Post by DiscipleofBob on Aug 1, 2014 0:12:26 GMT -5
Issue 14, Masquerade, Part 1
Light EDM music played over speakers to the rhythm of spotlights to set the stage of the catwalk. Cameras set on rapid-fire flashed repeatedly as photographers frenzied to get the perfect glamor shots. Models paraded back and forth along the catwalk with stoic, emotionless, yet confident faces, carefully detailed with layers of makeup so thick they may as well be masks. Their hips swayed with a cold, elusive seduction with the rhythm and precision of a marching band.
The dresses were comprised of all sorts of wild and exotic designs and different colors. A dark-skinned woman sauntered across the catwalk in an orange dress with black stripes, wearing contacts to give her eyes wild, feline irises. Another model proudly strode in a royal blue dress adorned with peacock feathers. Other themes included bright multicolored flowers or elegant sweeping waterfalls.
Vanessa, Etta, and Diana sat quietly in the audience watching the show. The two teenagers were dressed in their usual casual attire, but Diana, instead of an ill-fitting outfit borrowed from Dr. Kapatelis's wardrobe, wore a blue denim jacket atop a white cotton shirt. Her capri pants had reached to just above her ankles and white heels with wingtip buckles. Her jewelry remained the same: her silver bracelets, the thin tiara hidden by the style of her hair. As an experiment today she had added small pearl earrings and a small choker, the latter on which only a very close observer would notice the slight engraving of a Grecian helmet.
What only the three knew was that Diana was still technically in full armor, ready for combat at a moment's notice. The small choker around her neck was in reality the Helmet of Hades, an ancient powerful artifact that allowed the user to appear however he or she wished. The god of the dead had used it to walk among mortals to claim souls bound for the underworld. The ancient hero Perseus had used it to become invisible to monsters that could kill with a glare. Anatoli Knyazev used it to become an undetectable assassin. For Diana, it would be, among other things, a tool to help her assimilate into the modern world.
Which was what gave Etta the idea to bring Diana to this fashion show, open to the public. If Diana wanted, she could don the latest in designer fashions at a whim without needing to spend designer prices. Although the current dresses were far too extravagant for anyone to wear in public, Diana could at least watch the crowd for acceptable attire.
"Are you certain these women are willing participants in this event?" Diana asked with suspicion.
"They're models. They get paid to wear weird clothes, walk around, and look pretty," Etta explained, keeping in mind Diana's limited perspective.
Diana remained unconvinced as she studied the models closely. "Their expressions lack any emotion, and they show signs of malnutrition. I can only assume these women were somehow coerced. They almost appear as slaves,"
"Nah, they're supposed to look like that."
"Why?"
Every once in a while, Diana's line of usually easy-to-answer questions would suddenly be much more difficult to explain. "Actually, I don't know. I guess fashion designers just prefer size zero supermodels. Maybe it means they use less fabric that way."
"What is a 'size zero'?"
"It's just a fashion size."
Diana remained skeptical. "It sounds mathematically unfeasible. Are these women somehow lacking in depth?"
Etta smiled, holding back a chuckle. "More than you realize."
The humor was, once again, lost on the foreigner. "Is that what makes them 'super'-models? Their ability to defy physics and survive without basic nutrition?"
Etta couldn't help but laugh. "I know you're being literal, but I love these talks of ours."
"I actually think they're quite pretty," Vanessa calmly protested.
"You would," Etta chided. "I've got too many curves and Diana's got too many muscles, but you, Ness? You'd fit right in with the rest of the twigs up there."
Vanessa scowled indignantly. "Well maybe I should see if they're hiring."
"Oh yeah, a few Victoria's Secret covers would look great on your college resume."
"Who is this Victoria and what is so secret about her coverings?" Diana asked, once again catching the two girls off-guard.
"You'll find out in a second. The lingerie portion's next."
Just as Etta said, the show shifted from exotic dresses and gowns to underwear. The models marched out again, this time in bras and panties. If the strange dresses had confused Diana, this next line absolutely baffled her. "I do not understand. Is the secret to her coverings that there aren't any?" Everything was ridiculously overdecorated, especially for garments that Diana thought would never be seen in public. Comfort and practicality were the last thing these so-called fashion designers seemed to be worried about. It seemed each piece was trying to fit more gaudy accessories on less fabric than the last. One item that was supposably labeled as sleepwear had flashing colored lights along the edges, making Diana wonder who could possibly get any sleep with such an item.
Vanessa shrugged. "I still think they're pretty, even if they're... unconventional."
"As if you would ever wear something like that," Etta replied.
"I never said I would!" Vanessa backpedaled. "But just because I'm not the type of girl who'd ever wear something like that doesn't mean I can't appreciate it!"
The show eventually progressed into swimwear. Models were starting to repeat albeit in different clothes and makeup. Occasionally there would be a one-piece or two-piece simple enough, but most of the items had once again too many trimmings for Diana to accept that they would do anything but weigh a swimmer down.
Suddenly the crowd went wild. The constantly flashing cameras turned to strobe lights, and many people in the audience stood up for a better look.
