Avengers Swimsemble [Open Avengers affiliated]

[Martyr]

♦

Humans were not an aquatic species. There were certainly aquatic mammals, but humans were far removed from dolphins or whales. Still, they seemed to enjoy being around water, especially when the heat of the summer months was at its height.

Synthezoids were also not an aquatic species. While is was certainly possible for one to give oneself a mermaid's tail, it was not a common practice. They were also not affected by heat in the same way as mankind was.

Vivian Vision prepared for so called "Fun in the Sun". The machine calculated that it would be advantageous to use complementary colors. Given her apple red skin tone and bright green hair, she chose to go with a purple and yellow swimsuit that would all go together in a tetradic color scheme.

Her top was symmetrical with yellow and white vertical stripes on the right and purple and white vertical stripes on the left. The briefs featured purple dominated horizontal stripes and yellow dominated ties on either side. She wore strictly ornamental sunglasses with orange frames and blue lenses. Her beach towel was the officially Avengers licensed one. A light gray version of the logo was artistically off center against a pale blue background.

She also prepared in other ways. She had prepared a rebuttal to the almost inevitable proposition that she would somehow rust when she came in contact with the water. Logical points of why this was both an absurdity, and frankly a mean-spirited joke.

The pool itself was a combination indoor/outdoor and was on an upper floor of the mansion. The division was reached by swimming under a panel of glass wall. The indoor side was more tailored toward fitness with swim lanes and so forth. The outdoor side was more tailored toward relaxation.

Vision's daughter placed the beach towel and sunglasses on a a pool chair in the Sun's glare and moved toward the diving board.

Template adapted from Silv.

[aquarius]

Nor were squirrels an aquatic species, though like humans they were able to swim. However whilst humans did so for fun in good weather, squirrels rarely did so. So as Doreen reached the indoors pool side in a light brown two piece swimming costume, setting her towel down on a lounger and a cool bag with a few drinks and snacks alongside, it was that Tippy Toe managed to open the bag just enough to be able to scurry inside and emerge a few seconds later with an ice cube, though there was clearly some difficulty in her actually moving it. Once this was accomplished however, the pink bowed furry avenger curled up next to the bag, the ice cube being occasionally licked and gnawed at to help stay cool.

Doreen, meanwhile, looked around and saw... not many people. Just the one, in fact. Ah well, maybe others were off battling some evildoers or something. They'd show up later if so, no doubt. Either way, a bit of peace and quiet where she could just socialise with other heroes was far too rare a thing to get to enjoy, and she wasn't going to waste any time.

"Heya Viv! Nobody else turned up yet? Or have they gone to get a drink or something?" Of course, it was possible that Sue Storm-Richards was there, but that seemed at least relatively unlikely. Or Ant-Man, The Wasp... Actually there were probably quite a few heroes that could conceivably already be there without her noticing them.

[zania]

I don't really know why I can't let it go,
Why I can't let it go sometimes
Caught up in this spider web

---

Summer . . . which meant warm weather, and swimming to try and beat the heat. It was one of the seasons that Patrick enjoyed immensely as he was able to get out, explore the city . . . but especially swim. He did that a lot to work out and keep in shape, but it was good even just to relax after a long day or enjoy the company of others.

In this case, he heard about some of those from the Avengers and the Academy gathering just to get a break around the pool . . something he had no intention of passing up.

He walked onto the pool deck, wearing a pair of blue swim trunks, a loose white tank top, and carrying a towel over his shoulder. He could see that two others had showed up so far, and there were likely going to be more before the day was done. For now, though, he gave the other two a small wave as he went over to a deck chair in order to put his towel down . . .

---

Spider web
This spider web of life

[Martyr]

♦

Vivian Vision stood with her back to the water before she dove. She spun twice before straightening like a board and plunging into the water. It was a perfect dive. Of course it was. She was a machine, and at this moment she was a diving machine. The trajectory, the variables, they were all calculated. The timing was done by an internal clock. The splash was minimal.

As she emerged from the water, she heard a voice. It was Squirrel Girl, asking about others.

 IF ANYONE ELSE OTHER THAN YOU OR YOUR SQUIRREL ARE HERE, I HAVE NOT SEEN THEM. DO YOU WISH ME TO INFORM YOU WHEN SOMEONE ELSE ARRIVES? 

