"You can still do a lot without the formal 'hero' title."

"Yeah. ...I used to be an independent hero for a bit. Before I joined up."

"Was that better?" Of course it was.

"...yeah, it kinda was. I used to think being with the Protectorate was a net positive, but it doesn't feel that way anymore."

"They can't force you to stay, can they?" But what if they tried?

"Nnnot... really. More or less? They're kinda holding a few legal odds and ends about me together which... might be resolved, might not, should be when I graduate. I'm not sure what they can legally do about that if I quit now... But they could definitely, say, sic Miss Militia on me and have her tail me all the time."

"Well, that doesn't sound very friendly."

"Not terribly, no. I'm not sure if they've ever actually done anything like that, independent heroes and stuff don't tend to be that common, the most salient examples being either organizations or groups like New Wave. But they could, if they thought keeping an eye on one would be worth their time."

"That must be a little nerve-wracking." Or a lot. Snuggle.

"Yeah, a little." Or a lot. Very snuggle. "With our numbers as they currently are they probably wouldn't spare someone to keep an eye on me... unless they were really suspicious of me or something. My power's scary. Most powers are, when you stop to think about it, but mine in particular is very scary."

"It's so versatile."

"It's way more versatile than we let on, really. But most powers are, it's part of the cape game, never showing your hand to everyone, always pretending you can do less than you really can..."

"Wow, more versatile than that? How?"

"I don't actually know of an upper limit to what I can make, it's mostly about... figuring out how to make it work?"

"That's amazing. It's hard to imagine how unsupportive of your talents they're being even if they can't appreciate you as a person as much as they should."

"Yeah, I don't know, I think they kinda take it for granted or something... And this stupid group of serial killers with the trump is killing my mojo."

"Oh no." Pet pet.

"Yeah." He shakes his head and snuggles up some more.

Snuggle snuggle.

"Anyway, let's not talk about cape stuff, I came here to escape that. You said you were in a tour group?"

"Sure. Lot of 'George Washington once slept here' type stuff."

"...that sounds a bit tedious."

"A little. I would have ditched them for you if you'd called any earlier."

Aw. Awwwwww. He's still a little bit in love. Darnit. "I called practically as soon as the meeting with the Director was over. Walked alone for a couple of minutes to cool off, but yeah."

A little bit? "I'm really glad I was still in town to be here for you."