Diana looked up and what had caused the commotion, but Etta already knew and filled her in. "Now if you want REAL supermodels, check them out." Two new models walked across the stage, but they were noticeably different than the others. Not in their clothing, a green leopard-spotted bikini and a light blue one-strapped one piece which were well-crafted regardless, but in their body types and posture. Both were thin, not seemingly anorexic like the other models, but lean and fit with toned muscle in all the right places. The woman in green was a fiery Latina with long, green-streaked hair that fluttered wildly as she sauntered across the catwalk, smiling seductively and throwing a wink at the cameras. The girl in blue practically skipped playfully across the stage. Her short, bobbed hair was so bleach blonde it could be mistaken for white. She flashed an innocent smile as she posed at the end of the runway.
Diana focused herself. Based on the crowd's reaction, this was likely something she was expected to pay attention to. "What is significant about this particular clothing to warrant such attention?"
"In this case, it's not the clothes but the women in them," Etta explained as she pulled up her phone. Opening up a few apps, Etta showed Diana articles and other photos of the two models on stage. "Beatriz da Costa and Tora Olafsdotter, otherwise known as Fire and Ice, respectively. They're superheroes, kind of like you. Only they don't have secret identities, they just go around the world championing environmental causes." Her thumb slid across the screen to show various pictures of the two taken from across the globe. "Here's one where they're stopping whaling boats off the coast of Japan. Here's another where they're cleaning up nuclear waste from a faulty reactor in South America. The list goes on."
Diana had to admit it was an impressive list of heroic deeds. Her previous encounters with other so-called 'superheroes' had been educational, even if they were rushed with the threats of the time. Conversing with other possible heroes without an impending threat could prove to be very informative. "They seem like worthy champions. Perhaps I should introduce myself." She felt it better to at least wait until after the exhibition but started to look for the entrance backstage.
That was when she spotted four large men in dark, expensive suits getting up in the show and discreetly heading backstage when everyone's attentions were focused on the two celebrities. Though there could have been an innocent explanation, Diana found it unlikely. "I'm going backstage, now," she informed the girls as she discreetly stood up and made her way around the focus of the crowd.
Neither of the girls noticed Diana's anxiety. Vanessa was entrenched in the show and Etta was dividing her attentions between the celebrities on stage and the celebrities on her phone. That didn't stop Etta from beaming at Diana's idea. "Hey, good idea! Maybe we can get some autographs. Ooh, or maybe even a pic with Fire, Ice, and Wonder Woman together! Aw man, I'm gonna get so much cred on Watchtower! You coming, Ness?"
"What? Oh, sure, I guess." Although she was a little disappointed at leaving the show early, Vanessa didn't want to be left behind, and going backstage seemed interesting enough. Besides, Fire and Ice had just left the runway.
Diana moved quickly but silently to the side door, with Etta and Vanessa struggling to keep up. Moving without attracting attention was easy with everyone's eyes glued to center stage. Although the girls were confused at Diana's urgency, they followed behind on cue, even stopping when Diana motioned so she could eavesdrop safely from behind a corner, where the clearly very well paid thugs confronted the two lead models who had just stepped off the stage.
The smallest suit stepped forward, a greasy, man with sunglasses and slicked-back hair, grinning at the two bikini-clad girls. "Ladies! A wonderful show so far. May we have a moment of your time before the next set?"
The green-clad Fire scowled at the not-so-subtle threat the thugs' presence brought. "We are still in the middle of the 'wonderful show.' We have no moments to give."
"Ya, and you can't be back here. The girls need to dress," Ice added, though with a far kinder tone.
The negotiator's crocodile grin only widened with a menacing glint. "I'm afraid I must insist. Let me get straight to the point. My employer's bankrolling your little soirée, under circumstances which you have yet to fulfill."
"She doesn't like taking no for an answer, does she?" Ice asked her partner innocently.
He continued despite the interruption. "The request is simple enough. We pay for the show. You get to show off your products as long as you show off ours as well.
"We don't want your poison here!" Fire snarled.
"Let's not be dramatic. Hedare Beauty products are hardly poison. Who knows? Maybe after you've tried some of our lipstick or facial cream you might find it preferable. We aren't even charging you for whatever you use in the show."
Although Fire was quickly losing her temper, Ice remained cool. "Sorry, sweetie, but we can't. Everything featured in this line is eco-friendly. Your makeup is not."
"I can assure you Hedare Beauty's policies and products are 100% compliant with all environmental regulations."
"Not ours."
The negotiator's grin suddenly vanished, along with any tones that he was still willing to negotiate. "You did sign a contract. And we already paid for your little show, so I'm going to have to insist."
"And if we refuse?"
"Then you'll be begging for something to cover up the bruises my boys are going to give you."
"That's not very nice," Ice said innocently, either oblvious or uncaring of the impending threat.
"Bring it," Fire dared with a vicious smile.
The negotiator gave a disappointed sigh. "I tried to be civil. Boys!" He snapped his fingers, but when the bruisers didn't immediately take action, he snapped his fingers again a few times before turning around in confusion. "Boys?"
Instead of a small army of muscle ready to do unspeakable deeds, he found his thugs in a heap on the floor, having been quietly and almost instantly taken down by the woman in the golden armor, easily recognizable from her other recent appearances in Gateway. "Your boys are asleep," Wonder Woman said as she dropped the last unconscious man to the ground.
