Being   Around   Her   Fellow   Heroes   And   Trainers   Is   A   Constant   Reminder   Of

hands   on   hips   and   glossed   brims   twisted   in   a   subtle   pout,   mizuse   is   finally   intercepted   by   the   one   person   she   has   been   procrastinating   on   an   important   visit   (   it’s   a   bit   of   guilt   breaking   the   latest   thing   he   built   ).   and   of   course   zayid   would   go   out   of   his   way   to   find   her   at   a   formal   event.   sepia   hues   flicker   to   the   device   revealed   in   his   palm,   interest   veiled   on   her   visage   by   a   guilty   “   oops   ”   at   his   emphasis.   mizuse   knows   exactly   the   expression   painted   across   his   countenance   insinuates,   and   it   even   ignites   a   twinkle   of   her   own   curiosity.   ❛   zayid,   i’m   in   a   very   expensive   dress   and   heels,   ❜   mizuse   is   definitely   not   well   dressed   for   a   test   -   run   (   nor   is   she   allowed   to   use   her   abilities   in   any   way   ),   but   she   reaches   for   the   earbud   for   inspection.   she   has   been   so   good   so   far   tonight,   but   good   behavior   was   bound   to   be   put   to   an   end   soon.   swift   hues   flicker   around   for   any   sort   of   security   guard   that   may   be   in   earshot   of   her   conversation—or   even   cameras—as   she   quietly   adds,   ❛   …   you   really   want   to   test   this   out   NOW   ?   ❜

for: @kyllini. date: january 7, 2040. location: buchanan’s gala.

“had you come to HQ the first time i asked you to, we wouldn’t have to do this today.”

zayid’s tone is laced with impatience, the unusualness of which is further highlighted by the strictness of his voice as he gives mizuse a look that is supposed to tell her he won’t accept no for an answer tonight. when he’s satisfied with her response (or lack thereof) he uncurls his fist to display a suspiciously tiny device—an earbud, to be precise—his earlier demeanor soon replaced by a proud grin as he locks eyes with the young superhero. “i repaired and fine-tuned it after it broke the last time,” he says, stopping only briefly to emphasize the word broke before returning to his previous smile, “it should be able to withstand the cold at high speed now.”

which is to say: we need to go out and test it right now immediately.

amarcnthined​:

“—right.” suzu arches an eyebrow at mizuse’s denial and suppresses an amused smile. “well, you’re doing a good job of fooling everyone else, i’ll give you that.” she sips her drink, gaze traveling across the crowd, humming in agreement as mizuse explains her father’s absence. “you can tell him all about it later. he’ll probably love to hear it.” in her peripheral vision, she notices mizuse stepping closer, fingers fidgeting with silver jewelry, and suzu turns to fully face the young hero. “i didn’t, no.” better to be blunt than raise false hope. “sorry, i wish i had. it’s just as much of a surprise to you as it is to me.” still, she doesn’t elaborate on her own frustration, irritated by the fact she could’ve known but didn’t. no rumors, no whispers of a super serum finally more than a false promise—how tight of a hold does kronos have on this? but it’s nothing mizuse should worry about; suzu’s problems are her own, and she’d rather not drag mizuse into the intricacies of it.

“but barring that, how does it feel to be at your first official event?” she asks, mocking the tone of the journalist with a grin. beneath the teasing lies pride for what mizuse’s become, even if she thought the speedster would be better off in crux. “do you think it was worth it?” her tone turns serious, more contemplative. “all the training?”

