Re: A Gala to Remember - Marvel: Earth-USB Saga (Part 19)
Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2025 12:52 pm
I had a ton of fun writing this part - to the point I kept adding details after details.
For instance, at first Scorpia's and Claire's scene was very basic. Then I added the detail Scorpia actually has the hots for Claire because Claire has some... ahem "assets". And THEN I added the detail Claire is also secretly attracted to Scorpia because she has a fetish for women in full bodysuit. And yes, spoiler, their belligerant sexual tension MAY have a call-back in the epilogues... Just picture Silver Sable walking next to a maintenance room of her headquarters, hearing suspicious sounds inside, immediately (and angrily) assuming someone is infiltrating her organization AGAIN, only to discover those weren't exactly moans of distress...
Same with Alicia's and Fiona's part. At first, they were supposed to only be mugged for their gowns and left behind in the coat closet. Then, I added the scene of them waking up understandably embarrassed - especially when they're found by their mothers who of course assume first this is some sort of roleplay gone wrong. (And also for the joke of Miranda fearing that her daughter may have become a bottom after all her encounters with Black Cat.) And once I did that, I tied the subplot to Taylor's subplot by showing the four women had the bad luck to think of warning Finesse first... and therefore ended up having some "mother-daughter bonding" moment in a closet.
It is indeed a meta-joke on several levels - Charlotte is a USB, there is an equivalent of the Board in Earth-USB, and Charlotte complains about off-screen scenes in mainstream media while watching a Star Wars show with ersatzes of Harley Quinn (and Doctor Aphra), two franchises known for their many (offscreen) scenes. Since both Star Wars and Marvel belongs to Disney and Marvel published some Star Wars comics, I thought it'd be justified for Star Wars to exist on Earth-USB.
The scene indeed had an aftermath - the joke to keep it off-screen was tempting, but I wanted the beginning of the story to feature one proper scene in-between the plot-related exposition. Charlotte watching a USB-heavy show felt like a nice change of pace.
This scene was also a bit of a pilot of some sort. I may try something with Star Wars at one point. Not a saga, but maybe a short story... Or maybe something related to Charlotte and her favorite show... Watch this space.
)
Didn't notice the typo - I'll rectity it ASAP. Looks like my DC is showing...
Trapstr truly has a "nothing personal" mindset - but I'm sure Scorpia would have done the same if the roles were reversed.
It's pretty clear Scorpia isn't the brightest bulb of the bunch, so her being easily tricked was a given.
As for one day subscribing to the paradigm, it's most unlikely. They're probably a bit too pampered for that.
Now, for them appearing again on the other hand... Time will tell, but they've probably earned a spot in the epilogues at the very least.
Earth USB-Mystique is most likely less badass than canon Mystique - I don't know much of canon Mystique I confess. However, it's also pretty clear Magneto has a soft spot for Taylor (and Sarah) in spite of her disrespect, and Mystique clearly doesn't want to get on Magneto's bad side. Plus, Taylor's moveset means Mystique doesn't stand the ghost of a chance in a fight, so Mystique prefers to play it cool.
I actually have a scene in which Mystique and Taylor actually come to blows after a disagreement too many - and Taylor utterly trounces Mystique with her speed and electric-based power.
Finesse's scene features several tropes of my liking in a row - bathroom ambush, offscreen punches, bound and gagged on the toilet seat... I'm really happy I included her - and she may reappear in the future. After all, she still has to rescue Guillotine! (Yes, she too hasn't been forgotten by the plot.)
For instance, at first Scorpia's and Claire's scene was very basic. Then I added the detail Scorpia actually has the hots for Claire because Claire has some... ahem "assets". And THEN I added the detail Claire is also secretly attracted to Scorpia because she has a fetish for women in full bodysuit. And yes, spoiler, their belligerant sexual tension MAY have a call-back in the epilogues... Just picture Silver Sable walking next to a maintenance room of her headquarters, hearing suspicious sounds inside, immediately (and angrily) assuming someone is infiltrating her organization AGAIN, only to discover those weren't exactly moans of distress...
Same with Alicia's and Fiona's part. At first, they were supposed to only be mugged for their gowns and left behind in the coat closet. Then, I added the scene of them waking up understandably embarrassed - especially when they're found by their mothers who of course assume first this is some sort of roleplay gone wrong. (And also for the joke of Miranda fearing that her daughter may have become a bottom after all her encounters with Black Cat.) And once I did that, I tied the subplot to Taylor's subplot by showing the four women had the bad luck to think of warning Finesse first... and therefore ended up having some "mother-daughter bonding" moment in a closet.
