@feral_nova: yes
❤️L.O.V.E.❤️
Amaterasu Watanabe, or more widely “known” as the secret underground performer “A”, had just finished a recent show in Emerald City. Her latest stop on her spontaneous tour. Spontaneous in the fact that no shows had exact dates or locations, everything was just whenever Ama felt like putting on a show. She would then tweet out or post a pic on Instagram, and then whoever wanted to be her audience that night would have to figure out the clues to end up in some small build cram packed so hard that one would have to say excuse me just reach into their own pocket. The audience didn’t care about paying high prices to watch the show either, because the feeling of figuring out the picture and hearing that A put on an amazing show, just made them have to see who the mysterious artist was. The only problem was that they really didn’t see the underground performer, at least not really, before the show started “A” put a harmless spell on the building, so her identity could not truly be revealed. Each audience member saw her as a different person, with different physical qualities, and if anyone tried to sneak a picture or video their camera would capture it as though there was a flash covering her body. Her identity was so secret, she could simply walk out in front of them after the show, and none of her audience members questioned it after, they all continued to see it as another challenge, another puzzle to figure out just like the pic or tweet that got them to the show.
As she finished her latest show in Emerald City, she felt something. The smallest feeling in her mind, an intruder. As soon as Ama felt the telepath making her way into her mind, she set up telepathic defenses to protect herself and anything she saw a vital information, but as soon as she set the defenses and safety measures up, the telepath left as if not to intrude anymore than they had to. It took Amy a second to ease up from the possible threat, but after a moment, she checked her fan email on her burner phone.
In between the “great shows” “Who are you’s” and “and “hey what’s your snap”, there was a peculiar message about a coffee shop named “ICE Brew” and something about L.O.V.E., signed “Sorry for the intrusion”, an interesting signature. Amaterasu could only believe that the earlier telepath and the email were connected. The young magician had to see what it was about, and if she didn’t like it, well at least maybe she would find a new coffee spot when she visited Emerald City.
She took a moment around the corner looking at the coffee shop her guard was still up from incident after the show. She casted the same spell on herself again that she casted at each of her shows, hiding her identity. If she didn’t like what it was about at least the telepath and email sender would have a tougher time finding her again. The masked identity she had taken, was a freckled redhead 5’8 with glasses. She walked to the counter, “Uhm...yes, could I get a cafe mocha, and uh…” Amaterasu didn’t exactly know how to go about it, about asking about L.O.V.E., and what she was here for, so she whispered just loud enough, “...uh..L.O.V.E.” hoping that the worker caught what she said and had any idea what she was talking about, and also hoping that the cafe mocha was good, because if not that would be a deal breaker on whether she made this her new spot in Emerald City.
Paragon felt relief, but then a thought occurred to her. For a team such as this to function, trust needs to be a given. It's then that she makes a choice, she just hopes she does not come to regret it. Only time will tell, but she has a good feeling about Maya and Hex. Paragon also felt it was a little unfair that she knows both names that Maya calls herself.
Paragon examines the device in Maya's palm. Using her numerous vision powers, she can see every last detail of the device, 'every nut and bolt' of it's construction, what it's made of. With her scientific mind, she actually understands the explanation just fine. Not enough big words, though. But in her experience, big words cause only confusion with those who are not scientists or geniuses. She takes the device and keeps examining it. Then she glances up at Maya when she reveals she is Solace.
Paragon smiles, feeling more than ever her choice to do what she is about to do is the right call. "Solace...that's a nice name and this device is absolutely fascinating! Did you invent this? How long did it take you to get the device to recognize brain waves? Sorry...as a scientist, I tend to ask a lot of questions."
She presses a button on her watch and her clothes change and she places glasses on her face. She is now no longer Paragon but Keira Hawke. "I'm Keira, Keira Hawke. CEO of Hawke Industries, scientist and inventor, it's a pleasure."
Not even the slightest memory, Zoe's reformation came with seemingly an erase button; their bout and brief history was but a blur. "You're right, I do know how you are, and I do know what you've done. Follow me" Giving a subtle headnod to Timothy enroute to the elevator in the stock area, Maya allowed the young hero to go first before following close behind her.
"It's happened to me too" Eying Zoe's cautiousness; she sought to smooth over any sort of confusion or tension that could mount between her knowing, and Zoe's ignorance. "But when it happened to me, there was nobody to blame but myself. I didn't have an excuse. So many people died because of me. It was only when I got here that I realize the effects of what I'd done" It was all meant to be out of context. She was reffering to her mental breakdown, a breakdown that inadvertantly crafted Reality-M, and the events that eventually lead to the erasing of her own history.
"You do get through it, I did. Because I had to" What she didn't mention was that in this breakdown she erased her own children from existence, and laid the ground work for the birth of Liafador family that eventually plunge 'M' into despair.
"I'm not interested in your past. I'm interested in your future" The elevator opened depositing the two women downstairs in a sort of team conference room. "I invited you here, because I think we could be of use to each other." It was odd, they didn't have the best relationship in this universe; nor did they have the best relationship in her universe. The tables however were turned, instead of Maya being the young arrogant and brash teenage hero; she was now in the position her Nova was in--the mentor.
