QUANTUM~Billy Butcher

Oh say can't you see

The back of the limousine on the way to the Race was a little awkward, to say the least, Maeve, Starlight, Noir, and Quantum all sat in one place was a strange sight. What was even stranger was the new outfit Starlight had on. It was a lot more revealing than her original, and judging by her sulked posture, it wasn't her choice. The car had picked Athena up from her residence and for once she wasn't wearing her costume, Stillwell had decided to ship her out to sing the national anthem before the race starts, the members of the Seven were going to be signing autographs or doing interviews about how the Military needs to accept Supes into the military. In her devious mind, Madelyn had her designers send over a gorgeous beige dress with large stars bejewelled onto it. It was made for Athena to stand out, Stillwell wanted a Supe singing the national anthem to further associate superheroes with the military. Athena had to admit, it was a pretty smart move

Maeve was studying the dress on the woman, and Athena smirked "Maeve please I know it's different than usual, but eyes to yourself, please." The redhead chuckled and rolled her eyes, turning to face out the window, Athena was well aware of Maeves sexuality, during one of Voughts famous parties, the pair had ended up in Maeves room, where she confided in the other woman about her love life, specifically Elena, and how unhappy she was parading around as Homelanders girlfriend. The talk did end up with the pair sharing a heated kiss in the moment, but they had agreed that it was just a drunken moment. 

"Starlight." Athena caught Annies attention, snapping her out of her trance of staring at the floor with her arms folded. "Yes, Quantum?" she responded, and Athena just wanted to give the young girl a hug because of how beaten her tone sounded. Without a doubt, she was ambushed with talks of feminism when that outfit was thrust upon her. "Men are going to be assholes today, but do not let them get the better of you. No matter how much you want to punch their balls unto their throats, don't do it." Of course Athena had seen Starlights latest issue when she attacked two men in an alleyway for an attempted date rape, but the girl was no where to be seen until she came forward after the videos release, Quantum could only imagine Ashley drilling into Annie the fact that it was unlikely that the girl would even come forward statistically, but it seemed to work itself out in the end. Annie seemed taken aback by the straightforward comment but nodded to the statement nonetheless.

It was mere seconds after the limo pulled up that the cameras started flashing and one of Vought's security opened the doors for the group to step out, Quantum was last, flashing a dazzling smile and waving gently to the crowds. "This is what we've waited for. The showdown. These men are extremely powerful and very, very quick. The train is ready to leave the station." The announcer shouted through the mic as the crowd poured into the stadium, each desperate to see who would win this 'Race of the Century'. Athena waved goodbye to the others as she was escorted to a different entrance to prepare for her performance, her walk down the corridor was interrupted when she ended up colliding into a taller figure that fell to the ground"Fuck." said the person, clearly winded by walking into the equivalent of a brick wall. It was a British accent, cockney if she was correct. "Oh my god I'm so sorry" Athena reached to help the man up and to make sure he wasn't injured, and that's when she fully saw him up close, he had a cut across the bridge of his nose and his cheek, it looked recent. He also had a rugged appearance, much like...no, it couldn't be.

This man looked awfully similar to the one who was standing across the street at Vought the other day.

"Ah, it's alright, love- bloody hell. You're Quantum ain't ya? Didn't recognise you without the whole suit on" He was definitely a Cockney lad, she patted her dress down and smiled "Indeed I am, I'm performing the national anthem so they wanted me in something a little different I suppose" He laughed with her before she extended her hand to him, a look of suspicious crossed his face as he stared at her hand "You're meant to take it." Athena lightly joked. This seemed to snap him out of whatever trance he was, and he shook it "Will" He introduced himself, pulling himself up . "Well, 'Will' I'll see you around." And with that, she walked away, leaving him staring after her as the gown she wore flowed behind. 

"Butcher, you copy?" MM spoke from Butchers earpiece, "Yeah, I'm good, mate, just a run-in with Quantum. I don't think she suspects anything she too busy walking around all pretty and shit." He scoffed before continuing to walk to his seat."It seems Monsieur Charcuter was not just keeping his eye on the mission, huh?" Frenchie said lowly over the comms as he crawled through the vents. "Keep quiet, you French Bastard." Butcher scolded.

Athena waited anxiously in the tunnels under the stands. She had seen A-train pass her and, of course, wished him luck with a silent nod as his thanks. "Please remain standing as a very special guest sings our national anthem, sung by the one, the only, Quantum!" The announcement came, and it was time for her to make her grand entrance. The crowd went wild at her appearance, the wind was blowing her dress as if she was in a movie as she walked to the centre of the track where the microphone was placed, she tapped the mic receiving a slight bit of feedback confirming it was on and working, and she started to sing.

Everyone In the crowd placed a patriotic hand on their heart as they listened to the Supes singing, she was good, so good that she even had an album released when she was younger, but being a singer wasn't really her passion, acting was more her forte, even if Vought studios made a few of the films she starred in into musicals. 

Athenas eyes flowed over the crowd, and she enhanced her vision to try and spot this 'Will' character she bumped into earlier, and she spotted him alright, hands in his pockets instead of his chest and it seemed as if he was studying her every move. "Thank you, ladies and gentlemen and everyone in-between! Now, let's have a race!" Flares and fireworks exploded behind her as she raised her hands to the sky, the energy surrounding her also creating a glow as the atoms and particles bent to her will, it was mesmerising, and the crowd went crazy for it.