Owner	Pose
Drake Riley	The sirens in the distance grew louder. The cherries and berries of oncoming police didn't set right with Volt. And he didn't know anything about Karate Girl, so who knows? Maybe she's in a similar boat. He couldn't leave her. So after everyone had cleared off, the teen had leaned over her, gathered her into his arms, and took off from the warehouse. He didn't go too far. He didn't need to. The beach is in sight in the distance, and they've come to a stop on the docks. The sky above is a velveteen black, the moon and stars reflecting in the lenses of his sunglasses. Of course he'd still be wearing them. He crouches beside a wall of crates, satisfied that the two are securely alone. Carefully, gently, he sets the girl down one arm still around her neck to cradle her head as he eases her to lean back against the crates.
Buffy Summers	Buffy Summers had blacked out from some laughing gas or other, but once the stranger had carried her to safety, she had recovered in a remarkably short space of time, blinking as she wakes up, she glances back at Drake in some confusion. "Dammit, I hate it when that happens. Should have been more attentive. what happened?" she sits upright, peering around, apparently still quite alert as she tries to figure out where they are. "Wow, where are the bad guys? Did we win?" something tells her things didnt go down so great.
Drake Riley	Volt gives a soft laugh at the question and withdraws his arm, instead propping it over his knee. She doesn't need the brace anymore, after all! He wears a boyish smile and rolls a hand in a vague, casual sort of 'shrug'. "Yeah, we did. They made that big mistake where they judge a book by its cover." Still hooded, still hatted, the teen tilts his head to try to get a better look at her. "You okay, though? You don't feel woozy or anything, right? I got the clown-douche to not shoot you or anything, but I can't tell if what he used on you was poisonous..."
Buffy Summers	Buffy Summers smirks and shrugs, glancing around, sitting up straight as she peers around. "I'm fine, I heal quickly. But I'm kinda annoyed that they beat me so easily.." she clenches her hands at her sides, climbing slowly to her feet. "I guess they're probably long gone by now...Figures that Cheetah would be working with the infamous Joker. Spike sure has strange friends..Stranger ex-girlfriends.." she rolls her eyes, glaning backat Drake. "Oh heh, thanks for pulling me out of there when you did. That was pretty brave of you, running in there like that. You could have got yourself hurt, you know?"
Drake Riley	Volt absorbs the information as it comes. There's apparently a 'Spike' in the picture as well. Worth keeping in mind. And also, she heals quickly. But it's still not clear whether or not she herself is anything past a regular human girl. Well, with obvious training. "Yeah. They're long gone. The walking fetish furball attacked me, and then.. learned why not to do that.. and Chuckles had himself a very understandable freakout. Kind'a used you as a bargaining chip to get away." After a beat, he adds, "Think I made the right call." He lifts to his full height and offers his hands down to help her up. "C'mon, did Yoda teach you nothing about judging people by their looks?," he teases. "What's your name, anyway? And why on earth would /you/ rush into a situation like that?"
Buffy Summers	Buffy Summers arches a curious brow when he speaks of his encounter with crazy cat lady. Apparently he can handle himself was well. "Dammit, you should have just left me, I can handle myself. But I'm sure we'll meet again. That Cheetah, always turning up like a bad penny, often in the most unexpected of places." like Spike's basement suite, sipping on wine and getting cozy with him..She grits her teeth, trying to stay on track. "Sorry about that, did you figure out what they were up to? I know they were up to *something* just not sure what.." oh, and in all her haste, Buffy forgot to drop her name. "Buffy. And not Yoda, more like...Well lets just say, I know my way around Gotham and similar areas. And jumping into situations like that is kind part of my..Err. Job?"
Drake Riley	"You were unconscious and he was pointing a gun at you," Volt replies dryly. "I wasn't gonna leave you. Besides, if nothing else, they learned not to mess with New York." He doesn't know beans about any awkward or cringe-inducing trists with the aforementioned Spike. He's too focused on the information she's dropped. "Buffy." It sounds like a pet-name. Like for a literal pet. His head tilts slightly. "A'ight, then." No questioning it, he's just rolling with it. Besides, the next part is the more important one. "You're too young to be a cop. You got superpowers? Shouldn't ya be in costume?"
