Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: STAND Proud (A Mutants and Masterminds adventure)

[LaZodiac]

Yellowknife, NT, Canada.

Friday, September 9th, 2016.

Just Before Noon.

It was a nice day, the wind just barely starting to take on the tinge of bitter winter cold. Leaves where starting to turn gold and red, and the sky was starting to fade from blue to whiteish gray. Today had gone like any other for the small town, and everything had a calm sort of flow to it. The occasional bird chirped, though few would remain long as the weather grew harsher. Today had gone like any other...

It would not continue like this for long.

[Gnomish Wanderer]

At that time of day, Samantha has been up somewhere around 8 hours, and has her nose in a book. Rewriting notes was a boring but largely necessary task, so she took time between classes to do so, sitting out against a wall and using her bright pink bag to cut the wind off her journal.

Her makeup felt normal, but after a few minutes and a big yawn she pulled out a little pocket mirror just to check. Something about her quick movements seemed rehearsed or even ritualistic, and her phone beeped letting her know that she needed to double check the makeup anyway.

Samantha grinned slightly and clicked off the notification, returning to finish off her notes before she took a break to get lunch.

[Durkoala]

At the bottom of an empty stairway, Alf Agley sprawls against the wall. He's extremely thin, with long limbs and a mop of tangled blond hair and his eyes focus on nothing in the darkness.

He doesn't know how long he's been lying there before the fire escape door judders partway open to slam into the dumpster outside and Alf's least favourite person slides in.

The newcomer is a teenager dressed in a black biker's jacket with red piping, black and red motorbike boots and an incongruous white office shirt. His hair is styled into five red-tipped spikes and he could be any ethnicity, but the most notable thing about him is the malice in his grin as he sees Alf. 'Hey, Alf,' he says 'I thought you were out of the good s**t?'

Alf tries to pull himself upright, but the best he can do is flash a green eye though a gap in his blond bangs. Despite the chemicals in his system, he manages a glare at his nemesis.

The other boy only grins wider and talks a bit more. 'This came through to our dear Jack Bean, and she's not pleased about people f**king about on her turf, so we want somebody to go see what's going on. If you play nice, you'll get a share of the profits when we catch the d*******s, and that ought to be able to keep you going steady for a while. If we get the tooth fairy too, maybe you'll be able to get a normal life with your drunk dad.'

Alf's hatred is pushing the buzz away and he manages to ask, 'Why are you telling me this?'

'Because, as much as I hate to admit it -' the boy gives an overdramatic whine 'you're one of the sneakiest stealers in the city and we need things stolen. All you need to do is answer this and see what happens' He tosses a phone at Alf and squeezes out of the door, leaving it open behind him.

Alf waits for his mind to settle before he picks up the phone and reads it.

[Mystic Muse]

Annabelle was following her usual routine.

Be woken up from a lousy dream by her alarm. Hit snooze three times, each break between alarms lasting an interval of ten minutes. Get out of bed, shower, put on her work outfit (A three piece suit as always), eat a modest breakfast of eggs and toast, with coffee as black as her parents always told her her soul was.

After this, she packed up her usual stuff, put it in her motorcycle's side bag, and headed off for the black knight pub in her usual riding gear, because safety first.

[Tectonic Robot]

Johnny Dunquist, or John Doe, which he greatly preferred, was sitting by himself in the corner of the Burger Zone, consuming, with gusto, a large cheeseburger with fries. He was a short, strong looking kid. Built strong. Handsome. Despite this, you couldn't help but get the feeling that he was off in his own head, looking at him. Currently, he was composing the second part of his 4 part poem series in his head, about a bearded old sailor grappling with reaching the end of the known world and journeying off into the unknown, a concoction of emotions completely alien to Johnny, but some he was eager to explore.

He loved senior lunchbreak. The Burger Zone, despite its name, sold some friggen good burgz--although, honestly, when his head was in the clouds like this, John was happy to eat anything.

[LaZodiac]

As the clock hits noon, the relative silence of the city is broken, by the sound of ringing. In truth it started a little before hand, but at 12 is when it hit in earnest.

Samantha, as you go back to your notes, your phone's text message alert goes off.

Annabelle, as you're eating your breakfast, your phone's text message alert goes off.

John, as you're stuffing your face with burg, your phone's text message alert goes off.

Alf, there is an open text message on the phone Goff threw at you.

For some reason, you feel drawn to look at it. Less a compulsion and more...a feeling that you should. The message reads as follows.

What would you do to fulfill your dreams? What would you do to take your life in your own hands? Would you fight? Would you endure? Would you [STAND] up for yourself and beat back against the dark? Are you able to [STAND] proud, shoulders to the wall, and win?

Below the message is a cartoon graphic of an arrow. Below that are two buttons, clearly designed to be clickable.

[YES] or [NO]

[Durkoala]

Dreams... Alf thinks. His have been beaten out of him and almost forgotten. The high is fading and he can feel the coldness of the shadowed stairwell reaching up around him.

Take your life into your own hands? In a way, he's been doing that already and it's not been working out for him.

Would you endure? He hasn't and won't.

Would you fight? Perhaps he could: He hasn't have a goal or a motivation in a long time, and the idea of making waves again is enticing.

Would you stand up for yourself and beat back the dark? The sneakiest stealer in the city, Goff had said, looking down at him after a year of wretchedness. Of course, Goff probably entered him hoping he will die doing this, but that was acknowledgement, no matter how backhanded.

Are you able to stand proud...No.

...shoulders to the wall, and win? He almost doesn't dare admit it, but he's certainly willing to try.

A stray thought crosses his mind that he doesn't actually know what this is about, but then it is spun away.

He thumbs YES

[Gnomish Wanderer]

Samantha tilts her head to the side, gazing curiously at the bright yellow phone, some smiling character or another on the back. Like the phone she is also a bright figure, her current pink tea gown was laced with white and matched the umbrella. Her makeup she had just checked is... severe, bright, colorful, with big round circles for blush. All in all she is such a stark contrast to the dark wall behind her and the muted town stretching around her.

Samantha pulls the phone up to read through the message. What was this? She glances around, maybe spotting some sign of an elaborate prank, but none was to be found.

The message was powerful, but odd to be receiving. It didn't seem like a text, and she definitely didn't have any apps on her phone like this. Standing up was easy, it was boring and normal and what she did every day to just try to make the world better. The question barely warranted a response as she lazily thumbed Yes.

She watched her phone, trying to see what the program would do next.

[Tectonic Robot]

John fished his phone out of his pocket, cheeks bulging with that sweet burger, tilting his head to the side as he looked at the message, before swallowing. He paused for a moment, staring at the message. He could appreciate this. It seemed... artistic. Who'd sent it?

Probably some kind of company advertisement thing, but. Corporate drones could be poets too.

Nodding in approval, John firmly pressed the Yes button.

[Mystic Muse]

Annabelle simply clicked "Yes" without a thought. She already made this choice 5 years ago, she wasn't turning back.

[LaZodiac]

As you all press the Yes button, something happens. The world seems to invert in colour, everything but you. You feel as if the world has stopped.

Alf, the cartoon figure of an arrow lunges out of the screen of the phone, twisting around in the air, before slamming into your forehead with a pained THUD.

Samantha, the cartoon figure of an arrow lunges out of the screen of your phone and twists around you, before flying directly into your throat.

John, the cartoon arrow lunges out of the phone and twists and turns it's way around you, before finally hitting you in the shoulder.

Annabelle, the cartoon arrow glides out of your phone and swirls above you, before finally colliding with your face, right in the eye.

You all feel a brief, intense jolt of pain, and suddenly...nothing. The world is back to normal. There is no arrow. You don't feel any pain, though you suddenly feel quite refreashed, almost a little lighter. There isn't any sign that anything happened. Except...the message on your phone has changed.

"Good job. You have taken your first step. Come to Sombake Park tonight, at Midnight. There you will find answers. There you will find purpose. There...you will find the [ability] to make your wildest dreams come true.

And remember. It's getting chilly, so dress warmly. Cover your face, you don't want to catch a cold."

The cartoon arrow has been replaced by cute picture of a small, rotating umbrella.

[Gnomish Wanderer]

Samantha froze as the arrow seemingly leapt off her phome and twirled around her. Her eyes were wide and mouth open, and she didn't even have time to cringe before it slammed into her throat. Her barked cry was low, surprised, and she buckled over in shock as the instant pain jolted her.

Now that it vanished, Samantha froze again, buckled over ,and raised a hand to her throat, testing it. She blinked rapidly, and looked about. What the hell. The dressed up girl could only pinch herself, twisting bits of skin a few times up her arm, trying to see if she possibly fell asleep and maybe was still asleep? But she glanced at her phone again, seeing the confirmation. It was real.

Samantha gulped. There was no way that was real, what was this? She set her phone aside, and picked up her notes, like she was gonna just jump back into being productive, but after a minute or so it appeared she hadn't written a thing. That's when she knew she had to be there tonight to get to the bottom of this.

Resolve grew on her features as she settled in on a gameplan. A moment later she was writing her notes again as if the interruption never happened.

[Mystic Muse]

Ann closed her eyes from the pain, wondering just what the hell had happened as she opened the back up, and took a look at the new message.



Ann added a scarf to her usual ensemble in an effort to cover her face when she went to the park after work.

[Durkoala]

Alf raised a hand to his forehead and tried to find the hole that must there after the shaft of pain that seemed to burn through his brain. His dealer must have mixed in something else; he'd have to be careful about what he got from... from... who had he been buying from again?

There wasn't even a scratch on his forehead, and he felt calm and clear-headed for the first time in a long while. Maybe he'd finally lost his grip on reality. He checked the phone Goff had thrown at him again.

Sombake park at midnight? He was a lot less sure what was happening now, but Alf Agley had a plan now.

He just needed a balaclava and five minutes with the fresh laundry...

[Tectonic Robot]

John nearly spat out his burg as that arrow stabbed into him, half-toppling from his chair. Luckily, no one in the diner seemed to notice him wobble. He smacks his hand against his shoulder, frowning at it, then frowning at his phone, then at his shoulder. Was that a... hallucination? Did the message call this? He didn't like this promotion very much--they should have at least had him sign a form of consent!

Oh well. A midnight mystery had its own alures. John marked down the time. What was this gunna be... some kinda masquerade party? Well. He was ready.

[LaZodiac]

The day passes, morning sky quickly giving way to night. As the clock strikes midnight, the air grows chilly, and an ominous mist of frozen air fills the city. You all make your way to the meeting place, a simple park in a small wooded area...and find that many others are there as well. Some are covered in winter gear, others are notedly NOT, and I'll be sure to point them out if and when you see them again. In the middle of the park is an old, forgotten jungle gym shaped like a pirate ship, complete with slide and deck to stand on. You all sort of congregate towards it, seeing that sitting on the equipment is a group of people. three, to be exact. A woman in a faint black dress and mourning veil, a youngish boy in a poofy winter jacket on a laptop, and a smaller girl in the distance, holding what looks like an ornate bow. They seem to be waiting for something, the boy looking out over the crowd as if he's counting. After a brief while, something happens.

A man floats down from the sky, wearing a dashing white suit and a black bowler hat, which he's holding firmly to his head...as he's hanging upside down from an umbrella, foot wedged into the hook of the handle. As the floating man nears the jungle gym, he suddenly kicks, sending himself flipping into the air. With a strange sound, a large blue figure appears behind him, helping him turn as he poses, riding the umbrella the rest of the way down. It balances on the gym a moment before he jumps off, landing softly on the deck of the ship like structure, umbrella floating back up, being grabbed by the strange, metal masked figure behind him. It's body is covered with small spikes, that look like the tips of umbrella's. There's gasps throughout the crowd, and the man gives a bow, removing the hat and tucking it under his chest as how he does so.

