Holo, Nice to Meet You! (M'Kurn/Lori Weston )

[Leanna Mazal]

Not being very familiar with the part she was playing , Lori watched as Batman/M'Kurn looked around, before he headed over to the window. Curious as to what he had found, until he mentioned that her beach was out there.

" That's good" she replied, genuinely looking forward to trying that out later, as M'Kurn became a little more serious.

That was understandable given what they were doing at the moment. Refocusing on the crime scene as her new Caitian friend looked over and then commented on the pamphlet, he had picked up.

The handsome man who had spoken earlier then added his own comment, before she was asked her opinion.

" Maybe he had some kind of grudge against them or perhaps he wanted to use them for other purposes, through the hypnosis, or someone had paid this Doctor Reece, to kill them".

Lori might be completely wrong but it felt good to be involved in this.

[Qozwyn M'Kurn]

"An excellent deduction," said M'Kurn with a nod. "The question is..."

"Who?" piped in Commissioner Gordon.

M'Kurn walked the room carefully, looking for clues. "Did they find anything on Dr. Reece? Anything unusual?"

"Contents of his wallet and pockets are bagged and on the desk by the window," replied Gordon.

M'Kurn walked over, looked down. Five keys on a keyring, a few pieces of green folded paper that M'Kurn recognized as ancient Earth currency, some round pieces of metal of varying sizes and colors that represented coin versions of the same money, a clean-looking handkerchief...

"What's this?" he suddenly asked aloud. Picking up the clear plastic bag, he held it up and looked closer.

"The business card?" asked Gordon.

"The business card of one Delbert Billings," said M'Kurn. "A notorious pop-art forger, and better known by his super-villain name: The Spellbinder. We've tangled before. He uses optical and sound devices to hypnotize pe--"

Suddenly, from outside the building, an explosion rocked the room, followed by the screams of hundreds!

[Leanna Mazal]

It seemed as though her complete guess based on what she had seen, held some merit to the situation. Listening as the two men ran with what she had said and soon came up with a possible motive for why the Doctor had become a murderer.

Watching as M'Kurn examined the personal belongings, before it led to the conclusion that someone else was involved. Impressed with his deduction skills, although before she could comment as such, the unmistakable sound of an explosion going off, made the room shake, followed by a number of screams.

Her first instinct was to demand what was going on and what M'Kurn had planned exactly, but then decided against it. Realising that this must be part of his programme and calmed down as she remembered her part.

" What do we do?, or do you think it's this Spellbinder again?".

If it wasn't for the other person in the room, she would of added something playful, like he owed her drinks and maybe a massage, but that would have to wait.

[Qozwyn M'Kurn]

"I think you're right, Robin. I don't think it's a coincidence. Let's go!"

M'Kurn was obviously enjoying being in character as he darted out the office door, down the stairs, and into the street. Judging by the smoke, the explosion seemed to have come from one of the rides on the boardwalk. But it was the reaction of the bystanders that drew his attention.

"Look," he said to Lori as they crossed the street. "The people who aren't running past us in blind panic; they've all stopped. They're just staring at the Ferris Wheel."

[Leanna Mazal]

Even though she had intended to relax, drink and have fun, there was a part of her, the hidden beneath the facade, that was rarely seen, was starting to enjoy the mystery in what they were doing. Of course if you had asked her straight out, if she would of preferred her initial plans, then the answer would be yes, yet found herself drawn to solving whatever this was.

So when her partner in crime, agreed with her regarding what she had speculated, Lori was quick to follow him outside, liking the way he was fully immersed in his character. Although now they were outside, it did seem a little more daunting, especially with the amount of people around and seeing the smoke, from the explosion.

Following M'Kurn's gaze as he pointed out, the people who had stopped to stare at the Ferris Wheel, which immediately brought suspicion and shared what she thought with the Caitian.

" This feels like a trap, or at the very least an attempt to get our attention, either that or something's happening or about to happen with the Ferris Wheel".

Then she decided to finally be a little playful with her companion too, as she leaned in and whispered. " Once we get to the relaxing part, you so owe me a drink or two, maybe a massage as well".

[Qozwyn M'Kurn]

M'Kurn focused on the Ferris Wheel, saying nothing for several long seconds, before turning to look at Lori.

"Maybe we should forget the whole thing. We could head to the beach instead, buy a couple of frozen drinks, go skinny-dipping, maybe see what happens?"

Though Lori hadn't known the Caitian for very long, given that he hadn't even wanted her to see him in his boxer briefs, this appeared to be somewhat out of character. It was then that Lori noticed that everyone else who'd been staring at the Ferris Wheel were slowly turning, one by one, to face her as well. As she took in the rather eerie sight, it registered to her that everyone was very attractive. Not in a general sense; each of the dozens, perhaps hundreds, of people were, in some way or other, exactly her physical type, the kind of person she might imagine spending some quality private holodeck time with.

[Leanna Mazal]

At first Lori didn't know what to say as M'Kurn turned to her and suggested that they go to the beach instead. That in itself wasn't a bad idea, neither was the idea of what else they would or could do. However the more she thought about it, the more tempting it became.

