#romacxa

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Lance McClain was good with people, new or old friends, he said bring it on! Moving to a new, small town, however, was a very different story. To get his thoughts out in the open, he decides to write a letter, mailing it off to the first random address that came to mind.

What Lance did not expect was a return letter, signed with a neat K at the bottom.

Lance is suddenly introduced to a new penpal, and thus starts the Adventures of Lance and the Mysterious Penpal! (Or, not, if Lance’s mysterious penpal has anything to say about it.)

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Keith’s photography class is something he looks forward to most everyday. It’s fun, simple, and lets him get up and out more often than not, taking pictures of people and scenes.

Romelle walked down the street after her shift. It was a misty night, she could hardly see the street in front of her. Her boss had asked her to stay late, and her car was in the shop, so she had to walk.

She clutched her purse tight to herself. She felt like she was in a horror movie, every shadow, every scurrying rat a terrifying enemy who might destroy her.

She swallowed and walked straight. The street was quiet, except for the wet sounds of cars running across the rain-soaked pavement. Just a little further. She could make it, just a BIT further.

She was so focused on the empty alley beside her, convinced one of the shadows would leap out at her, she did not consider to watch the explosion across the street.

She was knocked off her feet, flinching as the dust settled. Looking over, she saw the silence and peace had been replaced by fighting. Two figures were locked in combat, a young woman, it seemed, dressed in black and yellow, against two more women, one tall and muscular, the other long and lanky, all dressed in strange multi-colored outfits.

Before Romelle’s very eyes, the lanky woman turned invisible, while the strong woman punched the first woman out. She took the pain well, shooting back and doing a decent amount of damage, but the invisible woman was her weakness. She seemed to flinch and fall to the ground, the invisible woman appearing behind her, proud of what she’d done. The strong woman grabbed her arm, and the two ran off carrying bags of money. Only then did Romelle realize they were fighting in front of a bank.

Romelle watched the woman on the ground. She struggled to try and stand, but only fell back to the ground. Romelle looked around. There was no one here to help her. No one, except for Romelle.

Hesitant, she made her way across the street, “Um,” she said, trying to get the hurt woman’s attention, “I--can I--do you need me to call you an ambulance?” Close up, she couldn’t believe how hurt the woman looked. Her skin was so bruised she looked purple.

Her hand snatched out, grabbing onto Romelle’s arm. “No,” she croaked out, “No Ambulance. No hospitals.”

“Ok…” Romelle said, “I um. I don’t live far from here. I think I might be able to support you a bit but I don’t think I’m strong enough to carry you, can you stand?”

The woman hesitated, thinking over her options.

“It’s either that or you just stay here,” Romelle said.

That seemed to push her into action. With Romelle’s help, they got her standing. Step by step, they made it to Romelle’s apartment.

In the light of Romelle’s kitchen, she could see that the woman’s skin wasn’t bruised (well, not ALL of it) she was just naturally purple. “You’re…” Romelle said, “You’re a mutant!”

The woman snarled, looking like she was ready to start fighting, even half dead. No wonder she didn’t want to go to the hospital. Mutants weren’t very well treated, especially mutants with as obvious a mutation as discolored skin. “What of it?”

“No, no!” Romelle said, waving her hands, “It’s ok! I am too, see?” She let the little marks under her eyes grow. “I’m not very powerful, just have some minor shapeshifting, but I can do this!” She scrunched her eyes up really tight, her muscles seizing up. When she opened them again, Acxa seemed huge. She was about 6 inches tall, she guessed. “I’m Romelle!”

“Oh,” the woman said, blinking, “That’s...cute.” She gulped, “I’m Acxa.

Romelle grew back to normal size. “I can call my friend Allura, if you want. She’s REALLY powerful, and good with healing magic.”

“Allura Altea?” Acxa said, “YOU’RE friends with Allura Altea? The Mutant Activist?”

Romelle’s head nodded like a ragdoll, “She’s really friendly, I promise. She lives across town, but if I call her, she should be here in less than an hour hopefully--”

“No,” Acxa cut her off, “She’s too….she’s too public a figure. I kinda need to lay low for a bit. It’s complicated.”

Romelle scrunched down in front of the couch. “Does it have to do with those two bank robbers you fought?” Acxa hesitated, then nodded. “Ok, you can stay here for a while, then.” Romelle said, smiling.

Acxa smiled back, resting on the couch, “Thank you, Romelle.”