"Let me help you get back to where you need to be. Join my squad that I'm putting together."
@ama:
With Timothy on 'break' Maya had to man the store herself, which was a change from her life back in her time. There, she was one of the world's highest paid actresses; and a former World Leader. "Oh, if my friends could see me now" she chuckled whilst sweeping the mound of coffee beans massing on the floor into a dust pan.
"I swear, If I didn't need him to man our secret I would've fired him a while ago." Timothy was actually a member of L.O.V.E., only in an engineering fashion. His pot smoking hippie lifestyle was more or less a facade for his actual purpose. His sole purpose was to craft and design new tech for the team to use.
The two of them were still being aquainted however, their mutal friend, Davion; was killed in the line of duty a couple of months back--leaving them to hash out their own opinions of each other.
The annoying little bell on the door ding, and the moment Maya feared was coming to fruition. She was going to actually have to make a drink.
"One Cafe Mocha coming right up" She said confidently, Timothy went through the added step of making sure everything was color coded and labeled. "Would you like Dark or Milk Chocolate?" As she prepared the drink, save for the missing chocolate of preference, the Redheaded woman very discretly whispered L.O.V.E
"Did you get the message too?" She asked, genuinely unsure as to who this woman was. Moving around the counter she flipped the sign to 'closed' before heading back to the counter. "Maya, Maya Summers"
"Nice to meet you Keira" Her smile was quaint filled with genuine pleasure that this woman decided to share her identity. The truth of the matter was, Maya didn't really know anyone from this universe. "Scientist, and Inventor huh; that's good because one of these days I feel like I'm going to fire Timothy" She teased placing her focus back on the implant in her hand.
"This was created by my partner Davion. We both worked in the L.A.P.D together. I honestly have no clue how long he worked on it, but he gave me Hex for what I believe is my birthday. H-he died not to long ago" she admitted. Realizing he was the only person here that literally meant the world to her.
"We have rooms here for you to stay in, of course you're welcome to go and come as you please. I know you have work to do in Metro City, if you ever need help out there. We're your calvary. While your here, there's a medical station, Research and Development, Training stations all types of things."
Zoe followed, listening attentively to what Maya was saying. She couldn't help but feel there was more to the story than Maya was letting on. She couldn't help but feel the tension in the air between the two as they both walked into the elevator. It was almost as if you could cut it with a knife. The Fire Goddess knew she knew Maya from somewhere, but she was having such a hard time placing it. "I know I'll eventually make my way... if you would have seen me two years ago, you might have thought I belonged in a psych ward." She gave a forceful chuckle. "I've come a long way, the people back home were beginning to slowly trust me again. It was rough. Things being thrown at you, your name cursed, getting threats out in the open around police who do nothing but turn their eyes and ears away. But I'm doing it... some don't give me that glare of hate anymore and not all kids hide behind their parents when they see me. It's not perfect, but I was making progress. So when I got your message, I was afraid, because I felt that I would have to start all over again. Redeem myself again, show people that I'm not a monster. I didn't know if I was ready to start all over. Not when I was still working so hard in LA." Zoe blinked her eyes a few times, clearing her throat as she realized she was probably oversharing a bit.
The elevator door opened and a type of meeting area was seen. Chills ran down her arms. Was she really going to do this? Join a team again? Her feet stopped walking, her blue eyes scanned the immediate area, it was impressive, but was she ready for this? "L.O.V.E huh?" her hands buried themselves in the pockets of her jean pants, taking a couple of steps forward in front of Maya as she looked around just a bit more. "Under the heart of Emerald City... and under a coffee shop no less. That's a new for me." She gave a faint smile, slowly nodding her head. "You reached out to me, invited me into your team headquarters and are willing to give me a real second change at being a hero... how can I say no? I'm in." Zoe gave a genuine smile turned around to face her new teammate. "I do have one question though... why call it L.O.V.E?"
Keira can't wait to see where this friendship takes them or how well this team functions. At the mention of the person she lost, Keira places a hand on her chest. Not Maya's chest, on Keira chest. She has a look of genuine sorrow, "I'm so sorry to hear that." One thing about being a woman, they connect with emotions more easily than some. Keira herself is no stranger to loss in her life having lost a sidekick. She's never taken up another one since then.
At the offer of a calvary, she nods and smiles, "Thanks and that goes both ways. This is one amazing piece of tech." She says about the device, "Is this mine? And can I have a tour of this place, please? That is, if it's not too much trouble?"
There was a small notion, a notion to chuckle; and she damn near felt her rib cage explode through her chest to stifle it. Not because Zoe's story was funny by any means; only because everything Zoe said was true. It never mattered how many children you saved; or wars you prevented, what people remembered was your last screw up.