there   is   no   necessity   for   an   apology.   it   seems   like   everybody   here   was   blindsided   by   the   announcement   by   the   kronos   ceo.   the   grin   on   her   countenance   blossoms   from   consolation   (   of   course   mizuse   notices   the   vexation   swirling   within   the   bluntness   of   the   answer   that   she   did   not   want   to   give   the   younger   )   to   the   charismatic   self   -   assurance   and   relaxed   simper.   ❛   this   is   easy   -   peasy,   ❜   mizuse   answers   with   a   scoff.   the   amount   of   media   training   she   had   to   suffer   through   years   holed   up   in   the   nsa   training   facility   has   prepared   her   for   …   most   of   this.   what   mizuse   has   is   an   EDGE   —   able   to   think   quickly   on   her   feet   and   have   the   inability   to   be   visibly   fazed   by   most   surprises   and   stressful   situations.   however,   this   speedster   is   still   human   and   cannot   be   blasé   towards   everything,   especially   towards   the   discreet,   tense   mannerisms   and   underlying   meaning   in   teasing   words.   optics   flit   around   the   ballroom,   surrounded   by   the   nsa’s   super   -   powered   greats   and   novus’   influential.   holding   her   father’s   hand   at   similar   events,   wow’d   by   the   same   people   instead   of   being   the   one   to   work   with   them   only   seems   like   it   was   yesterday.   ❛   of   course   the   training   was   worth   it,   ❜   mizuse’s   gaze   shifts   back   towards   the   vigilante   with   a   gratified   smile   and   sigh   of   content   (   relief   the   grueling   training   has   ended   ).   ❛   i   learned   how   to   be   the   FASTEST.   i   reached   speeds   that   would’ve   taken   me   years   to   accomplish   if   i   didn’t   have   that   training,   y’know   ?   maybe   with   a   bit   more   experience   being   an   official   hero,   i   can   become   too   fast   at   saving   novus   so   heroes   can   be   a   little   bored   for   once,   ❜   she   quips   with   a   soft   chuckle,   only   suzu   being   able   to   witness   the   reveal   an   altruistic   side   of   the   younger.   mizuse   strives   to   be   one   of   THE   BEST   —   to   ensure   a   safer   society   and   also   lift   some   of   the   overwhelming   responsibility   off   her   veteran   mentors.   ❛   and   you   taught   things   that   they   couldn’t   have.   you’re   one   of   the   reasons   why   i’m   able   to   be   here   tonight.   ❜   

𝗥𝗢𝗕𝗘𝗥𝗧   𝗕𝗨𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗔𝗡'𝗦   𝗡𝗘𝗪   𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥   𝗚𝗔𝗟𝗔   —   mizuse   sachikaze   attended   robert   buchanan’s   new   year’s   gala   on   january   7th   dressed   in   a   vintage   alexandre   vauthier   couture   gown.   this   was   the   young   hero’s   first   attendance   at   a   formal   event   as   a   member   of   team   sentinel.   

mizuse   is   collecting   hors   d’oeruves   on   a   small   plate   with   the   paragon   hero   at   her   side.   with   all   of   this   standing   around,   nerves   churning   her   stomach,   and   the   necessity   to   consume   some   calories   —   she   can’t   resist.   the   choices   are   OVERWHELMING,   fingers   wiggling   in   enticement   as   she   reaches   for   a   bruschetta.   she   brings   it   to   her   brims,   biting   into   it   with   a   CRUNCH   !   as   baz   turns   to   blurt   out   a   vexed   question   directed   towards   her.   brows   raise,   gaze   shifting   from   him   to   the   twins   across   the   extravagant   ballroom   showcasing   their   injected   abilities   as   she   chews.   ❛   i   mean,   they’re   usin’   their   powers   right   in   front   of   us.   the   serum   works,   ❜   mizuse   answers   once   she   swallows   and   pivots   her   attention   back   to   baz,   using   him   and   his   skepticism   to   freely   bounce   hypotheses   off   of.   show   a   not   so   easily   accessible   side   of   the   young   hero.   it   wouldn’t   be   the   first   time   she’d   talk   his   ear   off   or   encourage   him   to   continue   a   rant.   ❛   i   wonder   if   it’s   temporary.   if   they   have   a   weak   constitution   and   weren’t   MADE   to   handle   whatever   injected   power   they   got,   use   over   time   will   have   a   huge   side   effects   on   ‘em,   ❜   a   hum   of   thought   and   then   a   shrug   of   exposed   shoulders.   ❛   we’ll   just   have   to   see.   ❜   sentence   ends   with   another   bite   to   finish   off   the   toasted   italian   bread.   

𝐓𝐇𝐄   𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐒      @      𝐁𝐔𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐍'𝐒   𝐆𝐀𝐋𝐀      —      𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡

he   wasn't   planning   on   attending,      visibly   nursing   a   glass   of   whiskey   in   one   hand   and   eyes   rolling   at   every   other   boastful   syllable      ...      he'd   much   rather   be   somewhere   with   much   dimmer   lights,      tucked   behind   the   vip   section   of   lux   sipping   on   something   much   stronger.      a   sigh   filters   out   at   the   remembrance   of   his   father's   words      —      duty   is   duty.      you   chose   this,      you   have   to   follow   through.      gaze   turns   to   the   figure   to   his   side,      brow   quirking   in   subtle   inquiry.      “      d'you   actually   buy   that   shit      ?      anyone   can   be   super      ?      ”      the   scoff   that   lifts   from   his   lips   is   evident,      not-so-vague   disbelief   riddled   through   otherwise   undeniable   arrogance.      “      it's   cute,      i'suppose.      it's   like   when   little   kids   wear   labcoats      ...      stethoscopes   'n   all   that,      playin'   doctors      —      pretending   to   be   something   they're   not,      ”

