2383/A Talk About Power

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A Talk About Power
Date of Scene: 08 July 2020
Location: Oliver's Room
Synopsis: Vanessa shares with Oliver the results of testing her mutant power
Cast of Characters: Oliver Queen, Vanessa Carlysle




Oliver Queen has posed:
Late night at the mansion.

It's been a couple of days since Vanessa went to New York to meet up with April. To test her powers. Oliver kept up with her through the way of messages but he knew this was something personal that she had to brave on her own. The discovery of the powers that were hidden within her. And sure, he'd be here for support but .., some fights one just had to do on their own.

Doesn't mean that he didn't worry, and that normally meant he focused in every other problem he could actually get his hands on. Following the trail on the traffickers that had been staking a claim on the warehouse they wanted for Verdant. Making sure noone took on the void left by Yu Phun when he was defeated... And also finally finishing on a letter to send to someone on the Justice League. Old fashioned.., maybe.. But then again who he wanted to talk with was old fashioned so .., it fit.

He had just finished writing it up, sealing it inside an envelope when he hears there's someone arriving near the gates. A glance out the window and then he waits.

Vanessa Carlysle has posed:
The car pulls in and over to the steps up to the mansion, out of sight from the window. Sharp ears might catch the faint sounds of the doors opening and closing. Then later, footfalls coming down the hallway and taking the stairs up to Oliver's room.

"So I've got good news, and bad news," Vanessa's voice says, but as she comes into view, the woman's appearance is not that of Vanessa Carlysle. No, it appears to be April O'Neil, who Oliver has met on a few occasions now.

She walks into the room, wearing a pair of jeans and a black blouse that leaves her arms bare. She walks over to where Oliver is seated in the chair. She takes a seat leaning against the deck, giving him time to look over what appears to be April O'Neil. She gestures to herself to draw that gaze.

Oliver Queen has posed:
It's perhaps a good thing that most of the security guards have been dismissed after Yu Phun was taken down. Because he probably wouldn't hear the tail end of gossip if they were about when Vanessa-as-April stepped into the mansion in the middle of the night. As it is, not even Diggle was around.

Ollie wasn't exactly sure what to expect, or maybe -who- to expect entered through that door. Yet if he is surprised to see that face he shows nothing. Instead he reaches over to take the woman's hand. A reassuring gesture, one he is often prone to do.

"Tell me what happened." He then requests. "Seems we were right, you can copy a lot more than just memories." his blue gaze now settled on Vanessa's, studying her expression.

Vanessa Carlysle has posed:
The woman squeezes Oliver's hand back. "Yes. The good news, I was able to copy someone else. And to look like her," Vanessa-April says, looking down at her body, shorter and a bit more voluptuous than her own.

Vanessa lets out a sigh. "But the bad news? If you were hoping you'd get to spend your nights with this from now on because I'd get stuck like this? Afraid that's not going to be able to happen," she says, breaking out in a grin.

The woman's form changes before Oliver's eyes then. Morphing from April O'Neil, back into the appearance of Vanessa Carlysle that he's always known. She grins and moves over to straddle Oliver's lap as she sits, and then leans in to give him a quick kiss.

Oliver Queen has posed:
"Look like her or -be- her?" Ollie questions. The distinction was subtle, but it was there. And he figured by all means and purposes she'd be a perfect copy, down to the details. And sure, he's just a normal bloke but doesn't mean it comes as a shock, or something too outworldly considering the types he is used to deal with. He's an old fox afterall!

When Vanessa mentions bad news that's when Ollie quirks a brow. Worried? Maybe.. But then she starts with that and .., the grin settles it. Tease..

He grins in return when the appearance morphs from April-Vanessa to Vanessa. "Looks like your testing went better than expected." the kiss is certainly returned, his hands coming to rest easily upon her hips, keeping her to him. "Are you able to change back between you both now?"

Vanessa Carlysle has posed:
Vanessa lets the kiss linger. It was too long away from Oliver for her liking. But eventually their lips part so they can talk again. "Yes I can. And actually, changing my appearance doesn't seem to be tied to anything else. I can look like you, John Travolta, Helen Mirren, or the president," she tells Oliver.

She reaches up a hand to rest along his cheek. "I was able to pick up April's memories and skills though. But when I did I lost yours. The things I experienced or consciously remembered of yours, I still remember remembering them, if that makes sense. Like, I remember Superman. But only the few of your memories with him that were drawn up when meeting him. I can't pull up any of your other adventures with him," she says.

Oliver Queen has posed:
Even with the kiss being broken Ollie remains close, intimate, his arms brushing up along the woman's hips and to her back. "That's at the same time amazing and scary." he says of her being able to change at will between faces. Now there's a power! And indeed he does appear quite impressed. "So, how many faces have you tried so far..?" he then inquires with a smirk. He was assuming a few.

When Vanessa explains further on what happened he nods. And in a way he perhaps expected it. "So you are able to retain a few things. It's interesting, how about skills? We did train a lot at the cave, those lingered I suppose..?" but then he grins. "Though maybe now I can actually be the best archer around, mmm?"

