asks. "Just being in your vicinity makes me look cooler. So let me bask in your aura of awesomeness while I study for my physics exam!"
She puts the books down in front of her and takes a sip of her tea. "Mmm, good choice. I see you've already found the best beverages to consume here on Earth. What sort of drinks do they have where you come from?"
"Bask away, Luv," Dan'i says with a grin. "Just as long as I'm allowed to bask as well." Leaning forward, Dan'i whispers, "She's wondering if you're single, by the way."
Leaning back, she continues in a conversational tone, "Something much like this, but with a small amount of something like brandy in it - not quite as strong, though." She holds up the cup and examines the teabag. "This isn't a bad substitute, though. Much less likely to give one a headache."
"Oh," Deven says, her cheeks darkening as she glances over at the counter girl. "That's...very flattering. I mean, technically, I am. I haven't really given dating much thought with... With everything I've gone through in the past couple of years... I've had different priorities." She shifts a bit in her seat and clears her throat.
"Not suggesting that you have to act on it," Dan'i says with a grin before taking a sip of her tea. "Just letting you know. Besides, I don't think she's your type." The dark pools of Dan'i's eyes narrow as she sizes up the girl sitting next to her. "Nope. Not your type at all." She turns her gaze back to the patrons of the cafe.
"And I wouldn't recommend tying yourself down to a single individual or two right now anyway. Too many things going on to maintain such a commitment."
The bell on the door chimes and steady, even footfalls precede someone entering the coffee shop. A man dressed in a smart black suit passes the girls table and takes a seat at a corner booth before opening a magazine and looking at an article.
To Dani, he appears as a handsome man with strong jaw line and dark brown, wavy hair.
To Achna, a slick looking business man with a well manicured goatee and slicked back, black hair.
Then, they both hear in their heads ::I believe we should all consider meeting to discuss the events of the other night. Securely. Without wandering eyes. Do not react or speak anything out loud in regards to it. Continue your dialogue, but let us keep this private business private, yes?::
::Is this not a meeting?:: Dan'i responds in kind. ::No reason to go anywhere else. No one here cares one way or another about what we talk about. Other than Tanya there, of course.:: Her eyes flick to the girl making a Frappuccino. ::But her concern is more in the manner of working up the courage to ask Deven out on a date and she can't figure out whether we have a 'thing' going or not.::
As if to sow confusion, Dan'i throws a wink at the girl in question who promptly fumbles at whatever machine she was operating and grabs a fresh cup to begin anew.
::Not until the other arrives. The hero girl from Bay City. If she arrives at all. If she is smart, she will be in disguise. If she’s smarter still, she will remain hidden entirely.:: the voice replies.
Deven blushes again, wondering just what sort of images Dan'i is gleaning from her mind as she inadvertently pictures her 'type.'
She eyes the handsome man as he enters, stifling a gasp when she hears the voice in her head Zyrian! Oh my God, this is really happening! We're gonna have another team-up!
Without her own telepathy, she can only guess at the silent conversation between Dan'i and Zyrian. But she bounces in her seat, her physics assignment all but forgotten.
The Crass Crown is not disguised so much as not clad in a magical gown of black ice. A burgundy tank top, jean shorts painted on, a studded belt, black Chuck Taylors, mismatched socks.
She would blend in, maybe, if not for the fact she’s in the midst of a video call.
“—well congrats just the same, Darling… dammit, yes I too. Stop making me say it… well it’s implied. Now I’m late… of course not my—why would you even—?”
Daphne finally puts her phone in her purse, rolling her eyes. She glides in perfect posture, regardless of the fact she’s wearing Chucks, not heels.
She sits and princessily crosses one leg over the other. Her posture is perfect.
”I prefer my coffee like my roots. Black.”
She leans in to Deven. ”Perhaps you think I’m a natural blonde. There’s a way to be certain.”
Dan'i smirks at Daphne's 'subtlety' before glancing over at the nervous barista who looks up with a start. She blushes at the unvoiced request and then gives a quick nod. A moment later, she sets a steaming cup of black coffee in front of Daphne.
"Thanks much, Luv," Dan'i says with a smile.
"Certainly," she says turning to join in the suggestive conversation. "You can check her bathroom for the used bottle of hair dye," she says with a grin.
”Black dye down under to fake being a brunette.” She smiles at the succubus. ”Oh, that’s brilliant.”
