UnMasked Nomad

3

^^ holographic display ^^

— Erin —

The massive man with glowing blue tattoos grinned happily, and gripped my hand, (around the gun,) and shook it heartily. "GREETINGS!!! BEAR OF THE FOREVER PEOPLE IS OVERJOYED TO HAVE MADE YOUR ACQUAINTANCE!!!"

Superboy laughed, standing and shaking the man's hand. "Bear! What are you doing here?"

"I was informed that there was to be a pleasant gathering, watching your culture's sport!" He laughed deeply, and sat on one of the stools, bending the legs a little with his weight. "Friend Megann, I am pleased you are healthy and well! Are these for Bear? WONDERFUL!!!" He snagged a platter of pancakes, and began eating them four at a time.

Bart appeared swiftly, and snagged one of the pancakes, sitting next to me. "So, how you doing? Need more of those energy bars? Did four tide you over?"

"Two and a couple pancakes filled me up, actually." I held out the other two.

He shook his head. "Trust me, you'll be hungry again in a few minutes. Speedsters need to eat nearly constantly, and even if your appetite is a little smaller than mine, you've still got to keep up. My advice? Don't ever ignore your stomach. It says food, you eat. Otherwise, you'll feel every sort of mode there is." He started at me seriously.

I raised an eyebrow, and looked at Zatanna.

"He means it's bad. Mode means 'super-bad'." She supplied helpfully.

"Ah, I see. I suppose there are obvious drawbacks to a fast metabolism... I will keep that in mind, though I'm not convinced I am a 'Speedster'. I believe my reflexes are the only thing that have gained any speed, and I'm unaware of any connection to the Speed Force." I shrugged.

He blinked. "You know about the Speed Force?!? How?!?"

"Uhm... I read about it? You forget, where I come from, you're all legends. Obviously some artistic license was taken, but yeah, I have a basic understanding of a lot of your universe, though it's a bit out-dated." I explained, and then stood, stretching. "Now if you don't mind, I'm going to jog off that breakfast, and then get to work on my calculations. I'll see you when I see you, and I'll help with chores until I can get a job, alright?" I waved to Meghan, and started out the door.

Bart appeared next to me, grinning. "Hey good idea! I can test your speed, give you some pointers, and show you around the town! But you'll need a mask... ah!" He fished around in his pocket, and handed me a set of clear goggles, like his own. "That'll work for now, keeping the wind out of your eyes."

I chuckled softly and placed them on my face. "You overestimate my speed, kid. I don't need a windshield for a light jog."

"We'll see. That way to the town!" He disappeared, and I sighed, stretching my muscles carefully, loosening and limbering them up, then when I was ready, about five minutes later, I pushed off from my impromptu starting line.

I laughed in shock when I immediately began picking up speed; not like his, oh course, but enough to make me correct course to avoid hitting a trail marker.

Bart reappeared, jogging in front of me, backwards. "Well, you're... quick, I guess, but as speedsters go, you've got a long way to improve. How's your adrenaline doing? Keeping a steady pace?"

"No adrenaline, just a calm jog... which is awesome!!! Ahh, I can't wait to open this puppy up on a long stretch of straight road..." I grinned, and rounded a curve in the road, barely side-stepping a semi that laid into its horn even after I passed it.