mizuse   stops   right   in   her   tracks   at   the   sound   of   kiran’s   voice   echoing   down   the   hall.   she   pivots   to   face   him   with   a   grin,   it   continuing   to   grow   across   her   visage   at   the   sight   of   a   bag   of   peach   -   flavored   gummies   revealed   from   within   his   pocket.   ❛   oh   !   thank   you   !   ❜   with   an   elated   gasp,   mizuse   takes   the   bag   from   his   grasp   to   admire   its   packaging.   ❛   resorting   to   bribery   to   get   me   to   stop   for   a   chat   ?   ❜   the   speedster   jests   as   she   flickers   her   gaze   back   up   to   kiran   and   opens   the   plastic   to   snatch   a   piece   of   candy   and   pops   one   into   her   mouth.   mizuse   then   laughs   as   she   adds,   ❛   i   always   have   time   for   you,   kiran.   ❜   she   extends   her   hand   holding   the   bag   to   offer   him   a   piece.

at nsa headquarters with @kyllini

"mizuse, finally!"

he's a little breathless, having darted down the hall before the speedster could disappear. it still takes a few moments for his breathing to even, but as it does, he extracts one of her favorite snacks from the inside of his suit pocket.

"snagged this for you. got any time to catch up with your favorite trainer?"

❛   oh,   anytime   !   ❜   mizuse   immediately   picks   up   on   the   gesture,   swiveling   to   walk   the   opposite   direction   of   the   group   of   office   employees.   how   are   you   doing   ?   a   question   EVERYONE   is   asking.   it   has   the   speedster   internally   grimace;   however,   her   visage   displays   a   nonchalant   smile   and   a   shrug   of   slender   shoulders.   she’s   fine.   she   HAS   to   be.   the   continuous   training   seems   like   punishment   after   the   incident   she   failed   to   stop   in   time,   but   it’s   to   just   get   better   ..   faster   ..   stronger,   so   she   can   next   time   right   ?   it's   the   reason   she   is   in   sentinel   and   not   paragon.   ❛   i’m   doing   just   fine   !   have   they   shown   you   the   latest   analytics   from   my   training   this   week   yet   ?   i’m   totally   kicking   ass.   ❜   

"not so much a bribe but a guarantee," he teases. his laughter meets hers, a hearkening back to days of training. he will never deny the swell of pride as she takes on the role of sentinel, but he cannot ignore the twinge of sadness either. it happens with all his former trainees, but mizuse's training sessions were always a delight. challenging to develop, but always exciting to witness her execute.

kiran smiles as she holds the bag to him, plucking a gummy from the pack. "thank you -- for this and for your time." eyes flicking to down the hall to the other workers mingling, he tips his head the opposite way. let's walk and talk.

"i wanted to check in and see how you're holding up. really --- how are you doing?"

it   is   all   a   facade   —   it’s   what   five   years   of   training   within   the   nsa   and   observing   her   father   veil   emotions   ever   since   she   had   met   him.   mizuse   engrossed   in   conversation   with   an   avid   journalist   wanting   to   pick   apart   a   rookie   after   a   shocking   revelation;   however,   the   speedster   is   ALWAYS   one   step   ahead.   blasé   smile,   an   occasional   sip   of   her   sparking   beverage,   maintaining   eye   -   contact   with   the   reporter   …   not   revealing   a   thing.   mizuse   didn’t   know   how   much   longer   she   could   stand   here   and   deal   with   the   interview,   hues   flickering   for   anything—anyone—more   interesting   she   could   point   them   out   to.   after   all,   she   is   a   newbie   to   all   of   this   …   and   the   fleet   -   foot’s   patience   is   starting   to   wear   thin.   wings   attach   to   her   ankles   subtly   flutter,   concealed   by   the   material   of   her   dress.   next   thing   mizuse   notices   is   her   savior,   suzu,   approach   the   two   of   them   and   the   journalist   makes   a   hasty   retreat.   ❛   me   ?   nervous   ?   psh   —   ❜   mizuse   grins   with   a   dismissive   wave   and   a   shake   of   her   head.   ❛   dad   didn’t   want   to   attend.   you   and   i   both   know   he   doesn’t   like   these   sort   of   things,   ❜   she   answers,   knowing   the   vigilante   can   see   right   through   her   act.   grin   slightly   falters   as   mizuse   steps   closer   to   her,   fiddling   with   silver   jewelry   wrapped   around   digits.   suzu,   adopting   the   role   of   big   sister,   is   the   source   of   information,   motivation   ...   reassurance.   ❛   …   i’m   guessing   you   didn’t   hear   anything   about   this.   ❜

