002 - Second Luminescence ; your mascara's running

[ladyofluminosity]

Who: Luci Edwards, and you!
Where: Near and around downtown
When: 4/10
What: Mad make-up kit on the lose!
Warnings: Fashion disasters all over the place

[After taking care of a few things that were essential to her re-entry into Locke--talking to someone about school options, wandering around and seeing if anyone around was hiring--Luci was exhausted. Folder full of applications tucked under her arm, she ducked into a café for a bit of a recharge.

Sitting down at a table, the blond deflated a bit, ready to relax with a book (she always kept one in her purse), maybe a cup of coffee. A giant make-up kit chasing people down on the streets.

Wait, what?

Much like the rest of the people in the café, Luci stood up, gaping at the window in time to catch a poor innocent bystander get tackled by the compact on a rampage, which slammed her against the wall.

The aftermath wasn't pretty. A human-shaped outline in different-colored powders adorning the wall, what was left was a person, dazed, their face a product of some four-year old's I-just-found-mommy's-makeup-let's-be-pretty disaster. Looking proud of itself, the kit toddled off, looking for its next makeover victim.

What in the world... She should... probably do something... Locke City, what are you doing.]

Comments

[believing_heart]

[It was a sunny day in Locke City -- the perfect kind of day for a completely normal high school student to do her homework outside. That was part of the reason why Lucy ended up eating a parfait outside on the cafe's patio while she finished the very last of her algebra homework.

She had almost finished solving for x when a steady ka-thunk, ka-thunk, ka-thunk sound pulled Lucy's attention away from the numbers on her page, and towards the makeup kit bouncing through the city streets.

Lucy could only watch, mouth open, as the makeup kit launched itself at an unlucky passerby. That's when she jumped to her feet, her hands clenched into fists at her side.

The reaction of those outside was immediate: they began to run. A few chairs, even a table was flipped over in the stampede. Lucy, however, wasn't running with them.

She was going to fight. Even if it meant risking her face, she'd make sure that no other distracted pedestrian would ever have to suffer the same fate again!

She blindly groped for her calculator on the table, then without any sense of hesitation, pulled her arm back and hurled the device towards the alien.]

"You! I won't allow you to hurt another innocent person!"

[The makeup kit slowly turned to face her. And for a moment, it was completely motionless, as if summing the young redhead up. Then, it abruptly barreled towards her at full speed.

It had found its next victim.]

[ladyofluminosity]

[Those inside had the luxury of safely whipping out their cellphones and taking pictures, which they did, especially when Lucy began heroic speechifying in the general direction of the fashion disaster maker.

Luci, on the other hand, quickly snagged up her bag. You've got to be kidding, what is she doing?!]

Excuse me! Pardon me! Coming through!

[Snakes, she could handle. Weird shadow things, sure, that's fine. This? This was a bit too much. Still, natural heroism kicked into high gear, and the blond was off and running.

She was rusty to be sure, and the idea of doing anything with people around still made her nervous, but given the choice, she would always, ALWAYS defend someone in need. Channeling through her necklace, the blond stopped only long enough to throw a ball of trailing light at the compact. Hitting the thing in the back mid-charge, the kit stopped abruptly, struggling against binds that weren't there.

Well, any hope of anonymity was off the table.]

What are you doing?!

[believing_heart]

[Unlike most of the numbered, Lucy didn't have any powers to speak of. In fact, the only things she really had at this point was an excess of determination. And it was that determination that kept Lucy standing her ground, even as the creature hurtled itself towards her.

Lucy folded her arms in front of her, bracing for the impact of the creature's attack.

But before it struck her, a glowing ball of light raced towards the creature, stopping it in its tracks. It thrashed helplessly in its bindings. Lucy's eyes widened at the sight of the creature, now trapped. Her eyes flickered towards the source of the ball of light, her eyes full of admiration.]

Thank you!

[But before she can say anything else, the blonde demands to know what she's doing. And Lucy's obliged to give her an answer.]