As the doors opened, Zoe moved about seemingly impressed or atleast relieved at what she saw. Then the question she dreaded came up. "Uh, I-I actually don't quite remember...it's rather a long story." She fumbled. It of course didn't make an ounce of sense why would she name the team L.O.V.E if she had no clue why it was called that. "Hex, remind me to think of some names for LOVE"
"Oh right, Hex. Hex is our A.I. feel free to chat with her; she'll give you a pretty detailed rundown on the improvements being made here in Emerald City. We'll also discuss the implant that'll give you access to certain mental communications perks should you want them"
On the outskirts of Emerald City, situated by the soothing beach waters, is a boating dock for sailors and voyagers alike. On this evening, one of the warehouses meant for shipping arrivals for the local shops was busier than usual. A number of hired goons walked along the building's perimeter, keeping a watchful eye while their boss worked from within.
"Adrienne, baby. You've upset me." With her legs, arms and waist strapped to a wooden chair, the young Adrienne couldn't move a single muscle. Her pupils were the size of quarters, reddened and strained as the palm of Miss Pierce pressed against her throat.
"Talking to @maya_summers in public and cracking under pressure? That's not how we do things around here, sweetheart." It wasn't a secret that Miss Pierce had this unnatural connection to reality. Her body could feel shifts in time, see through illusions of the mind and most of all...she knew when someone didn't belong. Maya Summers didn't belong in this reality and it was only a matter of time before she tried to smoke Miss Pierce out. In a vein attempt to bait the ambitious blond, Miss Pierce used Adrienne to test the woman's abilities.
"Don't speak, Adrienne. You're a dumb hoe." Instead of maintaining her character as Miss Pierce in disguise, the half-assed lookalike confessed to being a hired stunt double.
"Thought you'd bounce with the money I gave you?" HA! That's gotta be the funniest shit I've seen anyone try to do. Maybe even funnier than those Instagram makeup artists using dildos to apply their foundation." Miss Pierce released her grip and extended her hand outward so that one of her men could hand her a rag to blot her face of the tears she'd shed for this girl's buffoonery.
"I've been in your position before, baby girl. I've conned lots of weak people in my time, but sooner or later...you get got. Someone smarter humbles you and today I bestow that experience onto you." SMACK! A palm to the face with her free hand. SMACK! Another one, this time a backhand for the sake of sending a message. Her blows do draw blood from the mouth of her little lackey, but it's nothing compared to what would happen next.
"So, Adrienne...I hope you understand that I'm not doing this to demean you. In fact, I love a girl whose got the balls to do what you did. And if I wasn't trying to establish my footing in Emerald City, I might have let you go, but I refuse to look like a weak b*tch. And trust me when I say, I'm not a weak b*tch!"
In a concentrated effort to teach Adrienne a lesson about humility and respect, Miss Pierce telepathically intruded the young woman's mind. Once inside she carefully reworked the girl's frontal lobe, impairing Adrienne's ability to walk since she wanted to run away so bad. Now she'll have to reteach herself on how to use those pretty legs of hers.
"I want this girl into physical therapy asap pronto. We're one big happy family, not monsters. Remember that!" The petite Miss Pierce fluffed her cotton candy curls and spun around, smiling from cheek to cheek as she sauntered her way out of the warehouse where she stored a number of Animus tech from decommissioned Force precincts.
"Pedro, sweetheart. I'm in the mood for a mid-afternoon pick me up. I think coffee sounds good and my thoughts keep telling me to check out the ICE Brew. Shall we find out why!?? I think we should." Pedro Ruiz had worked with Miss Pierce longer than his compatriots, but even the seasoned bodyguard was taken aback from his boss's eccentric behavior from time to time. His long sigh and shaking of the head was a common retort to her demands, but he'd never deny the lovely Miss Pierce. She always took care of her people. She loved them...in her own crazy way.
It'd been some hours before her car arrived in front of the ICE Brew. Pedro had to tap Miss Pierce's knee as a slight reminder of her request. "Silly me! Thank you, Pedro. You're a doll for keeping me on track." She patted him on the shoulder before continuing. "Now do me a favor and go home to your wife and kids. I can handle myself from here."
Shortly thereafter, she stepped outside the car with her heels clacking on the pavement. Miss Pierce hadn't a clue what kind of predicament she'd welcomed herself to, but she knew she had to answer the call. She wasn't exactly a hero. She wasn't much of a villain. However, Emerald City had become her home and if maintaining its' safety from greater threats meant stepping outside of her security detail than so be it. What's the worst that could happen?
As she stepped inside, she smirked that devilish smirk when the barista boy looked her way.
"Can I get an caramel macchiato on the rocks? Make sure its' freezing, sweetheart." Unlike the Americas or Venezuela, Emerald City afforded Miss Pierce the opportunity to step into the sun and remake herself anew. There wasn't a Newcastle or Supreme Chancellor breathing down her neck. With the powers she had left, Miss Pierce built herself a business of smuggling weapons into Emerald City and arming police station's with tactical gear. No one asked questions, because the streets were getting cleaner with her assistance. It also meant authorities would turn a blind eye whenever she punished someone for double crossing her.
