13322/Firestar's Return

Firestar's Return
Date of Scene:	10 November 2022
Location:	Roof - Titan's Tower
Synopsis:	Angelica returns to Titans Tower and is met by Karolina. The two catch up.
Cast of Characters:	Angelica Jones, Karolina Dean

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Angelica Jones has posed:
Angelica Jones has been away for a while, now, finishing her studies. Not really attending SCHOOL-school, so much as learning how to use her powers without causing cataclysmic damage to her surroundings. As her control developed, so did her confidence. And yet as she approaches Titans Tower the redhead is beginning to have gnawing doubts.

That's why Ang texted Karolina to let her know she was coming back. Karo understood her, at least on some level. She felt safe.

Evening at Titans Tower offers a splendid view of the Metropolis skyline beneath the stars. It's a little cool, but that only seems to make the stars a little brighter. There is a glowing light off to the North, approaching fast like some big firefly. Weaving back and forth almost joyfully, whatever is causing the light is certainly flying.

Karolina Dean has posed:
    It really has been a long time. But Karolina hasn't exactly been the best Titan, either. She's been doing her best with her own studies, taking trips abroad as needed, and generally bettering herself. Fighting crime always seems to be an in-between sort of task, but she's always happy to help people. It's why when she got a text from a stranger she hadn't spoken to in a long time, she was all for it. All for meeting her old friend, even if they hadn't spent the most time together.

    But chosen family is forever, right?

    So on top of the Tower, there's another light. Karolina is clad in a jean jacket with a simple teeshirt underneath and some tight shorts one would associate with biking, in addition to her sandals. Her power is fully flared, soaking in the starlight and being a beacon of shining brightness for the falling star coming in from the north. Additionally, the rainbow-blazing blonde is wearing a big, bright smile as she waves her arms and sends a swirling ribbon of color skyward--just in case Angelica somehow missed her on the roof of the ridiculously distinct tower.

Angelica Jones has posed:
Angelica Jones can't miss the swirling ribbon of color, and brightens at the sight. Karo got her text and showed up! Win! Small victories for introverts.

The approaching comet grows rapidly, then pulls up suddenly short to hover in place. Ang-... er, Firestar... is wearing her yellow and orange bodysuit surrounded by a fiery aura of energy. She descends slowly, the size of the energy bubble decreasing as she gradually reduces the output. She drops the last few inches, cutting the energy output completlely.

It wouldn't do to melt through the roof of the Tower, after all.

No mask, Ang's long, red hair flows freely behind her as she bounds foward. For a moment she looks like she might hug Karo, then she hesitates. "Um, thanks for coming. And it's really good to see you."

Karolina Dean has posed:
    The closer the Firestar approaches, the less intense does the rainbow beacon become. Until finally, as Angelica starts to touch down, Karolina's shining aura just remains around her person. Then finally, it's fully suppressed and the night returns to being far, far less intensely bright and colorful.

    That smile, however, doesn't fade or falter in the slightest. "Hey!" she opens her arms in welcome but doesn't push it. Things may have been the slightest bit awkward before, with Karolina still finding herself too. "Um. Welcome back? Did you have a good flight? Flying feels amazing, right?" she can't hide her giddiness, not just happy to see the girl but happy to, in her mind, share one of the things they have in common.

    Still, she puts a little cap on her enthusiasm, and her smile goes from bright to more gentle. "...you been okay, hun?"

Angelica Jones has posed:
Confidence fades easily into uncertainty, even for redheads who look like they're on fire. Karo's smile helps, then the open arms. Ang's expression brightens and she takes a couple of slow steps into the offered embrace, settling tentatively.

Ang doesn't move for a couple of slow breaths, then a few more. She rocks back onto one heel, still at arms' length. "I am never taking the bus again." she declares. "Flying is just too... awesome!" Angelica's expression softens a little. She nods. Then again, with more certainty. "I've been... good. Real good."

Karolina Dean has posed:
    Confidence is sometimes a thin veneer, and Karolina certainly knows this as well as anyone. She's broken down to tears in front of Angelica before while still trying to be the strong team mom, after all. But the slow sinking into the hug is welcomed, and the blonde closes her eyes, giving an assuring, affectionate squeeze to the other woman. It lasts until Angelica leans back, and she releases the hold with the silent request.

    Then she laughs, clapping her hands together at the response, "Isn't it the best?! I save so much money on airfare!" Back to gushing, and still smiling, nodding happily. "I'm really, really glad to hear that. I um..." she turns to the side, rubbing her arm and keeping her hand clasped on her own wrist. "...I know how it can feel. When you're trying to figure out your stuff. Powers and. Other things. So. I'm really glad to hear you're doing well. And I'm happy I can share some of this excitement with you."

    She turns back and gives the redhead a lopsided smile, but it's ever so genuine and warm.

Angelica Jones has posed:
Angelica Jones smiles warmly at Karo's lopsided grin, and for some reason her cheeks darken. Yeah, it all comes back now. The awkwardness. The self-admission. She's come so far, and yet there is so far to go.