"W-Wonder Woman!" the man stammered, suddenly losing his unwavering calm. "Uh... You know what? It's your show. I'll just go tell Ms. Hedare you weren't interested."
Diana nodded. "A wise decision." The man ran as quickly as possible out of the room and out of the building.
As Diana watched to make sure the thug didn't try anything stupid as he escaped, she was surprised as two arms suddenly wrapped around her neck. Normally the intuition provided by her bracelets would have prevented such an attack, but there was no reaction this time. And although she tried, Diana couldn't seem to shake the agile and surprisingly strong grip without just twisting her would-be attacker around.
Fortunately, she realized that it wasn't an attacker at all, but simply an overenthusiastic model being just a little too friendly. "Oh thank you very much Miss Wonder Woman!" Ice said happily as her sudden glomp took the Amazon completely by surprise.
Fire was somewhat less friendly, eyeing Wonder Woman suspiciously. "We had things under control. Your help wasn't needed."
"Fire, don't be rude. She was only trying to help us, and it's the thought that counts," Ice scolded.
Diana remained confused on how to react to the seemingly polar opposite women. "I certainly didn't mean to intrude or belittle you. If I have offended you, I apologize."
Fire gave a begrudging sigh. "It's okay. Thank you. For saving us the trouble that is."
"Don't mind her. She's always defensive when she is meeting people she likes."
"Ice!"
"What? You are a very friendly person once you've warmed up a bit."
While the two supermodels seemed to bicker, Vanessa and Etta finally approached since all the possible danger was gone. "My name is Diana. These are my friends, Vanessa and Etta. They're fans of yours."
Ice squealed with delight at the two girls. Letting go of Diana, she grabbed both of their hands to shake with a big, friendly smile. "Oh! How delightful! Is always good to meet fans. Can I sign something for you?"
Etta was still a little starstruck. "Sorry, I don't have my autograph book with me, Miss... er, Olafsdotter?"
"Please, call me Ice. Is easier for everyone. And she is Fire."
"It is a pleasure to meet all of you," Fire interrupted. "Unfortunately, we cannot stay and chat. Ice, we are due back on stage and we aren't even dressed."
"Oh! Oopsie, me!" Ice gasped as she broke off the pleasantries. "Sorry, I wish there was more time to talk, but we must be going."
Diana nodded. "I understand. If you don't mind, I'd like to stay and keep a lookout, in case any more of those men show up."
"That would be very kind of you. Thank you!" Ice answered before asking, "But will you be okay back here wearing that? I like it, but I thought that the Wonder Woman would want to be more discreet. If one of the other girls should see you as this..."
Diana's armor suddenly faded, being instantly replaced by her civilian outfit choice from earlier. "Do not worry. I will be discreet."
"That was amazing trick! I wish I could get changed so quickly! You will have to show me later!" Ice clapped excitedly. "I just had perfect idea! After the show, we all go out! Our treat!"
"What do you mean our treat?" Fire protested.
"Fine. My treat. We don't have anyone to party with tonight and we don't know anyone else in Gateway City. And they seem fun!"
After a few moments of Fire trying to avoid Ice's puppy dog stares, she relented. "Fine," she said before turning to the other three, "Is that okay with you?"
"Are you kidding?! That'd be freaking awesome!" Etta exclaimed.
"Excellent!" Ice cheered. "Stick around after the show. After we're done here, we go shopping! Get makeover! And then we party!"
For two women who were new to the city, and asking for guides to show them around, they seemed to already know the best salons, boutiques, and stores in the city. Whether it was just luck or some kind of supermodel instinct, even Etta who prided herself on knowledge of the city, found herself going down unfamiliar streets and finding high-class shops she'd never known about before.
After seeing just a few of the price tags, she understood why. A year's allowance wouldn't afford her even one of the dresses, but Fire and Ice seemed to have an unlimited budget, buying out almost entire stores worth of stock. They were both very generous, buying equally for Vanessa and Etta as they did themselves. Diana had to politely decline many gifts, as with her power she could make herself appear in any dress they could find.
Fire had warmed up considerably to, even apologizing for her off-putting behavior earlier.
They took turns trying on new dresses, though when it came to manufacturers Fire and Ice were very picky, avoiding real fur or leather or anything that looked like something might have died to make it. The alternatives they chose seemed to be far superior in quality anyway, or maybe that was just how the supermodels presented them.
As they took turns trying on dresses, and Etta momentarily found herself sitting next to the radiant Fire, the teenager forced up the courage to talk to her one-on-one. "Do you mind if I ask you a personal question?"
"It depends on the nature of the question," Fire answered with an arched brow. She still wasn't nearly as overtly friendly as her partner, ironically having much more of a cold shoulder,
"How did you and Ice get your powers?"
"Why would you ask such a thing? Are you hoping to replicate these powers for yourself? Or are you hoping to determine our weaknesses?"
"No, I didn't mean anything like that!" Etta quickly backpedaled.
Fire laughed. "Relax, I was only joking." Unfortunately sarcasm never translated well between foreign languages and accents. Etta was just glad she hadn't accidentally offended Fire.
