Blackstripe

Heroes Reborn: Prime Earth (Superhero/Urban Fantasy: OPEN)

@Indra It's up to you which you wish to play. You can make an OC, or one that is close to canon--though not entirely so. They still have to fit within the lore and history of the RP's setting as detailed in my Original Post!

Heroes Reborn: Prime Earth (Superhero/Urban Fantasy: OPEN)

January 3rd, 11:01 AM
Columbus Circle, New York

In Collaboration with: @MsMorningstar

It wasn’t Karen’s first time visiting Columbus Circle Shops, or even Michael Kors, for that matter. She had even met the man himself once, and had a few dresses he had been commissioned to make for her. They were tasteful and elegant, a relic of her earlier days.

Despite Kors being a designer store, she had opted to dress in one of her more casual outfits--a white tank top, slightly distressed blue jeans, and red tennis shoes. This was mainly to avoid intimidating Clio. Knowing her, the other woman was probably going to show up in sweats, and would probably feel intimidated if she wore something more ostentatious.

Besides, people who were only used to seeing her in music videos or at concerts would have a more difficult time recognizing her in plain clothes.

Waiting outside Michael Kors, she adjusted the glasses on her nose. She didn’t actually need glasses, but they helped add to the disguise factor. Everybody knew that Karen Hernandez didn’t wear glasses, after all.

Naturally, Jones was with her. Mere days after the attack on the concert, she definitely couldn’t be out by herself. Besides, he had a pretty good eye for fashion himself.

Clio stepped out of the taxi she had taken over, after paying her fare and expressing her gratitude towards the driver. She headed into the mall, keeping the bundle beneath her arm secure. The clothes Karen had lent her, freshly washed and air dried so they didn’t shrink. She felt people staring at her, and it made her shrink back slightly. This probably wasn’t the best place to be wearing sweats…

She stopped outside of Michael Kors, spotting Karen almost immediately. She caught the gaze of Jones shortly after, and smiled at the both of them. While Jones wasn’t the nicest man alive, he was brutally honest. And, the reason why she had stepped out of her comfort zone today.

Walking up, she waved at the two of them. ”Thanks for coming. I don’t think I’d be able to do this all by myself, I don’t have an eye for these things.”

Karen eagerly waved back, flashing a beaming smile while Jones managed a grunt between blunt smoke. ”Don’t worry about it, I love shopping with friends! And nobody has an eye for fashion when they first start out. That’s why I’m here, right? To show you the ropes!”

”Though, really, I’m surprised you recognized me so easily in my glasses!” said Karen, adjusting them sophisticatedly.

Turning, she led them through the glass doors of Michael Kors, the soft hum of overhead music immediately caressing her ears. It wasn’t anything of hers, thankfully--that would have been a little embarrassing when she was trying to have a casual day out with her new friend. The store was bright with well-polished beige floor tiles and designer clothing of every variety as far as the eye could see.

Glancing over her shoulder, Karen quirked a brow at Clio. ”Any clue what sort of look you’re aiming for?”

Clio’s eyes widened at the selection of bags and clothing, feeling quite lackluster in comparison. The sales associates were dressed better than she was. Of course, that wasn’t hard to do. Clio blinked when Karen looked at her, feeling her cheeks warm. She didn’t know what she was looking for.

”Something with a better fit...feminine, maybe?” Pretty broad, but it shouldn’t be too hard to find something along those lines.

Karen nodded, her smile undiminished. ”That shouldn’t be hard! You’re tall and slender, the outfits here are designed with your figure in mind far more than my own. Just look at most of the mannequins!”

Facing forward again and cupping her chin in thought, her brown eyes swept over the selection of outfits on display as they passed by each aisle. She then stopped abruptly, and pointed towards one mannequin in particular. ”There! I think that would be perfect for you to start with. Stylish, yet still fairly comfortable and casual!”

The outfit in question was a black pencil skirt that was low hassle and had the logo of Michael Kors down the side. A perfect crossroads between the world Clio was leaving and the one she was entering.

”What do you think? Want to give it a try?”

Clio stared at the outfit, walking over and feeling the fabric. It was high quality and soft, like it wouldn’t fall apart after two washes. She liked it, but she wondered if she should go for a more drastic change. Later, maybe. Start small, then grow up to bigger and better things. ”Yeah, let’s grab it. I’ll try everything on at once.”

Moving on, Clio stumbled through the store, eyeing down outfits and trying not to reveal her distaste. She wasn’t disgusted by them, just...unsure. The price tag wasn’t a big deal to her, she was a saver, and hadn’t splurged on anything other than curse ingredients for a while now. What bugged her was how people would perceive her. Would they think of her differently, would they consider her spoiled?

