Fashion Show

“Putting on the uniform is possibly the second most important event in their lives. Maybe third after discovering they’re enhanced. I think it’s the second.”

“Oh, and don’t kid yourselves, every Enhanced had that first uniform, even if they never wear it to do anything, no crime fighting or emergency saving stuff. It's usually street clothes the first time one of us does something like that, because life doesn’t always let you change clothing.”

“But we all try one on, try the idea of being a hero, with capes or spandex, or pads, or something.”

“The most important event for a lot of enhanced is whether they decide to get a second uniform or not. To update it, or to not play the hero game, ever or anymore. That second costume, that first time you maybe even have a Tailor to help because spandex is damn uncomfortable, that is each of our personal Rubicon. See that’s the uniform where the decision is made.”

“But that first uniform… it’s the first time you FEEL like a cape, a Hero. Even if you never put it on again, you feel it that first time.”

Frequency, St. Louis Sentinels, on the Capewatch podcast.

Turning to the kids, Solaris said "I do want to put your full kit on and do a full workout or martial arts in it. You need to know how it fits, how it moves with you and how to access your utility belt without looking at it. She looked over at Penny and what did Captain Spring sent you? The tailor was very secretive about it.

"You need to see. I Really want to track ole Captain Spring down and ask how he freaking got it all.'

"He will never tell." Solaris said with a laugh.

"Still... Let's head home, you call should see." She chuckled, shaking her head.

A half hour later they were home, and a two story 'garage' had been built, detached from the house, though it shared the general style and color of the main house. Penny pressed a garage door opener, revealing a large interior, with marked parking spots, and a general workshop, wood shop mostly, in the back. "Someplace for the handyman you want to get." Penny said, then pressed another button and the three parking spots began lifting up into the air, revealing a second parking spot underneath them. "And then there's this."

“Well, it's a good thing I didn't go for a city flat. that could have been awkward. This is so nice, and we can probably attach the bunker to it when I get around to putting one in.

"Yeah. Step onto the parking spots everyone." Penny said with a sigh. Once they were on the elevator’s she hit the button and it lowered into the ground, revealing a much larger area underneath a plexiglass wall and doors. Through the plexiglass they could see several mecha frames, the shape familiar to Solaris. "He found whoever bought the other pre-production frames, and a lot of the company tooling and computers, with data, on the damn Gumshoe project. I didn't think any of this was likely to still exist, after it got bought up by holding companies. I figured it'd gone to tailors or just been scrapped."

"Oh my. Now I understand why the Tailor said he needed his earth shaper to put this in. This IS a bunker. Dang it. This is going to be hard to top at Christmas." she looked around. "This looks like a full Toymaker set up for you here.”

"There's another floor down, and that one has the extra stuff stored." She added. "And the top floor is an attic with plenty of room for activities. There's an elevator that goes up and down to the different levels. I won't lie, I'm impressed. It's not exactly the St. Louis Sentinel Island but it's pretty damn good for anything we're likely to do."

"Also, he put smaller but similar lifts int he house garage too. Those just go to a small area and can’t have a car on them when they lift, while these can have a car on top."

“I am very impressed. They got this all put in so quickly too. It’s been what. four days?" She was turning in all different directions. Badger was almost drooling at the workbenches.

"Earth manipulator, plus preformed concrete slabs, then they welded steel on the inside of that." Penny explained. "Yes badger, you can touch the tools."

"They installed a sump system to get rid of the water, there's batteries and an emergency generator, and they put solar on the roof like the house has. It is a damn bunker. The building is reinforced too."

"Man, these are the best. look at that welder. I think only Levi can get a better weld that that thing.”

Solaris smiled. "He believes every home should have a priest hole. Somewhere safe to hide from enemies, door to door salespeople and ex-girlfriends.

"Why is it I feel like the priority is the ex-girlfriends." Penny muttered. "Still, this all includes the vacuum formers and presses to form armor. And I found what they WANTED to use for the armor in the details and that's helped me make a few decisions. I will have a finished suit, minus the coil gun, in a couple more days."

