video | a finer world, part 2

[solarcharged]

[ Does this guy ever broadcast to the network from ground level?? APPARENTLY NOT because here's Apollo with yet another video message from somewhere dizzyingly high, this time sat on top of a brightly lit neon encrusted building in the heart of Jeopardy. Over his shoulder the sun sets over the desert in a picture perfect background landscape of bright pinks and oranges, but Apollo looks pensive despite the dreamy setting. He's been keeping an eye out for the so-called ghosts, you see, and maybe remembering a few ghosts of his own in the process. ]

An old friend once told me that saving the world is no good if we leave it the way we found it. She said 'saving the day shouldn't be the same as preserving the status quo'. Because what's the point in saving the world if you make no effort to change it? To make it better than it was?

That's why I joined her team, back home. I wanted to save the world and change it for the better. None of us could have done it alone but as a group... [ He trails off, turning a little wistful. ] As a group we were formidable.

But I know most of the teams currently operating here - [ you know who you are ] - are all pretty much Registered-only affairs. And that's fine if you're the Registering type...

[ Apollo's expression turns grim. Or as grim as you can look when surrounded by neon pink signage. ]

Personally? I've got no intention of swearing my loyalty to the government just because they want tame superheroes. But I still want to make a difference and if being a so-called vigilante is what it takes, then... I guess we'll see what happens next.

So consider this an open call. Is there anyone else out there who's Unsettled and wants to do their bit to save the world?

[ And yeah, maybe change it a little bit too. He hopes you're happy, Jenny Sparks. ]

Comments

[solarcharged]

Oh, so you do know the guy after all.

[ Although fucking cities in his head is a little more out there than Apollo was expecting. He takes the cue with a murmur of thanks and feels the heft of it; it's a little shorter than his reach, but that's fine. He knows he's going to lose anyway!

He sets the cue ball in place, lines himself up, pauses to eye the triangle of balls at the other end of the table, and makes his break with a sharp movement. The pool balls break away with a crack, skittering around the table. ]

Humor me and pretend to be impressed, won't you? [ He jokes as he straightens up and watches where the balls end up. ] It'll do my ego some good.

[heliophilic]

Jack Hawksmoor's a member of your "Authority"?

[He tries to imagine Jack trying to make the world a better place. Jack's a damn good cop, for lack of a better word, but he doesn't exactly have that kind of initiative in him.

He watches Apollo move, realizing not for the first time how differently this older version is built than Andrew. He's taller, broader, and more muscular... and he's definitely overcompensating for the cue he was given. M pulls a slightly longer one off the wall.]

Try this one instead.

[M watches the balls break, and a few slide into the pockets.]

I'm already impressed.

[solarcharged]

Member, leader, president of the United States...

[ Apollo gratefully exchanges cues with Midnighter before surveying the table; joking or not, he still allows himself a private smile at the compliment. He nods at the nearest pocket, where one of the balls ended up (mostly accidentally). ]

That was a fluke, by the way.

[ He lines up his next shot; there are no particularly easy targets to sink in to pockets, so he just sends the cue ball in to a small cluster of balls and sends them flying around the table, just to mix them up a bit. ]

[heliophilic]

[M nearly chokes. Again, Jack's a damn good cop, but president?!]

Did he lose a bet?

[He'd be lying if he said he wasn't enjoying the view, standing off to the side and out of the way so Apollo can do his thing.]

Don't be so humble.

[solarcharged]

No, he just looked the best in a suit and tie.

[ Apollo's joking of course. Jack put himself in charge of the Authority when the century ticked over and nobody ever really had an issue with it. Not until it was too late, of course.

He glances at the table; his random shot didn't work, but he hadn't really expected it to. Apollo gestures grandly. ]

The table is yours.

[heliophilic]

Let me guess, a funny joke because he's usually wearing a suit and tie.

[His did, anyway.]

You sure?

[solarcharged]

[ He leans a hip on the edge of the pool table which to its credit doesn't creak even a little bit. Apollo shrugs, glancing at the balls scattered across the green velvet. ]

I didn't pocket anything that second time. Go ahead.

[ He grins. ]

You do know that if you miss any you have to hand in your Midnighter club card, right?

[heliophilic]

[M picks up the shorter cue he took from Apollo and saunters up to the table, making a big show of it.]

Well now I just have to perform, now don't I?