"I'm sure you're all curious what just happened." he says, his voice silky smooth and with just a hint of european descent. "Well, my friends...this is a [Stand]"

JOJO'S BIZARRE ADVENTURE: STAND PROUD
ALIVE, by "SOUL'd OUT" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyGtScRZ-Bs)

[Gnomish Wanderer]

Something was pounding in Samantha, faster than her beating heart, as she made her way to the little park. Adventure, maybe, the excitement of it all pulsing through her, could have been it, but it wasn't quite the right tone. Maybe it was just... being off-schedule, perhaps. She should have been in bed but wasn't, and now was nearly to some park in the middle of the night to answer a question she might have dreamt up. Who knows how things could go, but she was excited to find out.

As Samantha stepped onward, she patted at her bright yellow empress dress with off the shoulder straps and a split v coattail, long stripped socks, fancy ballet shoes, and gloves, all tailored in mind to look fantastic and with a little bit of care to keep her warm, though certainly more layers would have as easily done the trick while ruining her aesthetic, and upon her face a masquerade mask, white and styled with gold and a thin pointed nose, nearly a beak even, and feathers sticking from the top and blending in with her curled hair. Samantha paused to yawn, shaking her head, and continued on, carrying her own umbrella tightly.

The crowd was surprising, as was the myriad of different styles. As the crowd moved around the children's toy, Samantha joined them, closing in, glancing around at the different faces, not sure what to expect. The floating man's theatrics caused gasps in the crowd, but Samantha held her composure. Magic tricks? Is that what was going on with my phone? She stood adamant, looking for answers.

[Mystic Muse]

The day passes, morning sky quickly giving way to night. As the clock strikes midnight, the air grows chilly, and an ominous mist of frozen air fills the city. You all make your way to the meeting place, a simple park in a small wooded area...and find that many others are there as well. Some are covered in winter gear, others are notedly NOT, and I'll be sure to point them out if and when you see them again. In the middle of the park is an old, forgotten jungle gym shaped like a pirate ship, complete with slide and deck to stand on. You all sort of congregate towards it, seeing that sitting on the equipment is a group of people. three, to be exact. A woman in a faint black dress and mourning veil, a youngish boy in a poofy winter jacket on a laptop, and a smaller girl in the distance, holding what looks like an ornate bow. They seem to be waiting for something, the boy looking out over the crowd as if he's counting. After a brief while, something happens.

Annabelle takes note of these people, pulling a notepad out of her back pocket and writing down a general description.



A man floats down from the sky, wearing a dashing white suit and a black bowler hat, which he's holding firmly to his head...as he's hanging upside down from an umbrella, foot wedged into the hook of the handle. As the floating man nears the jungle gym, he suddenly kicks, sending himself flipping into the air. With a strange sound, a large blue figure appears behind him, helping him turn as he poses, riding the umbrella the rest of the way down. It balances on the gym a moment before he jumps off, landing softly on the deck of the ship like structure, umbrella floating back up, being grabbed by the strange, metal masked figure behind him. It's body is covered with small spikes, that look like the tips of umbrella's. There's gasps throughout the crowd, and the man gives a bow, removing the hat and tucking it under his chest as how he does so.

Annabelle doesn't make a sound, or say anything. She seems...remarkably unimpressed.


"I'm sure you're all curious what just happened." he says, his voice silky smooth and with just a hint of european descent.

"You would be wrong." Annabelle says, having taken her helmet off, and worn a ski mask under it. She's still wearing her scarf under the ski mask, and is actually wearing goggles too. She ended up deciding to go overly paranoid on this, and not let anyone view any part of her face.



"Well, my friends...this is a [Stand]"

"Fascinating." She says, about as unenthralled as you can possibly imagine. "Now, please tell me why I should care, instead of going home and going to bed in preparation for another day of work?" She asks.

[LaZodiac]

The man laughed, pointing towards the general location of where Annabella was "Oh, what's that I hear? Ah, audience participation. Well, little miss...I am Paul. Paul Duo. And you've been granted the power known as a Stand. You all have. The embodiment of the soul. It will take until morning to manifest, but the power IS yours. A spirit that stands by your side and grants you power..." he raised his hand into the air with a flourish, then plops his hat back down onto his head. "Power to gain your hearts desire. For you see...that is why you've been chosen. Everyone here will fight, starting tomorrow. This city is your battleground. And the winner...or winners, as the case can be, will be granted a reward. Their wish, their greatest desire...made true."

The crowd murmurs, almost to a roar. They clearly weren't expecting that, and judging from his delighted smile, Paul wasn't either. But he sure seemed excited to have it happen.

[Mystic Muse]

The man laughed, pointing towards the general location of where Annabella was "Oh, what's that I hear? Ah, audience participation. Well, little miss...I am Paul. Paul Duo. And you've been granted the power known as a Stand. You all have. The embodiment of the soul. It will take until morning to manifest, but the power IS yours. A spirit that stands by your side and grants you power..." he raised his hand into the air with a flourish, then plops his hat back down onto his head. "Power to gain your hearts desire. For you see...that is why you've been chosen. Everyone here will fight, starting tomorrow. This city is your battleground. And the winner...or winners, as the case can be, will be granted a reward. Their wish, their greatest desire...made true."

The crowd murmurs, almost to a roar. They clearly weren't expecting that, and judging from his delighted smile, Paul wasn't either. But he sure seemed excited to have it happen.

"Man, you don't even sass me back? You aren't getting any free drinks from me." She says playfully, a smirk underneath her garb, looking around "Well, the masks make sense now. So, here's the question. Is this a Highlander scenario? Can there ONLY be one, or could a few of us team up and all get the grand prize together?" Could the final fight be a draw? Would no one get the prize, or would both drawing parties get the prize, in that case. Really, there are a lot of questions on how exactly this works."

[LaZodiac]

"Come now, little miss. I'm but a simple moderator, I shouldn't pick favorites...though you're certainly pushing me towards doing so. But yes...teaming up." He cleared his throat, and continued. "Some of you will be teamed up. It's part of the rules, you see. Some people need...assistance, after all. Each member of the team, or the individual, who wins gets the prize. Simple. A more...detailed oriented explanation will be sent to your phones in the morning, along with if you're on a team or by yourself."

He smiled, and lets it sink in a moment. "As for the final fight being a draw...I'm afraid THAT is impossible. These fights are...too the end. How you dispose of your enemies is up to you, so long as they are unable to fight at the end of it."

[Durkoala]

Alf puts on an air of being completely unaware of how ridiculous he looks. Even in this strange gathering, a young man wearing knotted pantyhose and Decepticon briefs over his balaclava draws odd looks. With so many pockets that could be picked, he regretted wearing thick gloves -- not to mention neon blue oven mitts. He was modelling a fairly convincing saunter through the crowd of masks, while keeping an eye on the 'stage', when Paul Duo made his entrance.

At first he admires the man's showmanship, although the amount of people who have been gathered here by this message is unsettling. A heckler starting an arguement with the man is briefly soothing, until Duo replies.

A spirit?! Battleground!?

Trying to get a look at the heckler, he sees a shockingly bright yellow image of style in the crowd nearby. People are craning to hear Ann and Duo talk, so he swiftly shoves his way through to the brilliant dress and positions himself behind her shoulder.

"Isn't this is awful?"

[Gnomish Wanderer]

Samantha was definitely STANDing out, though perhaps not in a good way now that the deathmatch was mentioned. A hint of revulsion boiled through her at the idea as she looked through the crowd of strangers, people who... might want to fight her, if what this guy said held true? That.... that couldn't be true. Samantha's brow furrowed, and that's when she heard the voice pipe up from behind.

"Yeah, it's horrid. I mean, I was expecting... maybe some kind of viral marketing campaign or... or something else. Nothing like this." She turned to a side to look over at her mysterious compatriot, noting his rather funny facewear and the jacket that she swore she'd seen somewhere or another. Her brow remained furrowed, this time trying to place the jacket, but she blinked it out and faced back forward again.

"You can't make us fight each other. What if we choose not to?" Samantha piped up, her voice at a slightly lower register than you'd expect from such a prettied-up person. She stood a bit defiantly at the center stage.

[Mystic Muse]

Annabelle writes something on a note, and hands it to Samantha, saying nothing.

[LaZodiac]

"You can't make us fight each other. What if we choose not to?" Samantha piped up, her voice at a slightly lower register than you'd expect from such a prettied-up person. She stood a bit defiantly at the center stage.

Paul Duo gave the crowd a smile. "In that case...you should run." He grabbed the umbrella from his Stand and jabbed it into the deck of the pirate ship, balancing himself on it. "If you leave say...the country, until the fighting is over, you'll be free and clear. Though...to be careful if you do this and have allies assigned to you. I don't imagine they'll appreciate it."

[Durkoala]

"Yeah, it's horrid. I mean, I was expecting... maybe some kind of viral marketing campaign or... or something else. Nothing like this."
Alf nods. "Yeah, it's like a death cult or something. Look, I know a few people who will want to shut this down, so if you want to help us, we could —"



"You can't make us fight each other. What if we choose not to?" Samantha piped up, her voice at a slightly lower register than you'd expect from such a prettied-up person. She stood a bit defiantly at the center stage.

"— Not draw attention to ourselves" He does his best to look like he's not talking to Samantha and be inconspicous. The underwear masks help with the first, but probably not so much with the second. He bites down a yelp of shock as the heckler casually passes a note from right beside them.


Paul Duo gave the crowd a smile. "In that case...you should run." He grabbed the umbrella from his Stand and jabbed it into the deck of the pirate ship, balancing himself on it. "If you leave say...the country, until the fighting is over, you'll be free and clear. Though...do be careful if you do this and have allies assigned to you. I don't imagine they'll appreciate it."
"F**k this guy" Alf says to Samantha while looking away from her. "We should team up no matter what he says. He's not going to expect people cooperating outside his rules." Hopefully nobody heard that, but more people overhearing him and working outside the system should tie up Duo's plans somewhat anyway. He just has to hope that nobody decides it would be a good idea to eliminate him before the competition properly starts...

If Samantha doesn't read it immediately, or when she finishes it and looks away, Alf is going to try to steal the note.

Sleight of Hand [roll0]

[Mystic Muse]

Paul Duo gave the crowd a smile. "In that case...you should run." He grabbed the umbrella from his Stand and jabbed it into the deck of the pirate ship, balancing himself on it. "If you leave say...the country, until the fighting is over, you'll be free and clear. Though...to be careful if you do this and have allies assigned to you. I don't imagine they'll appreciate it."

"Alright, let me clarify something. Do we always have to kill our opponents, or is the fight until knockout? Can our opponents simply surrender, or is every fight to the death, and we should assume anyone coming to fight us wants our heads?" Ann asks.

Ann then turns to Alf "he literally just said we could team up, and that a team could get the prize at the end."

[Gnomish Wanderer]

Annabelle writes something on a note, and hands it to Samantha, saying nothing.Samatha glanced over as she was handing a note, making a small surprised 'oh!' as she unraveled the letter to read through it. She gave a soft smile to Annabelle and the slightest nod, before stuffing the note in one of her side pockets of her dress. Always good to get these tailored with extra pockets, after all. Though, the positioning would be easy pickings for a would-be pickpocket.


