Weeks had passed, and Denali felt more at ease. She hadn't encountered any other members of the group, mostly fighting off petty criminals with the occasional villain. Nothing particularly challenging for her, which was a relief as her college courses had begun to get more complex. She sat on the couch, her laptop on the coffee table in front of her, with her textbook open to the side. She groaned, rubbing her temples as Jackie entered the room. "Are you doing alright?" Jackie hummed, grabbing her scarf from the hook. "Yeah," she groaned, "this lesson is just kicking my ass right now."
"Aw, I'm sorry! Maybe you'd want to join Jan and me for lunch? Jan has been dying to see you, you know." Jackie patted her shoulder, giving Denali pleading eyes. "Okay, maybe a break will help." Denali smiled at Jackie, and when Denali had gathered her items, the two set off from their apartment.
Jackie led Denali down the familiar busy streets of New York, she waved to the local vendors she recognized, and she even caught a glimpse of Joey leaving the rink. Soon, the familiar streets morphed into unfamiliar ones, and she stuck closer to Jackie. The buildings became taller and more polished.
"Okay, this is it! I just have to text Jan!" Jackie stopped them in front of a building identical to those around it. It was a giant skyscraper, "Holy shit," Denali exhaled, "are they rich or something?" Jackie nodded, "Yup. Just wait until you see the apartment."
Seconds later, they heard a squeal as Jan popped out of the building. "Jackie! Denali!" She hugged Denali first and kissed Jackie. "Come up, I'm so excited that you're here!" Jan opened the door for them, leading them inside. The lobby was white and pristine, expensive paintings hung all over, and men in suits walked past the three as they made their way towards the elevators.
"It's so nice to see you again, Denali! We've all been dying to see you!" Jan gushed, "Well, I missed you guys too. I'm excited to see Lagoona again- is she here?" Denali saw Jan grimace a little bit, before recovering. "She is, but she said she was feeling a bit under the weather. You should be able to see her at some point, though!" Jan returned to her cheery demeanor.
With a ding, they had reached the 15th floor. The doors opened to reveal two doors on opposite walls. Jan took the lead and led them to the left side, taking out a bright purple keychain and unlocking the door. "Here we are!" Jan cheered.
Denali stepped into the room, and her jaw dropped. The place was so large and spacious, incredibly different from her and Jackie's own cramped apartment. "Right? That's how I reacted, too." Jackie whispered. "Rosie is...well, I'm not sure, but she's here somewhere! I'm gonna go check on 'Goona, be back in a second!" Jan explained to the girls, before making her way down a hallway, disappearing around a corner.
"It's so...big." Denali exhaled, running her fingers along the long dining table. "Oh, don't you know? They come from a big superhero family. Their mom is Kizha Carr." Jackie piped up.
"Are you serious? Kizha Carr? Like...Kizha Carr aka Supersonic who sliced crime in half? My childhood hero? That Kizha Carr?"
"Yeah, the same one!"
Denali could not drop her jaw anymore if she tried. "Holy shit." She gasped. She had loved Kizha as a kid, in fact, she still loved her just as much. Back in Alaska, Denali would often rewatch videos of interviews featuring or about Kizha. She was one of the country's top superheroes, and crime in New York hit an all-time low when she was there. Denali always dreamed she would get to meet her, but she retired once she had her first child, who she now knew, ironically.
Looking around the room, she saw a picture of Kizha and her three daughters- obviously taken some time ago, as it showed the three daughters as teens. "Damn Jackie...I can't believe you matched with one of Kizha's kids on tinder. Aren't you a lucky duck?" Denali laughed.
"Yeah, and you get to tag along!" Jackie nudged her in the side, giggling.
"I'm baaaack~" Jan cheered, appearing from the hallway. "I'm so happy you decided to join, 'Nali! I've been dying to try out this new recipe!" She pecked Jackie on the cheek before leading the two to the kitchen. "So, what do you have to test on us today?" Jackie laughed at her girlfriend, taking a seat at the island in the kitchen. "It's this lemon chicken recipe I saw online! I've wanted to try it for so long!" Jan began to get supplies from the many cabinets, pulling out several spices and other foods.
The three's conversation flowed naturally, and laughing could be heard all throughout the apartment. Jackie piped up, "Oh, Jan, I think I left my jacket in your room, do you know where it is?"
"Oh, yeah! I found it this morning, let me get it." Without moving from what she was preparing, Jan snapped her fingers and a portal appeared in front of Jackie, on the other side Denali was able to spot one of Jackie's jackets. Jackie reached through and took the jacket, moving to put it on a hook near the door. Jan closed the portal with a swish of her finger.
"You...you have powers?" Denali stuttered in surprise, her eyes wide. Jan hummed, "Of course! Although they aren't very impressive, they're the ones I was born with!" Jackie returned and pecked her girlfriend on the cheek, "I think they're cool!"
"I think so too, are you a hero?" Denali questioned. "No, not yet. Jackie keeps saying I should register, she thinks I could be helpful with transporting criminals or helping with emergencies. She also says that since 'Goona is a hero, I should join up too." Jan popped the food she was making in the oven, turning up the temperature.
"Lagoona is a hero? Really?"
