POV: Carolyn/Oddity

Boxed in by stuffy paintings and even stuffier walls, Carolyn got the distinct sense that she didn't belong.

Her lips tugged upwards in a grin, causing her mask to crinkle. She loved being in places like this. Surrounded with all the fancy things those rich folk were so enamored by. In a funny way, it made her feel like one of them.

But she wasn't here for simple pleasure. As she walked through the halls, she was looking for something very specific.

The thief stopped when she felt the carpet dip beneath her feet. Tracing the floral designs carved into the wooden walls, she found the button hidden among them. With a click, a hidden panel slid open, and she stepped through.

Jackpot. The secret room was filled to the brim with jewels, paintings, and other things that would go for thousands on the black market.

She felt a shiver run down her spine just looking at it.

As Carolyn went to scoop some of these items up, she heard- something behind her. She wasn't exactly sure how to describe it. A second later, a cold hand clapped her on the shoulder.

"Oddity," a smooth, deep voice whispered in her ear.

It took every ounce of self-control she had not to flinch away. That woman was going to be the death of her. "Gamma," she replied carefully. "Fancy seein' you here. Thought we had an agreement."

The villain chuckled and pulled away. Now that she'd revealed herself to Carolyn, she apparently didn't see the need to stay invisible; she removed her hand and stepped forward, kneeling in front of the pile of treasure. "Ah, but I staked my claim first. Ergo, this stash belongs to me."

Gamma was in full costume. The tree-like horns on her mask rose up above her head, curving towards each other but never touching. Carolyn grabbed one of the horns and yanked her back, frowning crossly. "Now hold on just a second, missy," she said in a scolding tone. "I was here first."

Gamma jerked her head, shaking off the thief's hand and standing up again. She turned around, exasperated. "You saw the signature outside, yes? You understand that that was my handiwork?"

Ah, yes. The jagged line that had been scorched into the lawn out front. Carolyn folded her arms. "First come, first serve. That was the deal. Can't be 'stakin' your claim' before you get inside."

"Maybe so, but I didn't. I got into the house before you," Gamma argued. "Just because you got in here faster-"

"Listen, it ain't my fault you can't read a map!" Carolyn grabbed a ruby necklace, putting it in her bag a bit more aggressively than she needed to. "If y'ain't gonna leave, I'll throw you out myself. And I don't think neither of us wants that, do we?"

Black electricity crackled along Gamma's arms. "You leave me no choice," she hissed.

Carolyn leaned against the wall. She activated her own ability, four sharp legs springing from her back. "Fine, then! You wanna piece of me!?"

POV: Raine/Gamma

The fight had gotten... a little bit out of hand.

The moment she'd seen an opening, Raine had thrown Oddity through a wall. The noise woke up the inhabitants of this mansion, and before either of them knew it, a hero had been called to the scene.

Two heroes, to be precise. Hyperpop had shown up first, with their blindingly colorful outfit and their bursts of light magic; then, when it became clear that Raine and Oddity were too much for them to handle, Gyrfalcon had swooped in on a cold breeze.

From there, it was basically a fair fight. Oddity was definitely still furious with Raine, but to her credit, she kept it professional. The two of them made an excellent team. Then again, so were Hyperpop and Gyrfalcon.

Oddity's stubbornness prolonged it a bit. She could have escaped easily, but she insisted on going back inside to raid the house. Really, it was a miracle that they got away at all.

But Raine wasn't about to complain. After all, she got to snag a few trinkets of her own while Oddity was distracted.

Ahh, she loved being a villain.

Note so I can continue writing this if I ever get around to it

Gyrfalcon's real name: Walter
Hyperpop's real name: Eyrie

Also, yes, Raine and Carolyn are definitely a little bit fruity. :)