I of course hope this will be to your liking. We've reached the climactic part of the arc, so this saga should reach its conclusion in two or three parts.tirepanted3 wrote: Fri Jan 24, 2025 8:53 pm Certainly a long chapter, but a very good one.
Now that I'm back to following the story as a spectator, there's an increased element of suspense. I knew a few things about this chapter going in, but it's fun to see the details and how everything fits together.
Jysell is an original name, but the "Alhena Charil-Pol" part is an anagram for Chelli Lona Aphra aka Doctor Aphra (aka the star of one of the most frustrating off-screen uniform theft I've ever witnessed). The unnamed blonde Imperial officer even shares the same appearance as the cute blonde intern of the Doctor Aphra scene.I think we've reached a new level of meta-USB commentary with the early scene in which Charlotte is watching that Star Wars-type show. It raises so many questions on whether Star Wars or something like it exists in this universe (Star Wars comics - including Doctor Aphra's books - are published by Marvel, so that may be a hint), and the hint that there is an online fandom for uniform stealing scenes within Earth-USB itself is quite amusing. I do wonder, though - is Jysell Alhena Charil-Pol based on any character? That name doesn't seem to anagram as well as her friend's does...
Honestly, though, I was surprised when that scene featured a brief aftermath of the two Empire guards. Would have also been amusing if there was no aftermath and Charlotte is left grumbling about how uniform stealing on TV isn't the same as how it is in "real life."
It is indeed a meta-joke on several levels - Charlotte is a USB, there is an equivalent of the Board in Earth-USB, and Charlotte complains about off-screen scenes in mainstream media while watching a Star Wars show with ersatzes of Harley Quinn (and Doctor Aphra), two franchises known for their many (offscreen) scenes. Since both Star Wars and Marvel belongs to Disney and Marvel published some Star Wars comics, I thought it'd be justified for Star Wars to exist on Earth-USB.
The scene indeed had an aftermath - the joke to keep it off-screen was tempting, but I wanted the beginning of the story to feature one proper scene in-between the plot-related exposition. Charlotte watching a USB-heavy show felt like a nice change of pace.
This scene was also a bit of a pilot of some sort. I may try something with Star Wars at one point. Not a saga, but maybe a short story... Or maybe something related to Charlotte and her favorite show... Watch this space.
They're maybe the side-plot in the grand scheme of things, but in our hearts they'll always be the A-Team.And then right after that, we get a little comment from Felicia: “Always glad to hear we’re the side-plot…” The level of meta-commentary is approaching dangerous levels. Don't be so hard on yourself, Felicia, you and your friends get to do the fun work.
The scene with Cindy, Octavia, and Iris was clearly one of my favorites. From the set-up to the aftermath...I must once again advise female security guards to never yawn while on duty. The moment you express any sort of boredom with your job is the moment you are doomed to have your uniform stolen from you... It's practically an ironclad rule at this point.
I love their couple in the "Into the Spider-Verse" franchise, so I wanted to give it a nod. (I'll leave it ambiguous whether Felicia's comment rang true or not.Also, it's a small thing, but I love the little moment of Felicia teasing Gwen about her relationship with miles. Nice to see Gwen get a bit of personal character background here.
)Wanted to showcase that Taylor is a bit of a one-woman army - she wasn't considered the best of CSIS for nothing. Plus, she wouldn't trust people like Mystique, Screwball or Charlotte if they aren't at arms length.It's always fun to see a chapter in which two competing groups of infiltrators try to thwart each other, with dozens of security guards, caterers, and party guests caught in between, and this chapter was no exception. The uniform steals were fun and varied, with consistently intriguing muggings from both the heroes and villains. It did feel like Taylor was doing a bit too much of the mugging herself, though I understand why.
Lady Bullseye is far from my favorite character. But hey, this story is meant to feature as many Marvel women as possible, and Marvel villainesses had it a bit too easy lately, so I added Lady Bullseye and Scorpia in a row.The muggings of Lady Bullseye and Scorpia were a fun way to tie the chapter into the wider Marvel universe. The Lady Bullseye scene was a great example of a cool-headed assassin being taken out as a way of showing how good Taylor is at her job. Was happy to finally see this character added to the series, as I believe I've been suggesting her as a potential uniform target for over a year. (She's got a good costume for disguise purposes, though it does help that she's replaced by a shapeshifter.)
Though I did notice a typo at one point, where she is referred to as "Lady Deadshot" (presumably a mix-up with the DC villain Deadshot).
Didn't notice the typo - I'll rectity it ASAP. Looks like my DC is showing...
