if a star falls in the forest

paloma vega. 28. super strength. not a hero i just played one.

[strpaloma]

wcvingtheflag·:

That was the problem with the ‘hero types’ from the union, or so Grant had found. They used their power as a battering ram hoping it would shield them rather than thinking about or planning their move out first, Grant himself could be pretty reckless but he knew better than to throw himself into a dangerous situation without at least a little preparation. Or maybe that was just the human in him talking. He continues to scribble notes on the page, circling parts as he goes to highlight them for later further analysis “Don’t be too hard on yourself about it, I’ve taken a blow to the head a few times for snooping where I shouldn’t have been.” He finishes a thought on the page before sitting back slightly and regarding Paloma “What you and my sister did was stupid, I’ll be the first to admit it, but it was a bloody brave move.” And Grant would have done the exact same thing, and his humanity would probably have been his downfall just like Sylvie. “You said you don’t remember faces right? Do you remember anything you heard?” 

“Nah, I should be hard on myself about it. It was stupid as all hell. I’d like to think it’s a mistake I’ve learned from, though.” She’d gone the other direction, too cautious about it all, so much so that she hadn’t done anything. Hopefully this conversation was the start of finding a happy medium. “Because of my power I can’t really be restrained. The fuckers solved for that by keeping me high as a kite the whole time. Gave me a habit I can’t shake. Sadly the only name I remember was Suarez’ but thats not exactly news anymore.” She pauses and takes a sip of her coffee, “Though I suspect I might be able to point some people out in a list or lineup. Sometimes things feel familiar.” 

[strpaloma]

inscnnewcrld·:

Sanne gives the woman a pointed look, of which the blonde was well known for. She still wasn’t sure what had lead her to this alley, and what was encouraging her to help this woman when any other time she would simply leave. After all she knew if they were going to end up dead or not, either she’d be seeing them again in the morgue, or they’d be fine and so didn’t need her help. “A drink of water, the very last thing you need is alcohol” Sanne had been there and done that herself, bad mix “unless you are in fact the dead body just not dead yet, it’s not unusual for me to arrive early to a death.”

That was probably wise. Less fun, but definitely the right choice. Paloma finishes wiping away her ruined makeup and passes the mirror back to the blonde. “You some kinda psychic?” She asks, finally processing some of what she had been saying, “Cause if I’m about to die I'd like to know. Just to be emotionally prepared or whatever.”

[strpaloma]

powcrup·:

* hugo & paloma.

‘ you’re not going to ask what your first mistake was ? ’ he asks lightly.

“Oh by all means, please give me your prepared witty remark.” She closes her magazine and smooths it out on her lap. 

[strpaloma]

wcvingtheflag·:

He takes an automatic look around them in the coffee shop both from paranoia and just experience before he dares continue, taking out an old fashioned reporters notepad and pen which he leaves on the table in front of him. “Tell me everything you can remember about what happened to you, I know you’ve already given statements but I prefer to hear it for myself rather than read someone else’s interpretation. They often leave out the important details, or just try to cover it up altogether” He adds to final comment as a sly reference to his own situation that had lead to the book, working against the people who covered up his sister’s murder.

Paloma mimics his glance around, the need for secrecy readily apparent. Finding the environment satisfactory, she breathes in and readies herself. “Well, the story starts with me being an idiot and biting off more than I can chew. Take it as a warning, if you will.” She laughs, finding the memory funny because otherwise it would be deeply disturbing. “I was shooting on location in Diamond City for this movie called Tryst Fund about these two heroes who- nevermind, that’s not important. You can watch it if you want. My role got recast and went to this little thing who- sorry, again, not relevant.” Grant didn’t need to know about her Hollywood problems. “I was in my trailer one night and we were parked across the street from this abandoned row of buildings that were being used as sets. I saw this weird glow coming from one of them, heard weird noises. I was so used to playing heroes that I got sort of possessed in the moment thinking I was one. I barged right into the warehouse, ripped the locked door off its hinges. I don’t know what I was looking to do. Immediately I got fucking wrecked. I think I was shot in the neck with some sort of tranquilizer?” 

