All Hail the Jester King!

[Matar]

The last thing you remember was falling asleep.

It wasn't dramatic. It wasn't amazing. Your last memories offer no hint as where you are. In fact, it is difficult to think of a single thing that could possibly help explain where you are.

And where are you, exactly?

Well, that's the kicker. You're falling. And you've been falling for the past ten minuets or so. Around you is nothing but darkness, without even a drop of light in it's entirety. And yet, somehow, you are able to see your own body perfectly. In fact, if you bring your hands close to your face you can even make out the prints on your fingers.

You have no idea how that's possible.

Suddenly you stop falling, hitting some invisible solid surface. You should be dead. You were at free-fall speeds, and whatever you landed on felt as hard at steel. But you're not. You're neither winded nor disorientated from the sudden stop.

Out of the infinite blackness come soaring countless blue lights. They twist and bend just a few short feet in front of you, creating various random shapes. A model of DNA, a human skull, an apple, and hundreds of other things. The lights all merge together, briefly taking the shape of a massive jesters cap, before spelling something out, using the blackness around them as a backdrop.


Hello one and all!
Or just one.
That works just fine.
You have entered the domain of the Jester King!
The most l33T place ever.
A place of infinite adventure!
And you will adventure.
Yes. You will.
We do have chicken.
But, before we go any farther.
Would you like super-powers?


Yes/Yes

[ChronicLunacy]

Dr. Phillip Green
Damage Condition: Unharmed

Phillip was familiar with falling dreams. Some thought that they were ancestral memories from early ape ancestors who survived falls out of trees. Other scientists went with the more reasonable explanation that it was merely a change in blood pressure or fluid levels in the inner ear that caused the sensation, making you spasm and wake up. It could signify a loss of control, a fear of letting go, a lack of self-confidence or a fear of failure...any number of things, really.

Rarely, however, did they last ten minutes. Even more rare did you ever hit something before you woke up. Yet, here he was. It was intriguing on an introspective, cerebral level, but no matter how he attempted to consciously take control and remove himself from his dreamstate he remained staring at the letters in the air. He'd never had such a lucid dream, nor had he ever been able to realize that he was dreaming and not find himself awake. Stranger still was the style of the script...it looked like it was written by a junior highschooler with a cell phone. Is this really how his subconscious had chosen to speak with him? Phillip shook his head, marveling in how aware of his own body he felt in this dream. The little things were important, after all.

After mulling it over for a moment, Phillip decided that the best way to end this dream would be to see it through to its conclusion...to play along. So, left with no choice other than "YES" (the "NO" was conspicuously absent...no choice at all, really) he reached out his hand and tapped the left-most word while simultaneously repeating it aloud.

"Yes," he said, hearing his voice echo strangely.

[Matar]

The bright blue lettering merges together the moment you say yes. It forms into a massive jesters cap once more, and then... it's gone. The bright blue light vanishing, leaving only a world of darkness.

Laugher soon follows. High in pitch and mad in nature. It sounds like something right out of a cartoon show. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lb8fWUUXeKM) The laughter keeps growing louder, before just... stopping.

The laughter is then replaced by the voice of what could possibly be the most boring man in the entire world. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBa6HQNUgjM&feature=related)

"Let go over the rules of the Jester Kings game, shall we?" The mans voice never changes, and each word is pronounced slowly. "Rule One... no one may know who you really are. Rule Two... no one may know you have super powers, unless they're playing to... Rule Three... I can cheat betterer then you... Rule Four... there is no rule four. Rule Five... the rules can be bent, but never broken." The man coughs, or at least that's what it sounds like. "Failure to comply will result in your head exploding. That's a bad thing. Now, smile. Remember. And... please wake up.


___/

Wake up.

You're in your bed. The light from the setting sun is shining through the window, right on your face. Odd thing, that. You must have slept the entire day away.

Remember.

Oh boy, do you. You remember things that didn't even happen in your dream. You don't know where it comes from, but for the strangest reason you could swear you have super powers. Hell, you even think you know how to use them. Odd thing, that... but for some reason, you just can't bring yourself to doubt having them. Maybe you have a hangover? Or maybe you're going insane. But for some reason... you just don't think that's the case.

Smile.

You're not in your bed. You're not in your room. And there is a body a naked women besides you, covered in blood and with a bullet hole in the middle of her forehead.

You might not be able to smile.

[ChronicLunacy]

Dr. Phillip Green
Damage Condition: Unharmed

It was only by merit of his incredible willpower that Phillip didn't immediately start screaming like a little girl at the sight of a dead body in the bed next to him. Instead, he pinched himself several times to make sure he wasn't still dreaming and then removed himself from the mattress.

The first thing he did was take a shower, scrubbing himself nearly to the second layer of skin with whatever bodywash was to be found along with nearly scalding water. Then, he looked around to get a clearer view of his surroundings, wondering where exactly he was as he gathered his own clothes (if they weren't already on his body). Then he went through the room, gathering anything that might be used as evidence of his being there such as any belongings of his or, if he'd possibly had dinner here, his plate/silverware. He'd wash the plate and silverware thoroughly with hot water and put it in the dishwasher or back in the cabinet. If he'd used the toothbrush or comb he'd take it with him.

The next thing he did was go in search of an identity for the woman. If she had a purse he checked for ID, or barring that a cell phone somewhere. The cell phone, if he found one, he'd examine for contacts, committing all of the numbers saved and recent to his usefully perfect memory, before leaving it where he'd found it. If he couldn't find anything like that he looked for pictures of her and family/friends, looking on the reverse sides for names, as well as any mail she might have lying around. (Bills or other official mail, preferably.) He left the bed completely untouched, but committed the woman's face to his photographic memory for reference.

