NOVEL WEB [2] : Playing the Role, Homelander’s Enigma
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**Ashley was trembling, not understanding where she had offended Homelander. Could it be because she called him and woke him up, making him angry?**
It was not surprising for Ashley to react this way. Although Homelander appeared calm, he was actually quite self-centered. He wouldn't apologize to others unless it was part of a script designed by Vought, and even then, it wasn't a sincere apology.
In private, his apologies were more like veiled insults rather than genuine remorse. So, when Homelander apologized earlier, Ashley felt more scared, fearing she had upset him.
As one of the only two female superheroes in The Seven, Queen Maeve reassured Ashley:
"Don't worry too much. Maybe he just woke up, and you didn't do anything wrong. You don't need to worry about him causing you trouble."
"But…"
"Alright, he's here."
Queen Maeve said, looking up at the sky.
Homelander, in his blue hero suit with a star-spangled cape, flew down from above and landed in front of Maeve and Ashley.
"Am I late?"
Mimicking Homelander's smile, Roger greeted them and waved at the camera crew.
Queen Maeve smiled and said, "You almost were."
"Sorry, it wasn't intentional. I had… a bad dream last night."
"You have nightmares?"
"What's so strange about it? I'm human too, so of course, I have nightmares. But Ashley, why do you look a bit off? Didn't get enough rest?"
Roger showed concern for Ashley, but she seemed even more frightened and nervous.
Roger raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Did I say something wrong?"
"Homelander, are you sure you're okay today?"
Queen Maeve asked, noticing something different about Homelander's demeanor.
Roger reviewed everything that had happened from the start and suddenly understood why the two were reacting this way. Given Homelander's usual behavior, he wouldn't typically show concern for others. Now that Roger was acting contrary to Homelander's character, it wasn't enough to make them suspect he was in a bad mood and might lash out, but it did create some tension.
Understanding this, Roger stopped talking. He shook his head and said to Maeve:
"I'm fine, really. By the way, why are we just standing here? The show is about to start, isn't it?"
Roger quickly changed the subject.
Homelander's poor reputation among acquaintances couldn't be changed with a few words from Roger. No matter what he did now, it was likely to be seen as him being condescending or looking for trouble.
He needed to continue acting according to Homelander's character to ease their anxiety. When Roger acted as Homelander would, the tension in both of them quickly dissipated.
They had no choice but to recover because the interview event was about to begin. The journalists needed to capture footage of Homelander and Queen Maeve in team formation.
Forming teams among superheroes was key to increasing viewership. For example, Starlight, the newest member of The Seven, was set to team up with Deep tonight.
Teaming Homelander, the most popular member of The Seven, with Queen Maeve would generate even higher ratings.
"You really scared Ashley earlier."
During a break in filming when the cameras were off, Queen Maeve said to Homelander.
Among The Seven, Maeve knew Homelander the best, as she was his ex-girlfriend and the longest-serving member.
She knew Homelander's nature well and interpreted his apology to Ashley as a subtle threat. Ashley had similar thoughts.
Roger didn't want to respond to Maeve's comment, as playing the role of a villain wasn't pleasant. Everything he did could be misunderstood, so Roger was also feeling off. He glanced at Maeve and said:
"I wasn't trying to scare her. Who knew a simple apology would have such an effect?"
"You've never apologized off-screen before."
Queen Maeve stopped and looked at him.
Roger replied, "So, I'm not allowed to apologize? Or do you think I'm the type who never admits mistakes?"
"…"
Maeve wanted to say 'yes,' but she noticed a hint of disappointment in Roger's eyes, and she found herself at a loss for words.
She was astonished.
This arrogant figure, who seemed like he'd never grow up, actually felt disappointed because of someone else's… misunderstanding?
He really was apologizing to Ashley??
Maeve knew Homelander too well, and because of that understanding, she found his current behavior hard to believe. If it weren't for his unique abilities, Maeve would have thought someone else was impersonating him.
Roger ignored Maeve as the reporters caught up and set up their microphones overhead. With the reporters present, Roger and Maeve couldn't continue their conversation.
They followed Vought's script and walked into the alley. Not long after, Roger heard cries for help from a distance.
Homelander's abilities are similar to those of DC's Superman: super hearing, super vision, super speed, super endurance, and super strength. He also possesses heat vision, an indestructible body, and the ability to fly.
Except for Superman's freezing breath, Homelander is nearly a carbon copy of Superman, without the worry of Kryptonite.
Using his super hearing, Homelander easily picked up the distant cries for help, which were coming from several children.
"Over there, about five hundred meters away, second floor."
Quickly entering work mode, Roger said to Queen Maeve.
Afterward, he and Maeve rushed to the scene.
Actually, if necessary, Roger could have arrived at the scene first, and Maeve's speed was also impressive, so they didn't need to run. However, both were aware that this event was arranged by Vought and no one would be hurt or face any accidents. What mattered more was the ratings.
Still, they had to avoid appearing too obvious. They showed some urgency, keeping a distance from the reporters to reach the scene quickly without leaving them too far behind.
When they arrived at the location Roger had mentioned, Roger saw a masked criminal holding a gun and robbing a house.
In broad daylight, even though this was a Vought setup, Roger couldn't help but remark, "Freedom, America," before striking a pose and saying:
"Hey, buddy, you're under arrest."