Buffy Summers	Buffy Summers frowns, "Well, that's annoying. I guess you did the right thing by letting them go..It's just frustrating that I let my guard down." she smiles, "Guess I owe you an apology..What did you say your name was?" right right, gotta keep on track here...Quit thinking about Spike, dammit! "Heh, not a cop, just a regular college kid. And..." she hesitates to answer that question, mostly because her superhero identity is supposed to be a secret but.."Well, I guess you could say I'm a sort of..Casual superhero. Not really big on costumes to be honest. what about you? Any ordinary human would not have just run into danger like you did. And if you could take on the Cheetah, you must have some kinda super powers yourself, huh?"
Drake Riley	"People call me Volt," he replies, tone as casual as ever. He's gotten past thinking it's an odd thing. Maybe there'll be more gravitas when he has a costume; when it feels more official. Either way, since she never took his hands, he eases the right and raises the left. Thin tendrils of brilliant blue electricity begin coiling along his forearm and arcing between his spread fingers. "I believe in... truth in advertising," he muses. The small demonstration ends as abruptly as it began, and he drops his hand to his side. "What's your power? Bulletproof? Super agility?"
Buffy Summers	"Volt, huh. Lemme guess, your specialty is..Electricity?" she chuckles, not really surprised when he demonstrates his powers..Or maybe not so surprised as she once might have been, given how many metas she has come across since leaving the small town Sunnydale ways. "So, no costume either, huh. Well..That's cool. Costumes are way too tacky anyway. I prefer casual cosplay. Always have." she grins, "Well...My super power isn't so fancy. Super strength, super healing, super agility..And thousands of years of accumulated slayer..Err..Combat knowledge." she shrugs, "But I guess compared to most heavy hitters around here, I'm nothing special. Can't lift a car for instance."
Drake Riley	Volt is a little deflated at her apparent complete lack of awe when he demonstrates his supernatural ability. Hands dejectedly stuff into the central pouch of his hoodie when she further criticizes costumes. He likes costumes! "Well, I mean. For now I work with what I've got." No reason to bring up the whole 'homeless' angle. If that wasn't impressive, his crappy living situation would be even worse. "Anyway, it's not about the PSI. It's about whether or not you're willing to use it when you're needed, I say. I mean, heck, Superman makes everyone else kind of pointless."
Buffy Summers	Buffy Summers smiles, "Well, that's cool! I've never met an electrical generating super hero before." hey, at least Buffy is trying to seem impressed! Even if she has fought some pretty impressive, scary stuff before. She shrugs, "That is true, but to be honest, even he can't be everywhere, and for me, my specialty tends to be demons, although I'll lend a hand with just about anything else while I'm at it. So how long have you been a super hero? You seem pretty young, you do this thing often?"
Drake Riley	Volt's expression tightens. "Look who's talkin'," he chides. He looks young? /She/ looks young! Okay, they look to be about the same age. "I've been doing this for about a year, I guess. After some drama'n junk. It's baggage. Nothing you'd wanna hear about." Baggage and thoroughly depressing to him, anyway. He left California to find people to belong with. He wound up with the opposite. "Anyway, I'm just doing what I can. Someone with powers, willing to do something with'em other than power lightbulbs or flash-cook hamburgers." After a beat, an eyebrow lifts over the edge of his sunglasses. "Did you say demons?"
Buffy Summers	Buffy Summers smirks and shrugs, "Well I guess you're never really too young to be a superhero, huh. You handled yourself pretty well back there, but I'm still mad at myself for letting my guard down and letting them get away..Of course, knowing Cheetah, we'll probably run into each other again..She always turns up like a bad penny.." she ruolls her eyes. "Baggage huh? Well, no one ever said the superhero business was without drama. I mean, I'm in it because it's my destiny. What made you decide to go down this dark and dangerous path?" Buffy grins, her tone light, trying not to offend but trying not to make things seem too serious, even though she's seen the dark side of superhero business far too many times. "I see, I guess if you have powers, you kinda feel obligated to help people with them. Well I'm glad you're not working with the bad guys." she winks, "Heey, are you one of those mutants..?" Wait, did she say demons? Buffy laughs again and shrugs, "Really, does that surprise you, with all the other crazies running around?"
