1745/Erase This!

Erase This!
Date of Scene:	31 July 2017
Location:	Unknown
Synopsis:	Booster Gold and Trouble foil a robbery! ...technically.
Cast of Characters:	Booster Gold, 241

---

Booster Gold has posed:
For a villainous mastermind-- particularly one accustomed to the cat-and-mouse interplay of nefarious criminal and brilliant hero-- there are few things more disconcerting than being undone by mere chance.

After all, Sherlock had Moriarty. Batman, his Joker. Poirot, his Norton.

Even Inspector Clouseau, his Lytton.

So it is profoundly unfair, by any sense of the word 'justice', for Erasehead to be undone by random chance: and in this case, in the guise of a vigilante superhero who happened to stumble onto the scene of the crime while the pencil-topped villain was in the middle of fastidiously eradicating the evidence of his most daring, latest heist.

When Sierra, aka Trouble, walks into the coin collector's shop, the owner gives her a mute look of terrified appeal; bound and gaggged on the floor, 'mmphing!' in panicked struggles against the zipties binding his wrists and ankles. He points his chin at the tall, slender fellow wearing... an eraser-head mask and a yellow suit, busily and carefully transferring stacks of collectible coin sleeves into a suitcase. Eraserhead looks up in alarm at Trouble, and picks up a very prosaic looking gun from the counter and aims it at her.

"Freeze! Don't move, and no one gets hurt!" he says, his alarmed voice muffled by the mask. And all because Sierra Lucerne was looking for a rare nickel-plated misprinted coin for a special birthday gift, and had walked into the coin shop just as Eraserhead was preparing his cunning getaway of 'run out the back door'.

Trouble (241) has posed:
Trouble is hard to miss. It's probably the fact that she's wearing light body armor that covers her from head to toe. It may also be the fact that said armor is bright red and gold with flame decals. It could maybe possibly kind of also be because the V-shaped visor over her face is displaying a text emoticon across the front of it: >:I

"Oh come on, *really*?" she asks, hands going to her hips, looking Eraser down, up and back. "Is that the best you can do? A pencil? What, did your origin story include the fact that you forgot to use a number two pencil on your SATs and you didn't get the score you want, so now you're going to 'pencil in' some revenge motif?" Trouble asks, feeling completely unthreatened by the man or his weapon. This could be a mistake, but she's (over)confident that she'll be just fine.

"Why can't I find a real criminal to fight, like the Joker or Magneto or something?" she asks, a question mark appearing across her visor, followed by a chin-rub emoticon. "No, I get to find -these- guys. Well, come on then Pencil Dick. Drop the weapon, let's get you down to the police and find some psychiatric help for you. Maybe someone down at the local anime con that can upgrade you to a mechanical pencil or something."

Booster Gold has posed:
The Eraserhead... is not prepared for that level of snark, and his pistol wavers slightly.

"I... er... uh..." He blinks from behind his mask. "H-hey! I've got a GUN, lady," he tells her, finding his voice a bit reedy but developing. "This isn't a crime for YOU. I'm here... for the Batman!"

"He'll arrive looking for clues, and /find none/!" The Erasehead says, gleefully. "No footprints to track, no smells to trace. The bullets? Linotype lead! The gun? Easily diposable! The Bats will come here and find no clues, no traces, no NOTHING-- and it'll drive him MAD while he searches!" he says, his voice a high, gleeful shriek.

"I hadn't counted on leaving any bodies behind, but--" with a cinematic bit of theatre, he cocks the hammer on the gun-- "if you don't walk out that door, he'll have to perform your AUTOPSY."

Trouble (241) has posed:
"Do I look like I'm really afraid of guns?" Trouble asks. "Sure. Go ahead, shoot me, let's raise that crime level up to a felony. Give you more time in a federal pound-you-in-the-@$$ prison."

"Just, really. Drop the gun. Save Batman the trouble. He's not coming for you. You aren't even on his radar - and he's -Batman-. He probably has the president's dog on his radar," she adds, taking a step forward, hands spread, leaning forward.

Her boots crack slightly. She's ready to move.

Booster Gold has posed:
Eraserhead blinks again. "Sheesh, lady, you swear like a sailor," he complains. "Doesn't anyone in this game have any class anymore?"

