#tecton stan

[askspsupers]

Where do you guys fight crime?

[Guardian suddenly springs up, seemingly wide awake.]

Guardian: That depends a lot! We usually just fight wherever the enemy shows up, which is usually public spaces- the town square, city hall, banks, that kinda thing.

Galaxy Girl: As for time, I prefer fighting at night- in the daytime, I can only use my sun magic, which isn't always the right choice.

Flagitio: I like fighting at night too. Makes it easier to hide.

Tecton: I don't really care either way!

Lady Noument: Speaking of which...

[A loud beeping sound emerges from Noument's laptop.]

Lady Noument: Seems we've got an attack. The news reports are saying it's...Psypaper.

Scarlet Sentinel: Ugh, that guy? He never seems to quit...Why can't he just stay locked up?

Lady Noument: I agree...luckily, as long as you don't let him get into your head, he's not too tough to deal with. Will you guys be okay while I'm gone?

Rosethorn: Are you sure you'll be okay on your own?

[Flagitio leans forward.]

Flagitio: I can go with-

[Realist abruptly stands up.]

Realist: No! I-I'll do it.

[Lady Noument shrugs.]

Lady Noument: No complaints here. With me, Realist. Stay on your toes, though- you never know who might be lurking in the shadows to surprise us.

[Realist glances back at Flagitio.]

Realist: You don't have to tell me twice.

[Lady Noument and Realist exit.]

Guardian: Yo, Rosethorn. You wanna head out too? I think it's about time we get this Agent Equanimity guy on our side.

Rosethorn: Oh! S-sure. I think Lady Noument said he'd be at...Dark Meadows Estates!

Guardian: Gotcha! Everybody else, hold down the fort while we're gone. We'll probably be back after ya answer a couple questions, so don't miss me too much!

[The two move together and exit. Tecton looks over at the empty space next to him now that Realist is gone. The Scarlet Sentinel moves over and sits next to him. Flagitio continues to lurk on his own, while Galaxy Girl absentmindedly practices some of her star magic.]

[Guardian, Rosethorn, Lady Noument, and Realist will be temporarily unavailable for asks. After one ask is answered, Lady Noument and Realist will complete their task and return. After two asks, Guardian and Rosethorn will complete theirs and return.]

[askspsupers]

First Audience Participation Results!

[The heroes gather around Lady Noument's computer.]

Scarlet Sentinel: C'mon, c'mon, tell us who won!

Flagitio: Hurry up!

Lady Noument: Okay, everybody relax! I can't read it with you all crowding me.

[Galaxy Girl motions everyone back with her gloved hands, and they step away, but keep leaning in close.]

Galaxy Girl: Everyone give her some space.

Lady Noument [squinting]: Let's see here...

[She clicks her tongue.]

Lady Noument: Only five people voted, unfortunately. Galaxy Girl got one vote...

[Galaxy Girl goes "yesss" and pumps her fist. Guardian smiles at her, excited to find someone who does the same thing.]

Lady Noument: Tecton got one...

[Tecton was staring at Realist, but perks up and blushes a bit when he hears his name. He scratches the back of his head.]

Tecton: Huh? O-oh, really? Me? Cool...

Lady Noument: And Guardian got three!

Guardian: So I win?

[Scarlet Sentinel claps him on the shoulder, and he stumbles, nearly falling over. A big dumb smile appears on his face.]

Guardian: Woohoo! I win, I win...

[He does a little victory dance, shaking his hips and sticking out his butt a little. Galaxy Girl examines him and nods approvingly.]

Guardian: Okay, everybody line up! Girls kiss the left side of my face, boys on my right.

Flagitio: Ugh. Do I have to?

[Guardian shrugs.]

Guardian: Not if ya don't want to! I ain't gonna force ya.

[Lady Noument smiles, steps forward, and plants a quick kiss on his cheek. She leans in to whisper in his ear.]

Lady Noument: Good job respecting boundaries and consent, angel. Keep it up.