"It's just... I'm on this fansite, and there's a lot of people online arguing whether you got your powers from some freak accident or whether you somehow got magic powers from a temple or something," she explained.
"And which do you think it was?" Fire asked curiously.
Etta, put on the spot, had to think about it for a bit before explaining her answer. "Well, until a few weeks ago, I would never have believed in magic powers. Sure if you look around we've got aliens and tech-based heroes and people who fell into radioactive goop or something, but I always thought science could explain away most of it. Once I met Diana though, I'm not sure anything's impossible anymore."
Fire smirked. "Well, you have it both right and wrong. Ice comes from a tribe of shamans. She is the daughter of the village elder and she had to learn her powers, so they come from magic."
Etta took that to mean that Fire didn't come from some Brazilian tribe of fire shamans. "And you?"
The green-haired supermodel hesitated as she started to bring her own memories to the surface, somberly telling her story. "A few years ago I made an appearance as Miss Brazil at the grand opening of an experimental reactor. It wasn't built well though, and as soon as it was turned on the reactor overloaded. Most people near the spill either died or had to be treated for radiation poisoning. I guess you could say I was the lucky one since as far as I know I was the only one to not only survive, but get these powers."
It was clearly a painful memory. Something so tragic like that had to be. And yet here Fire was: a supermodel, a celebrity, and a role model for women everywhere. It was no wonder Fire was the one with the temper.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought that up." Fire smiled warmly. "Don't be. I did my mourning some time ago. And it's only when people ask questions and learn from history that we can avoid disasters. What would truly be wrong is if we repeat those mistakes because we try to ignore what happens in the past. It is never wrong to ask questions, even uncomfortable ones."
Meanwhile, Ice was giving Diana some accessorizing tips, trying on jewelry for herself while Diana merely mimiced the appearance of what Ice recommended.
Of course to Ice, the unique jewelry Diana already wore was fascinating enough. "I absolutely adore those bracelets. Where do you find such pretty things?" At DIana's permission, Ice felt the silver bracers as they didn't appear exactly the same as any metal she was familiar with. Not only that, but despite their constant use, the bracelets had no traces of smudges, cracks, or imperfections whatsoever. They were also completely seamless and form-fitting, making Ice wonder just how they would be taken off.
"Every woman of my people, upon coming of age, receives a pair of such bracelets. They symbolize our servitude to the gods. As long as we wear them, we show our faith and our commitment to the will of the gods, and they in turn protect us from harm." Diana wasn't as concerned with revealing details of her past anymore, at least not specifics. There was enough diversity in this world that she could talk about a lot of things from home without naming specifics.
"Amazing. So you never remove them?"
"They are not designed to be removed. Once they are donned, they are worn for life." The ceremony where Diana had received her bracelets was a joyous celebration for all of Themyscira, a very fond memory which brought pangs of homesickness.
"Are they ever uncomfortable?" Ice asked with increasing curiosity.
"They are forged by disciples of Hephaestus. They will always fit the wearer perfectly, never rusting or cracking or needing any kind of repair."
"What if they get damaged?"
Diana thought for a moment. "To my knowledge, they cannot be."
"Simply amazing," Ice awed. "But I could not imagine wearing the same thing for two days in a row, much less the rest of my life."
"It is an important tradition. Do your people not have traditions of their own?"
"They do, but most of them involve staying home and bearing children."
"And yet you are not," Diana wondered. Such a transgression of tradition in Themyscira would be unthinkable. Then again there wasn't anything in their traditions about staying home with children. "You ignore the customs of your people?"
Instead of being offended, Ice took the question in stride. "Not all of them. I still say regular prayers and try to observe specific holy days, but there's no way I could just stay in a small cabin for the rest of my life just because tradition demanded it. Not when there's a whole world for me to see and make a difference in. What about you? Surely you don't follow all of your people's traditions exactly?"
Diana grew somber as remembered everything that led to her going against her mother's wishes and the laws of Themyscira to come here. "It's true, I have broken some of our creeds, because I thought I was doing the right thing. But every day I wonder if I should have followed the laws of my people."
The Amazon felt a comforting hand on her shoulder. "If I followed all of my people's wishes, I would have never left a hut in Iceland, I would have married a man with the intelligence of a glacier, and I would spend all my days pregnant and raising children. Instead I took a risk and not only am I having fun, but I get opportunities to do real good. I don't regret it for one second. Some traditions just need to be broken. Not all of course. Your bracelets mean a lot to you and they should."
Her words reassured Diana. Even if they didn't know the whole story, it was enough to give Diana some immediate hope that her course of action was the correct one. She would have needed to leave Themyscira eventually one way or another. Never could Diana be content to spend the entirety of her life on the island, as much as she missed it right now. For now, her odyssey would have to be put on hold as Ice found another dress for her to mimic.
As the girls tried on dresses, Vanessa was mostly content to sit and watch, only participating when specifically called for. She tried to at least seem as if she was having fun. Etta wasn't fooled, and while Fire, Ice, and Diana were looking for the next round of overpriced dresses to buy without checking the price tag, she sought out Vanessa and sat next to her.
