Owner	Pose
Guardian	There wasn't much Mac hated about being a member of Alpha Flight, but public relations was one of them. Oh, he'd talk a reporter's ear off if they asked about the team and its mission, but these things, the 'smile and wave' functions, he could do without them. Today was one of those functions, a Christmas tree lighting in Vancouver. He was glad his mask covered his eyes, in case anyone saw them rolling. Still, it was a part of the job, so dressed in his Guardian suit, he stood beside Heather, the mayor and some of the other local politicians and did the smiling and waving thing through gritted teeth. As one of the local kids choirs started in on 'Oh Christmas Tree', Mac whispers to Heather. "Is it wrong of me to wish for a supervillain attack right now?" It probably was, there were civilians everywhere, lots of kids. He wasn't proud of that thought but damn it. He had things to do.
Vindicator	'Smile and wave functions.' Heather knew even before they had left the mansion that this was going to be a long day. Thoughts of bribery right, on down to outright dragging Mac to this event by his collar if necessary, had occurred to Heather. In the end, she'd given him a firm look and told him, "It's for the kids." Which in Heather speak meant: you're going to do this, Mac, so suck it up. Unlike Mac, Heather didn't mind this part of the job. In her Vindicator suit, she cut a fine figure against Mac as Guardian. That they were in classic Christmas colours (red and green) didn't hurt, either. More than one bystander had asked them to strike a pose on the way to the podium where the official lighting of the tree would take place, all thinking that they were clever and the first to notice they were wearing red & green - as though Mac and Heather had chosen their outfits especially for today's occasion, instead of the fact of the matter which was these were their everyday suits. "Be nice," Heather warned Mac under her breath while smiling. She was between Mac and the Mayor. Some sort of nod to her being female, surrounded on both sides by men. It had occurred to Heather to wonder if the setup would have switched if Vancouver had elected a female mayor the last municipals, but she wasn't going to stress over the matter. It was all part of the PR schtick. And like she said, it was for the children. "No wishing for super villain attacks or alien invasions," she continued in that same whisper, leaning closer to Mac, and whispering in his ear. "I'll make it up to you later." She had to agree about the children's choir, though. Their tinkly voices were sharp and out of tune, and 'Oh Christmas Tree' had been done to death. However, someone thought it appropriate, tree lighting and all. Heather didn't have to grit her teeth. She had an almost unflappable inner calm. And there was wine at home. A fireplace, and wine. She could do this.
Guardian	It's for the kids. Low blow, Heather, low blow. Still it was effective and no further cajoling was needed on her part to get Mac to go. That said, he could think of a dozen different things he could be doing for these kids that was better than standing around like a living doll. He made a mental note: robots for PR events. Other groups had robot decoys, why not them? Not that he really had plans to build robot copies of himself and Heather but it was an amusing mental experiment while he smiled and waved. "That's right, they are Christmas colours, have a happy Holidays!" He even sounded sincere. He smiles at Heather's adomation to be nice, and offers a faux put-upon tone when he replied, "Fine. Though I didn't think about aliens. It doesn't even have to be an attack. It could just be a first contact. Fun and educational." He whispers, before he promise of making it up to him shuts him up, after he murmurs, "Not needed," after all she wasn't really the one dragging them here, it was their duty, "But I'm not saying no." In Mac's mind, fireplace and wine was replaced with hot cocoa and his lab but the effect was the same. He'd endure. After the choir the mayor went to the podium and spoke a suitably non-offensive holiday greeting to all and sundry before he turned things over to Mac and Heather. Stepping up to the podium and the big lever that would turn on the tree, Mac waved to the crowd in his red and white suit. "I hope everyone is having a happy holiday!" he says with a broad smile. He may hate this sort of work, but he'd done it enough to know the steps. "So how about we light this tree up?" He waited for the cheered responses before glancing to Heather. "Vindicator, will you start the countdown?" he asks as he puts his hand on the lever. While he did, he primed the suit's flight systems. The plan was to count down, throw the switch and take off for a quick circuit of the plaza by air before landing for glad handing and the usual photo ops.