SCARLET SPIDER HAS ARRIVED., Vivian informed Squirrel Girl before she could really respond to her first statement.

The robot girl glanced at Scarlet Spider's attire and asked a probably too personal question.

 DO YOU WEAR A SHIRT OVER YOUR BODY IN ORDER TO NOT BE EXPOSED TO ULTRAVIOLET RAYS? 

Template adapted from Silv.

[aquarius]

To some people Viv's response might have seemed rude, or perhaps deliberately mocking. To a computer science student such as Doreen though, it was an insight into how an AI's mind worked. Certainly the Vision had a reputation for having been similar at first, and whilst he was meant to have mellowed over time, it was hard to say if that was truly thanks to time passing, his various dismantlings and restorations, or some other reason completely. The only real difference between an AI and a human mind, after all, was that an AI started out fully aware, with extensive knowledge of many things. Humans had to learn everything right from the beginning.

Returning Patrick's wave of greeting, she replied to Viv's last question in a cheerful tone. "Nah, no need today. I applied some waterproof sunscreen while I was getting changed, and it'll last me easily as long as I plan to be out here for. Much like my drinks cooler. Anyone else want something?"

She sat down on her sun lounger and reached into the bag, producing a can of a fizzy drink which she opened and began taking the occasional sip from

[zania]

I don't really know why I can't let it go,
Why I can't let it go sometimes
Caught up in this spider web

---

Patrick moved over to a lounge chair and place his towel upon it before he heard the question from Viv about his attire. He shook his head slightly before pulling off the tank top and also placing it on the lounge chair. As he turned around after doing so, his chiseled, muscular chest and upper body was on full display for everyone to see. "Actually, I only wore it since I didn't want anyone to be embarrassed or offended," he replied, trying to be considerate of the others, especially those who may not have been in the best shape.

Squirrel Girl had then asked if anyone wanted a drink from the cooler she had brought with. He nodded slightly and shared, "I'll take a bottled water, please." Sure, he probably could cheat and do a soda, but he figured water would be better, especially if it was bottled as he could re-apply the cap when he wanted to set it down and not take a sip.

---

Spider web
This spider web of life

[Martyr]

♦

Vivian considered the implications of both of the comments. Squirrel Girl's anatomy was strange for a human. She was covered in fur, but it was only on a tail, so every other part needed protection. Vivian herself was something of the opposite. The Sun did little to nothing to damage her. If anything, basking in the Sun would charge her solar jewel, the yellow battery in her forehead.

 IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT A BARED MALE CHEST WAS NOT CONSIDERED OFFENSIVE OUTSIDE OF A FORMAL SETTING, OR AN AREA WITH A COMMERCIAL KITCHEN.  

The logic of the why, at least as she currently understood it, was something far different from chiseled abs making someone else make an excuse to go to the gym. She didn't consider that Scarlet Spider was the epitome of human physicality. It wasn't just that the series of ones and zeroes in her mental matrix that paralleled human dopamine and norepinephrine was unresponsive to him. For a being that was literally sculpted, such a thing was commonplace.

 I AM AN AUTOTROPH. , the machine replied to Doreen's offer.

She made conversation with the human male now. 

  DAVID POPOVICI OF ROMANIA SET A WORLD RECORD THIS YEAR BY COMPLETING A 100 METER FREESTYLE IN FORTY-SIX AND EIGHTY-SIX HUNDREDTH SECONDS. CAN YOU BEST HIM? 

Template adapted from Silv.

[aquarius]

Doreen reached into her cooler to find a bottle of water and threw it to Patrick for him to catch, calling out a warning just before she did so to make sure he was watching out. "Heads up! And it's a pool party in the Avengers mansion. I don't think anyone is going to be worried about a shirtless guy. Heck, if Hercules turns up I'm told it's not just his shirt that he might not have brought."

She was blushing at this, but smiling enough to probably make it very clear what she was thinking. Only the comment from Viv distracted her from this train of thought, her usual cheery optimism showing in her reaction. "Autotroph? Fair enough. Is it you can't drink, or don't need to? Because if you want a drink or snack, you're still welcome to have one even if it is not needed. Let's face it, most of my snacks are not all that nutritious. Though some are.... Nut-ritious."

