For Efflations: Come Fly With Me

[herotvlive]

Agnes's life is scheduled out for the next ten years.
It DEFINITELY does not include room for things like romance.
ESPECIALLY not with Sky High of all people.

Ship: Agnes x Keith/Sky High

Other characters: Kotetsu/Wild Tiger

Prior Events:

Irresistible Force vs. Immovable Object 
Agnes is hurt on location. Cue massive guilt from Sky High. Contains several princess carries and numerous threats of being hit with crutches!

Dance Lessons
Tiger needs dancing lessons. Agnes volunteers Keith. THIS will go well!

Summer Wind
The Superhero Swing Party has arrived! Features dancing by Mr. Wild with Mr. Brooks and Agnes running out of contingency plans...


Warnings: Possibly eventual adult situations, swearing, absurd amounts of Sinatra

Comments

Relationship Advice with Dr Tiger

[efflations]

[Trying to find time to talk to Mr Wild alone had proven somewhat difficult. Sky High generally had a fairly busy schedule as did Tiger and Barnaby and even when they weren't at some event or emergency there was usually at least one of the other heroes around too. Especially Barnaby - he and Wild Tiger had been spending a lot of time together lately, even moreso than usual it seemed. And Keith had other things taking up his free time as well.

It was only by chance that he finally did catch Mr Wild in the gym late one day with no one else around. He almost let the moment pass, nervously hanging back before taking the plunge.]

Mr Wild! Please wait!

Do you have a moment? I wanted to ask you something? I wanted to ask your advice, if you have some time?

[He was starting to blush already and he hadn't even said anything really. This was one reason he'd wanted to be sure none of the others were around. He and Ms Agnes hadn't said anything to the rest of the heroes yet and if they heard what he had to talk to Wild Tiger about they'd all want to know why he was asking those sorts of questions. And he was a terrible liar at the best of times. With all the heroes drilling him he'd have no chance at all. If it were just Wild Tiger though maybe he could avoid too many questions or find a way to distract the older hero if he did start asking too much. Maybe.]

[herotvlive]

[At the moment, it's not hard to distract Kotetsu. He's still kind of in a daze, and people have had to tell him things twice all day. It's a good thing Keith's in the habit of repeating himself!]

Oh! Sky High!

[Wait, someone's actually ASKING him for advice? Red letter day! (Red kinda like Keith's face...)]

Sure, what's up?

[efflations]

Um-

[He hadn't exactly thought this far ahead. Keith knew what he wanted to ask but actually getting the words out?]

I wanted to ask for your advice.

[He'd already said that hadn't he?]

On, ah, d-dating. And romance. How to do it properly.

[His feet were very interesting at that moment. Certainly better than looking at Wild Tiger and seeing what his reaction would be. Maybe he should've just tried the internet but last time he'd tried looking something like this up it had gotten confusing and a little uncomfortable. At least Tiger wouldn't give funny answers and even if he did laugh at him it wouldn't be mean-spirited.]

[herotvlive]

Wait, me?!

[If anyone else had asked, he would have thought they were teasing him. He's been getting it even since the Swing Party. Yeah yeah yeah, Wild Tiger, King Of Oblivious, finally got swept off his feet. Very funny. He side-eyes Keith a moment, as if waiting for the others to jump out and join in on the joke.

Seconds tick by. Wow. Keith really is turning bright red.

Oh shit. He's serious.

Slowly, a grin spreads across Kotetsu's face.]

Wait, you?!

[efflations]

[Why is Mr Wild so surprised? He was the one who'd been married. If any of the others had steady partners they hadn't once mentioned it to Keith and he didn't think that was the case. Which wasn't to say they wouldn't know about relationships but Tiger still seemed the best one to ask.

Finally he chanced a glance up at Tiger, smiling nervously.]

Yes. I met someone. A gi-

[No, calling Ms Agnes a girl felt wrong somehow. And like the sort of thing that would make her yell at him.]

A lady. And we're- well, she said it was alright and she's a beautiful, wonderful, kind person and I want to do things right. And I thought you might be able to help because I haven't really- really done this much and I want to be a good. A good boyfriend.

[The word still sends his heart skipping. A boyfriend. As in someone who has a girlfriend. He has a girlfriend.]