"I'm feeling a bit overheated," she muttered before taking a cloth out of her jean pocket and blotting her sweaty forehead. Miss Pierce was visibly lethargic after using her telepathic powers, but since no one knew about her situation they'd just assume she couldn't handle Emerald City's heat.
Nonetheless, she took a seat at the bar. Her glimmering violet eyes scanning the area for the woman that'd been asking and looking for her.
@clara_mass: LOVED! (No pun) that post
@maya_summers: thank you :) i wanted to write something better for you lol
@shanana: lmaooo shut up!
@paragonxxx: also hi! I read through some of your posts and enjoy the vibe. reminds me of vintage heroics.
@closure: (( Hello! Thank you! ^_^ ))
Time had passed, not too much time; but enough time for her to come to terms with the fact he was dead. Still, it was weird not having his expertise; especially now that she was going to run this L.O.V.E operation. "Yes that device is yours." She said motioning Keira toward the teleporter, I think you'll like this next area; It's the research and development wing." Maya said standing next to a floor panel with a low blue hum.
Part of Maya's duties was monitoring the shop's inventory, and making sure she continued to order and rotate stocks. Though the ability to warp and shape reality was gone, the connection to the universe was never severed,
Looking up from the milk chocolate selection, Maya's eyes were guided toward a woman on the other side of the stock control door. "Timothy..." She whispered, only to have the hippie completly miss the secrecy.
"YO!?" He yelled from across the room shattering whatever sort of stealthy approach she was going to develop. "Never mind, remind me never to kill anyone in front of you sheesh" Brushing past him, Maya swiftly moved toward the woman enjoying a Caramel Macchiato at the counter.
"Did you recieve the call too?"
@maya_summers: your approach with everyone through Maya is such a change of pace. Nova, Paragon, Ama all have different vibes but Maya as the centerpiece maintains the story. Plus the thread's setup reminds me of old school CV.
I like it.
There was blackness all about her, a featureless void that stretched for miles and miles with no boundaries to hold it. It was empty, and it's only light was the flaming aura of red that glowed around Alexa's body. Her legs crossed beneath her, her posture meditative, her eyes shut and her hands cupped together before her, the Priestess of Power hovered still in the air. The glow she emitted hummed an ominous tune, a low echo that hung in the air with a sense of permanence. Her power, the fifth fundamental force responsible for anomalies scientists say do not match existing theories, it coursed through her body and poured into her cells. Daughter of Thee Champion, she was the nGoddess of the Anomaly, and she was a force of nature.
Slowly but surely, her many months in isolation, her training at the heart of this endless void, yielded results. Alexa's control over her power, her command over the fifth force, was vaster now. She'd grown stronger. Sharper. And soon, she felt it, a psychic presence probing at the borders of her mind. She allowed it into her mind, and heard the message it relayed. "LOVE", she murmured, her icy voice the only one to ever echo in this void. "Things are finally starting to get interesting", she said, opening her eyes, her violet gaze meeting her empty surroundings with a smirk. And in a heartbeat she was gone, teleporting, moving herself across space-time geometry to the ICE Brew in Emerald City. Alexa emerged from thin air, a small ripple in her wake. Standing 6'0" tall, muscled to the lean proportions of a warrior goddess, and clad in a dark and armored battlesuit, Alexa strode forward.
A short black cape hung from her shoulders and fluttered in the air. Her helmet de-materialized, disappearing to the whims of quantum-mechanical and nanotechnology as she gazed upon the door to a coffee shop. She kept her raven hair short, it was more efficient in combat, less likely to be pulled, cover her eyes or otherwise get in the way. High cheekbones and violet eyes, she was every bit a warrior as she was beautiful. Striding into the coffee shop, her posture and body language oozed a disarming and cold resolve. Turning her head left and right, she took in the coffee shop's interior before resting her eyes on an employee, a young man standing behind the counter. Alexa's features softened, "Hey", she began, her confidence clear in the calmness of her smile, "I received a message about a briefing at the ICE Brew but", she paused, glancing around the coffee shop, "Am I at the right place?".
"Not to be rude but I don't think you're the person who reached me telepathically", Alexa almost chuckled, "Or are you?".
"I used to want to save the world. But people like you went out of your way to push people like me to the breaking point. One day I will be strong enough to defeat you" Exhaustion wore heavy on her face, everyday from 6 to 7pm she trained in the simulator to hone her battle skills, everyday was the same opponent--Sha. These files however were encrypted, Hex knew the sequence of thoughts to unlock said files. These files were memories, the last memories she actually remembered of her universe. These were not good memories, but they allowed her to remain on her toes. She would lose no more friends, especially not those living between these walls.
"Ms. Maya, there is a visitor for you in the lobby. She fits the parameters" There was no need to respond to Hex, it already knew she acknowledged. Moving through the training simulator the adopted daughter of Andy Summers moved into the elevator sweat pouring off her body. Much like what happened when Clarice first arrived, Maya's body begin to react to the shift in the universe, a foriegn almost irrational energy; that which could not be explained.
