Night Star S1

S1 Ep2: Multiverse of Madness

Astria is at home, doing her homework. Kamala is hiding behind a wall, silently cursing herself for what went down at school.

Astria: Mom, if you're going to talk to me, don't hide behind the kitchen wall. It's not going to help.

Kamala: I'm sorry, Astria.

Astria is silent, and watches as Kamala walks around the corner. There is a temporary uncomfortable silence before Kamala starts talking.

Kamala: I know after what happened in fourth grade that you don't like school that much. And I'm sorry. But I have one important question for you.

Astria scowls, knowing her mother's favorite joke is bound to ensue.

Kamala: If your birthday is on February 29th, then do you celebrate on March 1st next year, or February 28th?

Astria (drily): We always celebrate on the 28th, but that's because you're cursed to always have something to do on the 1st.

Astria points to the calendar, which is collecting dust. It's one year behind, and on it, circled in red pen, are the words Astrid's Brithday. The date is February 29th, but the calendar is two years out of date. Next to it is a second one, slightly older, with both the 28th and the 1st circled, but the 1st is also crossed out.

Astria retrieves an old calendar with similar dates.

Astria: Every year, actually. Since I was six.

Kamala: It's always funny.

Astria rolls her eyes and hugs her mom.

Astria: I forgive you. You know how sensitive I am, though.

Kamala: I have another question for you. If I were to tell you, say, you were going to have a little brother, what would your reaction be?

Astria: I'd immediately look for Ma to congratulate her because you told me childbirth is painful and you don't ever want to do it again.

Kamala: Touché, Astria. Touché. Maybe I lied, though.

Astria looks at Kamala dubiously, and Kamala nods her head.

Astria: Seriously? Wow! I'm going to have a little brother!

Kamala nodded and then starts laughing. Astria looks at her in confusion and Kamala starts to explain.

Kamala: You were an interesting kid. Things went haywire pretty quickly.

Astria looks at Kamala with increasing discombobulation, and Kamala sighs.

Kamala: Trust me, my Ammi was NOT happy with me. I mean, I was twenty, give or take. Maybe twenty-one.

Astria smirks at Kamala.

Astria (sarcastic): So what was the 'haywire' part?

Kamala: Well, you were the first successful experiment. And there was the issue of your powers causing rapid development, since they'd never really considered time a factor.

Astria: What's that mean?

Kamala: You were born only ten days after we decided to have you.

Astria starts to laugh, and then realizes Kamala is dead serious.

Astria: By the gods, you were only pregnant for ten DAYS?!

Kamala nods, and Astria looks at her mother with a new level of respect.

Astria: I will never question you again.

The credits roll, and then the screen cuts to a new scene.

Astria's phone lights up, and she checks it. Nearby, the words, 'Hey, Astria, this is Univa' appear on a nearby wall. Astria replies with, 'How did you get my number?' Appearing underneath it. 'Ever heard of this nifty thing called a phone book?'

Astria replies with, 'Yeah, but I requested my number not be put in it.' Univa adds, 'I know. I found where your name should be and texted every number until I got yours.'

Kamala peeks over Astria's shoulder, looks at what she's saying, and tries really hard not to laugh, failing in the process.

Astria: Mother! Can I not have a private conversation at ANY point in my life?

Kamala: I'm your parent. To me, there's no such thing as a 'private conversation', unless it's directly with me.

Astria raises her arms in disbelief, and dramatically storms away. Kamala looks after her with an amused expression.

Kamala: You left your phone, dear.

Astria sprints back over to where Kamala is, grabs her phone, waves at the camera, and sprints back sheepishly.

/-/

Astria is alone in her room, chatting with Univa. Some time has passed- a few weeks, as the calendar on Astria's wall has changed ever so slightly.

Univa (over text): Nice idea, but a superhero? Can you even control your powers?

Astria (over text): Don't need to. You don't need powers to be a superhero, if Hawkeye and Iron Heart have proven anything.

Univa (over text): Kate Bishop spent years practicing her archery, and Riri Williams is a genius. You, Astria Chavez-Khan, are neither good at archery, nor are you a genius.

Astria (over text): Wow. Thanks a lot.

Univa (over text): Lizzo said it herself: truth hurts.

Astria tosses her phone down on the bed, and then looks up at the ceiling, sighing dramatically.

Astria (sarcastic): I seriously need to rethink who I consider my friends.

Kamala knocks at her doorway.

Kamala: Hey, A. Can I come in?

Astria: Sure. Why not? You're already halfway through the door already.

Kamala: I give you a lot of privileges. Sass is not one of them.

Astria sighs and screams into one of her pillows. Kamala watches with amusement.

Kamala: You know, I was just like you once. Without the powers, mind you, but still just like you. I wanted to go to AvengerCon. My mother said no.

Astria (dubious): What? Nani never says no!

Kamala: That's because you're her granddaughter. Saying no to you would probably invent an eighth sin.

Astria: Fair.

Astria sighs again, and then sits up. She looks at Kamala for a second.

Astria: Do you think I can be a superhero without using my powers?

Kamala: No. Absolutely not. Not even if you could control your powers.

Astria frowns, but doesn't protest. Kamala sighs after a second and sits down on her bed.

Kamala: It's not that I don't trust you. It's that I don't trust everyone else, you know? Fanfic writers can get crazy with their ships.

Astria: The only time I use AO3 is to write AmeriKhan fanfics based on real life. My username-

Kamala: I know. I follow you.

Astria: Dammit, I forgot you use AO3 too.

They both laugh for a second, and then the laughter fades to uncomfortable silence.

Astria: I'm grounded, aren't I.

Kamala: Yep.

Screen fades to black, and Astria groans.

Astria (off-screen): Why do I do this to myself?

Kamala (off-screen): It's because we're related to making bad choices.

End episode, roll credits.