"F**k this guy" Alf says to Samantha while looking away from her. "We should team up no matter what he says. He's not going to expect people cooperating outside his rules." Hopefully nobody heard that, but more people overhearing him and working outside the system should tie up Duo's plans somewhat anyway. He just has to hope that nobody decides it would be a good idea to eliminate him before the competition properly starts...

If Samantha doesn't read it immediately, or when she finishes it and looks away, Alf is going to try to steal the note.

Sleight of Hand [roll0]"I am inclined to agree, we ought to disrupt this 'game' as best we can. It's not right." She said softly, a hardening taking her expression.


Ann then turns to Alf, "He literally just said we could team up, and that a team could get the prize at the end.""Well, I think he is saying that we'll be teamed up, not that we could choose teammates." She said softly, holding up a gloved hand between Ann and Alf as some measure to calm things.

She glanced back up at the ship and the leaders next. "And after hers I have some of my own questions. How do you intend to keep the people in the town safe if you're declaring this place a warzone? We're all anonymous here, more or less, how are we even supposed to recognize one another? What of the local police, do you think they'll sit idly by while battle rages in the streets? Are you really advocating for /murder/?" She said quite strongly, looking about at the crowd, trying gauge the reactions of people around her, and then back up with a fierce expression.

[LaZodiac]

"Alright, let me clarify something. Do we always have to kill our opponents, or is the fight until knockout? Can our opponents simply surrender, or is every fight to the death, and we should assume anyone coming to fight us wants our heads?" Ann asks.

Ann then turns to Alf "he literally just said we could team up, and that a team could get the prize at the end."

"So long as you render your opponent unable to fight, you will have won. You don't NEED to kill them..but don't underestimate the tenacity of humans." Paul answered. He seemed almost amused to say it.



She glanced back up at the ship and the leaders next. "And after hers I have some of my own questions. How do you intend to keep the people in the town safe if you're declaring this place a warzone? We're all anonymous here, more or less, how are we even supposed to recognize one another? What of the local police, do you think they'll sit idly by while battle rages in the streets? Are you really advocating for /murder/?" She said quite strongly, looking about at the crowd, trying gauge the reactions of people around her, and then back up with a fierce expression.

"As for the safety of the fair folk in this city...that is up to you all. I would recommend not going on a rampage...eyes may be on us, after all. This world is full of mysteries. With regards to the police, so long as the chaos is minimal our organization will ensure that this cities news is only plagued by tragic, unfortunate loss of life or injury. Nothing much." he said, laughing a bit to himself at a joke only he knows. "And finding your opponents...more information will be sent to your phones in the morning, but in short I will assure you that your phone will let you know when one of your opponent's is in the area. We DO want this to be organized."

He took off his hat once more, looking at it briefly before sweeping his hand out towards the crowd. "If you feel this sits uncomfortably with you...do your best to win without killing. Know that it carries dangers. Impress me with your iron will. After all...you choose [yes]. Aware of it or not, you all, every one of you, have a great power inside. The power to be [more than you are]."

The crowd seems somewhat...disturbed. There's spatterings of conversations throughout the crowd, playing almost like a white noise. Some people seem into the idea of it, some seem a little more hesitant. But given the winter cloths and general disguises, it's hard to be sure what the mood is beyond tense.

[Tectonic Robot]

John Doe didn't handle huge crowds too great. He was, honestly, expecting a more intimate gathering. This seemed to only confirm his suspicions about this being some kind of viral marketing campaign, though! Sitting down near the back of the group, he folded his arms, staring at the others as they gathered around. He was bundled up incredibly tight; a shirt. A corny Christmas sweater. A heavy coat OVER the Christmas sweater. A scarf. A hat. Earmuffs. It was overdoing it for the temperature by quite a bit, but, hopefully effective at keeping his identity hidden. And also... keeping any colds at bay! Ahahahaha, a win-win.

He squinted as this... guy appeared. He had his own style, that was for sure, but something about him just rubbed John the wrong way. He couldn't see the wires that allowed him to float on the umbrella, but he COULD see the giant mysterious figure appear above him. That was... something. Hoo dear. John tilted his head, glad he'd chosen a spot far away from the others as the others oo'd and ahh'd. Usually, when one attended these corporate things, people expected something lame. John had fun trying to find pleasure in it anyway. This whole scenario was very much out of his comfort zone. "What are these guys up to..." He muttered to himself, rubbing the back of his head as he got a frontline seat as a touch of heckling went on. Hmmn. Perhaps a hired crony, working for the guy to provide a counterpoint to the main thrust of the performance? That made sense!

As the explanation progressed, John Doe begin to feel strange. On the one hand, he was a bit... annoyed, at being drafted into a death game, yes. And it was a death game--there was a crowd of perfect strangers. Strangers who seemed excited about a chance to get their wishes fulfilled. On the other hand... well, he had thumbed 'Yes', hadn't he? He had said he'd [Stand] his ground and he'd be willing to fight, hadn't he? An excitement began to well up in his chest, gloved hands squeezing tight. He was, perhaps, a little off in his own world for his own good. He was, perhaps, a bit of a scatterbrain. But he mostly certainly wasn't stupid. Perhaps this... battle royale would wind up being the perfect arena to show off what a genius he really was.

Besides, having a Stand seemed cool. He hoped his was powerful...

The bundled up would-be-poet glanced at the knot of people in the center, which seemed a touch on the eccentric side, outfit wise. They seemed to have the most questions, at least. John stood up, making his way through the crowd to position himself on the other side of Anabelle, but not exactly very close to her. "What a fantastic show! And what a fantastic curator through this night of the wicked and extroadinary! I must admit, I have my own question for you, Mr. Duo--are you part of this game, as well? And are you really alright with being responsible for what promises to be a good many days of mayhem?"

[LaZodiac]

"Oh, no. Me and my fellows" he gestured to the people on the pirate ship with him "are not part of the game, as it where. We'll be...monitoring things. Fights to the death are rather violent, so we'll be sure to keep the winners from dying, at the very least. So if you find yourself horribly injured, be sure to fight harder!" He gave the crowd a wide grin at that, and put the hat back on his head. "As for my conscious I assure you it's QUITE clean. I've done none of this. YOU pressed the button. My hands are as clean as soft snow, at least in this regard."

[Mystic Muse]

Ann hands Alf a note, the same one she handed Samantha.

[Durkoala]

Samatha glanced over as she was handing a note, making a small surprised 'oh!' as she unraveled the letter to read through it. She gave a soft smile to Annabelle and the slightest nod, before stuffing the note in one of her side pockets of her dress. Always good to get these tailored with extra pockets, after all. Though, the positioning would be easy pickings for a would-be pickpocket.

It certainly was. Even with the oven gloves, Alf had the piece of paper before Samantha answered him.


"I am inclined to agree, we ought to disrupt this 'game' as best we can. It's not right."

Alf wants to say something, but think's it's better to act like he's not associated with the two forthright women, so he settles for subtly squeezing her shoulder.


"Well, I think he is saying that we'll be teamed up, not that we could choose teammates." She said softly, holding up a gloved hand between Ann and Alf as some measure to calm things.

Alf ignores Annabel, but surreptitiously pats Samantha on the back.


"And after hers I have some of my own questions. How do you intend to keep the people in the town safe if you're declaring this place a warzone? We're all anonymous here, more or less, how are we even supposed to recognize one another? What of the local police, do you think they'll sit idly by while battle rages in the streets? Are you really advocating for /murder/?" She said quite strongly, looking about at the crowd, trying gauge the reactions of people around her, and then back up with a fierce expression.

Alf takes advantage of this to slip the note back into Samantha's pocket.




"So long as you render your opponent unable to fight, you will have won. You don't NEED to kill them..but don't underestimate the tenacity of humans." Paul answered. He seemed almost amused to say it.

"As for the safety of the fair folk in this city...that is up to you all. I would recommend not going on a rampage...eyes may be on us, after all. This world is full of mysteries. With regards to the police, so long as the chaos is minimal our organization will ensure that this cities news is only plagued by tragic, unfortunate loss of life or injury. Nothing much." he said, laughing a bit to himself at a joke only he knows. "And finding your opponents...more information will be sent to your phones in the morning, but in short I will assure you that your phone will let you know when one of your opponent's is in the area. We DO want this to be organized."

He took off his hat once more, looking at it briefly before sweeping his hand out towards the crowd. "If you feel this sits uncomfortably with you...do your best to win without killing. Know that it carries dangers. Impress me with your iron will. After all...you choose [yes]. Aware of it or not, you all, every one of you, have a great power inside. The power to be [more than you are]."
"What a f**king w**ker!" Alf mutters, but doesn't elaborate.


Ann hands Alf a note, the same one she handed Samantha.

"Oh." He thinks quickly, then awkwardly asks Ann "Can we meet up tomorrow to plan? Um, we'll need your number to choose a time and place"

[Mystic Muse]

Ann facepalms, before writing a note with her work hours and phone number on it, which she hands to Samantha and Alf.

She adds a note on Alf that says "I'm trying to make my intentions not obvious as **** you dumbass."

[Durkoala]

Ann facepalms, before writing a note with her work hours and phone number on it, which she hands to Samantha and Alf.

She adds a note on Alf that says "I'm trying to make my intentions not obvious as **** you dumbass."

Alf texts Ann: "You have intentions? I'm impressed. — Alf. Please forward this number to miss yellow kthanx"

He pockets his phone and says "Well, see you later, A, 'Manther. May the odds be in your favour." Then he turns and walks into the crowd, passing a short, very well-wrapped individual before he is lost among the forest of people.

[Gnomish Wanderer]

"What a fantastic show! And what a fantastic curator through this night of the wicked and extroadinary! I must admit, I have my own question for you, Mr. Duo--are you part of this game, as well? And are you really alright with being responsible for what promises to be a good many days of mayhem?"Samantha glanced over at the newcomer, his words much more jovial than her own bite, and narrowed her glance into a slight glare, disapproving. She looked back up a moment later halfway through the reply.


"...My hands are as clean as soft snow, at least in this regard."Samantha gave her own scoff at this and crossed her arms.
It certainly was. Even with the oven gloves, Alf had the piece of paper before Samantha answered him.

Alf wants to say something, but think's it's better to act like he's not associated with the two forthright women, so he settles for subtly squeezing her shoulder. Alf ignores Annabel, but surreptitiously pats Samantha on the back.

Alf takes advantage of this to slip the note back.
"What a f**king w**ker!" Alf mutters, but doesn't elaborate.The patting and touching had Samantha looking back, her look slightly amnoyed, but nodded to the wanker comment.


Ann facepalms, before writing a note with her work hours and phone number on it, which she hands to Samantha and Alf.
Alf (...) says "Well, see you later, A, 'Manther. May the odds be in your favour." Then he turns and walks into the crowd, passing a short, very well-wrapped individual before he is lost among the forest of people.Samantha didn't take her phone out at the meeting, instead giving Ann a knowing look and stuffing the number into a pocket, before crossing her arms again.

The approximation of her name from Alf was definitely surprising, and it showed on her face as he disappeared behind her. Samantha hrmphed and tried to look over the crowd again. She didn't get why so many people seemed enamored by this weirdo, and part of her was scared of the covered up faces that seemed excited. But she said nothing any longer loudly, waiting until the crowd was dismissed.

[LaZodiac]

The crowd murmured. There were some cheers, but once the excitement had died down, things hit a strange, intimidating sort of calm. It was as if everyone there suddenly realized the enormity of what had been sad.