I'm going to stop it! There's no way it can be allowed to roam the city streets and hurt innocent bystanders!

[The creature in front of them wriggles in the clutches of the spell. Hikaru smiles.]

I know... that there's not much I can do, but... I can't just watch while others are in danger!

So no matter what... I'm going to fight!

[The makeup kit snaps free of its bindings, then immediately spins around to face Luci. Its target has once again changed. The case is snapping open and closed wildly now, like the jaw of a ravenous dog. Clearly, it was not happy being trapped by her spell.

It bounds towards the blonde, ready to attack.]

[ladyofluminosity]

[She gets points for trying to be a hero, but at the same time, Luci lets out a long sigh. The sudden flux of superheroes really didn't do much good for the general populous, did it? Except for create a bunch of heroes in the making, perhaps.]

That's all well and good, but--

[Before she could finish, however, the kit breaks free from its binds, and, powders and creams flying in anger, barrels toward Luci. Wow this thing was fickle.

A slight disconnect from thought and action, the blond moves on instinct; civilians' well-being comes first, then her own. Throwing out a shield toward the redhead, she hesitates for a split second--Lucent Singularity would potentially do too much damage to the area, and she couldn't channel Light Binding again quite yet; and never mind Final Spark, even if she knew if it worked, there was no way she would use that out in the open like this.

Things move in slow motion for her. Compact snapping threateningly as it runs toward her, she tries to side step, but isn't quite fast enough on her feet. Wrenching its case open, it slams into the blond, kicking up a cloud of dust and powder in its wake.

Coughing and flailing a bit, what emerges from the powder cloud is a very orange blond, her face covered in colors. Thick blue eye shadow, giant fake eyelashes, humongous, bright pink, pouty duck lips. Residual technicolor powders cover her clothes. But, other than looking like someone's aunt, she appears to be okay?

Until, satisfied with its work, the compact flashes her a look in its mirror.

Oh. Hell. No.]

[believing_heart]

Watch out!

[It's too late. Before the words even leave Lucy's lips, the other Luci has already been subject to True Makeup Catastrophe.

This won't do! Even if it's not hurting others, it's subjecting people to its whims against their will!

Besides, what about all the people with makeup allergies? Those people deserve justice, too!]

Hyaaaaah!

[With a long yell, Lucy races towards the creature and tackles it. Somehow, she manages to wedge her hands beneath the creature's bottom. But even with the full brunt of her weight pressed against the top of the case, the creature is still snapping viciously, in a frantic attempt to pry itself free from the redhead's grasp.]

W-What -- What should we do now?

[Lucy grits her teeth while she attempts to force the creature's "jaw" shut. The makeup alien snapsdangerously close to Lucy's blouse; she lets out a yelp of surprise.]

I... I can't hold it much longer!

[keywarding]

[Locke City what are you doing? Really. Blinking, Holly watches people running past her with a bit of a confused face, stepping forward to look around the corner she almost gets hit by the attacking compact.]

AH!

[Jerking back she slips and lands heavy on her butt scrambling to grab her staff from her bag, thankfully with it turned upside down in her back it just looks like a cheer-leading baton. She's fishing for cards as she runs around around the corner. Which one would be useful here?] Watch out!

[She calls, pulling out Windy and summoning the card with a shout of it's name.]

I never get to use this icon, this makes me so happy

[ladyofluminosity]

[Luci would also like to ask this question. Can't leave you alone for a minute.

As Holly is riffling through, she might see a very bronze-skinned, extremely colorful blond chasing the rampant make-up kit down with a vengeance.]

Yay!

[keywarding]

[Holly does notice and follows after, Windy flying ahead of her to try and intercept the make-up kit, using it's powers to try and blow the kit back a few steps. Or at least hold it off long enough for the reincarnates to get there to try and stop it.]

Good job Windy! [Holly calls, catching up to Luci in the process.]

