Heritage

The mention of the superhero wall makes Lynn smile, but one sip of her beer pretty much wipes that off her face; she does her best to hide her grimace while wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.

And why do people like this stuff again? I wish they had wine coolers in the past.

"Well, we're not from around here, you might say," he replied, swirling his beer about without actually taking a drink. "But we are enjoying ourselves while we're here, thank you, Mr. Parker," he nodded gratefully towards his host. "I'm originally from Japan, but I'm finding life in the US to be... shall we say, exciting? The sights are wonderful to behold, and all the people have been very nice."

With that last comment, Ren looked over at Lynn and gave her a wry smile.

She returns his smile, then looks back over to Sean.

"Me next, I guess; I'm from Atlantic City originally, but, ah..."

Her eyes flicker nervously between Sean and his father; this is a bit awkward to say in front of a parent.

"Well, I left home a few years ago; things were pretty bad at home, with Dad out on disability, and Mom always drinking and blowing the grocery money on lottery tickets, so..."

The tiny heroine has never looked smaller as she intently picks at the fabric of her skirt.

"One less mouth to feed, y'know? Probably the best thing I ever did for them."

She takes a deep swig of her beer, sniffs and wipes the corners of her eyes.

"AC is a dump, anyway; nothing for me there now."

"Don't mention it," replies Nightrival. He pauses. "No, really. Don't ever mention it. I 'ave a reputation ta maintain," he adds jokingly.

He motions towards the rooftops. "We go keep headin' west. C'mon."

At that, he bounds upwards to grab a fire escape and jumps from stairwell to stairwell, like a frog hopping up a steep incline, and then clambers up to the roof to continue their evening patrol.

Grim sighs and mutters to herself.

"I was serious about the shower part."

Deciding to make the best of it, she squares her shoulders, then makes a dash for the wall, scampering up it to follow her freakishly nimble mentor.

"Hey, wait up! I'm telling Mom!"

- - - - -

A Beginning

"Don't mention it," replies Nightrival. He pauses. "No, really. Don't ever mention it. I 'ave a reputation ta maintain," he adds jokingly.

He motions towards the rooftops. "We go keep headin' west. C'mon."

At that, he bounds upwards to grab a fire escape and jumps from stairwell to stairwell, like a frog hopping up a steep incline, and then clambers up to the roof to continue their evening patrol.

Grim sighs and mutters to herself.

"I was serious about the shower part."

Deciding to make the best of it, she squares her shoulders, then makes a dash for the wall, scampering up it to follow her freakishly nimble mentor.

"Hey, wait up! I'm telling Mom!"

- - - - -

A Beginning

"Don't mention it," replies Nightrival. He pauses. "No, really. Don't ever mention it. I 'ave a reputation ta maintain," he adds jokingly.

He motions towards the rooftops. "We go keep headin' west. C'mon."

At that, he bounds upwards to grab a fire escape and jumps from stairwell to stairwell, like a frog hopping up a steep incline, and then clambers up to the roof to continue their evening patrol.

Grim sighs and mutters to herself.

"I was serious about the shower part."

Deciding to make the best of it, she squares her shoulders, then makes a dash for the wall, scampering up it to follow her freakishly nimble mentor.

"Hey, wait up! I'm telling Mom!"

- - - - -

A Beginning

"I think Mary has some Tab in the kitchen, but that doesn't go with cheese and crackers," Mr. Parker says as he tilts his head in thought. "Do either of you two want a beer? I could go for one myself. They taste better than Tab, too."

Lynn's eyes widen a little, and she looks around the room for a second, but then she tries her best to play it cool as she nods and casually waves her hand.

"Oh yeah, sure, whatever you got would be great. A beer would be awesome."

In all honesty, Lynn really doesn't care for beer, but when was the last time an adult just offered her one? Well, the last time she was offered one when she wasn't shifted to look much older?

"I think Mary has some Tab in the kitchen, but that doesn't go with cheese and crackers," Mr. Parker says as he tilts his head in thought. "Do either of you two want a beer? I could go for one myself. They taste better than Tab, too."