She tried to convince herself that it didn’t matter, that she deserved this. With a deep breath, she stepped up towards a dress. God, she couldn’t recall the last time she had worn one. Probably during family photos, when she was twelve. Taking the black and white floral number off the rack, she held it in front of herself in the mirror. Another inhale, and she turned towards Karen for approval.

”I want to try something bolder. If I can wear it as Makaya, then I can wear it as me...right?”

Karen nodded without hesitation, appraising the dress she had picked out with approval. It was quite bold for Clio, even going so far as to show a bit of leg. ”Well, of course! You’re ultimately still the same person, whether you have a mask on or not, right? I say go for it!”

It was nice to see that she was becoming more open to the idea. It hadn’t even taken that much prodding on Karen’s part! This was quite fortunate, as there were so many things that would look fantastic on Clio here. This had truly been the right choice of store--and one that she herself could never really enjoy browsing alone.

”Ooh, how about this?” asked Karen excitedly, pointing to a floral Georgette Jumpsuit hanging from a nearby hook. ”It’s really cute and feminine, with just a pinch of badass for good measure!”

Clio gave it a good onceover, and smiled. ”Seems alright. I may have to get my hair braided to match it.” Her hair was long on its own, but a bit of false braids and some hair jewelry? That sounded good at the moment. ”Ever gotten your hair done like that? If you’d like...we could get it done?”

Karen’s eyes brightened with the suggestion, though her happy expression faltered almost immediately faltered. ”I would love to, but I’m afraid my label would have a fit if I radically altered my hair without talking to them about it first.”

Because even her hair was apparently somebody else’s property these days, to hear her stylists tell the tale.

Clio avoided Karen’s gaze, eyes flitting to a dress rack. She’d just have to go in to get her hair done alone, then. She could always do it herself, at home. Probably the best idea. ”Well, I think I’m ready to checkout...I can just try it on at home. If it doesn’t fit me, it’ll look good on Starfire.”

She began walking towards the cash register, waiting for Karen to follow. ”Ya know, you really shouldn’t let them handle you like that. If you’re afraid of losing them...maybe you should get someone to speak up for you?”

Karen paused in her step, her lips having turned down. She didn’t want to disappoint Clio like that. She really did want to get her hair done with her. She wanted to see her try on her new outfits! ”Wait, wait, hold up...you should see how they look before you buy them, right? And...maybe while you do that, I can try and figure out a way we can get our hair done together?”

She didn’t want to Clio to leave disappointed because of her, when she was making a real effort to break out of her shell.

Clio paused, turning to face Karen. She cocked her head slightly, a gentle grin lighting up her face. ”I don’t want you to get in trouble...but, if you need someone to step up and help you, Makaya’s around.” Her grin turned slightly sour, but it was the truth. Where Clio laid down and took it, Makaya was all action and violence.

”She’s...persuasive.”

Blinking at the strange choice of words on Clio’s part, Karen nevertheless returned her smile. ”I won’t get in trouble if it’s something they can undo easy enough when they need to.”

Well, probably.

The truth was that she had to toe a fine line when it came to knowing just how far she could push Sterling Records on certain things. There were occasions when she could put her foot down, but if she did it too often over things they considered trivial, they would bring out the dreaded Five-Year Contract she and her stepparents had signed when she was fifteen.

With less than two years left to go, it just wasn’t worth the potential courtroom brawl to try and push them too far.

”Anyway, there’s a change room over there!” said Karen, pointing. ”Let’s see the fruit of our labours!”

”Oh, yeah, it’s not a big deal. You can cut them out tomorrow or in a month!” Clio’s smile brightened, and she practically jogged over to the changing room. The three outfits altogether totaled up to at least three hundred dollars, but she felt it was worth it. Hair would cost at least that much to get done, anyways.

Clio quickly changed into all three outfits, modeling each of them for Karen, each of which earned flirtatious cat call’s from Jones.They fit her well, and she hardly minded the vitiligo patches that were in full view in the mesh dress. She felt, energized. Like she did when she was in costume.

After dressing up, she purchased her clothing and guided Karen out of the store. ”Thanks for coming with me. Did you ask to change your hair?” It sounded wrong to say that, as if it wasn’t her body.

”I did. It was a bit of an argument, but they agreed, so long as I could be back to ‘normal’ before my next public appearance,” explained Karen, looking just a tad bit exhausted from the effort.

Still, she rolled her shoulders. ”Okay, this is your show now, so lead the way!”

Heroes Reborn: Prime Earth (Superhero/Urban Fantasy: OPEN)

@MsMorningstar@LokiLeo789@DC The Dragon I've brought the Chipotle scene to an end as I could never get another post from you guys. It shouldn't have lasted this long IRL, and I really didn't intend it to. It was just supposed to be a short after party, but here we are.