"Well. I believe it's time we departed for the night. In the morning your Stands will have fully developed, and you'll have received a message containing all the information you require. I look forward to watching over this little game. With that in mind..." he gestured over to the woman on the ship "Some of you, it seems, did not listen to our [rule]. Miss, if you may?"

At his command the woman looked out at the crowd. She intoned a single phrase. "Mother Knows Best". With a strange sound, like that of breaking windows, a green, sickly glowing aura formed around her. A figure appeared behind her a lengthy, slender looking shadow of dark velvet with wiry fingers and frayed iron shaving hair. It's face was blank save a maw. It opened to roar...and nothing came out.

Except, everyone in the crowd that hadn't covered their face suddenly froze in place.

"There. I want you all to consider this carefully. Those that did not follow the [rule] have been given a punishment. They will forget every face they saw today, gone from their memory. You, who followed the [rule], will not. Think on this, and when the fighting begins tomorrow...pay attention."

With that, he gave a simple bow, smiling. He turned, and with a wave of his hand his Stand swung the umbrella it held, as it swept past him and his two compatriots, the air seemed to distort, and in a flash they where gone, the umbrella spinning briefly in the air before being caught by an updraft and blown away.

The people who where frozen in place groggily began to move, and left first. There was some conversation, but it quickly petered out, everyone hurrying home, including you four. The intense pressure in the air encouraged everyone to do so, as if sticking around there for long would cause problems. Slowly but surely, those who visited Sombeke Park went to sleep, suddenly feeling exhausted.

------

Saturday, September 10th, 2016

8:00 AM.

With a jolt, you all awaken. You're all feeling quite refreshed, and find that you have in deed developed your stands. You can "feel" it within you, and have some understanding of it's power (you know what it can do, but you all feel as though it could grow more, and there's a possibility Samantha doesn't realize the way to counteract her Stand's ability yet). You all hear a buzzing on your phone, and checking it reveals a message.

"Hello and welcome to the [Stand Fight]. The following message will detail some of the rules, to help you understand."

It proceeds to list the logistics of how Stands work, that only Stand users can see another Stand, only Stands can hurt Stands, etc etc. It also makes note when two or more of the people involved in this fight are nearby, it will give three subtle buzzes, as if on vibrate mode, to alert them, so long as the people involved are actively hunting for other Stand users. Once a fight has finished, the winners will be rewarded with some manner of recovery, typically enough to fix all but the most minor of wounds. "Stand fights can be quite bloody, and very dangerous, so consider this an extension of our goodwill to you, who live in a town with but a single hospital."

Finally, in an area marked as "style" it lists, for all of you, the word "Team." When you click the word team, it brings up four photos, each with a name. The photos seem like mugshots.

Annabelle, [Sympathy for the Devil]
Alfred, [Ace of Spades]
Samantha, [Candyman]
John, [4'33]

[Gnomish Wanderer]

Samantha silently cursed herself for sleeping through her normal alarm regimen. 8am??? Barbaric. She hadn't gotten that much sleep in ages. The knowledge of the power was sudden as she considered the actions of last night, hit like a train with the realization of what she could do and of the large golem she could summon. "Whoa." She said aloud, more whispered to herself. Her mom would already be on the air so Samantha didn't have to worry about waking her, nor did she have to worry about anyone save perhaps the other morning joggers who have become accustomed to her route.

Samantha was so weirdly refreshed by the extra sleep, and fluttered into the bathroom in her princess pajamas, barely remembering putting them on the night before, and looked in the mirror where her makeup from yesterday was hastily removed and smeared. She grabbed her phone, seeing the message from Duo as well as her phone's structure to ask her how much she ran today and a dozen reminders about missed parts of her schedule.

Clicking through her team as she applied her base coat of foundation, Samantha was pleasantly surprised to see Annabelle on there and stifled a yawn, the normal sense of tiredness creeping back even though the sleep had been so much longer than normal. She sent a short text to Annabelle: "Hello! It seems our 'attitudes' last night got us placed on a team after all. Would you like me to still meet at the bar? I figured I'd ask before inviting the other two."

She spends the next half hour or so getting her face ready and into her dress for today, a pink one with white lace, plain patterned this time. She then sends a very simple message to John and Alf that says, "Good morning, teammates," before moving on to modify her schedule to include Stand training, starting today, and leaving an open block for meeting with her teammates. Might as well learn about this power. She yawned for real.

[Mystic Muse]

Annabelle was following her usual routine. Her alarm woke her up as always.

"You sit there in your heartache, waiting on some beautiful boy to save you from your old ways. You play forgiveness, watch it now, here he comes! He doesn't look a thing like Jesus, but he talks like a gentleman, like you imagined when you were young!"

...That wasn't Annabelle's alarm. She was planning on maybe playing her own version of that song at the bar tonight, but that sure as hell wasn't what she had put in as her alarm for her phone. She reaches for her phone, and it gets handed to her.

"Thanks." She said, her eyes blurry, not processing what was happening for a moment. And then it hit her. Someone was in the room with her. She recoiled out of instinct, her eyes going wide, as she tried to get a look of the intruder, reaching for the baseball bat she kept at the side of her bed. It was then that she realized her intruder was very much not human. His entire body, skin, hair, eyes, everything was alabaster white, and he was dressed in the same suit that Ann tended to wear every day, with two golden wings sprouting out of his back.

"Allow me to introduce myself. I'm a man of wealth and taste." He says, giving a polite bow of greeting to Ann.

"...You're the Devil?"

"...I'm the Devil you know. We can probably leave it at that." He says.

Ann had so many questions. So, so many questions.

Unfortunately, answers would have to wait, as she got a text 'explaining everything'. Apparently, this was her stand. That did not however mean it wasn't also the devil, at least in her mind. So, she was teamed up with 3 people regardless of her intentions, though she had the suspicion that two of them were the people she passed notes to anyway. If that were true, the third person was probably the third person who actually spoke up.

She sent a text to everybody, especially since Samantha's just came in.

"Meet me at the Black Knight pub. My normal hours start at 12 PM, come at 12:30 PM. If you all behave yourselves, I might be you a drink or two, and a meal. Try not to get thrown out." She sent the three of them, separately, before resuming with her usual routine. Dammit, she forgot to buy cigarettes yesterday...or maybe not? She can't remember when she would have bought them, but she appears to have a full pack still. Oh well.

She pulled the pack off her bedside table, took one out, lit it up, and took a nice long drag. Today would be interesting, that's for sure.

[Durkoala]

Alf wakes as he usually does: mind rising out of the soft darkness into his stiff and dry body. For a moment, he is aware of what is going on around him (not much) but not who he is or why he's here. Then he cracks his eyelids open and things come trickling back in. He'd been given a job by his archnemesis, then gone to a strange gathering in the park in the middle of the night, which had turned into a madman convincing a lot of people to start some kind of deathmatch around the city. He'd met a couple of people, then hung around for a bit and found out that there were superpowers involved in this, then he'd gone home, and... got high and completely forgot to call back and report what was going on.

He forced himself out of bed and rummaged through the pockets of his discarded coat until he found the phone Goff had given him. There were a few new messages on there from numbers he didn't know: a couple of greetings from Samantha and Ann and a fairly lengthy summary of how Stands and the tournament worked. While enlightening, both the concept of superpowers and the amount of control and surveillance implied by the "rules" were terrifying.

He called Goff's number, but his "friend" was busy. He considered sending a message, but the devil he knew was a collossal prick, so he left it at that. Instead, he replies to his teammates. Samantha only gets 'Looking forward to working with you', but since Ann has his number and name already, he sends 'Well if it isn't miss intentions. watch your back, these guys must have eyes /everywhere/. Ill see you there.

It was five past ten, so he headed for the shower for the first time in nearly a week. He had a pub to go to and plans to make; it wouldn't do to get thrown out before he even got to the first course.

[Mystic Muse]

Ann decided to save her rebuttal for when Alf got to the pub. She decided to get breakfast on the road today, and headed out a bit early. Hmm, maybe she'd pass by the burger zone...

[Tectonic Robot]

John's sleeping schedule was erratic, to say the least. When an alarm he hadn't set work him up at 8 AM, he briefly paused to wonder WHY, of all times, 8 AM was chosen. Oh well. He sat up, excitement from last night buzzing in his chest. It had felt like he had barely slept, like he had laid down and woken up immediately. Was this part of the magic of the stands? Or was this simply his own excitement broiling in his chest like a pressure cooker? He sat waiting, motionless in his bed, before lifting his thick arm, shifting it. How does one... is that... and then he felt within him, something... well, it wasn't something else. It was very much something HIM. At that moment, separating from his arm, another limb appeared. Unlike his thickset frame, this one was long. The... sleeve? Yes, it had a sleeve; was black and ratty, thin threads clinging to a thinner core. The fingers were long and gray, with sharp, old looking nails jutting off the ends.

It took some doing, but after a few minutes, John managed to fully separate himself from his stand. It stood in front of him; the entire thing was maybe something like 10 feet tall, a thin figure in a bedraggled suit. It's head was a pyramid, with one eye, throbbing in the center, which flicked around at his command. He felt like, well... a boy with a robot. Some fantastic, remote controlled creature. Was this what his soul looked like? It was certainly intimidating! He wondered what it suggested about himself...

He didn't recognize the other people's names. It looked like they had already met each other, though. Perhaps lots of people were getting buddy buddy last night. John almost didn't reply to them, but after thinking it over for awhile--which is to say, almost completely forgetting about it--he graced them with a reply. "hi." There, that should be good. Excellence in writing! Speaking of writing.

John fully intended to be at the, er, bar on time. Really, a pub? Weren't they a little young for that? Regardless, he was going to an INFINITELY superior meeting place first; his fortress of solitude, his bastion of safety. The BurgerZone. And there'd he'd be, as Annabelle past; the thickset guy from last night, currently reducing one large cheeseburger into one large crumb, one hand furiously writing something down as John turned fast food eating into a fast-food art. Omnomnom.

[Mystic Muse]

Ann notices him as she's going through the drive through and decides to go in instead.

As the bell rings, no one is quite sure why, but everyone is looking at Annabelle as she walks in (except probably John). Ann doesn't acknowledge them, instead going straight to the place John is sitting, and sits down next to him.

"Well. Guess we're meeting a little early. You can call me Ann." She says, holding out her hand in greeting for a handshake.

Everyone goes back to doing what they were before, some still occasionally stealing glances at Ann.

[Tectonic Robot]

John was trying to compose a poem perfectly describing the elation of learning one has become 'Special' and the terror of being thrust into a death game, which harder than he'd thought. He was trying to find out how to rhyme 'Exuberant' with 'Repugnant'--or come up with an alternative--when Annabelle made her appearance.

John's eyes widened. Was this his muse!? Before they narrowed in recognition. She was at the meeting last night. She must be making an early start in the death game.

Anabelle would see something stirring up within John, the sillouette of something starting to emerge, something tall and gangly... something Menacing! Then he stops as she extends her hand, his mind flicking back to the phone. The figure disappears--it had only begun emerging for a half second. "Oh, well. I didn't expect you to come by here." He says matter-of-factly, taking her hand and shaking it, somewhat gingerly. "I'd suspiciously ask you if you were an impostor, but I don't actually know you well enough to guess! So I'll just assume we're teammates, then. I'm John. John Doe! Although I don't think you got my name last night. Bit of a risk, walking up to me outta the blue, eh? What if we weren't partners?"