“That is fantastic. The fledglings are planning on hitting the thieves tomorrow, do you think if Badger helped you could get it done?”

"Still wouldn't have the coil gun, but I doubt I'd need a Kaiju gun for car thieves. Probably."

“Sweet I can use these tools! I’m in!” the young Toymaker said eagerly

"Well, now I better work on it." Penny chuckled. "Go, rest the rest of you. We'll see if you can have double the back up for your plan."

Solaris smiled. “Okay so can everyone write me a list of gifts for a comic book fan? He’s never going to let me live this down.”

"We can do that." Elenore chuckled, as they left the two techs behind.

"So, fashion show time?" Amzy asked

“Sure. I’ll head down to the media room.”

Surprisingly, Mercedes, Dryad, was the first one to reach the media room. Her costume had a black and gold undersuit, covering the full length of her legs and over her hips, disappearing into the white open front dress that was the top, presumably running all the way up under the white portion of the costume. The top was a mix of Grecian and simplified renaissance dress with her arms completely bared, thin straps going over her shoulders, hugging her chest while flowing loosely down her hips and behind her dramatically. Her hair was in a bun, and she had apparently chosen not to bother with a mask.

“You look lovely and elegant Dryad. Very earth goddess. How do you like it.”

"It's comfortable, which is kind of surprising, considering how tight the undergarment is. but the underpart will let me grow, and the dress can be just pulled off and tossed when I do, and I like that, even if it's a bit obi-wany."

"Better you than me." Erica, Focus, said as she came in, wearing a full body suit, tight to her lithe, tiny form in yellow with white and grey trim. A pistol was holstered on both hips, appearing to be part of the costume, as did the heavy soled boots that were part of the outfit.

“Oh! Sporty, nice and tight and nothing to get in the way of you doing any work or anything dangling to distract your senses. You look a little like a speedster, but you do have super dexterity.”

"Kinda the same idea, in a fight, though I like the ranged options." She pulled the guns, with surprisingly large bores. "Apparently these are less than lethal, so I can choose Pepper-cs balls, hard spheres, whatever I think is helpful. He did pack more lethal options, but I don't think that's a day-to-day choice."

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Solaris nodded. “I hope none of you have to make that choice. But a gun like that will also let you create your own custom rounds.”

"I've already been working on it. Got a tracer designed already, and badger worked up something that goes boom with authority, which scares me a little."

"We found out Marcus doesn't like the pepper at all." Thud said, coming down in his white suit with its Hawaiian shirt. Then he pulled a mask out of his pocket and put it on, a simple grey domino mask. Pointing at the mask he said "costume." With a grin.

Solaris laughed “You look dashing, a regular Kato from the green hornet only bigger! I love it!”

"Hey, I can live with being compared to Bruce Li."

“I’m sorry, who?”

Marcus laughed as he entered. "She hasn't seen anything with Bruce Lee yet. Probably the comic book guy." Marcus walked in with his dark armor, blue trim catching the light. A vague mix of high tech and old world armor, with a hint of samurai, it had his Kukuri sheathed across the back and a tonfa hanging from his belt. He sat, having shown his off before, saluting the two girls. "Looking good, ladies."

"Why thank you." Elenore, Mystic, said as she came down. Her costume was a black mini dress with an outer, open front pleated white skirt extending a little longer than the straight black underskirt. A longer black cloak, almost a cape, fell from shoulders down her thighs, her arms exposed but sheathed in long gloves. Lavender lined the cloak, and added detailed embroidery to the bodice of her dress. "And no, before you ask, I have no idea why it came with black and lavender kitten ears." She said, gesturing at the odd accessory. "Confusion to my enemies, perhaps?" She shrugged.

“A Tailor's whimsy. But it is very distinctive, do they have any functions built in? Solaris said “I know that cloak has the pic. Keys we all wish for

"The notes said shotgun mic functions, for one I know." She said. "And yes, I have internal pockets, and a holster on my back for a smaller version of Focus's pistols. Again, I went for the less than lethal option in my small armory."

