Meeting Damsel of Distress

To say that Victoria and Damsel -Ashley- had a rocky relationship was an understatement.

The two of them were the closest things to the nemesis dynamic.

Victoria was the retired hero, teacher of parahuman sciences and promoter of peace. Damsel was the former villain, turned mercenary, and always an instigator of drama.

Even their physiques were different, beyond the fact that Ashley had long razor sharp claws for hands; where Victoria had generous assets in terms of chest and butt, accentuated by steady workout routines, Damsel was flat and skinny, though she carried with her some very defined shoulder and leg muscles that Victoria had enjoyed seeing on her twin sister.

That was another thing that made it awkward. Victoria had roomed with her twin sister, Swansong, and it seemed Damsel had gotten some... intimate memories of the two together, after Swansong's ****.

It was a clone thing and very complicated. She would have loved to talk about it with anyone other than Damsel.

The only reason they ever met up was two-fold. Damsel occasionally teamed up with Kenzie's team, and Victoria still had a soft spot for the former villain.

"Antares," Ashley greeted, reclining in her chair. "Have you gained weight?"

A very, very, very small soft spot.

"Ashley, always a pleasure. You been well?" Victoria strained to keep her calm, taking a seat across from Damsel. They had decided that the local tea shop on the bustling street of a shopping district would be their neutral meeting place.

Victoria's idea had been that too many people around them meant Ashley couldn't make a scene. Damsel had seemed to think for a moment before agreeing. Victoria wasn't one to look a gift horse in the mouth at least.

It didn't escape Victoria's notice that what they were wearing was also opposite; Victoria wore a white blouse with matching bra beneath, with a black pencil skirt and leggings. Damsel had settled for a large white sun-hat and sleek black dress, as usual. The only thing they had in common was that their outfits hugged their frames comfortably.

"Dodging the question? Very telling."

"Haha," Victoria deadpanned. She rolled up a sleeve to flex her bicep and then her shirt slightly to show her flat tummy. "I think the work speaks for itself."

Ashley's eyes were intense as Victoria put her shirt down, "Barely a glimpse. Hard to tell with how quick you were to cover up."

Victoria rolled her eyes, "What is this, body envy? What's next, going to question my cup size? Or my waistband?"

"You said it, not I."

"Uh huh." Victoria shrugged, picking up the menu and looking at the new tea items. "Don't be jealous."

Ashley glared, "I am NEVER jealous. Especially not of you, cow."

"Cow?" Victoria asked, eyebrow raised, incredulous. "Really? That's where you're going with this?"

"You dared to question my dignity."

"You literally called me fat and are basically implying that having big tits makes me a cow."

Ashley scoffed, "I've seen bigger."

"Definitely not in a mirror," Victoria retorted. At Damsel's cold gaze, Victoria sighed, "Look, what even is this conversation? Can't we talk about something else? Powers? How about your power appointments? Have those been good?"

Ashley glared at her for a long moment, before smiling, "Actually, yes. I've made some... breakthroughs, to use a poor pun."

Victoria blinked, the mood shift catching her by surprise. "Wait, really? That's- That's honestly great news!" She leaned back, smiling at Damsel, "So, lay it on me, what's new then?"

Ashley kept her smile on her face as she suddenly rose, "Oh, why, let me give you demonstration."

Victoria had no time to react before Ashley's claws swiped out at her!