Vindicator	It's probably just as well that Heather can't read Mac's thoughts, as the idea of robots might have earned him another firm look from her. As it is, she's still smirking inwardly. She knew the 'it's for the kids' would do the trick. Mac might grumble, but he also had a soft spot for the little beggars as he referred to them. Just maybe not in quite this venue. And perhaps with a little less choir singing. She understands, though. Mac wasn't a people person. Unlike her was a behind the scenes person. He liked his lab. His formulae and his facts. That he liked her still gave her a bit of pause, considering what she'd had to do to get his attention. But after that initial hiccup, she'd managed to unglue him from his lab every now and then to come up for air and a little face time with his wife. A thing she liked to tease him about with some regularity, even if it didn't bother her quite as much as she let on - a fact they both were aware of. "I know it's not needed," she smiled at him, turning that bright smile out upon the crowd. "But I'm offering." On cue, she steps forward, "How is everyone tonight?" A cheer went up from the crowd, to which Heather, s Vindicator, merely shook her head. "I said.. How Is Everyone Tonight?" It only took the second time for the cheers to rise up to bedlam levels. Shrills whistles, baritone woots, cheers, the whole gamut. "Good! Let's help Guardian with this tree. Let's make sure he hears us! Okay?" Her voice is all laughter and encouragement as another cheer went up from the gathered crowd. "From Ten then!" "Ten!" "Nine!" "Eight!" The crowd counted down with her, their excitement building with each number ticked off. "Four!" "Three!" "Two!" Heather let the crowd signal 'One!' all by themselves, laughing outright now, and turning on the spot, whooshing her arm about in a circle from the elbow, index finger pointing to him as she signals for Mac to light. that. tree. Yeah. Heather liked this part of her job.
Guardian	Mac might not be a people person, but Heather definitely was and it was wonderful to watch. From how she pulled him out of his lab or away from training and how she managed the crowd it was all incredible to him. Oh he could lead the team alright, find the right thing to say to them before or during a battle, or help them through tough times, but it had taken work to get there, it wasn't anywhere as easy and natural as how Heather managed people. She actually enjoyed it. ~And thank god for that~ The promise of making it up to him, and her rebuttal to his words are met with a quietly resigned smile, devoid of any real disappointment "Then I am accepting," he replies. Then as the countdown begins he marvels at how she has the crowd in the palm of her hand, the smile on his face becoming genuine and not pasted on. By the time they reach one, he pushes the lever forward and the tree lights up, all reds, and greens. He wonders idly if they'd been chosen for their suit colours or it was just a coincidence. He doesn't have time to ask though because there's another act to this show. He activates the flight mode on his suit the golden nimbus of his forcefield snapping into place as he holds out a hand to Heather asking, "Shall we?"
Vindicator	People of Vancouver! I give you Your Holiday tree, 2025! Heather loved it when a plan came together, and the crowd was beautiful. When Mac offers his hand, she's ready, the activating of her suit follows his in a seamless flow so that his had just finished lighting up with the protective nimbus and hers rises up to meet it, creating the illusion of a waterfall of lights, much as the tree had been lit from the bottom up, waves upon wave of green and red until the pinnacle is reached and the single glittering silver start is set afire from within. Taking Mac's hand, her own suit glowing as she rises up with him, using her internal comms to sync with the display's audio system.. "People of Vancouver! We give you Your Holiday Tree, 2025!!" The crowd? Made the 2010 Olympic cheers seem tame.
Guardian	Mac grins broadly as they manage link hands, bodies covered in the protective glow of their suits. The crowd roars, and yes, even Mac can't help but be a little thrilled by it. "May you all have a very happy holidays!" he adds to Heather's words, the crowd almost drowning them out. Giving a Heather's hand a squeeze, he lets go to let them do their loop of the plaza just a little higher than the top of the tree. It was simple stuff, just try not to crash into Shaw tower or the conference center next door. Though, riding high on the rush of the applause Mac wonders if a little showman ship might be called for. He brings up the 2010 torch, lit for the occasion on his HUD and checks the measurements. He shoots the image over to Heather. << Want to thread the needle? >> he asks, the image he sent giving the clearance for the arch under the main cauldron.
