maskormenacelogs | ( OPEN-ish ) only to be held tall by the writing on the wall

[ Karen isn't afraid exactly to meet an alternate universe's version of the Alan Scott she knows, but it wouldn't be inaccurate to say she is teetering the edge of caution even with this proposed meet-up for coffee — a proposal she made, too. After the Hunter Zolomon reveal, she's been wary of enemies or other suspicious types using her loved ones' names for their own agendas. The Jay Garrick situation had hurt her more deeply than she wants to admit, so if Alan isn't who he says he is...

... no, she can't think like that. It's not easy, but she manages to push aside those concerns and ease into the pillowed seat in a busy cafe in Heropa. It's in a high traffic area that it sees quite a few people in the hour alone, presumably imPorts as well. So far she hasn't seen any faces she recognizes, but she also doesn't come to Heropa often enough to know every single face.

She's scrolling through her phone idly, peeking up quite often for any sight of this younger Alan Scott. ]

Edited 2016-06-02 02:50 (UTC)

[ Speaking of "Jay", however...

Today's meetup for coffee involved one Caitlin Snow, someone whose name didn't ring much of a bell with Karen, but her social circle certainly did. Though she's spoken with Barry, Eobard Thawne, and that other young man (what was his name again?), other than what "Jay" has told her about the other world she doesn't know much about it. Plus, there's no doubt in Karen's mind that he's omitted certain facts or outright lied about something.

She can trust Caitlin, she hopes. The young woman came across as sincere and she agreed to meet Karen after she had essentially barraged her with questions about Hunter Zolomon. She still feels some guilt over it, hoping she could repay Caitlin for answering her in the first place.

Instead of waiting inside the cafe, she stands outside and a few feet from the door on the lookout. ]

[ Caitlin's day has gone pretty smoothly so far, which is a sadly rare thing since she arrived. It helps, letting herself wake up without an alarm (though it's still what most normal people would consider early) and moving at her own pace without worry. Back home, it isn't often that she gets the luxury of a lazy morning. There's always something that needs to be don, if not for the lab and the Flash, then her own errands she's neglected.

She hadn't thought twice about accepting Karen's invitation. Sure, they had talked about one of the more complicated topics in her life (she's becoming far too used to complicated), but the questions didn't bother her in the long run. She feels the same sympathy for Karen as she does for Barry and Cisco and Harry. They've all been betrayed. Been taken in by the lies Hunter told them. But she also feels a strange duty to try and lessen the fallout, to keep them safe from Hunter's wrath.

Cait strolls up right before their agreed upon time, lifting a hand in greeting. ] Karen, hi.

Caitlin! It's great to meet you in person.

[ She extends a hand in proper greeting for the other woman, her lips quirking upwards into a pleasant smile. She feels similarly to Caitlin; she feels something of an obligation to her, to Barry and the others, especially with Hunter's presence and the threat he made. Chances are if he had known the two were spending time together and talking about him he might retaliate, but if she can keep them close as possible then maybe she can avoid that.

And it doesn't hurt to get to know Caitlin better. She seems put-together, intelligent and easy-going, something she can admire in another woman. ]

It's great to meet you, too.

[ She takes Karen's hand, her handshake light and easy. In formal settings, professional settings, she's used to the whole firm handshake routine, conveying strength and confidence and other things. But day-to-day life and personal business, she could afford to be more relaxed.

Well, relaxed as much as she could be. ] Let's go in. I can just feel a sunburn starting.

[ The corners of her mouth quirk, a hint of a self-deprecating smile. She opens the door to the cafe, holding it for the other woman. ]

A light laugh as she steps inside. The sun doesn't bother her at all, for reasons not obvious to Caitlin. Not yet anyway. ]

Did you have to walk all the way?

[ The cafe is air conditioned on the inside, so the air is cool and fresh, and smells heavily of coffee roast and warm bread. ]

I don't mind. It's not too far really. I haven't thought about getting a car yet.

