[center][h3][color=orange]Clara Cabello[/color] and [color=f49ac2]Alejandra Jonas[/color][/h3][/center] [center]September 9th[/center] [hr] AJ looked up at Clara. Now, normally, that wouldn't be an unusual thing thing to write. Afterall, Clara is taller than AJ and in order to make eye contact with Clara, the smaller woman would have too, if only slightly, look up. However, in this particular instance, further clarification is required. When AJ looked up Clara, she really was craning her neck, gaping up at the upside down girl posing triumphantly in a gravity defying maneuver that would make Isaac Newton roll in his grave. Currently, the two of them were gathered in an abandoned warehouse within Hell's Kitchen. The red-headed latina was upside down about thirty feet up, her ponytail dangling down and swaying in the wind. [color=f49ac2]"Okay, okay, it's time for you to get down now, Clara." [/color]AJ said nervously, her brain conjuring image after image of Clara shattered on the concrete floor infront of her. [color=orange]"Why? I can't fall. I already told you yesterday. You saw me stick on the wall."[/color] She said, gesturing at the floor. No, the ceiling- she was standing on. It was odd to talk to someone upside down- the gestures she made were all wrong relative to AJ. [color=f49ac2]"It's one thing to show me five feet up on an alley wall. It's another to show me thirty feet up, upside down and oh my God!" [/color]AJ said, cupping her face with her hands as Clara started doing cartwheels on the ceiling. [color=orange]"Wheee-hee-heee!" [/color]Clara childishly announced her excitement with a giddy shriek-laugh. As long as she kept at least one limb attatched to the ceiling she should be fine. Normally it would be kind of hard to such feats of gymnastics, but Clara was finding she was stronger, nimbler, more flexible, and more agile than ever. By a lot. She wasn't even breaking a sweat. What a rush! After a few cartwheels she paused, breathing heavily- not from exhaustion, but from joy. Clara hadn't felt this good in a long time. No, Clara hadn't felt this good, ever. Her mind was dazzled, boiling over with possibilities she was barely even beginning to comprehend. Only now, after about two days of this power, had her thoughts returned to her job. What kind of crazy shit could she pull off with being able to climb anywhere? Holding onto the celing with the tips of her fingers, casually kicking her legs, she looked at her younger friend beneath her. [color=f49ac2]"Clara! Clara stop doing crazy shit and just come down!" [/color]AJ called out, holding the edge of her shirt with her balled up fists. [color=orange]"Hey, sorry, but no way. I'm havin' way too much. You're just gonna have to get used to seeing me do this stuff, because I'm gonna do it until I die."[/color] Clara responded, her voice echoey and distant. [color=f49ac2]"Could you not phrase it like that? That could be thirty seconds from now for all I know!" [/color] Clara suddenly swung her legs forward, going a considerable distance. Her feet touched the ceiling and she sat down, staring in disbelief at the spot she was just at mere moments ago. The concrete chunk she was holding onto plummeted thirty feet to the ground and shattered, AJ leaping back and shrieking. [color=orange]"Woah!"[/color] Clara exclaimed. [color=orange]"That was close."[/color] AJ responded with an incomphrensible series of desperate cries and shouts, alternating between extreme concern and volatile fury. Clara furrowed her brow and glanced down- up? at AJ. [color=orange]"Hey, sorry, AJ. I'm alright. See? No problem."[/color] She began to do a slow windmill breakdance, moving slowly and deliberately while keeping at least one part of her body on the ceiling. Almost hyperventilating, and embarassed that she was so outwardly concerned for her dumbass older sister's safety, AJ pouted and calmed herself, crossing her arms. [color=f49ac2]"That's enough! I'm not gonna stand around here and watch you splat,"[/color] AJ called up defiantly. [color=orange]"I won't splat,"[/color] Clara denied, almost numbly, as if she was coming to some kind of realization. [color=f49ac2]"You don't know that! I can't handle this! Come back when you're not being-"[/color] [color=orange]"Hey, shut up a minute, would you?"