Vindicator	<<Do I?>> Heathers return is left to just their comms, the woman deftly flipping channels. <<You know, next year we should light the star this way.>> Totally teasing him, given there will likely be someone else doing the deed next year, and Mac is likely to flee the country if he knows its coming. <<Just a fly-through, or shall we delight the crowds a little?>>
Guardian	"What?" Mac says falling for the bait hook line and sinker. "You didn't sign us up for it did you?" he asks looking for an escape route. "And, let's show off a little," he says. Maybe maneuver 3?" he asks as they complete their circuit of the plaza and Mac angles off towards the torch, his shield glowing brightly as he dives.
Vindicator	<<Maneuver 3>> Heather's voice carried her amusement over the comm-link. <<Are you sure you're up to that?>> She was teasing, of course. It wasn't one of their harder maneuvers. Essentially they'd take a straight flight up, then split off, and cross through the 'needle' of the torch flame from opposite sides. And since they were showing off, she suggested: "How about we do that barrel roll thing when we cross paths?" Mac might not like the PR part, but he did like to show off what they could do. It didn't involve people so much.
Guardian	"Ha ha. I am sure we can handle it, "So long as you can keep up," he adds teasing back. Then more seriously, he adds, "And definitely the barrel roll." Mac alters course to rise of above the torch, the crowd oohing, below, then, after spotting Heather at the top of her climb and giving her a nod, he dives back down, the suit letting him turn on a dime and ducks under the cauldron of the torch first facing the little pool at its feet then rolling over so that they were facing as they passed by each other. He gives Heather a small wave as they do then he rights himself then does a slow pass over the crowd on the way back to the stage. Okay, yes, he may indeed like to show off. A little.
Vindicator	Only a little? Heather knew she had Mac as soon as she suggested the barrel roll. And the crowd ate it up. The two of them running through the maneuver flawlessly, coming to within inches of one another underneath the cauldron. So close they could have likely kissed one another in passing. A thought she shared with him as they climbed back up after that pass. <<We should really practice that.>> As though their force fields would actually allow it. <<Maybe a high five or something? Something.>> <<And what was that crack about me not keeping up?>> Laughing.
Guardian	Okay, maybe a lot. Mac revelled in the cheering. It wasn't something admitted to himself often but it did feel good. He just didn't want it to feel too good and become the reason he put on the Guardian suit. It wasn't likely, but the son of a drunken father, he tended to be cautious about over indulgence of any kind. "Well, I was liking your kiss suggestion," Mac says with a laugh in his voice. "But the high-five would be good too." "I'm sorry, the comms are breaking up..." he says about that last part laughing as he lands on the safety of the stage. He wasn't going to get swatted in front of the crowd of kids. He waves to the crowd, then shouting "Thank you!" before he lets Heather close them out.
Vindicator	Heather joins him almost immediately after. <<Youre such a jerk sometimes. And I love you,>> she laughs at him. She wouldn't have swatted him. At least she didn't think she would have. Not in public at least. Maybe in private Her suit is deactivated, and she's all smiles for the crowd, thanking them for coming out. "You've truly made our day and our holiday season brighter! And remember, its the season of giving, so be sure to spread the holiday cheer to those less fortunate. The Alpha Flight team will match any donation made at any of the locations mentioned on the flyers you can pick up on the way out." That one she might regret later, but she didn't care. It was awesome PR, and it did good. Didn't they have a mandate about that somewhere? They'd find a way to make it work. Even if she had to go begging.
Guardian	Mac laughs too. "I know," he says about it all. As for the swatting? Well that was the plan. Use the crowd to prevent his comeuppance. He smiles even as Heather goes off book, with the matching donations. Actually he smiles a little brighter. It was a good gesture and so very her and in the back of his mind he's already lining up ways to meet the likely costs. "Thank you all for being here tonight! And please enjoy the rest of the entertainment!" The crowd cheered and applauded and after things died down the pair had some palms to press and photos with VIPs to take before they were finally free of the stage. "Thank god," he says. "I don't think I'll ever get used to that."