"Oh well. Take another step, and I drop the good numismatist," Eraserhead says, swinging his gun and aiming it at the hogtied fellow. "And YOU might be bulletproof, but HE--"

The roof abruptly caves in as a gleaming fellow as brightly polished as a new-minted gold coin CRASHES through it, landing on Eraserhead heavily. The gun goes off, poking a hole through the sheetrock behind Trouble.

"Have no fear, citizens!" Booster Gold says, standing atop the unconscious criminal like so much rubble. "BOOSTER GOLD is here to save the day! I saw you were in peril and decided to help!"

Behind him, a shelf of ancient 18th century British coins collapses, and the valuable antiques go skittering across the carbet.

Trouble (241) has posed:
"Haven't you read the studies? Swearing means you're more trustworthy and more intelligent than people who don't," Trouble points out. "Now, once more, put the gun down before you get a bullet enema--"

Faster than most eyes can track, the tied up man behind the counter is in Trouble's arms, and she's off in a safe corner. Mostly safe. The wall behind her is pockmarked with a gunshot.

>:( across her visor. "HEY!" she shouts at Booster. "This is my collar goldenrod, find your own bust!"

Booster Gold has posed:
"Your... what?" Booster shifts his stance on the rubble, making Eraserhead groan and whimper in pained protest.

"It's all right, citizens!" Booster proclaims, holding his hands out reassuringly. He flashes his most devastatingly charming grin at Trouble, which is at least 80% more charming than he imagines it to be. "I'm here to save the day, and the day is saved! You can go about your lives again, uh... ma'am," he says, squinting at the armored figure. "Sorry, the gear makes it hard to guess," he apologizes. "And this isn't a collar, it's a 'bad guy'," he clarifies, helpfully.

Just then-- the front door bursts open! And a man wearing silver and copper protective biking gear stamped with fine, careful letters, aims what looks like a small cannon at Trouble, the weapon jingling like it's filled with coins.

"You fools!" he rages. "Do you know how valuable these coins ARE? No matter! For now, you face the wrath of--" He flicks the safety off the gun as the pressure makes it go *chk-chnk*.

"--THE NUMISMATIST!"

Trouble (241) has posed:
Trouble is standing behind the Numismatist as soon as the safety's been clicked. The shopkeeper is outside, bindings untied.

"Pssst. Gonna have to be a little faster there dude." She looks around Numi towards Booster. "Collar! Arrest! Google it!" she shouts to Booster, apparently unaffected by his charm. Well, maybe she is, but with that helmet, you wouldn't be able to tell. This is why she wears it. "Also it's fine if you misgender me I really don't care!" She does care, actually. Aren't her boobs big enough? Sure mom, genetically engineer everything but THOSE aesthetics.

"Look, there's two idiots here, you arrest one, I arrest the other, we split the publicity sixty-forty. I got here first."

Booster Gold has posed:
"Hey! Language, lady!" Booster says, wagging a finger at Trouble-- but he's a little impressed, himself, at how fast she can move. "I'm not googling anything in public, that's just plain indecent!"

"And sixty-forty is FINE by me," Booster adds, stepping off Pencilhead. Eraser? Whatever his name is. "But I also get top billing when the newspapers report this. 'Booster Gold saves citizen; some chick hero helps'," he says, panning a palm across the open air.

"Who the hell ARE you two?!" the Numismastist gawks-- then without waiting for a reply, he aims his gun at Booster and shoots a shotgun blast full of quarters at the golden-plated hero.

Trouble (241) has posed:
"Language? Which one? I have access to three hundred?" Her visor scrolls, from left to right: Watch THIS language for me! XP

"Google. Search engine. Are you a basement dweller or did you fall out of some kind of time warp?" The question is asked facetiously - she has no idea of the truth. She has no idea who Booster Gold is, really, except that he's got a snappy costume and a great speaking voice. She's taking mental notes. Maybe she could crib some of this guy's act.