It bothered Phillip that he couldn't remember how he got here, or what he'd done all day, but in this situation it was best to remove himself and find those answers on his own. Trying to remain inconspicuous as he locked the door behind him (not leaving any prints on the doorhandle by using his sleeve) he brought forth his first display of power. Catching on to his desire to remain unnoticed, his mind broadcasted out to anyone else in a radius around him to "unsee" him, effectively erasing them from their ranged senses of sight, smell, and hearing. It wouldn't do anything against security cameras, which he looked up and down the hall to spot, but people would just ignore him. Phillip didn't even realize he was doing it as he went downstairs to discover whether he was in an apartment building, a house, or even still in the city where he lived. If possible, he went outside.

Concealment 10 (All non-tactile senses. Doesn't work against anything without an Intelligence score, such as video cameras.)

[Matar]

It was only by merit of his incredible willpower that Phillip didn't immediately start screaming like a little girl at the sight of a dead body in the bed next to him. Instead, he pinched himself several times to make sure he wasn't still dreaming and then removed himself from the mattress.

The first thing he did was take a shower, scrubbing himself nearly to the second layer of skin with whatever bodywash was to be found along with nearly scalding water. Then, he looked around to get a clearer view of his surroundings, wondering where exactly he was as he gathered his own clothes (if they weren't already on his body). Then he went through the room, gathering anything that might be used as evidence of his being there such as any belongings of his or, if he'd possibly had dinner here, his plate/silverware. He'd wash the plate and silverware thoroughly with hot water and put it in the dishwasher or back in the cabinet. If he'd used the toothbrush or comb he'd take it with him.

You're not dreaming, you're sure of that.

The room you're in, however, isn't part of a larger house. You seem to be in a hotel room, as a matter of fact. Although there are a few dishes in the room (Scattered around the bed, in fact. Perhaps she was eating when she was killed?), there is no sink to clean them in, unless you use the bathroom sink. You'll be happy to note that there is some disinfectant bar soap in the bathroom, about three tiny bars of it.

There is a hair brush and toothbrush in the bathroom as well. Neither of them are yours, and both of which seem dirty. The toothbrush has a very slight minty smell, and the hairbrush has some dandruff and hair in it. The toothbrush is dry.

You are wearing your cloths, and somehow they don't have any blood on them. A seemingly impossible feat, given the copious amount of blood covering the bed. You scrub your body clean, and although the water isn't as hot as you'd like, it gets the job done.


The next thing he did was go in search of an identity for the woman. If she had a purse he checked for ID, or barring that a cell phone somewhere. The cell phone, if he found one, he'd examine for contacts, committing all of the numbers saved and recent to his usefully perfect memory, before leaving it where he'd found it. If he couldn't find anything like that he looked for pictures of her and family/friends, looking on the reverse sides for names, as well as any mail she might have lying around. (Bills or other official mail, preferably.) He left the bed completely untouched, but committed the woman's face to his photographic memory for reference.

The womens purse is missing. Along with anything else that could help you figure out who she is, or who she's with. In fact, everything of value seems to be missing. If you bother to inspect her body, you'll notice that her ears are pierced... or at least have holes to show it. She has no earrings on. Stolen, perhaps?

In fact, the only things of value in the apartment [other then things that are too large to carry or locked down, like the TV and DvD player], are the things on your person. You have your wallet, and all the things that you would normally carry in it. Along with a cellphone.

No, not your cellphone. Although it has all your contacts, seems to be under your name, and even has pictures of you on it... you know damn well you never bought it. Or took pictures of yourself while using the restroom. It seems to be out of minuets.

Your close inception of the apartment room does reveal two more things of interest. One, the room is locked from the inside. By three locks, if you count the deadbolt at the top of the door. And two, there is a security camera in the corner of the bedroom.

What the ****.

[ChronicLunacy]

Dr. Phillip Green
Damage Condition: Unharmed

If he was in a hotel room, why did it have a security camera? That was a massive invasion of privacy if he'd ever seen one. However, it might be fortunate for him in this instance. If he could find the security room he might be able to see what had happened in the room, and find out if he had had any part in it. So, leaving the room as it was, Phillip unlocked the door and left, locking as many of the locks behind him as he could. He didn't plan on returning to it. He kept his mental blockade of the senses going as he continued down the hallway, trying to get his bearings. As a precaution, he also found himself surrounded by an invisible field of energy hovering a few inches from his skin that would protect him from harm should he find himself not in a hotel, but in some other, more dangerous location that found it necessary to spy on its occupants.

Keeping the Concealment going, but activating my Force Field power as well. It's subtle, so no one is going to be able to see it.
Character Sheet (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=201924)

[Matar]

If he was in a hotel room, why did it have a security camera? That was a massive invasion of privacy if he'd ever seen one. However, it might be fortunate for him in this instance. If he could find the security room he might be able to see what had happened in the room, and find out if he had had any part in it. So, leaving the room as it was, Phillip unlocked the door and left, locking as many of the locks behind him as he could. He didn't plan on returning to it. He kept his mental blockade of the senses going as he continued down the hallway, trying to get his bearings. As a precaution, he also found himself surrounded by an invisible field of energy hovering a few inches from his skin that would protect him from harm should he find himself not in a hotel, but in some other, more dangerous location that found it necessary to spy on its occupants.