[Scarlet Sentinel follows, and presses her lips to his cheek rather roughly. Rosethorn's next; her kiss is soft and gentle, and she blushes a bit as she pulls away. Lastly, Galaxy Girl goes in for his cheek, then abruptly grabs his chin and turns his head so she kisses him smack on the lips!]

Guardian [looking in the slightly reflective silvery surface of Noument's laptop]: Heh. Ya all wore lipstick...black, red, green, and white. N-nice.

[Tecton abruptly steps up to Guardian and kisses his cheek. Guardian grins at him. Flagitio sighs and walks up next, giving him an exceedingly quick peck on the cheek. Realist's is rather hesitant, but lasts surprisingly long.]

Guardian [voice cracking]: Hehe...thanks, cutie-pies...love ya...

[Guardian sways on his feet and promptly passes out. Tecton catches him.]

Rosethorn: Is he all right?

Realist: Oh, I'm sure he'll be fine...probably.

Flagitio: I dunno, it feels quieter without him talking...

Lady Noument [sardonically]: I suppose you'd enjoy having one less voice talking over yours, wouldn't you, Flagitio?

[askspsupers]

[Ask: Tecton, who do you trust the most and the least?]

[Tecton notices the ask pop up on Noument's computer. He glances around nervously- the others seem preoccupied, practicing their powers or finding other things to do. He slips through a side door into a separate room.]

Tecton [whispering]: I still don't get how this whole thing works, but...you guys can hear me, right?

[He pauses and hears nothing. Deciding to take that as a yes, he continues.]

Tecton: I just didn't want the others to hear me...So, I guess I'd say...

[He sighs.]

Tecton: I guess I trust Realist. He seems like he knows what he's doing. Guardian and Rosethorn are nice, and Scarlet Sentinel seems pretty cool too. Now for who I don't trust...

[He grits his teeth and clenches his fist at his side.]

Tecton: I wanna say I trust everybody, but...Flagitio seems a little weird. And Lady Noument is weird too- she seems good, but she's so strict and serious. And why is she the one giving us all the information? What if...what if she's lying to us?

[He looks downward, his eyes watering a little.]

Tecton [voice breaking]: What's the point in all this infighting? Some villain is just gonna find out where we are and kill us anyway. Shouldn't we at least go down as friends? Or would it even make a difference...?

[askspsupers]

Oooo, so youse "collab" with the other group at times? often? with like villain attacks, i mean. oh and tecton fan/anon here, you're puh-retty swell yourself guardian, though i do have to admit, my bias still lies with tecton heehoo

Guardian: Well, thank you, anon~! Glad ya like what ya see.

[He blows a kiss.]

Galaxy Girl: We work together sometimes, but I don't know if I'd say "often".

Realist: Lady Noument and I have been trying to make our groups more coordinated and organized. Determining who's best suited to deal with a certain mission and the like.

Lady Noument: But our groups can be a little...hard to mesh, as you just saw.

Tecton: Well, maybe this is a good chance for you guys to figure it out. We're all together and all. I'll stay out of it, though- I'm not...m-much good at smart-people stuff.

[Scarlet Sentinel looks at Tecton and gives him a thumbs-up.]

Scarlet Sentinel: Hey, I'm the same way, man! Nothin' to be ashamed of. They put their heads together, and we crack heads.

[Galaxy Girl nods with a big smile on her face.]

Galaxy Girl: Exactly! You're just good at different things, that's all! And I think that's the beauty of it- everybody's got something unique and beautiful about them.

Guardian: That's what I've been saying!

[Galaxy Girl and Guardian almost instinctively move together and start speaking rapidly about their beliefs. It's filled with lots of flowery language and happy stuff. Rosethorn giggles at them a little.]

Flagitio [under his breath]: I'm gonna be sick.

[A mysterious black-and-red glow appears around Flagitio and slowly ripples out to the rest of the room.]

Flagitio: You know, that Agent Equanimity guy seems pretty smart. Maybe recruiting him would be a good idea- he could help us organize more.

Lady Noument: That's not a bad idea, uh-

[She looks around, confused.]

Lady Noument: Hang on, which one of you said that?

Tecton: Not me.

