It was admittedly difficult to see the young Controller, despite the sunset that sent red-gold rays over the wharf at Independence Port. She'd been there for a good half hour, watching the dock master pay off several of the Tsoo just for the knowledge that he wouldn't have his shipment "disappear" in the middle of the night.
A soft hum preceded the pop of displaced air, as Scimitar abruptly appeared next to her. Mori raised an eyebrow and gave him a wry smile as he settled next to her. "Didn't scare you?
She shook her head. "Nah. I'm getting better about being so damn jumpy. Cut back on the coffee and all." One hand ran through her ponytail as she watched a ferry make its way down the river. "How'd work go today?"
Reiki let out a long sigh as he stretched out on the corrugated metal roof, his own form a hazy outline next to Miranda. "Another fine day at DTP Innovations," he quipped. "I think the owner turned down another offer for a Crey Industries buyout. Third time this month."
She considered this. "Old Man Proctor knows he's got a few heroes on his payroll?" Her own boss was a nosy little Puerto Rican woman who treated her like a favorite niece and even Rita didn't know abut Miranda's secret life. It was probably better that way, she figured. People always got edgy around those of the psychic persuasion.
The healer snorted at her comment. "Hardy's a mutant, remember?" It's sort of had to miss a seven foot tall systems administrator." His grin was nearly transparent by virtue of his own Stealth. "Boss worries if we come in with a few scratches, that's all. I get dirty looks."
"Serves you right." She glanced up as a shadow passed over their heads, a heavily armored figure landing with a thud on the dirt below. Giving a slight noise of disgust, Miranda shimmered out of her Stealth spell and waved to Rufus. "Up here, Hardy."
Surprised, he stepped back before alighting on the roof next to them. Beneath the helmet, the voice of the Sanguine Horror sounded canned and far away. "How long have you been here?"
"A while." She made an obvious face at his choice of attire. "No more tank tops?"
He shook his head. "Polymers and adantium shielding. It's far more conducive to heading out in patrol than say, that." An armored hand gestured to her jeans and t-shirt, the accompanying tone disapproving. "Are you going out in your work clothes?"
The Controller shrugged. "I'll stay warmer."
"But the spandex-spiderweb getup was just so… heroesque," Reiki quipped. "It's like you're breaking tradition or something."
Miranda rolled her eyes before getting up, brushing dirt from her backside. "Some of us don't feel the need to always do the Slinky Purple Panties of Justice," she remarked before porting to the ground. "It's a matter of personal preference."
Reiki flashed a white smile at her before joining the other two on the ground. "Well, I preferred the other outfit, just for the record. Sang here probably did-" He stopped midsentence as a thin line of smoke and flame shot behind Miranda. "What was that?"
A low chuckle came from behind Sang's helmet. "New guy. Met him out in Brickstown just behind the Ziggaraut. He's pretty handy with a lighter." As the Tanker spoke, another line of smoke rose from the blacktop, the smell of burnt tar prompting Miranda to wrinkle her nose. "Fast, huh?'
Scimitar's mouth curved into an odd sort of grin, the expression caught between awe and distrust. Arms folded across his chest. "Yeah, fast. But is he any good?"
"Yeah, I'm not bad." The Blaster had crept up behind Miranda, and he snickered as she jumped. His appearance had her thinking of soot and charred wood, dark and ashen. "Quiet, too."
"Obviously," she answered, annoyed. Eyeing the newcomer warily, she plucked a small two-way from her pocket. Their other teammate was, as usual, late. "Junk? You on the other side of the tunnel yet? Daylight's fading."
The radio crackled before a familiar voice came back. "Don't get your purple panties in a bunch, Mori. I'm getting there."
"I'm not wearing any to bunch up," she shot back playfully. "You in range yet?'
"Yeah, go for it." The radio went out.
The other three were silent, and Miranda caught the new guy staring at her pants. "Can I help you? For the love of… I was –kidding-." A thumb beneath the waistband of her jeans hooked the fabric of a perfectly innocuous pink thong. "You're all sick," she declared, hands over the pavement as she cast the Recall.
"Hardy's all disappointed now," the Defender chuckled. "You just ruined all of his dirty fantasies."
"You wish."
"Fine. You just ruined all of my dirty fantasies."
As Junk appeared in front of them, Miranda coolly chose to ignore Reiki's remark and opened the door to the warehouse. Time to take down a Tsoo smuggling ring. "Souls, huh?" She nodded at the new guy and tried an easygoing and flirtatious smile. "What does your girlfriend call you?"
"Haven't heard from her lately." From the Blaster's tone, it appeared to be a sore subject, and the Controller decided to let the entire business of names drop for now. She watched him slip inside, thin line of fire an easy beacon for the others.
Reiki patter her on the head as he went inside. "Not everyone wants to be known by their real name, Moriyaku. Give it a rest, huh?"
She scowled and fixed the bandana on her head before following him in. "I was just trying to be friendly, that's all." Her figure shimmered to transparent as she slipped inside, the dock once again quiet.