[/color] Clara said, staring blankly at the floor beneath-above her. How did she know that concrete was going to fall? How did she have the reaction and speed to avoid it, even if she did know? There was more. Something in her was telling her to...let go. AJ began to get angry again, but it faded out as the odd tone in Clara's voice registered.[color=f49ac2] "Clara?"[/color] She asked, staring up. [color=orange]"Just..."[/color] She trailed off. She stood to her feet. Extending her arms upwards, fingers splayed out. [color=f49ac2]"Clara."[/color] AJ said seriously. Clara didn't respond. Instead, her feet came loose from the ceiling. [color=f49ac2][i]"CLARA!"[/i][/color] AJ cried out in despair and fear as she watched her only real family in the world come crashing head first to the concrete. Instead of a splat, there was nothing. Hardly any noise at all. Clara's hands caught her, and she rolled forward, coming to a stop after a few feet. As if she just did some a parkour stunt, diving headfirst over a railing onto to catch herself and dispering her momentum. Only it was a death drop, and she had almost no forward momentum. Trembling, Clara stood to her feet and turned around, an almost maniacal grin on her face. She held her hands out infront of her, staring. They were fine. It was like she hadn't fallen far at all. All she had to do was...catch herself. There was no issue. Somehow she knew she wouldn't be hurt. AJ, on the other hand, looked faint. Unaware of the extreme emotional turmoil she had just put her best friend through, Clara sauntered up to AJ and slapped her on the shoulder.[color=orange] "Well? Whatcha think? Pretty cool, huh?"[/color] AJ returned the favor by attempting to slap Clara across the face, but the red-head casually dodged it without even blinking. AJ looked offended and frustrated and whirled around, turning to leave. Rubbing the place where she would have been hit, Clara called out after AJ with a confused look on her face. [color=orange]"Hey, sorry, I didn't mean to dodge it. You can try again if you want!"[/color] Clara offered, not exactly helping. While she meant only to keep pace with AJ, Clara found herself infront of her younger sister. Turning around she placed her hands on each shoulder and tried to think of something to say. [color=orange]"Hey,"[/color] she began. Blinking in surprise at the tears streaming down Alejandra's face, she said nothing for a moment. Wiping away her face with the end of her sleeve AJ sniffed and glared up at Clara. Clara wasn't sure what to say, so she said nothing. [color=f49ac2]"You're a real asshole, Clara,"[/color] AJ said after a moment of silence. Clara had a tick where she apologized often, but it wasn't a real apology. It was a fake one, a mocking one, as if the idea of Clara Cabello saying sorry was a joke in and of itself. Clara rarely truly admitted a mistake. Maybe she would, this time. But it didn't come; instead, Clara's face broke out into an irritating smile and she shook AJ lightly by the shoulders. [color=orange]"You should lighten up, AJ, for real. This is great! I just, well, I knew I wouldn't die. I have superpowers,[/color]" Clara was still riding her high of exhilaration. [color=f49ac2]"Yeah, I know. You have superpowers."[/color] Alejandra responded plainly, shrugging Clara's hands off her shoulders and rubbing her temples. [color=orange]"Like in those comics I get for you."[/color] Clara said. [color=f6989d]"Yeah. Except usually, the person in those comics become a superhero. Or a supervillain. They aren't just...some random asshole."[/color] Clara grinned. [color=orange]"Well, this is real life. And in real life, apparently random assholes like me are the one's gettin' powers."[/color] AJ put her face into her hands.[color=f49ac2] "I can't believe the universe gave Clara fucking Cabello superpowers. Of all the fucking people."[/color] Her voice was muffled and exasperated. When she pulled her face out of her hands, she had a small smile on her face. It was pretty exciting. There was a lot to take in. But this was just Clara trying to distract AJ from the fact that she had scared her half to death without warning. So why was AJ playing along? It was too late, though. She had smiled and made banter with her older sister, so that means that Clara was forgiven, even though Clara hadn't apologized. At least, that's how she must have seen it, as her grin grew bigger and more irritating. Clara glanced around. No one was around in the morning, in this part of town, with it's poor quality streets and dusty warehouses. [color=orange]"Think of all the cool shit I can do. Nothing can stop us now. Payin' off that debt? Only the beginning. You an' me, AJ. We're gonna kick some serious ass."