Work Text:
Nine, one of the heroes from Ijincho's Superhero Commission.
Age: 42, but she moves like she's 22.
Powers: Night vision, heightened agility, hearing, sight, smell, and strength.
They're nothing remarkable; most of her gimmick is in her acrobatics, the whip she utilizes as a grappling hook, and her tail.
She's a powerhouse despite her looks.
You can usually find her lurking in the alleys, strutting on the rooftops, and strolling onto nearby ledges.
She's a nocturnal kind of hero, though, more active at night. She'll only come out in daylight if it's an emergency.
Oh, and one other thing; she prefers to work alone, so don't feel offended if she seems standoffish. She rarely warms up to anyone.
She was a constant figure outside, sitting on the balcony railing, a pack of beer beside her and a whip casually dropped from her waist. Her legs dangled below, swaying with a mix of anticipation and mischief until the door creaked open. She twirled a strand of her brown hair, then lifted herself with poise.
"You can't keep a cat waiting, we'll just run off…" She hummed softly, the click of her heels resonating against the metal railing. Ichiban leaned against the doorframe with crossed arms and a smile.
"Your file from the ISC says you're standoffish, I mean, I know cats warm up to people eventually, but not this soon." He chuckled.
"That file also says I'm 42."
She arched backward into a graceful handspring, her movements fluid and captivating. When she turned around, it felt as if she continued to flow through the air, her body still swirling with energy. Her fingers glided up his chest, wrapping around Ichiban's shoulders.
"I'm only 34."
"I've done the math, you know."
She pouted. "Rude."
"Reading up on the ISC is one of my hobbies. I've told ya that."
"Yet you won't tell me a thing about Super Light."
"Most of what I know is public knowledge."
"Keyword: Most. You're one of his closest confidants, aren't you?"
"Well…I can get close to him."
"Then what's the harm in just telling me a little something about him? I don't need to know his identity or anything…" She tilted her head, letting her hair cascade against his chest, her eyes shimmering with an earnest plea. He felt a warm flush creep up his cheeks as her gaze bore into him, igniting something deep within.
He turned his head. "Sorry, can't do that."
She pulled back from him in a way that felt more like a shove. With a swift motion, she pressed the mask against the bridge of her nose, her gloved finger trailing down the side. She turned back to the balcony railing. She swung herself up and settled onto it, letting her feet dangle while her head was low. Ichiban rolled his eyes; the same dramatic act from the same dramatic cat. Even though she was supposedly stoic, she was way more of a...he couldn't find the word for it. She did this often, and that much he knew. He could've been nicer. He went up to the railing, leaned against it right next to her. His arms dangling along with her legs.
He started to speak, but his voice was almost a whisper. "You know, I heard Super Light is really into Dragon Quest."
"That silly RPG?" She lightly chuckled.
"Sure, and there's supposed to be a new movie based on it coming out. And, I know that Super Light isn't dispatched on Thursdays and Fridays, so…maybe next Friday, you could ask him."
"You think he'd go for it?"
"I know so. Just like you said, most of what I know is public knowledge. But, he and I are friends, so he tells me these things."
She fiddled with her bell-zipper. "Does he ever…talk about me?"
"He thinks you could go without hanging out on a stranger's balcony…"
"Okay, sure."
She finally looked at him, her face entirely brightened by her warm smile.
"Thanks, Ichi."
"Yeah, just, don't tell him I told you this. He's kind of a private guy."
"Yeah, yeah, I know the deal."
