Chapter 73: Navigator(3/3)
A hostess blinked in surprise at their arrival and asked if they had reservations. If they didn't the wait would be about ten or so minutes but Lash said they had people here already. He pointed to the back at a tall black man, and short red head who was waving at them with a huge grin on her face. The hostess smiled wide and said they could go ahead.
J'onn's human shape was a 6'2” black man wearing dress shoes, black suit pants, buttoned up gray suit shit, black suit jacket. He had a Detroit city police badge on his hip, and a 9 mm under his coat. His amber colored eyes looked at them approach and he smiled wide. He stood up to greet them, along with M'ghan.
M'ghan's human shape was a 5'10” pale skinned woman with red hair that went just past her jaw line, with a girl next door appearance. Modest proportions that didn't draw the eye, but would think she was pretty if you looked at her. She had white tennis shoes on, blue jeans, a cotton white turtle neck sweater on. She bounced up and down as they came over.
“John, Meghan good to see you. This is Kara Zor-El, and Koriand'r” Lash introduced his companions after he placed an obstruction glamour around them.
“We are very pleased to meet you both! We've been looking forward to having a conversation with our fellow off worlders. Please take a seat, Bryson the owner will be serving us. He is aware of Meghan, and my identity. All he knows is that we are having a meal with fellow heroes of the world.”
“Hi! I am very pleased to meet you!” Meghan all but shouted, but clapped a hand over her mouth suddenly shy. Kory all but swallowed the girl in a hug!
They all took their seats at the table and started to talk about their own cultures, civilizations, and the struggle of adapting to a new way of life. They easily communicated and didn't feel that awkward pause between new people. Lash did notice something peculiar. Meghan's breast size had increased. Lash laughed a bit when he noticed but kept it to himself. Kara, and Kory especially were gorgeous. Miss Martian being a shape shifter easily changed her appearance to keep up with them.
After about twenty minutes an older man walked up to their table along with a young woman. They both had the restaurants logo on their shirts, along with aprons. J'onn stood up to hug the older man, and Meghan hugged the young woman. The man was Bryson, he was 6' even and was a bear of a man! Despite his age he kept in shape, his hands, forearms, and face had a variety of scars. He had deep brown eyes that told anyone looking at him to not cause trouble. With the typical salt and pepper brown hair in a high and tight military style hair cut.
The young woman next to him was his daughter! He had married after he retired. She was in her early twenties at 5'8” with brown hair tied back into a braid down the middle of her back. Green eyes, on her mothers side, along with a strong figure. Modest proportions in the uniform she wore, but the way she moved showed that she trained in a gym, or a dojo during her time off. Melanie was her name.
“So! I know John, and Meghan. Don't feel pressure to tell me the score I understand the whole thing...” Bryson started to say until Lash created a obstruction sight, and sound glamour. He raised his right hand up and the skin peel back to reveal dark green metallic scales, and the shroud of smoke and shadow started to flow from his scales.
“Ohhhhh! Shit! A celebrity we have in our house! Welcome!” Bryson held out his hand and didn't flinch when Lash shook it with his transformed hand. Melanie stepped forward and hugged Lash which surprised him.
“Sorry! I... Thank you...For stopping the war, or helping to stop the war... I...Sorry.” Melanie said as she blushed and hid behind her father. Bryson laughed out loud at the sight of his daughter being shy. Out of curiosity Lash cast Insight on them both.
Name: Bryson, Iron Hammer.
Title: Iron Knight.
Origin: Mundane.
Rank: F-
Skills: Hand to Hand Combat, Gadgetry, Engineering, (See tool tip)
Power: N/A
Domain: N/A
Racial Trait: N/A
Disposition: Friendly.
Comment: Bryson is a hero from days long past when such things were thought to be a myth. To this day people still think Iron Hammer was a urban myth. But a few know the truth. He is more than happy to mentor the next generation be it by lending an ear, or a few words of encouragement. But! His fighting days are over.
Name: Melanie.
Title: Iron Squire.
Origin: Meta-Gene.
Rank: F-
Skills: Hand to Hand Combat, Gadgetry, Dancing, (See tool tip)
Power: Metal Manipulation, Limited Telekinesis, Metal Sensory Perception.
Domain: N/A
Racial Trait: Minor Night Vision.
Disposition: Friendly
Comment: Melanie is Bryson's little princess. She loves her father but sometimes she wants to kill him for being so over protective. She has read a lot of stories about the Justice League and hopes secretly that she can join them in the future.
Melanie's information surprised Lash greatly. She was an active meta-human but it seemed that Bryson didn't know. Erik the gamer had never heard of Melanie, but that isn't surprising just because there is no press on them doesn't mean they didn't exist. Lash decided to shelve the information about Melanie for now. They ordered nearly all of the menu, along with the drinks. After some time and a lot more talking between the Martians the food and drinks arrived.
