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Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2017 11:46 pm
“I don’t know how you can stand the heat, wearing all that,” Michael frowned down at Caspian as they walked hand in hand down the sidewalk. Even with the recent storms that rolled through, the temperature kept rising. That wasn’t enough to keep them from enjoying being outside, though. Part of Michael wondered if being together all the time detracted from the idea of going on dates or whatever. A casual lunch and walk in the park was enough to count, right? Over the past year, Michael’s appearance had slowly changed. Before meeting Caspian, he insisted on being clean shaven and hair cut short. And his nails definitely hadn’t been painted. He’d had the distinct appearance of someone with a military or at least business background, which was somewhat accurate since he was a Navy veteran and taught at a stupidly posh private school. Now he looked a lot more relaxed. He grew his hair out some, his hair on top longer than on the sides so that if he didn’t brush it back, it would fall into his eyes. He hadn’t shaved for a few days either, so he had a noticeable amount of stubble. He wore a simple dark grey teeshirt with some darker design elements and khaki shorts. And his nails were painted a midnight blue that shimmered a little in the sunlight. “Just take off your sweatshirt. It’ll be fine, I promise,” he tried to coax him, although he knew Caspian was stubborn and self-conscious and would probably rather suffer just to spite him. He was about to open his mouth to say something else, when a well-dressed woman with dark hair, wavy hair caught his eye. For a few moments he just stared, and then before she could duck into what he assumed was a café (he didn’t bother looking), he tugged on Caspian’s hand to hurry him up. “Penelope?” he asked somewhat cautiously because, well… he couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen her, and even though he was hesitant, his heart felt like it was going to burst out of his chest at the thought of this might actually be Penelope and not some doppelganger. Quicksilver the Archangel
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Posted: Sun Apr 23, 2017 4:15 pm
"I'm actually cold blooded, that's how," said Caspian airily, sticking his free hand into the front pocket of his bright yellow and orange sweatshirt. "Cold blooded, which means I need the warmth, which means I'm definitely not taking this sweatshirt - or anything else - off."
He was being stubborn, but, well, what else was new. It wasn't ridiculously hot outside yet, which meant he could get away with wearing long sleeves and long pants without too much trouble. Underneath the hoody was a green teeshirt with some sort of paint spatter motif too it, and it was paired with turquoise colored pants and yellow sneakers.
No one said Caspian was a fashionista. If anything, he probably looked a little weird next to Michael, who was in his usual shade of gray and khaki, though with the admittedly pleasing additions of stubble, messy hair, and those midnight blue nails. Caspian's own were painted to match, though his hair was in need of a new redye; some of the cosmic colors were beginning to lighten.
"I told you I like - " Caspian started to say in exasperation, but Michael's startled expression stopped him, Caspian glancing around.
"What is it?" he asked and then found himself tugged forward, Caspian's eyebrows raising in mild curiosity at the young woman he was being towed towards.
"Who's Penelope?" he whispered, but he wasn't sure Michael heard him.quicksilver the archangel
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Quicksilver the Archangel
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Posted: Sun Apr 23, 2017 5:42 pm
She needed to get back to the mayor's office. The legislative session was going to begin in a few days, and there was still too much to do to prepare! A march was being organized against more higher education budget cuts that the mayor wanted to make sure remained peaceful, there were emails and physical letters that needed sending, and there were always messages from reporters who wanted statements about how Destiny City would be affected should various bills pass. Penelope Seneca had always dreamed of being a librarian. She wanted to help people learn how to find information they needed, and she had always loved going to the library herself, whether it be one at school or the local public branch. It had been clear to her while still at Crystal Academy that she would go to school and earn her MLIS and head off into making sure libraries continued to serve those who needed it. Except that had never happened. The war took precedence over everything, and years ago she had had... a nightmare, for lack of a better word. A nightmare where the war had been lost and the whole city had fallen, from within as well as without. From that moment on, she had changed directions. Political science was her major, now, and she had used the few connections she had made from her brief stint as an elected representative of Destiny City to land her current job as an aide to the mayor's office. It meant she had to run errands frequently, that there was less and less time to patrol as Pasiphae. Her transformation was different, now, though her goals to protect the city and its inhabitants had not changed. She was still covered in lace, which trimmed her blouse and skirt. She still wore pearls in a creamy string around her neck. Even the heels were there, a maroon set of boots that her friend Paris had helped her choose, long ago. Add in further make up, a blazer that was a mandatory part of the dress code, and her uniform was complete. Penelope was thinking of all that still remained before she could head to her apartment when she heard her name. She immediately turned, a smile rising to her face from habit as much as her natural friendliness, "Yes? Can I help... you?" One of these men was a complete stranger. The other, the one who had called her name... certainly sounded familiar, but who did she know that looked like this? Her eyes flew from painted nails to unshaven face, and no one came to mind. His expression, though, and that voice... clearly he knew her, and she could not shake the feeling that she knew him. Somehow.
