The bouquet arced gracefully through the air and several superheroines jostled to catch it. She-Hulk nearly caught it, but it skipped out of her fingers and landed at the feet of Gamora. She picked it up curiously. The emerald-skinned Zen-Whoberian assassin wasn't familiar with the human custom of the bouquet throw, so she was a bit confused when the other ladies gathered around her.
"Looks like you're getting married next," grinned Mary-Jane, one of Sue's bridesmaids.
"Right now?" Gamora blinked.
"No, Gamora, it's just a kind of foretelling," Moondragon smiled. "It's all part of the fun of a wedding."
Gamora seemed to stare blankly at Heather for a moment, then smiled back at her. "Of course, Moondragon. Whatever you say."
Moondragon felt a little thrill. The newlywed bride had been using her telepathy to maintain decorum during the wedding and reception, gently nudging the minds present towards conciliation and goodwill with one another. It had started from a rational idea: There were many heroes and villains present, and it would not do to have her wedding ruined by a super-powered battle breaking out.
The problem was, she was starting to enjoy it.
Heather had begun to remember the flush of pleasure that came with mentally bringing the minds of others to heel, as she did with the warlike people of Ba-Banis. Now she was using her powers on her friends and allies. It was almost instinctive, the way she telepathically suggested her will to others... Heather wondered how deeply her control could go. She took Gamora's arm.
"Would you excuse us for a moment, ladies?" Moondragon smiled. "I need to ask her something." She guided Gamora to a quiet spot.
"What's wrong, Moondragon?" the Zen-Whoberian was concerned. "Did I say something inappropriate?"
"Not at all," Heather reassured her. "Gamora, do you like the way I look?" she asked her friend, running a hand over her bald head. Gamora smiled.
"Yes, of course, Moondragon," she nodded. "You're very beautiful."
"That's right," Heather said. "Beautiful. Smooth. Hairless. Feel it." She guided Gamora's hand to caress her scalp. "Isn't it wonderful?"
"Yes," Gamora agreed quietly. Her heart pounded as she felt her friend's bald head.
"Such a shame that you hide your own head beneath that hair," Moondragon sighed. "I'm sure you would feel so much better without it."
Gamora bit her lip. Heather made a good point. She was a warrior. Hair was a liability. And Heather was so beautiful.
"Heather," she asked, her heart pounding. "Could you get rid of my hair?"
Moondragon smiled. "Of course." This gave her an idea. She loved Susan sure enough, but what if she and her new bride had a loyal harem of beautiful acolytes and bodyguards, all with heads shaved smooth?
She led Gamora into the bridal suite...