Lynn's eyes widen a little, and she looks around the room for a second, but then she tries her best to play it cool as she nods and casually waves her hand.

"Oh yeah, sure, whatever you got would be great. A beer would be awesome."

In all honesty, Lynn really doesn't care for beer, but when was the last time an adult just offered her one? Well, the last time she was offered one when she wasn't shifted to look much older?

"I think Mary has some Tab in the kitchen, but that doesn't go with cheese and crackers," Mr. Parker says as he tilts his head in thought. "Do either of you two want a beer? I could go for one myself. They taste better than Tab, too."

Lynn's eyes widen a little, and she looks around the room for a second, but then she tries her best to play it cool as she nods and casually waves her hand.

"Oh yeah, sure, whatever you got would be great. A beer would be awesome."

In all honesty, Lynn really doesn't care for beer, but when was the last time an adult just offered her one? Well, the last time she was offered one when she wasn't shifted to look much older?

With this clutter and shadow, Grim barely needs to maintain her camouflage, but she decides to err on the side of caution anyway; she takes a few cautious steps away from the door to put some distance between herself and any of the mooks, since she'd hate for one of them to bump into her and blow her cover.

She finds a position that she likes, and for now is content to merely watch and listen as the operation unfolds before her.

With this clutter and shadow, Grim barely needs to maintain her camouflage, but she decides to err on the side of caution anyway; she takes a few cautious steps away from the door to put some distance between herself and any of the mooks, since she'd hate for one of them to bump into her and blow her cover.

She finds a position that she likes, and for now is content to merely watch and listen as the operation unfolds before her.

With this clutter and shadow, Grim barely needs to maintain her camouflage, but she decides to err on the side of caution anyway; she takes a few cautious steps away from the door to put some distance between herself and any of the mooks, since she'd hate for one of them to bump into her and blow her cover.

She finds a position that she likes, and for now is content to merely watch and listen as the operation unfolds before her.

Lynn smiles as she gently corrects the older hero's pronunciation.

"Actually it's 'Grimalkin', A-L-K-I-N."

Mrs. Parker walks out into the living room, carrying a small tray of cheese and Ritz crackers. "I brought out a little something for before dinner. Sean, can you come and help me in the kitchen?"

Sean opens his mouth, about to protest, when Mr. Parker says, "Go help your mother, Sean." Sean closes his mouth and nods reluctantly, following Mrs. Parker into the kitchen. Mr. Parker takes the tray and places it on an end table.

"Here, eat some. I don't know about you, but I always get hungry after something like that. It has something to do with adrenaline," he says, and takes his own advice.

Once Sean has left the room, Lynn can't help but stop and listen to what is obviously a private conversation between mother and son; she feels bad about eavesdropping, a habit she had even before her hearing got so good, but she's glad to hear Mrs. Parker's side of the conversation.

They seem like good folks; I wonder why their son turned out to be such a bad egg? Though I guess he's not a psychopath, so they must have done something right.

She waits until Mr. Parker starts on the snacks, then follows suit as she was raised by her family; though not terribly filling, the cheese and crackers taste delicious after the crazy night/day she's had.

"I know what you mean, Mr. Parker; I always go through about half my food after a serious fight."

Lynn puts too much in her mouth and nearly chokes on it before she gets to swallow, and turns just a little pink with embarrassment as she produces a small, lady-like burp behind her hand.

"I'm so sorry, I haven't eaten yet today. I don't mean to be a pain, but do you have any soda? Diet Coke would be fine, if you guys have that now."

Lynn smiles as she gently corrects the older hero's pronunciation.

"Actually it's 'Grimalkin', A-L-K-I-N."

Mrs. Parker walks out into the living room, carrying a small tray of cheese and Ritz crackers. "I brought out a little something for before dinner. Sean, can you come and help me in the kitchen?"

Sean opens his mouth, about to protest, when Mr. Parker says, "Go help your mother, Sean." Sean closes his mouth and nods reluctantly, following Mrs. Parker into the kitchen. Mr. Parker takes the tray and places it on an end table.