"Hex, any specs on the woman in question"
"Negative"
The elevator ding releasing Maya unto the stock control room of the ICE Brew. "That would be me, Maya Summers" She said extending her hand to greet the tall woman.
In a world filled with super-geniuses whose inventions brought mankind closer to the future than any time machine, sorcerers who wielded the forces of magic to upend the laws of physics, aliens who crossed boundless light years to invade a backwater planet, gods and races of supermen genetics, anything was possible. So as she stood there, arms folded before her chest, her face inquisitive and her left brow arched, Alexa seemed expectant, of both a "yes" and a "no" from the man who stood behind the counter. Though as he seemed on the verge of answering, someone else had done so for him. A woman, blonde and tall. Emerging from a nearby elevator, she strode out and extended her hand to Alexa.
"Well, I suppose it wasn't wrong of me to suspect it was someone else then. But in a world like ours, you can never be too sure", the Priestess of Power replied, meeting Maya's hand with a firm shake. Withdrawing her hand, she introduced herself, her icy confidence as clear as day from her posture and body language, "I'm Alexa Pettis. I'm here for a briefing about a team called LOVE", she explained. A force dedicated to symbolizing hope for the world, it was something her father would be proud of her to join, and something she intended to do. With Thee Champion and Leonel in the deepest reaches of space, it was her responsibility to fill the void left from their absence. She had the resolve and she wielded the power and skill. She need only a platform. Others like her.
As the woman retract her hand, her mine honed in on Alexa's surname. Pettis, as in Alexis Pettis--The Champion. She didn't believe in coincedences, and she'd served alongside both Alexis Pettis and Ziccarra Liafador in a number of instances; only Alexa didn't seem to have the distinct features associated with a Liafador.
"Yeah, I'm the one who's going to give you the brief just follow me" Sliding her hands in her pocket, Maya escorted the raven haired woman through the stock control room toward the hidden elevator.
"Where I come from, this team was composed of some of the best women on Earth" She started hitting a button labeled 'WR' As the elevatored hummed and proceeded to move toward the bottom floor the former leader of Omega Justice continued her speech, resting her head on the back of the elevator wall. "Excuse my memory, but I don't exactly remember why it was created but I know who created it"
The elevator doors opened releasing Maya and Alexa into the War Room where they would be abke to soeak in private. "Regardless of the facts LOVE proved to be one of the most influential organizations of my time, and Hex and I were wondering if you'd be apart."
"Greetings, Alexa Pettis" The A.I chimed knowing full well it could communicate without the use of an implant. "You wouldn't at all be related to Alexis Pettis?"
"Thank you." She says as she gladly takes the device. As Keira enters the Research and Development wing, she glances around in awe. Maya was right about one thing, she loves it. She can't help but examine...well...EVERYTHING! Well, everything that she is allowed to examine anyway. The things being developed in here was so cutting edge, she was already bursting with questions. And to impress Keira was no easy feat. "Maya, I could spend a lot time down here." She has to giggle at her own statement. She isn't kidding either, she really could spend too much time down here. Either way, as a scientist or as Paragon, Maya has scored big on this recruit.
Keira has to ask some of the scientists down here some questions and sometimes she even uses big words and scientific terms most people wouldn't even recognize. These scientists seem pretty impressed with Ms. Hawke (I hope that's ok) by the time she done asking questions. Then Keira sees one of the scientists working on some kind of formula. Doing a double take, she examines the formula over the man's shoulder. Then she smiles politely, "May I?" The man jumps then glances at her, "%&&* you startled me." At this, Keira apologizes. Then the scientist gives her permission to look over the formula.
Keira begins inputting new information, turning the incomplete model of the formula that appeared on screen into a completed version. Then Keira rises from her seat and smiles at him even as he stares dumbfounded, "I've been working on that for two years! It never occurred me that it was space that was moving." He looks over at Keira, "Who are you?"
Keira extends her hand, smiling warmly, "Keira Hawke, CEO of Hawke Industries. And your welcome." The man doesn't reply, too awestruck by what Keira has done to get anymore words out, but he does look over at Maya as if asking the unasked question, 'where did you find this woman?!' He looks back at his completed formula still dumbfounded.
Keira walks back to Maya, "This is place is absolutely AMAZING! Truly cutting edge stuff."
((OOC: Hope it was ok I did all this, if not I can edit if you don't like it. ))
Her blue fix on Keira has excitement visually personified within the tall buxom blonde. As Ms. Hawke assisted the L.O.V.E scientist with whatever project, Maya stood back watching them work. She wasn't scientist, nor was she academically gifted, the last test she remembered taking she recieved a "D" on.
This however was what L.O.V.E was supposed to achieve, bringing together the worlds best to achieve success. What failed the last L.O.V.E team was the different ideals embedded within the team members. Most of their conflicts were of a more personal nature.
She intended to be stronger than Sha, to resist the darkness. As her father Andy would've wanted. As Keira moved back to her position, she released a light chuckle before escorting Keira to the medical bay. "Of course this is the med bay. The staff is currently off because well we aren't actually operational yet."
