[center] [img]http://txt-dynamic.cdn.1001fonts.net/txt/dHRmLjQ0LmU5MzJmMS5UR2xzYkdsaGJnLCwuMA,,/pink-gladiolus.one.png[/img][/center] [hr] Lillian looked at Alessa, chewing on her lip slightly as she considered how to word what she was going to say next. It… It needed to be done right. A large part of her felt like she shouldn't try, because why risk ruining such a great friendship? Why would Alessa even be down for something like this? Let alone with someone like herself? The part of her she was so used to listening to. The part that had led her down that dark path too many times now. But… Well, honestly she didn't want a ‘what if’ situation. She didn't want to wonder what might have been anymore. She certainly wasn't all better herself but taking a chance and a step forward felt like the right thing to do. Even if someone might overhear or make fun of her or even if she got rejected for being a freak or something. She needed to do this. For herself. She needed to grow. Lillian waited as everyone seemed to converge together, internally screaming as her nerves spiked. Conversations were being had but… She couldn't concentrate on the words. It was static roaring in her ears, a rumble shaking through her. She looked at everyone, feeling glad her face was partially covered, as she took a moment to realize how many people were here. Oh god, this was going to be so difficult. [Color=pink]”Hey, Messiah?”[/color] Lillian asked, drawing Alessa’s attention as there was a lull in the conversations. Her voice shivered, barely able to finish the name. She gently pulled the older girl away from Margrave and the others. [Color=pink]”Uhm, I was wondering if maybe you wouldn't - if, uh, you would want to go to the movies with me when we got a free moment?”[/color] Lillian asked hesitantly, keeping her voice quiet. Her heart was thunder, her blood a raging torrent. [Color=pink]”I've just been, well, it's always nice when we've hung out…”[/color] 'In the mood for some films, huh?’ Alessa asked, smiling crookedly. ‘Yeah, I like films! I mean, that sounds silly, I assume everyone likes [i]some[/i] films, right? Ahaha, I’m rambling, sorry.' [Color=pink]"But not like normal... Like, uhm, like when you like someone and want them to have a good time and be happy and be happy together and maybe you end up holding hands and stuff..."[/color] her voice trailed off as she mustered her courage and looked up. ‘...Ohhh, like a date,’ Alessa realised, blinking. ‘Huh.’ [Color=pink]"Uh, yeah...a-a date."[/color] For a little bit after that, the older girl seemed to think hard to herself, seeming on the verge of denying Lillian’s suggestion for an uncomfortable while before her expression smoothed out underneath the mask. ‘...You know what, sure. Let's go for it, see if it works out,’ she agreed, this time smiling full-heartedly. ‘What sort of film were you thinking of seeing?’ [Color=pink]"...It's okay, I get it - Wait , what, really? Eeeeeee. There's that new one about heroes but I don't care whatever you want to see I'm not picky about it as long as it's not horror and I mean even then I'm okay with that if you want to see something like that and oh my god I can't believe this -"[/color] She stopped for breath and turned bright red, her heart swelling. [Color=pink] "Sorry, I just - I only hoped - yeahhhhh... Hehe, I just never expected..."[/color] Beaming, Lillian let her shoulder lightly tap against Alessa's, briefly letting their fingers brush. Such a bold move for her, but she felt electricity run through her from the contact. It was a heat, the increase in her pulse, a shiver through her soul…. It was what she imagined being entirely content and happy in the moment must feel like. Was she happy? She pondered the question momentarily before deciding that yes, yes she was. [Color=pink]”I've never been so happy…”[/color] she murmured, grinning like an idiot. [I]Is it too soon to hold hands? What if she didn't want to hold hands? Oh, I don't want to ruin this moment or mess up or…[/I] Lillian's breath caught momentarily as she felt the soft, warm embrace as Alessa took her hand. Internally she was squealing, feeling like she might rip from all the swelling in her heart, as she entwined their fingers. This really was the best day ever. 