[Tuesday, October 14th. 11 PM] [After an exhausting encounter with the Head Master, whose rampage of carnage she only stopped by pushing herself past every limit she thought she had, Horus was dead tired. After the death of American Dream, and the trip back to base, she was exhausted.] [After the trip home with Mizuki, and as she flumps down on the couch in the living room of her house, she's pretty much out.] [Which makes this a perfect time to deal with her mother, who wanders into the room from the kitchen, looking rather exhausted herself. "Are you okay?"] [Mini Start] Nnng. * Shani rubs at her eyes before reaching around for her purse, where she left the mask. Good, it's still on the floor. "Fuckin' awful day." [Patricia sits down next to Shani on the couch and wraps her in a tight hug. "It was bad enough when I had to watch your father on the news. Now this..."] * Shani sighs. She's kind of too tired to hug back, but she makes an effort. You saw the news? ["Is that horrible man really dead?"] Which one? ["The bigot in the flag underwear."] ... Yeah. [She shakes her head slowly. "I'm not sure whether to be sorry or glad. The stories your father told..."] He was a dick, yeah. * Shani pulls away and flops back against the couch. "But... y'know." Pause. "It's not like he deserved to fucking die." [A voice comes from the stop of the stairs. "He really did, but then you can't choose who your heroes are." And, limping heavily and walking with a cane, Khaldun makes his way down the stairs.] * Shani winces a little at that. "Hi, Dad." [Khaldun slowly makes his way down the stairs. "Patricia, can you give us a minute?" Patricia scowls, but removes her arms from around Shani and gets up. "Of course, dear. I'll be in the kitchen, silently worrying about the people I love. Just like old times."] * Shani sighs. "Mom..." [Patricia disappears into the kitchen as Kheldun makes it to the bottom of the stairs, and slowly makes his way into the chair next to the couch Shani's on. "So. Rough night."] * Shani turns her attention from the direction of the kitchen and turns it to her father. "Yeah. Really rough." You saw the news too, right? I don't know what they've been showing. ["It's on every channel. Even if he's tarnished the name, he's still American Dream."] * Shani nods. She looks tired, probably because she is. ["Only hero I ever took a swing at. Son of a bitch called me 'boy' one too many times... broke three knuckles, but it was worth it."] Doubt it fuckin' hurt him... [He grins slightly. "Broke his nose. Your old man could throw a punch."] [He shakes his head. "Still can't believe someone killed him, thought. It was Panzermensch?"] I guess, unless someone punked him from behind during the fight. * Shani pinches at the bridge of her nose, shutting her eyes. "'s what I woulda done, if I were a fuckin' villain." ["That bastard... some of those guys are sick. Crazy. He's not. Completely sane. Smart. And evil." He rubs his neck. "American Dream must've been really worn down otherwise, because he's been fighting Panzermensch for *years*."] Nrg... he's been all over the place lately, Dad. 's been on the news. Mighta just fuckin' worn down. ["Still... that pretty much leaves Solaris and Eternal Warrior." He scowls. "I should be out there."] * Shani looks at her father blankly. "You fucking kidding me? They are not the only two people out there. And *you* shouldn't be." ["You know what I meant. The heavyweights. People that stand a chance against monsters like Panzermensch. And watch your mouth." He falls silent, and leans back in his chair. "I know. Dammit, I know. They *need* me, though."] Too bad. Can't pick your heroes, right? [Khaldun blinks. "... I didn't mean it like that."] Yeah, I know. * Shani reaches down and picks up her purse. ["This wasn't supposed to be your responsibility. I had good years left in me, and then your brother..." He trails off.] He's doing what he wants to do, just like me. [Khaldun shakes his head. "This isn't something you can just throw away like he did. It's a responsibility. A calling. You were supposed to have a normal life, not have to deal with all of this."] Yeah, well, so was he. And you. ["If I'd been meant to have a normal life, I wouldn't have gotten the mask."] ... Try applying like half of what you're sayin' about yourself to me and realize what the fuck you're doing. * Shani gets to her feet, slinging her purse over her shoulder. "Angst with ya later, Dad," she says, heading off to her room. [Khaldun opens his mouth to respond... and his jaw hangs open for a moment as his words catch in his throat. "... I walked into that one, huh?"] ["Wait."] * Shani stops on her way out and looks back at him. ["This... it's not easy for me. I had years to get myself ready for the idea of your brother doing this. You... I should know better, but in my head, you're still my little girl."] ["I know the last thing you need right now is me giving you all this bullshit, and I'm sorry, but I can't help it. I worry about you out there, even though you've been amazing so far."] * Shani blinks. "Yeah? You... I mean, you think so?" ["Of course. I've been driving Solaris and Sister Admin insane, asking for progress updates... Solaris said you're a better natural leader than she was at that age."] ["And tonight, with the Head Master? That was good work. Damn good work."] ["I'm still your father, though. It's my job to be overprotective and worry too much."] * Shani looks down a bit at that, and she can't quite keep a bit of blush off her face. "Yeah, well... I'm not really the leader or anythin'. And Mizuki summoned all that wind anyway." She glooms a little. "Lotsa people we didn't save." ["First and most important lesson I learned... that mask gives you the power of a god. It doesn't make you a god. You can't save everyone. You can only do as much as you can, as best as you can, for as long as you can."] I know, I know. But if I were better at this, I could do more. [Kheldun nods. "Remember that feeling. Use it. The moment you stop feeling it, you should hang up the mask."] * Shani chuckles humorlessly. "Sure. I'll do that." ["What separates the heroes from the guys in stupid costumes is that unending, unyielding desire to do more. To get better, because maybe if they're a bit better, they can save one more person."] Yeah. Plus, my costume's fuckin' cool. ["And you've got that, Shani." He chuckles. "And don't let anyone tell you otherwise."] ["On either account."] I won't. I'm gonna go lie down. Today was fuckin' exhausting. * Shani starts to go, then stops herself and looks back. "Y'should spend some time with Mom. I know you see her all day, but..." [Kheldun deflates instantly, andlowers his head. "... I should."] Yeah. She's in the kitchen, y'know. * Shani grins a little and comments, "Save her mood. It's the superhero way." Now she heads off to bed. ["Night, kiddo."] G'night. [Kheldun watches Shani go up the stairs with a small smile, and after a moment he tries to get up. His leg tries to give out from under him, but he catches himself and pushes himself to his feet shakily. With a sigh, he steadies himself, and shuffles towards the kitchen.] [Mini End]