THE RANDOM SCENARIO MEME 3.0

[fighterfetish]

THE RANDOM SCENARIO MEME 3.0


- Post your character, name, and series in the subject. Include any preferences as well.
- Go to RNG and enter 1-7 for a scene type, and 1-20 for a scene to play out.

TYPE OF SCENE.
① Action → Gun fights, bar brawls, fights to the death are all possible scenarios.
② Angst → Characters suffer emotionally or physically from relationships breaking up, death, injury, etc. Hurt and comfort themes are included.
③ Crack → Genderswaps, super powers, sudden compulsions are all possible outcomes.
④ Fluff → Something that is devoid of angst. It's light-hearted and might have the overtone of romance.
⑤ Gen → General fun, things that didn't fit in the other categories.
⑥ Sex → First times, kinks, even dubcon are all possible themes of sex related scenarios.
⑦ Your choice → Think of your own scenario, choose one of the above or make a combo even!

ACTION.
① Zombies → It's the zombie apocalypse, lock and load!
② Bar brawl → You had one too many drinks, said something wrong, and now you're being asked to take it outside.
③ Chase → You're caught in a high speed chase.
④ Gun fight → You're caught in a big shoot-out.
⑤ Fight with a friend → You're fighting with a friend, all out.
⑥ Interrogation → You're being interrogated for some offense you've done.
⑦ Aliens → Aliens are attacking and you're not going to take your probe laying down!
⑧ Final battle → This is it. The battle that will end all the fighting for you. Will you win? Will you get that peace you want?
⑨ Training → You're not actually fighting, just training for the inevitable.
⑩ No hope → You know this fight has no hope. It's not going to end well for anyone involved, but you can't turn away.
⑪ Sneaking in → You're stealing a diamond or sneaking in to kick some bad guy butt, but whatever it is, you have to practice stealth.
⑫ Blue wire → You're faced with a bomb that needs to be disarmed.
⑬ Fight for honor → You've been disgraced or someone you care about has, so it's time to fight for honour.
⑭ Showdown → Time for a cowboy-style showdown. Whoever draws the fastest wins.
⑮ War → You're caught in the middle of a war here. Remember to keep your chin up and keeping fighting.
⑯ Apocalypse → The apocalypse finally happened and now you're left to scavenge and fight for whatever is left.
⑰ Sabotage → It's time to sabotage someone's plan! How is entirely up to you. Do you set up a bomb in their toilet? Do you double cross them at the last minute?
⑱ Big damn hero → You know you have to handle this one alone, so that means disarming or knocking unconscious the person who wants to join you.
⑲ Fight club → You know the rules... you're in an underground fighting ring and you're fighting with all you've got.
⑳ Threaten → You've just been sent here to rough them up a little, threaten them into behaving.

ANGST.
① Injury / illness → Your character has become injured or ill! To what extent is the mun's choice.
② Last moments → You character has been gravely injured and this is their last chance to say their last words.
③ Depression → Your character is depressed, what actions they take is up to the mun.
④ Betrayed → You character has been betrayed by the other. How do they react?
⑤ Tortured → Your character is being tortured and needs rescuing or at least a sympathetic ear to help him through it.
⑥ Jealousy → Your character is feeling jealous and must deal with it, how will they do it?
⑦ Breakup! → This relationship has gone as far as it can, it's time to breakup.
⑧ Broken → For whatever reason, the character is broken, mentally or or physically.
⑨ Fight → You can't even be in the same room as your friend or lover without arguing anymore.
⑩ Lost → You lost the biggest fight of your life and now all you can do is try to pick up the pieces.
⑪ Worst nightmare → Whatever you fear the most is now real or maybe you're just trapped in a dream together, but whatever it is, it feels too real.
⑫ Addicted → You're addicted to something, alcohol, drugs, sex, whatever. It's destroying your life and you can't do anything to stop it.
⑬ Hurt you → You're being forced to hurt someone you love either by betraying them or even being forced to shout things you don't mean. It's for their own good in the end though.
⑭ Separation → You were forced to leave this person for their own safety and while you've been miserable without them, you really didn't mean to run into them again... maybe it was by accident or you were watching them from afar this whole time.
⑮ Becoming a monster → You are slowly changing, becoming a monster: vampire, zombie, demon, something you can't recover from and no-one can help you.
⑯ Frozen → You are entirely helpless, frozen, to stop some kind of disaster.
⑰ Prison → You were very bad and now it's time to pay the price by turning yourself in or maybe the law just finally caught up to you.
⑱ Fear → You're not sure why, but you are suddenly terrified and you can't deal with it. You need help.
⑲ Hated → You are now hated by the person you loved the most.
⑳ Down and out → You're living on the streets, you've hit rock bottom, and you don't know what to do.