The hotel itself isn't that large. Only a mere three stories tall (A sign next to the stairs shows 2-3, and if you take the elevator it only goes as to the 3rd floor), although it looks quite nice. The carpet is clean, pictures are hung from the wall, and the lighting is well done. It's not a place where someone filthy rich would stay, but it's certainly better then any motel six.

Which just bring more attention to the video camera that was in the room. You're almost certain that it isn't legal, and this isn't the type of place that would warrant it either.

Your powers work perfectly. No one notices you at all during your search, and it proves useful. The hotel, while not packed, has its fair share of people wandering the halls. In fact, a maid seems to be going door-to-door, checking if the guests need any cleaning done.

Roll a notice check, DC 18

Regardless of how you handle the maid, you make your way down to the front desk without any trouble or interruptions. It's there that you find what you're looking for. Behind the front desk is a black door that says "Security" in large, white print.

[ChronicLunacy]

Dr. Phillip Green
Damage Condition: Unharmed

Phillip kept his senses peeled for anything unusual. His ever-present awareness of any ongoing mental effects was also up and tracking. His eyes would start to glow if he sensed anything, but it would be conveniently ignored by those around him.

I'd like to get the result of the Notice check (if I make it) before I post again.
Notice: [roll0]
Character Sheet (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=201924)

[Matar]

You notice that, when the maid opens the door to one of the rooms... they don't have a dead bolt. In fact, if you follow the maid as she opens other doors (Each time getting closer to the room you were in) you'll notice that none of the other rooms have dead bolts.

If you decide to enter on the rooms she opens to clean, you'll also notice that it's lacking any security cameras as well. This is true for any other room you check out as well. It seems that only the room you woke up in has one.

[ChronicLunacy]

Dr. Phillip Green
Damage Condition: Unharmed

Well, that would certainly make finding the right video feed swifter, assuming it didn't route to somewhere other than the security room. Still, that possibility was not substantial enough that the security office didn't warrant a thorough search. Phillip made his way down to the front desk and, remaining concealed, stood in front of it. Before revealing himself, he made sure that the only employee, if indeed their were any, down there was the one manning the front desk. Furthermore, if and when he did drop the concealment he made sure that the lobby was empty of other guests and the desk clerk's eyes were turned away from him. He didn't want to be seen to just appear out of thin air.

Character Sheet (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=201924)

[Matar]

As (bad) luck would have it, there doesn't seem to be any thinning of the people in the front lobby, even at this late hour. Although you'll be able to show yourself without people freaking out (Plenty of unoccupied places to walk out from), there will be at least three or so people in the front lobby.

[ChronicLunacy]

Among those three, how many are employees? How many are guests?

[Matar]

One is an employee (The one at the desk), the other two are guests.

[ChronicLunacy]

Dr. Phillip Green
Damage Condition: Unharmed

The presence of the guests didn't change his plan too much. Instead of simply appearing, Phillip walked out from a side hall and approached the front desk. He did so calmly and unhurried, and smiled pleasantly when the desk clerk's eyes rose to meet his. He kept his telepathy up and listening to the thoughts of the three people around him during the short walk, scanning the surface of their minds for threats or recognition. Then, once he had reached the desk, he just as calmly reached out with his powers and overrode the clerk's mind with his own, linking their thoughts together.

Mind Reading 10 vs. Will check against all three for surface thoughts: [roll0]
Then a Mind Control 10 vs. Will check against the desk clerk to make him my thrall. (Conscious and Instant Command extras with the Mental link feat means he's fully aware and able to use his own knowledge and experience to help me and I don't have to verbally command him.): [roll1]
Damn. I guess I'll wait and see if he gets a sh*ttier roll, then use extra effort to try again if he doesn't. It's subtle, so he shouldn't notice that I've tried to mind control him.
Character Sheet (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=201924)

[Matar]

The dude has a +1 to will and rolled a 6. So yes, you am lucky xD

No one seems to pay you any mind. They are all far too busy with there own problems. Indeed, the thoughts of the desk clerk are along the lines of "Why do I have to start work at this hour?"

You easily manage to control the desk clerks mind, and no ones seems to be the wiser.

[ChronicLunacy]

Dr. Phillip Green
Damage Condition: Unharmed

I want you to think about if you have the ability to go into that security room behind you. I also want you to think if there is anyone else in that room already. Phillip mentally communicated to his subject at the speed of thought.

His Mind Reading and Mental Communication should allow Phillip to glean these answers from the clerk's mind without the clerk having to tell him.
Character Sheet (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=201924)

[Matar]

The response comes quickly.

No one is in the room right now. The key for it is in my pocket. I have the only key in the entire building.

No one in the building seems to think anything is off. Not surprising, really. Your powers are very subtle after all.

[ChronicLunacy]

Dr. Phillip Green
Damage Condition: Unharmed

Good, now lead me into the security room. Act like nothing is amiss. Once you've done so, leave me the key and return to the front desk. Perform your normal duties at the desk until I tell you otherwise. If anyone tries to get into the security room, let them, but knock twice on the door before they open it. Tell no one about me. Phillip commanded mentally. Then he let the desk clerk lead him into the room, accepted the key, and waited for the door to close behind him.

Next he observed all of the terminals, looking for one with his former room on it with the dead woman. If there was only one, he switched through the channels until he found it. He also looked for a bank of CDs or tapes where the security footage might be recorded and stored.

Character Sheet (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=201924)

[Matar]

Roll a notice. DC 15.

[ChronicLunacy]

Notice: [roll0]

[Matar]

When you enter the security you notice something very odd. The door on the inside of the room is larger then what it is on outside. The difference is size isn't great, but it's very hard to miss.