[ There'd been more pressing matters on her mind. The situation with Hunter, dealing with her new powers. Plus, she's always been one to build herself a little savings before making any large purchases.

Once inside, she takes a deep breath, enjoying the scents in the air. ]

[ Karen't isn't going to deny she cuts an imposing figure to most people, men included. People in public can be intimidated sometimes when she sits next to them on public transit, or even when they're waiting in line somewhere and they want to cut in front of her, but probably shouldn't.

But not all people are put off by a tall, broad woman who looks like she could throw a mean punch. Some might even consider it a challenge. Who knows? The man who's got a few inches on her thinks snatching her purse isn't going to cost him a tooth or two. Right in the middle of broad daylight, too.

Karen grunts when she can feel his hand at her throat, pushing her back as far as possible while trying to grab at the purse. She gets a good arm around his and pulls it off, much to his surprise. He lunges at her again and she's ready to knock him straight into the ground. ]

You got any hovercars yet where you're from?

[ She moves toward where the line-up begins. Thankfully, while being a tad long, it's moving fast as the baristas over the counter work efficiently on preparing and ringing up people's orders. She makes a quick glance at the menu, trying to decide what she wants to get. ]

[Sadly, whether or not the man intended to listen will likely remain a mystery, as whatever his intentions, he suddenly does get off in a big hurry. A quick shout that might have been a, "Hey!" is the only warning before he's lifted off of his feet, relocated a number of yards to the left of where he was previously standing, and then deposited back onto the pavement, all in one smooth motion that most would refer to as "getting the shit tackled out of him."

For her part, Ruby is now knelt over the man, one hand planted on his chest, and honestly looking more frazzled than heroic. She'd reacted on instinct when she heard what was happening from around the block, and then there she was, already mid-pounce on this random asshole before the thought occurred to her that she was, for the second time in just a few weeks, using her "powers" in public. And though one of these days, doing that won't bring back memories of mobs with torches and pitchforks... today is not that day.]

Stay. Down. What is wrong with you?

[She pushes herself up to her feet and takes a couple of steps backward, still watching him warily as he tries to get back some of the air that just got knocked out of him. The glance she gives Karen over her shoulder is clearly a little nervous.]

Are you okay?

[ Karen had been ready to twist his arm back and around him before knocking him on his ass, but suddenly the weight of this man is off her and there's another woman pinning her would-be mugger on the ground effortlessly. Karen startles at first, needing a moment or two to process what's happening before it hits her that someone else has come to her aid. Kind of funny when put into perspective, but she appreciates it nonetheless. ]

Yeah, yeah. I'm fine.

[ She runs a hand through her hair, stepping closer, unafraid that for all they both know this man could lunge at her again. ]

Are you okay?

[ This woman looks more nervous than Karen. ]

I'm fine. [She's not.] Just... new at this. [Okay, that one's sorta true at least.]

Sorry.

[Ruby takes a second just to breathe and calm herself down.]

[ She glances around at locals who are slowing down to see the fuss before calling out: ]

Can someone get a cop?

[ Then she looks back at Ruby, taken aback by the apology. ]

What are you sorry for? You stopped that creep from stealing from me.

[Ruby laughs a little and shakes her head.]

Well, I could've put on a better show about it at least.

Though speaking of the creep, do you want me to keep him around for those cops to meet or just make sure he gets lost?

Hmm...

[ She fixes the man a cold stare, contemplating his fate carefully. The cops probably won't be here for a while, but he looks like he's suffered enough a humiliation that he'll skulk back to wherever he belongs. ]

You know what? I'm feeling generous today; he can go, but— [ She lifts a finger in warning at him. ] You try that on me again or anyone else I will knock your lights out, pal.

[Okay, that she can't help but grin at.]

And so would your mother, if she knew what you were doing. Shame on you.

[ While Karen looks at the menu, Caitlin looks at her, a little dumbfounded. After all of Jay's — Hunter's teasing, she's trying to not assume things. ]

You have hovercars back home?