"You okay, Ness?"
"Hm?" Vanessa was so absorbed in her own thoughts she hadn't even noticed Etta approach.
"You just seem more quiet than usual. Everything all right?"
"I'm fine, really," Vanessa smiled weakly, though it was clear from Etta's expression that wouldn't be enough to satisfy her. "I guess I just suddenly realized how surreal this all is."
"Kind of awesome, isn't it?" Etta said with a giddy smile.
"I guess."
"What do you mean you guess?"
Vanessa sighed. She would put her thoughts into words if she herself even truly understood them. "Maybe it was different when it was just Diana, but compared to those three together I just feel so... small." She motioned to the three women just out of earshot in their own little world trying a few new dress styles on Diana. "Look at them. Celebrities. Supermodels. A princess. Heroes. What are we? A couple of teenagers just tagging along? Fire and Ice have already spent over $1000 each on us just buying us clothes. How are we supposed to pay them back?"
"It's not like they expect us to pay them back. They have a lot of money and they're very generous. Some celebrities are just like that."
Vanessa shook her head. "It's not the money. It's just... I just feel like... I don't know what I feel like. This is all still weird to me."
"Is this about what happened with that KGBeast or whatever his name was? It's okay if you're still shook up over that. It had to have been terrifying."
"No, actually. I mean I was scared, sure, but I don't think I ever thought I was going to die. I just knew Diana was going to rescue me before anything bad could happen."
"Even though it was Batman that saved you?"
"Yeah, but she still came for me, even if she brought help. At some point when Batman grabbed me and brought me to safety I realized something."
"Batman's secret identity?!" Etta asked half-jokingly half-hoping she guessed right.
"No. We're ants living in a world of giants. Whether they're aliens or Amazons or just guys who like to dress up in a cape and tights, we're relatively useless. We have to be protected by people larger than life that we could never hope to emulate, or else we get crushed."
"We've saved Diana's ass plenty of times though," Etta tried to object.
"We were just in the right place at the right time. I've already been kidnapped once. How much longer until we become a liability?"
"Hey, that's not fair. Without us Diana would be totally lost and-"
"And find literally anyone else to explain the same things we know. Hell, if she needs some guides to the world how about some internationally traveled superpowered celebrities?"
"Diana's not that type of person. She ain't gonna just ditch us like that."
"What if she should? I'm sure actual superheroes would be far more help in tracking down artifacts and super criminals than a couple of teenage girls," Vanessa's words grew more hysterical until she was on the verge of tears. "What if we lose Diana?"
Etta tried to find the right response, but the hesitated in thought just a bit too long as Ice happily skipped over. "Girls! We need to leave soon if we are to get the spa treatment and he makeovers." She noticed the awkward tension between the two teenage girls, but otherwise seemed to be clueless. "Did I miss something?"
"Nah, we were just talking. Boy stuff," Etta quickly improvised.
Ice squeed with girlish delight. "Ooh, I like boy stuff! First we go to spa. Then we dish out all the juicy gossip later!"
First was a relaxing afternoon at the spa, then Fire and Ice managed to find what looked to be the most expensive, high-class salon in the city. Vanessa and even Etta, normally a fashion-conscious young woman, let the two supermodels steer the reins when it came to their hair and makeup. They were, after all, the experts.
As the sun set over Gateway City the five girls were finally ready for a night on the town. The models' advice paid off. Everywhere they went they looked like super stars on the red carpet, drawing the eyes of most every man and woman, enough even to make to straight women question their orientation.
Fire and Ice were of course dressed in their preferred colors in the finest short dresses available. While they were already beautiful before, tonight they stepped up their game even more than when they were on the runway. They took their partying very seriously.
Vanessa wore an elegant if reserved white cocktail dress with a silk white shawl and heels. Her long red hair had been styled into waves. The normally shy girl was the definition of elegant beauty.
Of the two teenagers, Etta was definitely the resident party-girl. She knew how to go clubbing and showing the best she had to offer. Her candy-striped minidress contrasted perfectly with her dark skin and knee-high leather boots, with just enough accessories to err on the side of flashy.
Diana hardly needed any work to look her best. Most makeup just seemed to clash with her natural beauty. Her pitch-black hair seemed to fall perfectly without any grooming and even the professional stylists had trouble improving on her appearance. Picking the appropriate dress had been difficult. Not only did Diana make everything she wore look good, but Fire and Ice insisted on having Diana pick her outfit whereas the Amazon was content to let the professionals pick something culturally acceptable. Finally Diana settled on a black, sleeveless halter top made of a fabric that seemed to sparkle in any light. Gazing at the fabric was like looking into a night sky filled with stars. Diana also picked out tight black slacks which hugged her curves. With her Sandals taking the form of black heeled boots it created the illusion of one seamless outfit. Perhaps it was the way she carried herself, but the outfit seemed to demand attention and respect, like a goddess in human form.
Of course Diana's outfit didn't need to be bought. With the newfound powers of her helmet/necklace, her entire appearance changed according to her whim. She was the first one ready when it came time to go to say the least.