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Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2017 3:58 pm
Michael was pleased to note that Penelope looked like she was doing well. Healthy at least. Maybe a little stressed and in a rush, so he felt guilty for holding her up, but he couldn’t help it. Over five years ago when he’d only first gotten back to the city, right after he’d left the Navy and was trying to make up for everything he was trying to forget with cheerful smiles and sarcasm, she had been the first person to essentially introduce him to the world of monsters and heroes and villains. It was a difficult night to forget because since then he considered her something of a sister that he’d never had. Not that his brothers weren’t acceptable. “It’s been a while, Wonder Woman,” he said with a grin, his already bright blue eyes shining with amusement and happiness even though she apparently did not recognizing him. He didn’t blame her. He barely recognized her, otherwise he would have gone up to her with an immediate hug. Instead, he restrained himself because the last he’d heard of her, she was working on the more political side of things in the city and probably had an image to uphold, and he very much avoided politics these days. The nickname he desperately hoped would be enough to jog her memory. She was the only one he’d ever called Wonder Woman, although he wouldn’t be surprised if others associated her to that name. “Just wanted to say hello. I’m glad you look well,” he said, giving Caspian’s hand a squeeze to make sure he didn’t think he was being ignored. He would explain to him who Penelope as soon as they parted ways because he didn’t want to hold her up if she was in a rush. Quicksilver the Archangel
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Posted: Tue May 16, 2017 4:12 pm
She was a pretty woman dressed clearly in an outfit that suggested a well respected job and a easy smile that graced her lips. She was also still entirely unfamiliar to Caspian, who was trying to figure out if he'd seen her before, but there was nothing there but blankness. And judging by the curious, wary tone of her voice, clearly she wasn't familiar with either of them, either.
Well, sort of. Clearly Michael knew her and hadn't been mistaken in talking to her, but Penelope - if that was her name - was either just not remembering, or maybe she had forgotten whatever sort of relationship had been between the two of them. Time had obviously passed between them all.
Caspian's gaze flickered towards his fiance at Wonder Woman, but he didn't comment on it, his eyes moving back to the woman, an expression of faint amusement and undisguised curiosity of his own crossing his face. He felt Michael's fingers squeeze his and he squeezed back, the reassurance nice, Caspian smiling a little.
He'd wait until he was introduced, and then he would ask his million questions.quicksilver the archangel
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Posted: Sun May 21, 2017 5:51 pm
Only one person called her Wonder Woman, although many knew of her love of the character. Her eyes swept the man again, seeing past the changes and concentrating on what was the same. Proud stature, intelligent, amused eyes, teasing tone baiting her into a response while never being cruel. The practiced smile fell away into disbelief. "Michael... Michael?!" The laughter bubbled unbidden as she opened her arms for a hug. She was still hesitant to initiate intimate contact with those she didn't know well, but for someone with whom she had fought and bled? Those she would embrace easily and warmly. "I'm sorry I didn't recognize you.... you look so different, but it's so good to see you!" She caught her rudeness like a reeling push, one that almost made her physically step back. Michael had company, was holding hands with said company which indicated closeness, and she had said nothing in greeting or introduction. It was unlike her, but then, this entire encounter so far had shown she was not acting as her normal self. She lowered her arms sheepishly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she tried to regain some semblance of her usual courtesy and waited to be introduced.
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Quicksilver the Archangel
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Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2017 12:52 pm
He’d honestly been waiting for that moment, because he wasn’t going to leave their probably short conversation without at least one hug. Despite her obvious hesitation, he stepped forward and reached out with his free arm to pull her against him, his hand still tight around Caspian’s.
"It’s alright. I’m just happy to see you," he said, hugging her to the point where he started to worry about wrinkling her outfit. Only then did he let her go to take a step back.
