The Fragile
Chapter 7: A Fine Day to Exit
Good wombs hath born bad sons.
Rev and Shannon made their way out of Headquarters and into the bustle of the city streets below. Nightfall was beginning to consume the city, and the festivities of the night were now underway. It was an excitedly busy time of day, filled with the rush of automobiles and citizens making their way towards their own personal destinations, presumably out to have a good time. The multitude of city lights made the atmosphere all the more energetic, illuminating the great expanse of the metropolis as if the lights themselves were encouraging the populace to join in. Rev and Shannon, at this point, had joined in, walking along the sidewalks of the reflective streets. They continued along at a relatively fast pace, but did not really have an idea as to where they were going.
"I'm sorry if I seem so nervous I just haven't done this in a long time," Rev spoke.
"Oh, but you should be nervous. If everything isn't perfect tonight, I'll have your head on a plate." Shannon smiled.
"That is if you can catch me!"
"I can assure you, I can do anything when I'm angry. And you won't like me when I'm angry."
"On the contrary you get so cute when you're angry you make that little scrunched-up beaver face and ooh it's so cuutte! See there it is right now!"
Rev became much more relaxed at this point. Their compatibility overtook any feelings of dread.
Shannon laughed. "Point taken. I guess I could never intimate anyone with my overpowering rage."
"Aw I wouldn't say that your fists wouldn't do much but your words can bite!"
"Yeah, I should totally enter a rap battle contest." Shannon snickered.
Silence overtook them for a few minutes, before Rev chirped in with another observation.
"I see you're still wearing that bracelet I won for you back at the Acmetroplex."
"Of course I am. Why wouldn't I? It reminds me of that beautiful night we shared together and the dignity, chivalry and grace you showed all throughout it."
Rev groaned. "Oh don't remind me those were some of the most awkward moments of my life!"
"Oh, I have no doubt that it was." Shannon smiled. "Seriously though, Rev, I wouldn't not wear this. You know, every time I look at it, it just makes me happy. Cheerful, even. It reminds me of you."
Rev could only smile, but otherwise didn't know what to say to such a compliment. Luckily, or perhaps unluckily, the silence that ensued was interrupted by one of Shannon's own observations.
"Um, Rev, where are we?"
The two had been so involved with each other that they walked without paying a shred of attention to where they were going. They were now amidst a very unfamiliar intersection. The intersection in question glowed heavily with red lights emanating from the surrounding buildings – a bit of an odd color for such a part of town.
"Whoa I'm not sure how we got here. Maybe we can find someone and ask him how we go from here to… to-to-to…"
"Go from here to… where?"
Rev laughed very nervously. "I guess I never thought of a place to go!"
"Hmm, neither did I. Well, that kinda blows."
The hopeless feel that consumed Rev during his attempt at asking Shannon out at the Acmetroplex rose up within him once again. So this is how their first date went! They immediately get lost in attempt to reach a destination that was unknown to them. Fantastic.
However, as if by fate, a man with the answer to their problems approached them at that very moment. He was dressed in a red uniform, something that a restaurant host might where. He also wore dark sunglasses, completely obstructing his eyes, and had black long hair streaming down from underneath his hat.
"You two appear to be lost," he began.
"You could say that, yeah," Shannon replied.
"Well, are you two a couple?"
"Yes we are and this is our first date and so far it's not going all that well!" Rev replied somewhat desperately.
"Oh, then I have good news for you two. I happen to know that the Golden Chandelier restaurant is having a special discount for couples tonight. It's quite a nice restaurant, too; it has the perfect atmosphere for a date."
"That sounds pretty good," Shannon nodded, "where is it?"
"It's just one block ahead, on the left. So will you be joining us for dinner?"
"I don't see why not so yeah!" Rev replied excitedly.
"Very well. Have a nice evening, you two."
"Thanks sir," Shannon replied, and the two set off towards the restaurant. "Well, our date's saved, Rev," Shannon continued, "but you can't always expect some random guy to show up and make it all better."
"Hehe yeah I know I'll do better next time though I promise!" Rev gave a huge, sheepish grin.
"Aw, with that face, how can I be mad at you?"
The two arrived at the restaurant's entrance within a couple of minutes. It had all the typical features of a mid-to-upscale restaurant; a couple of rode gardens, a modest fountain, and an archway in the entrance. The inside of the establishment was equally pleasant. As predicted with a name such as 'The Golden Chandelier', many a chandelier hung from the some fifteen foot high ceiling. The dining room as a whole had a golden hue, with dark red tables evenly dispersed throughout the proximity. The two were able to get seats immediately, allowing their conversation to continue without much pause.
"This place is pretty nice but now I'm kinda worried about the price," Rev started, adjusting in his seat.
"Well, if worst comes to worst, you can always just tell them you're a super hero and probably get a free meal."
