VIDEO (=^･ω･^)=

[oyaji]

[ Everyone, pay attention! Wild Tiger has a matter that needs attending to. Right now! It's important! ]

What Defense Department guy, sitting up there in his tower and his big defense office, is coming up with these jobs? [ The manila folder is clenched tightly between his fingers, his face growing red under his domino mask. ] I'm a Hero! Why isn't that our income source? I don't have time to work two jobs.

[ With a grimace, he raises the folder to give it another look through. ]

It's not even a job! It's—How is... [ Wait, hang on, he's forgotten already. He's gotta read it again. ] Hmm... Official DJ—Dad Joke? of Liger Clothing?

[ Sonuvabitch. He'll just stare into the distance thank you, blindsided and so damn confused. ]

My jokes are not daddish. They're gems! In fact, they shouldn't be taken for granite.

[ BAH HAH HAH! That was perfect! ]

Comments

[pyrogue]

Tell me about it. I usually just rely on the same half-dozen fire themed ones.

[oyaji]

Ah—Why fire?

[pyrogue]

Oh, that's easy. I'm Mick, but I also go by Heat Wave. Got a whole fire thing going on, y'know?

[oyaji]

You have a secret identity... Why are you telling me your real name?! A Hero's identity needs to be protected!

[ This network is public!! AHH AHHHHH! Everyone, avert your eyes! ]

[pyrogue]

[ Mick shrugs. ] Mine ain't a secret.

Wait, so are you gonna go to your job in costume?

[oyaji]

No, no! That's way too bulky. [ He then points to his sweet ass black domino mask that he wears almost always when he's out in public. About the only time he takes it off is at home or with his family. ] This always does the trick.

Is that common where you're from? Public names? Seems pretty dangerous...

[ Hint hint. ]

[pyrogue]

...Sure?

[ Ah yes, this is the awkward part of every conversation. He rubs the side of his face. ]

No, most heroes have secret IDs but I wasn't no hero. Kinda hard to keep your name a secret after your first arrest. I'm reformed now, don't worry - use my equipment to help rather than get into dumb fights with the Flash.

[oyaji]

[ Yeah, this is really awkward. Usually, this would be a black and white issue. Meet a super villain, hate a super villain. But if it's true that he's done his time and has been let out, can Tiger hold that against him?

Verdict says: No! Mick's a lover of puns and a reformed citizen. Sounds like a win for the justice system to Tiger!! ]

Who's The Flash? Is he your arch nemesis?

[pyrogue]

Formerly. [ He grins. ] Honestly a way better friend than enemy. Flash is great. He's a speedster, faster than anything you've ever seen. But he's the kind of guy who'd slow down enough to talk to you. One of the best men I ever met.

[ Even when he was a Rogue they were all weirdly proud of their foe; when he reformed, Flash was suspicious at first before they ended up friends. He was always supportive of Mick's reformation, at least until he... died. Oh. Yeah. ]

Actually, technically there's two of 'em in my world 'cause Kid Flash, his sidekick, took up the mantle - that was after I reformed, though. Seems like a good kid, though.

[oyaji]

Really? [ His laugh isn't mean-spirited. It's more like a surprised reaction he can't hold inside anymore. Tiger can't imagine any of their criminals changing face and befriending any Hero. ] So is that common? You know, taking over someone else's Hero name?

[pyrogue]

[ He scratches his chin. ] I dunno if it's common but it's happened. I'd say... sometimes. [ His smile becomes a bit sad. ] Usually if the previous one died.

[ Or retired, but unlike when some upstart Rogue starts calling himself Trickster while the previous one's alive and kicking, it's a lot harder to tell when a superhero's gone vs when they're Gone if they've got a secret ID. ]

Why, you don't got legacy heroes in your world?

[oyaji]

Uhh, no. Not at all. Being a Hero is a competition back home. Our sponsors want us all to be our own brand and stand out. Or whatever.

There's all this red tape in our industry. Oh! You guys ever have partners? You know, like a dynamic duo! Or, what'd you call it? Ehm, ehh, uhh, sidekick?

[pyrogue]

Well yeah, of course, a bunch of 'em do but hold on. Back up. So not only is being a superhero a job in your world but there are sponsors and competition? That's... weird.

[oyaji]

[ SHRUGS. ] It's how our companies pay for everything. The sponsors get their names on TV and we can continue doing our job.

[ Tiger has a big love-hate relationship for the whole scheme. ]

[pyrogue]

Huh. So every hero does that kinda thing?

[ He worked at Cadmus Labs for a brief time as Superboy's understudy - it's not the same thing but it was still superheroics for a company. He can't judge. Every hero being like that just sounds... weird. ]

[oyaji]

They do if they want to be a legal Hero. I can't say it works that way in every city, but...

[ Shrug shrug. ]

[pyrogue]

...Legal?

[ What is this asking for permission stuff you speak of. ]

Where I'm from you kinda just put on a costume and go, and if you're saving people you're a hero. ...Usually.

[oyaji]

Eh? Wh—Really? Tch, that's the quickest way to gettin' arrested! Vigilantes are legal where you're from?

[pyrogue]

Kind of? [

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Kind of? [ <small><He shrugs.</small> ] You can't go around killing criminals, if that's what you mean.

Guess having some sorta system in place makes sense. They got the whole registration thing here, didn't really think twice about signing up. But I figured it'd give me... legitimacy.