Scarlet Sentinel: Hell if I know.

[Realist's eyes flash with pinkish-purple energy, and he stares directly at Flagitio.]

Realist: What is it that you think you're doing...?

Galaxy Girl: Hey, Realist, chill. Flagitio's just sitting there.

Realist: ...O-of course. My apologies.

Guardian: So this Agent Equ- Equis-

Lady Noument: Equanimity.

Guardian: Yeah, that. Is our next step?

Rosethorn: Seems so.

Lady Noument: I'll do a bit of research into him. Guardian and Rosethorn, you seem like you'd be good at diplomacy- if he's a good fit for our team, I think you should go talk to him.

Rosethorn: No problem!

Guardian: Aye-aye, cap'n.

Tecton: Great idea, guys!

[Flagitio winks one eye- his brown one- at Realist, while his pale blue one remains staring intensely.]

Galaxy Girl: In the meantime...let's keep answering questions!

Realist [thinking]: Stay calm. Focus on the questions. Try to figure out what he's up to based on how he responds. Simple...

[askspsupers]

Ladies! How did you get into fighting crime?

[Lady Noument brushes some hair behind her ear, a sudden wind framing her appearance to make her look more badass.]

Lady Noument: There's a cancer in this city. And like any cancer, it has to be removed before it ruins everything. Justice must be meted out, and-

Galaxy Girl: Sweetie, I love you, but you're being a teensy bit over-the-top.

[Lady Noument blushes and clears her throat.]

Lady Noument: R-right! Well, anyway- point is, once I discovered my powers, I figured I had a duty to use them to stomp out evil.

Galaxy Girl: I'm basically the same way. I have these powers, so it's only right that I use them to help people.

[Rosethorn politely walks to the forefront.]

Rosethorn: They asked me to join up with them, and I thought it was the least I could do for such good friends. Th-that's all.

[She backs up a bit. Nearby, the Scarlet Sentinel is munching on some popcorn. She speaks with her mouth full.]

Scarlet Sentinel: Beatin' up bad guys is fun.

[She shrugs and swallows.]

Lady Noument: I won't deny that. Oh, remember the first villain we took down as a group?

Rosethorn: High Roller...able to gamble almost anything. If he'd won that game with me, he'd have gotten my powers for a whole month...

[She shudders a little.]

Galaxy Girl: He was an odd one. He seemed weirdly innocent, like he was just trying to have fun or something. But he didn't seem to care if his little adventures hurt people...

Scarlet Sentinel: We sure hurt him, though.

[Guardian pops up, seemingly out of nowhere, with a big dumb smile on his face.]

Guardian: 'Member the first villain you and me took down together, Noument? The Candyman?

[Lady Noument sighs.]

Lady Noument: It's "you and I". And yes, I remember. I still say I could have done it by myself.

Scarlet Sentinel: What are you doin' here, anyway?

Guardian: Answerin' questions, same as you! And besides, I wouldn't miss out on a chance to see such lovely ladies all gathered in one place.

[He summons his wings and flies a short distance into the air, then does a super cool flip so he's upside down.]

Guardian: Daaamn, Rosethorn, that leotard thingy makes your butt- OW!

[Galaxy Girl conjures up a small red ball of energy that floats over to Guardian and creates a small explosion, knocking the wind out of him and making him fall to the ground. His wings dissipate.]

Galaxy Girl: Down, boy. Rosethorn IS super pretty, but we're not gonna stand for you being a creep.

[Guardian mumbles an apology. Realist, Tecton, and Flagitio enter from the side.]

Tecton: Guardian! Holy shit, dude! You okay?

[Realist and Tecton rush over to him, while Flagitio sulks. Guardian stands up and dusts himself off.]

Guardian: I'm fine. It was my fault- I was bein' a dumbass perv again.

Realist: Ugh. [to Rosethorn] Sorry about him.

Rosethorn: Oh, i-it's not a, um, big deal or anything.

Lady Noument: Just keep it in your pants, okay?

Guardian [slightly dazed]: No prob, Bob...

[Tecton pats Guardian on the back. Flagitio grumbles something.]