Drake Riley	There's so much to unpack here. Volt has to take a moment to organize his thoughts. The first part, he lets go. No use dwelling on it further. Cheetah got a nasty shock, and the Joker used Buffy to secure their escape. It is what it is! He's not holding it against her. But now, as for the rest... "Well, having powers helps. But there are a lot've reasons to do it. Part of it is being more than just...," he pauses and lifts his arms to either side. "...nothing." His hands lower to stuff into the pouch of his hoodie again. "If I have the means to do something that other people can't, /not/ using it seems like a waste. But I don't feel obligated. I haven't taken any oaths or anything." There's a pause before he frowns again, gaze downshifting. "Demons /are/ freaky. But yeah. I'm a mutant."
Buffy Summers	Buffy Summers nods and sighs. She's still frustrated that those two buggers got away, but it's too late to follow them now. "It's alright, we'll catch 'em again. I wont let that happen twice! And I'm glad for the help. Soo, mutant huh. Are you a member of Xavier's school too? My cousin teaches there, Scott's a pretty cool guy.." she pauses a moment, pondering if she should just say she's a mutant. A lot easier than going into the whole slayer explanation. "Heh, yeah demons are pretty freaky. Some are silly and harmless. But vamps are pretty scary..I guess there are even psychic vamps that look like beautiful humans too. But there are tons of other types of demons out there too. Most people aren't even aware of them because they're often very subtle about it. But I guess that's my job, to slay demons. It's loads of fun." she says the last part dryly.
Drake Riley	Volt blinks owlishly at her from behind his shades. "Your cousin teaches there?" He remembers Scott. Is that who she meant? He doesn't recall interacting much with him, either way, and the entire experience has left him pretty bitter overall. So he just shakes his head. "Doesn't matter, I guess. No, I don't go there. Used to be associated with'em, but I didn't like what I was seein'." After a beat, he adds, "Just gonna shelve the whole... 'vampires and demons' thing for now. My brain's having a nice enough time just wrapping around the weirdness I already know."
Buffy Summers	Buffy Summers shrugs and grins, "Yeah, one and the same. Good people.." she pauses, "Oh..Really? I'm sorry to hear that. I only toured the school once though, can't say I know what it's like to attend classes or teach there." she smirks and nods, "No worries, it's a lot to process. There are a lot of big uglies out there, and having to worry about demons on top of feral cat women and mad criminals is hard enough. Don't worry about it, I'm on top of it, usually. So you in college or anything?"
Drake Riley	Volt spares a glance to the side briefly, gauging the police in the distance. They don't seem to be heading in their direction, so there's nothing to worry about. He puts his attention back on the blonde before him. "Not exactly. I'm just focused on doing my work." He pauses, then clarifies, "/This/ work. Highschool wasn't great, college sounds pretty horrible, but this? This, I can do. Even for people who, like... /radiate/ confidence," he muses, adding a light fist-nudge towards her shoulder. Yes, he's talking about her. Poking fun.
Buffy Summers	Buffy Summers bites her lip, peering at him thoughtfully as he says those words. "Really...Sooo being a superhero is a fulltime job for you? Seriously?" she asks a bit incredulously, her expression a bit serious. "I mean..Don't you ever..Tire of it? I mean, heck, I used to think that way once, like being a Slayer was my destiny, my fulltime job. But lately, I've been thinking, I don't wanna be fighting demons my whole life. I'd like to live a normal life, go to school, get a cool career, get married, maybe even have kids.." she chuckles at that last one; Buffy never really considered herself a settling down family type person. "But hey, I'd get tired of fighting full time..All the time. Heck, even college is a relief once in a while. Even if it IS at Gotham U."
Drake Riley	Volt lifts his shoulders in a minute shrug and turns around - slowly, deliberately at the shoulders first to subtly invite her to walk with him. That is, a little further away from the police. Plus, he just likes keeping active and moving. "You keep saying destiny. Before I explain, lemme ask you this. Did you ever really have the choice?"