Although quickly realised that she hadn't said anything and didn't want him to think that she was going to refuse. That was until the people who had been staring at the Ferris Wheel, turned to look at her as though she was some celebrity or something.

It was strange yet familiar, before it started to click into place, regarding the two programmes being merged together. If he had done this on purpose then she was impressed and if not, then she still knew what her choice would be.

" You know what that sounds like a great idea, even if I get the feeling that you did this all for me".

[Qozwyn M'Kurn]

One of the bystanders, a tall and handsome (to Lisa) fellow, chimes in. "I can do even more for you, Lisa."

A second man steps up. "Free for dinner, Robin?"

Lori notices that everyone is moving closer, slowly, step by step. M'Kurn-as-Batman seems to be struggling internally, but makes no reply.

From across the street, an amplified male voice calls out from within one of the boardwalk game booths.

"At last! My plans are complete! The mighty Batman, mesmerized! His Boy...Girl Wonder, soon to be smothered by Love Zombies! This time, I cannot fail! AHAHAHAAAAAA!"

Following the sound and peering through the gathering mob, Lori can see the garishly-clad and undeniably evil presence of the Spellbinder!

[Leanna Mazal]

The lack of response from M'Kurn, made Lori wonder if she had made a mistake with her assumption about the programme. If she had then she felt like a right idiot and if not, well some reassurance would be good about now.

However before she could ask him, two men started vying for her attention, which normally she would enjoy but this didn't feel right. Then there was the confusion over M'Kurn's intentions. Although that was the least of her worries, when this Spellbinder made his presence known and his evil plan.

" That beach idea of yours is looking even more appealing right now as there's no way I'm getting smothered by love Zombies".

[Qozwyn M'Kurn]

"Robin!" says M'Kurn, struggling to speak. "It's the Ferris Wheel! the Spellbinder...using the wheel to...hypnotize everyone! Use your batarang!" He points to Lori's utility belt as the crowd of would-be paramours steps ever closer.

[Leanna Mazal]

It would of been nice to get a straight answer from M'Kurn, instead he called her, by her character name and spoke about the Ferris Wheel. It took her a moment to realise what he meant, before she looked to the belt around her waist and took off what she thought was the batarang.

" You definitely owe me for this" she said as she threw the weapon or whatever it was and aimed it at the Ferris Wheel, hoping it would work.

[Qozwyn M'Kurn]

Straight and true, the bat-shaped boomerang sailed through the air, across the midway, and struck the Ferris Wheel attraction squarely in the center. A shower of sparks flew forth with the sound of short-circuiting power relays.

Slowly, as if coming out of a trance, the beautiful mob's eyes cleared, and one by one they began to turn away, carrying on with their artificial lives until they were needed once more.

"Good job, Robin!" said M'Kurn, taking her hand and leading her across the street to where the Spellbinder stood, gobsmacked and trying to decide if he should fight or flee. "What do you think, you want a shot at the bad guy?"

[Leanna Mazal]

For a brief second Lori didn't know if her attempt to stop the Ferris Wheel would work or not. Not daring to move or look, until she finally opened her eyes to see the sparks and her would be admirers return to whatever they were doing before.

Barely having time to register it all, as M'Kurn spoke to her and led her across the street to face Spellbinder. The feel of her hand in his didn't feel weird either as he then asked if she wanted a shot at the bad guy.

She didn't say anything allowing her actions to say it all as she let go and punched Spellbinder in the face.

" That's for trying to think you can get the better of us".

Lori then punched him again, before turning to M'Kurn and let the adrenaline take over as she kissed him on the cheek.

[Qozwyn M'Kurn]

With a crash, the Spellbinder caromed backwards, knocking over several stands that had each held three pyramid-stacked metal bottles. As he and they tumbled to the ground, a display of stuffed toys cascaded down around him, with a particularly large Terran elephant landing squarely on his head.

M'Kurn started at the quick kiss, taken aback, then put his arm around Lori's waist and pulled her closer, smiling.

"Look at you!" he exclaimed. "Your first mission and you've already defeated an arch-enemy! Don't tell me you're not having fun."

Impulsively, he pulled her closer and kissed her lightly on the lips, his furry black face tickling a bit, as the sound of police sirens grew closer. "The Brave and the Bold," he observed. "Oh, sorry, that was the title of one of the Batman comic books from Earth. Also us, if I may say so."

[Leanna Mazal]

She didn't care what happened to the Spellbinder as the adrenaline started to wear off and she realised what she had done. Although judging by M'Kurn's reaction and the way he then pulled her close, it had been well received.

Again she got the feeling that this was right, even if she had never been this up close and personal to a Caitian before. Not that it mattered, as he spoke to her about her first mission.

Okay maybe she had been a little unsure at first but now she was happy to admit that she was having fun.

" Okay I'll admit that I'm having fun, especially stopping Spellbinder from ruining everything".

Even the sound of police sirens didn't put her off either as M'Kurn surprised her by pulling her even closer and kissing her lightly. Finding herself responding to that and the way his fur tickled a little.

Feeling as though she had been the one to receive a punch and had a smile on her face as he made an observation.

" I like that and how about we get away from here and explore that beach".