The quarters spray in all directions in a spiral outwards, a red blur whirling around in the area between Booster and Numi. Trouble is standing between them, closer to Booster, facing the remaining enemy, arms folded over her chest. "Oh no. No, you are not getting top billing and you are not calling me 'some chick hero'. The name is Trouble. As in, 'Here Comes'. Bad guys beware, Trouble is THERE." She does a flashy spin, pose and fingerpoint at Numismatist.

Booster Gold has posed:
"I am SO top billing!" Booster tells Trouble, walking a pace over Eraserhead so he can yell at her profile. "I'm tall, buff, blonde-- I'm a /visual spectacle/." He snorts at Trouble. "And you're like, a weird, angry, walking text message! Who can relate to THAT?"

The Numismatist looks more than a little irritated at his run of bad luck; particularly since neither hero seems like they're particularly threatened by him. "I knew I should have stayed in Gotham," he grumbles. "Batman at least is a fair fight."

"Right?" Eraserhead croaks. "He doesn't have crazy superpowers an' stuff."

"So true, my friend, so true," the Numismatist remarks, loading another shell of quarters into his coin-cannon. "These modern heroes, they take all the nobility out of our profession."

Trouble (241) has posed:
"Dude, this is 2025, blonde white guys are last decade," Trouble argues. "I am more than just an angry text message - I have -sass-. I have /flair/. Just look at these flames. Flames are in, shiny blue and gold targets are out."

She raises a finger and points upwards. "Now excuse me, I have villains to apprehend and fame is callin' my name. Don't worry though, I'll sign your costume. It'll be worth millions someday."

Booster Gold has posed:
"Sass? Flaire? You look like a hot rod magazine threw up on a copy of Teen People!" Booster argues, shooting it back at Trouble. "And you're doing a LOUSY job apprehending ANYONE. Look! They're both free!" he says, waving a hand at Eraserhead and The Numismatist-- who cheerily salute, then open fire!

Booster flings himself in front of Trouble at the most dramatic moment, intercepting the burst of coins aimed at her chest-- there's a flash of light and he grunts theatrically, sprawling across the ground with a croak of pain and clutching his stomach.

Trouble (241) has posed:
"... Well that was stupid," Trouble mutters, looking at Booster's prone self. "I mean, I wear armor for a -reason-."

She snaps her head towards Eraser and the Numismatist. "All right. You two asked for it. I was trying to convince you to just surrender peacefully. I guess it's time to show you what the Ultimate Police Force Prototype can do."

There's a soft whirring sound and Sierra's form is blurred, disappearing. A rush of wind picks up in the shop, circling the two would-be robbers, and then there are two sharp and precise strikes to the back of each costumed villain's head, the force just enough to attempt to knock them out in a single strike, or at the very least, rattle them enough to leave them dizzied.

Trouble is suddenly crouched next to Booster, flipping up her visor so she can have a look at him. Brilliant green eyes look him over. "Hey, you all right down there? I didn't want you to get hurt or anything, even if you are acting like a doofus."

Booster Gold has posed:
The duo are barely villains, let alone supervillains; they're overwhelmed by Trouble's efficient, effective strikes, and knocked down firmly by her speed and strength.

Booster's a little limp in Trouble's arms, wheezing and clutching the armor guarding his stomach. "I guess I'm... not as invulnerable as ... I thought," he wheezes. "My first day on the job and... I get shot by some lame D-stringer!" He touches the back of his wrist to his forehead. "What a way to go! What a world!" he groans, wheezing and clearing his throat. "And my great shame is I'll die... having never even known the touch of a beautiful woman! Don't tell anyone I said that; it's the blood loss talking," he croaks at Trouble, gripping her arm with a weak, pithy curl of his fingers.

Trouble (241) has posed:
Trouble frowns at him. And it's not an emoticon.

"HEY!" she protests, completely oblivious at the moment to the fact that Booster is likely not dying at all. Or even bleeding. She pulls off her helmet and stares at him. "Am I not beautiful enough for you?! And I'm touching you right now!"

The unconscious villains are forgotten about for right now, this is far, FAR more important.

Booster Gold has posed:
Booster coughs and wheezes, going limp for just a moment in her arms until he's shaken vigorously. "I... I don't have much time," he gasps, eyes fluttering open. "I want... to thank you for... being the hero I ... wanted to be," he coughs, leaning against Trouble's chestplate. "And I might die unkissed, but I die at least in the arms of... ...a hero!"

