>>5627194You can't help but smirk a little...
"Hey!" Edith glares. "I know, I know, I don't look like detective material, do I? But you remember how good my senses were, right?"
"I do. I was able to hear all across the bay."
"Exactly! They say learning how to do detective work will help me improve my focus, and that I could be really good at! If you don't believe me, check my file, my contact education is right there!"
(And it is! Check her file on the site!)
Edith suddenly looks uncomfortable. "Look...if you don't want to hang out with me now that' Sam isn't here...it's a big place. I'll find a place to sit alone."
"Naw! What are you talking about, Edith? I appreciate the company. Everything is better with friends, right?"
Edith smiles. She's so happy to be included i your little adventures. "Thanks, Izzy! That almost makes me forgive you for doubting I'm a detective!"
"Come on, it's cold up here, let's get some hot coffee! It's on the boardwalk, right?"
"Yeah!"
Edith swoops down to the boardwalk, leading the way.
.....
It doesn't look like much. It look like any sort of modern coffee shop. If it wasn't for the little neon sign saying ALLNIGHTER'S over a moon wearing a domino mask, you'd think Edith was pulling your leg
You were expecting something more...film noir.
Peering inside, you see normal, everyday people, much to your surprise. Not a costume in sight...
"This isn't how I thought it would look." you say.
"They get that a lot." Edith opens the door for you.
You step inside and instantly get it.
The modern coffee diner is replaced by something very Edward Hopper. Round swivel seats, wooden tables, and servers dressed in clean white uniforms and black domino masks,
"Ah, hologram display! Neat!" you say.
"Yeah. Allnighter's is a secret." Edith says, "An open secret. Everyone even kindofsortof related to the superhero community knows about it. But the holograms work to keep tourists on the street from like, seeing King of the Night in here and coming in to ask for his autograph."
"King of the Night comes here?" you ask.
"And the Crime Fighter--all four of them. And Vampiro, that's Martina's dad. And the Night Maiden, and the Gargoyle, and the Knight of Tears..."
You look around as Edith continues to rattle off names.
A lot of masks. A lot of black. You see people you recognize from television and the noosphere. Before now, Johnny Winter's was the most famous guy you've ever seen. Some of these folks are legends!
'Yooooo Izzy!" Copycat calls from a table. Next to her is some guy you've never seen before in a red mask. You guess that's the other speculo she mentioned, Just-A-Hero. He's clearly going for a "casual" superhero look, like Sam. His costume is just a red and yellow T-shirt that says "Just Another Hero."
You wave back. "Hey! I brought a friend along, I hope you don't mind."
"I just saw my teacher." Edith says. "Let me check in with her real quick Izzy, I'll be right back!"