[Mystic Muse]

John was trying to compose a poem perfectly describing the elation of learning one has become 'Special' and the terror of being thrust into a death game, which harder than he'd thought. He was trying to find out how to rhyme 'Exuberant' with 'Repugnant'--or come up with an alternative--when Annabelle made her appearance.

John's eyes widened. Was this his muse!? Before they narrowed in recognition. She was at the meeting last night. She must be making an early start in the death game.

Anabelle would see something stirring up within John, the sillouette of something starting to emerge, something tall and gangly... something Menacing! Then he stops as she extends her hand, his mind flicking back to the phone. The figure disappears--it had only begun emerging for a half second. "Oh, well. I didn't expect you to come by here." He says matter-of-factly, taking her hand and shaking it, somewhat gingerly. "I'd suspiciously ask you if you were an impostor, but I don't actually know you well enough to guess! So I'll just assume we're teammates, then. I'm John. John Doe! Although I don't think you got my name last night. Bit of a risk, walking up to me outta the blue, eh? What if we weren't partners?"

"I'm Annabelle Lee, but I prefer just "Ann." In response to your concerns, first, I recognized your look from my phone, which means we are partners. Second, if you were some sort of shapeshifting impostor, I think I know how to take care of myself well enough to not be overly concerned. Third, attacking an opponent one on one isn't really a good idea, unless you know you have some way of beating them, or you're the kind of person into honorable duels. Fourth, attacking someone in a relatively crowded area is stupid. fifth, I'm hungry, and this place is on the way to my job. What do you recommend here, John? She asks politely, leaning back in her chair/booth.

[Tectonic Robot]

John taps his chin. Oh, right, the photos. He'd nearly forgotten about those! Serves him right for barely looking at his phone. For now, instead, he'd shoot her grin! "Well, it's nice to meet you, regardless! I'd recommend a chocolate shake. Or the fries. The fries..." He lifts his hand up, making a circle with his finger and thumb. "Are pitch perfect."

"Anyway... uh. Call me John. John Doe. My stand... is 4'33. I'm not sure what the name means, but it sounds fitting." He takes a long sip from his drink. "Should we share what our stands can do? Or do you think it'd be better to keep that as a secret?"

[Gnomish Wanderer]

Samantha's schedule clicked onward. She read a chapter of schoolwork and had her notes diligently handwritten. Next she went out herself to interact with her stand. The big golem was in front of her pretty quickly, and her interactions were slow, just... trying to gain a better understanding of it. A few leaves being grabbed, touching water, how far she could carry things with it. The leaves tasted good, but she didn't eat them quite yet, just tasting. Finally she got a piece of toast, for a true food test, and after some golem handling she took a tentative bite, before eating the whole thing with a slight smile.

Again she checked her phone as her scheduler beeped in with a reminder about ending training, seeing the normal daily check-in from her mom, as well as a few more messages.
"Meet me at the Black Knight pub. My normal hours start at 12 PM, come at 12:30 PM. If you all behave yourselves, I might be you a drink or two, and a meal. Try not to get thrown out.""I'll be there."
'Looking forward to working with you'"Likewise. Nice to see you again."
"hi.""It'll be nice to meet more teammates in this crazy game."

After sending the messages she grabbed her umbrella and went for a walk. She couldn't exactly do her normal jog, but walking to the bar would at least help make up for the late morning. Just as scheduled she arrived at 11:45 sharp. She pushed into the bar and gracefully took a seat, pressing her umbrella aside and started to look at virtual flashcards on her phone, just testing herself some more.

[Durkoala]

After showering, Alf had some time to kill, so he started doing stand stuff. While it was easy enough using its ability, directing it to move or handle things on its own took significantly more mental effort. It as as if the obese figure was drunk: its hands were steady when they had a grip, but they were clumsy to grasp things and prone to letting them drop if he didn't focus on holding them. When he wanted it to move, it floated like a grotesque balloon with dangling limbs or shuffled on its awkward feet.

This was somewhat disheartening, but for the first time in a long time, Alf felt alive. The best never let sudden complications stop them, no matter how unexpected. Until his stand got its coordination sorted out, he'd just have to shrink things from close range. He could also carry all kinds of small surprises on him for inevitable tricky situations!

At twenty to twelve he considered how early he wanted to be. If he turned up early, he wouldn't miss any of the conversation, but if he was too early, he'd be alone with Ann on her turf which was likely not a good idea. Uncertain, he found a window that looked towards the pub, and saw a bright figure that could only be Samantha walking along the road. Then again, perhaps he could turn the tables on her and have an alliance already set up before she arrives?

Five minutes after Samantha settles down, the door of the Black Knight opens again. Alf slinks in, a tall young man in a lime-green winter coat and faded skinny jeans. His legs are extremely thin, his face is gaunt and despite his efforts at cleaning himself up, his hair is a tangled mess and he stands with a slight hunch. His jittering green eyes find Samantha and he makes his way to the seat next to her.

Without his masks, he feels vulnerable and ill-fitting. At possibly the most important moment of his life, he has no idea what to say.

'Hi, I'm guessing this is your first supernatural war too?'

[Mystic Muse]

John taps his chin. Oh, right, the photos. He'd nearly forgotten about those! Serves him right for barely looking at his phone. For now, instead, he'd shoot her grin! "Well, it's nice to meet you, regardless! I'd recommend a chocolate shake. Or the fries. The fries..." He lifts his hand up, making a circle with his finger and thumb. "Are pitch perfect."

"Anyway... uh. Call me John. John Doe. My stand... is 4'33. I'm not sure what the name means, but it sounds fitting." He takes a long sip from his drink. "Should we share what our stands can do? Or do you think it'd be better to keep that as a secret?"

"My Stand is Sympathy For the Devil..honestly, I don't know what mine does yet. I'm mildly freaked out by this whole thing." Ann says.

[Tectonic Robot]

John nods, taking a healthy gulp from his drink. "Well, my stand..." He hesitated for a moment. But they were supposed to be teammates, weren't they? "My stand makes things... less, I think. It's hard to describe without a demonstration. But it's an interesting power, nonetheless. A bit... poetic."

[Mystic Muse]

John nods, taking a healthy gulp from his drink. "Well, my stand..." He hesitated for a moment. But they were supposed to be teammates, weren't they? "My stand makes things... less, I think. It's hard to describe without a demonstration. But it's an interesting power, nonetheless. A bit... poetic."

"If you say so. Never been into regulat poetry myself, beyond maybe some stuff by Dorothy Parker. Music is my life and my livelihood." Ann says to John.

[Gnomish Wanderer]

Seeing him in person was a lot different than seeing him masked or in some picture, and something clicked as he came close. Oh, she knew him! From the... shelter? She was pretty sure that was it, but didn't ask. It somehow seemed impolite.
'Hi, I'm guessing this is your first supernatural war too?'"I guess war is a fitting word for what they've unleashed upon this town." She said, a bit spitefully towards Duo and his associates, before more casually, "Samantha." She then held out a gloved hand!

Samantha beckoned him to sit before neatly putting away her notes and stiffling a yawn in a glove. For a moment Candyman loomed behind her, a big lumbering golem with beady focused eyes, but it quickly faded. "I'll order you something; do they sell food here? I've never been in here before today, I think..."Now's as good as a time to share this drawing as any, hahahttp://dl.dropbox.com/s/awv64dciu28hhdx/MYSTAND.png?dl=0 Like this but wearing gloves right now

[Tectonic Robot]

"Well, music is great too!" John said, grinning widely. "Have you noticed that our stands seem to be keyed off of song names? I found it somewhat interesting... although I doubt it means anything."

[Mystic Muse]

"My guess is that it's just a thing. Like all stands are named after songs, or all Stands within a region. Anyway, want a ride to the bar, or do you have a vehicle of your own?" Ann asks, tapping her fingers to some rhythm in her head.

[Tectonic Robot]

John stood up, brushing the food off into the convienently located trash-can. "No, actually. A ride would be fantastic!" He said, shooting her a grin before standing, moving to get the door. "Shall we meet our mysterious compatriots, then, and compose our battle strategies?"

[Mystic Muse]

John stood up, brushing the food off into the convienently located trash-can. "No, actually. A ride would be fantastic!" He said, shooting her a grin before standing, moving to get the door. "Shall we meet our mysterious compatriots, then, and compose our battle strategies?"

"Sounds good." she sways, ordering a "Burgernator" to go, putting it in one of her two side-saddle bags on her Bike, and inviting John to sit behind her. She hands her Helmet over to John, a plain red one. "You'll probably need this more than I will." she says.

And as soon as John gets on, they'll head off, arriving at the Black Knight Pub at around 12:00. Her boss didn't much care what time she got there most of the time anyway. She walked up to her usual spot, the piano where it always was, and began playing a song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOR_SsYrpTc)

[Durkoala]

Seeing him in person was a lot different than seeing him masked or in some picture, and something clicked as he came close. Oh, she knew him! From the... shelter? She was pretty sure that was it, but didn't ask. It somehow seemed impolite."I guess war is a fitting word for what they've unleashed upon this town." She said, a bit spitefully towards Duo and his associates, before more casually, "Samantha." She then held out a gloved hand!


'Alf Agley,' he replied, shaking the offered hand. 'You have no idea how good it is to know that some people are still sane'


Samantha beckoned him to sit before neatly putting away her notes and stiffling a yawn in a glove. For a moment Candyman loomed behind her, a big lumbering golem with beady focused eyes, but it quickly faded. "I'll order you something; do they sell food here? I've never been in here before today, I think..."

Alf rocked back as the giant gingerbread man popped into existance. 'Whoa. It's got a hat!' was all he could think to say and then felt rather stupid. 'Oh, um, it's been a long time since I was down here. They threw us out because one of our guys was fourteen, but I think they do meals here. That's really good of you; I don't have any money on me. Do they do spaghetti?'

He shifts uneasily, then asks 'What does your, um, stand do? Will it help us survive this?'

[Gnomish Wanderer]

'Alf Agley,' he replied, shaking the offered hand. 'You have no idea how good it is to know that some people are still sane'

Alf rocked back as the giant gingerbread man popped into existance. 'Whoa. It's got a hat!' was all he could think to say and then felt rather stupid. 'Oh, um, it's been a long time since I was down here. They threw us out because one of our guys was fourteen, but I think they do meals here. That's really good of you; I don't have any money on me. Do they do spaghetti?'

He shifts uneasily, then asks 'What does your, um, stand do? Will it help us survive this?'"It does have a hat!" Samantha said with a grin, seemingly sweeping his awkward statement under the rug. "I was surprised it looked like this, myself. I just assumed they'd all look like that weird umbrella thing we saw last night. I didn't mean to summon him, I was just hungry." She said with no real explanation. "How does yours look?"

"Spaghetti? Uh, No clue, haha. When I think bar food I normally think, like, sliders and fries, you know? If they have a kitchen, even. I can ask..." She offered, shifting to glance towards the bar, lingering a second as Samantha soaked in the atmosphere and examined her location with a bit more detail.

"I... don't know. My stand's... kinda strong? Like it nearly lifted a tree trunk out of the ground..." She said, her own voice quieting as she glanced around a bit, eyes narrow. "And, the trunk became molasses so I guess that's something."

[Durkoala]

"It does have a hat!" Samantha said with a grin, seemingly sweeping his awkward statement under the rug. "I was surprised it looked like this, myself. I just assumed they'd all look like that weird umbrella thing we saw last night. I didn't mean to summon him, I was just hungry." She said with no real explanation. "How does yours look?"

'It appears when you want it and it's a man? I think mine's broken. It acts clumsy and retarded and looks like Frankenstein's pet.' This isn't encouraging news, and Alf started mumbling towards the end of his sentence and looked away from Samantha.