CRACK.
① Sexswap → Uh-oh, you're suddenly the opposite sex!
② Forced confessions → No matter what it is and no matter how hard you resist, you're going to be compelled to spill some deep dark secret!
③ Mind-reading → You've suddenly got the ability to read minds!
④ Animal → You're suddenly part animal or transformed into an animal!
⑤ Awkward pick-up lines → You're compelled to use bad pickup lines on whoever is closest!
⑥ Back in School / Graduated → You're suddenly back in school! Or if you were already in it, you've aged and long since graduated!
⑦ Vampires, werewolves, and zombies, oh my! → You're suddenly a vampire, werewolf, or zombie! Maybe even a demon or a devil, whatever creepy crawly you can think of. What do you do now?
⑧ Ghost → You're suddenly a ghost or at least invisible. What are you going to do with this new ability?
⑨ Awkward conversations → So did you just fart or what? Any conversation goes, as long as it's embarrassing and awkward.
⑩ Crossdressing → For whatever reason, you're suddenly dressed in clothes of the opposite sex.
⑪ Suddenly naked → Oops! Your clothes are suddenly gone.
⑫ Suddenly a kid → You're a kid again! Have fun with that second childhood.
⑬ Fortune cookie → You've suddenly received a note with something that will happen in the future, either precise or vague.
⑭ Super power → And suddenly you're like Superman! Any power goes.
⑮ Bodyswap → Somehow you've changed bodies with the other person.
⑯ Back in time → Somehow, you wound up in the past again. Do you try to correct something or just sit and wait for time to jump? Maybe it jumps to various points in your life or maybe you actually think you're back in the day. Have fun, run wild with the idea!
⑰ To the future → Is it everything you've dreamed? Is it horrible? Whatever happens, you're here to witness what happens to you in the future. Either you take the place of your future self or you're just there to watch. Might cause some confusion if people start seeing double though...
⑱ Angels, mermaids, and fairies! → You're not necessary something dark or evil. You're just something different. How do you deal?
⑲ Locked in a closet → For some reason, you're locked up in a closet with someone else. Do you make nice and try to figure your way out or what?
⑳ Finger trap → You're caught in a Chinese finger trap... with somebody else! You can't figure out how to get loose either... have fun with that.

FLUFF.
① Cuddling → For whatever reason, characters feel like being close and cuddling.
② Pillow talk → After the main event, characters are up for some pillow talk.
③ Celebration → Anniversary or some other big event is taking place and characters want to celebrate!
④ Love confession → Someone has finally decided to confess their love and today is the day!
⑤ Appreciation → You feel the need to show appreciation for that person closest to you, even if it's just a pat on the back.
⑥ Apologies → You made a mistake and now it's time to make it up in some way you know the other can't refuse!
⑦ Get back together → Why did you break up again exactly? Whatever the reason, it was a huge mistake and you both know you can work through it.
⑧ Date night → You've planned for a wonderful night together and you can't wait to get it started.
⑨ Family → You've either found out you're pregnant or you've already got that addition to your family.
⑩ Marriage → You're just about to get hitched or maybe you're enjoying your honeymoon. Maybe you've been together for years now! Whatever the case, it's time for that next big step.
⑪ Meeting again → It's time for that happy reunion finally!
⑫ Love at first sight → For whatever reason, you are now insanely in love with the first person you set eyes on.
⑬ Flirtation → You can't resist to do a little bit of harmless flirtation all of a sudden.
⑭ In the snow → Look outside! It's a winter wonderland, so why not go out and play in it?
⑮ Engagement → You've planned it all out and now it's time to finally pop the question.
⑯ Friendly games → You've set up the game station or board games for a friendly competition!
⑰ Gift → Time to give that special someone a gift just because.
⑱ Recovery → You're taking care of someone who's just recovered from some illness or injury.
⑲ Healing → Time to help mend that someone who's been through hell and back.
⑳ Better than ever → You've finally got everything you've ever wanted here. What is your ideal life and who does it include?

