Paint The Town

by Suzy DeZorga

Marya

If anyone had told me that life would hand me apples and lemons, instead of chocolates, I would have laughed. After all, no one is allowed to tell me how to live, least of all someone who wouldn't know real sagerie if it bit them on the ass.

But as it was, most of my life was spent accidentally saving the universe, or just generally being shot at, stabbed, killed, maimed, burned, insulted, and tossed out of airlocks.

Downtime was something I occassionally strived for, but it usually gave me the slip. So, this night, this Friday evening, when I was about to be graced with a night on the town from one of my favourite ex-lovers, was going to be special. Because, Gods-dammit, I needed a vacation.

And so I happily shimmied into a deep red velvet dress, and thigh0high black leather boots. Because, after all, I still might need to kick some ass.

--

Domino

She stood in front of the bank of elevators, all red-velvet glamour and curled dark hair. If I'd been into women, she would have caused instant lust. Instead, she merely took my breath away before she broke the pose and grinned at me.

"Dom!" The vision in red quickly dissolved into someone I knew could easily take out the building we were standing in, and leave a table cloth undisturbed.

"Dez."

"What're you doing here--no, wait. Lemme guess. Double date."

I nodded and sighed theatrically, "Logan thought it would be a good idea--something about you needing as much of a break as Nate did."

"Yeah." She grimaced, for an instant worlds of pain and weariness surrounding us both. Then they cleared, going from cloudy grey to a silvery green. "Anyway. I heard something about a Great Battle?"

Nate saved me from having to answer as he came up to us. The tux had to be tailored to fit him, thanks to the massive muscles that covered his arms and torso. It looked like he was actually happy to be in it--a first, for him. He didn't normally like tuxes. I made a bet with myself that he was wearing at least two guns. I'd get to find out later if I were right.

"Susanna."

"Heya, Nate." She hugged him, then stepped back and grinned evilly, "Two guns, three throwing knives, and a dirk in your boot."

I snickered at his surprised look. "Thank you, Dez. I was sort of looking forward to finding out later, but..."

She merely grinned harder, "Now I've spoilt the surprise?"

"I'll think of something else." I promised, doing my best to look innocent.

"That's good," A gravelly voice said from behind me, "I'd hate ta see him unsatisfied with the evenin'."

I shot Logan a glance over my shoulder, but joined Dez in her chuckle. After all, I had all night to get him. And it was looking to be a GOOD night for it. Between Dez and her tendency to attract trouble, and Nate's tendency to try to rid himself of the tux... I grinned.

--

Marya

Logan was looking spiffy in his tophat and tails. It was probably rented, and I hoped they'd charged him an arm and a leg. After all, by the time the night ended, the suit might be in ruins. "Well?"

He held out his arm to me, "If Madame will come this way."

I half-bowed, "Lead on, MacDuff."

Behind me, I heard Dom muttering something about poisons, stabbings, and deaths. I grinned. This evening might contain all of them.

Five minutes later, we were in a cab headed to one of the premiere restaurants in New York. La Traviata might have once been an opera, but it was now one of the swankiest Italian eateries in the whole of Haute Cuisine worldwide. To be given a table there meant months of waiting, and lots of money.

A cab is too small for four people, let alone Nate and three other people. Dom had somehow finagled into perching on his lap while Logan sat next to the driver, and I squeezed in behind him. The driver was a nice chap, dark-haired with a wide white grin--must have a very good dental plan. He didn't seem inclined to talk, merely listened to us prattle on about nothing. I teased Dom about sitting in Nate's lap. She teased me about wearing a dress. I teased about her not being in black.

Dom's dress was, well, purple. It was classicly cut, sweeping down from a low-cut bodice with spaghetti-straps. Embroidery overlaid it, geometric patterns picked out delicately in black and a deep blue. It looked fabulous on her, and Nate seemed to think so, too.

"You know," I said, very solemnly, "You need to make sure you hang up that dress once you take it off--so, no sex until it's been hung."

A snort echoed from Dom, but Nate was nodding, "Yes, ma'am."

"Y'know, Dez, the same could be said of you."

I grinned, "Who says I'm getting sex tonight."

A muffled cough came from the front seat, and I looked up to see Logan glaring at me. I tried my best innocent look and then turned the conversation to other things.

La Traviata is in a tallish building. The upper storeys are probably apartments or condos. But the lower two belong entirely to the restaurant. The exterior was brick and concrete, the inside, though... That's where the decorators had had a ball. Fake sky painted the high ceiling, and echoed from behind huge glass windows. A few discretely placed mirrors gave the illusion of more space.