Jan nodded, "Yeah, however her powers revolve around healing, the government sort of hides her away. They've had villain organizations kidnap people with healing powers in the past because they're so rare, and especially being a Carr, Lagoona is a prime target."
Denali nodded in understanding, she had heard about similar events from Tina when the older woman would tell her stories from her experiences. Her attention returned to Jan as she continued, "'Goona think I should do it, too. She says since she can't get any fame or exposure, I should do it. She said she'll live vicariously through me."
"She's right, and I mean if you know how to fight, you could kick so much ass! Using your portals to appear and disappear at random, you would be so cool!" Denali encouraged the other girl, excitement rushed through her body at the thought she might get to work with Jan someday.
"Yeah, that'd be pretty badass. Hmm...okay, you guys convinced me. I'll try and register soon." Jackie and Denali cheered as Jan set the oven's timer. She brushed her hands on her jeans, before clapping them together, "Okay! It'll be ready in 30 minutes, anyone wanna watch Real Housewives?"
--
15 minutes into the episode, Lagoona joined the three. "Hey 'Nali." Lagoona flopped beside her on the couch, her hair was brushed to the side and she had on sweatpants and a hoodie. "How're you Lagoona? Been busy much?" Lagoona shrugged, "I guess so- I've been practicing guitar in my room a lot, seems I've just been catching every cold possible this season."
"Well, at least you're not sick anymore- you almost killed Rosie when you sneezed on her!" Jan chimed in, lifting her head from Jackie's shoulder.
"Okay, first off- I did not almost kill Rosé, she's just dramatic!" Lagoona rolled her eyes, "And I didn't even sneeze on her, she was at least three feet away from me!"
Denali giggled as the sisters continued to bicker, Jackie giving her a small smile as they soon returned to their television show. The bickering ended when Lagoona began to cough, Jan shooting her a worried look. Denali placed a hand on her back, "Are you okay? Do you need water or something?"
Lagoona waved her off, stabilizing herself a moment later. "No, no, I'm okay. As I said, I'm catching every damn cold possible." She gave a raspy laugh, Denali looking at her in concern. "I'm fine, I promise. Pinkie promise, if it makes you happy." She held up a pinkie, Denali sighing and hooking her own pinkie, "Okay, sorry. I guess I've just been on edge recently."
Several minutes later, they heard the oven's timer go off, and Jan raced to the kitchen. The other three gathered around the island as Jan pulled the chicken out of the oven.
"Lunch is served!" She cheered. Lagoona grabbed them plates from one of the cabinets, and soon enough the four girls were seated at the dining table. "I hope this is better than your chicken pizza, Janny." Lagoona teased, Jan sticking her tongue out in response. Denali took a bite out of the chicken, "This is really good, Jan! You did amazing!" Jackie spoke up, Denali eagerly nodding in agreement. "Aww, you guys are too nice! This is nothing to what some of our chefs can make!" Jan brushed the two off, Denali staring at the other girl. Chefs, of course, the Carr's are rich after all.
"What's that? Smells good." A voice called from above, and the girls turned and saw Rosé descending the stairs. She was in a silk pink robe, her hair was wet and ties up into a loose ponytail. Denali flushed pink, quickly turning back to her meal to try and ignore the heat in her cheeks. "Jan made lemon chicken!" Lagoona told her, Rosé leaning on her as she looked at the others. "There's some more in the kitchen if you want some."
Rosé returned, setting her plate down next to Denali's. "Hello, Denali." She purred, sitting down next to her. "Rosé, nice to see you again." Denali tried to remain calm, avoiding looking at the other girl. Luckily, Jackie came to her rescue and the group began to gossip about the latest news.
--
"Rosé, Denali, would you two mind cleaning up the dishes?" Jan asked the two after they all had finished. Jan shot a look towards Rosé, who gave a slight nod in response. "Of course, you don't mind, do you Denali?" Rosé asked her. "No, not at all! It's the least I could do." Jan shot the two a smile before she and Lagoona disappeared down one of the hallways. Jackie had wandered off somewhere else, which left her and Rosé alone together.
"Hi, doll," Rosé smirked, "haven't seen you around much." Denali collected the plates from the table, making her way toward the sink. "Maybe because I've been busy protecting New York from people like you." She scoffed.
"People like me? Wow Denali, I'm hurt!" Rosé faked offense, "Am I really that bad?"
"Yes, now hand me the sponge."
"What's the magic word~"
Denali flicked the other girl with water in response. Rosé gasped, "Ah! So rude!" Denali let out a small giggle, taking the sponge from Rosé's hand. The two quickly washed the dishes, Denali doing most of the work (with Rosé trying to distract her). "So why do you do it? Being a villain, I mean." Denali finally spoke up.
"I think calling me a villain is a little harsh, it's not like I murder people for fun." Rosé rolled her eyes, "But...well, it's not exactly simple. It's not worth getting into, really." She dismissed the subject with a wave of her hand.
"Does your mom know, I mean, she is the Kizh-"
"I know. And no, no she doesn't. None of my family does. I mean, could you imagine the shitstorm that would erupt if anyone found out? My mom and sisters would be put to shame." Rosé's tone grew dark and serious as she spoke, and Denali awkwardly shifted back and forth.
"Why didn't you just become a hero?" She asked.
"Because there are some things heroes can't do." She muttered.