Note: Please be patient with this story.  It's very long, and had to be broken up into parts - so at first, it seems like it's not really moving.  But it will get somewhere!
Adventures in Parodyverse:  Choices Part 1


    Hatman nearly walked past the Lair Mansion Lounge on the way to his office.  He just got back from an exhausting meeting with city officials, and was looking forward to clearing out his inbox and email, and taking a break.  He had already removed his baseball cap and tee-shirt, and was carrying both.

    Sitting alone in the lounge, facing away from the door and watching the big screen television, was Lara Night.  Only she was dressed unusually, at least from what he was used to.  He usually saw her in her super-hero costume, or dressed in very casual and light clothing - such as tee-shirts, sneakers, and jeans.

    This time, however, she was dressed in a knee-length black skirt with a small slit in the side, giving him a peek of one of her legs, along with short heeled leather boots and a nice white blouse.

    His curiosity overwhelmed him.  He couldn’t help but wonder why she was dressed that way, and just sitting there watching TV.  So he entered the room to ask.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“What’s going on?”  Jay asked.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Hmm?”  Lara turned around and gave him a questioning look.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I mean...you’re dressed like that--”  he pointed, but said nothing more.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Oh!”  She chuckled at the thought that she didn’t know what he meant.  “Um...I thought I might go somewhere nice for dinner.  By the time I got changed though...I dunno, I’m not sure I feel like it now.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Are you celebrating something?”  he asked.

    Lara shrugged and with a slight smile, cryptically replied, “You could say that.  Have you ever heard the saying that it’s rare to get a second chance at a first impression?”


---


    She was dressed much the same way nearly an hour ago, only then it was an attempt to impress someone.  Not with her - that, she believed, was too late, after a wasted first impression.  Instead, she meant to impress someone by projecting a much more serious perception.

    Lisa, formerly of the Lair Legion, was the one who cleared the way for the meeting.  Lara wasn’t sure why it was set up in the first place, but since Lisa did her a favor setting up the last one, she figured it was only fair to go along.

    The Hall of Stories was represented by what looked like a large, round, Greek style temple made of smooth, shiny marble floors and tall columns.  Distant stars were visible above, and black nothingness between the columns.

    Lara appeared near the center, and spun around slowly to take in the view.  As she completed her circle, there was a chair next to her.  She nearly bumped into it, and then sat down.

    As usual, the Chronicler of Stories appeared out of nowhere, dressed in a nicely tailored business suit.  He wore a stern expression, and he didn’t speak.  Apparently he knew the purpose of her visit, and didn’t agree to it so much as he was bullied into it by Lisa.  He didn’t look happy.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I dressed up a bit.”  she began with.  “I thought since you’re the ultimate authority here it’s like being in front of a judge--”  She cut herself off when she realized her small talk wasn’t impressing him.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I still think you don’t belong here.”  he said plainly.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I know.”  Lara sighed, and lost what little nervous smile she had already.  This time, his stubbornness and rudeness made her sad, rather than angry.  

    She shifted uncomfortably and said, “Look...maybe I didn’t agree with what you were doing.  But I could have handled it better.  I could have come here with a cool head, and offered help, instead of coming here and biting your head off.”

    The Chronicler raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms, but didn’t respond.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“We probably won’t be best of friends,”  she added as she stood up, “But it would be a mistake to leave myself in a position where you might just make it your mission to get rid of me.  Hell, you might need me someday, or I might need you.  Us outright hating each other is just...wrong.  At least we should be able to tolerate each other.”

    Lara watched his reaction carefully.  He stood perfectly still, back straight, arms crossed, staring at her.  She almost wasn’t sure if he heard her, or if he was ignoring her.  Finally, she got a response.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“You have a good grasp of reality, at least.”  he said coldly.

    She felt immediately discouraged, and almost opened her mouth to reply.  But she stopped herself, as she sensed he had more to say.

    He took a deep breath, and said, “You’re right.  I don’t have to like you.  But if you’re willing to listen before you speak...Yeah, maybe we can tolerate each other.”

