He tilted his head. "Maybe.. I'd like to help people more." *** She looked around before nodding. "Yeah. Shall we?"
"You help people," she amended. "You help people out of bad situations." * * * He gestured with his hand. "Of course."
He tilted his head slightly. "I suppose." *** She followed him, stepping off the train. "So what are we seeing?"
She laughed slightly. "I mean, there's nothing a pretty bouquet can't fix, right?" * * * "I want to show you something," he said, leading her deeper down the subway line. "It's a surprise."
He looked at her with a playfully serious face. "Murder." *** She nodded, a smile on her face. "Hm. Alright."
"Oh, murder is no big thing," she said, waving it off. "I would forgive anyone if they bought me daisies." * * * He looked around before pulling her through a mostly obscured doorway.
He laughed aloud, folding his hands. "Really? Huh, okay. Noted." *** She followed him, looking around curiously.
"That being said, please try to avoid murdering anyone," she said as they approached the warehouse. * * * * It was dark, but the path they followed had been worn down by many feet. Ben looked back at her. "Careful. Watch your step."
He huffed dramatically. "If you say so." *** She looked around, her brows furrowing slightly. "Thanks.'
"I do say so," she said as the building loomed up in front of them. "Do you need to do anything before we go in?" * * * They walked down the hall and opened up to a huge, domed room. At the top, warped glass let in the city sunlight. The walls were completely covered with graffiti, street artists who had crept down the same pathway they had gone down to leave their tags. Large murals swirled above them, most noticeably one with koi fish painted with gold swimming up towards the lights.
He shook his head, looking around. "No. I'm ready." *** Mari's eyes widened at the scene that unfolded before her. She turned to see everything, a wide grin crossing her face. "Ben.. This place is beautiful!"
She nodded, tightening her ponytail before opening the door and slipping through the crack like a shadow. * * * He beamed, slipping his hands into his pockets and considering her. "I'm glad you think so."
He followed quietly, keeping down. He looked a little nervous, but didn't comment on it. *** She pointed at the koi fish. "I really like those. Have you painted anything here?"
She slipped around the corner and was silent, resting against the wall as they waited for their first target. * * * "Little bits and pieces around," he said with a shrug. "The koi have been around forever."
He waited beside her, his brows furrowed slightly. *** She turned to him with a bright and excited expression. "Show me yours."
After a few minutes, the door creaked open. The first target, a little man by the name of Newt Edison peered into the darkness. "Hello?" he whispered, his voice dry. "Peter?" Peter was another target. Gwen waited, her back against the wall as Newt approached. * ** He hesitated before putting a hand on her shoulder, turning her towards a blank portion of the wall. "Another time. You can draw here if you'd like."
Adonis was silent, watching the targets go by uncertainly. *** She tilted her head thoughtfully before dropping her bag. "Alright, then."
Newt was alone. As Adonis watched, Gwen suddenly lunged forward, her gloved hand sneaking over his mouth. Newt's eyes widened before Gwen's poison shot through him, making him go stiff. For some superheroes, their persona is a carefully crafted work of art that they cultivate for years before releasing to the public. In this way, some people are planners. Others let the name rise naturally. Word gets around to the public, and these superheroes tend to just adopt the name given to them by the people they protect. It might come as no surprise to Adonis that Gwen fell into the latter group. It was clear why she was referred to as the Scorpion. * * * He brightened. "Really?"
Adonis looked around warily. He was not a known hero. In fact, he was generally afraid of being known in the eye of the public, fearful of their doubts and expectations. *** She looked over at him. "Yeah. But it'd be better if we did one together."
She dragged his body to the side and dropped him, looking down thoughtfully. "You're next." * * * "What do you want to draw?"