Vindicator	There was the requisite last minute photo shoots. Some paperwork to sign. And then, blissfully, the hired car to take them away.. "And to answer your question from earlier, no, I didnt sign us up for next year, but it wouldnt be such a bad idea. Only next time, maybe we get a few more members of the team in on the deal. We need to establish a foothold here, Mac." "You did good, though. And it wasnt all bad, was it?"
Guardian	Sinking down into the supple leather seats of that car, Mac sighs. "Hmm, I see your point about making a foothold here, and these events are good for publicity," he nods finally. "Let's do it, but we should see if we can make it more demonstration less speeches and shaking hands with politicians. I did that enough when I was running the CSA." As though she didn't hear him complain about it then. "And no. It wasn't all bad. I did enjoy the demonstration. I hope it inspired some of the kids to take flight in their own ways. Or who knows, invent a better suit one day." He sounds pleased at the prospect.
Vindicator	"Invent a better suit?" Heather smiles and leans into him. "That would be nice. To think we inspired that. And I think we could do that. A demonstration, that is. Though we don't have to wait until next Christmas. There are times along the way we could. Even the P.N.E would be an occasion. Probably some summer festivals as well that might appreciate the boost in attendance." "Maybe we should talk to the team? See how they feel and parcel some appearances out?" She threads her arm through his and links her fingers into his hand. "It was good, but I'm tired now. Very glad we're going home." It was nice to think of the Mansion as home after so long without a place to truly call their own. Even sharing with the team wasn't a problem. She liked thinking of them as family. Now they had a place to be one.
Guardian	Mac considers the demonstrations and gives them an emphatic nod. "That's true, there other times we could do this. We should definitely talk to the team, I am sure at least a few of them would be willing to come out for something like that and show off a bit," he say before catching himself. "I mean responsibly demonstrate their powers," he says tongue very much in cheek. He makes a note to bring it up at breakfast. Smiling as she puts her hand into his, he nods. "Me too," he says. "I wonder what the kids have been up to while we were away? Hopefully the mansion's still there." A smile then as he leans into her. "But you're right, it's good to be going home."
Vindicator	"Well, you know kids. When mom and dad are away.." She's smiling as she says it. She might be mom of the group, but it wasn't exactly fair to automatically peg him as dad. Even her mom was something of a joke. Though someone had to take them all in hand. So many of them young and impetuous and stumbling into their powers, let alone the team. She wasn't sure why the role suited her so, but it did. "We can bring it up at breakfast. And you meant show off. Don't you responsibly demonstrate their powers me, Mac Hudson, I know you better than that." Which only makes her laugh. "So, my love, what are we doing tonight? Now that we've fulfilled our civic duty. Am I losing you to the labs again?"
Guardian	Mac laughs. "We're agreed though, we don't tell any of them they're the kids. Especially Wade." Fair or not, he definitely felt like the dad sometimes so he doesn't make any comment to it. Only nodding in agreement. He laughs when he's caught out and challenged, and he holds up his free hand in surrender. "Fine, fine, I meant show off, but you've got to admit it is fun." The thought of what they might do the rest of the night earns a smile as he considers the question. "Well I do have some research to finish, but, I seem to recall someone mentioning making this up to me. Even if I didn't think they needed to." He looks to her with a smile.
Vindicator	"Oh god," Heather laughs. "If anyone is telling Wade that.. I say we farm that one out." She lays her head on his shoulder. "They're good people, though. If a little lost at times. When'd we get so old and responsible, Mac?" She nods, though, "I do recall making that promise, even if someone said it wasn't necessary. Though, I have to admit, my husband voluntarily giving up the lab to take me up on that? Tempting. Very tempting."
Guardian	Mac grins. "Oh it doesn't matter who tells him, it's when he starts showing up in the middle of the night wearing a diaper and crying that I'm worried about." Nodding, Mac says, "They are, they stepped up to join the team. Powers or no, they didn't have to do it but they did, that makes them good people in my book." He makes a face. "I dunno. Not fair though I'm only 33 way too young to have grown children to worry about." "Well, much like me and showing off tonight, I think it's good to give in to temptation, once in awhile," his eyes sparkle then as he looks at her. "Besides, it's not all indulgence, It'll give us a chance to work on those kisses," he says with a wink.