GEN.
① Nice meeting you → It's your first time meeting this person! You bumped into each other on the street, in a bar, at work... whatever!
② Drinks → You're out for drinks! Or just chilling at home with some beers. Wherever!
③ Lost → You're lost and you kind of need help finding your way to where you're going. A little help with directions?
④ Costume party → You're at a costume party, both of you are wearing masks. Do you keep the anonymity or take it off and see whose company you've been enjoying?
⑤ Wrong number → Oops, actually you didn't mean to call that person...
⑥ Drunk → You're already drunk! Drunk dialing, stumbling into someone, showing up unexpected... what type of drunk are you anyway? Aggressive, loving, happy? How does the other react?
⑦ Old friends → you haven't seen this person in a long time!
⑧ Rivals → you're suddenly rivals! Or maybe you have been all along...
⑨ Problems → you've got a problem with each other, just got in a huge fight, whatever. Try to work it out!
⑩ What are your intentions... → This person? They're dating a close friend, family member, etc. You need to find out if they're going to hurt them! Or you need to discuss your friend/family's dating choice.
⑪ I saw you → you saw the other person doing something bad and you need to confront them about it.
⑫ Sorry but no → the other person has feelings that you just don't share. They don't necessarily have to be romantic... maybe you just don't agree with their sudden desire to quit their job and start a business making tiny, fuzzy teddy bears.
⑬ My hero → you need to tell this person how much they mean to you. They've been your best friend or your role model your whole life and they need to know.
⑭ Enabler → you're enabling the other (or each other) to do something bad, really bad. Addiction, stealing, killing, or just any other self-destructive behavior.
⑮ Cooking → Time for an impromptu cooking lesson!
⑯ Oh, sure, I remember you... → It's that awkward moment when someone comes up and seems to know you, but you have no idea who they even are!
⑰ Rescue! → One of you was in trouble, but you came to the rescue!
⑱ Boss → One of you works under the other. Is your relationship good? Are you scheming things? Or do you hate each other?
⑲ Perfect crime → You and the other person have just pulled off the perfect crime... or you're planning to! What are you doing? The heist of the century, an assassination?
⑳ Movies → movie night! Maybe it's a sleepover. Whichever the case, it's time to eat a lot and have fun.

SEX.
① First time → it's your first time together or your first time ever! Enjoy the awkward times!
② Bondage → You and your partner decide to experiment a little with ropes or handcuffs or whatever you'd like to tie your partner up with.
③ Rough / Aggressive → Your characters want it rough.
④ Romantic → Slow and gentle, meaningful, that's how characters want it.
⑤ Dubcon → Character A wants Character B and it doesn't really matter if Character B wants it as bad or not.
⑥ In public → Characters feel like taking a risk and doing it in a public place.
⑦ Roleplay → Naughty nurse fetish? Pirate kink? You and your partner decide to try it out now!
⑧ Healing → You've both fought hard or gone through a rough time and it's time to get some R&R in.
⑨ Last time → This is the last time you're going to this because you're breaking up or maybe your lover is running off to sacrifice their lives in some heroic way. The possibilities are endless, but you better make this one count.
⑩ No strings attached → You're just friends with benefits. Nothing wrong with that, right?
⑪ Anonymous → You met in a restroom or bar, any location of your choosing, but you don't even know each other's names.
⑫ Toys → You're eager to try something new, so why not toys?
⑬ Aphrodisiacs → You've been slipped a strong aphrodisiac somehow and now you absolutely cannot control yourself.
⑭ Show → You're putting on a show by either doing it right in the club or filming it for a bunch of people.
⑮ Ménage à trois → It's time for that threesome you've always dreamed of.
⑯ Non-penetrative → Frottage, handjobs, whatever you want to try out.
⑰ Controlled → You are under mind control and must do whatever your lover asks of you.
⑱ Hate sex → It's not just rough or aggressive, you absolutely cannot stand each other.
⑲ Extreme → Fisting, knife play, whatever you can think of so long as it tests the boundaries.
⑳ Fantasy → This is just a fantasy, a dream, and you know it, but what is your ideal fantasy and how willing is your partner?