I would like to see more effort put into actually posting from here on from everyone, not just those involved in that scene. The RP has ground to what I feel is an unhealthy crawl.

Heroes Reborn: Prime Earth (Superhero/Urban Fantasy: OPEN)

January 1st, 8:46 PM.
Chipotle Mexican Grill, West 34th

"Oh, wonderful to meet you! said Karen, smiling.

She smiled, but in truth she was a little apprehensive that a stranger had just showed up at the table. Did Starfire even know this man? Hopefully he wouldn't recognize her. In any case, she had made her offer to Clio and V, and they were sure to pass it on to Starfire at some point. But as for herself, it was really getting very late. She had a lot to prepare for--the inevitable interview with the press tomorrow regarding the attack, plans for the next concert and what additional precautions would be needed, a meeting with her label...it was going to be a nightmare.

"Listen, I'm sorry to cut this short, but I need to start heading home! You guys feel free to keep chatting if you want," said Karen, picking up her now empty tray and making her way over to the trash bin. Turning back to the table, she offered each one of them a final shake of her hand, using the opportunity to slip Clio, V, and Starfire her number. "I owe you all big time for tonight, and I won't forget it! If you ever need anything, you know who to call."

Glancing to Jones, she turned and made her way out of the restaurant. Hopefully she would see at least some of them again. But even if she didn't, she would remember them, and take solace in the fact that there were still heroes that were willing to put their lives on the line for a stranger, famous or no.

---

January 18th, 10:34 AM (Eastern Standard Time)
Lunar Orbit, the Atuum

"Well, there it is," mumbled Kyrona, observing the ball of blue slowly rising above its barren moon, "the 'Earth', as its called in their English language. Kind of a primitive little shithole, isn't it? But it has a species that looks a whole lot like mine. You'll be able to find an appearance you like there, for sure!"

Glancing over her shoulder at the massive creature sprawled across the floor of her ship, the Atuum, Kyrona smiled. That was Kailani for you, just lounging about while licking out a fuel cell like it was a cup of yogurt. "There'll be plenty to eat for you there in general! When I visited last time, it was stupidly polluted! Preliminary scans show that it's even worse now! It's a feast waiting to happen for a devourer!"

According to her local chronometer, it was now 2021. Hard to believe how quickly time flew, even for her. It had been 1993 when she had last set foot on that world--nearly thirty rotations of their sun!

"Let's see, if I recall, this country has a good variety of appearances!" she said, focusing the screen over North America. Her green eyes narrowed slightly, her head tilting to the side. Something appeared to be wrong there. There were ridiculously high traces of Chaotic energy in the atmosphere over that place. "Wow, when did this place get so fucked up?"

Normally, she'd turn the ship around when she saw a planet in that sort of state, but she had promised to let Kailani eat a species that looked like hers, and this place would still be much easier than the likes of Daxam or other advanced worlds. It was a good thing they arrived when they did, too--judging by the readings she was getting, Earth wasn't going to last too much longer.

"Alright, Kaila, I'm bringing her in, so brace yourself."

Following her own advice, nanofiber straps shot out from her seat to fasten her securely in place as she guided the ship towards the planet. Even at sublight, the distance between the Earth and its moon was cleared in a mere twenty seconds. The Atuum could of course go much faster than that, but it was ill advised to initiate atmospheric entry at relativistic speeds.

By the time a firey blanket had enveloped the ship, they had decelerated all the way down to mach 10. When they at last broke through the atmosphere, their speed was but a third of that. Passing through the cloud layer, Kyrona smiled. The ship's on board A.I. had just found a suitable spot for them to land, outside the American city of Chicago. Apparently, it was a cemetery--a place where humans dumped the corpses of their dead in some bizarre religious ceremony.

Apparently, leaving the dead body of your loved ones to be devoured by worms was a sign of affection here.

"Activate stealth field generator," commanded Kyrona.

For a brief moment, the viewscreen became distorted, but soon enough returned to normal functionality. From their perspective, nothing had changed. To the outside world, the Atuum had vanished from sight.

Identifying a clearing just outside the graveyard, the surrounding trees barely rustled against the gentle hum of the landing engines as brought the Atuum to a rest on the ground.

"...Right, landing successful! Let's go find somebody for you to eat!"

Heroes Reborn: Prime Earth (Superhero/Urban Fantasy: OPEN)

I've uploaded my second character, Kyrona Starblazer! Her backstory section is pretty barebones, but I wanted to keep it a bit of a mystery for now!