"It does have a hat!" Samantha said with a grin,
"Spaghetti? Uh, No clue, haha. When I think bar food I normally think, like, sliders and fries, you know? If they have a kitchen, even. I can ask..."

"I... don't know. My stand's... kinda strong? Like it nearly lifted a tree trunk out of the ground..." She said, her own voice quieting as she glanced around a bit, eyes narrow. "And, the trunk became molasses so I guess that's something."

'Well, the text did say we might get a meal here, so they must have something more substantial than bar snacks.

...Molasses? Like the syrup stuff? That's weird... Mine just sort of takes size away from things. I'm not great at it yet, but if you stay on guard for anybody being able to see it, I'll try and show you it...'

Alf's gaze locked onto something far away. With a quiet bubbling sound, a viscous translucent grey aura coiled off of him and swelled into a hulking figure behind him.

It stood like an abandoned puppet made of lard: sagging grey-white flesh coated in a thin layer of slime, loosely hanging arms with outsized hands and a blank nightmare of a pig-like head. The eyes were hidden behind lilac glass lenses embedded in the skin and, instead of ears, small satellite dishes with pryramidal metal arieals. Where there should have been a snout, six pale pink canvas tubes erupted out and coiled around to its body. Two burrowed into the flabby chest, two more into the bulging throat and one sunk into the inside of each elbow.
It wore a ragged lilac wrap, tied with a battered chain beneath the slimy belly, and its feet were large, scaly, clawed and only possessed of two toes each.

It made no sound or movement beyond a slight sway, as if it were adjusting to being coporeal.

[Gnomish Wanderer]

'It appears when you want it and it's a man? I think mine's broken. It acts clumsy and retarded and looks like Frankenstein's pet.' This isn't encouraging news, and Alf started mumbling towards the end of his sentence and looked away from Samantha.

'Well, the text did say we might get a meal here, so they must have something more substantial than bar snacks.

...Molasses? Like the syrup stuff? That's weird... Mine just sort of takes size away from things. I'm not great at it yet, but if you stay on guard for anybody being able to see it, I'll try and show you it...'

Alf's gaze locked onto something far away. With a quiet bubbling sound, a viscous translucent grey aura coiled off of him and swelled into a hulking figure behind him.

It stood like an abandoned puppet made of lard: sagging grey-white flesh coated in a thin layer of slime, loosely hanging arms with outsized hands and a blank nightmare of a pig-like head. The eyes were hidden behind lilac glass lenses embedded in the skin and, instead of ears, small satellite dishes with pryramidal metal arieals. Where there should have been a snout, six pale pink canvas tubes erupted out and coiled around to its body. Two burrowed into the flabby chest, two more into the bulging throat and one sunk into the inside of each elbow.
It wore a ragged lilac wrap, tied with a battered chain beneath the slimy belly, and its feet were large, scaly, clawed and only possessed of two toes each.

It made no sound or movement beyond a slight sway, as if it were adjusting to being corporeal."I dunno if it's a man, per say. It's a golem, I don't think it has a gender at all." Samantha stated, almost wistfully. Then a bit quieter, "Um, also would you mind not using that 'r' word, it... it's kinda offensive?"

"And yeah, I'll take a look to make sure no other stand users notice it." She said, sitting back in her seat, looking relaxed. However, that quickly changed to one of nearly terror when the monster of a stand came into being. "O-oh, Jesus Christ." Samantha pushed herself back a few inches, and was awe-struck, but in the more traditional sense that included horrified. She was not really looking for other stand users like she had originally planned. "Frankensteinian is right."

"U-um, I'm gonna order food. I'll be back shortly." She said, kinda pushing away from the table and walking quickly towards the bar. Everything in her screamed that the thing was inhuman, unnatural. Well, I guess it kind of is? But it's... it's just his soul representation, or something. It can't... well, it CAN but it won't hurt you. She thought, trying to reassure herself.

At the bar she ordered some fries and a plate of spaghetti, pleasantly surprised to see that it was in fact on the menu. She leaned against the bar for the next little while, waving over at Alf to show she was waiting on their food. She needed a breather to collect herself, and she almost instinctively rubbed at the sleep in her eyes, but stopped at the last second as she remembered her heavy makeup.

She got back at the table not much later, with the food in tow. She sat down politely, like royalty would. "Ahem, yeah, your stand is something. Honestly, it scared me a bit, haha. I'll try not to react like that in the future." Samantha said sheepishly, pressing his plate towards him. She grabbed a fry from her own, and held it up, where her big golem appeared for a second to touch the fry... leaving a black and shiny fry in its place! Samantha nommed on the candy piece, tasting the sweet licorice!

[Tectonic Robot]

John sweeps into the bar, then hesitates. He still isn't 100% sure of what his teammates are supposed to look like. He glanced around, waiting for his compatriot... before seein' a ragamuffin and a girl dressed up like royalty. Hoo boy, that might be something. John would step over to them, waving his ride down, before tugging out a chair and casually sitting in next to them! "A rrrrrrroom for two more?" He said cheerfully, rolling the r on room.

[Durkoala]

"I dunno if it's a man, per say. It's a golem, I don't think it has a gender at all." Samantha stated, almost wistfully. Then a bit quieter, "Um, also would you mind not using that 'r' word, it... it's kinda offensive?"

'Oh, right, sorry' He hadn't really thought about the fact that Samantha would be more sensitive to these things than his usual friends. He'd have to watch that in the future.


"U-um, I'm gonna order food. I'll be back shortly."
While Samantha bobbed about at the bar, Alf decided to keep his Stand visible and surrupstitiously look around the room for anybody who could see the biomechanical pigman. He considered trying to make it wave, but decided that showing off his poor control would not be a good tactical decision and recalled it after a few minutes of standing about.

[roll0]


She got back at the table not much later, with the food in tow. She sat down politely, like royalty would. "Ahem, yeah, your stand is something. Honestly, it scared me a bit, haha. I'll try not to react like that in the future." Samantha said sheepishly, pressing his plate towards him.
'Honestly, it's not that great. All it's good at is making things smaller and it controls like trying to get your drunk uncle through paying the bill and getting in the taxi. Thanks!'


She grabbed a chip from her own, and held it up, where her big golem appeared for a second to touch the chip... leaving a black and shiny chip in its place! Samantha nommed on the candy piece, tasting the sweet licorice!

'See, I could never manage that. That doesn't look like Molasses, though?'

He ate a forkful of spaghetti, then said 'Do you have any plans on how to get through this tournament?'


"A rrrrrrroom for two more?" He said cheerfully, rolling the r on room.
The heavyset newcomer seemed vaguely familar beyond being on the team notification to Alf, but he couldn't think of where they might have met before. 'Grab a pew,' he replied, 'Sorry, we were both a bit early.' He indicates Ann. 'Nice tune'

[LaZodiac]

Alf, you don't see much out of ordinary, though given your life right now that's doesn't mean much. You do see what looks like a younger homeless person outside the bar, loitering, and quite peeved looking.

[Gnomish Wanderer]

'Honestly, it's not that great. All it's good at is making things smaller and it controls like trying to get your drunk uncle through paying the bill and getting in the taxi. Thanks!'

'See, I could never manage that. That doesn't look like Molasses, though?'Samantha grinned, her cheeks brightly colored as they perched up like she was telling some joke. She grabbed another fry chip and let her stand's hand appear for a moment, a thick gingerbread ghost waving out of hers to turn the food a dark black. She offered it across the table to Alf, not losing her grin.
He ate a forkful of spaghetti, then said 'Do you have any plans on how to get through this tournament?'
That seemed to sober her up a little. "Uh, good question. I... I guess we'll have to look out for each other. I am... usually very busy, so taking on a war is going to be..." She didn't follow up, instead seeming distracted for a moment as her schedule danced in her head.
John sweeps into the bar, then hesitates. He still isn't 100% sure of what his teammates are supposed to look like. He glanced around, waiting for his compatriot... before seein' a ragamuffin and a girl dressed up like royalty. Hoo boy, that might be something. John would step over to them, waving his ride down, before tugging out a chair and casually sitting in next to them! "A rrrrrrroom for two more?" He said cheerfully, rolling the r on room.
The heavyset newcomer seemed vaguely familiar beyond being on the team notification to Alf, but he couldn't think of where they might have met before. 'Grab a pew,' he replied, 'Sorry, we were both a bit early.' He indicates Ann. 'Nice tune'"Oh! John, yes?" She asked as the big stranger joined them. "Samantha." She said again, holding out her hand yet again. She hadn't really noticed Ann besides the fiery music filling the bar.

[Durkoala]

Samantha grinned, her cheeks brightly colored as they perched up like she was telling some joke. She grabbed another fry chip and let her stand's hand appear for a moment, a thick gingerbread ghost waving out of hers to turn the food a dark black. She offered it across the table to Alf, not losing her grin.
Keeping an eye on the strangely suspicious person outside to see if they reacted to Samantha's display of powers,
Alf took the licorice stick and, biting into it, discovered that mixing bolognase and sweet treats wasn't a great idea.


That seemed to sober her up a little. "Uh, good question. I... I guess we'll have to look out for each other. I am... usually very busy, so taking on a war is going to be..." She didn't follow up, instead seeming distracted for a moment as her schedule danced in her head.
Alf suddenly froze and looked her in the eye. 'Very busy? I was born in Ireland. Every person over thirty on the street can tell you that war doesn't care how busy you are'

[Tectonic Robot]

John grinned! His teammates were very very weird, but they didn't seem bad. You had the devil in a suit type Ann, the fairy princess type Samantha, and the... druggie lookin' kid, Alf. Honestly, he liked this team. He would have picked out a crew like this, if he was a team leader. This would make a good story, if they didn't die.

"So, uh. Yeah. Nice to meet you guys. I don't think we've met."

He also TOTALLY shook Samantha's hand. Firm. Tight grip!

[LaZodiac]

As you keep an eye on the homeless person outside, you notice he seems to have started a conversation with one of the leaving customers. It doesn't seem like it's bad, but it doesn't seem like it's GOOD either.

[Gnomish Wanderer]

"So, uh. Yeah. Nice to meet you guys. I don't think we've met."

He also TOTALLY shook Samantha's hand. Firm. Tight grip!Samantha shakes it back! Her own handshake was pretty firm also and she gave him a slight nod and and even slighter smile.
Keeping an eye on the strangely suspicious person outside to see if they reacted to Samantha's display of powers,
Alf took the licorice stick and, biting into it, discovered that mixing bolognase and sweet treats wasn't a great idea.

Alf suddenly froze and looked her in the eye. 'Very busy? I was born in Ireland. Every person over thirty on the street can tell you that war doesn't care how busy you are'"I..." She looked up at him with wide eyes, frozen up with her hand hovering over her plate of chip fries. She took the gloved hand back, glancing away for a second and closing her eyes, before looking back. "I am not trying to avoid it. I realize we've gotten pushed into a dangerous situation, but there are other real world concerns besides the rogue agents placed throughout the city to kill us. Not everything has to be so... so black and white. I can care about other problems too." She said, her voice somewhat monotone. Samantha pushed her fries John's way. "Feel free to eat up. We'll talk soon." She said politely, nodding as she rose up from the table.

Samantha made her way over to the pianist, having noted her entrance but not paying her more than a smidgen of attention before now. Samantha got up next to the piano, stifled another yawn, and then froze yet again! The girl before her was... beautiful.