It wasn't exactly tacky, but it also wasn't a nice summer evening on the French Riviera. I liked it anyway. Especially since they had a free drinks policy--as long as you bought one of the incredibly expensive entrees.

Dark wood tables, and comfortably plush chairs were scattered around the room. The Maitre'D gave Nate an odd look, but snapped his fingers and had a cute waiter seat us. I pondered giving him my phone number, but decided that could get me in trouble.

After we'd perused the menus, we ordered. Drinks arrived, and we waited. We chattered about things. Avoiding certain subjects that could cause arguments. Like my time with the Askani Sisterhood. Nate and I still hadn't had a serious talk on the subject. And I knew we needed to. Eh, it's for his own good that I don't tell him everything.

Besides, we really didn't need any sort of shouting match in the middle of one of Manhatten's Premiere Restaurants.

--

Domino

I'd say the dinner passed uneventfully. Nate and Marya mock-fought over the check, but I grabbed it and handed over it over to the waiter with my Visa. When he came back, I signed the slip--and Marya grabbed it and scrawled something before handing it to him with a wink.

Probably gave him her phone number, the little tramp.

The conversation had been nice, though. Relaxing and impersonal to a degree I rather enjoyed. Especially since the last few months had been constant agitation over various things. Up to and including death.

Nate must have caught that stray thought, because his hand closed on mine and squeezed it slightly. I snorted softly, but let him pull me to his side and sort of snuggled there. Marya caught us and looked smug. I rolled my eyes and glanced at Logan. He looked somewhat wistful, then seemed to shake his head and straightened.

"Where are we going next?"

I glanced at Marya and shrugged, "Don't ask me, this was all their idea."

"Well, they planned a nice dinner, I guess we can assume they'll plan something equally nice for after," She allowed as we stepped back out into the night.

New York at night is a different thing than many people think. They all expect crime and violence, and drunkeness that spills off every corner. But they're wrong. There's an aliveness to Manhatten that no other city can match. A sense that the city is truly awake and truly adores you.

We revelled in that feeling as we sauntered up Fifth Avenue, looking here and there at the little shops and eateries. Marya spotted a corner liquor store, and we headed inside to get a few bottles of something.

I ended up with three Tequila Rose samplers, while Marya ended up with three Tequila samplers, two vodkas and a bottle of bright green midori. She shared it with me as we exited. I think Logan ended up with a beer. Not sure about Nate, since he tends to stay away from alcohol, thanks to the fact that he can get drunk off just the fumes.

After downing one bottle, I grabbed Nate's arm and led us down the street. "Y'know, Dez..."

"Yeah?" She tossed one of the vodkas over her shoulder, narrowly missing some homeless man.

"It's been a long time since I've been up in the Empire State Building."

"Last time was that assassin job, wasn't it."

"Hrm." I pondered, "Yeah. Sounds right."

I could sense down the link that Nate was suddenly very worried that we were about to do something that Wasn't Good. He had no clue, but he was getting more and more like his father every day.

"So." Dez had a grin on her face I recognised. I held up my last bottle in a silent toast.

"Ladies?" Nate was looking between the two of us. "There something you wanna say?"

Dez waved a hand, "Nah. We're not sayin' nothin'. We're doin'." She grabbed my arm and headed up the street, intent on 42nd.

It was all Nate and Logan could do to keep up with our pace. We sort of sailed over the curbs and any cracks. The boys had a few mishaps. I think some of the cab drivers were shocked to see men jump out in front of them. Several blocks later, we were standing at the base of the Building. Dez was looking up it consideringly as Logan and Nate puffed up.

"Why are we here?"

"I wanna go up it." Dez proclaimed, reaching out to prod the material of the wall.

Logan sighed, "Susanna..."

"You can stay on the ground, old man. I don't give a shit, either way." She turned to me, "Ready?"

"Yeah."

"Hey! Wait!" Nate caught her, "We're going, too."

"Right." She tilted her head slightly, accessing the subcutaneous implant. "Computer. Bodyslide by four to the top of the Empire State Building."

Space folded in on itself, then we were standing at the very top of the Building, staring out--and down--at New York City. Dez threw back her head and crowed with delight. I hopped to the edge of the tiny platform and sighed happily. "I love it up here."