The room itself doesn't have a single computer. All that's in it a small laptop computer sitting on a desk against the wall farthest from you. The laptop itself is plugged into the wall via a thin black cord that is easily detached from the laptop.

The laptop is playing a video on repeat, and seems to be locked up. It's a video of the room you were just in. The video itself shows the (now dead) women sleeping in bed. The door to the room opens and a man steps in, closing it before behind himself and locking both of the locks. The women stirs, quickly lifting her head to look at the intruder. He quickly raises his gun and shoots her twice in the skull, pockets the gun, and... leaves.

The entire video is silent. The gun didn't seem to have a silencer, so someone should have heard the gun shot. And didn't the women only one bullet hole in her skull? You're sure it's the same women, so then why....

Your thoughts are soon interrupted by a loud scream from the floor above. It seems the maid who was cleaning up rooms upstairs has stumbled upon the dead body.

[ChronicLunacy]

Dr. Phillip Green
Damage Condition: Unharmed

Phillip left the security room with the laptop and went back out to the desk after he'd confirmed that he wasn't on the video. Then he focused on the desk clerk briefly as he walked back out into the lobby, removing the last few minutes from his brain so he would be left with nothing but questions and only a passing familiarity with the easily-forgotten face of one Dr. Phillip Green. Then, hearing the screams continue from upstairs (three floors up, that's some set of pipes on the cleaning lady), he put on a look of concern like any other guest and continued on out the door into the night.

Ending Mind Control on the desk clerk, but making sure to wipe his memory. He'll probably rationalize that he'd been sleeping or just dismiss the gap entirely now that he has the murder scene to deal with. Here's a ranged attack for the Transform effect if I need one. He resists with Will.
Mental Transform: [roll0]
Character Sheet (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=201924)

[Matar]

(three floors up, that's some set of pipes on the cleaning lady)
Second floor, actually. Sorry for not being clear. The room you started in was on the second floor, you're on the first.


Everything goes just as planned. You easily remove the memories from the clerks mind, and make your way out into the darkness of the city.

...Which isn't all that dark, actually. You're not Kansas anymore, that's for sure. You didn't notice before (You didn't really look out the window, what with the naked dead women next to you), but this city is huge. The streets are filled with buildings covered in neon signs. You're surrounded by huge sky-scrapers, like the ones you would find in New York city. The side walk is packed, and the streets are jammed.

No, definitely not in Kansas anymore.

Even above the noise of the city you can hear the howling of cop sirens, no doubt coming to check out the corpse that you left behind in the hotel.


This city basically has freaking everything, and everything is real easy to find. So feel free to go where you think would go. Just assume that nothing stops you until you get there.

[ChronicLunacy]

Dr. Phillip Green

Just making sure, but I'm no longer in the city in which I live, right? I'm in some huge city completely different and unfamiliar? With that in mind, I'm taking these actions.

The first thing Phillip did was head to the nearest bus stop and then phone booth in order to get his bearings. He didn't recognize the area he found himself in, so he attempted to find first what city he WAS in, and next what space exactly he occupied within it. Next he looked for his own name in the phone book and checked the numbers against the contacts in his cell phone for anything familiar. In this crazy world he found himself in he might be able to find his own address that way. It was a stab in the dark, but he thought he should at least try it before seeking out a hotel for the night.

[Matar]

Just making sure, but I'm no longer in the city in which I live, right? I'm in some huge city completely different and unfamiliar? With that in mind, I'm taking these actions.

Exactly! =3

The city you're currently in is called Blazenville. Which is an... odd name, to say the least. You're in the USA, although you have no idea what cities are close to it. The information teller is completely automated, and doesn't offer the option to speak with anyone.

Seeing as how your house is in a different city, however, it's not listed in any phone book. Are you going to try calling your own number?

[ChronicLunacy]

Dr. Phillip Green

Well, it had been a longshot anyway. At least he knew...basically...where he was now, though he'd never actually heard of the place. Just to find some semblance of normalcy he dialed his home phone number and his office. No one was likely to pick up, but he left a message with his secretary to cancel all of his appointments for the next few days because he had taken a spur of the moment vacation.

After that, Phillip decided to procure some lodging for the night. He had to take care of the basics...shelter, food...then he'd figure out what to do next. He used the phone to dial the nearest hotel (something mid-grade) and book a room. He used his credit card simply because he didn't usually carry any cash...and even if he did he wouldn't be carrying around enough cash to book a hotel stay. He also decided to risk it because he'd rather know if someone was tracking his credit card, even if it meant getting a rude awakening at some point. After that, Phillip bought a phone charger for his dead cell phone, then found a diner. He needed a big cheeseburger and a milkshake to go with his migraine medication.

[Matar]

Well, it had been a longshot anyway. At least he knew...basically...where he was now, though he'd never actually heard of the place. Just to find some semblance of normalcy he dialed his home phone number and his office. No one was likely to pick up, but he left a message with his secretary to cancel all of his appointments for the next few days because he had taken a spur of the moment vacation.

The number didn't go through. Oh, you dialed it correctly alright. But all you hear when you dial it is "This number may no longer be reached as dialed". Odd thing, that.


After that, Phillip decided to procure some lodging for the night. He had to take care of the basics...shelter, food...then he'd figure out what to do next. He used the phone to dial the nearest hotel (something mid-grade) and book a room. He used his credit card simply because he didn't usually carry any cash...and even if he did he wouldn't be carrying around enough cash to book a hotel stay. He also decided to risk it because he'd rather know if someone was tracking his credit card, even if it meant getting a rude awakening at some point. After that, Phillip bought a phone charger for his dead cell phone, then found a diner. He needed a big cheeseburger and a milkshake to go with his migraine medication.