[He leans over the table immodestly as he lines up his stick, then takes a basic shot. Sure, he can show off, but then the game would be over.]

[solarcharged]

[ Apollo is this close to rolling his eyes at Midnighter's show of bravado, but whatever he's about to say is silence by the way the other man bends over the table. He glances away with a grin. ]

Oh, please. Like you'd miss a chance to show off.

[ Although don't think Apollo has missed how purposefully simple that first shot was. ]

[heliophilic]

Why I never--

[He hits the next ball and misses. On purpose? Certainly not.]

Do I hand my card in to you?

[solarcharged]

[ Oh, bullshit, M. Apollo gives him a Look, somewhere between amused and accusing, and shakes his head slowly. Because Apollo knows when he's being played by a Midnighter. He hefts his pool cue with a sigh. ]

I'll let you keep your card... for now.

[ That said, he paces slowly around the table as he eyes up the scene before him, nudging Midnighter gently out of the way as he passes. ]

God, next time can you at least leave me an easy shot?

[heliophilic]

How kind of you.

[M sways his hips as he heads back over to the wall and leans up against it, arms crossed.]

But then you'd accuse me of "reverse cheating" or something.

[solarcharged]

[ Walking like that should be illegal, Apollo thinks to himself. And while Midnighter has his back turned Apollo takes a few long moments to watch him as he walks, biting at his lip in silent (if guilty) appreciation. It was barely a few minutes ago that M was hugging him. Apollo's glad - pleased, even - that he decided to stick around after all.

Belatedly, Apollo realises that M has said something. He shakes his head again in amusement and turns his attention to the table. ]

'Reverse cheating'? More like helping to preserve my dignity and pride.

[ He finally picks an angle - an awkward one, unfortunately. An angle that involves him having to sprawl inelegantly over the pool table to take his shot. He winces as the wood creaks ominously beneath him. He isn't going to have much dignity or pride left if he breaks the pool table, but oh well! ]

[heliophilic]

[Splaying yourself on a pool table like that should be illegal, M can't help but think as he shamelessly watches Apollo take his next shot. A part of him knows that he shouldn't be, but... how could anyone blame him?]

You have pride to spare.

[solarcharged]

[ Apollo, bent over the table, throws M a sharp look of (entirely fake) disgruntled offence at that assessment. ]

Rude.

[ He makes the shot and manages to pot another of his balls, thankfully. Apollo straightens up again and points at M with his cue as he adds: ]

I liked you better when you were murderous and sympathetic.

[heliophilic]

[M shifts his position to try to make him seem more aloof. Yeah, he's one of those.]

Instead of murderous and rude?

[solarcharged]

That's your default, yes.

[ It's catty but Apollo's joking, he promises. There's a faintly smug smirk on his face as he leans over to take aim at the next ball...

Which misses the pocket by a mile and is probably karma. ]

Shit.

[heliophilic]

If I really was rude, this is where I'd taunt you for such a terrible shot.

[solarcharged]

[ Apollo gives him a pointed look. ]

You mean you didn't just do that?

[ Still, he relinquishes the table with a gesture. ]

Go on, do your best. Or your worst, considering your last shot...

[ He knows you threw it, M!!! ]

[heliophilic]

I would never--!

[M does his best to look horrified.]

I'm trying to be sporting and have fun. Is there a problem with that?

[solarcharged]

[ Apollo rolls his eyes, fondly so. ]

Now who's protesting too much? [ He folds his arms and rests a hip on the table, nodding at it with a grin. ] Shut up and beat me, genius.

[heliophilic]

["But then you'd leave" M wants to say, but decides maybe that's not exactly appropriate.

He instead hip checks Apollo gently as he approaches, looking at all of his options.]

So much for having a good time.

[solarcharged]

[ Apollo grins - especially at that brief touch as M passes. ]

I am having a good time, [ He protests softly and watches him as he studies the table. ] I know when I'm outclassed, that's all.

[ Because maybe he likes being beaten by Midnighter. Maybe that's what he wants. ]

[heliophilic]

And I'm trying to even up the score, but you keep going around calling it reverse cheating.

Name pending.

[He finally takes his shot and misses by a mile.]

Oopsie.

[solarcharged]

[ Apollo rolls his eyes. AGAIN. With the same grin in place. ]

Okay, I take it back. You do need to hand your Midnighter card in. [ He points at the incriminating ball. ] That one wasn't even subtle.