Heroes Reborn: Prime Earth (Superhero/Urban Fantasy: OPEN)

She was probably just tired! She was going to bed, after all!

She might also plan to edit an IC post in it's place.

Heroes Reborn: Prime Earth (Superhero/Urban Fantasy: OPEN)

January 1st, 8:45 PM
Chipotle Mexican Grill, West 34th

@DC The Dragon@MsMorningstar@Zoey White@LokiLeo789

---

Karen rested her chin on top of her folded hands, quietly listening to Clio talk about her reasons for coming here. She could understand wanting to get away from one's family; she had been in a similar situation when she was a child. Well, perhaps not too similar, if being tight-knit was the only crime the superheroine's family was guilty of. Still, she could understand not wishing to be smothered well enough.

Glancing to V when he answered Clio's question, she was admittedly very curious to know more about the past of the famous Kilowatt Kid. She, of course, wasn't surprised when he said that he grew up in Maryland, everyone that had been a fan of his knew that much. She had always loved watching the (likely dramatized) accounts of his many battles with criminals such as Holocaust, Cinderblock, or Dr. Killgore. What she hadn't been expecting to hear was that he had gotten a scholarship at S.T.A.R. Labs here.

That would explain why he hadn't been seen on his home turf (or at all) for years now--he had been focused on his education upstate! She herself had contemplated whether or not she wanted to attend university somewhere, but who was she kidding? There was no way she'd ever have time for that. Not while she was bound by her contract. Maybe once it ended, she would give the prospect of college another look.

"That's pretty amazing! I would love to go to a place like S.T.A.R. Labs!" she said, smiling brightly.

She then glanced between him and Clio. "But anyway, there was actually something I wanted to talk to all of you about--though I imagine V here will probably not have the time for it, with college and all."

She scanned the restaurant searching for Starfire, but she supposed she was still in the restroom. Oh well, she didn't mind repeating herself if she had to. "Tonight really made me realize that it wasn't just me, personally, that's in danger when this shit happens: it's my fans. As Clio pointed out earlier, I need more security. If any of you--Clio, V, or Star when she gets back, would be up for it, I'd be open to hiring you on to keep an eye on not just myself, but the people at my concerts."

Her eyes then slid to Jones, who had sat beside her in silence, as he tended to do. "Of course, you would have to pass whatever test Jones threw at you!"

Heroes Reborn: Prime Earth (Superhero/Urban Fantasy: OPEN)

@Jasonhero Okay, I don't see any lore issues or rule violations with your profile. Accepted!

Heroes Reborn: Prime Earth (Superhero/Urban Fantasy: OPEN)

@DocRock Okay! After discussing it with my Co-GMs, we have decided to approve your profile.

Heroes Reborn: Prime Earth (Superhero/Urban Fantasy: OPEN)

January 1st, 8:33 P.M.
Chipotle Mexican Grill, West 34th Street, New York City

Karen's jaw went slack when Starfire gulped down half a taco's worth of tortilla and beef, not bothering to chew it even once. Like a snake that had swallowed an overlarge rat, the orange skinned girl's neck swelled to the point where she wondered if the other girl could even breath like that. Could that have simply been how her species ate?

No, that seemed unlikely given that she did have teeth that resembled theirs. They had to be there for something, right?

Clio reached out to touch Starfire's arm, frowning slightly. "Are you alright, Star? Try chewing it!"

Virgil soon arrived at the table and, noticing the alien girl's predicament, echoed Clio's advice. Jones then slid in beside Karen and gave his own little quip at Starfire's expense.

"Be nice, Jones," said Karen. "She's probably never tried our food before. I'll bet we wouldn't do much better on her world."

Karen had initially suspected that she was some sort of monster that she'd never seen before now, but their introductions on the way to the restaurant had cleared that misconception up. A decade ago, it might've been a terrible shock to learn that you were casually eating out with an alien, but these days it was...well, not common, but certainly not anything to get worked up over unless you were one of those people.

Though, to be fair, there were plenty of those people, given the glares that Starfire was receiving right now. She had chosen Chipotle for a reason; they served all terrans without prejudice, hence why she had agreed to a promotional deal with them. Many other restaurants would have given them the "we don't serve their kind here" line if they had walked in, and so it just wasn't worth the risk.

"So, what brought you all to New York? I know at least some of you don't live here," asked Karen, her eyes darting between V and Starfire, the two that she definitely knew were out-of-towners like herself.

As her eyes settled on the alien girl, she happened to catch a man passing by them who seemed to be staring at Starfire in a decidedly different manner than every other diner in the restaurant. There was no revulsion or anger in his eyes, merely curiosity. Fair enough, she supposed. Star did rather stand out.