"I still wonder if you are able to pick up actual powers though. I am believing so but.., only testing will do." A pause and then he finally asks. "How do you feel about it all?"

Vanessa Carlysle has posed:
Vanessa adds her other hand to touching Oliver's face affectionately. "I didn't go TOO overboard with it," she says with a soft laugh. "April wondered if I could turn into a coat hanger or a vending machine. But, I think it's probably best that I stick with people. For all I know I'd stop having a brain and that would be that. It also is different if I'm around the person. Like, I have no idea if I had anything right on John Travolta beyond his face and build. Birthmarks? No clue. You or April though, I can just feel what's right. Scars, freckles, everything."

Vanessa gets a considering look. "That's a good question about powers. I have no idea. And you are definitely the better archer, as if you weren't before. I am afraid I lost everything that came from you. I do think I picked up some from the training, and a few things I still remember. But the instincts and muscle memory are lacking I'd say. I won't know for sure until I give it a try though."

Oliver Queen has posed:
"A vending machine ..." Oliver echoes, a brow quirking in amusement. "I wonder if she wanted a personal one at her place.." he snorts, but in a good natured manner, shaking his head a bit to herself. And if Vanessa is a tease so can Oliver be. "Oh, so you know every little detail of April, is it?" a smirk, his hands squeezing her briefly and he settling back on the chair, relaxed. "I am supposing it was due to you having actually copied her memories and skills. It does make sense." Well, as much sense as powers actually do!

"Are you volunteering for some salmon ladder training then, is that it?" He asks, head canting to the side. "And here I was thinking I was the only one enjoying that thing." well, he does and noone can make him stop enjoying those workouts! "But yes, we should test and see what remains. And also how long it takes for you to recover someone's memories."

"If you want to continue using your powers that is. It will all be your choice."

Vanessa Carlysle has posed:
Vanessa looks thoughtful. "I do enjoy the salmon ladder, but mainly watching /you/ on it," she tells him with a soft laugh. She says more slowly then, "I didn't make any progress with April until I got into physical contact with her. And then it was... oh, 15 minutes and I was remembering where her locker was her freshman year in high school when I tried," she says.

Vanessa brushes her fingers over Oliver's cheek. "I thought maybe I should try first thing to get your memories back? See if touch is the important thing. Or, it could be it just took the time I was near April, sitting on the couch and her in the chair, before we tried contact. I don't know, what do you think?"

Oliver Queen has posed:
"That must be why you were hanging so often at the arrowcave then.." Ollie states, that amused brow continuing up. His hands trail up the woman's back, then over to those arms, resting on them in a light manner, large hands around the biceps, thumb doing small circular motions on her skin. "Probably means you can't just pick someone's skills on the fly. Or could be a question of practice."

Yet her suggestion is met with an affirmative nod. "Yes, we can see if you can recover my own skills. And from what you are saying I believe touching is needed. Specially if you felt no progress before it."

He lets out a brief sigh. "I missed you."

Vanessa Carlysle has posed:
Vanessa leans forward, pressing in close and hugging herself to Oliver as she nuzzles her face against his. "I missed you too," she tells him. "Something we haven't really talked about before with this? I kept picking up your new memories. Not just older things, but I'd know what you ate at work the day before if I thought about it," she tells him. "And... well, feeling how you feel about me? Is such a beautiful thing. I wish I could let you experience that, how I feel about you. So I'll just have to let you know the old fashioned way," she says, holding herself against him.

Vanessa closes her eyes and just basks in being together with the man she loves. Feeling things she never thought she was capable of feeling for someone. Her fingers tease up into his hair. "With April I just rested my hand on her shoulder and neck while I leaned against her. This is more fun," she says with a grin.

Oliver Queen has posed:
That makes Ollie consider, lips pressed together. "Mmmm..." very eloquent! "It could be due to our continued touching every day." he then teases, a brow again quirking. "Though it's something to explore I feel. There's a lot we still don't know about what you can do."

When Vanessa tells him about knowing how he feels that brings a gruff laugh out of him. "Good that you are able to know without me being able to show it then." a grin. "Means I can brood all the time with no problem." yet it doesn't seem as if he minds the old fashioned way of demonstrating affection at -all-. His lips find hers when she brings herself closer to him, just a quiet, intimate kiss as they share some time together in their room under the watchful eye of the monster teddy by the corner.

"Was she scared of you knowing her secrets? Or well, I do suppose you don't gain instant knowledge about everything she knows so ... But still, I can imagine her reaction when you turned to be just like her."

Vanessa Carlysle has posed:
A little time is spent kissing and nuzzling before Vanessa answers the question. "She knew it was me, at the warehouse, by the way. I did my best to make Green Arrow and you seem to be different people I'd copied. But, she's got a good brain. If she realizes I can only copy one person at a time she'll probably figure that out," Vanessa says with a sigh. "I didn't realize it was going to be like that, but I didn't let on I'd lost the other memories."

She gives a little shake of her head. "She was pretty calm and ok about it, really. I did tell her I don't just know everything consciously. Like anyone's normal memory either I have to think about it, or have something happen that calls it up. And I tried to avoid thinking of stuff. There was a boyfriend associated with the 9th grade locker she told me not to think about too much!" she says with a laugh.

