Glacier

He knew that she’d have met Madelyn at some point but just asked it to diminish anything she had with Madelyn, being territorial over her and his own bond he had with her. “She talked to you about a contract that was it. You knew her for five minutes and nothing with substance. It’s insulting that you’re here. Vought family or not, you’re not even the B team and you’re only here because you’re opening your legs for a PR stunt.” He was being cruel but was frustrated with all the stuff with Essex and everything else.

The city was beautiful. So much chaos surrounding it and so many that didn’t even know it. Mutants, supes, superhumans all around and then there was the bottom of them all. Humans. So average and weak. Nothing compared to her and others like her. “Look at them. All of them worried about meaningless things.” She could hear all of their thoughts. “What to get for Christmas,will they make the subway on time and other boring things not even worth the thought they formed. How do they stand it?”

Lexi sighs, “I mean I didn’t mean him, but sure, for argument’s sake we can use him as an example. I mean from what I’ve heard Maeve lives at the bottom of a bottle and I’m sure the others have some skeletons in their closet, which would make you look like a damn saint even if you had a drink or two.” She shrugs. Lexi knew she was right. “Hey, just let me at least keep you company and safe. Two girls sticking together in a place like this is better than just one, okay?” The last thing she wanted was to see Glacier getting hurt or in trouble. “You seem a little…upset. What’s on your mind?” She tilts her head slightly before settling into a stool. “And don’t feel like you have to pull any punches or anything or even keep the lie going by calling The Deep your other half.” 

Why they had the irrelevant teams at the memorial was beyond his comprehension. This was something for the Seven, not the junior team. “Did you even meet her?” he was quite aggressive in his tone but the press was around so he had a solemn look on his face that was a jarring juxtaposition. “You came here five minutes ago and shouldn’t even be here at all.”

Lexi puts her hands up in a placating manner. “Your secret’s safe with me. I’m sure others have done, and will do and currently do, worse than having a drink.” The brunette smiles crookedly as she leans against the counter slightly. “And I kinda figured you might want a bit of a human shield in case someone starts questioning your reputation of not drinking.” The brunette quietly looks around, scanning the area for anyone who might be looking this way and would say something to ruin the woman’s reputation that Vought had crafted. “I mean, worst comes to worst, we spin it as a patron offered you a drink and it would be rude to turn it down.”

She shakes her head slightly. “Trouble in paradise?” She asks quietly, knowing all too well the relationship between Glacier and The Deep was faked just to make him look better.

He stayed quiet for a moment before shrugging slightly as he thought about how to respond to her, in truth he had no idea about what was good or bad anymore. “I… I guess that could be a good thing. I’m so used to people forcing me to pay for everything that I’m just shocked I guess.” As Blizzard listened to her talk about what she hadn’t done he chuckled to himself. However when she mentioned spending an afternoon drinking on a roof top he sighed softly wishing that he had done that one at least once. “You are not a bad New Yorker, you’ve probably just been far too busy to experience those things. I know that I haven’t done that last one yet but that’s because I rarely get a day off and when I do I normally spend it with my son, my niece, my potential future nephew and my grandnephew.”

NOT even trying to hide it, Billy chucked. Nothing was friendly or kind about it but full of pity and skepticism. “You mus’ be naieve to think that. Only few of ya’s had that stuff pumped in you before you was born and if it was you, you’d be stronger. Compound V made supes. It’s the only reason you are relevant.”

There were a few other people from other groups but Homelander knew everyone was here to mostly see him and any other members of the Seven. Journalists were dying to ask him questions about his most recent social media posting but he was here for Vought. “I give them reason to and they know who I am and what I’ve done for them. I’m sure they like you in your group just fine. Besides, they’re here as we are. To celebrate Madelyn.”