Keira follows Maya to the medical bay and looks at before saying, "Please don't take this the wrong way, but I'm probably not going to be spending a lot of time here. I don't hate doctors, I actually like them, but with my powers it's hard for me to get hurt and when I do, I heal fast." When was the last time Keira got hurt when her powers were not there to help her out?
Three Years Ago...
Keira hits the canvas again for the second time. She gets up, more slowly this time. Her Dad was in the corner, shouting his advice, "Keep your hands up! Watch for his right cross!" And Keira should listen her father, he was the reigning Heavyweight Champion of the World for 10 straight years in the sport of boxing before finally retiring. Considered one of the best of his generation, he was now passing on his skills to his daughter. Keira felt like she was hurt, but that didn't stop her from throwing a series of combos at her opponent, finally dropping him on the canvas for a change. A smile of satisfaction crosses her face.
The Present...
With Keira's photographic memory, she could remember that day as if it just happened. The sweat, the advice from her Dad, the hits from the other guy's gloves, the pain she felt from his punches, the time on the clock in the corner... All of a sudden, Keira snaps back to reality and looks at Maya, "So, who's the Doctor that is usually here? Do he or she have powers too?"
@maya_summers: (Forgot to tag you for my reply, sorry)
Inside the elevator, Alexa stood with her hands resting upon her hips, her eyes briefly glancing at the "WR" button Maya had pressed. "I'll join", the Priestess of Power said rather bluntly, her certainty hardly wavering, allowing no moment of doubt to cloud her decision. Smiling, confident, she continued, "I can't claim to have extensive knowledge on LOVE. But from the telepathic message to what you're telling me now, it seems that this is a team dedicated to something great. Dedicated to great deeds", she pointed out, now folding her arms before her chest, her armored back leaning against a wall, "I was born a New Goddess, but there's something my father'd always tell me".
"That great deeds shape the world. And that some great deeds are even worshiped. And that the act of shaping the world was the very definition of godhood. And that mankind has been shaping the world for millennia", she paused, unfolding her arms as the elevator doors opened and they strode into the War Room. "It sounds a lot like unnecessary philosophy but it was my father's way of telling me that be I a New Goddess or an old one, I'm no different from you or anyone. So how could I say no at the chance to shape the world with our great deeds?", she said, now turning her attention to the A.I. "Hey", she greeted it in return, answering the A.I.'s question with a proud smile, "I am related to him, yes".
@shanana: (Awesome! I'll bring icecream. ^_^)
"I'll be honest with you, I don't intend to spend much time down here either, My healing factor is top notch." She admitted whilst glancing into the vacant Med-bay.
"We really just put it in here to facilitate those that don't have the ability to heal. Hopefully we won't need it. But the lead Medical Provider is Dr. Cullen and she doesn't have powers--not that I'm aware of anyways. But she has a degree in Advanced Physiology, so she'll make due with what she has."
Glancing at her watch, she was late for a meeting in the city. "I have to go to a meeting in the city. Hex can show you the rest of the HQ. I'll get with you when I get back"
Felt like we should end it there so I can start building some sort of event for us.
@maya_summers: (OOC: Sounds good to me! ^_^)
"Your dad sounds alot like mine. He used to say to me all the time, The World Still Needs Heroes" but it wasn't heroes in the sense of flying around with capes and all that jazz. He meant more so good people, good people that do good deeds"
Maya exit the elevator sweat now chilling her body, moving toward Hex's data base she begin to input the data for Alexa.
"I met Alexis Pettis, he's a good man. Reminds me alot of my father. Of course what I do remember about my father is limited but that's another story altogether. We're putting together a team of the best, some of us have history, others have tainted past. But I still think you'll fit right in"
It seemed to bind them in a way. Their similar upbringings, the similar philosophies of their fathers. In Maya, Alexa felt she'd found something of a kindred spirit. "They sound very alike", the Priestess of Power agreed, her eyes wandering all about the War Room, studying and memorizing it's every feature before returning her gaze to Maya's. "I'm honored I was a pick for this team. The last team I was a part of consisted of scientists trying to run tests on me and understand my genetic makeup back when I was a child in Antarctica", she paused, the memories of their abandonment and the eventual arrival of her father-figure, Thee Champion, bringing first a moment of deep thought, then a calm smile upon her face.
"Rest assured, I'm not expecting to disappoint anyone", Alexa jested, her confidence and wit as clear as day. "Your father's words are right. The world still needs heroes. There's a lot to be done", she pointed out. "Who else have you gathered, if you don't mind me asking?", after all who wouldn't want to know who they'd soon be working with.
"Hex" Maya called out prompting the A.I to manifest as a spherical orb in the middle of the War Room. "Access team profile" [Yes Ms. Summers]
"First we have Paragon. Per her personal preference I'll keep her real name to heart. But she's a hero out of Metro City." As Maya spoke Hex broadcast a photograph of Paragon to go with her explanation.