There wasn't an answer from her. The boys were sort of half-clinging to the arial that thrust upwards from the slim piece of steel we stood upon. I glanced at Dez to see her down the last two bottles of her stash and toss them away. "A camera."

"Damn. Knew we forgot something." She glanced at the boys and snickered. "It's all right, gentlemen. Logan, you'll heal if you fall. And, besides, both Nate and I are telekinetics."

I sighed happily and gazed at the dark sky above us. "What colour would you say that sky was?"

"Black, of course," Nate replied testily.

"It is NOT." Dez snapped. "It's blue."

"Susanna, dear, it's black."

"No, I'm telling you, the sky is bloody BLUE!"

"It's BLACK!"

I watched in fascination as Nate stepped to the edge and glared down at Dez, who had actually stepped back off the platform, and started floating.

She countered him again, with, "I have better vision than you do, and the atmosphere makes it BLUE!"

"No, it's--"

"Nathan," Logan called, cutting him off.

"What?"

"Calm down," He narrowed his eyes and looked at Dez, "This little date didn't need to be chaperoned, Marya."

She smirked, "True. You boys can go and do your own thing while Dom and I wind up. Seeya!"

Nate blinked as I reached over and stepped onto Dez's TK carpet. "...but...my girlfriend."

"Yes?"

Logan chuckled and pulled out a cigar as he gave Nate a pat, "Don't worry. They'll be back by midnight."

"...mine, not hers..."

"Or else they'll turn into pumpkins."

"Like Hell," Dez said sweetly. "Dom? How about a magic carpet ride?" She mock-leered at me.

I snickered, "You're on. Oh, and, Dez?"

"Hrm?"

"Sing that song from Aladdin, and I swear I'll kill you."

She began humming softly, instead.

--

Marya

As I've noted a time or two before, Dom is one hell of a gal. If I were into women, I'd be after her in a millisecond. Before the paint could dry on my suddenly 'Fuck-me red' nails, I'd have her--er, enticed, if nothing else.

Dom, for her part, politely ignores any of my half-drunken advances. Not that there have been many.

But, either way, I suddenly had the very twisted notion of hitting the nearest gaybar. Dom concurred, since it meant we'd be free of Certain Types of Men. And we headed on a downdraft, gently spiralling, to a small place I knew called The Rainbow Abyss. That, of course, was the official name it had in the Chamber of Commerce, and on business reports. On the street, it was called 'Cocksucker'.

I knew where the name had come from, didn't care, and doubted Dom did. But it would be fun to see if Nate and Logan would follow us there.

Julio the Doorman gave me a look as we approached. I tossed him a gold nugget I'd been keeping for such an occassion, and we went in ahead of about twenty other people. I heard muttered comments from them about "lesbian bitches who didn't know their place." but ignored them. After all, they were partially right.

We were offered a line of crack a minute after walking in. I turned the nice man down and herded Dom towards the bar. What I'd drunk so far hadn't done more than dull an edge, and I had hoped to get somewhat hammered.

After all, a hangover is a such a *nice* excuse for not getting up in the morning.

By the time we made it to the bar, Dom was grasping my hand firmly, and using it as a sweet excuse to not get laid by other women. In other words, the place was crowded.

Men and women snuggled with each other, or danced on the small upraised area, or sat around talking loudly over the music, or sat at the bar watching for others. We had to yell to be heard over the music. The bartender was cute, though. Too bad he was gay.

We leant against one end of the bar, surveying the rest of the room. I could sense from Dom that she was enjoying being able to relax and just people watch. I could understand it--when you're running around, expecting to get killed every other minute, it was nice to be surrounded by people who only had one need.

Sex.

Of course, Dom herself was probably interested in sex, but not with this crowd. And not with me. I had the feeling Nate and Logan would be along eventually to collect, but I didn't care. This was incredibly relaxing and just what I needed.

A discofied version of a song started up, pounding out the detritus of the previous one. I grinned, recognising it.

;;For your own good
call me tonight
Don't you think you should call me tonight?
Life isn't easy
so why don't you stay
with the lover you need
and not the devil you pay?
For your own good
call me tonight;;

I grabbed Dom's arm and dragged her to the floor, she followed seeming to be in the mood to shake her booty.

;;For your own good
call me tonight
Don't you think I could
make a difference tonight?
When you need a lover
and it's so cold outside
I could help you recover
from pain that you hide;;

Dom took a moment to get into the song, and then danced fine. I alternated staying close to her and gliding slightly away to dance with another couple on the floor. They didn't mind my intrusion, but it was clear that they didn't really care whether I was there or not. Their life was the dancefloor.