[strpaloma]

inscnnewcrld‌:

Sanne watches the woman chug the bottle and instantly feels bad that she doesn’t have another in her bag, but that brings her to another thought instead. Rifling through the handbag once again this time she offers out a a pocket mirror and a pack of tissues “Once you’ve cleaned yourself up we’ll see about getting you another drink.”

“Thank you kindly.” Paloma takes the mirror and tissues and starts to dab at her runny makeup. She was glad she was past the point where paparazzi actively followed her everywhere, it was one of the few perks of her fall from grace. She definitely didn’t want this face in a magazine. “What sort of drink?” She asks, uncertain if the woman is implying water or alcohol, and more uncertain of which answer she wanted.

[strpaloma]

lilac-swarm‌:

Unsurprisingly, the preventive inquiry seemed to have gone over the woman’s head. Lilla watched her stumble, reaching a little too slow to offer viable support. Instead, she stood there with an arm outstretched and her jaw slack as the stranger proceeded to begin a long overdue renovation of the hall.

Lilla’s hazel eyes widened at the sight, she swallowed hard before pushing a faint smile back onto her face. Knowing that she was in the company of someone like herself didn’t discourage her from offering help, if anything it made her all that more eager to nurse the woman back into a clear state of mind.

Letting her leave when she clearly wasn’t in control of her powers would’ve been a grave mistake and a risk to both herself and to others. Lilla trusted her capabilities enough to stick with her original plan, she could always transform in the unlikely case of needing to flee from danger.

Laughing at the woman’s phrasing, Lilla throw her hands up in the air excitedly. “It’s a perfect match!“ She spun around, ready to lead the way when the memory of the piece of brick in the woman’s hold had popped back into her head. Hurriedly, she turned around and grabbed the chunk out of the stranger’s hand. “Just a moment.”

She stepped to the gaping hole in the structure and pushed the piece back into place, nodding affirmatively at a job well done. “Good as new! Let’s go.” Carrying the bag of waste, she looped her free arm through the woman’s and began gently pulling her towards the according direction.

She could hear the loose brick falling out and hitting the ground with a thud as they crossed the threshold of her apartment. That was someone else’s problem from that moment on. “Feel free to take a seat, I’ll be back in a second.” Lilla trilled, kicking the door closed with her heel and promptly running off to the bedroom.

There, she was relieved to find both Abbott and Costello snuggled up and fast asleep. “You guys make horrible guard cats.” Smiling proudly, she closed the bedroom door, locking the felines away for the time being. She ruled against introducing her four-legged companions, at least until her guest was sober enough to keep her strength in check.

She made her way back into the shared space of the kitchen and the living room, pacing over to the fridge. “There you go!“ A large, cold bottle of mineral water was passed to her guest before she took a contemplative look at the various sources of nutrition at their disposal. “So, what are we in the mood for? I’ve got cereal, I could make a fruit bowl or an omelet or… pancakes?”

She allowed herself to be guided along. Paloma had no special gift for reading people but the other woman’s intent certainly seemed kind. After they entered the apartment, Paloma found the nearest couch and plopped on it, relieved when it didn’t break. Score one for self control. 

She accepted the water and quickly downed more than half of it, letting it soothe her. Was it wise to be making herself so comfortable in a stranger’s apartment? Probably not, but it was less wise to just wait this out alone. She’d had a few pretty destructive episodes in the past she wasn’t eager to repeat.

“Oh man, pancakes sound like-” she blanked for a moment, “a good thing.”

[strpaloma]

powcrup·:

* hugo & paloma.

raising lola sounded familiar, and though hugo had never watched it, he knew that his younger sister had been a fan when she was younger. his lips twitched. ‘ your second mistake was assuming that he knew how to spell. ’

Paloma snorted, “My mistake has never before been overestimating someone.” She was glad that this guy was now talking to her. He seemed like an amusing character.  

