I'm trying something different. Someone asked if I could try and create a story that features an original character (OC) of their creation. I hope that my portrayal of this OC is what this person had in mind and that this story is well-received. Also, I'm not sticking to any single DC continuity for this story.
I
Josie wrapped her black coat tightly as she stepped outside and started her walk back home. Very few people were walking the streets tonight, which explained why business was slow enough for her boss to send her home early. There are only so many waiters/waitresses you can justify having in a restaurant where only 5 tables actually had people.
She didn't really mind; she was feeling kind of tired. Well, more tired than usual. Josie's mind was filled with her imagining getting to her apartment and just crashing on the mattress. It was a small dump of an apartment, a studio actually. But she made it home, with some painting she created back in high school. She smiled to herself, brushing her light brown hair out of her face. This was one of those times she was glad she lived so close to work.
She walked up the steps and walked inside her building, going up to the second floor. She unlocked the door and walked inside her apartment. She hangs up her black coat on the rack and brushed off some dirt from her white dress shirt and black dress pants. As she was doing that, she was knocked backward from an explosion of fire.
As Josie struggled to get back up to her feet, her eyes widened as she saw a fire that consumed her window frame and started moving outwards along her walls, consuming some of her own artwork. In a state of panic, Josie acted on instinct, raising her hands up, palms towards the fire. Allowing her emotions to take over, she was creating water out of the moisture in her body and in the air and shooting it towards the fire. After several moments, the fire died out and Josie stood there, arms dropping to her side, breathing heavily.
She never really liked doing that. First time she discovered this ability, it scared the shit out of her. The only times she ever used it again was solely in self-defense. It may seem selfish to not use this ability, but Josie believed there were enough crime fighters and superheroes in the world. Her goal is to live a full-yet normal-life.
She walked towards the window, scorched black. She looked at the surrounding damage. The fire didn't really get that far at all, so that's a silver lining. A couple pieces of her work got burned up, but it could have been far worse.
Taking a few steps back, she dropped down on her futon and pushed her hair all the way back. Leaning back, she closed her eyes and slowed down her breathing, trying to collect her thoughts. The damage isn't that bad, she kept reminding herself. She can make a call to the insurance company tomorrow. They'll take care of it without any real fuss. Shit like this always happens in Gotham, they're probably used to it by now.
Josie got back up on her feet and slowly walked towards her fridge, unbuttoning her shirt as she walked. She reached to open the fridge and try and find something to calm her nerves. But before she had a chance, she heard more noise from her window. When she turned around to see what it could possibly be, she was completely caught off guard.
It was Black Canary. She entered through the scorched window, her black boots stomping on the floor. She looked just like she did in the pictures in all the news articles. Fishnet stockings, a tight leather outfit that went all the way up to the base of her neck. A leather jacket that only went halfway down her back and covered most of her arms in sleeves. To finish off the look, black leather gloves on both of her hands. She looked at the scorch area before finally turning around to stare at Josie.
She opened her mouth but no words were coming out. The young waitress was in complete shock. It even took her a moment to realize her shirt was completely unbuttoned and her bra was showing. Once she looked down and saw this, she grabbed her shirt and wrapped herself up, crossing her arms to keep her bra hidden from plain sight.
"Y-You-uuuhhhh…I can't believe-I mean…hi?" Josie was completely shocked and flustered to see Black Canary in her own home. She is a legend, a total badass! Someone that Josie sort of had a crush on too, but there's no way it could happen. But a girl could dream…
"How'd you put the fire out?" Canary asked.
"Oh-Oh! I, ummm…" She didn't know why, but she thought it would be safer to find a lie rather than tell the truth. Just on the off chance that she would be asked to either join her. As awesome as that would be, she isn't cut out for that. "Blankets!" She finally exclaimed. "I smothered it, with blankets!"
Black Canary looked around, with just a hint of confusion on her face. "OK…so where are them?"
"The what? Oh, well I…threw them out! Yea, that's it." Josie used one hand to rub the back of her neck, doing a poor job at trying to cover up at lying. It also didn't help that Black Canary might have-scratch that, definitely-saw her pink bra that she is now trying to hide.
Black Canary took a few steps closer, trying to get a good read on Josie. There was a tense silence between them that just added to the nervousness that was becoming overwhelming for Josie.
"So, uh, I guess the fire that just happened was because some bad guy did it, huh?" Josie asked, trying to steer the conversation away.
Black Canary held the silence a little longer before finally responding. "Heat Wave. Been tracking him for a while. Got away again just now."
"Oh, well, I know you'll get him." It wasn't until Black Canary turned her eyes downward that Josie realized she was still rubbing the back of her neck. She brought her hand back down and kept her arms crossed, clearing her throat. God, she hoped her face wasn't red.
"You're lying. About putting out the fire. Right?" Canary raised an eyebrow.
Josie started shaking her head in disagreement, but it soon started nodding up and down in defeated admittance. "I'm sorry, force of habit! I just didn't know what you would do if you knew I had meta powers, and it was overwhelming to see you in my home! I'm a huge fan if you can't tell, but I don't think I'm cut out for what you do! I like sitting on the couch and watching crappy sitcoms and-!"
"Easy there, it's all right." Canary rubbed her hands on Josie's arms, which made her face even redder than it was, but she was still able to make eye contact. "I just want to make sure that you are all right, that there is nothing dangerous in your home; nothing you don't want."
"No…I mean, I'm fine. I guess your dangerous, but that doesn't mean I don't want you." Josie's eyes widened as soon as she realized what she said, clasping her hands over her mouth. "Oh my god, OH MY GOD! I did NOT mean to say it like THAT!"
Black Canary couldn't help but smile just a little bit. "Relax, I've heard a lot worse, trust me." She brought her hands away from Josie. "Just breathe…in and out, slowly." Hands still over her mouth, Josie did what Canary said. Soon, she felt calm. Well, not calm, but way better than what she just was.
Black Canary crossed her arms, still smiling. "What's your name?"
Josie slowly brought her arms down, forgetting to make sure her shirt covered her bra. "Josie-Josie Maxwell…"
"Well, Josie, I'm not going to ask how you did manage to put the fire out if you don't want me to. I can tell that you aren't a villain like Heat Wave. I just want to make sure that you feel OK."
"Well, yea, I guess…it was still pretty terrifying as it was happening."
"Well, I'll tell you what. Looks like I'll be in Gotham for a little longer than what I was expecting. But after I capture Heat Wave, how about I swing by and check in?"
"Fuck yes-I mean yes! Just yes! That would be good…" Josie nodded.
"Before I leave, you should know-you have nothing to be embarrassed about. Besides…" Canary pulled open Josie's shirt a little, looked down before looking back up at Josie. "You look cute in pink." She winked before turning around and heading back out the window into the alley below.
As soon as she left, Josie pressed her back against the fridge, trying to process everything that happened. She saw Black Canary! It was a dream come true for her. She suddenly thought to adjust the front of her parents. Her knowing about her ability is one thing, but if Canary knew about…nope! She isn't going to think about that.
She felt like she should squeal or scream or something. Meeting a celebrity-a real superhero-filled her with so much joy and excitement. Her hand thoughtlessly went up and lightly graced her bra, remembering the compliment. Her ears felt like they were on fire!
Josie giggled-or laughed, more accurately-for so long, she thought she might be going hysterical. But eventually, she managed to straighten herself and ground herself back in the moment. She looked around her apartment until she found a piece of cardboard she could use to cover her window. She started getting out of her clothes, got her pajamas on, and tried to get some sleep despite the thoughts and fantasies going on in her mind.