    Lara gave him a warm smile as she rose out of the chair.  “That’s all I ask.”  she said.  “Thank you for seeing me.  I’ll leave you to your work now.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Mmmhmm.”  the Chronicler said dismissively.  “I’ll be testing you soon, Lara.  We’ll see if you live up to your words.”

    True to her word, Lara didn’t bother to reply to that.  She just left quietly.


---


    Ã¢â‚¬Å“And I just got back, I didn’t stop to change.”  Lara finished her story, telling it to Jay Boaz.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“You really get around, don’t you?”  he replied with a laugh.

    She shrugged, and laughed too.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Did you have dinner yet?”  Jay asked her.

    She shook her head.  “Not yet, I was thinking about it though.  Want some company?”

    Lara caught the surprised look on Jay’s face.  She chuckled when she realized what he must have been thinking - and she quickly gave an appropriate adjustment.  “It’s not a date, it’s just dinner.  We just eat and talk.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Oh.”  Jay said, unintentionally sounding relieved.  “Yeah, okay.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“You were worried Dream put me up to something, weren’t you?”  she asked.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“A little.”  he admitted.  “He keeps trying to fix me up on dates, and I know you and him talk a lot.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Well--”  she said as she stood and straightened out her skirt, “--you told me I’m not your type.”  She shrugged slightly.  “I believed you when you told me that.”

    Jay was finally convinced.  “Give me a minute to change, and I’ll meet you back here.”


---


    Both of them being somewhat famous, Jay took Lara to a local restaurant which served a mixture of Italian, French, Mediterranean foods.  It was only marginally trendy, but it was a favorite among those seeked by the public because it had semi private booths rather than open tables.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“To be truthful, Dream was going to set you up on a date tonight.”  Lara said after they placed their orders.  “I told him not to, because I was taking you out.”

    Jay laughed, trying to imagine the earful Lara must have gotten over that one, as Dream’s imagination no doubt started to run away with the situation.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I guess you know what he said after that.”  she giggled.

    He nodded.  “Thanks for taking that bullet for me.  Too bad it’ll only work once, or Dream will get suspicious you’re just trying to keep him from fixing me up.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Yeah.”  Lara agreed softly.  “You know, Dream took me here once.  Except he was hurling bread sticks at other tables like missiles.  We were nearly kicked out.  He said he had to do it because everyone looked so sour and bored.”

    Jay chuckled again, “He does those things and it’s really embarrassing.  But then later on I look back and it’s actually kind of funny.  I kind of understand why he does it.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“For the memories.”  Lara agreed.  “As weird as some of them are, I never really forget anywhere I’ve been with Dream.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Mmmhmm.”  Jay replied.  He didn’t ask if the most obvious encounter was easy to remember.

    The wine was delivered, and Jay then changed the subject.  He asked something he was curious about for a while.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“So what do you think of the Lair Legion?”  he asked.

    She smiled.  “It’s really cool.”  she said.  “I wish there was something like that back home.  All they have are lots of smaller competing groups that don’t really cooperate.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Would you want to be a part of something like the Lair Legion?”  he asked.  Then he backpedaled a bit.  “I mean, you’ve done pretty well on your own.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I...I’m not sure.”  she replied distantly.  “I guess...I feel like you’re the guardians of this universe, and I’m a guardian of mine.  If I joined something permanent here...it would feel like I’m interfering too much.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I don’t know, someone like you could really fill in some of the gaps we have.”  he said.

    Lara scoffed at that.  “Pfft.  You guys are awesome together.  When I do work with you I feel like everyone’s tripping over me.  Like, get the hell out of the way Lara, we’re working here.”  she laughed.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Every time I’ve worked with you, you’ve been great backup.”  Jay noted.  “Maybe your power’s a little overwhelming sometimes, but it’s nice working with someone who can hold their own.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“You’ve got the Carnifex.”  she pointed out.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“He’s great and all, but he’s not reliable.  Too often he’s off on his own mission somewhere.  And...I suspect maybe he’s too powerful.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Yeah.  I suspect that too.”  she replied cryptically.

    By that time they were getting close to the end of their meal.  After a short yet good natured argument over the check, they decided to depart.

    They then decided to take a cab only part of the way, and walk across the causeway to the Lair Mansion.  Neither of them saw a tall figure watching them as they crossed.