[/color] She knuckled AJ on the shoulder again, and AJ smirked. [color=f49ac2]"We are going to have to thoroughly test your capabilities. No more jumping off roofs, okay?" [/color]AJ asked, her voice turning serious again. Clara's smile left her eyes for a moment, but then she shrugged. [color=orange]"Okay, whatever. For you, I guess. Come on, let's get back to the tent," [/color]She turned and began walking, AJ following behind, wiping her eyes a little when Clara wasn't looking. Clara put her right hand into her [url=https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81vVEA1JqCL._UX679_.jpg]pocket[/url], her left arm swinging forward and backward. A moment passed in silence. Clara knew the way back, and AJ followed, getting out her phone and beginning to swipe and tap with expedience and practiced skill. The early morning sun painted the two of them in a red-orange light that casted long shadows behind them. AJ had her eyes downcast, but Clara squinted against the light. [color=orange]"Hey, AJ, got my sunglasses with you still?"[/color] She asked, breaking the quiet. [color=f49ac2]"Sure,"[/color] AJ replied, reaching into the inside of green heavy coat and withdrawing them, handing them to Clara without looking. Clara placed the orange tinted, black-rimmed sunglasses on her nose and her eyes relaxed, no longer being assaulted by the sun. [color=orange]"Okay, so,"[/color] Clara began, [color=orange]"Where do you think I got these powers from?" [/color] AJ scrolled through the news. There was going to be a memorial service in an hour, in order to remember those lost in the attack. [color=f49ac2]"Well, probably from the gas attack. You recovered faster than most people, and really it's the only thing I can think of." [/color] [color=orange]"Yeah, that's what I thought. Musta put some crazy shit in that gas. Wonder why only I got powers?"[/color] Clara wondered. [color=f49ac2]"If you got powers, it stands to reason that others did aswell. Unless, you really one one in 8 billion and are the only person on the world with superpowers. In which case, God help us all."[/color] Clara nodded. "That makes sense. Still, lotta people died, and not a lotta people who survived got powers, I guess. So I think we're in the clear for now. Wow. I got superpowers. That's crazy. For a little, I thought I was dreamin'." "More like a nightmare." "But, no, it's real. Really, real. I can do all sorts of crazy shit. Stickin to anythin? Falling thirty feet onto hard concrete without a scratch? Head first? We're gonna be rakin' in the cash, AJ. I can steal from anybody. And I'm discoverin' new powers all the time, who knows what else I got." Clara rambled on, clearly excited. "And once we get the cash, AJ, I'm gonna buy you all sorts of cool shit." AJ was still looking down at her phone. "Oh, yeah?" "Oh, yeah! Who knows what you could do with real money. What we had before? Pocket change. Nothin'. I mean, shit, look at this." With that, she crouched, gathered her strength, and pushed off the ground with all her might. Much to her surprise, she leapt fifty feet into the air, screaming. AJ startled and stared up at her older sister who was now a distant shape, flailing her limbs wildly in the air. Clara fell down to the ground and did a nimble roll, coming to a stop, her legs far apart, one hand spread on the ground and the other high in the air. Standing, she cracked her back and turned to face AJ, eyes wide, smile huge. [color=orange]"Holy, shit. Didn't expect that. Hey, sorry if you got scared again."[/color] She said breathlessly. AJ blinked. [color=f49ac2]"Uh, no. I'm now totally numb to the idea of human suffering. Thanks, Clara."[/color] [color=orange]"Aw, no problem."[/color] Clara patted her on the shoulder.[color=orange] "This day just keeps getting better and better."