"The we have Ama, she's nomadic; we picked her up traveling the world duing impromptu acts. Don't focus to much on her actual look, because none of us have actually seen her real face."
"Then there's Clarice, not too much information on her was given, but she's a local around here in Emerald City; I know the local police officers give her thanks"
"Then there's Zoe, She's a second generation hero out of L.A, goes by the name Feral Nova; she was previously with the We Are Legend team. Public opinion of her has swayed after....the events of the Spanish Revolution."
Maya's eyes turned to Alexa with a smile pointing. "There's now you, and of course me."
"I'm...not actually from this universe. I was pulled her during the Cataclsym and I've been here ever since. I'm pretty much and open book so whatever you need to know just ask"
Did she receive the call? Did she mean the telepathic signal emanating from the ICE Brew? Of course, she did. A telepath such as herself could have intercepted that message in her sleep, but Miss Pierce wouldn't cause a fuss by speaking out of turn. Instead, she sipped on her delicious caramel macchiato whilst maintaining eye contact with Timothy until there was nothing left to suck on.
"I heard the call, yes. So, here I am." Miss Pierce turned to @maya_summers with that wickedly cool smirk of hers. She was noticeably dressed in casual attire. However, inside the backs of her heels were small daggers capable of slicing flesh with little to no effort. Although she hadn't arrived under the pretense of combat, many of her enemies were still out for her head. So, any slight indication of foul play and the mistress of mayhem would cause just that...mayhem.
"I won't lie to you. I've felt your presence since my arrival in Emerald City. Girls like us...are a dime a dozen. It was only a matter of time before we crossed paths." Was Maya from a different universe or a different timeline? Miss Pierce hadn't a clue. Truth be told, she was still coming to grips with the fact that there were worlds beyond her own.
"I'll be honest. I've never worked well with others." Noah, the Supreme Chancellor, and Charlemagne were but a few men that have suffered by her design. Others like Thomas still seek her demise...even in death.
"I do what I must to maintain a sense of self."An explosion after an altercation with the formerly alive Newcastle during a metahuman crisis in Washington D.C. ended with the world declaring her dead. She would have retaliated against Thomas if he hadn't threatened her son's life. As a result, Miss Pierce took to the wind with her assets frozen. She's only resurfaced recently after coming into possession of American technology. The nature of her business has been shrouded in mystery for quite some time. Yet, no one questions the hows and the whys because she's shown to love Emerald City in her own special way.
"Although I'm not quite sure...what I can do for you."
The Blonde Beauty behind the cash register rush around the counter, delaying the coffee making process with a cute little close sign. “Did you get the message too?” Ama couldn’t help, but wonder if this woman was another receiver of the message and possible telepathic communication, or if she was the sender of the message and the telepath who had tried entering into her mind. “Maya, Maya Summers.” She so casually introduced herself. Ama extended her now freckled Caucasian hand out to introduce herself, “Uhh, yeah I received some message about this coffee shop and L. O. V. E.” Amaterasu still wasn’t sure if the team was supposed to be public knowledge or if it was something underground like her performances were.
“The Name is Amy, by the way.” She half way lied to Maya. It didn’t matter if Maya had given her full name, Ama was too cautious about revealing herself, and anything that might lead to her. For Christ sake she couldn’t remember the last time she had gone to perform in the same city and same venue more than once. She sometimes visited her favorite places in different disguises just in case someone tried to catch on to her. Why tell the blonde beauty her name was Amy, such a close one to her real shortened name? Because it was believable for a redhead, and it was a name she had used before, so she was calm with telling others that was her name, no extra sweating or elevated blood pressure. It was simple actually.
She shook her hand for a second, before telling the “cashier”, “ I’d like Milk Chocolate on that Mocha, by the way, if that’s okay?” The Underground Sorceress was as much here for the coffee, as she was for L.O.V. E. whatever it was.
Quietly, the Priestess of Power gazed upon the showcased images of the other LOVE members, her ears taking in Maya's every word as she offered a brief description of each member. "Very interesting members", Alexa remarked, "I've heard of Feral Nova before specifically", though she chose not to elaborate. "Looks like a fine unit. Hopefully we'll do justice to what LOVE used to be". Turning round, her eyes met Maya's, holding them in a gaze, her sharp features growing inquisitive, her left brow raising at Maya's confession. That she was from another universe entirely. "Funny you mention that. You not being from this universe", Alexa paused, a calm smile drawn on her face.
"Because technically I'm from a different timeline. An alternate future of sorts", the New Goddess confessed. "But since you're an open book, I'll just ask. How do you know my father?", she simply curious, and it echoed in her tone. "Did you two ever fight alongside one another?".
Unlike the other women to come through here, the vibe between Clara and Maya was...different. There were a number of variables effecting Maya's assessment of the situation. For one, unlike the other women Clara seemed to own the encounter; gaining the upper-hand by knowing Maya wanted something from her. Two, the slight connection Maya felt in this woman in regards to the universe suggest a deeper connection to the essokenetic arts; something Maya lost to Maya Liafador.