     One of the biggest drawbacks of this so-called promotions was dealing with lesser teams like the Young Americans though The Glacier didn’t fit the young part anymore and he didn’t see her qualifying for anything else. “You pulled me from the lab for that question?” His tone was harsh but he had no patience for stupidity and that was all he could see with the Glacier. “It’s an easy question. You don’t have a future with Vought, come next year you will be released from our management.”

A curious expression crossed Blizzard’s face when he heard what she wanted in return for paying for the book. Even though he was a little surprised he nodded slightly and placed the book inside of his jacket before offering her his hand with a small smile. “All you want is some company? That’s actually a surprise I thought you’d say you actually want me to pay you back but I can do that.” He raised a brow slightly when she mentioned feeling like a tourist in her own city. “I think we’ve all been there before at one time or another. Do you have any place or places in particular that you’d like to go to or see?”

The Daily Bugle was giving Lottie a headache as of recently, but she still found herself perusing the pages in the hopes of finding information that was somewhat intriguing, or accurate. The young woman flipped through the pages of the newspaper, preferring the physicality of the paper slipping between her fingertips to the scrolling of an article on her phone. The main page listed a story about recent events with the mutants: many were dead, and now they were hated. In true Lottie fashion, her iPad was open and she was fact checking with other sources.

With a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach, Lottie tossed the paper onto he chipped wooden table before glancing around the café she had come to sit in. There was something sickening about what happened, but as always, Lottie found herself sceptical about the reported incidents. Once upon a time, doubt and investigation was her line of work, but now she represented something that people either admired, or hated.

At this hour, the café always mellowed out, and she could hear mild chatter and the sound of jazz music. That same track had been on repeat for at least ten minutes, and Lottie had already found herself humming along. Reaching for her hot, bitter cup of dark roast, Lottie had three large gulps of its contents before glancing lazily towards the empty seat across from her.

How was the boss hoping the Supes would tackle the publicity and backlash with this one?

Horizon could feel the wind blowing against his suit, his face protected from the biting cold thanks to his mask, as he flew across the sky. He was tens of thousands of feet in the air, heading towards New York as quickly as possible. Through his powers, he could negate his own gravity and constantly propel himself forward, flying as quickly as he could take himself. He had received the news in LA regarding the numerous mutant protests that had erupted into huge shows of violence, with thousands dead on all sides. It was no surprise that Vought had pushed themselves to the forefront after this crisis, allowing themselves to infiltrate the bureaucracy of the nation’s military, besides fighting off the criminal underworld.

David had been requested in New York, the bright, young, up and coming hero would be placed at the forefront of Vought’s home city, though he still wondered what the occasion would truly be for. Perhaps it was so the company could keep him close, wanting to better his career opportunities by being so close to the home office, or to keep him under a much closer eye instead. Either way, David would comply. New York meant new challenges, a new lifestyle, and a new population to protect, even from themselves.

Once he had arrived in New York, his first stop was the Vought International Headquarters, wishing to get acquainted with those he would soon be working alongside. He wondered whether he would be assigned to work with anyone in particular to form a new group, or simply continue his regime as a more lone wolf type of superhero. He stopped himself before he collided with the building, lowering himself to the lobby entrance, before entering the building. He strode into the building, a bit confused as to where he was supposed to go or who he should report to.

SUPES were a lot more naive than he ever thought. Give ‘em the truth an’ they wouldn’t accept it. “Did they tell ya how you got your powers? It aint nothin’ from anyone sittin’ on a cloud. It is from the same shit I just put into meself. Ask them or your doc about Compound V. Better yet, as your mates at Vought what it is.”

Um okay wow. Probably true but the thing like that really didn’t need saying out loud. Kitty had to fight to stop her lip from doing it’s almost curl thing. Maybe the Supe, because who else would be dumb enough to wear a costume in broad daylight, said things without thinking. Lord knew Kitty did that enough. She took a mini breath to pause for an attitude adjustment. 

“I was rushing to head back to work.” She said with a self conscious shrug. “Could I at least reimburse your coffee?”