Your card doesn't go through either. For the first time sense you got to this however, you manage to luck out. The person working the counter of the hotel you stopped at is a young women, perhaps around twenty three years old. She's obviously new, and seems quite flustered around you. Maybe she's into the rugged looking types? Regardless, she was willing to give you a room for the night (And only tonight!) for free, so long as you didn't tell her manager. Lucky you.

That doesn't solve your food issue, however. You're no where near starving, though. Of course, you don't want to reach that point either.

[ChronicLunacy]

Dr. Phillip Green

Okay, this was going from bad to worse. Now he didn't have any money. Something was very, very wrong. At least he had enough of his migraine medicine to last him for quite awhile, but even that wouldn't matter if he couldn't get some food. He'd be able to grab the hotel's continental breakfast and maybe take enough to go in order to feed himself for the rest of the day...and in the morning he'd be able to call his bank and his office again to get things squared away with his job and his debit/credit cards. He'd be going to bed hungry later, but he could manage until the morning with nothing but water from the tap. If he had to he could pawn his watch or his near-useless cell phone for some cash.

Phillip left the hotel after thanking the young woman at the front desk and making sure to remember her name. He kept the room key in his pocket. He'd just woken up, after all, and didn't much feel like sleeping again so soon. Instead, he resolved to get a better read on the city...and maybe get a jacket if he could find a way to do that without stealing. First, though, he'd head back to the hotel where he'd woken up and see what he could get out of the cops and other investigators working the crime scene. Any tiny clue might help him figure out what the hell was going on.

[Matar]

Three things I want to clarify before continuing on.

One: The cell phone you woke up with is charged, it's just lacking minuets so you can't make any calls.

Two: Are you leaving the laptop at the apartment, or are you taking it with you?

Three: How much time do you want to have passed sense you left the hotel you woke up in? Find a hotel to sleep in could have taken anywhere from 30 minuets to a few hours, so I'll leave that up to you =3

[ChronicLunacy]

2. What laptop? The one from the security office? I thought it was bolted down or something.

3. I figure that not much time has passed. Maybe an hour considering walking time and general "WTF"ness.

[Matar]

What laptop? The one from the security office? I thought it was bolted down or something.

Oh no. It was just a laptop sitting right there with a single cord attached to it, that's all. I thought you took it, but whether or not you actually did... I'll leave that up to you. So go ahead and retcon your action based on what you know about it now, if you want to.


3. I figure that not much time has passed. Maybe an hour considering walking time and general "WTF"ness.

Kay, I'll make a post once you decide what to do about the laptop. My fault for not being clear anyways.

[ChronicLunacy]

Dr. Phillip Green

In that case I'll have definitely taken the laptop with me.

Phillip decided that the only lead that he possibly had at this point was the laptop that he'd taken from the security office. So, using the yellow pages again, he headed toward the nearest computer store. He brought the laptop with him in any sort of bag that he could find, even if it was simply plastic, and kept it under his jacket to protect it from harm. When he got to the store he feigned interest in whatever was on the wall and then approached the technician working there. "Hey, how's it going?" he smiled and offered a hand for a shake, "I'm just shopping around for a laptop for my daughter to take to college with her. Are Macs really completely virus-free?" he asked. The answer to the question wasn't important. The fact that the technician knew about computers and Phillip didn't was. The second that they shook hands, Phillip reached into the technician's mind and retrieved the necessary knowledge and skills that he would need in order to free the laptop of any obstacles that might be in the way between him and the information he needed.

After chatting with the technician for a moment about the relative strengths and weaknesses of Macs and PCs, Phillip shook hands with him again and thanked him for his time. He assured him that he would be coming back and then beat a hasty retreat back to the hotel room that he'd managed to acquire for the night.

Using Mental Duplication 10. The technician gets a Will Save to resist, but if he fails then Phillip is going to copy any relevant skills that might pertain to computers and technology. He can take a total of 50 points in skills at rank 10. If the first handshake fails, then he'll try again at the end of their small talk.

[Matar]

You luck out, however you don't find gold by any means. The computer techy has some advanced knowledge about computers, but is not extremely talented. However, if you need to crack anything and it's not protected too well you think you should be fine.

If you search around town after for someone with more advanced knowledge, however, you strike... nothing. Most computer shops this hour are closed up. You could try a Best-Buy, but you have a feeling that the people there have no idea what the **** they're talking about.

You make your way back to your apartment without any trouble (although you catch the bashful eye of the women working the desk on the way inside your room). If you look at the contents inside the lap-top (If you turned it off, when it starts you notice that it gives no sign of what type of operating system it's running), you notice only one folder.

I'm watching you, Phillip.

Should you open the folder, in it are three videos.

[ChronicLunacy]

Dr. Phillip Green

"Well, that's upsetting." Phillip deadpanned as he stroked his sharp chin with his thumb and index finger. Here he was pondering thanking that nice young lady at the desk with a cup of coffee to take his mind off his predicament and now it turns out someone was informing him that they could be intending to watch him shower later. "I do hope you enjoy it, because you're not going to enjoy our discussion when I find you." After a moment of intense brow-furrowing, Phillip opened all three videos in whatever sequence seemed most obvious, be they numbers or dates, or simply the first through the last in the row.

Since I'm the only one, I figured I'd make it easier and just go with Bold=Speech and Italics=Thought from now on. I'll underline things if they need emphasizing.