"I apologize Ms. I was instructed to locate people that fit a list of attributes Ms.Summers requested. Your energy signature showed up, albeit barley. In my search results" Hex interrupted opting to save Maya some time explaining the mass message. "The purpose of this team is to put a hero presence back in Emerald City; but If you're not interested. I won't bother your with it"
@ama:
"Nice to meet you Amy" Maya said retracting her hands, before veering around the counter to finish Amy's beverage. She stole a couple of quick glances, trying to see what the hell Hex saw in this woman to make it think she was what Maya wanted. But beggers can't be choosers. "Yeah, I'm putting together a team. A team that will put heroes back in Emerald City--no I take that back...the world. "In my time period LOVE proved to be one of the most influential organizations of my time, and Hex and I were wondering if you'd be apart."
She said with a quaint smile placing Amy's drink on the counter.
"Don't get me wrong, I'm interested." There's pleasure in knowing she's caught her hostess off guard. Miss Pierce, however, could read the situation at hand. Maya's hesitance to respond meant there was more than met the eye, but she wouldn't find her answers over this cup of ice coffee.
"I'm just confused because it seems that you aren't aware of my recent history." It was this curiosity that she had in Maya Summers as well as the opportunity she had offered that kept Miss Pierce from leaving the ICE Brew.
"I'm Clarice Michelle Pierce after all." Clarice never considered herself a hero. Her actions throughout her powers emergence would say the same. Yet, something in her heart of hearts liked the idea of being someone better than who she was before Emerald City. Maybe that's why she spoke her name outwardly and fearlessly. It would determine whether or not Maya worked with any of her enemies.
"I'm not exactly a girl scout, sweetheart. I've been a terrible person and I'm still paying for it." It was a rare sight of candor from Miss Pierce, but she was suddenly reminded of her son as the two conversed. Throughout this surreal back and forth, Miss Pierce's gaze never left Maya. Something about the girl created this uncharacteristic passion from the Mistress of Mayhem. Part of her enjoyed it, but the other part was troubled by the effect she had on her.
"So, I have to wonder if you know what you're getting yourself into." It was the final game she'd play for now. For all intents and purposes, Miss Pierce would play along with @maya_summers if she welcomed her into the ranks of LOVE.
"Well now that I know he's your father, we've fought alongside each other a number of times. He freed me from some weird tower thing in the cataclysm. We fought alongside one another in the Spanish Revolution, The Battle of Asgard. Not to mention I even helped your moth...er? free him from her mother"
Maya explained a bit unsure about Alexa's relations to this universes' version of Ziccarra. "But, an alternate future to this?" Being a former warper of Reality, Maya was privy to the existence of many universes; but things such as dimensions and times tend to get confusing.
"Back in my world, things got really messy towards the end. Things got so bad, our France ended up in Space"
"Clarice Michelle Pierce?" She whispered back, as if the name was supposed to ring some sort of bell. It didn't, but unbeknowst to Clarice, Hex's ability to speak directly into the implant embedded within Maya's mind begin to fill her brain with all social media accounts on Clarice Pierce. "If I had time to tell you everything I've done we'd be here a while" She chuckled lightly.
"We also have someone here who spread a deadly virus, I'm saying all that to say this, Ms. Pierce accept your second chance. I'm not asking you to be mother Teresa, I'm also not telling you to kill people. I just need you to find a medium and decide you'll give this a chance. That's all"
"I guess I should be thankful." In Maya's reality, timeline, wherever...did Miss Pierce exist? What if her powers mistook this girl for being an intruder? What if she was a resident of this reality and just didn't know who she was? No, no...that couldn't be right.
The thought of being unknown was far too hurtful to accept but was the world slowly forgetting she ever existed? Was it a punishment for her abuse of power? All of these conflicting emotions and thoughts were aggravating.
Miss Pierce had no reason to think otherwise, but she concealed her feelings of doubt and pain with that devilish smirk of hers. Rather than allow herself to fade into obscurity, she'd take this opportunity to forge a new identity and make a different kind of impact on this world.
"You've got me on your team @maya_summers." This girl was far too interesting to leave unchecked. She was a riddle that deserved solving. And Miss Pierce would be the one to do just that. This hero game, on the other hand, was icing on the cake. A bonus to enjoy while she explored their dual connection to the strings of reality itself.
"Y'know how to contact me when the time comes." Clarice tapped the countertop to capture the attention of Timothy, playfully winking in his direction before rising from her seat. "So, don't be a stranger." She didn't care about the other team members, but the brief mention of the hero who spread that deadly virus some years ago did pique her interest. If Miss Pierce presumed correctly then that was the same woman who worked with her ex-fiance, Noah Addams, some time ago. Their meeting was something Miss Pierce could look forward to.
"I'm sure we'll have lots of fun, sweetheart" She smiled once more before waving a final goodbye. Her mind raced with the complexities of her plans, beliefs, and perceptions. Her heart, however, had never felt warmer.
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