[strpaloma]

cadxnsantos·:

Well that definitely explained why he felt so off. He offered a sympathetic smile and pulled out a water bottle from his bag, handing it over and making sure that she had a grip on it before letting go. “I’m Caden, so that at least you know my name.” He was hesitant to leave her just stumbling around the high school, and though he was concerned about security reasons, he was mostly worried for her health. “Please don’t take this the wrong way, but can I walk you to wherever you were headed?” he offered. “I don’t like the idea of you accidentally getting hit by a car or something on the way there.”

“A gentleman! How rare. I’m Paloma.” She nodded in silent agreement, appreciative of the offer. “You’re right somewhat- I don’t want a collision with me and a car. But the car would be getting hit by me and not the other way around.” She accepted the water bottle he offered and took a long sip, coughing a bit. 

[strpaloma]

wcvingtheflag·:

“But you survived and that is a considerable advantage, and I’ve found that it can also be quite the driving force” He shrugs, he wasn’t here to be her personal cheerleader but he could do with her being on side “you wouldn’t be sat here, with me without it.” He takes a sip of the coffee before continuing “I can’t fight in the way powereds can, but just because I’m human it doesn’t mean I’m helpless. What I mean is what you are bringing to the table is something that I’ve been dying to find since Sylvie’s death, I’m not asking you to become like me and switch careers I just want to work with you and who knows maybe we can clear your name while exposing the Underground.”

Paloma sighed. Despite everything, those were still the words of an optimist. Most interestingly, the words of an optimist who had actually made some progress. She wasn’t eager to hop onboard a crusade, but he was right in that this was the only route she saw to clearing her name and she did want to learn what information he’d already gathered. “I suppose I can answer questions. Help out in little ways.” Even if this thing did go horribly wrong, it’s not like she had much to lose. 

[strpaloma]

inscnnewcrld·:

“Please do that would be great” She sighs, it was clear there was nothing around here that could have brought her here so she would just have to let the mystery rein. As Sanne brings her attention back to the woman she rolls her eyes at the sight of her focusing on the hand, yanking open her bag to rifle around for her bottle of water that she offers out to her.

“Thank you kindly.” Paloma takes the water and glugs it down until it is almost empty. Jeez she’s a mess right now. It’s so embarrassing when this happens, and it isn’t even her fault she’s an addict. She often considered checking herself into rehab, but she could only see the headlines now. 

[strpaloma]

wcvingtheflag·:

With a small signal with his hand he indicates to Paloma to not mention anything else as the waiter was coming over with their drinks, appearing from behind her to place the two coffees on the table in mismatched and inappropriate cups. “Nothing else for us right now, thank you Eddie” he pulls out his most dazzling smile to help convince him before he turns away, keeping his eyes on his back until he’s beyond the safe distance away “No, they aren’t. But my sister was the best person, which is why I couldn’t let her murder be covered up by the Underground, or Raúl.”

Grant seems to be handling the subtlety aspect of this quite well. She guessed that she probably wasn’t the first person like her he’d managed to find and talk with. Good. She was glad to learn someone competent was looking into it in a way that she couldn’t, though she doubted one person could make much of a dent against the underground. “You seem like a good guy, but I’m afraid I’m probably a disappointing lead. I’ve got nothing to bring to the table to help. I can’t snoop. I can’t fight. All I have are hazy memories of hazy faces.” 

[strpaloma]

inscnnewcrld‌:

Is it possible that this woman had been at deaths door and she had just pulled through, but Sanne had already been pulled to her dying moments before it had taken the turn? Regardless something had pulled her into that alley, and it certainly wasn’t a kind heart. “Yes, there is no way I’m out here without one” Sanne keeps looking around, squinting into the darkest corners looking for something.

“That’s a weird thing to say.” Paloma blurts, before realizing that calling people weird is rude, and you don’t want to be rude to strangers. “Sorry. I will let you know if I see one.” Not that her sight was particularly consistent right now. She waved her hand in front of her face and watched as it went in and out of focus. 

[strpaloma]

inscnnewcrld·:

If only this stranger knew the truth, she’d said no to these drugs but that was only because they weren’t the right drugs otherwise she would never have hesitated. “I think that part is universal” She responds with a tight smile, it wasn’t true about her dealer but she didn’t exactly want to go around giving away his details and risk losing him. “I don’t suppose you saw a dead body around here?”