Cough. Wheeze. Hack. Booster acts about as subtly as a Billy Mays commercial.

Trouble (241) has posed:
Unfortunately Trouble never did any research on Billy Mays. This leaves her with a significant weakness against Billy Mays-based attack strategies.

She's shocked. This guy... dying? Really? From coins to the chest? That must have hit harder than she thought. What's worse is that if he dies, she'll have failed to save the day and get everyone out alive. It will tarnish her reputation right off the bat, and how will she be more famous than Stark or Superman if her reputation is in the tank?! Panic sets in around the edges. She has to do somethng!

"Don't you die on me!" Sierra shouts, clutching Booster to her chest. "You're going to live, dammit! Do you hear me! LIIIIIVE!" It's arguable that she might be hammier. The levels of honey-cured pork product are steadily rising in this room.

"You poor idiot, why'd you have to try to be the hero?" she sniffs. She leans down and kisses him.

"That's -my- job!" she whispers hoarsely against his lips.

Booster Gold has posed:
<<Cheese, sir!>>

There's a flashbulb effect from the corner of Trouble's eye, and a little golden drone catches the moment she smooches Booster-- who abruptly and suddenly recovers long enough from his death spiral to hang onto the back of her neck and kiss Trouble back with round enthusiasm.

When she looks up at Skeets, Booster grins at the drone and flashes his cheesiest, winking grin-- still cradled in her arms-- and flashes a thumbs-up at the drone.

"Hey, I'm feeling way better!" Booster says, floating to his feet in clear violation of physics and settling into a standing position not far away. The front of his armor isn't even blackened-- isn't even /dinged/. He looks completely uninjured.

"That was a GREAT shot by the way, that's going /right/ on my Instagram," Booster tells Trouble. "Don't worry, I'll hashtag you in the shot. 'Booster Gold and attractive heroine stop crime, stop hearts'," he says, panning a hand through the air. He nods at himself, fists on his hips and staring approvingly up at the invisible marquee. "Yep. That'll look GREAT."

Trouble (241) has posed:
Sierra's eyes go wide.

"NononononoNONO NO! Don't you dare post that anywhere!" She grabs for whatever on his costume would count for lapels. "I wasn't supposed to take the helmet off in public! EVER! I only did that because I thought you were dying! You post that and my secret identity is going to be exposed!"

Booster Gold has posed:
"Ack!" Booster says, helpfully, as he's lifted off the ground. "Sheesh! Okay, okay!" he helps, trying to untwist Sierra's wrists; she's strong enough that he stops short of prying her fingers open, worried that they'll hurt one another somehow. "Gosh, okay! Skeets, archive those pictures!" Booster yelps at his companion.

<<Yessir!>> Skeets says, cheerfully. <<Would you like some help, sir?>>

"Nono, I got this, Skeets," Booster assures the drone. "Okay, lady, lighten up, willya? It was just a joke," he mutters.

Trouble (241) has posed:
Sierra practically melts, slumping and letting go, releasing a heavy sigh. "... oh thank GOD. You have no idea what could happen. Seriously. I just ... I gotta be more careful." She reaches for her helmet and slips it back on, slapping the visor down. The suit repressurizes quickly.

"I'm supposed to keep all this private for the sake of my folks. People think they're just my creators. That's how we keep things nice and clear, keep them safe. Got it?" Aaaaand she's telling more than she should again. She means well, even if she hasn't thought all this through. "It's better that I'm just the Human 2.0 Project."

Booster Gold has posed:
"Sheesh, lady," Booster says-- but the real panicked distress in Sierra's voice stops him cold and makes him feel both a little guilty /and/ uncomfortable. More because he genuinely scared her than because he scored a kiss under false pretenses. He rubs the back of his neck awkwardly while she gears back up.

"Okay, okay. Consolation prize-- let's get a good shot for the Daily Times, huh?" he offers. "We'll go stand on top of the baddies, mug for the camera-- it's press gold."

"...and you can have top billing."

Trouble (241) has posed:
Sierra sighs a little bit again, this time, relenting, smiley face on her visor. "... You can have first place. Just get my name in there too."