---


    It was windy, and a little cool, but not cold.  Jay pointed out that if he would have a jacket, he would offer one, but she laughed and said she didn’t need one.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“My relationship experience pretty much consists of a guy named Chuck who I lived with for a year and a half, and that one incident with Dream.”  Lara answered Jay’s next random yet vague question eagerly.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“So I have much a longer relationship history than you.”  Jay noted.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I suppose.”  Lara agreed with a shrug.  “But I guess since I was nearly married, we might be just about even.”  Then with a laugh, “Why do you think I’m so comfortable around guys?”

    They two of them quietly crossed through the gates of the Lair Mansion, and up the few steps to the front door.  Both of them breathed a sigh of relief once they were in the main hall and out of the oceanic wind.

    Being the chivalrous type, Jay didn’t stop there.  He walked Lara all the way back to her room.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“You can come in for a sec.”  she encouraged him as she unlocked the door.  He seemed to hesitate, so she took his hand and led him through the doorway.  She closed the door behind him.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“So did I do okay, having dinner with you?  I was a little nervous I’d say something stupid and freak you out or something.”  She kicked her shoes off under a vanity table as she spoke.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“You did fine.”  Jay answered plainly.  He looked around the room - it was fairly plain.  Aside from the bag full of stuff Lara brought with her, she didn’t do much to personalize the room.

    And she noticed him looking around.  “I didn’t think I’d be staying in this room forever.  You know, with the mansion being rearranged all the time.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Oh.”  he replied.  That actually made sense.

    Lara approached him, and stopped directly in front of him.  She smiled encouragingly, held one of his hands gently, and asked, “What are you so uneasy about?”

    Jay’s hand fidgeted a little as Lara’s held it.  He sheepishly replied, “Well...we went to dinner...went for a walk.  And now we’re in your room.  I...guess I was wondering about your intentions.”

    The blonde looked genuinely surprised at that.  Her smile disappeared, as Jay deserved a serious answer.  “Jay, I know you made that promise to yourself to lay off sex until you’re married.  What kind of friend would I be if I tried to seduce you, huh?  Or if I didn’t make sure you keep that promise?”

    Jay finally smiled, and seemed a little more at ease.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“What I’d like to do, Jay, is make you as comfortable around me as Dream is.  But that’s a long road...I understand it’s something earned, not given.”

    Lara was surprised again as Jay suddenly gave her a quick but unexpected friendly hug.  He whispered in her ear, “What you just said went a long way toward that, Lara.  Helping me keep that promise...is one of the nicest things you could do for me.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Um...thanks.”  Lara blushed slightly as Jay let her go.  “And thanks for dinner, too.  I really enjoyed it.  Especially the company.”

    Jay quickly offered, “I like to go for walks sometimes in the morning after breakfast.  You’re welcome to join me if you like.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Sure.”  she agreed with a nod, and she followed him to the door as he headed toward it.  “Later, then.”  she said.  “Good night.”


---


    It was about an hour later when Jay Boaz was sitting outside in the wind.  He was in a railing protected balcony on the third floor of the Lair Mansion, overlooking the bay, his feet dangling through the bars like he was in a prison.  He had a bottle of beer beside him, but he hadn’t yet opened it.

    He felt a little like he was in a prison.  His life was good enough, but he wished it was better...he was lonely.  His time with Lara, though she was not really his type, reminded him of 

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Beautiful view, isn’t it?”  a vaguely familiar voice observed.

    Jay looked up, and saw something that made him freeze, and ice water flow in his veins.  Not because it was frightening, but because it was so unusual that he contemplated opening that beer.

    It was a woman in matching black jeans and shirt, and black slipper shoes.  That wasn’t the familiar part, however - she also had long silver hair that looked like it held the twinkling of stars, and pale sparkling skin that contrasted sharply with the clothing.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Are you...?”  he started to ask.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Yes.”  she replied almost curtly.  “You remember me.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“What’s with...?”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“The clothing?”  she guessed.  Then she smiled, which was rare when she talked to a mortal.  “People can see us.  I think my usual charcoal robes might attract quite a bit more attention.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I didn’t know you were so...I mean, under those robes--”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I don’t age.”  she explained.  “Or more accurately, I can appear whatever age...and build...I please.  Even more to the point...whatever age and build you please.” 