Comments

[herotvlive]

[Yeah, she's not letting go of this. Especially not for a discussion she does not want to have.]

So you decided flying next to a building full of civilians without your suit in daylight was helping?! Why didn't you just call?!

[Just because of a promise, he decides to risk that? This is why they keep Sky High's sound bites short.

Keith's not going to find many dishes, but there are a few disposable ones in the trash. If he pays attention there's a few other concessions - Agnes is wearing loose pants, and her hair is tied back.

Also? Vases are in the top right cabinet.]

[efflations]

Because I wanted to make sure you really were OK. And I forgot I had my phone.

[And he's not sure he even has her number. Most of the time Agnes communicates with the heroes through their wristbands so the possibility of phoning her just didn't occur.]

It's alright. I checked no one was around.

[Except all those people inside the building whose windows he was flying past. But really, he still can't figure out why she's so worked up about it. It's not the worse thing he's done in terms of maintaining a secret identity. And it's of far less importance than Agnes' well-being.

It is reassuring to see she is taking care of herself a little. All he needs to do is convince her to stop working for a while (good luck there) and everything will be fine!

Grabbing out a vase and a pair of scissors when he finds them, Keith quickly sets to filling the vase with water and neatly chopping off the ends of the flower stems before putting them in the water.]

[herotvlive]

You... just...

[This is not working. It's like trying to explain why breathing is preferable to not breathing. What he just did was so fundamentally ridiculous that Agnes cannot formulate words.

It's not that she thinks he's stupid. Sky High has always a favored a direct approach. Most of his problems can be solved with his powers, after all. It makes for an efficient Hero, but not a strategist. That's Agnes's job. When there's an issue beyond NEXT abilities, that's where she comes in.

Looks like this is one of those times.

Alright, then. Change of tactics. Hitching a crutch solidly under her arm, Agnes points at Keith. She jabs the air with each word.]

Don't. Do. That. Again!

[efflations]

Eh?

[Keith freezes, staring wide-eyed at that jabbing finger like she might somehow do a Jake and send him flying with it. As the words sink in he drops his head apologetically and nods.]

I'm sorry. You're right. I won't invade your privacy again. I'm truly sorry.

[Agnes has a good point. She could've been doing anything when he flew by, even getting changed! He should've thought to call and let her know he was coming. Plucking up the vase of flowers he holds them out as a peace offering.]

I was worried about you. Can you forgive me?

[herotvlive]

[Well that... wasn't exactly the point, but it will work. Agnes taps him on the chest this time, to drive the point home.]

Okay - As long as we're clear!

[If she were more awake, she might notice the promise was NOT to stop flying around the building. Just that there would be a call first!

Then the bouquet registers. And his reasoning. This is... not the typical response after she's chewed someone out. It's jarring. How does Sky High manage to be so clueless and thoughtful at the same time?]

They're... nice.

[She's out of practice with people giving her flowers. At least she's not snapping any more.]

[efflations]

[Nod. Nodnodnod. They're clear as crystal - no flying into people's homes without warning. Got it.

He doesn't notice any awkwardness on her part and certainly can't imagine why Agnes wouldn't be used to getting flowers - she's the well known producer of HeroTV and a very beautiful woman. She must get plenty of gifts.

Smile back in place like it never left now that the problem has been resolved, Keith turns to look around the apartment again. Picking what seems a good spot he sets the flowers down for her.]

I'm glad you like them!

[That done he turns to picking up the papers knocked onto the floor, wondering if putting them away somewhere will succeed in making Ms Agnes relax for a while....

Probably not. That's fine, it's part the reason he came by in the first place.]

How are you feeling today? Do you need anything done?

