[X] Talk to Hego. See how he's… doing.
You figure you can spare a few minutes. Hego's departure from DEI wasn't under the happiest circumstances, though you suppose it could've gone worse. Certainly his performance during the cat invasion- which once again, the dramatically inclined had taken to calling the 'Kataclysm'- played a role, but if you're going to be honest with yourself it was a long time coming. You should've seen the writing on the wall months ago and spoken to him much earlier.
Hego was somewhat morose during his going-away party, which was a nice gesture by the Doctor even if the offer for return employment was a little much. The simple fact of the matter was that DEI's company culture seemed a poor fit for Hego overall, no matter what sort of benefits were awarded.
The first thing you take note of is how much more relaxed Hego looks. In the latter days at DEI he seemed very anxious about one thing or another, but most of that seems to have disappeared. He wears a wide smile as he shakes hands and greets all sorts of movers and shakers as well as the wait staff, offering you one in turn as you approach. "Ms. Pena! It's wonderful to see you again!"
Your heart flutters slightly and you immediately tamp it down. Maybe this was a bad idea.
Outside your field of view, Marco comes up, having finally divested himself of the pile of hors d'oeuvres.
"Hey guys, the dinner's gonna be starti-"
Mezmerella plants a finger on his lip. "Tsh shhh shh shh shh."
"Wha-"
"Give it a minute."
"Oh great, it's another Janna…" He mumbles as he heads back to the table.
You'd like to say you turn your attention back to Hego, but in all honesty it never really left. His outfit has been updated ever so slightly, the colors slightly shifted to be more in tune with Olympia's color scheme, spandex rippling over firm… you blink. "Hello, Hego. How has Olympia been treating you?"
"Mr. Deavor and his sister have been fantastic employers! I really believe in what they're trying to do here tonight- did you manage to catch what I did on the news the other day? I managed to take down a critical number of Paine's associates, making the streets of Reno clean once again!"
"I've seen. You're all over the news. I admit you cut a very… dashing figure."
Shut up shut up shut up shut up
"Why thank you!" Hego beams, blessedly missing every and all implications your words may have hidden. You cast about for what to say next, and… you hesitate for a moment. You saw the news reports- Hego parading captured gangsters outside to waiting camera crews, the chief of police giving him a public commendation, Winston Deavor smiling and shaking his hand- and you couldn't help but feel that something was off. You know full well what Sinatron has been planning, and…
Was it even worth bringing up? It was probably an altruistic, if shady, means of helping Supers, and you certainly can't throw stones here. The alternative… well, that wasn't very pleasant to consider. Nor was it polite. The man is happy, isn't he?
Intrigue Check: Is Hego Happy?
DC 57
69+31+10 (Titanomachy)= 107
Incredible success
Hego certainly seems happy, possibly for the first time you've known him. This is, more or less, what he always wanted, and it would be cruel to rip it from him… wouldn't it? But you can't help but detect the slight hint of worry at the edge of his eyes, the brittle smile he fades into when he thinks no one is looking. He's not sad, but… perhaps he's noticed more of this than you'd expected.
Even if you were to tell him the truth, would he believe you? You barely know the man… much to your regret. Another thing you'd like to try and change, but how would you even begin to broach the subject?
It's a foolish idea in any case. You're meant to be above this sort of… childish infatuation. And besides, you know where it comes from. Why you can't let it rest. You'd been unable to look away from the suit from the moment you'd seen Hego in it for more than one reason. The new suit had lightened the deep blue tones, shifted the black; it must have been a fairly deliberate homage. Anyone with even a vague memory would notice.
It was just the shade of Mr. Incredible's original suit.
All this and more passes through your mind even as you open your mouth. You take a breath and then, before Hego can notice your hesitancy-
What do you say?
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