"Mine's fun, though I like the fact there's a pants version too." Amzy, Iteration, came down the stairs, her top was sleeveless and half red and half blue, separated diagonally from her right shoulder to left hip, a wide belt on her hips. long black shorts hugged her hips. Long gloves with subtle armoring protected her forearms and elbows, wile red athletic shoes covered her feet. A short capelet, not really firmly attached and more there for drama it seemed, hung from her shoulders in yellow and blue. "I got colorful." She observed.

“It suits your personality. And it looks like you will be able to do your martial arts in it, did you get any toys?”

"Collapsable batons in the gloves, utility belt, throwing blades. The fun martial arts hero schtick." She nodded.

Levi, Weld, came down the stairs and into the room, in his orange and grey sleeveless jumpsuit, the top tight and vaguely military but the lower section loose and practical for a man who climbs around cars. A white short sleeved shirt with a high collar peeked out from under it, the bulk of his slim but muscular arms bared. The material had an odd glint to it. "Apparently this is a weird material that can stand up to really high heat. I have tested it and can get pretty hot without it showing any effect." He explained the shine.

"He just likes to claim he's hot, I think." Z said as she stepped into the room, black and purple, with hints of modern tactical mixed with ninja antiquated. In some ways, it was the ninja version of Marcus's outfit, the tonfa and staff for hers both crossed across her back, her utility belt thick, almost an armored obi. A hip pouch hinted at equipment or possibly the gathering of opponents things as part of her philosophy.

“Wow, Levi you look very handsome and Zoya, if it was still the forties I’d have to fight Kitsune to keep you here. You look delightfully lethal. How do you feel.”

"Pretty good. And it's easy to move in."

“Good, now I know you are aware of this but you don’t have the combat training of the others yet. We will fix that, but please stick close to Nahoa for now. You should have your stun throwers to use for now.”

"You might be surprised." Z said, scratching her cheek. Marcus laughed a short bark of a laugh.

"She only gets along with her father when they're trying to kick each other’s ass." Marcus said. "She kind of kicked my ass a few times in high school."

"Oh? Well that's good to know, From what your father had said I wasn't sure he'd gotten you any hand to hand training. " Solaris gave her an approving smile.

"Well, to be fair, getting away from the idiot would be hard if I couldn't hold him off long enough to disappear." She pointed out.

"My powers are kind of the opposite of his. He does this whole 'Chi as Light' routine to enhance his attacks and defense. I'm all shadow and sneaky."

"I know you are sneaky." Solaris said dryly. "But I am glad to know you have some defense skills. Once I find a trainer we will be able to hone that. Speaking of your father, has he said anything since your mother has been gone almost a week now?

"He called Marcus to ask to talk to me, and asked if I knew where she'd gone, as he'd seen her note and wasn't quite convinced she'd been kidnapped yet, but was worried since she hadn't called him. I told him that I knew where she was, but was told not to tell because mom needed away from both of our crap. She knows I won't follow her, and I won't tell him." She frowned. "He accepted that shockingly easily. I have NO idea how to take that."

“Your mom must have left quite the note.” Solaris said with a smirk. “Well since this is supposed to be a take it easy night Lets spare Amzy and order in. Erica said I need to watch the Fast and Furious movies, so I think that is what I'll put on in the theater tonight.”

"So does that make Solaris or Penny Jason Stamos?"

"Definitely Penny. She's more likely to use a knife."

"The Boss is Mr. X with access to all the cool toys.” Erica said with a chuckle.

"I'm pretty sure Mr. X would be a Tailor." Marcus mused.

"Did you ever choose a code name, Marcus? Or you, Z?"

"The Tailor picked one out for me, He decided on Azure Rong. the blue dragon."

"Oh that has a lovely ring to it. Solaris said nodding.

"Could be taken lots of ways the spoken way. Still, works." Z nodded. "The obvious choices for me are taken. There's so many variants of "Shadow" out there, including the original radio play guy, that it's a pointless endeavor there."

“True. the word shadow Is very used.” Solaris tapped her chin. “What about Umbra? It's the Latin word for shadow?”