She sips the coffee, her own cold breath thickening the steam.
Deven blushes deeply again, pointedly not trying to stare at Daphne (and failing miserably). "Oh! I, uh... I didn't... That is to say..." she stammers, bobbing her head in a noncommittal gesture.
Daphne savors Deven’s reaction before saying, ”I was being improper, which you assuredly are not. Nor is this coffee. It would devastate my darling cousin to know this is proper coffee, not the glorified hot cola at her Cups and Capes front.”
There is a sensation of frustration that presses into everyone’s minds. ::If you ladies can try and control your hormones and libidos for five minutes, we have more pressing matters to concern ourselves with. Namely, why was Death’s Hand part of that response team. And why was an orphanage attacked anyway?:: Zyrian’s voice echoes in all your minds. ::I have linked the four of us. Just think your responses and I will make sure they are broadcast to only us.::
::Give me a moment. My mind is reminiscing on a sorority party. Oh, Katie, that was my favorite pillow.
Right. Daydream complete, onto business. There is one reason to burn an orphanage. It is the literal flame to attract the proverbial moths. Speaking for myself, I took the bait knowingly and willingly. No child should suffer or worse from heroes in hiding. There’s a line between strategic stealth and consequential cowardice. I’m pleased to know you are kindred souls who refuse to cross it.::
It’s perhaps clear from her tone that, once the Crass Crown is done screwing around, her words are sincere and heartfelt.
::How very humanly assumptive of you,:: Dan'i sends as she takes a slow sip of her tea. ::I'll have you know that unlike humans - the male portion of the species, more specifically - my thoughts control my hormones, rather than the other way around. I would give a demonstration, but that probably wouldn't alter your point of view and would be very disruptive to our 'secret' meeting.:: She sets her tea back down on the table and gestures for a refill.
::So if you're finished attempting to lump us all into a heterogeneous misogynistic stereotype then we will continue our discussion. More specifically, what evidence do we have that they specifically chose to burn the orphanage as opposed to the idea that it just happened to be caught in the crossfire?::
A moment later and a new cup is placed in front of Dan'i. The girl leans down and whispers in her ear and Dan'i whispers back. Dan'i's words cause the girl to frown slightly and glance across the table at Deven before giving a nod and heading back behind the counter.
Deven gives the counter girl an apologetic smile and head bob. Unlike the others, she is somewhat grateful for Zyrian interrupting and allowing her a moment to get her wits about her again.
::Whatever is going on, I'll bet it's something big! Night Light said he and his allies would be digging into things to try to find more information about the orphanage incident. We just need to sit tight for now and let the other heroes do their hero thing!::
::Yes, of course, because someone else would have come along and saved all those children. Luv, you need to let go of the idea that someone is going to come along and save us all. If action needs to be taken, then we need to be the ones doing it. If you're going to be a hero, then be a hero, not a bystander.::
::Dani’s right, Devan.
I stayed close by my mother’s side, while my cousin—who has no powers at all—led some of Bay City’s youngest heroes. She took the risks because it was right, and she even found love and glory and kept touting [i]me as her better.
I’m not.
I chose to let the adults train me proper, and in the hero business, initiative and belief in your teammates is far more important than powers. I’m done being the bystander, I’ll follow my cousin’s example.::[/i]
For Zyrian’s benefit, she adds, ::But will be her better in hormonal control.::
With a proud smile, she says aloud, ”She’s having a girl by the way. I’m an aunt!” She is genuinely giddy.
::You might care to react to this aloud, for show. A matter of time before one notices we’re staring at each other in silence, complete with facial expressions and body language that’s surely inexplicable to the casual observer.
And more so to her.::
She means Coffee Girl, who keeps staring at Devan. ”Might we have a Rice-Crisppuccino, sliced into quarters? I’m celebrating aunthood. It’s a niece.”
Deven looks somewhat abashed as the others provide their advice.
At Daphne's verbal declaration, she lights up. "Congratulations! You must be so happy for your cousin!""
::Okay. So, what should we do? Snoop around? Shake down some goons?::
The young woman is eager to prove herself to the blonde heroine!
”Very. She’s like a sister to me. Legally, she is.” I’m not sure her alien friend was legally adopted.