[herotvlive]

[Good luck with the 'relaxing' thing, Sky High.

Agnes ponders Keith's question. It's no good lying with "Fine" again. If she tells the truth - "Tired and I am about to rip off my own leg" - he's going to start fretting and get that look on his face. Finally, she settles for vague.]

Better then yesterday.

[Which... covers a very wide range of possibilities. Before he can follow up, there's a buzzing. It's from the headpiece sitting in Agnes's ear, which she taps on.]

Yes? - No, green - No they are not the same!

[She's distracted from whatever Keith's doing with the papers.]

[efflations]

[Politely doing his best to tune out the conversation he finishes gathering the papers while studiously avoiding peeking at the contents. He's invaded Ms Agnes' privacy enough today, even if it is just work.

Sneaking glances at her over his shoulder to make sure she's still distracted, Keith folds down the laptop's screen and scoops it up too. Computer and papers in hand he heads over to find some shelves or somewhere similarly out of reach to put it all so she can't just go back to work.

Nodding in satisfaction when he's done he turns back to wait for her to finish her call.]

[herotvlive]

[Agnes is so focused on the call that she does not notice what her visitor is up to. Partly because who expects Sky High to manage anything remotely close to sneaky?

The conversation drags on, moving from the fine distinction between green and neon green to photoshoot logistics. Agnes feels her leg beginning to grouse again. She sits at the kitchen table, scribbling notes and checking figures on another laptop. Of course she has a second laptop in the kitchen. Who doesn't?

Nice try, Keith.]

- No, that's no good either - Tell Tiger if he doesn't stop complaining he gets the speedo!

[Some days she really, really wishes for a career with less whining children.]

Look, just get the pool. I'm coming in tomorrow. We'll get the rest sorted then.

[efflations]

[She has another computer to work on. That's.... Not all that surprising considering. It would be frustrating if it didn't make him smile fondly, warmed by Agnes' dedication. Truly, where would they all be without her? Even now, she's clearly organising a photoshoot for Wild Tiger and Barnaby, trying to make it the best it can possibly be even though it should be her day off.

Agnes is in the kitchen so he may as well follow and start poking around. He should have gone grocery shopping before coming over so he could make her some healthy meals to reheat during the week. Maybe he can do that tomorrow - bring some groceries and do some cooking. Ms Agnes won't mind him using her kitchen.

Keith comes over to Agnes' side to borrow some paper and a pen and begins making a list of things to get, checking cupboards and talking to himself softly as he goes.]

Hm, more vegetables. Meat and fish too....

[herotvlive]

[At least he's keeping himself entertained and (more importantly) not trying to bother her about relaxing. Agnes flips open another spreadsheet. Looks like she's in for the long haul.]

...Tell StrexCorp we are STILL not interested - How much?!...

...We'll consider it for next season.

[As Sky High pokes around, he's probably going to notice some takeout menus. She'd meant to order something, but a few things came up. Literally. In the form of a superhero outside her window.

Agnes's head is going fuzzy again. She should probably end this soon, but look at how much has gone wrong in one day! Clearly these people can't run things themselves! (And CLEARLY none of these things could have waited until morning. Except for ALL of them.)]

LOL StrexCorp! Please just no!

[efflations]

[Oh. This is... He'd thought it would be a quick call but that's not the impression he's getting now. Interrupting would be rude and it could be important what she's doing but...

Stopping with his list in hand he watches Agnes consideringly. He can give her a little bit longer before trying to distract her. At least till he can organise some food. Mind made up, Keith moves back out into the other room, take out menus in hand as he pulls out his phone. It's not his first choice but he can still find some healthy options to order. The address nearly gives him trouble before he realises they should have it recorded if they've delivered to Ms Agnes before.

Once that's done he wanders back into the kitchen, taking a seat close by and leaning on the table to watch Ms Agnes. And stays there, chin resting on folded arms, gaze fixed on her as he waits. If she looks his way she'll get a hopeful smile that quickly fades as the conversation continues. The room is getting surprisingly breezy too as time passes. Finally-]

Ms Agnes?

Smiiiiiiiiile! :DDD

[herotvlive]

[The papers begin fluttering. Absently, Agnes pins them down with her hand. Other then that there's no acknowledgement of the breeze.