[Matar]

The number is indeed obvious. One if labeled "One", the second "Two", and the third "Three".

In order.

The first video shows what the other video showed on repeat from before. A women sitting up in her bed, about to go sleep. A man opens the door to her apartment, quickly stepping in and closing the door the behind him, although he fails to lock it. He shoots her twice, once in the chest and once in the skull. He then hurries to leave, and in his hurry the hat hiding his face from the camera falls off. His hair is red, with gray streaks. He looks as though he hasn't slept in days. He looks... scared. He grabs it, puts it back on his head, and leaves the room.

The second one is... you. You walk into 7/11. You walk to the counter. You point a gun at the cashiers head and you pull the trigger, splattering the inside of his skull all over the cigarette cartons behind him. You look directly at the camera, smile, and leave.

The last one is the most bothersome of them all. You are at the door of your apartment, gun in hand. You lift your leg and slam it against the door, ripping it off its hinges and send it crashing in.

The door to your apartment slams to the ground with an awful crash, and a man with a gun walks through the door, with it pointed it right at you. He looks... just like you.


Roll Ini. Here's his!

[roll0]

[ChronicLunacy]

Dr. Phillip Green

Initiative: [roll0]

Apartment or hotel room? Is this actually happening now at this very moment, only in the video, or both occurring simultaneously?

[Matar]

The hotel room you are currently in, sorry for not being clear.

The feed for the laptop is cut.

You, or rather, the person in front of you who looks like you, raises the gun and and quickly pulls the trigger. The sound of a dry click fills the room. It was, much to your luck, a dud.

Uttering a swear (In your voice) he empties the gun and slams in another cartridge, giving you plenty of time to act.


****ing 1's xD

[ChronicLunacy]

Dr. Phillip Green - "Cortex"
Defense: 18
Damage Conditions: None (Unharmed)

"Your likeness to me is fascinating. I would very much like to know how you accomplished it, but we'll get to that." Phillip said as he stood up from his chair, feeling the reassuring metaphysical "weight" of the invisible forcefield that had been surrounding him all day shift to move with him. "I doubt that you are me, however, since I dislike firearms. Besides, if you knew me then you wouldn't have bothered to bring it in the first place." he said as he lifted a hand from his belt to chest-level, palm up. As a result, invisible tendrils of telekinetic energy reached out to wrap around Phillip's evil twin and lift him into the air, attempting to hold his arms and legs outstretched and immobile where they wouldn't be a bother to him anymore. That way they could have a nice, normal conversation.

Telekinetic Grapple Attempt (Oppose with Strength): [roll0]
(Not sure if I have to roll a ranged attack roll to "grab" him before the grapple, but if so here that is, too: [roll1].) I really hope these aren't crap.
EDIT: Well, well. Looks like that one is. Going to be cheap on the hero points and save it for later, so we'll just see what happens. :smallannoyed:
EDIT 2: And yes, I'm having a Sylar moment, here. :smallbiggrin:

[Matar]

Like I said. ****ing ones xD


"I can... do that. And I want..." The man runs right at you, somehow breaking free of your mental hold. "And I want me to kill that girl out there..." He attempts to touch you, but you manage to dodge out of the way.

And now a 2. This is hilarious.

[ChronicLunacy]

Dr. Phillip Green - "Cortex"
Defense: 18
Damage Conditions: None (Unharmed)

"I can't allow you to do that. Why don't we sit and talk about your urges, and your strange use of pronouns. I would rather not hurt you, but I will subdue you with more force if necessary. When the kiddie gloves come off, I won't be held responsible for your injuries. It's your choice." Phillip continued to speak in his "doctor" voice, trying to get under his evil twin's skin as he attempted another telekinetic grapple with a flick of his wrist.

Attack Roll to Hit?: [roll0]
Telekinetic Grapple Attempt (Oppose with Strength): [roll1]

[Matar]

Attack Roll to Hit?: (1d20+10)[23]

edit. Very much so xD

[ChronicLunacy]

Dr. Phillip Green - "Cortex"
Defense: 18
Damage Conditions: None (Unharmed)

He's got a 13+ in Defense??? Jeebus. He's not just my twin, then. He's like the super-evil twin that can do everything you can only better.
Will Save: [roll0]

[ChronicLunacy]

Dr. Phillip Green - "Cortex"
Defense: 18
Damage Conditions: None (Unharmed)

Okay, now I'm going to use the Hero Point for a reroll. Will Save: [roll0] Irrelevant

[Matar]

OPS. I read that wrong, sorry D:. No, that one hit him. Lmao, I need to pay more attention. Sorry about that xD.

I'll... retcon that right away.

[ChronicLunacy]

Dr. Phillip Green - "Cortex"
Defense: 18
Damage Conditions: None (Unharmed)

The "You must wait 30 seconds between posts." message screwed up the tags on the roll. Will Save: [roll0] Nevermind, then.

[Matar]

You lift your evil clone easily into the air, however this does not stop him. Though he can't look at you, he still attempts to blast you with his mental powers. And it hits you, full force. It's psychic power worms its way into your skull, attempting to rip your mind out from the inside.


Will Save = 25

[ChronicLunacy]

Dr. Phillip Green - "Cortex"
Defense: 18
Damage Conditions: None (Unharmed)

I can either keep the previous rolls or make a new one. Here's the new one in the interest of brevity, but it's up to you. I succeed with both, it's just one uses the hero point and the other doesn't.
Will Save: [roll0]

Phillip shut his eyes for a moment before ruthlessly crushing the invading mental powers with his willpower. "That was uncalled for." he said, constricting those invisible bands of force tighter around the man for an instant. It was a warning shot, but would surely be enough to get his attention. "Do not do it again." he said as he pointed and lowered his evil twin into a nearby chair.

