Shockwave

Even though SupeHQ has sadly closed, I’m more than happy to keep RPing with anybody still interested, either on Tumblr or privately, hit me up if you want to discuss anything ^v^

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There was a veritable cornucopia of possibilities within view. An approaching bicyclist that a quickly drawn nail could pop the tire of and send the rider flying. Some joggers that a well placed marble roll could trip up to cause one to fall and knock the others over. Before Nabi could finish her next thought her attention was grabbed by a flash of bright orange. The color stood out and drew her attention to a pair or funny looking glasses on someone’s head. Which looked vaguely familiar, but she couldn’t quite place.

Nabi noticed how his gaze lingered on her like a dear caught in the headlights. She’d been waiting for something to stick out to her and here it was. He would make the perfect target and she was thrilled at the plan that formed in her mind. Kicking that plan into motion she let her own gaze purposefully longer on him for a few moments. Then as if embarrassed she let a flush come over her cheeks and raised a hand to cover her face. Time to pull the wool over yet another idiot who would become another victim of her mischief.

After waiting a few seconds she moved her fingers from covering her face entirely into a ‘V’. The gesture that she had used so many times before as a shy greeting. Pairing that with a sheepish smile directed at glasses man. Designed in a one two combo to catch the attention of whatever potential target she had in mind. This time it happened to be that man who had caught her attention. For the final hook she raised her other hand in an awkward wave. Those little touches usually did the job to trick people to come closer. Would he fall into that trap like others had or would she have to get more creative.

As he considered just heading home, since he couldn’t think of anything better to do, he took notice of the woman again and noticed her actions. Thinking that she was waving to somebody behind him, he glanced back but there was nobody. That left him curious and confused, wondering if she recognized him as being Shockwave. Normally he liked the attention that came with being a supe, but at the moment he didn’t want it. However, there was something the familiar about her, so maybe they knew each other and he had just forgotten. 

He eyed her a little warily, clearly trying to figure out if he knew her or not. After a long moment of staring, curiosity and the fact that she was very pretty got the better of him, and he crossed the street so that he was on the same side as the bookstore was, but was still a fair bit away. 

“Do I know you?” He asked, leaning his head a little to the side.

Thomas was a very slow drinker and could easily nurse the same drink for longer than other people. It wasn’t on purpose, he was just slow and enjoyed the setting over the drink itself. “Got a lot on your mind? You look a little down.”

Ben sighed softly, clearly tired, but it was more emotional than physical. “Just...stress at work, typical stuff.” He said as he ran a hand through his hair, his voice not quite slurring yet, but it was getting there.

Andrew let out an audible, frustrated sigh. Everything always came back to The Homelander and in truth, there was nothing anyone could do about him yet. “The only person who could effectively deal with The Homleander was Madelyn Stillwell.” If the rumors were true, it was a twisted relationship. Where Andrew’s father was The Homelander’s father figure, Madelyn was his mother figure. “What’s he done to you?” The only reason other people would ask about The Homelander was out of safety and concern.

He wasn’t sure if the other’s frustration was directed at him or Homelander, but hoped it was the latter. Hearing Andrew’s reply, it was his turn to sigh. He’d never met Madelyn and didn’t know what she had been like. At the question, he visibly hesitate, eyes shifting between Andrew and the exit, as if considering to just leave. “He...he said that if I didn’t back off from the Seven, he’d do something to my father.” He hadn’t told anybody else, Andrew was the only person who knew other than the two supes. “They met, somehow, and he’s using him against me.”

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This kid was humoring him and playing along with the sorry attempt at a joke which increased his standing in Soldier Boy’s eyes. Some others that he knew would have used the opportunity to poke fun at him or put forth some form of over the top flattery. Trying to endear themselves to him and get on his good side. This was different and the genuine humor came much easier than dealing with either of those other kinds of people. “I know that I am behind on quite a few things, but I can handle myself in the field where it matters the most. So I am content.”  