Okay Keith, that's just adorable *pinches cheek*

[herotvlive]

Ha! Well good for you!

[Once it actually processes, it's really not so surprising. Keith's a good guy. A little slow on the uptake, but loyal and easy-going, always looking out for other people. It's more a shock that anyone actually got the idea through his head! (Nooooot that Kotetsu's one to talk...)

Anyway! This is no place for this kind of conversation! With a laugh, Kotetsu slings an arm around his friend's shoulders.]

Come on, drinks are on me! Don't know how much help I'll be, but ask away!

[As they begin making their way out, a more sobering thought hits.]

Hold on - Does she know you're a Hero?

He's like a twelve year old with a crush I swear

[efflations]

Really? Thanks! And thanks again!

[Keith happily follows Tiger as he leads the way out, making no attempt to pull away from the arm around him. It's probably best to take this elsewhere in case someone else by the gym when they're talking. The rest of the heroes will find out soon enough.]

Yes! She knows. We talked about that already. It's OK since nobody knows I'm Sky High I don't think there will be any danger to her.

[It doesn't cross his mind that admitting this might cause some worry, that Tiger might think he's told someone he's possibly only recently met his secret identity.]

[herotvlive]

[Hmmm. Kotetsu considers, then nods.]

Eh... probably for the best. You're a terrible liar, and you'd probably feel bad keeping back something like that.

I just hope you've known her a while, though! That's a pretty big thing to jump on somebody!

[Of course, Kotetsu didn't set the BEST example here. Tomoe had stumbled across him trying to think of a superhero name. It was high school, okay?! He was stupid!]

[efflations]

Haha! I really am!

[Not that he saw anything particularly bad with being a bad liar, especially where a relationship was concerned. Honesty was almost always the best option.]

I have known her a long time. A very long time! She's the one who helped make Sky High a hero!

[Without Ms Agnes HeroTV wouldn't be the show it was and likewise nor would the heroes themselves be what they were.]

So you see it's very important that I do my best to make her happy! That's why I thought maybe you could help Mr Wild. You must know a lot about romance, right?

[herotvlive]

[Oh, flattery, good choice. Kotetsu's feeling a bit flush with success anyway, and strikes one of his "Cool" poses.]

Well, I know a few things!

That important, huh? I'm looking forward to meeting her!

[It doesn't even cross his mind he might already know this person. She's got to be someone Keith knew before he was Sky High, right?

Honesty is a GOOD policy, but there's something to be said for when you are honest. Not that Keith should LIE, but working on timing is probably going to be important.]

[efflations]

Ah- Yes! We were planning to talk to everyone soon. I mean, I uh, was going to introduce her to you all soon. When we're ready.

[Time to change the subject before Wild Tiger decides to ask something difficult like what led to the change in their relationship. Trying to answer something like that without lying (badly) and giving himself away or telling the truth and giving himself away would be near impossible.]

But before that, well, we haven't even been on a proper date yet you see? I'm not sure what sort of places in Sternbild are best for that. For dates. I want to do something romantic but. Do you know anywhere Mr Wild?

[herotvlive]

[By this time they've reached street level. Normally Kotetsu would just hit Hero's Bar, but they might run into the others there. Somehow, he doubts Keith wants an audience for this conversation.]

Come on. Let's try somewhere else tonight.

[It's a nice evening for a walk anyway. Kotetsu sets a hand under his chin, thinking.]

Romantic. Hmmmmm. I guess the last romantic thing I did was dancing but that wasn't even my idea!

[This is really more Blue Rose or Fire Emblem's area, isn't it? Though if Keith wanted to ask them he would have. So maybe he's not looking for the stereotypical "flowers/chocolates/promises you don't intend to keep" bit. Kotetsu can sympathize. He's had to do a lot of re-thinking on "romantic" lately!]

I mean, you think 'romance' and you think dancing or flowers and all that Hallmark crap but... not everyone wants that, you know? So maybe... Well, seems like anything could be romantic, if the other person likes it. It's more about the thought you put into it.

[efflations]

[Keith had had the same concern about Hero's Bar so it's a relief when Tiger suggests trying somewhere else. He nods happily and follows, content to keep walking as long as Tiger wants.]

