She’d looked a lot like her aunt, so much so I wouldn't have doubted it if they were siblings. She held herself differently though, unlike Lady Luminous whose demeanor was always relaxed and fluid with low shoulders and an animated way of speaking. Luminosity lacked a lot of the presence her aunt did, even if she still had some charisma about her. She didn't draw attention to herself as much and had a tenseness in her form that I recognised in myself. Lady Luminous was a rescue hero, so it's natural for one to try and seem relaxed to make civilians feel less worried when they arrive, but Luminosity held herself like an action hero, like my father. It was clear even then that she also had been trained extensively, from her build to her poise. Like myself, she was a legacy child through and through.

“So, what's your name?”

My focus broke when she spoke, the smile on her face had diminished slightly from when her aunt stood beside her. She’d spoken with her hands resting gently on her hips, with a slightly widened stance. Her voice, however, moved faster than a normal person, much like her aunts. Hinting at her own status as a speedster.

I’d taken a moment to breathe, feeling nervous as it was my first time introducing myself in a hero setting. I hadn't expected my father to leave me alone after only a few minutes here. Duty calls and all that.

“Hoplites, daughter of Ares” I’d been proud my voice cracked only a little bit

Her expression had become quizzical when she looked me up and down.

“Aren't hoplites foot soldiers? You don't give off that impression at all. What about your real name? That’s gotta suit you better right?”.

I didn't really know how to respond to that. My father had only given me the name recently. And besides, it was temporary.

“As a Legacy, you should know the importance of hero identities. They keep us and those we love safe”, that's what my father used to tell me at least.

I felt confident in my response, mainly because I had avoided what threw me off and instead could focus on one of my fathers rules which had been drilled into me.

“Yeah, but secret identities are stupid. What's ever really happened to people who got exposed anyway? Not much, that's what. I've never once heard of a villain targeting loved ones. It's a job after all, fights between heroes and villains aren't personal or anything.”  She took a moment, gauging my reaction which was, rightfully so, in stark disagreement. “Call me Dawn, I'm a person after all, not a mask”.

In my mind,  I could feel the sting across my cheek and harsh words of my father from how he’d strike me if I were to say such a thing to him.Out loud I’d struggled to formulate a response for a moment, the brief sensations of a reprimand filling the silent space in my head.

“Wha- no, I won't.. You’re Luminosity, and that's all I know you as!” The volume of my voice remained steady, but despite that the words still tumbled out faster than intended. I couldn't believe she’d have such blatant disregard of her identity. 

Luminocity laughed at my reaction, quickly though as if it was a recording played back at double speed. Her whole body almost vibrated with it. Despite my reaction, she remained relaxed as she looked at me, allowing a moment of what had felt like an awkward silence before she spoke.

“My Aunt tells me Ares has got one too many sticks up his ass and takes his career way too seriously, can't imagine what it would be like to grow up with that so I guess I can't blame you. I mean, we're really nothing more than a glorified police force with licenses to kill, permission to use our mutations, and way too much media attention.” With a blur of motion she suddenly stood beside me, holding two small cups of what appears to be a chocolate mousse that she had not previously had. Holding one out to me she said “But hey, we get fancy parties and free food, so I guess that's a win”.

I took the offering, because what thirteen year old could resist a dessert being offered by someone who spoke so confidently about things that neither of us have fully experienced yet. I'll admit, I thought she was cool. I can't say I agreed with her opinions on heroism, but I admired her confidence in those opinions. 

“Agree to disagree Luminosity” I took a bite of my dessert, dark chocolate with a hint of orange. “Someday we're gonna serve the people of this city, protecting them from the villains who would do them harm. As Legacies, there will be more eyes on us than other heroes. So we have to prove we have what it takes”.

She fiddled with her spoon a moment, looking at the crowd when I spoke only to glance back in my direction after it was clear I had finished speaking. 

“Who protects the villains though?” She asked

I laughed at her words, short and muted, but still a laugh. She’d seemed displeased by that. I guess I wasn't the greatest at reading a room.

“There the bad guy’s, people need to be saved from them. Not the other way around” Even at the time I could tell my response was lame. In my defense, I was repeating the things I had been told.

“Villains are just like any other criminal, the only difference is they have powers that heroes can use to make a show out of. If you ask me, I think a real hero would try and save everyone”. Luminosity crossed her arms as she spoke, leaning back slightly in a way that made her seem more confident in her words, finishing the statement with a look in my direction, like a challenge.

I could tell she was stubborn even then, that she wouldn't back down from her statement. She was so different from the way I imagined other heroes, or in this case hero children, would be. Honestly, I liked it. Even if I still disagreed. I unfortunately wasn't given the opportunity to respond, Lady Luminous suddenly appearing in front of us with a bright smile.

“I'm back! Did ya miss me!” She said loudly at her appearance, drawing looks from the crowd “I'm just kidding, of course you did”.

“Aunt Luminous, it's been less than five minutes…” Luminosity said, leaving the implication to finish the statement for her. 

“Oh I know sweety, but for people like us five minutes can feel like hours! But anyway, I hope you had fun because it's time to go eat up Providence’s food budget in a single night” She’d giggled at her own words, and was the only one to do so. “Oh, and also, I convinced Ares to sign Hoplites up for that training program people are mentioning since we're gonna be out for a mission anyway. Won't it be so fun to do it together?”

“Wait wha-” Was all even Luminosity could get out

“Great, now let's go. Fine dining awaits!” Lady Luminous said excitedly, she grabbed Luminosity's hand allowing only enough time for the latter to get out a quick goodbye before they were both at the opposite end of the venue by the food in the blink of an eye.

Suffice to say, I thought speedsters were weirdos after that. 

With one exception, the remainder of the party was uneventful. My father had returned to my side and began introducing me to other people in the crowd, ranging from heroes to Providence officials. The conversations were all the same, people showered my father with praise while maintaining a respectful distance. I would inevitably be brought up and my father would do his best to answer the questions on my behalf, thankfully saving me from the pressure of doing so myself. Despite my father stepping in for me, and waving off any personal questions, I never once mentioned to him my conversation with Dawn, well, Luminosity. He didn't ask about it either.

The only other interesting thing to happen last night occurred while my father was speaking to another hero, Cobra Lily. I had been standing just behind my father, taking advantage of the fact that she seemed more interested in discussing a recent bust she and my father had done on a large scale drug ring. It was in that moment of distraction that I felt a tap on the shoulder, only to be met upon turning by the wide toothy grin of Harmony. She was sat cross-legged on the ground behind me, seemingly oblivious to or unphased by the stares she was getting. 

“Hoplites right?” she said, holding out her hand to shake. When she was met with my silence, or perhaps more accurately awe, she elaborated “I noticed your dad trying to avoid me all night, but I still heard a few things”.

That explained why she’d been speaking in a lowered voice, and looked behind me towards my father.

“Yes” I responded, the modicum of confidence I had with Luminosity now gone. Nonetheless I willed myself to take her hand and shake it.

What I hadn't expected was for her to squeeze, but luckily rather than make a sound of surprise my body's instinct had been to tighten my own grip as if in defense of itself. It seemed she took my action as a further challenge and began slowly increasing her own pressure, forcing me to do the same or let my hand be crushed. I knew one of her abilities was strength, like my own, but I wasn't sure where either of our limits were. When she suddenly released my hand her grin widened, shaking her own hand a little.

“You really are your fathers daughter, hell I'd say you're on your way to being better. I hope to see you on the field someday, Hoplites, I think you may even have what it takes to earn your father title someday”. And with that final line, she floated to her feet and walked off into the crowd.

It was then I decided that all heroes were weird