Lady Noument [in a somewhat hostile tone]: Is there a problem?

Flagitio: No, just don't get why you have to be here. We don't even know your identities. How do we know you won't attack us like you did Guardian?

Realist: I hate to admit it, but he has a point.

[Scarlet Sentinel cracks her knuckles.]

Scarlet Sentinel: Is that a challenge?

[Rosethorn and Guardian try to get between the arguing heroes, holding out their hands palm-out in a pacifying manner.]

Rosethorn: H-hey, there's no need for all this!

Guardian: Yeah. We're all heroes here, ain't we?

[Rosethorn and Guardian make eye contact. She smiles at him, and he returns the favor.]

Flagitio: Ngh...

Realist: Your optimism is ever so infectious, our beloved Guardian angel.

Galaxy Girl: I agree with them.

Tecton: Yeah, me too. We can't be fightin' over stupid stuff all the time.

Lady Noument: I suppose that makes sense. If we're going to be here, answering personal questions and fighting crime together, there has to be some level of trust.

[Realist glances at Guardian and fidgets with his coat.]

Flagitio: ...Fine. Guess I got a little too cautious.

[The girls move together again, and the boys do the same. They pass the time with idle chatter and little displays of their powers- creating little flowers, balls of reality energy, shimmering stars, and so on- as they await the next question.]

[askspsupers]

tecton seems like a real coolio dude, i like youse, haha,

[Tecton blushes a small bit.]

Tecton: Aw, really? Thanks, dude! That's nice of you.

Guardian: Awww, you got a fan already! What do you think of me, anon~? Your guardian angel, defender of the downtrodden, slayer of the wicked, Guardian~?

[Guardian strikes a rather flirty pose, exposing the tight fabric around his...pelvic region, and winks.]

Flagitio: Gaaaaay!

Guardian: You're just jealous of how good I look.

Realist: I will admit, you...don't look half bad.

[Guardian pumps his fists and mouths "Yesss!".]

Tecton: ...but anyway, yeah. Glad you think I'm cool and stuff, anon.

[askspsupers]

What's an average day like for you guys?

Realist: Average? Ugh, nothing about this town is "average".

Tecton: Well, I still live with my parents unfortunately, so I usually do normal people stuff all day and then fight crime at night.

Guardian: I kinda like flyin' around, with my, heh, supacool angel wings...

[A soft light appears on Guardian's back, and huge feathery angelic wings extend from him.]

Guardian: Makin' sure our quiet little mountain town is safe. Even if it's daytime! My costume looks kickass in the day- the sun reflects off the golden armor parts and makes it look all-

Realist: Ahem. Could you put those away? They're in my face.

[Realist sneezes, knocking a few glowing feathers off Guardian's wing. Guardian mumbles an apology, and his wings dissipate.]

Flagitio: I just do whatever unless some douchebag decides to go mess stuff up. Then I sneak up behind him, kick his ass, and go home.

Realist: How heroic and noble...

Flagitio: Heh, thanks!

Realist: As for me, I tend to spend a lot of my time figuring out uses for my powers. For example, energy- I'm still not certain what exactly reality energy is, but it's obvious it holds considerable power. So I've been trying to determine if it could be used to power things.

Tecton: But if it can, wouldn't they just tie you up somewhere and make you blast energy into things all day?

[Guardian snickers.]

Guardian: I'd sure like to tie you up and blast-

[Realist glares and punches Guardian in the arm. Guardian winces, rubs the injury, and stops talking.]

Tecton: ...You guys are weird.

[askspsupers]

Realist Guardian and Tectonic are you all best friends?

Guardian: I think we're super best-

Realist: No.

Tecton: Jeez...

Realist: Apologies for the bluntness, but we don't know each other's identities, and our motivations differ. I'm willing to work with you all, and to do this whole question shtick together, but I can't call you friends. Not yet, anyway.

Flagitio: Wow, Realist, that's cold. I like it.

Guardian: What if it turned out that we knew each other outside of being superheroes?

Realist: Well, I suppose we could be friends then.

Tecton: Noted.