Really? Dancing? So...

[Mr Wild had said when they were first practising dancing that it had been several years since his last time. Did that mean he'd met someone at the party too? Or did he mean that the last romantic thing he'd done had been dancing with his wife? He didn't seem sad like Keith might expect if it was with Mrs Tiger he meant. Would it be OK to ask? If Mr Wild had met someone too then he wanted to know! But first, he had asked for advice and Mr Wild was being kind enough to take the time to help him.]

Anything if they like it.... That's true! You're right Mr Wild, you're absolutely right!

[He just had to figure out what things Ms Agnes liked. Or really, what things she liked that weren't work-related. She had seemed to enjoy dancing. When her leg was fully healed he could see about taking her out like that again. In the meantime he could try and think of other things they could do too.]

You said that you went dancing Mr Wild? Was this at the party too?

Hard Lessons to Learn

[efflations]

[It was supposed to be your fairly standard talk show appearance, like Sky High had been on plenty of times before. He was fairly sure he'd even been on the same show with the same host before. The questions might be slightly different but overall it was nothing he hadn't done before. Uneventful, not worth any special notice. Or it should have been.

As the interview was wrapping up and the host getting ready to farewell him from the stage, Keith broke in politely but determinedly.]

Please excuse me, and again excuse me, but there is something I wanted to say before I leave. I feel it's very important and I want as many people as possible to hear.

[While clearly surprised by the request the host recovers quickly and with brief pause to get the approval of the director through her headset she gestures him to continue.

Pulling a crumpled magazine page out of his suit, Keith carefully smooths the page out and holds it up for the cameras to see. A grainy photo of Ms Agnes dominates the page which, in and of itself might not be unusual. But this photo had clearly been taken without her knowledge, showing her dressed in loose, comfortable clothes that hide her figure and it was possible she wasn't even wearing make-up. The headline in huge, bold text asked "Has HeroTV's Producer Let Herself Go?"]

I found this article in a magazine for sale in the supermarket a couple of days ago. It says some truly cruel and unpleasant things about Ms Agnes who is HeroTV's producer and responsible for making sure the people of Sternbild stay safe. None of us heroes work alone and Ms Agnes is an important part of our work. We couldn't do our jobs without her.

[There seems to be a minor commotion going on off-stage but he's not going to be dissuaded. This is Important.]

And even if it that weren't the truth, it's not right to write such things about anyone. I've never seen anything like this written about Barnaby and I feel sure no one here would enjoy having such hurtful things said about them. I know none of you here wrote this article but I hope you don't encourage such terrible stories. You're all better than that! I've already written to the magazine's editor, telling them how wrong it is to publish this kind of thing but I wanted to tell you all myself that this kind of behaviour is not alright. I know we can all get along and treat each other with the kind of respect you all deserve if we just try. So please, do your best and always think about how your words will affect the people around you!

Thank you all for taking the time to listen. And again, thanks! Have a wonderful evening everyone!

[Having said his piece he raises both arms in a salute to the audience and the cameras, shakes the host's hand and departs the set with a swirl of his coat, feeling no small amount of satisfaction in a job well-done.]

Oh no. Oh no no no no. *hides*

[herotvlive]

[Well, he got his wish - By the time Keith leaves the set, #JoubertSkyHigh is trending on social sites, along with a raging debate on the representation of men vs. women in the media. Poseidon Line has to call in extra staffers to handle the e-mail onslaught. He's got half a dozen texts from other Heroes, all variations of "Are you CRAZY?"

Oddly, there's not a single word from Agnes. No phone call, text, anything.

Of course, HeroTV schedules dozens of interviews a month. She can't be expected to follow all of them. Maybe she missed it? Even if she did, though, how long until someone else on staff told her about it?

The longer this radio silence stretches, the more worried Keith should probably be.]

Counting down to the explosion in three...

[efflations]

[Should be is the operative term here. Not is. Not at all.

Even getting sat down by the head of Poseidon's hero division and told that he can't just go out and say things like that in public when he's representing the company can't put a damper on his mood. (This is the point where his boss at Poseidon Line wonders again why they ever let Sky High out without a script. And a keeper.)

The other heroes have slightly more success but even that's limited. He'd just said what he felt, what he honestly believed to be the truth. How could that be bad?