Vindicator	"Mac! Don't say that so loud. You'll give him ideas." As though Heather isn't convinced that Wade isn't listening in any time his name is mentioned. She nods, though. "Grown children, maybe. Still young enough to have ones of your own though." His cheeky comment about practicing kisses gets a playful swat. "Like you're in dire need of practice. Besides, I was thinking more of activities that didn't involve us in our suits."
Guardian	Mac grows suddenly perturbed. "God, I hope he really doesn't listen to everything we say." It was a theory they'd both brought up a time or two with each other. He looks over at her then, the subject had come up before, but never with any definite resolution it just kept seeming to be tabled for another time. "True," he says. "Are you saying you think is the right time for that?" that had always been the problem before, timing, there had been so much going on. "So was I," Mac says, "I figured we needed to work out the basics on our own before we even thought of trying it in our suits."
Vindicator	Heather contemplates. "I'm not sure there's ever a right time, Mac. If the question is now? I don't know. I think we're getting closer to maybe. To letting things happen that happen. What do you think?" The thought of Wade listening in.. that was always a bit of a terrifying subject. There was no basis in reality for it, and yet? One could never shake off the feeling that it was a possibility. "Working out the basics, hrm? It's true. Your technique /is/ lacking. your staying power could use some work. That dismount.. shameful.." She goes on until he stops her.
Guardian	Stroking his chin, Mac does some of his own contemplation. "Letting things happen that happen," he muses. "I suppose we could try that. I am just not sure what we'd do with you out of the field for nine months. I'm used to you having my back." Though, the team was large, and they could manage. "How about you? Are you ready for that change?" he asks. "It's a big step." He stops her with a kiss, cupping her face with one hand as he does and smiling against her lips, "You don't need to make tonight's event up to me, but the staying power line, that's going to need some making up," he informs her fondly.
Vindicator	"Well, if you think you're .. UP.. to showing me I'm wrong?" You couldn't melt butter in Heather's mouth as she says that. Ever so deliberately innocent. The other, though, sobers her. "Am I ready? Are you ready? I don't know. But I don't think it's something you can plan to be ready for. Maybe we.. finish out what we've got on hand and revisit or don't revisit the decision and see what happens. I don't know. I'm not in a rush, but I've thought about it. I won't lie."
Guardian	It's quite the rapid change of mood from the saucy innuendo to start to the discussion of their future to follow. Mac considers the latter first taking a breath. "I see your point, we could wait forever and not feel ready." He pauses again, turning the issue over in his head. "Wait a month, the stop stopping it from happening?" he suggests in order to keep them from putting a decision off. "We've got a lot on our plate right now, but in a month and with whatever other time we get beyond that, it should work. What do you think?" Then he comes back to that innuendo. "Though, keep that sort of thing up and it may be barely more than a month."
Vindicator	"A month?" Heather considers that answer. That puts a timeline on it, and makes it real. But like she said, it's not a thing you can really plan or be ready for. "I think we can do that. See where a month brings us." His follow-up has her smiling and laying her head against him again. "I don't know. I think I can keep it up. You, however.. Is that a firm challenge?"
Guardian	"A month then," he says and it has a sort of finality to that he's not sure how he feels about it. "We'll see where we're at then." The innuendos have him laughing and groaning. Still he plays along, "Very firm, if you ask me. But you can judge for yourself later," he says his cheeks turning a little red for saying it.
Vindicator	"Mac Hudson, are you blushing?" Heather doesn't even look up. She just knows.
Guardian	Mac clears his throat, and shakes his head. "No, not at all." He smiles though, "And if I was, it'd totally be your fault."
Vindicator	Heather has no shame or remorse for that fact, either. "Not at all, hrm? I guess I'm just not trying hard enough."
Vindicator	The ride home is uneventful. Wine is drunk. Promises are kept. There are no regrets.