[h2][center][color=skyblue]Sonika[/color] - A Rooftop[/center][/h2]

It was perhaps a fitting irony that Natasha's day only grew worse. Her ability to precisely manipulate the air immediately around her for flight began to deteriorate quickly, forcing the sudden landing on a nearby rooftop. It was obvious that this was the work of another parahuman in the vicinity, though how they were able to sneak up on her was a mystery. Sonika soon heard the sound of somebody touching down on the roof behind her, prompting her to quickly face her enemy. Even with her mask and bandana wrapped around her face it wasn't difficult to decipher her mood. The contempt towards Furnace existed before she even confirmed he was there. As he introduced himself and threatened Sonika he was only met with a deadly glare.

Behind the gaze she was already rapidly considering her situation. Furnace had some method of hampering her abilities, explaining why she didn't detect him and why she couldn't maintain flight. It didn't seem like her abilities had been completely shut off, as far as Sonika could tell, but what she was worried about most right now was if this man actually [i]understood[/i] the extent of her powers. The element of surprise always proved lethal for Sonika and there was now a distinct possibility that she wouldn't have that advantage here. Likewise she was unfamiliar with this hero's capabilities. She had only heard of Furnace by name, not by feat. Another irony that she was lacking information when she would need it most.

[b][color=skyblue]"You've caught me at a bad time,"[/color][/b] Sonika finally responded in her thick Russian accent, now turning around to face Furnace completely. She was a tall woman, able to maintain an intimidating aura in spite of the quaint colors of her uniform. [b][color=skyblue]"I'm afraid I have more important matters to deal with than to play games with a vigilante."[/color][/b] There was a possibility that Furnace had an understanding of Sonika's powers and now was the time to test if it was true. Whether he knew what was about to happen or not, she also had to quickly learn of what precisely he could do. How [i]did[/i] he get her out of the air? What will he [i]do[/i] to survive here? These questions and more would only be answered if Sonika took charge of the situation and pressed an attack. Or in this case: [i]de[/i]-pressed. The blonde woman quickly raised her left hand towards the man in the red suit, pointing her open palm directly at Furnace's face. The air around his upper body should be escaping him, as with so many of Sonika's victims past. Creating a vacuum around one's head left them unable to breathe and many wouldn't even have the sense to try and move away from this pocket devoid of air. Of course she had other means to keep them still should they actually get smart.

But this was merely a test. To test if her powers could still function. To test if Furnace could anticipate the attack. If he could defend himself from it. His powers remained a mystery that Sonika wouldn't mind not discovering, if it meant he lost consciousness within the next minute. The possibility of her powers not affecting him already had Sonika considering back-up plans. She could try to kill him with melee combat though his suit appeared to be well armored. Running away would be difficult as he could just chase her with ease using that glider from before, assuming that Sonika could even get off the roof without the option of flight. As it sat now she had to hope her powers still worked despite her proximity to this foe. If her powers weren't completely disabled then at least she would have more options than trying to rely on knocking Furnace out by hitting him in the jaw, his only exposed point. No matter what the circumstances were Sonika was already desperate. [i]Being captured was not an option.[/i]


[center][h2][color=orangered]Cassidy Hendricks[/color] - Some Alley[/h2][/center]

Perhaps Cassidy was foolish to assume that the elder Macavity would have some prophetic wisdom to share with her in her time of need. She didn't really expect him to lay out a step-by-step plan of what she should do following the terrible news, but at least her new friend gave an honest effort in comforting her. She couldn't ask for much more given the circumstances. The young girl sniffled one last time before wiping the tears out of her eyes again. [b][color=orangered]"Yeah..."[/color][/b] This didn't really give Macavity an answer, though Cassidy assumed it did and got to her feet. She wobbled a bit, having found that her legs were actually shaking and it caused her to briefly lose balance. This was quickly fixed now that she was aware but she was still trembling even if she was no longer in danger of falling flat on her face.

[b][color=orangered]"Yeah... Just don't try anything funny."[/color][/b] Following a stranger to his home would normally seem like a very foolish move to a normal teenage girl, even if the stranger was as nice as Macavity has been. Cassidy was devastated and doing her best to suppress her distress but she still had her wits about her and was still a parahuman. If he tried to do anything rape-y then she could escape, especially since he just gave her food and drink. She was tired, sure. And it would be a while before she got any real energy, sure. But Cassidy knew that Macavity didn't understand her power and was accordingly wary, so that was a good sign. It was unlikely, in her eyes, that he would betray her trust. But her warning to him served more as an attempt at motivating herself to toughen up rather than to actually be threatening. If one couldn't guess that truth then her disinterested tone surely gave away how hollow the threat was.

In the end she needed to follow him anyways. He knew Denver, she didn't. He had resources, she didn't. If Cassidy abandoned her new friend in this city then she'd be entirely by herself. The people from before that she escaped from were undoubtedly hunting for her, so being lost and alone was the worst situation she could put herself in. She just learned her entire family had been killed and that everybody thinks she's dead too, being thrown into a box again would be [i]awful[/i]. [b][color=orangered]"Where is this hiding place, Macavity?"[/color][/b] Cassidy spoke up again after a moment of silence. [b][color=orangered]"You said you're a thief, so how do you know its safe? How do you know [i]those people[/i] won't find it?"[/color][/b]