*The week before Halloween*
Lani's original plan was to train to be a stuntwoman in Paragon City, away from the bright lights of Hollywood. Unfortunately, this
also meant that she would be away from Oahu for the next few years. Paragon City, in addition of being the City of Heroes, was also known for its intensive training for heroes- which was also attractive to stuntpeople these days. The demands of the craft could be such that you virtually had to be Olympic material for some stunts. Also, hero training took some of the same precautions as stuntwork. Usually, you didn't work without a net until the first patrol.
There was one such program at Steel Canyon University, just obscure enough for Kalani Tenou-herself the daughter of two action stars in Hollywood. Dad had made his name in several films where he showed off his acrobatic and martial arts training- always
getting the girl, always defeating the bad guys. Hikaru Tenou wasn't as well known as Jackie Chan or Bruce Lee, but he gained
respect for his professionalism.
Her mother, like her, was a Hawaiian beauty who went by the name of Kalelani, first name only. Originally a silver medalist in fencing and gymnastics, she'd been offered the title role of "The Masked Maiden," a TV series about a woman in nineteenth century
California-at night, she donned the garb of a man, and a mask, to fight evil and defend the weak and innocent..it was a unabashed
Zorro ripoff, and even Kalelani cheerfully admitted it. Still, it gave her a way into films, first in the movie version of "Masked Maiden," then in other action films...
Lani, as Kalani was known to her friends, wasn't sure if she could act, but she had always loved watching her dad and mother at
work. Cheerfully, and maybe relived that she wasn't interested in going the starlet route, they had been her first teachers, training her in martial arts, gymnastics, acrobatics, and well, fencing. At first, she'd tried for the Olympics, but didn't make the final cut for the current Team USA. "Maybe next time, " everyone else said pityingly, but Lani had cheerfully thrown herself into stuntwork and training.
Right now, she was practicing a type of gymnastics called Parkour, laughing as she jumped over bushes and fences on her way to
pick up her Halloween costume. This practice had given her nicknames such as "Nutcase", "Jungle Girl", and "Tarzan Girl", usually hung on her by her friends, who shook their heads when she would climb up to the roofs of low buildings, hopping from building to building, just for the rush it gave her.
"Yo, Tarzan Girl!" Trace caught up to her finally..a nice fellow with tanned skin, and wire rimmed glasses that were currently covered in sweat from running.."Been trying to get your attention for two blocks now..!"
Lani swung down from the fence.."Sorry, Trace," she laughed. "Just now heard you.." She took out the earbuds connected to her MP3
player. "What's up?"
"Just talked to Harry. He's not going to the party..something about a previous engagement.." He waited, praying she wouldn't explode.
She rolled her eyes.."Wimp. Just because I was trying to get him to go as my character's consort..."
"Um, Lani, in case you haven't noticed...the Rose Bride is a girl...Harry's a guy. Crossdressing really isn't his thing..."
Lani sighed, eyeing the really tall (six feet to her five foot one height) basketball player she called her best friend currently. "And you're too tall, even if you did.."
Trace wiped his brow, partly in relief, partly for comic effect. He'd seen that dress; a red and white floorlength number with epalets and enough ruffles to decorate a whole house.."Not to mention I wouldn't be caught dead in that outfit." he told her.He looked down at Lani, as she regarded him with her wide almond eyes that always reminded him of an anime character. How she managed that was beyond his comprehension, but he suspected it had something to do with some latent acting talent. Now she batted those eyes at him..and he knew he was about to get sucked into something...
"Well, then, will you at least help me get a sword? I can't be a proper swordswoman without my sword," Lani simpered, or at least pretended to.
"Only if you will walk...not jump like Spiderman.. the rest of the way to the costume shop," Trace told her sternly.
She thought it over, running a hand through her longish black hair. "All right, she finally agreed. "Think they'll have a decent pink wig? or at least a blonde wig I can dye pink?"
Several hours later...
Lani had gotten her costume for the most part, a militarylike uniform like those worn in Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, but instead of pants, there was a miniskirt and shorts, and boots.Everything but the sword...
She wanted a fencing sword, if only because she liked the idea of wearing a sword at her side. Then again, it was something of a running joke that she had always adored sharp, pointy objects.
"Hey, look, at least you got most of the costume..We could get the mask at Icon for a little class, since it's a masked ball.." Trace said, trying to give her an option as they passed by Icon.
"I want to try to find the sword first..If I can't have a Rose Bride, I at least will have my sword!" she declared.Then she saw it. "Hey,look!!" Lani started towards it, dragging Trace behind her.
"It wasn't there the last time we were here.." Trace commented. "I'd remember a store like that.."
They stood in front of what appeared to be an 'junktique' shop..one of those second hand shops that masqeraded as a antique shop.
The sign that hung over it declared:
Ye Olde Mysteries and Curiosity Shoppe
Proprietor: Lessa Sebastian
Established 1986
Lani grinned... In she shot, leaving Trace in her dust as she ran into the dark, musty shop.
The woman behind the counter was polite enough, a pudgy middleaged type in glasses. She wore a black 'witch' dress, in honor of
the upcoming Halloween holiday. "May I help you?" she chirped cheerfully.