Kara, and Kory understood once again that not everyone can cook like Lash. But they still enjoyed the food, drink, and company. Bryson and Melanie didn't continue working but sat down to talk about this and that once they realized that Lash could create a barrier around them. Bryson talked about his old adventures in his area. He didn't work all of Detroit just a small part of it. He didn't have powers, just his head, and the will to do more. That in it self was impressive. Bryson had been shot multiple times, stabbed, bones broken, he was color blind in one eyes, and almost deaf in one of his ears. Once Bryson finished his list of injuries Lash flashed him a smile and cast Nature's Kiss, Panacea, and Return Youth to the old hero.
After several bones that had snapped back into place, and Bryson's attempt to not scream in agony. He felt amazing! He announced to the whole room that the next two drinks were on the house! Everyone cheered, all be it in confusion but not one to look the gift horse in the mouth. The lunch hour turned into happy hour. Bryson brought over his wife, Melinda.
Melinda was 5'10” with sparkling green eyes, red hair that was braided and went down her back. She like her daughter had modest proportions but clearly trained at a gym, and martial arts dojo. She wore a combination of business, and restaurant cloths as she had been in the back working the numbers and rushed out when her husband shouted drinks on the house!? When she realized who Lash was she hugged him just her daughter had, and thanked him for helping stop the war.
Name: Melinda, Night Cat.
Title: Prowler.
Origin: Mundane. Sub-Origin: Magical
Rank: F-
Skills: Hand to Hand Combat, Basic Weapons, Martial Arts (See tool tip)
Power: N/A
Domain: N/A
Racial Trait: Minor Night Vision.
Disposition: Friendly.
Comment: Night Cat was another small time hero that worked in Detroit. She got even less press than Iron Hammer did. She has a minuscule amount of magic in her veins from a practitioner long ago that gave her an edge in her crime fighting.
Lash was again surprised by the information. He discreetly pulled Melinda aside and handed her his black credit card and told her to charge him for all of it he could afford it. Lash also cast Nature's Kiss, Panacea, and Return Youth on Melinda. She like Bryson tried to not scream in agony as several bones that didn't heal right popped back into place. But she ended up kissing his cheek, taking his credit card and went back to charge money to the card. She returned a few minutes later with the card and a look of astonishment. The credit card didn't have a limit.
From lunch to dinner people showed up at the restaurant to find it full of food, drink, and joy. Food you didn't have to pay for was consumed with cheer. A few more local heroes that never made the news paper showed up to say hi. Turned out Detroit had a lot of unsung heroes. Once Bryson gave the OK Lash cast the same magic on all of them as well. Especially an old timer that got a brand new leg out of it.
When the old man started dancing around the bar with his new leg people looked around confused. What? How? After that Lash put on his Wraith disguise and appeared in the restaurant. That made all the mundane humans gasp in surprise! Lash did raise a simple question to Bryson about the possibility of reprisal not everyone like Wraith. He laughed and said, 'Let them try!' Soon the restaurant was filled to the brim. Wraith started to cook for people outside the restaurant which drew in more and more people. A live band showed up at some point, the drummer was one of the retired heroes that Wraith had healed. An improve night filled with food and music happened.
It was fast approaching three o'clock in the morning by the time the crowd dispersed. Lash made sure that Melinda charged him for all the expenses, J'onn assured Bryson that the Detroit police department wouldn't arrest him for breaking any laws. Lash had changed back into a another human shape and helped clean up. Any one who showed up asking about Wraith they were told he went back to his hotel. But he was staying in Detroit for a few days. Lash approached Melanie who was half asleep, but she jumped to attention when she noticed him.
“Hmmmm...Y-Yes!” Melanie said, clearly exhausted but a happy smile on her face.
“Have you told your family about your powers awakening yet?” Lash asked, and Melanie froze in place, her eyes went wide.
“I...I....I..” Melanie opened and closed her mouth several times, not sure what to say.
“I won't say anything. But I am sure that J'onn would be more than happy to help train you if you ever decide to step into your families heritage.” Lash patted her on the shoulder and went to continue cleaning up.
Meghan was talking to Kory, and Kara about something. She was clearly happy, and excited about the subject. They all turned at the same time to look at Lash who froze like a deer caught in the headlights. Meghan went to her Uncle J'onn who spoke to her through telepathy since their mouths didn't move. J'onn blinked, thought about it for a moment then walked over to speak to Lash.
“Yes, she can come if she wants. We only have a few cities left but with your permission I think it will do her some good.” Lash said to J'onn before he even opened his mouth. He grinned at Lash and turned to Meghan and nodded. She let out a happy squeal and practically pounced on Lash.
“THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!” Meghan shouted.
Lash had acquired another companion on their tour. Should be fun!