forum "Never thought it'd be you behind the mask" O/O

Started September 25, 2021 by @ShadeStar

tune

Phoenix was out on patrol when she spotted Shroud. She decided to drop in and see if he was up to anything, and if not, maybe ask some questions that had been in her mind since their last meeting.

Shroud was crouched on a rooftop, looking down at the streets below. He was not actively doing anything, but was obviously planning on doing something.

Phoenix crept up next to him. She could tell Shroud was deep in thought, and that wouldn't be good for her. She got to be about right next to him when she said, "Whatcha doing?"

He jumped, flickering from view for a moment, then looked up at her. "None of your business, Phoenix."

"Well, considering you're a villain, I think it is my business," Phoenix responded tartly.

"Well, considering you're a "hero", I don't think it is." he replied, eyes narrowing.

"What? Afraid I'll stop you before you even get the chance to do whatever you're planning?" Phoenix snarked a little as she sat down on the edge of the building giving her powers a break.

He shook his head a little bit.

"Okay, then why not? You trusted me earlier to heal you," Phoenix pointed out. She didn't really want to know, but she was curious and bored.

He sighed faintly. "It doesn't matter."

"Gotcha," Phoenix nodded.

He rubbed his face with a hand, closing his eyes.

Phoenix let herself sit in silence for a moment waiting for Shroud to say something.

"Umbra was a good guy." he finally said, quietly.

"What?" Phoenix perked up when he said that. She tried to rack her mind for who that was and she couldn't recall. There were a lot of villains, and Umbra wasn't one of hers.

He shook his head faintly.

"I'm sorry, I just didn't recognize the name," Phoenix corrected after getting the negative response, "What happened to him?"

"One of your lot fucking tortured him and dumped his body in an alleyway, that's what." he snapped.

"They-" Phoenix looked at him in shock. There was no way to fake the reaction she had at that moment. Her face paled remembering the guy she had healed not that long ago. She had… Oh God, "Oh."

He gave a tight nod, not looking at her and instead keeping his gaze fixed down on the alleyway. "Yeah."

"I'm, I'm sorry," Phoenix whispered quietly trying to console him.

He shrugged his shoulders, still not looking at her.

Phoenix bit her lip before letting out a sigh and going to stand up. She couldn't do much here.

He closed his eyes.

Phoenix glanced back at Shroud one final time before leaving him to his thoughts.

Shroud was silent, letting her go.