It was ten thirty on the corner of Franklin and Los Palmas when I encountered one of Hollywood's superheroes.
I had been minding my own, keeping watch for a parking space amongst the nose to tail rows either side of the road. Parking was a nightmare in Hollywood in this season. Harrison Ford was in town for the premier and the tourists were thick.
The road was busy with cars looking for spots to ram themselves into like salmon, and I stared down at the floor beneath me, contemplating the folds in my long leather coat. Then it seemed a strange quiet fell upon the area, and I looked up to meet the wide eyes of a strange individual standing beside me. How had they got there so quick or so quietly? I can only assume metahuman powers.
"Hey." Came an elegant voice. Between two fingers the newcomer toyed with a bright green piece of candy.
"Evening." I replied, looking them over with a quick glance. No cars seemed to pass anymore. The night was quiet, time suspended.
The strange individual was wearing knee high black riding boots that just fit under the rim of a black skirt that flailed around long legs in the wind. Hips were held in a tight belt, into which was tucked a pink corset top featuring some pretty boastful cups. Blond hair fell over shoulders.
"Do you fight crime?" Came the voice again.
There was a moment before I responded where I tried to look into the big blue eyes that shone out from behind the wide black masquerade mask upon the strangers face, but I regained my composure.
"Not professionally, no." Said I.
"Oh." The stranger said, somewhat disappointed. "Because there was a pretty big thing over here a few days ago, with some pretty bad guys."
The big eyes swept my coat.
"Thought I saw you there. Are you not with the rest of the Hollywood superheroes?" A gloved hand came up to stroke at a powerful chin that bore the faint stubble of a few days without a razor.
"No." I responded, my accent obvious. "I'm from out of town."
"Oh, a crossover? Then welcome to Hollywood. I'm Elizabeth."
Elizabeth extended a slender hand, which I shook reluctantly, fearing her inevitable super strength.
"But most people around here call me..." She paused, her voice dropping conspiratorially, "The Black Canary."
I nodded in recognition, shaking the offered hand.
"If you ever need me, I'll be over there." She said, raising a cigarette to her lips and walking away with a soft sashay to the broad hips. The Black Canary strode across the road, her heels clicking through the parking lot, and into the void between the park and a huge storage canister. The darkness enveloped her entirely. After a moment the softly glowing flare of a cigarette could be seen.
Hollywood was in good hands.