Whilst she was grinning at this pun, it seemed that Tippy-Toe was less impressed, covering her ears with her tail and chittering a (presumably) critical response.

[zania]

I don't really know why I can't let it go,
Why I can't let it go sometimes
Caught up in this spider web

---

Patrick listened to Vivian and nodded slightly. "Maybe, but I was trying to be respectful," he explained to her, not sure if she might understand. He hoped that she would, though.

Squirrel Girl pulled out a water and tossed it to him, which he caught deftly, listening to what she said about Hercules taking off more than just his shirt. "Really?" he asked. He had never met or seen Hercules before so he had no idea if that was true or not. Perhaps one day he might find out. "I haven't heard of that before, but I believe you."

He removed the cap from the bottled water and took a sip, finding it cool and refreshing. Even though he could have opted for a soda or something else, water was a force of habit due to the healthy lifestyle that he led. His predecessor had apparently had led the same healthy lifestyle, which is why he had become a natural Captain America . . . something that Patrick worked hard to continue even though he was a clone.

Viv then challenged him to try and beat the 100 meter freestyle record set by David Popovici, who managed to do it in 46 and 86 hundredth seconds. "I can give it a try," he stated, putting the cap on the water and moving toward the side of the pool. Athletes that swam often jumped into the water from starting blocks. Those weren't present at this pool, but if he started from the side and jumped in in a similar manner, perhaps he could achieve the same results.

---

Spider web
This spider web of life

[Martyr]

♦

Vision Girl confirmed Squirrel Girl's story to the Scarlet Spider. 

 HIS PEOPLE DID ENGAGE IN SPORT IN ANCIENT TIMES, WHILE NUDE. THEY DID IT TO IMPRESS THEIR GODS AND ONE ANOTHER. THIS IS IN CLEAR CONTRAST TO MODERN SPORT IN WHICH VARIOUS FORMS OF COVERING BOTH FOR PROTECTION AND FOR MODESTY ARE UTILIZED.  

The machine did not seem to respond to Doreen's pun. She did not respond with a compliment nor with a groan. In contrast she did answer the heroine's question about the exact nature of her synthezoid body.

 I CAN EAT. IT MAKES ME CLOSER TO HUMAN. MY ENERGY, MY TRUE ENERGY, COMES FROM MY SOLAR JEWEL. 

The Scarlet Spider swam. He swam with relatively little encouragement. Many human males were unusually competitive. This was especially so if they were allowed to show off their physique or their physical prowess, and swimming would allow for both. 

After a moment she removed her glasses and stood. She too dove into the pool, swimming after him.  

Template adapted from Silv.

[aquarius]

The exchanging of little pieces of trivia was always enjoyable, and to be doing so in Avengers mansion was simply icing on the metaphorical cake. Doreen grinned as she interjected further "Plus, the word 'gym' comes from the Greek word 'gymnos', meaning naked. So... yeah, be careful if Hercules challenges you to any kind of contest. I've been warned about his lack of modesty, and assuming it's not been exaggerated then... well, you can probably guess."

With first Patrick and then Viv swimming, Squirrel Girl was happy to stay at the poolside and watch. She already knew her ability to swim exceeded mundane humans, as did Patrick's no doubt. Super Soldiers were called super for a reason, after all. But she had nothing to prove, and this was a social occasion not a training day.

Plus, it took FOREVER to blow dry her tail.

Instead, she was content to tap away on her phone and begin a timer for Patrick. Viv would certainly know her own time - probably before she'd hit the water even - but Patrick was human, with human desires for self improvement. So he'd probably want to know that he'd just broken the world record (though they'd stopped counting anyone with powers because it just wasn't fair on anyone involved)

"Congratulations, Patrick! Well within the target time!"

[zania]

I don't really know why I can't let it go,
Why I can't let it go sometimes
Caught up in this spider web

---

Patrick swam, trying to keep up the brisk pace in order to meet the challenge he had been given. He was determined to do it too, even though he hadn't been given time to warm up like most athletes would normally get. It made it more of a challenge, but he knew that it would be quite an accomplishment if he could meet that challenge. Even if he didn't, the attempt would be something to be acknowledged as it would require a tremendous effort.