'You really like me that much? I'm... Honestly flattered. I'm not that great, honestly,’ Alessa replied sheepishly. [Color=pink]”Nuh uh,”[/color] Lillian chided quietly, squeezing her hand lightly. [Color=pink]”You're the bestest, most beautiful, coolest, and smartest person I know.”[/color] 'Aw, thanks, Lil! You're really sweet, yourself.' Lillian giggled lightly, euphoric, as she looked around. Things had... Changed while she was preoccupied. Margrave was being accosted by a fangirl, which was nice and confusing at the same time. Leaning her head gently against Alessa's arm, she waved at Morales as he approached. Dropping kind words on Alessa before leaving, Lillian was greatly appreciative of the act. Ah, everything was going so great for everyone. It made her own little pocket of sunshine all the better, seeing so many people happy after so much ugly darkness lately. Funny, really, how just a few short weeks ago she'd wanted to leave all this behind. No, never again. This.... This was worth it. This was worth the hard times, that darkness that always threatened the light. This made it all worth the fight to get here. [hr] [Center] [color=46c7c7] [h3]Chasing Dreams [/h3] [/color] [@Spiffy][/center] [hr] There was silence that seemed to stretch on for eternity before the sound of many locks clicking, sliding, and thudding could be heard on the other side of the door. [Color=46c7c7]”In. Now.”[/Color] The voice commanded before Mantis was yanked through the barely open door. [Color=46c7c7]”Those are dangerous words to speak aloud. Especially for a [I]Cape[/I],”[/color] the strange woman continued before florescent lights sprung into life, blindingly bright. As Mantis' eyes adjusted, the woman had moved silently to a table nearby. Her back was to him, a thick winter coat obscuring her appearance. The room itself was spacious, but full of clutter. Books, maps, what seemed to be tapes and recording equipment… One could barely see anything except all this stuff, let alone move around in it all! [Color=46c7c7]”You found something stolen from me. A picture… No, a puzzle. No...a map. Yes, a map,”[/color] the woman spoke hurriedly, moving things around. [Color=46c7c7]”Part of a whole, useless by itself. What are you after? What are you willing to pay to get what you want? Important questions, and questions I deal with.”[/color] She turned around and Mantis could finally see her. The front of the blue jacket was open, revealing a woman not much shorter than him. Pasty skin and murky brown eyes clashed with her strikingly silver hair, her frame neither plump nor curved. She was dressed in what appeared to be men's boxers and a tanktop and dress shoes without socks. Her nails were painted with a chipped baby blue, slightly pointed, as she lifted a finger towards Mantis. [Color=46c7c7]”Call me…Questioner.”[/color] [hr] [Center] [h3][color=00aeef] Jason [/color] [/h3][/center] [hr] Jason rolled his eyes under his mask as Heartless flirted with one of the other villains, impatiently waiting for everyone to arrive. One had turned and left suddenly. An oddity, but... Perhaps there was a reason behind it. Oh well, it didn't matter. The Broker had signaled to begin, and Jason was impatient enough to start. Standing up, he knocked his fist against the table he was at, the loud noise calling attention at Sabotage's question. [Color=00aeef]"We start...Right now,"[/color] his voice thundered, loud and clear. [Color=00aeef]"We're here because of the fucking Community. Their constant threat and the new reports that threw PHO into a bloody panic. Mind control. Permanent. Unending. Taking strong villains and puppeteering them to further their agenda. It needs to end."[/color] He paused, his opening statement sinking in. [Color=00aeef]"I propose a joint effort of those gathered. Take the fight to the community more directly, and cripple them until Patriarch falls. I'm sure others disagree with me, but that's why this meeting exists. Communications need to happen."[/color] [hr] [Center] [h3]Whip[/h3][/center] [hr] Whip continued to glare at Heartless, barely listening as the meeting began. Of course it was a man who started things off. Pathetic.