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“You’re appearing like this for me...?”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Because I know you enjoy it, albeit secretly in that guilty mind slightly warped by superstition.”  She sat down finally, in a similar manner to Jay - her legs through the bars of the railing.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I don’t mean that to be insulting, of course.”  she apologized.  “It’s important to have beliefs.  However, I’ve never understood why people choose ones that defy nature.”

    Jay was curious about that one.  “What do you mean by defy nature, Faite?”

    She leaned back, placing her palms on the deck to brace herself.  “Just what you think I mean.  You’ve pinned the blame for your relationship troubles on premarital sex.”  She noted his shocked reaction, and then added, “Yes, I know about that.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Then you also know why I chose to do that.”  Jay pointed out.

    Faite nodded.  “I understand it, too.  You realized that you were having sex for the pleasure of it, and not to bring yourself closer to your partner.  You had it all backwards.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Do you...have any advice?”  Jay asked quietly.  “Since you’re so experienced?”  It was partly a real question, and partly a challenge.

    She laughed, almost like a playful giggle.  “It’s the journey that’s important, Jay, not the answer.  Anyway, that’s not really what I came here to talk to you about, though it is similar in topic.  I’m here to offer you a choice.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“This isn’t like a Hooded Hood kind of choice, is it?”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“No.”  Faite replied.  “There are consequences, I will be quite honest.  However, unlike the Hooded Hood, the consequences will be entirely expected.”

    Jay was cautiously curious.  “So what’s the choice?”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I can take your Serious Matter.”  Faite calmly offered.  “You will have to give up your life as a super-hero.  But you may start over as a civilian.  Find that perfect woman, raise that family you always wanted, in peace.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Will...I have to give up my friends?”  he asked meekly.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“No.”  Faite replied.  “They will know you’ve lost your powers.  No more paperwork, no more hats.  You will be a former super-hero.  Like Visionary, only with more prestige.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“What if my former enemies come after me?  How will I protect myself?”

    Faite smiled.  “You have powerful friends and allies now, Jay.  You have no need to worry.  Nothing to fear.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Why are you offering this to me?”  Jay asked.  “This isn’t some game, is it?”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“No.  It’s no game.”  Faite pulled her legs free from the railing, and kneeled closer to Jay.  

    He could feel that she was warm, and gave off some sort of eerie energy.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“The Hooded Hood will offer you the same choice, Jay, only he will wait until things for you are dire, and painful.  And he will set a very high price.  This is your chance to get out from under that pressure...to be free.”

    Jay thought again for a minute, before asking sadly, “Why are you doing this to me?”

    Her smile faded into a frown, and she said, “Because I care about you, Jay.  There will come a time soon when the Lair Legion will be hunted, and you first and foremost.  If you fight it, I fear you will be the first to die.  The Hooded Hood doesn’t want you to die...so he will use that for his own means.  Me, I only want to see you survive, and live happily...even if it means the end of Serious Matter.”

    There was a long pause while Jay processed what he had just been told.  He looked downward, like his mind was filled with conflict.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“You don’t have to decide now.”  Faite whispered to him as she moved closer.  “You will know the time is coming when you will have to choose.  I just want you to know that I can take the Serious Matter from you, and end your worry and suffering.”

    She stood then, and said, “I see the hurt in your heart, Jay.  The loneliness, and the worry.  I wish to ease it if I can.  I know everything that is in your heart.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“How do I call you if...if I need...?”  he started to ask, rising to his feet quickly.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“When you truly need me,”  she replied, “I will be there.”

    And just like that, Faite disappeared into a dark mist.


TO BE CONTINUED

    
-- Story written and copyrighted (C) 2009 by Jason Froikin, and may not be 
--    reprinted without permission.  
-- Yuki Shiro designed by Jason Froikin, based on designs by Masamune Shirow
--  Liu Xi Xian and the Psychic Samurai are original design by Jason Froikin
--  Lara Night is an original creation by Jason Froikin