He tilted his head to the side at the mention of other teams not doing so well. Honestly Soldier Boy didn’t pay attention to many groups outside of his own. Payback with their rise required his full attention now. The only team he was aware of that was having issues were The Seven. But maybe one of the other teams was going through problems as well and that was what Shockwave was referring to. Either way dwelling on the misfortune of another team made him feel wrong. 

Soldier Boy had never been in Shockwave’s position before of being a solo. Of course he had operated solo on missions occasionally, but there had always been a team or group that he belonged to. “I am in the opposite position as you are. My entire career has been part of a team. So you know things that I don’t in that area. Do you have intentions on becoming a leader? Is that why you inquired about the qualities?”

He wasn’t one to tease or mock others unless they had provoked him first, and he wasn’t one for flattery unless he meant it. Maybe it was arrogance on his part or because of his father’s importance on honesty, but Shockwave avoided lying and saying things he didn’t mean if he could. “You’re not missing out on much, honestly. According to the media, me being a ‘filthy millennial’ means I’m on my phone too much.” He said jokingly, shrugging a shoulder. 

While he had been thinking about how he knew nothing of being part of a team, he hadn’t ever considered that those part of a team didn’t know what it was like being solo. Somehow, that small comment quelled some of his worries. “Oh no, no no.” He said with a small laugh, shaking his head. “I am not leader material, at all. But I’m am thinking of trying to join a team, so I’m more asking to know who the right person to follow is.” 

Hesitating for a moment, he sighed and rubbed the back of his head, suddenly looking a little tired. “I’ve had a couple run ins with people I thought were good leaders, but I’m starting to have my doubts...” And fears, but he was embarrassed of admitting that. 

Homelander started to calm himself and nodded at Shockwave. If anything, he was glad supers were still striving to be in the Seven. It inflated his own ego. “I can see that. He seems like a good man and a good father. All men should be good fathers.” Ones that are there for their children and looking out for them. “He’s fine. He doesn’t like crowds and we didn’t expect one.”

Now knowing about Homelander’s son, it made sense why the other supe talked about parents so much, at least to Shockwave. Looking at the child’s photo, it was clear who his father was, but there was a softness that definitely did not come from Homelander. “Would you say you’re a good father?” He asked, tilting his head a little to the side as he looked at the older supe. 

Suddenly Andrew’s moment that he allowed himself to feel the pressures of the job and the burdens of his crimes was disrupted. Andrew couldn’t appear weak. His father never did and Andrew wanted to eclipse his own father’s success and breaking down in a lab wasn’t part of the plan.  “I’m fine, just lack of sleep and I’ve run out of coffee.” A perfectly crafted lie. Supes were physically stronger so to have a weakness in his emotional or work related tasks was not something that Andrew could afford. “Did you need something?”

Shockwave was emotionally tired, and made an unconvinced grunt at the other’s response, showing he clearly didn’t believe Andrew. He dug his hands into his jacket pocket as he thought of how to word his phrase. “Yeah...I wanted to ask you about Homelander. Well, more how do you deal with Homelander.” Telling Andrew that he was afraid of Homelander felt like something the other would use against him, and he didn’t want to admit to that if he could avoid it. 

She deflates a little at the mention of the man being used to being snapped at. Lexi frowns. “No one should be used to it.” She nudges the rock by her shoe. God, how she just wanted to take off these damn heels and trade them out for anything more comfortable. “You okay? I mean, I don’t know you well considering we’ve only talked once but like… you seem upset…” 

The woman looks back up at the supe. “It’s gonna sound stupid because you’re not as big of a….” she gestures around vaguely as she tries to find the words she wants, “problem? Jerk? I don’t know, pick whatever definitely not professional term you want to plug in to describe him, but Homelander. I thought you were Homelander.” She runs a hand through her hair. 

He shrugged weakly at her reply. “It’s whatever, I’ve had better weeks.” His voice sounded flat and he’d be pretending that he was fine the whole day. That flimsy filter he’d be keeping up dissolved away completely at the mention of Homelander. 