[/color] AJ shook her head. She had read in a science fiction book, once, that humans were the most adaptable creatures in the galaxy. They could take in information and plan new strategies in accordance to that new information at a rapid, almost instantaneous rate. It's what compelled humans to explore new lands. It's why in horror movies, it takes the person only a matter of minutes to readjust their reality in accordance to the fact that there is a real life ghost chasing after them. And in that novel, it's why the humans adapted so quickly to the alien invaders, and turned the invaders own weapons against them. It was our greatest trait, according to that book. Well, AJ thought, she guessed that was what she was going through now. Super powers were real, and her dumbass best friend had them. That was her new reality. She didn't just pass out or die of a heart attack, and she hadn't committed herself to an insane asylum. Because, by all accounts, her friends powers made no sense. Not according to modern science. But hey, fuck it, what else was she gonna do? Proof's in the pudding. Anyone who says superpowers aren't real haven't seen Clara Cabello jump 50 feet into the air and land without a scratch on her. [color=f49ac2]"Anyway, they're holding a memorial service to the victims of the attack later today. Wanna go?" [/color] [color=orange]"Nah,"[/color] Clara responded simply, shrugging her shoulders. Feeling AJ's laser eyes dig into the back of her head, she turned. [color=orange]"What? Why would I want to go there?"[/color] [color=f49ac2]"Because you almost died in that attack? And it would be the decent thing to do?"[/color] [color=orange]"It's just gonna be some corporate fatcat talkin' fake shit about justice and friendly shit or whatever. Last thing I need is some soulless Osborn shithead tellin' me how to feel while people like you an' me don't even know if they gonna have dinner tonight."[/color] She said, once again shrugging her shoulders. AJ rolled her eyes. [color=f49ac2]"Okay, sure, I don't like Osborn any more than you do. But that is such a simple and unnecessarily cynical way of looking at it. We wouldn't be going there for Osborn, we'd be going there to support the families who lost people. People like me. If I hadn't been so lucky."[/color] AJ said. Clara turned over her shoulder once again. [color=orange]"Okay, fine, I guess."[/color] She said, throwing her hair to the side with a rolling of her neck. [color=f49ac2]"You shouldn't pick pocket from anyone there, either."[/color] Clara looked offended. [color=orange]"Like I would ever steal from grieving families!"[/color] AJ smirked. [color=f49ac2]"Sure, sure. It's like you said, we're going to be making a lot of money. We can take a break from stealing for an hour or two, can't we?"[/color] [color=orange]"Sure, I guess, for you." [/color]Clara compressed her lips. [color=orange]"We still have a few hours. I can get my pick pocketin' quota done for the day early to make up for the memorial. How's that sound?"[/color] [color=f49ac2]"Sounds fine. If you can crawl up walls I have a hard time imagining how people are going to catch you."[/color] [color=orange]"Right? For real, no one can catch me."[/color] [color=f49ac2]"Try not to sexually assault anyone today."[/color] [color=orange]"That- was a fluke. And an accident." [/color]Clara said, the words catching in her throat. [color=orange]"Now, I can control what's stick and what's not."[/color] [color=f49ac2]"Gross."[/color] AJ made a face. Clara's face turned redder than her hair. AJ laughed. [color=f49ac2]"Wow! You're really embarrassed about that, aren't you?"[/color] [color=orange]"I never shoulda told you that story,"[/color] Clara lamented. [color=f49ac2]"I thought you said shame was for pussies, or something like that?"[/color] AJ pushed on, sensing her opportunity. [color=orange]"Well-"[/color] [color=f49ac2]"I guess you're usually pretty good with guys, huh? Not your smoothest moment, I imagine."[/color] [color=orange]"Man, AJ-"[/color] [color=f49ac2]"Probably doesn't help that he was hot, huh?"[/color] [color=orange]"I never said-"[/color] [color=f49ac2]"If he was ugly, you would have told me and laughed about it. You know, 'cause you're a scumbag like that."[/color] Clara gritted her teeth. She had her there. [color=orange]"He was just some rich asshole! Who fuckin' cares?"[/color] She defended herself. [color=f49ac2]"You do, apparently."[/color] AJ teased. It wasn't that long of a walk home. Later that day, the two women would turn up at the memorial service, AJ dragging Clara there. Of course Clara wanted to spend the entire day exploring the limits of her new powers- even the rush of pick pocketing and thievery wasn't comparing to her new jump height. But work, and apparently memorial services, came first today.