Buffy Summers	Buffy Summers nods and follows alongside him, glad for the company and the fresh air. She does seem troubled by the question, just a little, although she shrugs and smiles in that casual way of hers, as if trying not to take it too seriously. "Honestly? Not really. I was literally born the Slayer, after the last slayer died. I was automatically 'activated'...Okay, it's kinda hard to explain." Buffy chuckles and shrugs, trying the best she can. Soon as the Slayer magics were passed down to me, I just kinda..Had this instinct, I suddenly knew stuff, like how to fight, I became super strong..And a need to kill vampires I suppose. Oh yeah and a watcher who relentlessly pursued me and trained me to fight. So yeah.." Another shrug, "This was my destiny. I never really had a choice. How about you?"
Drake Riley	"I was born different, too," Volt replies. "I didn't have.. uh.. spooky vampire-monster-fighter powers, but I could shoot electricity, absorb it, direct it. It wasn't my destiny to do or be anything. I was just born different." The head turns to Buffy, his expression considerably more somber, but gentle. At least, what could be seen of it through the excessive lengths used to 'casually' hide his features. "What I'm doing now wasn't forced on me by anyone. I made the choice to be something other than just a homeless rando on the street. I chose to be something people could count on. I chose to inspire, protect, and save. The alternative was just keeping my head down, going unnoticed, and being different while the people around me would get hurt." He nudges an elbow out at her. "Make a little more sense?"
Buffy Summers	Buffy Summers smiles, "That IS pretty cool. Guess you never have to worry about a dead battery or faulty wiring huh." she chuckles. "Well kudos on you. When you have free choice and are gifted with powers, a lot of people would choose to use them for their own personal gain. That's pretty admirable of you to choose to be a super hero. But what about the future? Is this all you want to do for the rest of your life? Don't you want to have a normal job? Family? Doesn't mean you can't do this on the side, I just worry that you might lose out on the rest of what life has to offer."
Drake Riley	"My life's been lived on the streets, or with people who hate me for being different," Volt replies. "Been there. Not interested. But this, that question..." Volt glances down at his feet, then aside to Buffy again. "Is this what I want to do with my life? Save lives? Make people believe there's a chance to be saved? That they can be more than what they are now, and that you don't have to be afraid? To give hope?" He nods. "Yeah. I could be happy with that."
Buffy Summers	Buffy Summers frowns, "Geez, that sucks. If you don't mind my asking, why didn't Xavier's agree with you? They're supposed to be a safe haven for mutants.." okay, that's not common knowledge, but now that he's admitted he's a mutant, Buffy doesn't mind telling him that. Besides he already was there before. "Well that's really admirable and all, just.." she shrugs, "Well to each their own, I suppose. Hey, are you still on the streets? Do you need a place to stay? I just hate to think of you risking your life every day without a place to go home to, or food on the table.."
Drake Riley	"Uh... your cousin works there. I shouldn't get into it," Volt murmurs as his gaze downshifts. He doesn't intend to cause rifts. Or, Hell, get targeted by a school of mutants for exposing anything. "If you're ever given the choice between being normal and doing this, I think you'd get it. And if you did, and still wanted to be a regular ol' person? Totally your choice. No one should be doing this who doesn't /want/ to. S'what I think. Your heart's gotta be in it." His shoulders hunch a little. "Anyway, c'mon, I don't want you thinking of me as pitiful or anything. I'm alright. I always find somewhere to bunker down." When shelters aren't being inspected, or he can find an abandoned building. Food's more a scarcity, though.
Buffy Summers	Buffy Summers arches a brow and shrugs. Probably not a good idea if he's bumping shoulders with Scott. "Ahh..I see. Sorry about that.." she frowns, considering, "Honestly, I always wanted to be a 'normal' girl. Heck, before I became the Slayer, I was popular, and happy and carefree. Then I got this..Burden suddenly placed on my shoulders, and overnight I turned into the school 'Weirdo'." Buffy does seem concerned about his well-being though. Even as a mutant with electricity type powers, it must be hard living on the streets. "Well, I don't look down at you as if you're helpless or something. I guess I just worry. I had a friend once who was struggling, living on the streets. It's hard I'm sure, I just don't want to see you get hurt. And I know we just met but..If you ever have a place to crash, you just let me know. I have a spare room in my apartment. Especially since my room mate is currently overseas for a while..There's no shame in asking others for help, y'know?"
