School had been dull and uneventful, especially when compared to the night before. There was some serious mood whiplash between bored student to amateur super villain. The day couldn't end quick enough so I could get out of there and meet up with my new 'partners in crime'. I knocked, opened and had just walked through the door to their, no our Lair, when I was bombarded with babbling from the loft.

"So first of all, we're going to get you a mask. The grease paint won't quite cut it for keeping your identity secret."

I was a little thrown by Lisa's sudden comment. My confusion might not have been obvious, but with Lisa it didn't matter.

"Sorry, was just thinking of several things that would be a good idea for a more professional level costume. Primarily a mask." She clarified as I climbed up the stairs to the loft. "If we get you a full face mask, your features would be hidden with less mess and trouble than grease paint. We can still give it the classic Marcel Marceau colouring if you like."

I pondered that for a moment. As was quickly becoming typical, she had some good ideas. It was probably a good thing it was so dark last night, otherwise it might have been a simple matter for the ABB to recognise me out of costume. I nodded my agreement.

"I'll put an order in with the boss and he should have it to us soon. Other than a fancy new phone, any other gear you'd like? Weapons? Other equipment?"

A few seconds of thought brought up something rather important. I had really been too blasé about the danger the gang members had posed. I wasn't exactly any tougher after my trigger, my powers only having external applications. It was quite possible to get caught by surprise. With that in mind my pen scratched across paper.

-bullet proof vest?-

"Your telekinesis can't do that? I thought you could have created walls or something like that."

-better safe than dead-

"That is a fair point. I'll see what he can get in your size. It will cost a fair chunk of your initial payment though, or more." I just nodded, figuring that it would be pricey, especially if there were tinker tech based options available.

"Also I didn't mention it earlier, but I don't think you make as much sound as you should."

That definitely got my attention, I hadn't noticed anything like that. The look on my face prompted her to continue.

"It's likely that it only affects outside observers. You still make some noise, just something like a tenth as much as you should. I hadn't really noticed it till you were leaving last night with how subtle it was."

Well that was some food for thought. A few seconds later I mimed a laugh as I realised just how strangely appropriate that was. Lisa joined me a second later, obviously picking up on the connection I had made. So it was a bit of a sight for Brian and Alec as they walked in with an order of hot drinks and doughnuts.

"What did we miss?" Asked Brian, a bemused look on his face.

"Oh, just noting that the universe has conspired to make mimes more terrifying to the world by making a super powered one." She responded. I just rolled my eyes with melodramatic exasperation at the statement. I never really understood what was wrong with mimes, or clowns. People were weird.

"Oh no, the horror." Brian dead-panned, matching my opinion of the statement.

"But don't you see, the end is nigh? The world is not ready for the End Mimes!"

Mock horror tinged Alec's voice. He received a slap upside the head from Brian, much to my amusement.

"That was a horrible pun."

We sat down to drink and snack, sprawled around the lounge. After sipping some tea and taking a large bite out of a chocolate doughnut, I started writing out a question. The advantage of not being able to talk, is never having to worry about talking with your mouth full.

-So, power discussion time?-
-I think I know what Lisa and Rachel do-

They took in what I wrote, and Brian took the lead.

"I have darkness powers. More specifically I can black out an area. Making it impossible to see and hear, as well as dampening radio and some powers. Part of the reason Shadow Stalker had a hate on for me." He looked at Lisa with a chuckle, "Or at least that's what she tells me."

-Could you demonstrate?-

"Sure." And with that, I was enveloped in darkness. When I moved my arm through the air, it had a weird oily texture to it there and there was a strange resistance. As if I were in some kind of liquid. I experimentally clapped my hands, and heard nothing, only the muted vibration through my hands indicating anything had happened. I gave a thumbs up, hoping he could see it. The darkness quickly receded.

-Felt weird-

They nodded in agreement and he continued, "As you guessed, I can see and hear through it just fine, so it makes for a good advantage in a fight."

I nodded in agreement, I wouldn't want to get stuck in that with Grue not on my side. I would be hard pressed to fight in those conditions.

My hand pointed towards Alec, indicating his turn.

"I mess with people's nervous system, like this." He said, snapping his fingers. Brian's hand, holding an éclair, jerked up to smeared cream on his face and prompting a surprised yelp.

"Alec, don't mess with the food." He growled, which only earned him a laugh.

"Its not the most dramatic power, but with timing it's been rather useful. Tripping people up, throwing off their aim, dropping things and so on." Lisa added.

I nodded once again. It had potential, but overall seemed a bit limited compared to most powers I'd heard of.

Some excited barking from downstairs heralded the return of Rachel. Going off an earlier suggestion by Lisa, I prepared to get her attention. Waving as she came into view, I quickly pointed to me then to her dogs and made a vague patting gesture then held up a piece of paper

-?-

The grumpy look she had on her face as she realised I was here turned to slight confusion as I played charades. Then she brought up Judas and mumbled, "Okay, be careful."
I held out my hand for him to sniff for a bit. Then I gently patted the big dog on the head and scratched behind his ears, which he seemed to appreciate. Rachel looked at me and nodded with tacit approval before moving away again and off to her room to feed the dogs.

Lisa smiled at me while Alec and Brian looked surprised.

-What?-

"Usually Rachel would be more aggressive around new people." Brian answered.

"I guess even she is afraid of mimes." Joked Alec.

I just put my face in my hand and shook it side to side.