[Mystic Muse]

Ann looked at Samantha out of the corner of her eye. Mostly, she largely kept paying attention to the instrument in front of her, clearly well practiced.

"May I help you, milady?" She asks completely nonsarcastically.

[Gnomish Wanderer]

Samantha felt herself blush, just counting herself blessed that the thick layer of facial makeup should have hidden it. Say something already! She screamed at herself in her head as the pink girl stood frozen by the piano for another moment. Finally she curtsyed, completely unironically herself, though the movements were a touch stiff.

"H-hello! I'm Samantha. Err, I'm sure you remember me from last night. And, you got the message with my picture, of course..." She gulped as she tried to regain herself. She should have looked at those pictures in her phone for more than an instant, she was scolding herself. Then she wouldn't be so caught offguard. Maybe.

"You're... a very good musician."

[Mystic Muse]

"Pleased to meet you, my lady Samantha. My name is Annabelle Lee, though I go by Ann. I figured we would use this place for our first meetup, and then use my house as a headquarters after. That is, unless anyone has any objections, or places they would prefer." Ann says, continuing to play her song. Doesn't seem as if much distracts her from her music.

[Gnomish Wanderer]

Samantha definitely was a bit flustered by the charming woman playing the piano before her. "I-It's definitely a good idea to get someplace that isn't so public. I think I may attract the most attention out of all of us. I suppose when we're apart we'll just be texting each other to make plans and inform about any other stand users we find then, hm? Uh, so, what does your stand do? Alf over there can make things smaller, it seems, and I have a sweet touch."

[Mystic Muse]

Samantha definitely was a bit flustered by the charming woman playing the piano before her. "I-It's definitely a good idea to get someplace that isn't so public. I think I may attract the most attention out of all of us. I suppose when we're apart we'll just be texting each other to make plans and inform about any other stand users we find then, hm? Uh, so, what does your stand do? Alf over there can make things smaller, it seems, and I have a sweet touch."

"Texting is probably what we'll be stuck with, yes. Put in a basic way like that, my Stand can throw hellfire at people, and give me truespeech. It might have some other abilities I don't know about though." She says, finishing her song.

"I guess I'll take my break now." She says, opening her to go bag with her burger inside, and taking a bite. "Does anybody have any concerns we should immediately address?"

[Tectonic Robot]

John rolled his eyes. Were these two flirting? Already? Sheesh! They could at least wait until they had discussed important business.

The heavyset guy shifted forward, clearing his throat. "The first order of business, I think, is figuring out how to find others in this crazy game, and how to... er... neutralize them." John shook his head a bit ruefully. "I'm sure our group stands out to the others as one that's probably a stand-gang; we hardly look like the kind of people who would just be friends in our freetime."

[Durkoala]

"I..." She looked up at him with wide eyes, frozen up with her hand hovering over her plate of chip fries. She took the gloved hand back, glancing away for a second and closing her eyes, before looking back. "I am not trying to avoid it. I realize we've gotten pushed into a dangerous situation, but there are other real world concerns besides the rogue agents placed throughout the city to kill us. Not everything has to be so... so black and white. I can care about other problems too." She said, her voice somewhat monotone. Samantha pushed her fries John's way.

Alf stared incredulously at Samantha, but couldn't find any fitting words before she left. With nobody else to talk to, he turned to John.


"So, uh. Yeah. Nice to meet you guys. I don't think we've met."

Left alone with the buff guy, Alf offered his hand too. 'Alf Agley. I guess we're all here now.' He indicates Ann again. 'Do you know the last girl of our group?'

John was an unknown quality, so Alf paid attention to his reply, even as he slurped up another tangle of spaghetti.


John rolled his eyes. Were these two flirting? Already? Sheesh! They could at least wait until they had discussed important business.

The heavyset guy shifted forward, clearing his throat. "The first order of business, I think, is figuring out how to find others in this crazy game, and how to... er... neutralize them." John shook his head a bit ruefully. "I'm sure our group stands out to the others as one that's probably a stand-gang; we hardly look like the kind of people who would just be friends in our freetime."

Alf spoke up 'Hey, I have a condition for how we work: we don't kill anybody. This whole thing is a giant ****up, and I don't want to give the ****stains who started this any satisfaction. Whatever you want out of this ****ing mess, I swear I will help all of you with everything I've got, if you all agree to this rule.'

He took a breath, then added: 'But he's right, we stick out like a diamond in the ****ing sweep's earhole.'

[Gnomish Wanderer]

"Texting is probably what we'll be stuck with, yes. Put in a basic way like that, my Stand can throw hellfire at people, and give me truespeech. It might have some other abilities I don't know about though." She says, finishing her song.

"I guess I'll take my break now." She says, opening her to go bag with her burger inside, and taking a bite. "Does anybody have any concerns we should immediately address?"Samantha followed her back towards the guys, sneaking a lingering glance on how the lights hit the beautiful woman's face. She felt warm.
"The first order of business, I think, is figuring out how to find others in this crazy game, and how to... er... neutralize them." John shook his head a bit ruefully. "I'm sure our group stands out to the others as one that's probably a stand-gang; we hardly look like the kind of people who would just be friends in our freetime."
Alf spoke up 'Hey, I have a condition for how we work: we don't kill anybody. This whole thing is a giant ****up, and I don't want to give the ****stains who started this any satisfaction. Whatever you want out of this ****ing mess, I swear I will help all of you with everything I've got, if you all agree to this rule.'

He took a breath, then added: 'But he's right, we stick out like a diamond in the ****ing sweep's earhole.'Samatha stood with out-toes and her arms folded, one atop the other. She grimaced slightly. "We still don't know what these stands can do, what we're facing. What if someone just pulls a gun on us instead?" She gave Alf a pointed look. "This is war, isn't it? I don't think you can choose a pacifist option in open warfare. We have to defend ourselves." She kept her tone strong.

"Though, yeah, I agree, John is right in that. We're hardly the sort of people that look like they'd hang out. I... I'm still worried that my dress and our group composition is just painting a target. Being attacked, AKA finding our enemy, shouldn't be hard, if we can defend ourselves." Samantha didn't move, nearly statuesque as she was speaking. "We need to keep alert, be ready to help one another, and figure out what these stands can do, moreso than what we already know. Maybe train. What do you all think of that?"

[Mystic Muse]

"Sounds reasonable. And remember, there's a decent chance there could be people in this like serial killers, or others who will have no qualms about killing us, in which case we may have no choice. I'm fine with ending a fight non-lethally if it's an option, but if it's not, I'm going to prioritize us over them. Does that sound acceptable?" Ann asks, taking out a cigarette, lighting it, taking a drag, and blowing the smoke into the air away from her compatriots.

[Tectonic Robot]

"Serial killers? In our town? I find that a little difficult to believe..."

John shifts in his chair. "I, of course, don't intend on killing anyone! But, well. Let's not make any promises we might break in the future."The heavyset male drops his smile. "This is a very serious situation we've been thrown in, and we need to take it very seriously. After all, our goal isn't just survival; if we win, we're supposed to get a wish. That's a very tempting offer."

He nodded in agreement with Ann as she spoke. That was probably a better way of saying it.

[LaZodiac]

As the argument continues, you see that the homeless looking one, a kid around 18 or so in a raggedy brown coat, suddenly punch the other person in the face. A fist fight breaks out.

While you're all talking, you see the bartender start to look concerned at what seems to be a scuffle going on outside. You've missed how it started, but he quietly instructs the bouncer, a man wearing actual knight armour, to go deal with it. Said bouncer exits the bar.

[Durkoala]

Samantha followed her back towards the guys, sneaking a lingering glance on how the lights hit the beautiful woman's face. She felt warm.Samatha stood with out-toes and her arms folded, one atop the other. She grimaced slightly. "We still don't know what these stands can do, what we're facing. What if someone just pulls a gun on us instead?" She gave Alf a pointed look. "This is war, isn't it? I don't think you can choose a pacifist option in open warfare. We have to defend ourselves." She kept her tone strong.

"Though, yeah, I agree, John is right in that. We're hardly the sort of people that look like they'd hang out. I... I'm still worried that my dress and our group composition is just painting a target. Being attacked, AKA finding our enemy, shouldn't be hard, if we can defend ourselves." Samantha didn't move, nearly statuesque as she was speaking. "We need to keep alert, be ready to help one another, and figure out what these stands can do, moreso than what we already know. Maybe train. What do you all think of that?"


'Yeah, there's no way around us fighting unless we all decide to leave town together, but we can't let the ****heads who started this run the it way they want. But...' Alf suddenly grinned and held up something. It looked like a fir tree in a tiny pot, barely as tall as his finger. 'It's a lot easier to hold even murderers when they're two inches tall.'

He paused for second to let the group look at the shrunken tree, then said 'If it's OK if I tell the others your stand's power, there's an even better option'


"Sounds reasonable. And remember, there's a decent chance there could be people in this like serial killers, or others who will have no qualms about killing us, in which case we may have no choice. I'm fine with ending a fight non-lethally if it's an option, but if it's not, I'm going to prioritize us over them. Does that sound acceptable?" Ann asks, taking out a cigarette, lighting it, taking a drag, and blowing the smoke into the air away from her compatriots.

Alf looked at Ann warily, but her proposal was reasonable. 'Uh, yeah, we should do our best to stay alive. Just don't kill people if it's not necessary.'


"Serial killers? In our town? I find that a little difficult to believe..."

John shifts in his chair. "I, of course, don't intend on killing anyone! But, well. Let's not make any promises we might break in the future."The heavyset male drops his smile. "This is a very serious situation we've been thrown in, and we need to take it very seriously. After all, our goal isn't just survival; if we win, we're supposed to get a wish. That's a very tempting offer."

He nodded in agreement with Ann as she spoke. That was probably a better way of saying it.

Alf nodded grimly 'So you want to win this deathmatch, then?' The mention of a wish seems to have made him a little less sure of himself though.


As the argument continues, you see that the homeless looking one, a kid around 18 or so in a raggedy brown coat, suddenly punch the other person in the face. A fist fight breaks out.

While you're all talking, you see the bartender start to look concerned at what seems to be a scuffle going on outside. You've missed how it started, but he quietly instructs the bouncer, a man wearing actual knight armour, to go deal with it. Said bouncer exits the bar.

'I think we should go check that. Quietly.' To Ann he adds, 'Does this place have a back exit? I think we should get behind them to stop them from running'

[Mystic Muse]

'Yeah, there's no way around us fighting unless we all decide to leave town together, but we can't let the ****heads who started this run the it way they want. But...' Alf suddenly grinned and held up something. It looked like a fir tree in a tiny pot, barely as tall as his finger. 'It's a lot easier to hold even murderers when they're two inches tall.'

He paused for second to let the group look at the shrunken tree, then said 'If it's OK if I tell the others your stand's power, there's an even better option'



Alf looked at Ann warily, but her proposal was reasonable. 'Uh, yeah, we should do our best to stay alive. Just don't kill people if it's not necessary.'



Alf nodded grimly 'So you want to win this deathmatch, then?' The mention of a wish seems to have made him a little less sure of himself though.



'I think we should go check that. Quietly.' To Ann he adds, 'Does this place have a back exit? I think we should get behind them to stop them from running'

"Yes, but it's employees only so I'll have to go." Ann says, looking at her cigarette in disappointment. She puts it out on the back of her hand without looking like she even noticed it and puts the stub in her pocket.

"See you outside." She says, heading to the back exit through the kitchen.