Answering the unspoken: ::I like the way you think. Perhaps start with snooping. What powers have we among us for that?::
The groups conversation is interrupted by a muscular figure who barges through the door with the confident air of a man who owns everything he looks upon. The suit of armor he wears probably has something to do with that - thick and seemingly extremely heavy it looks as though this particular villain played a lot of Warhammer 40K before, or possibly after, his powers manifested. On one of his oversized pauldrons is the icon of the Night Guard, obviously new given the brightness of the gilding.
"It's a good day for Sable City with Captain Commander Casualty is here to protect her! Now sweetness," He adds, turning his attention to the barista who trembles under his gaze. "What are you going to offer me in celebration? I feel like a party!"
He sweeps his armoured hands out and everyone in the room feels a telepathic command with all the subtlety of a battering ram.
All around the room people start to stand up and begin writhing with varying degrees of grace. Whether psychically compelled or simply obeying through fear is hard to say.
The Crass Crown rises. She offers a hand to Archa.
”I can waltz to this. Shall we?”
::Keep my back to his guns. I cannot be harmed.:: Physically, she admits to herself (and Dani, she realizes), acknowledging her emotional scar.
::Relax, Luv,:: Dan'i sends to the barista. ::Just make him one of those sugary concoctions that all the soccer moms love. We'll keep you safe.::
Pulling a deep blue beret out of her purse to hide her small horns, the outsider rises from her seat with a slow sway to begin gyrating to the music playing over the speakers.
Deven is surprised by the sudden arrival of the brutish Captain Casualty. But she takes Daphne's hand and stands with her, following her lead.
::I wasn't expecting to fight! I left my sword at home! But I can still kick his butt if need be!::
She looks around the coffee shop, beginning to formulate a plan.
::I believe you.::
Daphne raises her arm to signal a twirl. She twirls in kind.
But gleans nothing from glancing at the enemy.
Meanwhile, Zyrian remains seated with his magazine, not rising from his seat. When the man looks his way, Zyrian simply says without looking up ”I dance only when I choose to. It would be in your best interest to not press the issue and to lose the attitude.”
[ooc]Provoking him to back down and stop bothering Zyrian with this overly grandiose display of self importance at others expense.[/b]
Deven suspects that the easiest way to end this quickly is simply to give the Commander what he wants, he seems to be interested in some cheap gratification rather than anything else.
Daphne meanwhile finds it hard to read the Captain Commander, overawed as she is by his telepathic powers and fearsome armor. The man glances over at her. "What are you looking at, insect?"
The barmaid flushes and glances at Dan'i before scurrying down the bar to start mixing the commander his drink. Fortunately for her Zyrian's insolence distracts the commander's attention quite effectively. Marching over to Zyrian's table with heavy footfalls the Commander slams one armoured hand onto the wood and leans in.
"What was that, civilian?"
Zyrian calmly replies ”It would be in your best interests to not assume someone is a civilian in Sable City…” as closes the magazine. As he places it on the table gently, his sharp suit seems to shift and change in a wavy, mirage like manner to reveal Zyrian in his own armor and expressionless helm as he stands to glare at “Commander Casualty.”
”You likely do not know who I am, and that is by my design. So, like I said, leave me and my surroundings alone, so that I can enjoy my drink without further disruption, unless you would prefer to live out the rest of your days as a happy volunteer janitor at this establishment, thinking that the pleasure of cleaning other peoples s!+% is all you need to be happy in this world.”
The Commander retreats a step and Zyrian can see the bravado fall away from his face. He nods jerkily and steps away from Zyrian's table, clearly quite willing to leave the other villain in peace. Instead he wheels around and seizes the drink that the barista has just completed. He chugs it down and then spits most of it back in the young woman's face!
"What sort of crap do you call this?" He bellows.
"It's... it's our fall special sir!" The barista replies, clearly terrified. "Apple and cinnamon..."
”I’m looking at a man who is so cool, he’s oblivious to just how cool he is.”
With just a look, the air around Commander Casualty is very, very cold. The spray of coffee freezes as it exits his mouth, and surely his metal armor is causing him much discomfort on the inside. On the outside, there are sparkles of frost that spread all the way the the bottom of the boots. The commander’s next step might be a doozy.
The Crass Crown's powers freeze the liquid as it leaves the Commander's mouth, pelting the young woman behind the bar with tiny pellets of ice rather than liquid! She ducks behind the bar, bleeding, as Casualty turns to stare at Daphne. They lock eyes for a moment and the Commander shudders before a helmet snaps over his head and you can all hear him speaking inside it - apparently some sort of broadcast.