And now, he lifted the hand he held Caspian’s with, looping his arm over his fiance’s head and pulling him closer to his side so that his arm was behind Caspian’s back, and Caspian’s arm was crossed over his waist, fingers still linked together.
"Penelope, this is Caspian, my fiance. Cas, this is Penelope. I can’t tell you how many times she’s saved my butt over the years," he introduced with a swell of pride. He was glad she seemed to be doing well, and he was even happier with the idea of being able to introduce two of his favorite people to each other. They were two of the very few people Michael could even tolerate.
How they could tolerate him was another thing entirely.
"How have you been? You look great. Have you seen Paris’s social media updates? She and Chris are having a third, apparently. The due date is… December something, I think. You probably wouldn’t recognize Peter either if you saw him. He’s almost as tall as I am. He’ll be starting at DCU in the fall. Actually, I’ll be starting at DCU this fall, too. English lit, probably. For now at least. Caspian is working on sports med there," he shared easily, which he knew wasn’t something Caspian was used to seeing him do with many people, but Penelope was different.
"Sorry, we don’t mean to keep you. We should plan on meeting up for lunch or something when you’re not busy," he suggested, still smiling brightly, even though he was entirely aware that she was probably on her way to meetings or to save the world. Quicksilver the Archangel
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Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2017 9:13 am
Caspian's fingers flexed a little in Michael's grasp, curling instinctively. He wasn't really shy by any means (except in Certain Circumstances that weren't exactly company friendly), but he hadn't been introduced to any of Michael's friends - mostly because Michael only had a few. And because Caspian was all the more hyper aware of just how different they looked standing together. He was suddenly hyper aware of all of their dissimilarities, of his much shorter stature, his messy colored hair, his bright clothing, his age.
Stop it.
He couldn't be insecure or self conscious now, not when he was standing in front of this woman who was clearly someone Michael cared about. Caspian felt himself tugged sideways against his fiance, his eyes widening slightly at the gesture, though he offered a bright smile, peering up at Michael with a slightly exasperated expression.
"Hi, Penelope," said Caspian, grinning at her. "I'm glad to see that Michael isn't totally friendless."
He elbowed the man's side - or tried to, at least, while Michael gave updates on his siblings.Quicksilver the Archangel
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Quicksilver the Archangel
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Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2017 7:16 pm
The hug was everything she wanted. She made no move to resist it further, sinking into the strength and warmth for as long as it was offered. She had missed this, these easy encounters, playful banter. Politics was filled with noise, but too much of it was what she didn't want or need to hear. It was easy to be happy when she could practically feel the joy of her friend. When they separated, she only smiled at Michael's shifted affection. Fiance... how long had he had a fiance? She knew nothing about this Caspian, a fact that pinged against her heart but refused to leave a wound. They were obviously happy, and that was all that mattered. When she looked at them standing side by side, it was natural. Who could ask for more than that? She took in all the news eagerly, and that did hurt her. Not from the news itself. It was wonderful that Paris and Chris were having another child. Peter--little Peter!--was now going to pursue all the science he loved. Michael and Caspian would be going to the same school as her -- and as Peter! She had been out of contact for so long... and she had missed so much. She was determined not to dwell on it and instead concentrate on doing better. Starting now. "How wonderful! I'm glad everything is going well... and that you don't need much saving, these days." She took Caspian's hand and shook it warmly, a light that hopefully spread to her voice as she laughed, "How could Michael be friendless when he has you? I'd love to hear more at our future lunch -- maybe over pizza?"
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Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2017 9:42 am
”Not as much saving required these days, no,” Michael laughed, still elated that he was able to see Penelope again. He’d been so worried about her, but always lost on how to contact her without seeming too pushy. He supposed that would have to change.
“And no, I’m not totally friendless,” he added, shifting his arm so he could teasingly dig his fingers into Caspian’s side for such a comment. He knew it was a little strange to just stop and try to catch up, so he nodded in agreement to the future lunch.
“It’ll have to be pizza. Feel free to text me whenever. I have the same number as before,” he promised and took a step back, pulling Caspian along with him. “It was good to see you Penelope. Stay out of trouble, and we’ll do the same.” Quicksilver the Archangel Sorry! This somehow escaped me! We can call this a wrap and we'll 100% have to plan them meeting up again when you have time!! Thank you!!
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