The PRT catches wind of a strange increase in disappeared domestic animals in the downtown area. Given that the people who live there are the rich and powerful, this is clearly a problem that needs to be investigated and solved immediately. The PRT, of course, agrees that this is of utmost importance, and not just because of precedent about mass abductions of pets, of course not, why would you think that, they are so very worried about Fido, even Scion recognizes the merits of rescuing lost pets.
(Lorica's asked to maybe keep a few more eyes there than she has been.)
"Information about our comms is, for strategic reasons, not for general dissemination," Lorica says.
"You and Glam are often seen working together, and they frequently use their power to help yours, so there's been some speculation on the PHO Forums about you two being an item. How much credence should we lend to such speculations?"
"I would like to remind you that these are underage heroes you're speculating about," Armsmaster says sharply. "And this isn't about teenage gossip."
"It's not about gossip! There are legitimate worries that such relationships may compromise the Wards' abilities on the field!"
"There's a useful power synergy between me and Glam, just like there is between me and Silica - anyone who can operate at a distance given visual feedback can get use out of a bot on the scene and one near them to allow safer remote deployment. It compounds upon itself because my bot network can use Glam's conjurations as field-modifiable reinforcements."
"This line of questioning has lost its relevance. Are there any further questions relating to this incident? Yes," Armsmaster points at yet another reporter, who then proceeds to ask something about Drupe's powers. Another one inquires about containment procedures and how the Protectorate plans to handle similar cases in the future, about Blasto's trial, and so on. They seem to have gotten the hint and stay in-topic, and then the conference's over and the heroes go back inside.
As they do, Armsmaster says to Lorica, quietly, "Good job handling them."
Glam floats after Lorica.
"I hope you weren't hoping that I'd publicly confirm that we're dating during a press conference about a villain apprehension."
"Ha, no," they snort. "I mean, sure, the Forums would explode with speculation and I'm not exactly opposed to publicity, but that's not quite the right kind."
"I hate those things. The bot was helping me compose responses without getting distracted or accidentally answering a question just because someone asked it." Sigh.
"I, somewhat predictably, like them a lot. I wish I'd gotten more questions. Or, any questions at all, really. I suppose the one about us dating could've included me but it seemed mostly directed at you, I wonder why."
"Then why did they start with you? Although I suppose being panicked about bot surveillance would do it."
"Yeah, I would probably have stepped in if someone had addressed her. Poor kid."
"I would comment that I think she should probably try becoming a civilian but she really helped yesterday."
"She's very handy if you need things dead and have a way to contain the poison. Just doesn't come up all that often when you're a hero type."
"Well, even when you're a villain, doing that would be breaking the unwritten rules ninety percent of the time."
"Yeah, she'd have to be an extremely scary villain and then someone would shoot her." Sigh.
"If she knew how to properly leverage her power, though, she might be able to not be shot and she'd be terrifying."
"I'm glad we find a way to make her feel heroic on occasion, all things considered."