"Captain Casualty requesting backup! Unlicensed powered!"
Zyrian snarls beneath his mask, and extends his formidable telepathic mind to everyone present in the establishment except those he came here to see. He attempts to wipe their mind of the event, and discredit this imbecile with the authorities by making him believe the barista was the one using powers because she got his drink order wrong…
”You’re the one flaunting your powers in public. Are you blinded by your own superiority, or mine?”
The Crass Crown glares at the helmet’s visor.
…but the armor is already cold, so Daphne can’t instantaneously cover it with frost to block his vision. And while physically invulnerable, she is very worried about the innocents!
Feeling Zyrian's mental push to the normies, Dan'i frowns and pushes her own over the top of his to add that she was the barista instead of Tanya. She quickly dances her way behind the counter and ducks down to rest an arm around the girl's shoulder. "Sorry about that, Luv. Why don't I take this and you take a break in the back." she whispers as she pulls the girl's apron off and slips it over her own head.
Standing up, she does her best terrified minimum-wager face.
"I'm sorry, it's my first day!" she cries out with a tremble in her voice.
Deven had been content to play along with the thug's game, hoping to end things quickly without violence. But as soon as he spits in the barista's face, her expression darkens.
"Oh, you so have this coming!" she shouts, darting over to punch the guy in his stupid face!
Probably not the best idea now that he has his helmet on...
Zyrian unleashes his telepathic powers, blanketing the cafe and the rest of the patrons stop their awkward dancing and stare slightly blankly at the fight breaking out in front of them.
As Dani slips behind the counter to get Tanya out of the way Deven and Daphne take a more direct route! Unfortunately for Deven, punching an armoured and helmeted man in the face is a quick way to damage your hand and Commander Casualty headbutts her brutally for her trouble, before slugging her in the gut with an armoured fist - a blow hard enough to send her skidding back across the floor, before he turns on Daphne.
"I see you, fool. Surrender now before I add more charges!"
There's a muffled sound within the helmet and Casualty responds loudly.
"Seventh and Elm. Unlicensed power user assaulting an officer.
Seeing Deven about to get clobbered after hurting her hand, the Crass Crown becomes very afraid of how terribly hurt the non-powered girl will be.
She blocks the punch with her invisible body, unmoved by the blow.
”I’m not afraid of you, Commander Casualty… soon to be just plain Casualty.”
This t%!! is getting out of hand.
Dan'i ducks back behind the counter, but not before blasting the Captain with enough mental energy to rattle his tiny little brain.
Zyrian’s voice emanates in each of the ladies heads. ::Extricate yourselves as quickly as you can and lose anyone who follows. When you are ready to actually TRY and make a change in this light-forsaken city, contact me.::
He then stands and casually, calmly begins walking towards the door. As he does, he uses his telekinesis to place a barrier up between the man’s fist and Deven’s stomach.
Deven winces as the attacks come toward her, but her teammates keep her safe! ”Ha! Suck it, a~**&+&!” she shouts as she delivers a flurry of kicks!
As the team comes together to protect Archa she takes advantage and lashes out a flurry of blows at the Commander's powered armor. He doesn't fall but when Dan'i assails his mind Casualty groans and stumbles towards the doorway, barging past Zyrian as he goes.
The Crass Crown turns to follow his departure and sees possibly the worst possible thing - people have their cells out and are videoing the confrontation.
"She's a hero!" Someone exclaims and a number of patrons cheer. "You're going to protect us right?"
"You saw it here first!" Another person exclaims, moving in front of their phone. "Like and subscribe for more exclusive hero news, right here in Sable City!"
Worse, as Zyrian leaves he can see the Commander stumbling away down the harshly lit street, but beyond him is a large black van with a flashing red light - the Night Police back-up is arriving, and in force!
”Patience, adoring public.” The Crass Crown bows with a flourish to the one who said ‘hero.’ ”The best way to protect you is with a brazenly public escape.”
She steps out the door, offering a hand to Archa. ”Care to join me on the high road?”
”Quiet and inconspicuous would be preferable,” Zyrian says sternly. He looks tot he crowd and again wipes their minds of their presence, compelling anyone who had pictures or footage to erase it and think they had been to scared to think to do so.
He then turns for an alleyway and says ”Split up and get a low profile. It is your best chance to avoid the NP.”