Walking in almost a battle formation down the boulevard, everyone's eyes were drawn to the five lovely ladies. Nearby traffic slowed to a crawl as long as they were in sight. No one even objected as the ladies walked past the long line around the block of clubbers, right up to the bouncer who didn't hesitate to let them in past the rope. Not even the people in line objected, though Ice blew a playful kiss to them anyway.
"Have you been here before?" Vanessa had to shout over the pounding bass. It seemed logical given how much attention the bartenders and waitresses paid them.
"Of course not, dearie! Is our first time in Gateway City! Why? You know better club?"
Vanessa shook her head no. True, she didn't have a standard to base off of, but she could believe this type of treatment was normal.
"Come, we sit at the table before we get the dance on. I'll order drinks!" Ice said excitedly.
"Um... I'm seventeen," Vanessa nervously pointed out.
"And?" Ice replied, not seeing an issue.
"Drinking age," Fire reminded her.
"Oh, I keep forgetting those exist. It's not something we worried about where I come from," she said without a care.
"But the drinking age in Iceland is 20," pointed out a confused Vanessa after a brief hesitation to remember that bit of trivia.
"Is it? I never really noticed," Ice said with an innocent smile. "If you want to have drinks, we would be happy get some for you."
"I think we'll just have something non-alcoholic, thanks," Etta answered. Though she didn't have any problems with a few drinks, she knew Vanessa would be reluctant and she didn't want her to feel left out.
"Very well, I go to find nice virgins for you," Ice said with a knowing smile,
"Drinks. Virgin drinks," Vanessa corrected. At least she hoped.
"Is what I said, no?" Ice replied with her casual naivete before leaving towards the bar, eliciting more than a few stares.
The innocent innuendos seemed to be a thing with Ice, and Etta couldn't help but notice her English would vary in quality depending on when she wanted to give a few Freudian slips. "Does she do that on purpose?" she asked Fire.
The Latina chuckled. "I've known her for years and, honestly? I cannot ever tell."
Even at the crowded bar, Ice had no trouble getting served right away even with a large order. She even carried the tray of drinks herself, showing impressive balance as there were over twenty large beverages on the tray taking up the entirety of the table. Each one was a different bright shade of color, in different shaped glasses with decorations ranging from fruit slices to umbrellas to even a few with loopy straws.
"You must be very thirsty," Diana noted.
Fire explained. "Ice's body is resistant to toxins so it takes more for her to even get a good buzz, and I burn off the alcohol pretty quickly. I'm willing to bet someone as strong as Wonder Woman can hold her liquor as well."
The warrior princess's eyes narrowed. "Is that a challenge?"
"Ooh, a drinking game? That sounds fun," Ice said excitedly before her brain caught up with her. "But maybe not tonight, ya? We want to enjoy ourselves with the dancing and the partying, not just drying up the bar and passing up." Etta could tell that Ice had big plans for tonight, though exactly what she had stopped bothering to guess, and didn't want complete inebriation to spoil them.
"Don't worry, I got some for you too." Ice separated the non-alcoholic beverages from the rest, putting them conveniently in front of Vanessa and Etta. "A toast. To new friends and fun on a Saturday night."
The glasses clinked and the girls all took deep sips. Diana, Fire, and Ice drank more in the initial gulp as if the drinking game they agreed not to do had just started.
Etta smacked her lips together, clearing her throat. "The bartenders here kind of suck. It's a little warm already."
"Allow me." Ice waved her hand over the drinks and, like a magician's sleight of hands, dropped a few ice cubes materialized out of nowhere into all the drinks.
"You just use your powers in the open like that?" Diana asked, under the impression from past experiences that such superhuman feats were considered taboo.
"Why not?" Ice shrugged. "We have no secret identities. We're proud of what we can accomplish."
A few of the drinks Ice left alone, and as Diana reached for one to try it, Fire gently stopped her. "Wait, there's a trick to these kinds of drinks." She smirked as her hand spontaneously combusted. What Diana expected to suddenly become burnt flesh remained in perfect condition as green flames danced along Fire's hand, leaping onto the drinks and lighting the surface on fire.
"She likes to show off," Ice teased.
"Well you can't smoke in places like this anymore," Fire jokingly complained.
"And a good thing too. I hate having to hold my breath all night because everyone decides to smell like poison."
"It's not exactly a Bath and Body Works right now," Vanessa muttered, very mindful of the smell of sweaty ravers, stale booze, and thick cologne and perfume from all around them.
"These are not the smells of poisonous cigarettes, but of people having a good time, and there is nothing to be repulsed at," Ice countered.
Fire finished downing her first drink, slamming the glass down on the table. "Speaking of which, are we going to sit and drink until our bladders fill or are we going to dance?"
"No thank you. I'm not much of a dancer," Vanessa politely declined.
"Bullshit you're not," Etta protested. "You danced back in grade school all the time!"
"I don't think ballet counts."
"You'll be fine. Look at all those people on the dance floor. None of them can dance well at all. All you have to do is move your hips and have a good time and no one can tell the difference," Ice encouraged.
Eventually the five moved out to the dance floor. Vanessa was seriously worried about the numerous drinks they left unattended, since anyone could come and slip something into them while they were out on the floor, but her concerns fell on deaf ears. Maybe not deaf, but certainly not heard over the pounding music.