[ladyofluminosity]

[That was extremely convenient! Ah, the joys of not having to be so inconspicuous about one's powers anymore!

Stopping a few steps behind Holly, the blond gives her a rather glittery--like, literally, there is probably a pound of glitter on her face right now--smile.]

Hey, thanks for the help!

[All right, buster, you're going down now!]

[lookulittleshit]

[ If one thing could be chalked up in the make-up kits favor, it was the lack of gender discrimination between victims.

Daniel is evidence for this. See, he's exiting a liquor store, arm wrapped around a large brown bag held against his torso while he fishes for his keys in his pocket when the make-up kit slams right into him from behind.

Literally three steps away from his car.

Ain't even no time to respond. Not only is he reeling from the physical slam right into the side of his car (fuuuuck), but the Echo that reverberates inside of him, too.

The paper bag hits the ground with the sound of shattering glass. Green powder explodes everywhere. ]

[ladyofluminosity]

[How she lost sight of a giant, rampaging make-up kit was a bit beyond her but, chasing the thing around a large part of downtown definitely had her tired. She couldn't give up, but at the same time, couldn't it be a little more obvious with where it was.

And of course, at that moment, a giant puff of green powder wafted through the air.

Ask and ye shall receive.

Extracting energy from some unknown source, the blond burst into a run again, dashing toward the source of the cloud. You weren't getting away this time, and, mid-stride, she lobbed a ball of light at the kit, snaring it in place.

Next order of business, its poor, unsuspecting victim!]

Hey, are you all right?!

[lookulittleshit]

[ Still recovering from having the wind knocked out of him, he hears Luci's voice distantly -- as if through a filter. Perhaps the comparison isn't entirely inaccurate since he's effectively sandwiched between his car and this huge-ass make-up kit.

Not that he knows that. He hasn't got a clue what slammed into him.

With a grunt, he pushes back against the kit to give himself some room to slide out. He turns a half-step around, one hand pressed against the car, the other to his very sore face, and looks down at the wine-soaked paper bag at his feet.

An exasperated sigh escapes his lips. That's that, then.

He glances over his shoulder to see what ran into him.

His face twists in utter disbelief.

His face also happens to be covered in what appears to be a Slytherin-themed look if the heavy silver and green eye makeup is anything to go by. ]

What?

[ladyofluminosity]

[As if he needs a bit more fuel for this totally messed up shit train, the kit, struggling against its binds, lets out a terrible, high pitched, angry screech.

He looked all right, but Luci threw a glowing shield in his direction, a bubble of light surrounding him. He could still move just fine, but should the make-up kit decide to put on a second coat, it wouldn't hurt nearly as much.]

I said "are you all right"?

[not_good_not_wicked]

Marsia stalks into the café. Aside from the expected mass of lipstick and mascara that makes her look alarmingly like The Joker (or whatever the StE equivalent would be), the makeup kit also SOMEHOW put her hair into corn rows.

"Is there a bathroom in here?"

[ladyofluminosity]

Marisa, you've certainly looked much better, that's for sure. Doing a double take, Luci stands up. Much of the customers in the café do the same, because seriously what was that girl wearing?

"Uh... Around the corner, then hang a right. You can't miss it." One of the baristas, staring, managed to get out.

[not_good_not_wicked]

"Alright thanks. I'll be in there for a while."

She stalked off, and was indeed in there for quite a while.

[ladyofluminosity]

She should probably be a good friend and make sure that Marisa was all right.

Walking toward the bathroom, there appeared to be a crowd waiting just outside. No one wanted to seem like they were being rude and watching to see what happened, but at the same time, they were all genuinely curious. Gawkers.

Pushing the door open, she peeks before walking in, "Marisa?"

[gobybessie]

[ This is not how John planned for this day to go.

At least the make-up kit left right away, but he dreads to think what the result is.

He steps away from the wall, brushes off his arms and lapels from any powder, and violently shakes his head. Mutters to himself. ]

This is getting out of hand.