I was merely an accessory.

;;Life isn't easy
so why don't you stay
with the lover you need
and not the devil you pay?
For your own good
call me tonight;;

I sensed a presence near the door and turned to look. Nate's gaze intercepted mine, and I grinned. Logan was behind him, slightly amused.

;;Come on, call me;;

::Call you, Susanna?::

::Well... You could come dance with Logan. That way we wouldn't shock the poor patrons.::

;;Call me tonight
I'll make you feel good;;

::Sigh. We're on our way.::

;;Come on, call me
Come on, call me
Call me tonight
I'll make you feel good;;

They joined the floor near to us, and I saw Dom grin as Nate attempted to look relaxed while he danced with Logan. They were both rather wooden, but I couldn't blame them, really. Nate wasn't much of a dancer to begin with, for one thing.

;;Want your body
Want your body;;

I decided to shock them a little, the feeling of alcohol coursing through my veins threw caution to the wind. Dom jumped only a little as I danced in closer, wrapping one arm around her waist.

;;Come on, call me
Come on, call me;;

One of the other couples on the floor stopped to watch us as we performed a very disco--but still classic--version of the lambada.

We were good, I must say. Dom was as fluid and bendable as a breeze. And I was a willow whisp. Or something like that. It was the most fun I'd had standing up in ages. Well, except for the carpet ride.

;;For your own good
call me tonight;;

As the sound ended in a splash of fragmented chords, I stood up straight and bowed to Dom. She snickered and shoved me towards the bar. "Your round, this time, Dez!"

--

Domino

Dez has always loved shocking people. I think it's her main goal in life, setting peoples' perceptions on the side with a strange spin. She tends to go for broke, never look back. In some ways, it reminds me of Logan when I first knew him. All feral need and emotions that danced around begging for attention. Except that Dez is terribly enclosed and self-contained. The emotions that are on the surface are just that--surface. I sometimes wonder if underneath all the hyperbole she's really enjoying life.

And then she does silly things like create a TK carpet to ride in Manhatten, or dance the lambada to a disco song. And then I know she's desperate for release.

Desperate to feel something other than the dark.

And I understand her.

Nate jostled my arm, and I looked up at him. For a moment, my expression must have bothered him. Then I masked it and grinned, taking my drink from him. "Thank you, waiter."

"Dom...." He said warningly.

I chuckled and sipped my drink. We'd moved to a secluded corner in the club. From the looks of things, they were usually used for things *other* than drinks. Dez had claimed one of the padded benches and flopped down, relaxing against the back with a sigh.

It was somewhat quieter back here. I was greatful--loud music palls quickly at my advanced age.

Which makes me sound like Nate, I'm sure. He's always going on about age equalling experience. Drives the kids batty, really. But he's right. The older you grow, the longer you live.

As Dez would say, "I'm this old, because god-fucking-dammit, I EARNED it."

Nate, of course, earned a lot of things--he inherited a lot of crap, too. I shook my head. Such morbid thoughts on a night that was meant to paint the town red. Where was my head?

"Dez."

"Dom."

"Where's that bucket of red paint you promised me?"

"Welll...."

Five minutes later, we were strolling up Fifth Avenue again. Dez was carrying--of all things--a turkey skewer. Something about it being a good lock-picking device was her excuse.

Ten minutes after that, we were casually breaking and entering. I had picked the door lock, Dez turned off the alarm, and Logan had picked the inner lock. I never knew bone claws could be used like that. The store was a run of the mill hardware type. I'd been surprised it wasn't open 24 hours--this IS New York, after all. The city that never sleeps.

Dez grabbed several small cans of paint, checked their colours, then handed them to Nate. I grabbed several brushes, and Logan busied himself with leaving a small amount of cash for them.

I wouldn't have bothered, but it seemed a point of honour with him. Dez headed us back to the door, and we locked it all back up.

Cans of paint were handed around, and I studied mine. 'Passionate Purple' the label read. Great. I passed over all the brushes but one. "So, where to?"

Dez waved her brush at Fifth Avenue. "We walk. And paint as strikes our fancy."

A smirk crossed my face, "So... I can colour anatomically correct parts onto the lions in front of the library?"

She grinned, "Exactly."

Logan snickered.