Drake Riley	Volt raises an eyebrow, himself, at this, and glances over to the girl. Attractive, superpowered, interesting, and offering him a room at her place. Oh, that's a recipe for friction. And any other guy would probably jump at the opportunity. But she's being nice. That would be taking advantage of her, and he's done enough lately to regret without adding that to the list. "I better not," he mentions. A hand raises to slip into his hood, brushing against the back of his neck. "See, cards on the table, you're crazy pretty, and I wouldn't want things to get weird. Especially when you're just trying to be nice." He quickly pivots on heel to face her, hands raising with palms out. "Not trying to come off as a creep or anything, just- wantin' to play it straight."
Buffy Summers	Buffy Summers arches a brow. "Hey, I get it, you're a guy, don't want help from a girl. Want to be independant. Don't take this the wrong way, okay? It's not like I'm hitting on you or anything. I'm j ust one human, trying to help another human. And like I said, I have a spare room. You wouldn't even have to see me, especially as I'm constantly travelling between Gotham and my mom's home in Sunnydale. But no pressure. Here.." She pulls out her backpack, ripping a page out of her notebook and scribbles something down, handing it to him. "My number. Maybe you don't need it now, but hey, it's getting pretty cold out there, winter's just around the corner. If you find yourself in a bind, or..I dunno, you're just hungry, just gimme a call, okay? No shame, no pressure."
Drake Riley	Volt regards her with a mixture of bemusement and skepticism. The paper is taken and stuffed into his central pouch pocket. It won't be getting used; he doesn't have a phone. "I'm trying to say, as indirectly as I possibly can, that /I/ would be hitting on /you/. Not having a machismo kick," he chides.
Buffy Summers	Buffy Summers arches a brow, watching doubtfully as he stuffs the piece of paper away. She doubts he'd use it, and she'd feel terribly guilty if she came across his body some day, frozen and starved to death. When he makes his message clearer, she just laughs. "No offense, but I wouldn't allow that to happen. People who try to 'take advantage' of me usually regret it in the end. but..." she sighs, glancing over at the horizon. "Well, I've done all I can to help. I hate to just drop and run, especially knowing you have no place to go but..I hope you really will change your mind if you find yourself in a bind." Buffy shrugs, "Which way are you headed? I don't have a car, but I could at least give you change for a bus or taxi, if that's not too much for your pride?" She really does want to help, even though Volt seems to be resisting every step of the way.
Drake Riley	Volt cants his head to her, "Hence why I'm turning ya down." Because it would get weird. He doesn't want it to get weird, so he's not putting himself in a position where it would. Glancing forward, then back to her, it's his turn to laugh. "No way! I'm not taking money from the chick I just saved!," he teases. "Let someone else play hero for once, would'ja? I'll be fine. Honest. You can save me next time. I'll even swoon. But tonight, the only thing you've gotta worry about is getting home and prepping for your totally normal and boring classes." He shoots her a bright, more relaxed smile with an uptilt of his chin.
Buffy Summers	Buffy Summers rolls her eyes. "Geez, you're sooo stubborn! Why can't I just thank the person who saved me? You know how badly I'd feel about just leaving you out here on the cold streets?" she sighs. Buffy doesn't usually have to work this hard to help people in need. "You know, being a hero is all flashy and stuff, but sometimes the small things are the best things too." With a shrug, she continues to peer ahead. "Well, I have classes early tomorrow and it is starting to get late. If you're gonna refuse a warm place to stay, a ride home, and even a coffee. I guess this is where we part ways. Just dont blame me if you freeze, or starve to death.." But she gets the feeling he knows how to take care of himself. Doesn't make her feel any better though.
Drake Riley	"Pft," scoffs Volt. "No thanks necessary, ma'am." She totally walked into that one. "Really and truly, I'll be fine. Nice to be worried about, but really. If you ever wanna verify it, I'm not that hard to find. And be safe on the rest of the way home, 'kay?"
Buffy Summers	Buffy Summers laughs, "You're worried about MY safety?" she can't help but be amused. He may have superpowers, but she's the one who has a shelter and food to go home to. "Suure. Pausing and glancing up at where their steps have taken them, she gives another shrug. "Well, guess I can make my way home from here. Maybe we'll cross paths again some day..It's be fun.." she grins and winks.
Drake Riley	"And at the least, not boring," Volt replies, mirroring her grin. He then nods and takes a step back from her. "Until then, 'Slayer'." He adds a little lilt to the word, emphasizing it coyly.