As much as they were environmentalists, the dance floor seemed to be the natural habitat for Fire and Ice. The floor was densely packed with men and women of varying levels of sobriety, bumping and grinding against each other to the music. The only thing seeming to separate the scene from an actual orgy was a usually thin layer of sweaty clothing.
Fire and Ice moved through the densely packed dancers like swimmers through water. Ice remained her jumping, bubbly self, projecting the fun-loving innocence in every movement, attracting all sorts of company into the fun. Fire showed the roots of her heritage, busting out a variety of wild dance moves, even bellydancing to the music.
Etta wasn't nearly as adventurous as the two supermodels, but that didn't stop her from shaking her thing on the floor, finding one or two guys to dance alongside. Vanessa remained out of place, but tried to ignore the slight agoraphobia and enjoy the music. She closed her eyes and gently moved her hips to the music. Nothing elaborate, just enough that she wasn't a statue in the dancing crowd. She even found herself having fun, except for a few times when guys tried to "dance" with her. Even with the already crowded area there would be some men who'd find a way to be even more intrusive. Vanessa had to stop herself from whipping around and slapping a few men, content to just simply dance away. At that her old ballet skills actually did prove helpful as she could glide on a pirouette through otherwise impassable barriers made of dancers. Nearing the center of the room, Vanessa finally found Diana among the crowd.
The Amazon princess seemed awkward at first, watching the crowd around her for visual cues on how this 'dance' worked. Once she was satisfied that there was no discernible pattern and that everyone was simply doing what came natural, she did the same. Dances on Themyscira were tributes to the gods, circles of Amazons praying with their whole bodies around vast bonfires to give thanks to the gods. Upon this Diana drew her inspiration, moving with a primal abandon that seemed to make the rest of the room seem almost reserved. Everyone noticed her, and with an almost divine presence everyone followed her lead.
Vanessa thought she could bust out into some line dancing or Thriller and the rest of the room would instinctively follow her. It was some kind of innate power, not derived from any artifact or Amazon training.
"Who knew Diana could bust a move like that?"
Etta's sudden question jolted Vanessa, who had been so transfixed she couldn't even remember if she had been dancing or simply standing still. The music shifted slightly to an even more upbeat party tune, and Diana, Fire, and Ice continue to enjoy themselves, attracting the largest concentration of fellow dancers and admirers.
Vanessa's head seemed to rush and the room started to spin slightly. "I... I need to go," she said suddenly before moving as fast as possible towards the exit.
Before Etta could ask what was the matter, Vanessa had cleared halfway across the room, so instead she moved towards the other three of their group, having to shout over the music. "Hey, Vanessa's not feeling well, so I think I'd better see her home."
"I'm sorry. We didn't mean to wear out the poor girl," Ice said with a slight pout.
"She's a little shy. Clubs aren't really her scene. It's been great meeting the both of you."
"Likewise. Do you mind if we borrow Diana for a bit longer?" Fire asked.
Etta turned to Diana, since it was obviously her decision to make. Of course her biggest concern was not the dancing but Vanessa's health. "Do you require my assistance?"
"Nah, we'll be fine. You should enjoy yourself with other people for once," Diana nodded reluctantly. If it was just exhaustion there was no real reason to be concerned as long as Etta was watching over her. Fire reached into one of the folds of her dress and pulled out a small wad of hundred dollar bills to give to Etta. "Here, take this. Call a limo."
"Thanks! Really, thanks for everything!"
"Any time! We party again real soon!" Ice said with a wink.
Etta nodded and quickly left before she lost Vanessa. For another ten minutes the women continued to dance and enjoy themselves before Ice tapped Diana and Fire on the shoulder.
"Come on, it's time for the next part of the party," she said with somehow even more excitement than before.
"Next part?" Diana wondered.
Fire grinned. "Vanessa and Etta are sweet, but we had something a little more... mature in mind."
On the streets of Gateway City, Vanessa held her arms together. Even for summer, the city was chillier than she liked, especially with the sleeveless short dress. Of course the cold wasn't the only chill affecting her, as strange pangs of depression haunted her. For what reason, she couldn't say.
"Ness? Hey, Ness. Come on, wait up!" Etta shouted as she ran after Vanessa. Although she would have rather been alone, Vanessa waited for Etta to catch up. Besides, Etta could run pretty quickly in those shoes. "If people see a pretty girl like you walking home alone at night, and they're going to have some nasty thoughts."
"It was just really stuffy in there. You don't have to come after me," Vanessa said with a forced smile.
"If you like, we can bolt. There's no point in going clubbing if you're not having fun."
"But you are having fun," Vanessa protested, not wanting to be the reason Etta left as well. "Really, how many more chances are you going to have to go dancing with superheroes?"
"Nah. I can't enjoy myself when my BFF is feeling down. Besides, it's a long walk home. Want to go crazy with a limo?" Etta grinned as she slyly held up the wad of cash, though not so brazenly as to advertise it to the rest of the street.
"Maybe in a bit. Right now the fresh air's helping."
