"So, Kendra… what do you do when you're not figuring out how to be Kryptonian, hmmm?"
Kendra smiled. Vel-Zar wasn't wearing his Black Knight duds. He'd quickly changed into some snazzy boots, a pair of dark jeans, a red shirt, and a black leather jacket. A waving British flag was sewn into the jacket's left breast. "I play the guitar," she said, shrugging her delicate shoulders, "for work, I'm a secretary at the County Clerk's office. It ain't glamorous, but it pays. I also really like Dolly Parton. I based my look on her, in fact."
It was true. Kendra was wearing a long red sequined tube top, rhinestone jeans, and wedges made of wood, the strap of which was red leather. Her strawberry-blonde hair, as usual, was in its natural state, gently curled and lightly teased.
:I think it looks lovely," said Vel-Zar, "like a country starlet in the making."
"I like the way you talk," Kendra said softly. "You make everything sound so classy in that precious English accent."
"Your accent is rather lovely, yourself," replied Vel-Zar. "I could listen to you talk for hours."
Kendra blushed again. "Well then… I guess I have to tell you a bit more, don't I?"
"Please," said Vel-Zar. "Your voice is so sweet, I might as well skip dessert."
Kendra giggled. "Oh, honey," she tittered. "Well, I'm big into old country. Some of the new stuff's alright. Both Hank Williamses, Loretta Lynn."
"And of course, Dolly Parton."
"Right, right. Romance is my favorite subject for books. As for movies, gimme comedies and action."
"History is my bailiwick.," replied Vel-Zar. "Documentaries, comedies, action as well… costume dramas."
"Speakin' of costumes…" mused Kendra, "if I'm gonna use my powers to protect Earth… that'd make me a superhero– well, superheroine, technically. Every superhero worth their salt needs a costume."
I've got something on my ship that can create something for you. I… confess I need material; can't make something out of nothing. But I'm sure someone's got something. All I'd need is some sort of fabric. The machinery can handle the rest… rearrange its molecular structure to make it more durable, change the color… that kind of thing."
"I'll handle that," said Kendra. "I can just buy some cotton from a fabric store."
"Sounds fair to me," Vel-Zar replied. When you've got it, you know where to… oh, here comes trouble."
"Victor Thorne!" A middle-aged woman walked over to the table. "Why haven't you called your mother?"
"I called you the day before yesterday, Mum… honestly. Oh… this is Kendra Beauregard."
"Oh! Pleased to meet you, dear… I'm sorry I interrupted your date." She looked to Vel-Zar and smiled. "Do have fun with your new girlfriend, dear. Call me when you're done."
"She's not my…" But the woman had walked away. "My mother…" said Vel-Zar. "Well, my human one, anyway. Lydia Thorne. My human father, Alexander, is at work. He's a banker, so we're not exactly poor."
"She seems nice, but she also seems like she torments you!"
"It's all in good fun," Vel-Zar replied. "Now you know my human name, so… there it is. Oh, by the way, they love this place."
Kendra giggled as Vel-Zar paid for the food.
"I can see why," she said.
When they left, they met Superman again.
"Batman's just received some intel from Gotham," said Kal-El. "The Joker and Lex Luthor have teamed up."
"Lovely," Vel-Zar drawled, crossing his arms. "What do they want, and how can anyone possibly work with that lunatic?"
"Joker or Luthor?" Superman asked.
"Yes," quipped Vel-Zar.
The two laughed.
"Ummm… I've…" Kendra rubbed the back of her neck, looking to the sidewalk. "I've never been in a fight before. It… it ain't ladylike, you see?"
"What about Wonder Woman?" Vel-Zar replied, "and Supergirl? They're respectable ladies and they've been in plenty of scraps."
"True… but what I'm sayin' is… I don't know how. 'Cause my parents never taught me how to fight, y'see?"
"I do see," said Superman. "But we're not in any combat situations right now. So… maybe you'd like to learn?"
Kendra nodded. "If I'm gonna protect Earth… I need to know."
"You also need a costume."
Vel-Zar smirked. "I told her the same thing. You also need a good superhero name."
"The costume first," Superman answered. "I can use the Fortress of Solitude's gadgets to make one, I just need your measurements."
Kendra, without missing a beat, took a piece of scrap paper out of her purse, writing her measurements down. "There you go," she said. "In case it matters, my favorite color's red, I really like Dolly Parton, and…" She smiled. "My Kryptonian name's Lixa Kal-Vex. Vel here told me how Kryptonian houses have their own symbol."
"I think I can arrange that," Superman said, smiling as he flew off.
Kendra smiled. "My daddy," she said, "says that since you took me out to London, that I should introduce you to a place I like."
"And where would that be?"
Kendra smiled, cocking her head as she twirled a lock of hair around her finger. "Kendra's Kitchen," she said softly. "I was thinkin'… I don't know… chicken fried steak? Mashed potatoes and gravy? Swiss chard?"
"For the pleasure of your company, my dear Miss Beauregard," purred Vel-Zar, kissing Kendra's hand gently, "absolutely."
Kendra could only giggle in response, her cheeks now glowing as red as Krypton's sun.