Lani looked about at all the dusty old furniture, some actually honest to god oak cabinets, tacky lamps and aged souvenirs of Hawaii...and the candles.."Yes, I'm looking for a sword for a costume party. Preferably one with a sheath and belt, I'd like to wear it."
The saleswoman hmmed.
Trace started to get nervous. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but there was something odd about that saleswoman, even as
she started to search at a rack of what appeared to be second hand clothing...First, she pulled out a long, elegant,velvet black cloak,
lined in dark satin, and handed it to Lani..."I couldn't help but notice your costume..Halloween night will be chilly, and you
will need something warm over it...now..ah, here you are.." The saleswoman pulled out a sheathed sword..the pommel was golden,
resembling a pirate's sword..."Look at this..." It was a fencing sword, which she had been looking for.
Lani pulled it out partway, feeling the balance, admiring the pommel, then the shiny blade, which appeared to be a bit sharp. "I assume you won't be running it through someone," the salesperson chuckled.
"No plans to...but it's a bit sharp..."Lani commented...
Trace got even more nervous.
"It has a bit of history..In the past, it's been wielded by several women, marked with courage and the willingness to defend hearth and home."
"Interesting.." Lani smiled. She was starting to fall in love with the blade.."Are you sure of this?"
The saleswoman smiled.."Positive. As I said, it was wielded by several women in the past. Each one believed in her cause, right or not."
"It looks so new..this can't be that old..."
"Lani, remember, your budget was already blown by the costume rental..." Trace warned..
The saleswoman smiled. "Tell you what. I would be honored to give you this sword and this cloak. It's obvious you're a student, and that you appreciate fine things, Miss Tenou." With that, she started to wrap the sword and sheath up in the cloak."And I know you will take good care of it.."
"Are you sure?" Lani asked...
Trace leaned over to Lani.."Maybe she's one of those Salamanica witches..."
"Don't be silly...Those are old crones, and she can't be older than forty at most.." She looked at the woman.."Are you sure?" she repeated..
"Positive, Miss Tenou." She handed her the wrapped bundle. "Now, go, and perhaps, just perhaps, it will help you reach your true
potential. Have a happy Halloween!"
"Thank you.." Lani smiled, as Trace finally pulled her out of the shop, clutching both her costume and her bundle...while Trace
wondered how the odd woman knew Lani's last name..
Neither one saw, after they left the store, how it was suddenly surrounded by mist, then ...vanished.
Global is @Mellissandria
I don't have that much art, but I do write stories and I do collect art on
my DA account
*Halloween night*
Lani stood in front of the mirror as she buckled on her sword. "Not too shabby," she said to herself, admiring herself. She had managed to get the pink wig on without too much trouble, making sure each and every strand of dark hair was hidden, so as not to shatter the anime look of her costume. She turned, looking back to look at her self in the mirror, her pleated miniskirt twirling as she turned.
The sparkly mask was in her hand, that contrasted with her white military jacket, and she noticed it already had the adhesive, all she had to do was to peel off the paper covering it, and affix carefully. The instructions promised it would not smudge her makeup at the end of the night. She turned again, to use the mirror as she followed instructions and put it on.
Lani finished off the costume with a red rose boutonniere, which was pinned to her lapel. She took one last look in the mirror, brown eyes sparkling with mischief behind the mask.
She reached for her sparkly shoulderbag and stopped, noticing the temperature according to Google ...
"Chilly?" She muttered to herself, about to reach for a coat,when her fingers found the cloak the odd saleslady had given her."Hmm, this has possibilities.." Lani pulled it out, noticing the plush texture of the cloak, with its delicate but durable chain. In a moment, she had pulled it on, covering her shoulders. Again, she turned towards the mirror and smiled...then headed out, for once not using the window. After all, most of this costume was a rental...
Lani slipped out the back of the dorm, to satisfy that part of herself that ached for adventure..not the prefabricated adventures her parents acted out in front of cameras, but an honest to God adventure, where she would fight evil, protect the innocent, and swing from chandeliers. Maybe rescue some cute guy..although most of the guys she thought were cute wouldn't stand to be the one being rescued for ten seconds, and would probably insist on being the rescuer.
Wrapping her cloak about her, to ward off the October chill, Lani started to walk across the campus. Without thinking, her spine straighted out to an almost military bearing. She stopped, noticing the shadows starting to fall. A few red and orange leaves swirled about her. She was just aware of the traffic in the distance, seemingly so far away from her..
"Leave me alone!"
The girl's shriek pieced the almost idyllic scene. Lani turned, to see, a young freshman hanging on for dear life to the purse that a young tough was trying to pull from her. Another tough was in the process of pulling out..a pistol?
Lani was hit by panic first. Where were the police? Where were the Midnighters? No time to fish for her cell phone! There was only one thing to do.."Maybe if I psych them?" She grabbed her sword, to draw it..and ran towards them..."Hey! You!" she yelled..and drew her sword, brandishing it as she would in fencing class.