"Suit yourself," Etta said as she put the money away and the two continued on the random path Vanessa was walking. "Look, it was real cool of you to come with us to the club. I know you're not into that sort of thing. You shouldn't feel bad about leaving."
"Was I bringing the party down that much?" Vanessa asked guiltily.
"Not at all. Everyone just wants you to have a good time too," Etta reassured her before adding, "Though it looked like you were having a good time for awhile."
"It was nice to dance, even if there wasn't much room for ballet," Vanessa admitted. "But I still don't understand how you can enjoy that with all that B.O and those sweaty guys."
"Personally, I think the sweaty guys are one of the best part," Etta said with an evil grin.
"Ugh... that whole room reeked of Axe body spray and cheap cologne," Vanessa said in disgust.
"Meh. I guess I'm just used to it. Is that really why you left though?" Etta's tone suddenly turned serious again. "Did any of the guys, you know, get too close? Because that's something we should report if..."
"No! Nothing like that," Vanessa stopped her. "I never let anyone get close enough to me for that."
"Then why the hurry?"
"I honestly don't know. One minute I'm trying to dance and avoid getting body checked between creeps, the next I see Diana dancing and I just... I just started feeling really light-headed."
"Who knew she could dance like that? She made me dizzy just watching her too. I guess that's another superpower to add to her list."
Vanessa continued without pause. "And then when I saw her dancing with Fire and Ice and all those other people, I just thought... that we really were going to lose her. Diana would find someone else and she'd complete her quest and then we'd never see her again. Then I just started to get really mad."
"What, you didn't think she'd eventually make friends besides a pair of teenagers?"
"It's insane, I know. That's part of what's bothering me I guess. I don't really get why I'm this upset. Maybe it's post-trauma from everything that's happened, maybe I just don't like the idea of her leaving. I'm just not sure."
Something suddenly clicked in Etta's mind. All the classic symptoms were there, but she'd never connected them until now. "Oh my god," Etta's eyes turned wide in shock as the slow realization came upon her. Normally she was intuitive about such things, but for some reason she'd been completely blind until this precise moment. "This isn't about boys or dancing or Fire and Ice or danger. You're in love with her! You're in love with Wonder Woman!"
Diana followed the girls out of the back entrance to the club, wondering just what else they had planned for the night. They continued weaving their way through the back streets and alleys of Gateway City.
"Are you lost?" Diana eventually asked.
"Not lost, just looking for something," Fire replied.
"We'll know when we find it," Ice answered just as cryptically.
After a while Diana started noticing they were going in circles. Well, not quite circles, but they were certainly visiting the same alleyway more than once. Finally Fire and Ice stopped in the middle of an alleyway. Diana was about to ask what was so special here, but then a few men stepped out of the shadows in front of them, blocking the exit. It didn't take Diana's exceptional hearing to notice several more men blocking the way they came.
"This is what you sought?" Diana whispered to the models.
"Well look what we got here," the leader of the gangsters stepped forward, brandishing a crowbar. "You girls wandered into the wrong part of town. I'll be nice and give you directions out of here, but it'll cost you some of those lovely jewels you're wearing."
"Really, that's it?" Fire asked, almost disappointed. "You don't even want to threaten to take advantage of us?"
The gang leader raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Nah, I'm a gentleman. Just leave the jewels and you can walk away unharmed. If you refuse, well, some of my compatriots are less gentlemanly."
"Gateway City really IS squeaky clean," Ice said to Fire, completely ignoring the armed thugs. "Even their criminals are tamer, and it took us nearly twice as long as any other city to find some."
"And yet, they're still here. So at least the night isn't a total waste."
The gang leader, tired of being ignored, raised his crowbar. "All right, they're asking for it. Boys, get 'em!"
The thugs rushed forward, only for one of the women to suddenly glow and erupt in green flames covering her entire body. The club dress disintegrated, leaving a light spandex outfit on the flaming silhouette of a woman. The flames skipped around Ice and Diana harmlessly, instead keeping the attackers at bay. For effect, Fire pulled out an angled domino mask, obviously fireproof, and donned it as well. "D-diablo!" one of the gangsters cried out.
"Close enough," Fire smiled wickedly.
Most of the criminals immediately recognized the danger and bolted, but Ice, whose dress shimmered and faded until she wore a similar blue spandex outfit, leapt into the air, skating along a bridge of ice erupting from her fingertips. She coiled higher and with her free hand erected solid walls of ice at both ends of the alley, before freezing shut some nearby doors and windows in case any criminals tried to escape. She did all this while wearing the same fun-loving smile as before.
"Screw this!" One of the gangsters pulled out a pistol and took a shot at Ice's back. Diana rushed into the air on the powers of her sandals and deflected the bullet with her wrist.
"Diana, come on! Hurry up and get dressed!" Ice called out playfully.
The Amazon suddenly understood what exactly Fire and Ice had planned for the night, and that their real passion wasn't going out and dancing. "Very well." Standing in midair, Diana performed a pirouette, spinning faster and faster as her black dress shimmered into nothingness, revealing the golden trademark armor that every gangster suddenly recognized all too well. Cracking her knuckles, Diana observed the half-dozen criminals below and only lamented that this would be too easy. "Let's dance!"
To be continued...