Since he chose to attack me with a power, I think I have him pinned. My power is Damaging, so this round I can hurt him just like in a normal grapple. Toughness DC 25.

[Matar]

He... rolled a one. Oh that's hilarious.


Your evil twin gasps as his body is crushed under your metal assault. Before darkness him he grins from ear to ear. A grin much wider then anything you could manage. He then passes out, the grin still on his face.

A moment passes. Your evil twins hair begins to fall out, leaving behind only a bald scalp. Other then that, everything seems to be normal.


Just in case you were curious, I roll to see if you're hit by something or not. Like the reflex for reflex saves or something. Other then that I leave all the rolling to you. If you have any issues just say so though.

[ChronicLunacy]

Dr. Phillip Green - "Cortex"
Defense: 18
Damage Conditions: None (Unharmed)

Phillip watched the man slump in the room's easy chair and observed, fascinated, as his hair began to fall out. Pulling up the desk chair next to him, he decided to use the opportunity to find out more about him. He reached out and rested a hand over the now bald twin's eyes and closed his own. Then he began searching for answers with deeper senses than his more mundane ones. He dove deep into the unconscious man's mind to see what he might find there.

Using Mental Duplication 10, Mind Reading, etc. to get anything relevant I can out of this guy. Who is he? What does he want? Who is he working for? Why does he look like Phillip? I want to know anything and everything he knows. Basically, I'm using this time of lowered defenses to basically strip-mine his brain for answers.

Then I'm going to rewire him to be more cooperative using Mental Transform.

Here's a couple power checks if you need them: [roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]

EDIT: Going to bed now, dude. Will check back in the morn.

[Matar]

You dive into the mans mind, and all you see is a bright blue Jesters Hat. It dominates everything. Words of screaming echo throughout his mind-scape, repeating the words "All hail the Jester King!" over and over. There is no sense of self, no history, no thoughts other then an utter devotion to the Jester King. It's hard for you to call this thing in front of you human, and how he even managed to talk or use a weapon is beyond your understanding.

If you attempt to scan his memories for what just happened, or the events at the 7/11 you find much the same. He has no recollection of the events. Only the vision of the Jesters Hat and the words "All hail the Jester King!" repeat over and over.

When you open your eyes again, you notice that someone has written on the mans scalp in black marker. It reads as follows.

Pull on your skull-cap, Phillip

[ChronicLunacy]

Dr. Phillip Green - Cortex

Finding nothing, Phillip attempted to break the Jester King's control over this person...construct...whatever it was. Even if it was to just press a tiny seed of doubt into its mind as to its purpose, it would be enough. In addition, Phillip attempted to remove all knowledge of the young woman out front and make it so that the clone was simply unable to see or acknolwedge her presence if he ever found himself in it again. Unfortunately, Phillip's morals stopped him from completely rewriting his clone's mind as some might have done in his situation. Nor did he kill him. In fact, at this point all he could do was simply walk away. He didn't dare risk calling the police or his clone might hurt one of them when he awoke. Having the face of a known serial killer would also be somewhat of a problem if his clone escaped custody. He'd have to deal with him on a more permanent basis later and hope his alterations to his twin's mind bore fruit.

Phillip then took the laptop and went to the front desk. "Excuse me, but would you like to join me for some coffee?" he asked the woman there. Best to remove temptation from his clone's path altogether if his efforts didn't take.

I guess I'll just roll a few Mental Transform checks.
[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]

[Matar]

Your attempts to rewrite your evil twins mind... works. Your seed of purpose seems to break the echoing worship of the Jester King. Like a pane of glass it shatters, and is replaced with... you. Your thoughts, your life, your history. All up to the day you went to sleep and woke up in the dark room. It is only here that his mind differs. Instead of waking up in the dark room, it is replaced the constant echo of the Jester Kings name, the murder of the clerk at 7/11, and his... your battle with yourself.

Will you attempt to rewrite his memories even though you have broken the Jester Kings hold on him?

Suddenly, your brain seems to rattle in your skull. It is the oddest sensation you have ever felt, as though a marble was bouncing off the inside of your head. It isn't painful, at least, not really. You feel annoyed, yet proud. However, something screams at you leaving you without any doubt. These feelings are not yours. You know that you have done something that wasn't planned for, something that went against someones expectations. Whether this is comforting or not is up to you to decide, but you know one thing for sure.

You have surprised whatever it was that was doing all of this.


Just wanted to say that I fully expected for the clone to either die or like... for you to pull on it's skull. But you didn't, and you changed the story because of it. And made life alot easier on yourself xD

Which is exactly the point of this game. So feel proud! =3

[ChronicLunacy]

Cortex

Phillip altered nearly nothing in his clone except free him from the Jester King's control and make him aware of everything that had happened to that point. He made it clear that the clone had been under some sort of mental slavery, introducing calculated infusions of doubt. He also cleared up any blocks of unnaturally violent impulses or blocks that prevented rational thought and reasoning in order to give the clone a sound mind when he woke up. Then he took the laptop and continued on his original plan to ask out the nice girl at the front desk and remove any lingering temptation for his newly bald twin. He didn't have time to do any hand-holding with the clone, and doubted that the man knew much more than Phillip himself when it came to why he was here or what was going on. So he was content with simply introducing a new piece into the game; one that could move in potentially any direction and add to the fierce gambit Phillip was enacting for later on.