with : @kyllini location : buchanan’s gala, main room date : january 7, 2040

it’s easy to spot the familiar figure caught in a conversation she doesn’t want to be in. with how fast mizuse is, an escape should be as simple as running away—but the politics of playing nice make that a bit more complicated. suzu knows mizuse can take care of herself, but who would she be if she didn’t help out at least a little? 

she cuts in between mizuse and the journalist with a winning smile, leaning in to whisper something that sends them off bolting. the disturbance gone, she turns to mizuse, an ease in her demeanor that comes with being in the presence of the younger woman. “don’t tell me hitsuto actually left you alone to fend off the sharks by yourself,” she teases. “nervous?” not that mizuse looks it—picture perfect and the spitting image of what a hero should be, slipstream is ready to face the crowd. “don’t be. no nsa script could’ve prepared you for this mess.”

an      amused      chortle      emits      from      her      nose      at      the      comparison      baz      responds      with,     too      busy     indulging      in      the      taste      of      fresh      tomatoes      and      tangy      balsamic      vinegar,      but      still      extends      her      plate      towards      her      mentor      if      he’s      interested      in      another      piece.      a      crude      way      to      put      it,      but      he’s      right      —      a      true      statement      for      many      retorts      in      the      conversations      they’ve      had      bonding      throughout      mizuse’s      years      at      the      nsa.      now      a      fresh      graduate      and      focusing      all      of      her      time      on      being      a      part      of      sentinel,      she      has      missed      spending      time      with      baz.      a      twinge      of      disappointment      twists      her      heart    the      nsa      doesn’t      think      she's     READY      to      be      a      part      of      the      paragon      team,      but      this      only      fuels      her      determination      to      improve      and      demonstrate      she      can      fit      right      in      with      the      big      leagues.      mizuse      can’t      help      but      feel      a      bit      of      gratitude      towards      the      twins      for      shifting     all     the      attention      to      them,      so      the      press      wouldn’t      be      focused      on      her      rookie      debut      or      the      celebrity      status      of      paragon      heroes.      brows      then      raise      at      what      comes      next      from      baz,      placing      a      hand      on      her      sternum      to      feign      offense      as      she      grins      up      at      him.      ❛     ha     !     that      doesn’t      sound      like      what      happened      during      my      21st      birthday      party.      i’m      a      responsible      partier     !      ❜      the      hand      leaves      to      close      into      a      fist      and      nudge      his      closest      bicep      to      her.      ❛      do      you      mean      that’s      what      happened      during      YOURS   ?   ❜

>his   back   rests   comfortably   against   the   bar,      drink   nursed   in   hand   shaken   through   the   fidgets   of   calloused   fingers.      darkened   hues   watch   her   with   a   familial   warmth,      humming   in   subtle   agreement   as   mizuse   continues   to   toss   around   her   speculations.      whatever   this   serum   is,      whoever   it’s   going   to   affect      …      he   really   couldn’t   care   less.      nothing   can   replace   the   real   thing      :      the   birth   lottery   won   by   their   enhanced   genetics   and   years   of   training   surely   can’t   be   toppled   by   some   magic   in   a   bottle.      especially   not   by   a   money-hungry   mad   scientist   masking   as   an   innovator.      “      a   shitty   car   works   but   doesn’t   make   it   any   less   of   a   shitty   ride,      ”      taking   a   piece   from   her   plate,      he   pops   it   into   his   mouth   without   so   much   of   another   word.      the   sight   of   the   two   being   so   close   is   one   that’s   expected   out   of   the   two   heroes,      having   been   in   training   together   for   so   long      …      even   having   the   chance   of   seeing   mizuse   grow   to   be   the   formidable   hero   she   is   today.      he’s   now   only   mildly   disappointed      (      instead   of   immensely,      quite   different   to   his   reaction   during   her   graduation      )      she   isn’t   by   his   side   in   paragon.      “      and   we’ll   have   front   row   seats   to   the   inveitable   trainwreck.      it’s   like   binge   drinking   the   first   day   you   got   legal      …      bound   to   puke   all   over   the   place   and   pass   out   in   the   street.      sounds   familiar      ?      ”