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 Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2017 8:44 pm
January 2, 2013: There comes a point where everyone just needs a little break from things. The life of crime fighting is never easy. You always have another enemy that rises up to try and take you down. You always save the world only for it to fall apart again. It is stressful and that stress just builds up over time until it is too much. Two heroes in very different worlds finally decided that they needed to take a break.
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Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2017 9:49 pm
   Owen Hunt
It felt like years since Owen had taken a break, a real break. Ever since the purge killed his friends he had been dedicated to Azrael. A colder and darker identity that ensured justice was done by any means. He had been so resolute and uncompromising in his hunt for vengeance that Owen lost a little of who he had once been. Now he had a new team and he trusted that they could go a night without him. He trusted that they were ready for that responsibility. More than that, he knew he needed to step back. Fraus had taken him to dark places, finding Katrina had conflicted him, and then Legerdemain almost broke him. But Fraus and Legerdemain were gone now. One dead, one imprisoned and Katrina fought on the same team with him which he admittedly had some odd feelings about. Still, he was glad to have her there most of the time. She really found a way to liven up the Horsemen Christmas party that Sam had insisted on. That had been a stressful but entertaining night that ended with Owen having to clean up the house. It was then that he had decided it would be better to go out of the house to celebrate and maybe take a little time away from the team to reflect. He didn't go to a therapist so he needed to do something. That is why he called Susan and was now standing outside her door waiting for her to answer. He figured two old heroes could go out on the town.
Day: January 2, 2013 | Alias: Azrael | Not In Costume
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Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2017 1:12 am
It wasn’t that loud, but the simple exchange of words between mother and daughter occurred from behind the door. “And don’t stay up your bedtime, okay?”
“I know, mom. I promise, pinky promise.” After their pinkies met to seal the deal, the two shared a dear embrace, a small kiss on the forehead of her daughter before the superheroine—or “supermom” as plenty would joke.
“I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
It wasn’t long before the young girl sped off to her room, but not before grabbing a small tub of ice cream (pistachio was her favorite) and a spoon from the kitchen, while her mother instead walked towards the door. For a moment, she glanced over at a nearby mirror and patted herself, before politely opening the door for her companion.
“You’re looking well,” she laughed slightly from a realization. “You used the front door this time.” He wasn’t incapable, but he was infamous for letting himself in. It truly was a day out of her ordinary, which said plenty considering her ordinary involved costume crooks with bizarre themes and crazy schemes.
Her costume often met more use than her vast wardrobe, so it was nice to slip into a dress, heels, and head out for a night like a regular adult. Her choice of attire this time around unsurprisingly fulfilled her signature color scheme, consisting of sandals and a paneled stretch-knit mini dress of the Balmain and Jimmy Choo branding. It didn’t take celebrity status to focus on presentation, from her straightened hair to perfume; Chanel No 5 was her usual fragrance, but nights out invited more chance, Chanel Coco Noir, the sultry scent of dusky bourbon vanilla wrapped around geranium and rose.
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Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2017 7:30 am
Owen Hunt
All things considered Owen was a little surprised when Susan opened the door and the sent of her perfume reached his nose. It was a different one than usual and he didn't quite know exactly how he felt about it but he didn't have any negative thoughts. "You look well too." Owen responded as he gestured towards her outfit. It made him feel a little under dressed but to be fair no man could ever compete with the millions of designs that dresses came in. Men had one general option, a suit. Granted Owen's suit was nothing cheap it certainly fought to compete with Susan's ensemble.His was simply a black suit with a white shirt, the last two buttons up left undone, and some nice shoes to match but nothing with any specific designer to grant credit. He smiled when she brought up that he had used the front door, it felt weird, smiling. "Azrael doesn't use doors. I figured if I wasn't here to do work, I should." He responded before turning side face and gesturing out towards where he had parked. It felt weird being so normal. "Shall we?"