"Here, eat some. I don't know about you, but I always get hungry after something like that. It has something to do with adrenaline," he says, and takes his own advice.

Once Sean has left the room, Lynn can't help but stop and listen to what is obviously a private conversation between mother and son; she feels bad about eavesdropping, a habit she had even before her hearing got so good, but she's glad to hear Mrs. Parker's side of the conversation.

They seem like good folks; I wonder why their son turned out to be such a bad egg? Though I guess he's not a psychopath, so they must have done something right.

She waits until Mr. Parker starts on the snacks, then follows suit as she was raised by her family; though not terribly filling, the cheese and crackers taste delicious after the crazy night/day she's had.

"I know what you mean, Mr. Parker; I always go through about half my food after a serious fight."

Lynn puts too much in her mouth and nearly chokes on it before she gets to swallow, and turns just a little pink with embarrassment as she produces a small, lady-like burp behind her hand.

"I'm so sorry, I haven't eaten yet today. I don't mean to be a pain, but do you have any soda? Diet Coke would be fine, if you guys have that now."

Lynn smiles as she gently corrects the older hero's pronunciation.

"Actually it's 'Grimalkin', A-L-K-I-N."

Mrs. Parker walks out into the living room, carrying a small tray of cheese and Ritz crackers. "I brought out a little something for before dinner. Sean, can you come and help me in the kitchen?"

Sean opens his mouth, about to protest, when Mr. Parker says, "Go help your mother, Sean." Sean closes his mouth and nods reluctantly, following Mrs. Parker into the kitchen. Mr. Parker takes the tray and places it on an end table.

"Here, eat some. I don't know about you, but I always get hungry after something like that. It has something to do with adrenaline," he says, and takes his own advice.

Once Sean has left the room, Lynn can't help but stop and listen to what is obviously a private conversation between mother and son; she feels bad about eavesdropping, a habit she had even before her hearing got so good, but she's glad to hear Mrs. Parker's side of the conversation.

They seem like good folks; I wonder why their son turned out to be such a bad egg? Though I guess he's not a psychopath, so they must have done something right.

She waits until Mr. Parker starts on the snacks, then follows suit as she was raised by her family; though not terribly filling, the cheese and crackers taste delicious after the crazy night/day she's had.

"I know what you mean, Mr. Parker; I always go through about half my food after a serious fight."

Lynn puts too much in her mouth and nearly chokes on it before she gets to swallow, and turns just a little pink with embarrassment as she produces a small, lady-like burp behind her hand.

"I'm so sorry, I haven't eaten yet today. I don't mean to be a pain, but do you have any soda? Diet Coke would be fine, if you guys have that now."

So do we want to continue with this thread, or has it served it's purpose? MBCE, make sure to cast your vote as well.

So do we want to continue with this thread, or has it served it's purpose? MBCE, make sure to cast your vote as well.

So do we want to continue with this thread, or has it served it's purpose? MBCE, make sure to cast your vote as well.

"These punks got lucky; that ain't yer fault. I shouldn't 'ave tossed ya in the mix like that. I'm jus' glad yer not hurt."

Grim holds up a slender finger as she corrects him.

"Not hurt much."

"But, bruises aside, I can see what ya need ta work on. For the next couple o' weeks we'll go over some stuff ta help ya along." He inclines his gaze back to Grim and offers his open hand to help her up from the street. "So, ya fall down then ya get back up. That's all there is t' it."

She gladly takes the offered hand as the older hero easily lifts her to her feet; once standing again, Grim vigorously shakes her head to get the sleet out of her hair, and gives herself a general dusting. Satisfied with her appearance, she works her back and shoulder a few times with what look like dimly remembered gymnastic stretches.

"Thanks for the pep talk, coach; I'm think gonna go hit the showers. So, when's our next practice?"

"These punks got lucky; that ain't yer fault. I shouldn't 'ave tossed ya in the mix like that. I'm jus' glad yer not hurt."