The first thug let go of the purse, and the guy holding the pistol turned...and were joined by five others, holding baseball bats, all except for one fellow in the back. He just stood back as she found herself charging..jumping over them, landing square in the center. She wasn't aware of losing her wig...
They all stood in a circle around her..stared..and started to laugh..."What a noob!" one roared..."Hey, Zorro, come get some!" another mocked..
For a moment Lani stood, wondering if she had somehow defused the situation..until they all turned on her, smirking. And then..Lani pulled a second sword, not a fencing sword, but a one handed sword from..where? She had no time to think as two of the thugs rushed her.
She feinted, slashing at the first opponent, drawing blood from the slash. Twirling, Lani slashed her second opponent as well, again drawing blood..just slashes, more like scratches. Yet, down they went, apparently more from sudden fright than blood loss.
Another pair rushed her, from each side, one being the guy with the pistol, the other wielding a baseball bat. She slashed across the batguy's wrist, causing him to drop the bat, and twirled in time to see, and hear the gun being fired point blank at her.
Time seemed to slow down, even as the bullet started to streak towards her head She held up her one handed sword without thinking, and deflected the bullet with that, then a second one before kicking the shooter in the crotch with the toe of her boot.
Again, she twirled, taking out the next man with the pommel of her fencing sword and jumped again, landing in front of the final two thugs. The unarmed man stood back, letting the final batguy charge her, holding his bat like a lance in front of him, swinging at the last moment. She ducked his intended sideways blow, going to one knee in a leg sweep, knocking him off his feet.
She sprang up, and faced the last man standing. "You can run if you want," Lani said, trying to sound confident, forgetting the man at her feet, who appeared to be unconscious..
That is, til he grasped and pulled her ankle out from under her. Lani slashed again, this time landing on her rear, as the batguy started to club her. She laid back and folded her knees above her..then thrust upward with both knees, ramming feet into the man's belly. This time, he stayed down as she sprang back to her feet, both swords at the ready, then jumped back as the final man swung his fist at her. Midswing, the fist turned into stone. She gave a squeak of alarm, her eyes growing wide. This would be a good time for a real hero to appear, Lani thought.
However, none seemed to be appearing.
She was on her own.
Dancing about the unconscious gang members, Lani again dodged the stone fist.
And then things got really strange, as the world seemed to slow down...again.
The fist was coming down onto the pavement as she sprang upwards to counter, timing it as she somersaulted over him, to land on one knee. The point of her sword scratched down his spine, glowing with gold energy. It was just a scratch, but down he went.
Time returned to normal as Lani stood, half dazed herself. She knelt down to check for a pulse. It was strong, and the bleeding scratch she'd inflicted was already healing and fading..as had the wounds on the other men she'd scored with her fencing sword.
She looked down as the broader sword started to fade from her grasp.
She turned, and faced what appeared to be herself..her jacket was now blue, her pleated miniskirt had turned into a tighter, slitted skirt..which was not what she put on ..hell, the boots shouldn't be going all the way up her
thighs, nor should they be red and blue. Her mask was now darker, not so sparkly. The cloak was now darker, the collar higher.
Even her dark hair was shorter, and were those blue highlights? "Hey, where's my wig?"
Then her costume shifted, as if superimposed on her Halloween costume..before disappearing. In a moment, the one handed sword was
also gone, as if she had never held it. For a moment, she thought she heard a gentle laugh in the breeze, but she couldn't see the source.
Lani picked up her pink wig...and started to shake as the adrenalin high she was on started to subside. She finally found her glittery shoulder bag, on her shoulder where it should be, and reached in for her cell phone..."PPD? I'd like to report seven men down, all early to mid twenties," she heard herself say in a calm voice. She looked for and found the street number.."790 Statesman Avenue, Steel Canyon. "Ah..my name? Call me...Rose." With that, she disconnected the call.
Lani looked down at the red rose on still pinned to her chest, just now starting to unfold. Amazingly, it had not been harmed, perhaps it has remained safe in whatever pocket dimension her outfit had gone into. She unpinned it, and let it drop on the gang leader, the one with a stone fist, then swirled her cape. It seemed to be the thing to do as she ran down the alley, even as the police and ambulance sirens could be heard in the distance.
She spent the next half hour trying to sort out what had just happened to her..
Global is @Mellissandria
I don't have that much art, but I do write stories and I do collect art on
my DA account
(dear lord, is the story that cheesy?)
Global is @Mellissandria
I don't have that much art, but I do write stories and I do collect art on
my DA account
(Some stories write themselves, and some stories take you by the throat and will not let you go til you write them...
The latter is the case with this particular story. I originally intended for this to be one of Rosie's prompts, but it took a couple of turns I didn't expect when I started. The character involved is a minor character of mine, which makes her insistence that I write her origin even more unusual.
I've already edited this to the point that this is most likely the finished form. I'm pretty nervous as I post this-the last time the forum trolls practically tore the story apart like piranhas before it could be rescued. I still haven't had the heart to revisit that story. Hopefully, now that I have ranted, I've bored enough forum trolls that they have lost interest. And hopefully, the rest of you will enjoy this.)
Global is @Mellissandria
I don't have that much art, but I do write stories and I do collect art on
my DA account