The Original

Pizza Party

“One argument that broke out amongst the various governments, communities, and citizen groups was, eventually, who was responsible for all the damage caused by super powered maniacs destroying segments of a community. Lawsuits were filed against villains and heroes alike, driving some heroes out of the business early on and leaving the villains very free to murder anyone who tried to hold them responsible for anything.”

“Eventually, the US came up with a voluntary inclusion to put on an empowered persons personal tax that caused a small, additional amount to be taken out of their returns in order to build an emergency fund for the repair of damages. It was supported by both the hero community and congress and passed popularly in the late sixties.”

“Of course, then it got treated like social security, a slush fund for every bad decision made by the government and led to FEMA still being the underfunded shell of an organization which failed in mitigating so many disasters in the early part of the century.”

Andrew Fitzgerald, Analysis of Public Service and the Heroic Age

After a lengthy trip to the Apple store, leaving one Very happy sales girl Solaris was finishing up her first text to Marcus asking him to come get them. “Sincerely, Elizibeth Summers.”

“Did you really just write all that out as a message to Marcus?” Penny asked, raising an eyebrow. She’d watched as the blonde woman had tapped out a lengthy message, muttering softly to herself till ending it there.

“Well you hadn’t gotten into etiquette yet. Oh, he replied. What. What are all these images? Hand making an okay sign. Then I don’t know what these are.”

“They're called emojis.” Penny said. “Probobly just means he’s on his way.” She led her out the door, and onto the street, pulling out her own new phone, tapping a message to the boy. “There’s a small bar just a little down the way, we can wait for him there, and I can get some of those questions out of the way.”

They walked quickly through the late afternoon crowd. “You did mention having a survey for me.” She mentioned as they sat at a table near the front door, absently watching the traffic drive past.

"Not so much a survey, but that's not inaccurate either. It’s a general questionnaire we give to registering heroes, kind of a mix of psych profiling as well as giving us a feel for their mindset and goals. In your case it's more a formality but it's something we require to 'authorize' someone to be active in the ‘community’. Authorization means you are covered from certain drawbacks of a super powered fight."

“Ahh. It should be no issue. Heaven knows I’ve been through plenty of evaluations before.” Looking at her wrist then the clock on her new phone. “My, that took more than a little while. It’s about time for dinner.”

"I'll text Michelle about dinner, since I'm betting your banker will already have some suggestions for you, or at least questions." She chuckled, turning to the waitress and ordering a glass of white wine for both. "And I know the answer to some of these just by being around you. Hobbies, that’s a good question. I know you were big into baseball back in the day, but I also know you had a license to drive and pilot airplanes back then too. Are you wanting to renew those? We can arrange that easily enough."

“I might as well. I enjoy driving for fun, though I admit I prefer a driver for most city driving. And flying is just enjoyable in a plane or on my own. Do you have a license? If not, I don’t mind sponsoring it for you.”

"Obviously I know how to drive, yes, but I haven't gotten a pilot license. I've kind of wanted one, but I focused on suits and those required enough training during the academy." She admitted. "And I imagine ground school is easier with a partner to work with. Maybe we include Marcus in this, and he can play copilot when you want to go somewhere long-distance."

“Piloting lessons?” Solaris considered it, taking a sip. “Not a bad idea, and a good trade to learn as well.”

“He needs the job, and it’d let me keep my eye on him.” She looked up. “Speak of the devil. You made good time, but you better not get a ticket, kid. She is thinking of making your job a long term thing.”

“Right, no tickets. Got you. Wait, Like a real job? Does that mean I’ll get paid?”

“Yes, you’ll get paid. Now take us to Lombardies. I’m starving.” Solaris said cheerfully.

.

“Man, it's too bad I have to stay in the car. Mind bringing me a slice? I never got my lunch. I got, um, distracted.”

“I’ve seen enough young privates eat to know you need more than a slice.” Solaris teased

"Well, okay, bring me a small pie, and I'll eat it at the hotel before going home. I'm guessing you aren't planning on being out super late."

“No, not tonight after dinner I’ll head back to the hotel and practice using all the new tech the lieutenant insisted I get. Things are likely to get busier for a bit after today.”

"Busy and not busy, to be fair. You have no serious demands on your time, technically. "

Solaris nodded “No but I have a lot to learn and set up. I’m a little annoyed that none of my American properties are left.”

"It sounds like a lot of it was bad luck, and seventy years of being empty." Penny pointed out. " But to be fair, considering the era in question, you'd have to do a major remodel on all of them at this point if they had."

I intellectually know that it just rankles a bit that instead of my lovely flat with a patio garden that I left three days ago I must bunk up in a hotel. It’s a nice hotel, but not home.

"Right, priority one. Find a home for you." The kid said from the front. "Stability is kind of a big deal, so getting you some is the best thing we can do." Seeing Penny’s expression he sighed. "Look, when mom and dad passed, they had me in therapy with Grandma cause I was angry. But she was there, she'd always been there, and I needed it. Just cause you can storm the beaches of Normandy doesn't mean you don't have the human need for a place to call your own."

“That is very wise, Marcus. I think that is one of the things Michelle is going to be working on. I’ll probably get a flat somewhere in or near the city. I need somewhere for Hugh to show up unexpectedly”

"Hugh is your brother, yes? Are you sure you want that in the city proper? I mean, the suburbs are great, and less crowded.”

“He went the spook route, then they gave him the same serum that worked on me though its effects were different for him. He’s never come in a door if he could use a window.” She smiled as she saw the pizza place. “American pizza, like baseball, I never get tired of it.”

"I'm from down south a bit more, so I'm not quite the worshiper that my New Yorker friends are, but I am willing to attend the church. "

Michelle the banker, in more casual attire than earlier, raised a hand to summon them to the table she'd claimed, the restaurant already quite busy. She'd taken the chance to order some smaller sides for everyone to enjoy as well. “Good evening. Make sure I mention something work related, then the appetizers are a business expense." She said with a wink.

Solaris laughed, “Well Penny and Marcus have convinced me to buy some sort of new home.”

"That would be a good place to start. Any idea what you'd want in a home? With as much business as you are likely to be involved in, New York is likely to be a frequently used residence.”

“Perhaps something just outside of the city proper, with space for some sort of garden. I like having a green space. It will need a good sized space to entertain, and a nice kitchen for a cook.”

"Any requirements for the size of the house, other than a good kitchen and entertainment space?

“Hmm, I think at least four bedrooms. That way there is space for Penny and any guests. two master’s. Someplace for the housekeeper I will need to hire to stay..”

"So you want to keep staff on property? It's not unusual now to have housekeepers come in from outside, with insured and bonded services."

“I prefer to have at least one member of staff staying at the house. If the manager I hire wants to contract out the cleaning and such that is fine, As you said I am likely to be fairly mobile, and empty houses are often filled with trouble, it's better to have someone watching.

"It's something I can consider. I will contact a realtor I know, and bring you the best options that are move-in ready. We should get you somewhere more Comfortable quickly."

“That sounds delightful, thank you.” She chuckled. The more she thought about it, the more she wanted this potential house. “I am getting more excited about this. I do enjoy hosting a good party.”

"Then I have criteria to give the realtor. And while they hunt for the perfect house you can shop till you drop tomorrow, and make some happy salespeople at Bergdorfs day."

Solaris laughed. “I plan on it! I asked Penny to find me a car with plenty of room for shopping.”

“I am now a little intimidated.” Penny said dryly.