[The Arc] Like Water (Open)

It was strange. Cassandra had never shared her name with anyone like that before. Even with Him, and the rest of the Family, it had been drawn out through second-hand investigations and reports from the League. Gwen was the first person that she had willingly shared that part of herself. She wasn't sure what to make of it. Was there anything to make of? They were friends. That was good enough for Cassandra.

The girl mirrored her smirk. Yes, there was plenty of mutual understanding between them. This was someone who moved like they could be trusted. She blinked at the question - no, challenge - that Gwen posed to her. She studied Gwen carefully, particularly around her arms. Cassandra felt her own arms, then gestured at Gwen's. Cassandra was in civvies. Did Gwen have her equipment with her?

Cassandra' curious expression became daring. Gwen would need them if she was going to stand a chance of beating her.

Cassandra, still holding her daring expression, signed back with the same salute. The contract was set! Cassandra made similar stretches. These exercises were irrelevant for warriors like them, though there was more to it than the practice. The routine of the thing held value in and of itself. Did Gwen know this?

It did not matter, because it was her butt that was going to be kicked. Cassandra stared into Gwen's eyes with a deadly intensity. It was rare for someone to see her naked like this. This was how Cassandra looked when she was wearing the cowl. The games were both over and only beginning. Her saluting gesture turned into three fingers, pointed straight up. A second passed, and she lowered a finger, making it two. Then, one. Then...

If Cassandra's hand closed, it happened too quickly to tell. The girl's entire body moved like a blur. There was a faint image of Cassandra kneeling down before springing herself up and backwards into the air, her bare feet landing perfectly on a branch hanging overhead, before running off along that same branch at breakneck speed. Had she been preparing for this? Had Gwen?

It was time to find out.

The two girls were blurs to one another, and that went doubly for anyone nearby that were trying to watch them. Many members of the team were inhumanly agile, or possessed the senses to keep up with that kind of speed. Their solitude ruled out that possibility, though it was no less the case. Something about a tree falling in a lonely forest. Oracle enjoyed her logic puzzles.

Cassandra kept pace with Gwen, if only just. She was giving this everything she had, regardless of Gwen's superhuman advantages. Cassandra knew that Gwen relied on her web shooters most of the time, but she was still naturally skilled, and it showed. The two girls were neck-and-neck with their respective pursuits. They practically matched each other's movements, sometimes even running on each other's branches when their current path needed to change to gain the lead. Gwen's movements were practiced, yes... but how much of it was through training? Did she have a routine as the Family did?

With these results, the answer did not seem to matter. They were coming up on the halfway point now, at least within the arboretum. The center tree was massive, with vines, roots, and all manner of flora sprouting from it like its own jungle. Without thinking, Cassandra raised a hand while simultaneously taking a running leap up towards the trunk itself. Her hand found a grip with an errant vine. The rest of her body followed suit, immediately tucking into a wall run that looked more at ease for Cassandra than when she had been running on the ground. This helped her circle the tree quickly, enough that when she had finished making the roundabout, Cassandra could launch herself from the vine. The maneuver was reminiscent of Gwen's own webslinging, albeit made through her surroundings rather than a piece of equipment.

Cassandra risked a moment to observe Gwen on her trail. She was not using her abilities. Interesting. They were interesting to observe, too. She recognized herself in how Gwen was applying herself. Here was someone who was filled with determination completely. It was indeed skill alone.

The two of them ended their respectively maneuvers around the tree nearly simultaneously. The same could be said of their landings, returning to the ground right next to each other as they continued their sprint. The opposing warmth of their bodies was surging close enough that they could feel each other's energy. The adrenaline was cathartic for Cassandra, who did not seem to mind at all that she was running through nature in the barefoot. She seemed comfortable doing so.

The arboretum would be finished soon. Then, they would need to head to the cafeteria. It was anyone's race.

At Gwen’s retorts, Cassandra smiled. This time, her expression was neither coy nor subtle, but earnest, fully embracing the thrill of the moment, sharing it here with Gwen. It was a rare thing, and rarer still for it to be shared with a stranger. Before, there had been little to meditate on, the doldrums of routine aside. Now, there was something… more. It was a welcome change.

Cassandra maintained her tempo, if only just. Truly, there did not appear to be much of a difference between the two of them. Cassandra had been trained by the very best, to exceed the very best, in spite of being nothing more than a determined, largely ordinary human being. Gwen Stacy, for what she lacked in years of conditioning and expertise, made up for with genuine superhuman wonder. Cassandra had known who was going to be the victor the moment that the idea of a race had crossed her mind. It was why she had been compelled to accept Gwen’s challenge.

When Gwen began her mighty leap, Cassandra reacted similarly, instead going into a forward slide, leading with her feet first to propel her against the floor like a dogsled. Her body was smooth against the surface, making it easier to gain traction and speed. It would not be enough. Gwen was the first to cross the threshold into the cafeteria. She was not the winner by much, but she was undisputedly the winner. With a couple fingers deftly pushing down against the floor, Cassandra righted herself back onto her feet, with the same ease one got up from a chair.

No one else seemed to be in the cafeteria. For now, they had the run of the place. Cassandra faced Gwen, presenting her hands stretched outward. Her right hand was folded over her left, and she bowed her head slightly towards Gwen. She nodded, then relaxed the gesture. It was a close race, and the victory was well-earned. Cassandra started looking around at the various dispensers and machines that were available for their convenience. What were they going to eat?

Cassandra thought about the plausibility of radioactive animals imparting superpowers through their venom. There were some things she knew… but it was probably better to leave it to mystery, both Gwen’s questions and Cassandra’s answers. She settled on giving a coy smile back at Gwen. They were just going to have to stick around to find out.

Cassandra paused browsing the machines, looking at Gwen with incredulity. They had just finished a basic exercise! And that was not lunch! This girl was truly from another world. Cassandra shook her head. She was not about to deny a friend her heart’s desire. She walked over to one of the machines in the corner, where many imported goodies were on display. Cassandra’s fingers moved quickly, dancing across the buttons before settling on Selection #11. While she waited for the candy in question to emerge from the dispenser, Cassandra rhythmically rapped her knuckles against the surface of the machine in a random act of percussion. When the distinct lilt of candy wrapping brushing against the metal bin, Cassandra pulled out a narrow rectangular box. It was colorful, pink, yellow, and other bright warmths advertising what looked like wafer sticks, topped with a rich brownie crust… or so it looked. The words on the box were not written in English, but in kanji, something that Cassandra was pretty confident Gwen would not be able to read.

Cassandra popped open one end of the pink candy box, and offered one of these sticks in question to Gwen, chocolate-covered end first. She smiled at Gwen, this time mischievously. Would this suffice? ”Paw-kee.”

Cassandra watched - rather intensely - her new friend try the foreign candy. She liked it. That was good. Risks had been taken today. So far, all of them had been paying off. The girl smiled. For a moment, her mind was elsewhere. It seemed that Cassandra would have to thank her. Again.

Cassandra subtly nodded. Had Gwen never been to an import market? This needed to be corrected. She took a stick from the box before handing the box over to Gwen. There were still several left. How long that lasted was up to the spider.

Gwen’s word… That was not a word. Cassandra’s head lilted to the side, cat-like. She pursed her lips for a moment, then tried to sound it out. ”Moor… Itch.” It did not bring her any closer to understanding what it meant.