Day: January 2, 2013 | Alias: Azrael | Not In Costume
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Posted: Mon Dec 04, 2017 10:03 pm
“Of course,” she said, following him to his vehicle and taking her respective seat, all too ready to peer out the window and glance at all the small interactions and occurrences throughout the city. It was easy to fall out of touch with it at times; things were always so different when she flew over the city, how small and easy to miss—but no less significant—things occurred.
When she was young and stupid, the transition would’ve been troublesome, because she lacked the insight and willingness to place her feet on the ground and learn a thing or two from the people she tried to protect. Her hubris in the past, though she overcame it, prevented her from appreciating the simple things. Of course, her problems in the past weren’t getting to work late or spilling coffee on her skirt, her problems were the lives at stake and the foes she needed to best. It blinded her then, deprived her of perspective, but not anymore.
It was amusing to find herself, as well as her companion, to go about “common” activities. He lived in a world of his own, stepped into the abyss and emerged a changed man, but continued to fight his fight, however futile it may have appeared. In a way, there were kindred spirits; few lacked the experience and therefore the understanding of the trials endured and sacrifices made to procure the present, even if they saw the world differently. Her thoughts, nostalgic and wandering, returned to the present as she admired the city at night. He couldn’t hear it, not all of it, but she heard everything: the drumming of street performers, the patter of tiny feet against cradles, the rippling of stepped puddles, the sizzle of restaurant stoves, and the purring of stray cats. Her senses attuned with her surroundings, painting a picture disorderly yet wondrous. In all the activity, the green of her eyes reflected a city in constant motion, restless.
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Posted: Mon Dec 04, 2017 10:24 pm
Owen Hunt
Yet another vast divide between Owen and Susan was seen in the duo's simple drive. While she was fascinated with the 'normal' lives that she didn't see from above them, Owen only saw what he had seen for years. To him it was nothing special it was simply the idea of being normal that he was trying to emulate. He could fly and he had always chosen the ground because it kept him true to his roots. Come from nothing, cling to it, defend those who had it. He saw the people walking on the street and more often than not it filled him with dread. They didn't know the danger they were in. Heroes and villains knew that their lifestyles had costs but civilians did not. Civilian, another word for collateral. Yet as he drove now towards the club where he expected they could start their night he didn't have those thoughts. He had the other brand of thoughts he often found in his mind, suspicion. He sized every person he saw, memorized faces and mannerisms. Little things to determine if they were foe. It was something he did behind the mask every night and it was hard to turn off but in a few hours he certainly would.
Eventually, the car pulled into the lot of a nightclub called Flux. Owen parked rather close to the building and then reached into his jacket pocket to pull out a little baggie with earplugs inside. "Nightclubs, my team says that they are the start of any good night... or maybe the end... I don't remember. We were sparing when we talked about it. Still, I figured this could help manage your hearing in there." He held out the earplugs but did not force them upon her. If she was fine he would just toss them to the back seat. It felt odd being where he was, parked out behind a nightclub. He had never done this to enjoy the actual club before and it was a little odd. He didn't know what he would do inside but he knew he wasn't going to dance. Well he thought he wasn't going to at the time.
Day: January 2, 2013 | Alias: Azrael | Not In Costume
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Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2018 11:07 am
“I haven’t worn earplugs since I was a girl,” she said amused, though she did place the earbuds to help manage, smiling at the nostalgia. When she was still learning to control her powers, there were instances where too much noise made it too difficult to manage, and earbuds, though they didn’t really resolve the problem, dulled her senses enough that she could manage. It didn’t really bother her much presently, experience was handy, and if she ever needed to seek out a specific sound, she was comfortable flying somewhere where it was quiet enough to sort it all out.