--

Marya

I think we covered just about every notable statue, fountain, or wall that we could with paint. It wasn't wall-to-wall, but it was there. Genitals on the lions, a couple of inverted crosses here and there. One or two pithy sayings, like "Assassins do it from behind." and "Power Corrupts. Absolute power is kind of nifty."

Of course, I got to scrawl "Bitch of Ages" on lots of things. Yay, me.

Dom looked at me funny when I did it the first time. I pointed at myself. THEN she giggled. I think Nate was surprised. She doesn't giggle all that often. But, hey, if a good friend tags herself the Bitch of Ages, ya gotta laugh.

I am the Rock of Ages, really. I've been there and done that so many times, it's a wonder my tits haven't fallen off yet.

Or should that be the Slut of Ages... Hrm.

Logan had 'Violent Green' paint. He had great fun giving everything claws and ripped-out intestines. Although, uh, his intestines looked like clouds. Nate got the 'Vibrant Silver' and proceeded to scrawl obscene messages in Askani everywhere. Good for him.

Of course, if anyone deciphers them, they'll probably wonder how the hell you do them. Since most are more difficult than passages of the Kama Sutra.

Purple genitalia is sort of funny to look at, really. Of course, after a while, Dom just started painting little bullet holes everywhere. I'm sure many shop owners are going to wonder why the glass looks like it should be shattered.

It was at this point that Dom got a brilliant idea.

"Dez."

"Yo."

"Let's go back to the Empire State Building."

I glanced over at the guys, they were beginning to look either bored or tired. Possibly both. "Sure. Computer, Bodyslide by four to the base of the Empire State Building."

The grey granite reappeared in front of us. Dom studied it, then looked at Nate. "Sweetie?"

A wary look came into his eyes, "Yes?"

"Can you raise me up, oh, thirty feet?" She was trying to look innocent, and failing utterly.

I began snickering, "Dom..."

"Dez, it's a great idea, and you know it."

"I feel like I'm in a bad comedy," I cracked, reaching out carefully and lifting myself up. I decided to give it a bit of flair, and started 'walking up a ladder'. I stopped about thirty feet up and studied the stone carefully. This was going to have to be a very special piece of artwork. Something that would encompass both me and Logan as well as Dom and Nate.

Dom appeared next to me, confidently hanging in the air like she did it all the time. "Y'know, Dez, we're giving them one hell of a view."

"Hope they appreciate it." I replied as I dipped my brush into the can of 'Fuck-Me Red'... Well, actually, it was 'Carnelian Red'--but I'd changed it.

I began painting. Dom watched for a moment, then snorted, and followed my lead. Red paint shown wetly on the dark grey surface. Gleaming from the streetlights, it actually shone better with the purple off-setting it. I called down for Nate's silver, and added a few careful highlights. A moment later, I grabbed Logan's green, and added finishing touches.

We came down a few minutes later, to sardonic applause from Nate and Logan.

"Susanna, that... words fail me."

"Thank you, thank you. I couldn't have done it without Dom, though." I grinned at her. She winked. "And, now, gentlemen, much as I hate to say it..."

"It's time to end the night." Logan supplied. He took my arm and nodded to Nate. "It's been nice, thank you." He tipped an imaginary hat to Dom, "Sleep...well, Neena."

She smirked. "Thanks."

"Don't forget to hang the dress up first." I advised as I hugged her quickly.

"As if I could."

Nate chuckled softly, and then held out a hand. A cab pulled up and they were in it and gone. I leaned against Logan for a moment, then sighed and pulled away, "I..."

"I know, Suzy." He leaned in and kissed me gently. "I'll walk you back, then leave." His eyes were warm and gentle. The last time they'd been like that the night had had a different end. But I couldn't do that to either of us, much as I might want to. I touched my forehead to his and nodded.

"Computer, Bodyslide one to the Times Square Marriott." I stepped back from him as the teleport wrapped around me. ::Goodnight, Logan.::

--

I was still awake when the 5 o'clock news started. I didn't pay much attention to it, more interested in finishing a report for GW, when I heard something about grafitti and looked up.

The Empire State Building was shining in the light, our slogan scrawled on it in sun-risen glory. Some female reporter was doing the voiceover as the scene shifted to the lions outside the library. "...Official reports are uncertain as to who the mysterious artists might be. But the Mayor has been firm that the markings--especially those on the Empire State Building--will be removed posthaste."

I chuckled softly as they moved on to other news. That would be one of the most photographed pieces of street art out there. After all, how many times do you see a trailing rose vine that spells out "Mutants Rock!"?

-finis-

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