Oliver Queen has posed:
"Did she..." A nod is given. Perhaps expected. "Well, she's a reporter, and yes, good brain." Oliver considers for a few moments and then questions. "Do you think it'd be a problem if she found out? You did say she is used to keeping secrets." yet for someone like Ollie the secret does mean a lot. Family, the people he cares about and even those others that work with him could be in jeopardy if it became a known thing.

Yet he takes in a deep breath and then exhales, back to his calmness.. And the nuzzling and kissing does help too, remaining close. "Ooo, sounds like gossip." he laughing along with Vanessa when that 9th grade boyfriend is mentioned. Though eventually his demeanor does grow more serious.

"We will need to be careful. It's like what we spoke with Clint and Dr. Simmons. Many people, and most not the good type, would like to get a hand on a power like yours."

Vanessa Carlysle has posed:
Vanessa doesn't need time to think about it to say, "I trust April would keep it quiet. She's in the media, but she understands how things are in a situation like this. The people who could be at risk. She might take a risk herself, but I don't think she'd risk other people like that." Vanessa gives a little shake of her head.

She rests her head against Oliver's, forehead to forehead. "Yes, definitely careful. Getting memories and skills was enough. Being able to impersonate someone though? Even down to their voice and then throw in the memories? SHIELD would probably send me to spy school," she says with a shake of her head.

"Sometimes this just... is all a little hard to believe it's my life now," she says in a wry tone. "I don't know if I could copy a power or not. I don't really know people with powers to even know how to test it," she says.

Oliver Queen has posed:
"Might come a time in which we may want to come clean about it but ..., we have time to consider it." And Oliver seems to tuck that neatly away for the moment, his focus going back to Vanessa and the perils of her powers. Foreheads rest together and he closes his eyes, "SHIELD ..." he echoes, muttering quietly to himself. To a vigilante like him it wasn't exactly the kind of org he saw eye to eye with. Even if he understood their purpose.. "Well, we will keep things under wraps. Clint said nothing about our passage ringing any bells so.., we should be ok there. As for powers.., maybe I can help."

Eyes re-open and he grins. "I still got a few contacts around afterall. And I was just thinking on picking up a few with the Justice League so we should be able to eventually test. Though perhaps we should try not to begin by testing it on Kal, mmm?" a wink given.

Vanessa Carlysle has posed:
Vanessa nods at the comment about SHIELD. "Clint's a good man," she says without thinking, and then pauses a moment as she realizes her assurance on that point is back to being stronger than her own memories would dictate.

"The letter you just wrote. Ahhhh... think of other things. Pizza with April and the train ride back," she says. "Sorry, trying to not pry. But I remember writing the letter there," she says. "Your memories are coming back already, including ones from today. Wow, that was a big breakfast!" she says of what he had this morning.

"So either the contact is necessary, or greatly speeds it up, I think," she says. She lets out a laugh then. "Don't want me zooming around like... ok, Supergirl is his cousin," she says, before trying to stop herself from thinking too much more on the matter. "She does have a great costume though!"

Oliver Queen has posed:
As Vanessa starts going on with apparently having recovered those memories Oliver sounds amused. "That was quick..., unfortunately." can't blame the man from liking their close contact with each other! A glance to the letter and then back. "It's to Diana." he explains. And while there are -many- Dianas it becomes evident which one exactly it is with just the minimum pry at his memories. "It has been long due that we meet again. From the original gang I believe she's the one I haven't seen in .., over a year now."

A laugh is then shared. "I don't want a certain someone wrecking my arrowcave testing out her superstrength." a grin and he leans in, placing a kiss atop the young woman's nose.

Vanessa Carlysle has posed:
Vanessa grins at the kiss to her nose, reaching up to gently cup Oliver's cheek. She pauses for a moment in thought. "I don't think everything is there yet," she says. "The island, the memories aren't there. I remember of it, the ones I consciously thought of. But I can't recall anything I didn't remember from before," she says. "So maybe I pick up a bit at a time," she says. "I'll try concentrating on it."

She closes her eyes for a moment, but then opens them as if deciding she can concentrate while looking just as easily. "So, Diana. From what the mention of her makes me feel, she seems like someone very trustworthy. Though, there's that whole, super strength thing I suppose?"

She lets out a sigh. "I'm still a bit freaked about Mr. Wayne, truth be told," she says. "That was a very unexpected set of memories."

Oliver Queen has posed:
Oliver waits patiently while Vanessa focuses and looks around those memories. A nod at her conclusion on Diana. "Superstrength might be putting it lightly. But yes, a good assessment. She's the type that you always want by your side on a fight. Like Kal you know she will be doing the right thing, or at least the best she can on any given situation."

"And oh, Bruce? You were seeing his party face. It's a very different man when the cowl is on. I suppose the same is true with me." His shoulders rising up briefly. "Those things are bound to happen as you meet up more with people of my past, and present. Just be careful that you don't reveal too much to the wrong person. I do have my share of enemies." a small frown coming up to her features. "Like the one you met at that clothes store once. Slade Wilson." his jaw tightens. Clearly there's quite the untold story between those two.