Rev laughed cynically. "Yeah that might work for Ace or Duck or Lexi or someone but lets face it I'm pretty second tier. I mean I love what I do and all don't get me wrong but sometimes I just wish I was in on all the action a little more than Ace usually allows me."
"Aw, poor Rev. Are you going to cry? Here's some napkins." Shannon giggled.
Rev smiled. "No but get those knives out of my eyesight or my wrists might get it."
Shannon laughed. "Seriously though, Rev, if you want to be included more on the missions you should probably just talk to Ace about it. He seems like a pretty reasonable guy. And if not, just break out your sad puppy-dog eyes. No one can resist that."
Rev eye's widened and his face contorted into a pleading look. "Shannon, will you pwease pay the bill tonight?"
Shannon snickered. "Well, maybe not 'no one'."
"Nah I wouldn't make you pay the bill and especially not on a first date just FYI you know. And you're probably right about Ace too except now's a weird time to ask considering the lull we're in."
"Well, maybe. But everything aside, I'd say this 'lull' was the best thing that ever happened to us."
"Yeah I guess it is," Rev agreed, but he grew tenser. The same foreboding feeling of imminent attack suddenly went across his mind again.
Shannon tapped her feathery fingers on the table for a few seconds, and then re-engaged the conversation. "Usually they would have given us menus by now. I wonder what's the hold up?"
"I guess this place just has slow service after all every rose has its thorn and I guess we just found the thorn."
"And what's your thorn, Rev?" Shannon asked wittily, raising an eyebrow.
"Well first of all I don't talk fast enough and second of all I run too slowly."
"Oh, well, in that case, I'm out of here. Enjoy your meal, loser."
Rev laughed. "Well you're not too perfect yourself missy first of all you're not pretty enough and second of all you have no sense of humor."
"Aww, you flatter me, Rev." Shannon took Rev's hand and gave it a squeeze.
Rev blushed. "And well just so you know I wasn't totally inept tonight". Rev reached his hand into his pocket (he had dressed out of his normal lycra-spandex uniform and into normal clothes for the date) and pulled out the very teddy bear that Shannon had originally requested back at the Acmetroplex.
Shannon's eyes widened slightly. "Wow, you remembered this?"
"Of course I did why would I forget it? It took 27 tries and over 13 dollars worth of coins to get it but hey once I finally snagged it it was all worth it. Plus I think it goes nicely with your bracelet."
Shannon smiled. "Well, thank you. You didn't have to do that, you know, but now that you have," Shannon's smile widened, "I'm going to squeeze it and love it and call it George!"
Rev laughed. "Now you see that look on your face was worth well over 13 bucks heck its probably worth even more than what this meal's going to cost in fact it's absolutely priceless!"
Shannon touched Rev's arm. "You're so corny," she grinned, "but seriously, thanks".
For some moments they simply stared into each other's eyes. A mutual and intoxicating affection was established within their glances, and the rest of the room along with the rest of the world seemed to disappear. This was probably why the waiter had to clear his throat three times before he finally got the roadrunners' attention.
"Oh, sorry," Shannon apologized quietly. The menus were presented and the pleasantries were exchanged, and the two were alone once again.
"Hey you know what would really make this night complete?" Rev asked abruptly.
"Hmm?"
"A nice round of air hockey!"
Shannon shook her head. "One tracked mind, eh? But sure, I'm up for it. We can swing by the Acmetroplex on the was back."
"Whoa I was actually just kidding but hey if you're game I'm certainly game so it's on sister!"
"Well, if you play similar to how you did during our last encounter, it won't be must of a contest."
"Aw you know I was nervous to the point of being institutionalized that night but now my nerves are clear and I am ready ready ready!"
"Well, okay. Just don't use your superspeed against me," Shannon smiled.
"Well you know I'm better than that Shannon," Rev paused, "man we should do this sort of thing every day."
"We certainly should," Shannon laughed, "that way I can get more associating by having a super hero for a boyfriend. I'll be a celebrity by association!"
Rev smirked. "Ah so that's why you agreed to go out with me?"
"Of course not, Rev! You know I'm better than that," Shannon said, "it was get access to your headquarters of course."
"Oh well of course that's understandable," Rev grinned.
"But seriously, I'd love to spend more time with you. You make me happy and warm all over, and being happy is definitely a good thing."
Rev smiled. "Then consider it done," Rev reached for Shannon's free hand (her occupied hand was petting her new teddy bear) and squeezed it. "Because you're much more pleasant when you're in a good mood."
"Aw, thanks," said Shannon. She took a quick glance at the menu. "So, what are you going get?"
"Heh certainly not anything that stinks up my breath."
Shannon laughed. "That's probably a good way to go. Wouldn't want you to-"
A blinding flash of light.
A deafening explosion.
A sudden rush of air and heat.
A painful thud.
Darkness…
And then, silence.
