Meta Christmas

    “And you would not believe how mad he was when his mail was flooded with wigs and toupees and actual rugs after it was revealed on live television he wore a hair piece!” Osprey was finishing up a story, concerning his latest run-in with ‘top reporter’ Carlos Ramirez .

    “Oh I’d believe it” His audience of one, Spectrum, giggled daintily behind her hand, her eyes twinkling mischievously behind her mask’s green eye pieces. The two adult heroes were sitting together on a large log in front of the respectably large fire they were relaxing around this evening with their two proteges; teen Masks taken under Osprey’s wing-like cape and Spectrum’s gentle hand: Hellfire, who was Osprey’s student and adopted son; Pulse, who was Spectrum’s granddaughter.

    It was Pulse who invited him to this get-together as she was coming in to the city to visit her grandmother (he did not realize that Spectrum was her grandmother, thinking that Pulse was speaking of her activities in her civilian identity) and while he initially was hesitant, he relented out of politeness once he learned that everyone would be in costume.

    ‘Great!’ he remembered her saying, ‘They’ll be so happy you agreed!’ When he asked who would be happy she admitted that there were some adult Masks that she wanted him to meet and were wanting to meet him — which explained why their costumes would be worn, Pulse knew that Man-Flea hadn’t told anyone his civilian identity.

     

    “Told you this was a good idea~” Pulse, teen hero, grinned as she looked over to her friend and fellow hero Man-Flea, as she roasted a marshmallow to her preferred ‘done-ness’ over the crackling fire.

    “Mphgn” the jump-kicking junior mask-wearing nodded, mouth full of melted chocolate and gooey marshmallow, more engrossed in his s’more than the conversation around him, using the excuse (though a valid one) of a large knot being uncomfortable to sit on to scoot himself away from Pulse and her boyfriend, Hellfire. He had no idea that he’d be face-to-face with Osprey of all people, and someone using the name Spectrum, whom he knew through Pulse’s Mask-geekery to be one of the first heroes ‘way back when’.  Being around two of the ‘big leagues’, from Man-Flea’s perspective, was daunting.

    But then Osprey pulled out a bag of marshmallows and gave a ‘stupid’ grin before lighting the fire and having everyone get comfortable.  Man-Flea really didn't know how to react to it all.

     

    Hellfire frowned, chewing on his own marshmallow, being an empath he could easily pick up on Man-Flea’s emotions (and figured Spectrum was too as he noticed she kept stealing glances over to the three of them).

    “You know—” the fire-manipulator started, “—It’s really nice you could make it.” He said, trying to engage Man-Flea, and hopefully make him feel welcome.

    “Mhgn” the orange-hooded teen nodded, keeping his mouth carefully full to avoid talking, and accidentally making a fool of himself in front of the adults.

    “No, honest” Hellfire smiled, “It’s nice to meet other teens in masks.  You know, the whole ‘someone your own age thing’.”

    Pulse nodded, “With me out in California so much, well, I miss hanging out with you.”

    “Yeah, and Detroit is nice and all, but I’m still the youngest there.” Hellfire said, “It’s great to be back home with Dad.” Osprey’s cheeks turned the same strawberry-blond as his hair, “Thanks.” He said softly, smiling at his adopted son.

     

    “It’s…” Man-Flea started, trying to find his words and not be nervous.  The two adult heroes were, surprisingly, easy to talk to and get along with.  He had always felt Osprey was this stern sort of figure, looming from the shadows and swooping down much like the bird of prey he named himself after: but just the hour or two sitting around the campfire, Man-Flea had learned the man was actually fairly geeky himself.

    “… Thank you for having me along” Man-Flea muttered, feeling a little embarrassed.

    “You’re welcome.” Osprey smiled, “I know it was a little sudden, so I thank you for coming Man-Flea.”

    “Figured it was about time to introduce ourselves to you” Hellfire chuckled, “Like, formally.”

    Man-Flea nodded, “It… was certainly surprising.”

    “Well hon, that’s why Oz likes to do those big public picnic events.” Spectrum giggled, a hand on the white pants-leg of her companion, “He likes to show everyone he’s no different than them.” He blushed again, tugging at the brim of his fedora, “Aw Spec…” He drawled softly.

    “Yeah, bet you never figured on him being a super-geek.” Hellfire laughed

    “I am not a super-geek, I’m just really passionate about Knights of the Lost Galaxy.”

    “Hun?” Spectrum smiled

    “Yes?” Osprey answered

    With a soft kiss to his cheek Spectrum giggled, “You’re a super-geek, dear.”

    “… Oh… you hush.” he flustered, making Pulse giggle as she imagined him puffing up like an actual bird. Man-Flea smiled, it was small but noticeable, “I never imagined…” he smiled again, “… well, just… thank  you for including me.”

    “Any time, Man-Flea” Osprey smiled, “And I mean that.” He pulled out a small card emblazoned with a silver sigil, matching those on his costume’s medallions and buttons, “Not to talk ‘business’, as I really did want this to be a relaxing get-together for us all… but if you ever need anything…”

    “I…” Man-Flea took the card, looking at it, “You have a calling card?  For real?”

    “I know it’s a little old fashioned but…” he grinned like a goof as he motioned to himself,”… part and parcel of the schtick.” Pulse and Hellfire both shifted, pulling out wallets and then cards from with-in them, showing they too had Osprey’s cards.

    “Oh… oh wow.” Man-Flea looked down. Pulse smiled, “Merry Christmas, Man-Flea”

    “Welcome to the family” Hellfire chuckled.

     

    “Now.  Let’s have some fun, how about some carols?” Osprey asked, pulling out a bright, polished silver-steel harmonica from within his winter coat, blowing a note to tune it up.

    “Awesome!” Hellfire cheered.

    “Sure” Pulse smiled, roasting another marshmallow for herself, passing one to Man-Flea. Spectrum giggled, “You’re adorable, dear” Man-Flea smiled, putting the card away and taking the marshmallow.  He was still a little nervous about everything but Pulse was his friend, and he could trust her.

    Without doubt, he could mark this as the most interesting Christmas he’d have… yet.

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Story by: EKSegerstrom
From left to right: Osprey (EKSegerstrom), Spectrum (rejuvinated version/mine), Hellfire (py-primal), Pulse (mine) and The Magnificent Man-Flea (Fishbug)