He was coordinating their nightly activities, so she simply followed his lead; the location itself wasn’t unfamiliar to her. However, for that reason alone, she wondered if she should’ve just put on a disguise. Her celebrity status wasn’t exactly going away anytime soon, though people didn’t harass her for autographs as much since public events were very much a part of her weekly routine. “At least I get to find out how you go about a nightclub.” It was where people went to sort of just let loose, dance, drink, get distracted. It seemed like the last place she’d expect to find Owen, but she’d by lying if it wasn’t a pleasant surprise.
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Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2018 11:58 am
Owen Hunt
"So do I," Owen responded when Susan commented on getting to find out how he went about a nightclub. He hadn't fully accounted for her fame in the plan because it was never something he needed to deal with or worry about. Still, the speed at which Owen found the bar once he stepped into the nightclub with Susan would have left a speedster in a daze. Before long he had ordered brinks for the both of them and was looking out at the dance floor/other people in the nightclub. He really didn't know what he would do but drinking was the start he had in mind. He wouldn't lower himself to suggest a drinking game nor would he expect to win. "It is a little odd. Normally I only come to places like this when there is a target." Owen admit not long after finishing his first drink. It held a familiar burn that Owen had gotten used to. He ordered Susan what he read in some magazine was her favorite drink but he didn't know the truth, only what had been published.
Day: January 2, 2013 | Alias: Azrael | Not In Costume
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Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2018 10:04 pm
When they arrived, she was immediately recognized; her fanbase certainly hadn’t diminished at all, but she was among the most adored residents of the city; people were curious at her companion, some assuming he was a bodyguard, others with their own theories. However, out of respect, they didn’t immediately swarm her, providing her with space, though conversations in the background were converted to her as the subject, calls being made that she was present.
Her drink of choice was bourbon; her old lady was a fan of whiskey, and she introduced her to liquor; the magazines did share this detail, including an amusing story of how her mother joked of introducing it to her before some party of drunks did instead. It seemed she could hold her own with the drink, especially with the taste of grain, caramel, cinnamon and nutmeg, finishing her first glass relatively quickly. “I take it you don’t take too many nights off,” she said rhetorically, choosing her words more carefully now that they had some company around. “It’s been a while since I’ve been to a nightclub; a bar, not so much.” It prompted a laugh, though bourbon always did find a way to brighten her mood. “You don’t talk much about what you do outside of work, at least unless it’s pertaining to work somehow, sparring and the like.”
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Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2018 7:22 am
Owen Hunt
"Until recently there wasn't much that I did outside of work. I inherited a fortune so I didn't need a job and without a team I had to be on all the time." Owen replied as he looked around at all the people. The flashing lights and loud music were probably entertaining to some but Owen kind of preferred the bar aspect more than the club. Maybe he should have just taken her to a bar but who knows? She could be swarmed by fans at the meanest bar in town. He knew he had to hedge his words which he expected to be easy because they were supposed to be having fun and not thinking about work but he also found himself pulled to be entirely honest in his replies. It was a difficult position. "I grew up in the job I'm in now and became all too reliant on having four people on the team with me. When there was just me I had too keep working all the time. Now that I don't, I'm not sure what to do." The man next to Owen gave him a weird look and Owen said to him "Bowling team."
Day: January 2, 2013 | Alias: Azrael | Not In Costume
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Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2018 10:05 pm
“I haven’t bowled since the nineties; at least we know I’m not winning against you anytime soon.” It was following up with the bowling to ensure no one suspected otherwise. However, she did return to the previous subject, mindful of her words. “I guess the noise of it all the time makes it too easy to feel out of place when there’s quiet,” she replied, which was ironic given how where they were was anything but quiet, though the bar was more relaxed. “I’m not sure how much I can share that isn’t already out there, but I used to go clubbing every other weekend; the bartenders and patrons memorized my name long before the media did. It was hard not to when your best friend’s with a girl with diamond skin and the most outgoing personality I’ve ever known.” Evidently she was addressing her longtime friend. “I backed off the club scene when I ended up being the ambassador to my daughter’s school fundraising event. I wasn’t too sure it’d be a good influence.” In actuality, she began to realize how much of an influence she was to a younger audience, so she became more self-conscious about what sort of things she was associated with. It put a halt on some activities she used to enjoy, like the modeling she used to do that she tried her best to hide from her daughter. It was better that the kid didn’t see her on those superheroine swimsuit magazines, but it was hard to wipe because she was an icon for more than just her heroics.