Ang steps forward again and hugs Karo more slowly this time. She relaxes with every breath, and holds it until she can feel the blonde relaxing as well.

"I think I'm pretty good on the Powers side, at least. The 'Other things' are still kind of a work in progress." A short pause and she just enjoys the hug. "I really do appreciate you being here, Karo. I think most of the others still remember me passing out after that energy flare."

Karolina Dean has posed:
    The hug when it returns is just as welcomed as the first. Karolina embraces the shorter woman, and she's so warm. Letting loose her 'star power' certainly ups her own body temperature, and it makes the cool night atop the Tower a bit more pleasant, especially when being this close to another.

    "Hey, don't... don't rush on that.. you know? It... took me years to figure it out. I um. Sorry you were seeing me when I was still in the middle of it..." she says with a quiet sigh, and sinks into the embrace all the more. "I'm really glad you reached out to me, though. I missed you. Not too many fiery Titans I can go flying with..." she laughs.

    "Well, aside from one, plus you now..." she muses. "...what brought you back? I'm sure everyone will give you as warm a welcome as I am, though! And if you pass out again, we'll be here to catch you, you know?"

Angelica Jones has posed:
Angelica Jones eases back only enough to make eye contact with Karo now, still holding loosely to the embrace. "Yeah, I know you will be." she replies. The redhead shrugs lightly, then. "What brought me back? I just... you know... After getting control of things, I would've felt like all that time was wasted if I didn't use my powers for good."

Ang laughs, then. "Okay that sounded corny, even to me. But you know what I mean. And besides, I've been hiding from myself long enough."

Karolina Dean has posed:
    The embrace almost slips, but when Angelica isn't pulling all the way back, 'Lina sustains it. She nods, then as Angelica laughs, she does too, giving that lopsided smile again. "Hey, hey... I do know what you mean. Deciding to use your powers is a great start. Deciding to use them for good is the next step," she says, nodding firmly.

    "Lots of bad examples out there of what not to do with the... weird magic superpowers a lot of us get. I mean. I didn't go looking for this. I just. I'm a frickin' alien!" she laughs again. "...but there's nowhere I'd rather be. And I'm glad you found yourself. And re-found us."

    There's a moment where her lips stay parted, and her breath hangs in the night air. "Re-found me. Listen if... there's anything I can do for you, anytime, just ask, okay? I can zip by and be a shoulder... or.. a 'let's watch a movie' friend. Whatever. SO long as I'm not studying for a midterm or something."

Angelica Jones has posed:
Angelica Jones smirks at the last, cocking her head a bit to the left. "Well I've got this nuclear physics exam coming up next week..." Then she gives Karo's arm a light squeeze and laughs. Her expression grows a little more serious, then.

"If I was evil, I could literally melt all the way through to the Earth's core or incinerate the atmosphere. But what would be the point in that? I mean, everybody loses, right?"

Levity returns with a smile and she draws a deep breath, exhaling slowly. "I'd like to watch a movie with you sometime, yeah." That's a good way to start, right? Nice and harmless.

Karolina Dean has posed:
    "That'd be no fun," Karolina pouts. "Who would you watch a movie with...? Or..." Her eyes brighten. "..hey. Do you. Do you know if you can go into space? Like... space space. You know. No air. Vacuum. Space." She nods up towards the stars. "..because... I can. I just. Can't go fast enough to breach the gravity well..." she still sounds excited.

    "And, yeah! A movie night! I can make us dinner, and you can come by my place. I've got a big comfy couch if you wanna crash, and it's top floor, so you can just land on the roof by my garden!" she hops a little. Her excitement is palpable. Having friends to do stuff with is always something that gets rainbow star girl going.

Angelica Jones has posed:
Angelica Jones squints at the mention of space, then shrugs. "You know, I'm not really sure. Never tried. Pretty sure I don't have the speed yet, either." Ang grins, then. "I mean I can't even break the sound barrier, much less reach escape velocity."

"So you're up for a movie night? Awesome! I don't think I've ever been to someone else's place, even, so this would be a first for me..." Her voice trails off, the grin becoming a little sheepish. "I'd like that." she adds, in a softer voice.

Karolina Dean has posed:
    "Maybe we should ask if someone can take us up in the T-Jet sometime?" Karolina asks, hopeful. "With... all of the proper safety precautions, of course. I don't.. um. I don't want to risk you -actually- getting hurt because of my stupid ideas..." she chews on her lower lip, suddenly looking concerned. Then her shoulders slump and she sighs, getting herself together.

    "Anyway... um. When? I... know you just got back but I can offer tonight. I mean. I was home when I got the call and stuff, and just... zoomed over..." she smiles, cheeks tinting. "But I can understand if you wanna head inside and get your room squared away and say hi to the others. I don't have class the rest of the week anyway and..." her shoulders lift in a shrug and she tosses her head from one side to the other. "Just a phone call away, kay?"