[Matar]

Okay, this raises an interesting concept. Seeing as how this clone is basically you after all. So, you can pick what happens here if you want. That is to say, if you want you can control your clone and what it says/does.

So here is what you can do, if you want to.

Control your clone. He's the same as you, except bald. His memories are the same as yours, except for when you first showed up here. From here, his memories differ. It's filled with large blank spots, and the only thing he really remembers is killing the clerk and coming after you.

Or I can do. But if you control it will be way more like Phillip is supposed to be. Up to you. Feel free to change your plans based on this, should you accept.


Then he took the laptop and continued on his original plan to ask out the nice girl at the front desk and remove any lingering temptation for his newly bald twin.

The women blushes a little and stutters over her own words.

"Oh, um. That'd be nice! I mean, to drink coffee." The women struggles to remain eye contact and rubs his hands together awkwardly. She must be really new to this. Perhaps a very sheltered life? "I'm uh, working right now though. But um, we have some here. We can drink it here while um." She glances at the TV in the corner. "We can watch some TV while... drinking it." She pauses for a moment and shakes her head. "I'm sorry, that was a horrible idea, wasn't it?"

[ChronicLunacy]

Dr. Phillip Green - Cortex

I think I'd like to just leave the clone as an NPC who can show up at a dramatically appropriate moment. I don't really have any interest in running two versions of the same character.

Phillip looked back toward his room and mentally calculated how much time it would take for his clone to get up and wander out of the hotel. He really didn't want to force the young woman out of the building, but in this instance her life was in potential danger if he let her stay.

"Just take the rest of the night off. I will speak to your manager when we get back and let him know that everything is okay, Emily." Phillip smiled, reading her name tag. "Come on. You can show me your favorite place to get some coffee." he said, his voice pleasant but his mind lacing into it an undercurrent of an order. He'd deal with the repercussions later, but for now he needed to get her out of harm's way. He wasn't lying about speaking to her manager, either. A small suggestion to her boss and she wouldn't even be penalized for skipping out on work.

Mind Control: [roll0]
Yeah, it's a little creepy, but needs must. (shrug) It's better than clone boy getting all murdery if he happens upon her. Here's a Diplomacy roll for if the Mind Control fails.
Diplomacy: [roll1]

[Matar]

Sorry for the late post. My brain has been so bead the past week. I know what to type, just not HOW TO TYPE IT >_<.

Philip doesn't really have any idea how long the clone will stay unconscious. Although you should have plenty of time to get the girl out of the hotel, how much longer it will take before he wakes up... you're really not sure.

Your mental domination takes hold easily enough. Emily's eye's holds a drugged, dazed look for a moment that makes you feel rather uncomfortable. It passes quickly enough, however, and she smiles and nods.

"Oh, okay. They're a place not too far from here... It's called the um, Coffee Shop." She laughs a little, as if embarrassed by it's simple name. "Oh. Um. I'm Emily, by the way." After akwardly giving you her name (Which you already knew, thanks to the name tag) she picks up a bag near her side, and is ready to go.

On your way to the coffee shop, something stands out in your mind. Why in the world would anyone be so trusting to someone in the middle of the night? The answer hits you. Night here isn't really night. It's like in Las Vegas, were even at midnight the town is covered in light. There are no dark allies, or empty street corners. There is no silence, as everywhere you go the air is either filled with the sound of cars, music from a near-by club, or even the sound of people talking and walking. Even if you wanted to commit a crime, it would be damn hard to get away with it.

What do you do when you finally make it to the Coffee Shop?

[ChronicLunacy]

Dr. Phillip Green

After trading names, Phillip allowed himself to relax a fraction and just enjoy Emily's company. He wanted to get her away long enough for the clone to get up and find his way out of the room, but at the same time he found real human company genuinely pleasant after his ordeal. Something was incredibly and horribly wrong with his life at present - from dead bodies to clones to unnatural powers - and pretending to be normal, even for a moment, just felt good. Emily seemed young, healthy, stable, and for the most part sane, which was a change from the people he normally had to endure.

Phillip kept the conversation on Emily, let her complain about her job or chat about the last book she'd read. When asked about himself, Phillip kept his answers vague: he was traveling from out-of-town and, like she'd known, something seemed to be wrong with his credit cards and phone. It might have been some sort of electro-magnetic thing in the subway that had ruined them, who knew? If asked, he'd tell her truthfully that he was a criminal psychologist, and chat about the general aspects of the job if she seemed interested. Throughout, he steered the conversation to the city: its history, nightlife, notable landmarks, that sort of thing, just to try and learn more about it like any tourist might want.

[Matar]

Your analysis of Emily was for the most part, completely correct. Although she is extremely shy, she seems... normal. No weirdly colored eyes, no obvious intention to murder you, no hidden tentacles. Just... a real shy girl who's enjoying some company.

The conversation stays mostly focused on you, unless you try to push the conversation back to her. It's easy enough for you to tell that she doesn't think she's interesting enough to talk about. Of course, she isn't bothered when you ask more about her. In fact, she seems flattered that you're interested in knowing more about her. It's cute, in a sad sorta way.

When asked about the city, however, things start to get a little odd. No matter what you ask there seems to be an odd circular logic when it comes to the history of the city.

For example, when asked if she ever left the city she would reply "I've gotten tickets to go visit some family in Oregon, but the plane was stopped for some reason so I was never able to." If you then ask why she didn't get tickets again, she would reply "Oh, I don't have any reason to leave that's all." No matter what you ask she never notices the contradiction, although it never seems to bother her or make the conversation awkward either.