"Lord Umbra, Umbrana, and I think there was an Umbra at one point." She shrugged. "Shadows popular as a motif."

“Hmm. Ebon, Ebon step, Nightbird, yes I see your point, anything in theme gets confusing. Dark Unicorn is just silly. Sable Star? Not bad.” Solaris continued to muse.

"Yeah, I know. Black holes suggest a whole gravity thing. Ghosts are almost as popular as shadow themes."

Marcus shrugged. "You could just be a pain in your fathers ass."

"What go the legacy name route?" Solaris asked

"Well, he calls himself Qilin, basically an Asian unicorn right?" He said, shrugging. "Go Qianlima. It's basically a Chinese Pegasus. Legendary flying horse to elegant and fast for any man to mount, and allegedly able to go 1000 li in a day. Kinda the same motif, but also kind of making fun of him due to not being in control."

"I like it, it's very pretty. Dang it. I forgot I still need to check on that Pegasus. Elenore, can you remind me to find out where the Pegasus ended up when we are done with this.”

"Well, it kind of makes sense since if he comes across her he's just going to yell "Daughter" all the time. It's going to be out there either way." Marcus pointed out.

"There's a pair in the zoo. Didn't you know?"

She looked at the younger heroes. "Alexander gave me a Pegasus stallion as a courting gift, Thoth told me it would age slowly. I have no idea where it ended up. Maybe they sent it to England?"

"Huh. If memory serves in the fifties whole like, herd, of Pegasus were caught after Alexander tried to invade Wisconsin or something like that." Z said. "I think they got taken in by some think tank that already had one from somewhere, that must be the one you had. I think they're in Alaska? Anyway, your Stallion must have been VERY happy with life, and they bred. Slowly they've turned up at Zoos that could handle them. The Bronx Zoo only finally got a pair a couple of years ago."

"I think that's before Penny moved to New York, and she's never been to the zoo. I think that stallion is still around, but they've actively separated the females out now to spread genetics around as much as possible. All the stallions come from him, but the mares are a mixed bag, so keeps a healthy population, or something."

"Wait." Elenore raised her hand. "Alexander The Great gave you a stallion?"

"As a courting gift?" Mercedes added.

"Ah, they are with St Nicks. that makes sense they'd have taken good care of him. I'd bred my favorite riding mare to him. the little filly was adorable, I plan on going up to Kennecott next year." Solaris sighed "And Yes, Alexander the Significantly Overrated, that pushy so-and-so has a thing for me. I and my team were the ones who put him down the first time he came into our reality, he decided this meant I’d be the perfect consort for him.”

"Oh, wow. That's cool and creepy all at once. Though he's not been around for a while. Someone tricked him and some extra-dimensional Nazi's into going to war with each other, I think. There was a whole thing about them both attacking at the same time and ending up fighting each other somehow. I think that was in New Mexico. I remember they locked the school down just in case, so it wasn't as far away as the teachers would have liked." Erica mused.

"May he stay far away for a long time. Solaris said simply. “What do you think of the name Qianlima, Zoya?”

"Azure Rong isn't wrong... and that's not going to get old anytime soon." She said with a smirk and wink at Marcus. "He is going to blow it for me at some point, so doing something in the same theme saves time, and will likely make him alternately happy and irritated. Confusion to my father is always fun for me." She chuckled. "Plus, I don't like Men anyhow."

Solaris tilted her head then laughed. "I forgot you were a Sapphic, that is funny. Well then, I will get your name registered with the Tailor. They will probably make some emblems to put on your costume, to finish personalizing it.”

Z mouthed ‘sapphic’ at Marcus, who shrugged having not much more idea than she did what that was about. "Fun."

"Well, let's watch some movies. Get inspired for tomorrow. And maybe aim for crashing fewer cars ourselves." Erica said. "Even if we have the parts to fix them, I don't want to deal with Kar1n."

Everyone nodded emphatically at that. Soon the popcorn maker was popping, a huge order of Chinese food was placed and everyone was tucked in to watch movies.