Eventually even Keith begins to wonder why he hasn't heard anything from Ms Agnes all day but, well, she is very busy. It's not as though dating has suddenly meant they're spending any more of their working hours together or that they have less commitments than before.

It's the end of the day when he finally has time to go looking for her, back in street clothes and having assured his manager that the only appearance Sky High will make for the rest of the day is his usual patrol. Which doesn't generally involve cameras. The other staff of HeroTV give him funny looks but point him in her direction all the same. Finally he tracks her down, waving eagerly as soon as he spots her.]

Ms Agnes! Hello! And again, hello! Are you still busy?

...Two...

[herotvlive]

[Agnes spins and marches back toward her office, leaving Keith scrambling to keep up. She's off the crutches and back in heels. Each clack is loud as a thunderbolt, and can probably be felt several floors below.]

Hmm. I don't know. Does putting out fires thanks to some air-head white-knight JACKASS going rogue on-air and turning my entire schedule FUBAR count as busy?

[The fact that Keith can't immediately understand what she's talking about has got to throw up warning bells. Lately she's cut the jargon and sarcasm around him. Also? She isn't yelling.

Agnes. Isn't. Yelling.

The interns have already taken cover.]

One! *ducks*

[efflations]

Um....

[Fires? White-knight? Fu-bar?

...Something's wrong. That much is clear. And it probably has something to do with him. Ms Agnes seems mad. Furious really. At him. And there's only one thing that's happened today that wasn't part of his usual routine.

So he knows what the problem is, it's just a matter of figuring out why it's a problem. Did someone from Poseidon tell Ms Agnes off too? It's not as though she put him up to it!]

What I said caused trouble for you. I can talk to whoever you need and explain it was my idea, not yours. If I upset them they shouldn't blame you.

BOOM

[herotvlive]

Brilliant! Why don't you go ahead and have a word with yourself? I'll wait.

[She folds her arms, and the glare could melt steel.]

Or do I have to spell this out? I'M upset and I'm. Blaming. You.

[efflations]

Oh.

[Keith flinches in the face of that glare, eyes wide with shock.

Ms Agnes is angry with him? She didn't like what he'd said? And not because it got her in trouble with someone else. Despite his best intentions his words had upset her personally.

He wants to hang his head in shame but determinedly makes himself meet her gaze. If he made a mistake he won't hide from it, that's not what heroes do.]

I'm sorry. I didn't know what I said would upset you. I.... The things they wrote were wrong and I wanted to make everyone understand that. That's all.

[herotvlive]

It was some stupid filler piece in the back of the Quibbler! No one reads that rag! No one CARED, Keith!

[Agnes points at the computer screen, which has a reproduction of the article on it.]

At least, no one cared until one of the most popular Heroes in the CITY decided to point it out ON TELEVISION!

[efflations]

I cared.

[He does drop his head now, looking at his feet miserably.]

I cared. It was wrong and hurtful. It shouldn't be alright to do things like that. Even if no one noticed the people who wrote it shouldn't be allowed to be cruel. It's not right Ms Agnes.

[herotvlive]

[That's sweet. It really is. It's also completely not the point, okay?! Agnes throws up her hands in exasperation.]

And I didn't. The article was about me, not you! I told you to leave it alone. It was a dumb trash piece. They happen all the time. No one would have remembered it, but you just made sure everyone will.

[efflations]

[Keith droops further, shoulders hunching inwards like he's trying to disappear from sight.]

I'm sorry. Again, I am sorry Ms Agnes. I didn't want to cause you trouble, I just thought that if they understood how hurtful their article was maybe they'd stop. I thought they just needed a chance to think about their actions and the people they hurt and they'd realise what they were doing was wrong.

I only wanted to help. If there's anything I can do to fix it I will.

[herotvlive]

[He sure has a FUNNY way of NOT causing trouble! In fact, it looks EXACTLY the same as causing it!]

Oh no. You've done enough.

[But better to explain, before he decides to break up ANOTHER interview with a retraction or something.]

That isn't how it works. Gossip rags are designed around making everyone as miserable as possible. People like reading it because it makes their own pathetic lives feel better. If I cared about every idiot writing something like that, I wouldn't have time for anything else!