Ever since I saw that scene in the Dazzler comicbook series of 2024 in which Scorpia is knocked out, dragged out of sight, and trussed up, I knew Scorpia had to re-appear at some point for a proper USB scene. I'm glad you enjoyed the scene.The Scorpia scene was one of my favorites in the chapter, which I did not expect because I've never really cared for Scorpia in the comics. But I love how cavalier Trapstr is about mugging and replacing a woman she previously treated as a friend and coworker (as seen in the Kingpin chapters from the beginning of the Marvel-USB saga). Her attitude and comments ("It’s just business. Plus, she doesn’t have to know it was me") are top-notch. The ease with which Scorpia is tricked (with the fake phone call playing to her ego) was also great.
Trapstr truly has a "nothing personal" mindset - but I'm sure Scorpia would have done the same if the roles were reversed.
It's pretty clear Scorpia isn't the brightest bulb of the bunch, so her being easily tricked was a given.
We'll see indeed...Congrats to Marilyn and Ruth for making it through this chapter with their uniforms on. We'll see if they stay so lucky in the future...
MJ's and Felicia's banters remain one of the main motivators for me to keep writing this story. Now, throw them into high-class clothes, and have Felicia mimic a heiress of the upper-crust, and you get instant win.The MJ/Felicia banter remains a fun highlight of the series. Loved their banter when they're trying to play the parts of high-society women. And this exchange:
“Fiona would have recognized me. She and I have some… history together.” Felicia confessed.
“I didn’t know you swing both ways.”
“Not that kind of history!”
I really love including these two pairs of mother and daughter - perhaps too much. They usually don't get that much attention, but I keep featuring them because I like their designs and personalities.I admit I did not anticipate the return of the Kalte and Waybright women. Fun use of continuity there. And the narration seems just as surprised at their inclusion as I was:
Yes, what were the odds indeed... I suppose they will remain quite high, unless they choose to subscribe to a certain paradigm.What were the odds these four would once again be involved in the ploys of uniform thieves?
As for one day subscribing to the paradigm, it's most unlikely. They're probably a bit too pampered for that.
Now, for them appearing again on the other hand... Time will tell, but they've probably earned a spot in the epilogues at the very least.
Yes, Mystique and Taylor can't stand each other, so Taylor of course doesn't hesitate to put her in her place.I like the scene with Taylor putting Mystique in her place, though I don't know if Mystique would agree to go through the trouble of stripping the guard instead of just shape-shifting into her uniform, even if Taylor ordered her to. Mystique isn't typically known for that sort of acquiescence. But that's a different universe's Mystique, of course.
Earth USB-Mystique is most likely less badass than canon Mystique - I don't know much of canon Mystique I confess. However, it's also pretty clear Magneto has a soft spot for Taylor (and Sarah) in spite of her disrespect, and Mystique clearly doesn't want to get on Magneto's bad side. Plus, Taylor's moveset means Mystique doesn't stand the ghost of a chance in a fight, so Mystique prefers to play it cool.
I actually have a scene in which Mystique and Taylor actually come to blows after a disagreement too many - and Taylor utterly trounces Mystique with her speed and electric-based power.
I actually never really thought of it before writing this scene, but it's true that a lot of these costumes actually look very impractical for... "mundane" things. I liked the idea of addressing it - it really made this scene stand out in my opinion.Finesse was well-integrated into the story, and I liked her complaints about cumbersome superhero costumes. Although of course, as with bored guards, it's never a good idea for women in this series to express displeasure with uniforms they wear.
Finesse's scene features several tropes of my liking in a row - bathroom ambush, offscreen punches, bound and gagged on the toilet seat... I'm really happy I included her - and she may reappear in the future.
After all, she still has to rescue Guillotine! (Yes, she too hasn't been forgotten by the plot.)Orchis agents make for easy targets - and easy villains. They're racists and they're bullies. And they don't even have the appeal of the "evil is cool" kind of villain given how petty and mundane they are. Finding ways for them to be dispatched by infiltrators is some sort of catharsis.Gwen mugging Orchis agents feels right at this point. They're easier to mug than many other women, so why not continue the habit?
This is a "The Empire Strikes Back" situation, clearly. Let's hope it's followed by a "Return of the Jedi" moment (or in that case a "Return of the Superheroine".)The climax of this chapter was quite tense, and a good contrast to the last chapter - whereas the heroines' plan at the debate mostly went well, this one ends in disaster.
I hope the climax will deliver on the saga's promises. Stay tuned.It definitely feels like we're approaching the climax at this point. Looking forward to seeing how things wrap up.
