Thread: Empire - City of Lost Cause (Black_Out and meomeo)

The unexpected call found Vallie pigging out on Chinese takeaway, merlot, and a rerun of 2 Broke Girls . A bit pathetic - but Vallie had made peace with the fact that with her thirties on her horizon, theres nothing shameful about staying in on Saturday evenings. Though when her phone rang she half-hoped it would be her girlfriends inviting her to a spontaneous night of clubbing just like the old times. At first Vallie thought this Cindy woman got the wrong number. It took her a while to jolt her memory and connect the name Garrison Agency with those meager monthly deposits made to her bank account. Meager because their remuneration package was heavily performance-based. She wasnt thrilled to hear from Cindy, nor the message she delivered. It wasnt until late Sunday afternoon when it occurred to Vallie that she should have her heirloom as she called it ready, just in case. That took much longer than expected. She first spent quite a bit of time scouring her downtown studio apartment, to no avail. Then she finally remembered she had it packed off to a storage unit a few years ago. Vallie got inside her Prius and drove 20 miles to her storage unit. She got a bit worried because nightfall had came by the time, the storage facility was located in the middle of nowhere next to the Interstate, and movies and TV shows had taught her things get seedy at these type of storage facilities after dusk. She half-expected to come across a drug deal and regretted not bringing a friend along. Fortunately those fears didnt come to be. Among other sundries and memorabilia, Vallie found the suitcase and lugged it into the trunk. It was heavier than she remembered. An hour later Vallie Olsen stood in front of her hallway mirror, looking comical and silly as hell at least thats what she thought. Like those young women who got paid to dress up as video game characters in conventions, so adolescent boys could have some spank material. The chest armor smelted to fit a much more endowed woman than herself ironically left her entire midriff unprotected. On the other hand, the cod piece which sat low on her hips was far too snug, so Vallie had to repeatedly pick the fabric out of her butt. The crimson cape badly needed washing. The main attraction was the remaining artifact in the suitcase. Vallies hand hovered over the Hammer scarred by wear and tear from countless battles - closed her eyes, gripped the handle, and instantly an invigorating shot of energy coursed through her body. Her mind flashed back to her 18th birthday, and that unbelievable story her late mother unfurled Youre no ordinary girl, my dear Vallie. You, and I, are special. In your veins run the blood of a Norse goddess, ferocious Viking shield maidens, and a line of Scandinavian queens. Through the centuries this Hammer has been passed down one generation to the next, from mother to daughter. Now I bestow it on you. Only an Olsen girl can harness its powers. Come here, touch it, do you feel it? Vallie felt it back then just as she did now. It was awesome. She can fly! She punches hard! She can shoot mini bolts of lightning! But Vallie had not forgotten her mothers warning. Our foremothers were invincible. Imagine our abilities in 700 A.D. People back then deify and worship us. But you, dear, were born in the year 1989. There are automatic riles and all sorts of gadgetry out there, and those mutants and extra-terrestrials make me shudder. A terrible fate awaits us if we would ever be captured alive. So, protect your loved ones, dont forget your heritage, but dont EVER stick your neck out. Just like last time, holding her heirloom made Vallie wonder how her illustrious ancestors those goddesses and royal queens would think of their descendent the fact that their figurative torch has been passed down to a 29 year-old college dropout who makes a living teaching out-of-shape housewives how to do a proper squat whose closest tie to her ancestral land they fought to defend is the Ikea bed she sleeps on. Another reminder why I have this hidden away in the storage unit. Brings up nothing but sad vibes. Vallie sighed and began to strip out of her armor. As she lifted one of her legs the inseam of the black tights ripped. Last time she wore this getup was five years ago when she demonstrated her abilities in front of some Garrison suits. Five years of not skipping leg day... as her curvy derriere would attest. Eh, I'd wear one of my Lululemons instead... if I ever need to wear this getup again, that is. Vallie came to the appointment in her street clothes. That suitcase remain locked inside the trunk of her Prius. She arrived 10 minutes early and was told by the receptionist to wait. If she had to guess, she is being laid off. Which didn't exactly worry Vallie. Her standard of living didn't depend on what Garrison pays her. If they do, they better do her a favor and wrap this up quick. She has an 11 o'clock appointment with Mrs Carter, a slightly out-of-shape housewife who wishes to have her own derriere look like Vallie's.