Grim holds up a slender finger as she corrects him.

"Not hurt much."

"But, bruises aside, I can see what ya need ta work on. For the next couple o' weeks we'll go over some stuff ta help ya along." He inclines his gaze back to Grim and offers his open hand to help her up from the street. "So, ya fall down then ya get back up. That's all there is t' it."

She gladly takes the offered hand as the older hero easily lifts her to her feet; once standing again, Grim vigorously shakes her head to get the sleet out of her hair, and gives herself a general dusting. Satisfied with her appearance, she works her back and shoulder a few times with what look like dimly remembered gymnastic stretches.

"Thanks for the pep talk, coach; I'm think gonna go hit the showers. So, when's our next practice?"

"These punks got lucky; that ain't yer fault. I shouldn't 'ave tossed ya in the mix like that. I'm jus' glad yer not hurt."

Grim holds up a slender finger as she corrects him.

"Not hurt much."

"But, bruises aside, I can see what ya need ta work on. For the next couple o' weeks we'll go over some stuff ta help ya along." He inclines his gaze back to Grim and offers his open hand to help her up from the street. "So, ya fall down then ya get back up. That's all there is t' it."

She gladly takes the offered hand as the older hero easily lifts her to her feet; once standing again, Grim vigorously shakes her head to get the sleet out of her hair, and gives herself a general dusting. Satisfied with her appearance, she works her back and shoulder a few times with what look like dimly remembered gymnastic stretches.

"Thanks for the pep talk, coach; I'm think gonna go hit the showers. So, when's our next practice?"

Grim allows herself to drop down on her knees once the two goons are down for the count; she takes several deep erratic breaths, then looks over her shoulder at Nightrival and makes a vague gesture.

"See, this is why they pay you the big bucks."

Her head drops forward as she despondently runs a hand through her spiky hair.

"Such an idiot - no game plan, posturing, stupid quips, nearly get myself killed."

Grim stretches out and just lies on her back looking up at the night sky, her hair damp with filthy slush.

"Y'know, if you want to terminate this little arrangement right now, I completely understand; I was so determined to impress you with my bad self, and you just ended up having to bail me out."

She turns her head to one side and laughs.

"Actually the snow makes it feel a little better; I might lie here for a few hours until the pain goes away. I'm more useful as a speed bump anyway."

Grim allows herself to drop down on her knees once the two goons are down for the count; she takes several deep erratic breaths, then looks over her shoulder at Nightrival and makes a vague gesture.

"See, this is why they pay you the big bucks."

Her head drops forward as she despondently runs a hand through her spiky hair.

"Such an idiot - no game plan, posturing, stupid quips, nearly get myself killed."

Grim stretches out and just lies on her back looking up at the night sky, her hair damp with filthy slush.

"Y'know, if you want to terminate this little arrangement right now, I completely understand; I was so determined to impress you with my bad self, and you just ended up having to bail me out."

She turns her head to one side and laughs.

"Actually the snow makes it feel a little better; I might lie here for a few hours until the pain goes away. I'm more useful as a speed bump anyway."

Grim allows herself to drop down on her knees once the two goons are down for the count; she takes several deep erratic breaths, then looks over her shoulder at Nightrival and makes a vague gesture.

"See, this is why they pay you the big bucks."

Her head drops forward as she despondently runs a hand through her spiky hair.

"Such an idiot - no game plan, posturing, stupid quips, nearly get myself killed."

Grim stretches out and just lies on her back looking up at the night sky, her hair damp with filthy slush.

"Y'know, if you want to terminate this little arrangement right now, I completely understand; I was so determined to impress you with my bad self, and you just ended up having to bail me out."

She turns her head to one side and laughs.

"Actually the snow makes it feel a little better; I might lie here for a few hours until the pain goes away. I'm more useful as a speed bump anyway."

Do you want Nightrival to step in at this point?

For the love of God, yes! :D

Do you want Nightrival to step in at this point?

For the love of God, yes! :D

Do you want Nightrival to step in at this point?

For the love of God, yes! :D