He became acutely aware of additional movement in the water. He glanced over during one of his strokes and noticed that Vision Girl had also dove in and started swimming as well.

The fact that she entered the pool and started swimming meant that he had competition, and that caused him to pick up the pace even more. It wasn't that he needed the competition to spur him on further, but it created a healthy surge of adrenaline and increased the desire to accomplish what he was asked to do.

Once he touched the pool wall at the end of the swim, he stopped and looked over at Squirrel Girl as she congratulated him for being well within the target time. "Really? I didn't think I'd get it on the first try without a warm up," he expressed. Of course, his predecessor had broken several records in school himself, all of which were rescinded once they discovered who he was related to.

---

Spider web
This spider web of life

[Martyr]

♦

Vision Girl's own time was exactly as expected given the environmental factors, and the amount of her energy reserves she chose to expend in that moment. Unlike Patrick, she did not get the synthezoid equivalent of an adrenaline surge. This wasn't so much due to the impossibility of that exact chemical reaction within her own matrices, but more that it was not something for which she would expend more energy. 

She emerged from the water. Her synthetic hair somewhat resembled the way human hair behaved when wet, but there was still something slightly off about it. Maybe it was the exact composition of it compared to natural hair. Her equivalent to skin likewise held onto the little drops of water that had previously surrounded it slightly differently.

 WAS THERE SOMETHING THAT ENGAGED YOUR LIMBIC SYSTEM BEFORE COMING TO THE POOL THAT MAY HAVE PRIMED YOUR BODY TO EXCEED YOUR NORMAL EXPECTATIONS?. 

Template adapted from Silv.

[John Kilroy]

Carol smiled as she arrived at the mansion and changed into a green Bikini that showed off both her upper and lower erm..assets. (A fan had once called her Thicc with two Cs) In truth, this was something that had been long LONG overdue. After several sleepless nights, several bodies of booze, and a whole lot of verbal spats with her coworkers dramatic enough to be a telenovela, she finally had to accept the harsh reality. She was a total mess. She had worried so hard about fulfilling her duty she had let everything else fall apart including her reputation and especially her sanity.

Carol wasn't blind or deaf to the insults that were hurled her way, and in truth deep down she knew that she deserved it. So she made a promise to herself not to act like she always had a 2x4 jammed up her rear end. If not for everyone else's sake then at least for her own,  Prior to becoming Captain Witch, Carol always had the habit of being the life of the party and making a bit of a dramatic entrance, the last couple of parties she had been to she broke from that habbit and instead was an absolute recluse. What little interaction she did involved her being a grouch and she decided now was as good a time as any to restart that habit. So she flew straight up in the air and made the most epic dive ever.


"COMET BOMB!!!"

SPLAAASH!!!

Water erupted like a Geyser large enough that all of New York could see it. Surprisingly, most of the water had landed back into the pool without flooding the area outside of the boundaries. When Carol rose back up to the surface, she looked like something out of a shampoo commercial.  

🎵The fun has arrived!!!🎵 she sang before doing her best Johnny Bravo impression. "Thank you. Thank you very much."

 she shook her head a bit. "Sorry for the dramatic entrance guys, but...I REALLY needed this."


  

[aquarius]

Doreen turned her phone around to show the screen to Patrick in response to his enquiry, nodding a confirmation. "Yup! Have a look!" She was about to continue when the unexpected new voice announcing a 'comet bomb' caught her attention. After a split second she yelped in mild alarm, rolling over to quickly cover up as much of her tail as possible to avoid it getting soaked. When the near perfectly executed dive resulted in barely a few drops of water even reaching her, Doreen felt a little embarrassed but began chuckling at the situation.

"Hi, Carol. Great dive! Glad you could join us. Drink? Snack? Help yourself later if you want, too."

It was still a smaller turnout than Doreen had hoped, but then she'd only have been happy with the poolside completely packed, just about the entire Avengers roster there, and a fair few of her close friends from outside the hero world as well. Since the invites had not specified any 'plus one' was allowed though? It was just her. And Tippy Toe of course. You invite Squirrel Girl, you get the Squirrel and the Girl.