[ She already has an idea of what she wants to order. As a creature of habit, she doesn't change too often. ]

[ It's two against one now, the man realizes, and there are too many witnesses now to try anything else. His ego's been bruised enough for one day, so when he's released he scurries off like a dog with its tail between its legs. Karen rolls her eyes, unimpressed, but ultimately glad that's done with. ]

Ugh, can't say that's happened before... [ That was highly anti-climatic, but for the best. ] Thanks again... not everyone would jump in the middle of that.

[Ruby gives a little wave as he leaves, because sometimes she can be a little shit like that.]

Probably because it's a pretty stupid thing to do. That could've gone a lot worse.

But you're welcome.

[Daryl hadn't been getting much practice in with the whole flying part of his powers. But after that showdown with the red-skinned whatever the hell that woman was that tore up part of downtown, he knew he needed to get a lot more of it in. He probably could have distracted her for longer, kept her attention, had he been able to do more than use the extra lift to help him jump a little further than normal.

Only the whole flying thing didn't exactly come easy to him. He knew how to flap, but maintaining height, maneuvering, all that stuff that came after the flapping, that was trouble. And that trouble was what led him to start falling when a sudden updraft caught him by surprise and his wings snapped shut on him instead of staying open.

He wasn't the kind of person to scream, so with the ground fast approaching, he instead curled himself into a ball and wrapped his wings around himself. He just had to hope the shield they normally provided would keep him from going splat.]

[ If Power Girl had overheard a distressed scream from anywhere in the city, she would have been able to zip on over to where Daryl was, but lucky for him she's not too far off when she spots him tumbling straight of the sky and towards the ground. She doesn't quite understand what's going on with his wings, but she wastes no time cutting swiftly across the sky and extending an arm to grab him. It's a rough grab at first, not wanting to yank his wings, so she snatches his ankle instead so he's left dangling midair in some costumed, blond woman's grip. ]

Talk about a close one.

Are you sure he didn't hurt you or anything? I didn't see a weapon on him... you just looked startled for a bit there.

[ She's tempted to use her X-ray vision to scan Ruby for injuries, but it might be pushing it when she seems relatively fine. A bit frazzled, perhaps, but who wouldn't be after intervening in the middle of an attempted mugging? ]

Yes and no. Some vehicles can hover, sure...

[ Such as vehicles belonging to certain superheroes... but she can't say it aloud exactly, not in a room full of people. She steps forward as the line chugs along, her mind finally made up on getting an iced caramel macchiato. ]

But for the most part vehicles are ground-based.

[The sudden stop via his leg literally getting pulled out from under him caused more than a little pain. Apparently he hadn't quite gotten his whole body wrapped up in the shield his wings provided... or maybe it didn't extend all the way around him. He wasn't really practiced with it enough yet to know. But whatever the reason, she managed to get a very firm grip on his ankle and the jolt managed to get a slightly strangled hiss of pain that he cut off by clamping his mouth shut.

It took him a moment more than he would care to admit to orientate himself. Then he realized he was upside down and still in mid-air, with a very busty blonde woman holding him up like he weighed next to nothing. Gulping noticeably as his wings started to flap in a failed attempt to right himself, he allowed his eyes to slide over her and then focus a little to the left of her head.]

...thanks.

[ She feels bad for the discomfort brought on by her snagging his leg, but desperation sometimes called for stupid measures. At least he's not screaming, which means nothing's broken, so she can begin descent and getting him onto solid ground where he'll be safe.

She gets him under her arms now, scooping him up bridal style so she can carry him the rest of the way. There are a number of people below staring up at them, snapping quick photos or videos of the two imPorts. ]

You're welcome. Experiencing some turbulence?

( OPEN-ish ) only to be held tall by the writing on the wall

( alan scott ▸ heropa )

( caitlin snow ▸ heropa )

so so late, i'm sorry.

that's okay

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( ruby ▸ de chima / cw violence )

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De Chima - July 22

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