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Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2018 10:46 am
Owen Hunt
I have certain skills most people just can't learn. Owen thought to himself when Susan said that he was certain to beat her in bowling. He had other thoughts on it but none stood out such as that one. When she moved to speak about her activities in the past Owen smiled slightly as if he hadn't known. He was an unfortunate know-it-all type because he had been a vigilante every hour of every day. He had memorized all the files on all of the heroes and villain but it still didn't really compare to hearing one talk about it. He hadn't known things like her reasons for backing out of the club scene and it was nice to hear them first hand. It him wonder a little what he would have given up if his life hadn't gone the way it did. "We give up one thing in exchange for something better. Maybe not as fun but certainly better." Owen commented once she was done with her story. That was the moral he got from it. "I guess I should have just let you plan the night. Research is great but you have to know all the best places. Or at least one where the music is less bass and electric?"
Day: January 2, 2013 | Alias: Azrael | Not In Costume
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Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2018 6:06 pm
It certainly felt better; she never had a reason to turn away, family had a way of grounding someone. “Well, I may have left the club scene, but I had my alternatives. I visit the Galloway Lounge from time to time, smooth jazz, the blues, and well, lounge. I remember singing there as a teenager. Do you want to give it a visit? It’s open pretty late.” Nowadays, the Galloway Lounge was considered old-fashioned, but that’s the sort of world she’d known and remembered. Her father took her there pretty often as a kid; she learned to appreciate the respective genres from very early on. She remembered the night her father volunteered her to sing there simply because she was in choir. No amount of terror from supervillains could ever compare to how nervous she was to sing on stage then, especially when she couldn’t remember any particular song to sing other than Frank Sinatra’s “The Way You Look Tonight”, the same song her parents danced to on their anniversary that year. A young soprano who had stage fright and was sweating a river; she regretted nothing from the night. It turned out being one of the best nights she ever had.
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Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2018 1:00 pm
Owen Hunt
Jazz and blues? Owen could enjoy that. In fact he would enjoy it more than the club they were in now. One couldn't entirely fault Owen for choosing this place to begin because he had been out of the scene for some time. "Sure, lets head out now before the crowd realizes we are leaving." Owen prompted before pushing himself off of his chair and onto his feet. There was a moment, once he was on his feet, where it appeared as if Owen was going to stumble over. He was standing with a lean and his steps were somewhat wobbly but he seemed to be getting used to it. Owen drank a lot after than anyone in their right mind should have but it was helping him let go a little. "Walk there?" Owen asked as he turned to face Susan. He took out his wallet and paid for the drinks they had thus far since his drinks accounted for the majority.
Day: January 2, 2013 | Alias: Azrael | Not In Costume
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Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2018 8:24 pm
He was slightly wobbly, an entertaining sight, but she had his back if he needed. It just so happened she had her solution. “Yeah, it shouldn’t be too far off; they bundled things nicely in this space of the city, didn’t they?” she replied, offering her hand, which—despite her strength—was exceptionally gentle. After all, the crowds were largely distracted, though the place had filled a bit, and it was better not to get separated simply on the way out. While they both could have easily made it to the lounge through other methods (flight, for example), it wouldn’t be much of a night out if they couldn’t even appreciate a simple walk through the city on the way to their destination. Her heels quietly clicked as they paced forward. As someone who often saw the city from differing perspectives, she learned to appreciate the little things, gazing around curiously, despite the familiarity of it all. “I feel like I’m always missing out on something, whether I’m in the sky or on the ground; life has a way of passing us by, but not tonight.”
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