It's... pretty rude, ignoring a guest like this. Except Keith practically let himself in. So he's less 'guest' more 'interloper.' Does it count as trespassing when you're invited in but only so the neighbors don't figure out you're a Hero? You would think etiquette books would explore this topic in greater detail.

Even so, Agnes still doesn't order him to leave. Somehow that course of action just doesn't present itself. When she catches Keith's eye, gets that smile, there's a weird sort of flip. It's... not bad, having someone else here. Of course, the spinning could also be because she's due for more pain meds. And sleep. Yes. It is definitely those.

Just to be sure, she doesn't look over again. Doesn't see the way his expression fades. So it is a complete shock when he actually interrupts.]

Hang on -

[Covering the speaker, she hisses-]

What?

*hides*

[efflations]

[Gulping nervously Keith sits up straight. The wind disappears abruptly as, like any creature faced with a predator, he instinctively tries to avoid drawing further attention to himself. Though it is a bit late for that after distracting her in the first place.

It's also rude to interrupt someone on the phone, particularly an important call and normally he wouldn't dare. But it seemed like if he didn't say something Ms Agnes would be on the phone all night.]

I was just thinking... Well, maybe this could wait? Till tomorrow? It is supposed to be your day off and you should try to get some rest while you can.

[If only the food would arrive, maybe he could convince her to end the call in favour of eating.]

I ordered dinner and it should be here soon and I'd hate for it to get cold before you could eat.

Morning!

[herotvlive]

[For Agnes, really the only difference between days on and days off are where she makes the phone calls from. Being on the phone stopped registering as 'work' years ago - it's just a habit. She's even sitting down! This IS resting! (For her.)

But her head's starting to feel even worse, now that he mentions it. (THANKS A LOT.)

Then there's a buzz - The doorman, requesting permission to send the delivery person up.]

Evening!

[efflations]

[Perking up immediately at the sound, Keith bounds to his feet.]

Please wait here! I'll be back at once!

[Ms Agnes shouldn't be walking around more than she has to so there can't be a problem with him (eventually) locating the panel to tell the doorman to send them on up. He even goes out to meet the driver in the hall so they can get back to work quickly.

Sending the delivery man on his way with a 'thanks and thanks again!' Keith trots back into the kitchen toting a couple of steaming bags. That should have give Agnes plenty of time to wrap up her call so he announces his return as loudly cheerful as ever. That surely helps her head, right?]

I'm back! And I've returned! I have dinner for you!

[herotvlive]

[Stubbornly Agnes hangs on right until the end, but the smell of food and Sky High's exclamations finally drive the final nails in. He's so loud the person on the other end remarks about her having company. That's nice! Gritting her teeth, Agnes manages to keep her tone even.]

Right. Good night.

[She hangs up, but keeps the ear piece in. Once again - phone calls not even registering as work. Reaching for a bag attached to her crutches, she digs out the medicine.]

What did you order?

[That is... a lot of food, Keith.]

[efflations]

[Well, having leftovers can't hurt - it will give Ms Agnes more options later in the week so she doesn't have to worry about food after work - and he frankly eats a lot. What with spending half the day running around or training even when there's not an emergency keeping him busy, he has a metabolism like a furnace.

It's good to see Agnes has finally ended the call. Trying to convince her to hang up if she was determined not to is not something he wanted to have to do so it's quite a relief.]

I got Thai - some stir frys with lots of vegetables and meat and noodles as well as a few other things. Is that OK? I made sure it was healthy, nothing too greasy.

[Seeing the bottle of pills he immediately goes to fetch her a glass of water to wash them down. And then to try and whisk away the computer and papers while Agnes is hopefully not paying attention. They need the space for dinner! And if that means the pile goes somewhere up high as well, well maybe they need a lot of space.]

[herotvlive]

[It's not her usual, and she can't remember the last time she had Thai. Oh well. It's food, it's here, it'll work.

She crunches down on the pills then gulps water, willing the medicine to work faster.