“Bad fashion is not universal.” She starts thinking about her new boots and snaps out of it once she registers what the other woman asked. “A body? A dead one? No. What?” Why was this woman looking for a dead body? Paloma was missing a few hours. Had she been part of some altercation she’d forgotten? She’d never killed anyone. There was no blood. Being high doesn’t turn people into killers. Probably not. But still- a body? 

[strpaloma]

wcvingtheflag·:

He checks over his shoulder quickly before beginning, both from paranoia and experience “I know that you were taken and held captive by an Underground group who were conducting illegal experiments.” He motions to the book, his book, that she had carried in and placed on the table (even then the other patrons would still ignore the obvious link) “What I didn’t include in there is that my sister was killed because what she witnessed was this group trying to kidnap a young mutant and she intervened.”

“Yeah, that’s about the short of it.” It was strange hearing that whole fucked up chunk of her life summarized so succinctly. Paloma raised an eyebrow at his admission, unsure of how to respond. She wasn’t great with sympathy, but it seemed that if he was able to write a book tangentially about the experience he was past the point where he needed it. “That honestly doesn’t surprise me. They’re not exactly the good guys.” 

[strpaloma]

wcvingtheflag·:

He holds his hands up in surrender “I’m a plain old human putting myself into danger with little to back myself up with, I’m very aware that in most situations I’m on the back foot before I even start.” He sits himself at a table in the back away from the windows but with direct sight of the door which he had found was a perfect spot for casting this kind of work, through the mismatched and “unique” furniture weren’t the most comfortable “I like it here because most people who come in don’t follow celebrity, so I can go about my stuff anonymously. That’s why I brought us here I thought you of all people would appreciate that too.” Though Grant hated the idea of being a ‘celebrity’ for just exposing the truth it had helped him reach the end means so he was willing to put up with it now, even if it was a little reluctantly. 

“Good pick.” She did very much appreciate the thought behind choosing this venue, and also the fact that he wasn’t powered. It was nice to feel like she had an upper hand to some degree, since the whole scenario was generally sensitive. “How much do you know about what happened?” He’d written that he’d believed her in the book so clearly he knew a little bit, but it was for the best if she began by gauging what gaps she needed to fill in.

[strpaloma]

inscnnewcrld·:

“Since you aren’t my dealer nor do I know yours I’m going to say no to that” Which admittedly took a lot more of Sanne’s self control than she would have liked to admit, but the wrong dosage could wreak havoc with her powers and hers was a tried and tested which had been a long of painful process “but I do believe you’re making the right call.” Sighing she reaches out with her gloved hand to help the woman up, her sympathy coming from her own experiences both from her power and the drugs over the years.

Paloma giggles excitedly, “You did it! You said no to drugs.” She accepts the hand and lifts herself to her feet, her grip a little stronger than she had intended. “His name is Johnny. He has a bad sense of fashion.” She mumbles, referring to her dealer. 

[strpaloma]

annacastillx·:

Anna only hesitates for a second. There’s no space for uncertainty in the face of an emergency, and the heroine nods in assent before moving forward. The smoke begins to cloud her vision, and she realizes belatedly that she probably should have also brought goggles to help her see. But she blinks away the ashes as best as she can and eventually, they manage to make it to the stairs. She is completely relieved to find that there is no heat behind the door, a sign of an intact stairwell, but pushing at the door is futile. Her eyes search for the cause, and find the rim around the door partially melted, bending it into a shape that makes it near impossible to move anything through. Anna curses under her breath, stepping back. “It’s wedged, and I need more force to open it.”

“That would be me.” Paloma pushes on the door and it easily gives way, swinging wide open. She’s glad that the stairwell seems clearer than the hallway and takes a big gasp of the somewhat fresher air. “Where to, fearless leader?” She asks, once again relying on this woman and hoping she knew what she was doing. Worst came to worst Paloma could just start tearing through walls, but that would be a last resort.