[ He wouldn't say no to a bit of help, really. ]

[ladyofluminosity]

[And help he shall receive!

Already gooberfied by the rampaging monster, Luci had had just about enough, so when she saw the much older man get attacked, that was the last straw. Spells flew left and right--a shield for the good Doctor, and a snare and prismatic ball lobbed at the monster.

Quickly moving between the make-up kit and John, she threw her arms out.]

It's all right, sir, I have this under control! You get out of here!

[It was safe to say she had no idea who she was saving.]

[gobybessie]

[ He actually gives a low whistle. Not bad. ]

Actually, I was hoping I'd be able to collect that.

[ladyofluminosity]

I'll clear an exi--

[Pause. Wait, what?]

You were hoping to--you know that thing is dangerous, right?

[abhero]

[This definitely was NOT Emil’s week. Yesterday he fought a bunch of toothpicks and all it got him was a lecture from the person - well, parrot - he tried to help in the first place. And now he was attacked by a manic make-up kit.

It happened so fast. Five seconds after slamming him against the wall, the kit backed off to admire the results. Emil stood dazed for a moment, his face was covered with so much make up he could barely feel it, like it was smeared with putty. A glimpse at the window snapped him out of his stupor - it was horrifying!

Emil turned and saw the kit leaping on its merry way. Oh HELL no, he wasn’t going to let it get away! He dashed after it, pulling a walking cane with a bunny shaped handle out of his bag. A lightning staff. He had no intention of shooting, not with so many people around, but it was sturdy, solid wood. Good for bashing things.

The kit scurried into the cafe. Emil followed, wielding the staff like a mallet. Between his painted face and the bunny staff, he looked absolutely ridiculous, but he didn’t mind. He wanted REVENGE.]

Get back here, you little -

[ladyofluminosity]

[Luci, equally puttied and equally pissed, was not far behind. This thing was gonna get a royal beat down.

All that drained quickly when she saw Emil however, and the blond stops, a bit dumbfounded. What was he... that's not how you...

OKAY. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth, Luci. He looked like he needed some help anyway, and who knows, he might be able to put down a lot more hurt with that... whatever that was (was that a rabbit on that?) than she could with her spells.

She launched a spell through the air, intent on rooting the thing in place. Would it hit?]

[abhero]

[Emil was too focused on the kit to notice Luci - until the spell blasted over his head. It wasn’t a direct hit, but it was enough to root half of it to the floor, the other half flapping wildly.

That was definitely the job of a fellow Numbered.

He glanced back at the girl - he didn’t recognize her, but then again her face was covered with so much make up it wasn’t surprising - and flashed her a grin.]

Nice one!

[He hurried to the trapped kit, swang the staff high and smashed the thing with gusto, channeling some superhuman strength behind the blow. Now he had it!

...or not. Dented and squashed, it was still flapping. Brushes, lipsticks, powders and creams hopped out to escape. One brush flung some powder in Emil’s eyes.]

Ugh! Son of a BITCH!

[The items skipped in different directions - he chose one, lunged and called to Luci:]

Get the other ones!

[Every time the staff swang close to an item, a small spark of lightning shot out of the bunny's head.

Screw trying to keep low, he was beyond livid now. The heavy make up and his hat should be enough to disguise him, right?]

[ladyofluminosity]

[Wow you are just... going to town on that thing aren't you? She certainly wasn't prepared for it to explode like that, which was a testament to the strength of the man and his fearsome bunny staff.

Well, that was new. She hadn't seen the thing split yet and, a bit dazed by the sight, snapped back to attention when Emil barked at her.]

R--right!

[She ran after the various articles which, to their disadvantage decided to group themselves quite well. Anticipating where they might go, she threw a prismatic ball of light in that direction, detonating it as soon as they came within range.

It would seem that they weren't very strong on their own, the articles flying through the air and landing, unmoving. That made things a lot easier.]