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[indent][sub][color=#6F2676][b]Chapter 1:[/b][/color] Never a Dull Day[/sub][sup][/sup][/indent][hr][indent][color=#6F2676][sub][b]Domino's Office [color=#6F2676]♦[/color] The Bronx, New York City[/b][/sub][/color][/indent]

[url=https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/cb8f4ac3-f72c-4103-9f9e-13d43ba24b43/df6hvih-dc84d00e-8386-4022-b4f7-8727044d5a74.jpg/v1/crop/w_247,h_350,x_0,y_0,scl_0.085694540428473,q_70,strp/serious_by_everii_df6hvih-350t.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.SJ-W86aIZS5IY3CWRFSqDGFfKJHZ-rAuimz1PXSvJYI]Carolyn[/url] typed on her keyboard, eyes scanning the page in front of her. She pushed her glasses up her nose, a bad habit when she was in a "thinky mood". The fact her boss rarely, if ever, did paperwork would annoy another personal assistant, but it made Carolyn's day. The fact she could get it all done in a matter of minutes was neither here nor there. Even if it took her all day, she would relish it. After all, how many people could say their boss was a genuine superhero? Granted, her boss would kill her if she heard that word used. Her boss had a habit of hating "heroes". She recalled a day not too long ago when the two of them were drinking at the nearby pub and the news was on ("The fuck kind of pub has the news on and not a stupid sports game" her boss had asked no one in particular) and someone on there had mentioned heroes. "If people acted decently towards others, there would be no need for heroes" her boss had said. Carolyn didn't ask for elaboration. 

However, as she typed, her eyes scanned the nearby video she had pulled up to the side. On it, the news anchor was speaking about the Brotherhood of Mutants and their rise from non-aggressive tactics to full-blown violence. IF she were honest with herself, Carolyn could see reason on both sides. The president all but saying mutants were a menace and moving forward with the Mutant Control Act, is anyone surprised they would lash out? 

The door to the office slammed and Carolyn quickly shut the video down as her boss glided in.

Neena, or Domino to her enemies (or enemies turned lovers back to enemies), appeared like she just rolled out of bed. Sunglasses covered last night's binge drinking and this morning's hangover. "Carolyn. How's the best secretary in the Bronx doing tonight, baby?"

Carolyn's eye twitched. "Personal assistant. You know how I feel about that word."

Neena made a 'pssht' noise ad flipped her hand. "I know, I know, but it's sooooo sexy! Never would have thought I'd have my own one of those, let me tell you."

"Well if you continue to not fill out reports and leave me with them, you won't have one at all."

"Bitch, please, I know you have a lady boner for doing it. But I'll try to be more on top of it. Anywhoodle, any new clients?"

"Your friend came in talking about some gang activity, but other than that, nothing came in. He's in your office."

Neena finger-gunned Carolyn and made her way to her office door. She opened the door and saw Ceasar laying on her couch, snoring. She picked up one of the books she had on the table that made it seem like an actual office and not just a place she nursed her headaches and tossed it on the boy's stomach. He woke up with an 'oof' before knocking the book to the ground. "Hey! What'd you do that for?"

"My office is not your bedroom. I get things are tight at home, but you still need to go to school. Education's important."

The two waited a beat before barreling over in laughter.

"Sorry, have to say that otherwise I get sued. What are you here for?"

Ceasar, a hispanic 16-year old boy who constantly wore a knit cap on his head and baggy pants that exposed his buns to everyone within its radius, came over to her desk and sat down. "You hear the news?"

Neena waved his question away. "Course not. All it ever is is bad stuff going on. I'm already aware of that being a Black woman in America."

"Well that's not why I'm here anyway. Word on the street is something big's going down."

"Typical players?"

"Nah, chica. This one's different. Heard of The Big Man?"

"I don't do religion Ceasar..."

"No not that Big Guy. The Big Man. He's this enigma. No one knows who he is but he has his fingers all over. I heard a local group talk about working for him. I think something's happening."

"Something is always happening." Nenna leaned back in her chair as she pondered this. "The Big Man huh? Sounds like a supervillain. I ain't some do-gooder, cape wearing, skintight latex freak. That's out of my wheelhouse unless he hurts one of mine."

Ceasar knew this. Respected this. He also hated superheroes. "I only bring it up because I think he's making his move into the Bronx. If he does, things are going to get dangerous. Well....more dangerous."

Neena sighed and rubbed her temples. "It's never a dull day here, is it?"

"That's why we are lucky to have you."

Luck. Heh, that was funny. Maybe her power, the power she was hated for despite its good intentions, was being used for more than just nabbing up criminals. "Thanks Ceasar. Keep an ear to the ground for me. In the meantime, I may hit the streets, see if I can pick up work."

Cearar snapped his fingers and exited the room. "See ya in my dream's tonight Carolyn."

"You are a minor Ceasar. Don't make me call your mom."

"Aww, man. Why you gotta do me like that?"

The door closed and Neena waited for a beat before she picked up her belt, fitted with an assortment of protective merchandise, and her leather jacket, flying it over her shoulders. "I'm heading out. Call me if something comes in, but if not, take the rest of the day off."

"You know damn well I'll be here until sundown doing [b]your[/b] notes."

"Love you, baby!"

Neena exited her building and began walking in any direction. She had a feeling today would be wild.