Lydia could have half groaned at hearing about Benjamin Grant’s party. Now there was a self-indulgent rich bastard if she’d ever met one. “Must be nice to coast through life on mommy and daddy’s money” was a phrase she often thought about Benjamin. Honestly, about the last thing she wanted to do, was to attend this party. Her limbs, now healed, still held all the fatigue from the massive damage they’d had, and her mind still was bogged down with the emotions that drowned her. She realized that, maybe, Adrian was inviting her? She looked up at him, confused, her brows knit. When she saw that look in his eyes, she wondered what he was planning.

Just as she couldn’t stand the scrutiny -her heart was pounding from fear, she assumed- people began pouring into the hallway. Lydia turned away from him, looking around awkwardly. She caught his farewell and she turned and turned to face him, the rage back in her voice. “Don’t use my real name!” She hated that, but he often insisted.

She felt an eager tap on her shoulder and Willow was there, overwhelmed with excitement. “You did it! You did it, Steelia!” He went to hug her but she pushed him away.

“Shut up, Willow, I’m not in the mood. I’m going home.” She said, holding him at arms’ length.

“Uh, but… um, Steelia, I have… um, would you, … the sidekick …” Willow was tripping over his own words. He cleared his throat. “Steelia, the sidekick games. I was hoping you would watch me out there, for support.”

Steelia could groan at his words. As it was, she visibly wilted. “Willow, you’re going to do fine. You’re going to be amazing.” she encouraged him. “But, I’m really tired and really sore. Too much so to talk. I’m going to go home and sleep some of this fatigue off. Will I be seeing you at this party thing tonight?”

“Oh, yes, definitely!” then a beat. “What party?”

Steelia ruffled his hair before heading out, going home to take a nap. She could hear the date of the party being tossed all around the hallway and her name, and Adrian’s, up and down the hallway, loud chattering. They all turned to look at her as she passed and Steelia was almost overwhelmed by the expressions on their faces. A mix of envy, jealousy, cold amusement, indifference from all the others washed over her. Some of the villains thought they could easily destroy her, while others didn’t care enough to even think about it. 

A large crowd of heroes pressed against her, talking, chattering, and over enthusiastic for her and Steelia was disgusted. They don’t understand. I won, so obviously it's time to celebrate. They couldn't imagine how I feel about this. It's all flowers and roses up at the top, apparently.