Chapter 573 - Perks (1/2)
Finding a slightly cleaner alleyway, Nik leaned back against the wall. Finding such a corner was a luxury on its own as he gazed at Cindy, who sported a slightly nervous expression. Anna looked around and whistled in surprise, ”Hey, Nik, isn't this...” she trailed her words, recalling one of their escapades right behind the large trash bin as Nik chuckled in response, turning his face to peck Ann's cheek, ”Yep. Cleaner than we left it, right?” Snorting a laugh, both of them refrained from their antics as Ava coughed uncomfortably. The woman with long dark hair looked barely any older than the group present but she smelled extremely... strange. Feral, in fact. 'Like that chick in the white bodysuit. What did Carl call her? White Tiger?' Nik thought for a moment, his mind simply couldn't help but connect the dots since Cindy should have definitely exposed herself that day.
”Nik, Ava is like us!” Cindy opened with an excited exclamation, ”She has powers! And she is more trained than us.” Nik begged to differ but he let the girl continue, ”Ava demonstrated and she can do a lot of super stuff and even started to teach me!” Cindy smiled, a little happy to have control of her own powers since she now had the confidence to saunter around like Nik. ”Did she?” Nik snickered, ”That's very kind of you, Ava.” Nik glanced at the woman wearing a single long dress with a belt mapping her waist and giving the loose dress the slightest bit of definition, ”But why are we here?” Nik inquired as Ava stepped forward. ”I just wanted to know that if there are more people like us,” her eyes clear, at least, the way she acted, ”And, I hoped that I could see you using your powers.”
”Oh, that's reasonable,” Nik muttered, his glance towards Cindy already lighting her desire as they both simply failed to keep their physical attraction at bay, ”But, what is it that you can do, Ava? I mean, I just want to live a normal, happy life. Get a job, maybe a lawyer,” Nik mumbled to himself, ”Or a cop maybe, but I am not like Cindy. No fantasies, you know,” Nik shrugged, softly holding Anna's hands, ”I know your type, at least, I hope I do. You think that physical power can help people. Putting yourself at risk and using your powers is the best course of action.”
”It is.” Ava frowned, ”I have superhuman physical abilities. That's all I have and the people I helped can fill a village. That's why I want to push you guys to do good—”
”Okay,” Nik looked at Ava with a wide smile, stunning the two girls standing in front of him. ”Okay? Just like that?” Ava muttered with a slightly surprised expression as Cindy gulped softly. ”Why not?” Nik replied, ”I have no reason to decline such an invitation.” Nik took Anna by her hand, slowly making his way out of the alleyway as Ava suddenly shouted, ”Then what about you living a normal life? Cop? Lawyer?”
”I was just messing with you, Ava. Cheer up a little. I want to open a club!” Nik snickered as he left, leaving the two girls dumbstruck while Anna inquired with a curious expression. ”A club? Really?” She muttered as the two began walking on the busy street as Nik shrugged, ”Why not? What do you think about a book club?”
”Pfft! For real?” Anna giggled as Nik grinned, ”Yeah, that can be a theme. S.e.xy strippers in s.l.u.tty teacher outfit, eh?” Nik nudged Anna's shoulder as she hurriedly shook her head, ”No, no! S.l.u.tty librarians!”
”That's even better,” Nik laughed alongside Anna as he spoke up, ”Hey, I know you are still trying to find Pooch... but would it be okay if I introduce you to my pet salamander? I mean, Ignit is pretty cute and since she is as large as a human, you'll find her... amazing,” Nik whispered. After all, the finding for his own place wasn't going well. The PGs were full at this time of year and the rate of the property was inflating due to 'unknown' reasons. And Nik had been itching to bring Ignit around for quite a time now. 43 days since her summoning, to be exact. ”Sure, why even ask? I mean, you could bring your pet with yourself while you also act like Vanish, you know. A mascot~” Anna proposed quite the idea as Nik started considering the thought for the rest of their way towards the apartment.
After all, riding Ignit while fighting to glory in all his space manipulation sounded too tempting to be left out without a week of consideration.
'Oh, hell with it. Ignit would love to chew on gangster bones!' Nik made his mind with a pleased expression.
Once they reached home, Nik found the notification light of his smartphone blinking, revealing a message from Cindy that she and Ava would be waiting for him outside the same alleyway the day after tomorrow. This made Nik realize that he simply shouldn't reveal too much information to Cindy until it is absolutely necessary for she instantly led an 'official' superhero of the sort right to him without any base thought and even if she didn't have any ill intentions, that didn't mean that she could be trusted with secrets any longer.
---
Saturday.
”Tell me again, why you wanted to tag along?” Mary inquired as Nik sat alongside her with Anna already in school. ”Today's Tony Stark's debate with the state council, right? I have a suspicion that whoever is after the creation of monsters would also try to target that debate. So... I may come in handy. You know, if you get bored from the meeting, too,” Nik smiled, making Mary smirk as she shook her head, ”I mean, why do you have such a suspicion? Do you have something on the real criminal behind that accident near Avenue Residential?”
”Nope, but it wouldn't hurt to be cautious, right? Tony Stark is a public superhero... who knows he has some super enemies that target him there? Maybe he can protect himself, but what about you?”
”You are overthinking it,” Mary suggested while patting Nik's thigh firmly as Nik took a deep breath, ”Well, who cares. I am already here.” Nik leaned forward and adjusted himself for a moment, ”Oh, and did you know, some girl named Ava tagged alongside Cindy, the one who can create webs from her fingertips,” Nik spoke up, ”Ava has powers like Cindy. How, that I don't know.” Nik mumbled with a chuckle, ”Heck, they invited me to some sort of training.”