There's so many bags she doesn't protest when Keith clears the table. (What other reason would he have?) The amount shouldn't be that surprising. All of the Heroes are massive eaters. HeroTV actually has a cafeteria open 24 hours a day, with an on-call staff for particularly heavy sessions.]

One person carried all this?

[efflations]

[Success! He's (mostly) gotten all traces of work away from her. If he can just figure out a way to hide the earpiece it will be a job well done! ...Until Agnes realises what he's done anyway.]

Yes? They did ask if I was having a party.

[And had been less than impressed to see him take everything in one hand without struggling. But really, it wasn't that heavy compared to the weights he trained with.

Plates and cutlery are produced and Keith begins to serve up some of everything for them both. He might be too used to eating with Dragon Kid and the other heroes though as he automatically piles Agnes' plate just as high as his own before setting it down in front of her.]

Are you comfortable here? I can get you a footrest or something if you like.

Last tag for today, but that was fun!

[herotvlive]

[He's lucky his target is still distracted. No way he'd get away with this otherwise. (He still might not get away with it, she's going to want the computer eventually.) For now, she hoists her leg onto one of the unoccupied chairs.]

Quit fussing. You wanted us to eat, so eat!

[There's a bit of a smile, though. Anyway, there's a mission - better get started! Agnes begins poking at the mountain of food. There is no way she's going to be able to finish this.

She tries to remember the last time she actually sat at this table and ate, without graphs or a computer screen. It's usually just another desk.]

[efflations]

Right!

[He is admittedly hungry so doesn't need any more encouragement to tuck in. It's a little odd for him too - Keith normally eats at home with only John for company unless the heroes are having a night out. But it's nice for a change and Ms Agnes seems in better shape than last night, enough that he decides to continue the conversation rather than simply fill the silence with chatter.]

How was your day Ms Agnes? Besides the broadcast earlier, did you get a chance to rest?

[Silly question maybe but he's always an optimist.]

[herotvlive]

[Mixing in some rice, Agnes starts on the stir fry.]

I slept eight hours, practically wasted the morning!

[It might be a joke. It... probably isn't.]

At least the hostage rescue went well. About time Rock Bison did something.

[Oh look, we managed a whole FOUR SECONDS not talking about the show! Agnes is so used to deflecting from the personal she doesn't realize she's doing it. Even on something as innocuous as "How way your day."

For all that she thinks about Keith not having an "off" switch, hers isn't much better.]

[efflations]

If you slept that long you must have needed it. Your body needs rest to repair itself.

[Not that he can't understand the frustration. He'd hated being stuck in the hospital after being beaten by Jake and had wanted to get back to work as soon as possible too. But she's going to take longer to heal even without pushing herself and making it worse.]

He did do a good job today, didn't he? He was very happy, I think he went out to celebrate even.

[And while Keith is usually happy to talk about work and his friends, he's not about to be distracted that easily. Not when he was already thinking back to the night before in this apartment.]

But, uh-

[He almost changes his mind - he doesn't want Ms Agnes mad at him again when she seems to be in (relatively) good mood but he'd been thinking about it earlier in the day and he can't just forget what they spoke about last night. Taking a deep breath he takes the plunge.]

Have you ever... thought about letting someone else handle the broadcasts sometimes? [The last words come out in a rush and he immediately presses on before she can shout at him.] Just for a few days! So you could take some time off.

[herotvlive]

[Agnes glares at him, but does not immediately shout. He's already cowering anyway. Where's the fun in that? Spearing some hapless vegetables, she chews viciously. Finally, she answers.]

It's not that simple, Keith.

[It's not just the broadcast, it's everything that goes into even having a broadcast, There's the scheduling and publicity and sponsor meetings and next year's insurance paperwork due next week and... That's the trap, isn't it? You work so hard to make yourself the best, indispensable, that you become afraid to leave. Because what if you are, and everything falls apart? Or what if you're not, and everyone figures out they don't actually need you? (It's hard to say which would be worse.)

It's an irrational mindset. This is her system. She did not build something that would fall apart just because one person is gone. But it's her system, not someone else's... and around we go again.

She hasn't equated her situation with Sky High's recent hospital stint. That part of his interest might be in knowing exactly how frustrated she is.]