“Oh, so I’m not the only person he’s being an ass to. That’s a relief.” The sarcasm was dripping from his voice as his expression hardened, before sighing heavily and shaking his head. “Why’s he being a problem?”

Nadia and Montay Costa

His childhood neighbors, Ben got to experience traditional Italian foods, as Nadia loved making homemade dishes for he family, something her third oldest and second son inherited. 

Shockwave’s Closest Childhood Friend

Ben’s oldest friend was a tomboy named Seraphina Costa, nicknamed Sephy. Her family were neighbors and moved shortly before Ben was born, with Sephy being only a couple of months younger than him. 

“I haven’t touched your father and as long as you play your part then I wont. When I bumped into him it was a coincidence. I was out on assignment and was just finishing up when I saw him. I like him, seems like a good man.” There wasn’t much else that Homelander had said to Shockwaves father but he thought for a moment purely for Shockwave. “Maybe. Maybe not. If you want to know then just ask him.”

He sighed a little, dropping his sarcasm and just looking tired, like he’s been feeling for a while. “He is a good man, despite everything he’s been through. It’s why I didn’t want him involved.” All he wanted was for his father to be in financial security. He looked at his phone, to the photo of Homelander’s son. “How’s your son doing? He looks scared in the photo.”

“Fuck yes!” An’ for the first time tha’ day he actually fuckin’ smiled.  Clappin’ his hands on Shockwaves shoulder he started to walk out an’ took off his stupid mask. “I’m gettin’ changed first. Fuck goin’ out in this shit. You wanna borrow some clothes? We got loads in the Kix place.”

He definitely wasn’t expecting the other clapping his shoulder, but he didn’t mind it. In fact the change of attitude was very welcomed as he followed the other man, too much doom and gloom with supes lately. “If I can, that’d be great. This suit gets stuffy as hell after a while.” He said as he pulled on his suit collar a little and taking his glasses off.

“Oh–” Cassandra’s face goes red and hot. People are staring now, including the other man she got with her hot coffee temper tantrum. That’s all it was, really. Just a temper tantrum. She was supposed to let it go. Move past it. Center herself spiritually. She takes a few breaths.

A small, awkward smile, stepping to the side and putting the trash in the can by the street. She attempts to dry her hands on her blouse, but she knows she’s going to have to change before her meeting with Carol and the others. Of course she would have anyway, but this just made it more of a hassle. “I’m really sorry.” She says to the man. “I just get really frustrated sometimes.” Her eyes involuntarily flick to the poster of payback with their perfect faces and their perfect lives.

No. She reminds herself. They do not control her and her feelings. She does. Even if the coffee says otherwise.

Seeing how his own jacket was coffee splattered, he took it off, not caring if the weather wasn’t quite warm enough to be without one. He didn’t like the sensation of wearing damp clothes anyway. 

“You didn’t burn yourself, did you? You can wipe off the excess coffee with my jacket if you want.” He said, trying not too sound overly concerned, but he knew how hot coffee could burn. Seeing her eyes flicker, he followed their direction and saw the familiar faces of Payback. “It’s alright, I completely understand. I’m the same.” Just her being frustrated at superheroes as something he could relate to, despite not knowing the reason, but he could assume. 

Homelanders glare softened a little. Not a lot but a little. “He did. I think we where outside his place when I bumped into him. What a coincidence.” It was but he didn’t mind turning it into a a subtle threat. “Watch the attitude. I’m cautious of everyone that tries to come up against one of my team and I’ll be against them for doing it.”

It was Shockwave’s turn to glare. “You said you’d consider leaving my dad alone if I backed off from A-Train’s position. I’m doing a lot of backing off and you’re not doing a lot of considering.” He replied bitterly, not watching his attitude. “What else did he tell you? You two seem to have so much in common, I’m sure he’s told you more.”