[Gnomish Wanderer]

Samantha shifted towards the fight, standing up firmly and looking in its direction. As the bouncer moved out, she froze a bit, shifting her weight forward as though she were sitting back down, but then froze staring at her hand. The image of the thick gingerbread golem hand shifted from her own, holding itself open for her for a moment, which caused her face to adopt a serious mask, expression drained from her features.

"We can help now, yeah. Let's go. Samantha took long steps, her stride soft and rolling her heel down with every step, a sense of grace deeply instilled in her walk. She headed for the door and pushed it open fiercely, not really checking if her newfound friends had made it with her, standing determined to the side of the bouncer to see what was happening next.

[Durkoala]

"Yes, but it's employees only so I'll have to go." Ann says, looking at her cigarette in disappointment. She puts it out on the back of her hand without looking like she even noticed it and puts the stub in her pocket.

"See you outside." She says, heading to the back exit through the kitchen.

Alf looked at her suspiciously, but turned and headed towards the front door as Ann left.


Samantha shifted towards the fight, standing up firmly and looking in its direction. As the bouncer moved out, she froze a bit, shifting her weight forward as though she were sitting back down, but then froze staring at her hand. The image of the thick gingerbread golem hand shifted from her own, holding itself open for her for a moment, which caused her face to adopt a serious mask, expression drained from her features.

"We can help now, yeah. Let's go. Samantha took long steps, her stride soft and rolling her heel down with every step, a sense of grace deeply instilled in her walk. She headed for the door and pushed it open fiercely, not really checking if her newfound friends had made it with her, standing determined to the side of the bouncer to see what was happening next.

Alf trailed along behind Samantha, but stopped in the doorway, out of sight of the bouncer. He kept one hand in his pocket and constantly shifted his weight from leg to leg. Hopefully nobody was looking at him and how suspicous he was acting, but the memory of last night's announcement had made him rather jittery.

[Tectonic Robot]

John brings up the rear, not having much to say quite yet. Hey! Perhaps they could use their powers to help break up this brawl...

[LaZodiac]

The bouncer gets outside first, and tries to break up the small brawl that's broken out, now involving three passer-bys and at least two customers. One of them kicks the armoured bouncer in the shin, shouting something about demons and monsters coming to tear at him. The others are likewise ranting and raving, and it's barely possible to tell what's really going on beyond people beating on each other. As Alf, Samantha, and John leave through the front door, some of the people involved look at the group. One of them has a strange mark on his face, which looks like a cartoon-y paw print. It's black and looks like a tattoo.

The guy who started the fight ran off as you guys got up. He's running the way Ann is going though.

------

Ann, you exit out the back into the parking lot. It's empty, except for yourself and one individual that's had just turned the corner. He looks like a homeless person, around 18 years old. Shaggy, dark blue hair and a ragged brown coat. He seems a little out of breath, and doesn't seem to really be taking you notice.

[Mystic Muse]

Ann just glares at the person.

"Stand down. We don't have to have a problem."

[roll0] intimidate check.

[LaZodiac]

"H-hey...what'd I do?" he asks, putting his hands up defensively. It seems Ann's intimidating glare has worked, he looks pretty nervous.

[Durkoala]

Alf doesn't like the idea of getting involved in this melee and hovers behind Samantha. It feels wrong hiding behind a frilly girl who barely comes up to his chin, but she's got a powerful Stand so it makes tactical sense, right? ...He really hopes she's got a powerful stand.

'A scruffy guy just ran around the corner, I think he's got something to do with this.' As casually and unconcerned as he can, he then says 'Do you think Ann'll be able to look after him?'

[Mystic Muse]

"H-hey...what'd I do?" he asks, putting his hands up defensively. It seems Ann's intimidating glare has worked, he looks pretty nervous.

"That's a question I'd prefer you answer. What exactly did you do, and why?" Ann says.

[LaZodiac]

"I-I didn't do anything...unless you mean defending myself" The kid answered. "That guy punched ME, I had to fight back!"

Deceit check: [roll0]

[Mystic Muse]

"Or you could have called the cops, or ran, or done any number of other things. Even if I believe that you didn't throw the first punch, which I'm not sure I do, you had other options."

[LaZodiac]

He out turns his coat pockets, leaving only lint on the ground in front of him. "Does it look like I have a cellphone? Why does it matter anyway, I'm not fightin', I'm trying to get home."

[Mystic Muse]

He out turns his coat pockets, leaving only lint on the ground in front of him. "Does it look like I have a cellphone? Why does it matter anyway, I'm not fightin', I'm trying to get home."

"And where exactly is home?" Ann asks, oulling out her own cell phone.

[LaZodiac]

"I'm homeless and there's a shelter for people for me between us. Where do you think home is?" he says. His tone is almost taunting. He hooks his fingers toward Anna in a motion to say 'get over here' and adds, in a clearly mocking way "though if you're offering a place to stay I definitely wouldn't mind."

[Mystic Muse]

"Well, unfortunately, what with you being a witness to a crime it's no longer that simple. I'm going to have to call the police, and you're going to have to stay and share your side of the events. You can go home after that's over if you're found to be innocent." Ann says firmly

[LaZodiac]

He walks towards Ann, holding his arms out "come on...it's not that big a deal. I'm sure the fight's already finished by now, with no one hurt to boot. It's fine."

[Mystic Muse]

Ann begins dialing a number.

"You aren't looking very innocent, buddy."

[LaZodiac]

"Whatever then, yah freak. I'm going home." the kid said, and he briskly walks past Ann, within arm's reach.

[Mystic Muse]

"Whatever then, yah freak. I'm going home." the kid said, and he briskly walks past Ann, within arm's reach.

"One last question before you leave. Does the phrase "stand user" mean anything to you by chance?"

[LaZodiac]

"Not at all. Get out of here with that nonsense." he says, spitting at the ground, before resuming walking away.

Deceit: [roll0]

[Mystic Muse]

Insight check to determine if lying.

[roll0]

[LaZodiac]

As far as you can tell Ann, he's telling the truth.

[Gnomish Wanderer]

Samantha nods putting a hand up. "Maybe. Alf, go see if Ann stopped him, John and I will see if we can put a stop to this." She says.

The frilly girl stepped forward into the crowd, holding her hands up like she was a negotiator. "Everyone, calm down!" She yelled, moving to push the kicker away from the bouncer.[roll0]

[Mystic Muse]

As far as you can tell Ann, he's telling the truth.

"Well then. Since you aren't my enemy..." she says, pulling her wallet out. "How about a 20?" She says, holding out the bill and freely offering it.

[LaZodiac]

Samantha, you're easily able to push the angry, shin kicking man away from the bouncer. However, as you interject, the bouncer suddenly lets out a shout. "Ah! A demon has appeared!" he shouts, and he'll then reel his arm back and try to slug you in the face.

A Right ole punch vs Samantha: [roll0] vs her dodge. If it hits, it's a DC 19 toughness check to avoid taking damage.

Samantha, you're easily able to duck the armoured bouncer's fist, which barely even messes up your make up.

This will start the fight, so now'd be a good time to roll initiative.

------

The kid stops, then turns and walks back to you with a smile. "Thanks...it's appreciated." he says as he grabs the 20 dollar bill. There is then a strange, almost toy box whirring sound, as a dark blue aura erupts from him. "Cat's in the Cradle!" he shouts, as a jack in the box, robotic cat springs out from behind him, it's fists rotating on springs and looking like giant cat paw shaped boxing gloves, it's face a wide, painted don chesire grin, it's eyes two screws. It rears back and launches a punch directly for Anna's eye.

Cat's Paw vs Ann: [roll1] vs her dodge, with a minus 2 due to not expecting it. If it hits, it's a DC 15 toughness check to avoid taking damage.

Ann, you get struck right in the eye, and you hear a cartoon like sound effect as it collides with you, and if you weren't getting punched in the eye you imagine you'd see cartoon letters pop up. Regardless of your upcoming toughness check, you feel a little weird.

Regardless of the result he'll jump back five feet, and I'd like you to roll initiative too.

[Mystic Muse]

[roll0] initiative

[roll1] toughness.

The Stand's attack bounces off of Ann like Amethyst off of the Red Eye.

"Sympathy For the Devil." Ann says, summoning her own stand.

"And what exactly was that supposed to do?"

[Gnomish Wanderer]

Initiative: [roll0]
Samantha did indeed dive under the fist of the bulky knight as she glanced at her companions for a moment. "Do you think this is the work of a stand then? Either way, John and I can.... knock these people out so they don't cause any more trouble."

[Tectonic Robot]

Initiative: [roll0]

John blinked. Then blinked again. Ah, well, things seemed a bit surprising. "Well, they seem possessed by some kind of... anger." He said, wincing as Samantha was nearly socked in the face. "Also... shouting about demons isn't a good sign." John walked forward, holding out his hands. "Can we just fight these guys? Will that look suspicious? Ah, well."

A greyish glow emanated from John; Sam might be, for a moment, reminded of a vast, old library where no one was supposed to talk, ever. Then, John's stand emerged, only for a moment; pale, ragged gray skin, a thin body with long, long fingers, the head out of sight for the moment. It took a swipe that was somehow lazy and extroadinarily fast at the same time at the bouncer.

Stand Attack, nonlethal: [roll1] For when John's turn comes around.

[Durkoala]

Initiative: [roll0]


Samantha nods putting a hand up. "Maybe. Alf, go see if Ann stopped him, John and I will see if we can put a stop to this." She says.


Alf frowned at the prospect of having to check on Ann, but nodded. 'OK. Be careful'


"Do you think this is the work of a stand then? Either way, John and I can.... knock these people out so they don't cause any more trouble."


John blinked. Then blinked again. Ah, well, things seemed a bit surprising. "Well, they seem possessed by some kind of... anger." He said, wincing as Samantha was nearly socked in the face. "Also... shouting about demons isn't a good sign." John walked forward, holding out his hands. "Can we just fight these guys? Will that look suspicious? Ah, well."

A greyish glow emanated from John; Sam might be, for a moment, reminded of a vast, old library where no one was supposed to talk, ever. Then, John's stand emerged, only for a moment; pale, ragged gray skin, a thin body with long, long fingers, the head out of sight for the moment. It took a swipe that was somehow lazy and extroadinarily fast at the same time at the bouncer.

'I'd rather it was just a stand than ****off demons. Our lives are ****ed up enough as it is.' Then he turned and sprinted for the street corner.

[LaZodiac]

Once the bouncer started fighting and shouting, the others were whipped into a frenzy, screaming about monsters, or bandits, or other such nonsense.

Customer A: [roll0]
Customer B: [roll1]
Customer C: [roll2]

Passerby A: [roll3]
Passerby B: [roll4]

Bouncer: [roll5]

------

The guy laughs at Ann's question. "Oh...hahaha...you'll see. That's one down." he says, tauntingly.

Cat's In the Cradle: [roll6]

Initiative set. Ann is first!

[Mystic Muse]

Sympathy for the devil just points at the guy, and a blast of hellfire shoots out at him.

[roll0] versus dodge. DC 27 toughness save if it hits.

[LaZodiac]

The blast of fire burns through the stand user, and his body pops like a balloon. You hear his voice echoing through the air, laughing at you. You realize why you're head is feeling weird now, it appears he's done something to mess with your perception of things. You're not sure about all the details, obviously, but you're pretty sure he's around here SOMEWHERE, and what you just exploded was fake. Of course, you realize you already knew that...

Looking at the burn marks on the ground, you can see where he is. He was standing just off to the side of where he was...you imagine your blast of fire singed him, and he's making himself look invisible. Looking closely you can even see the faint distortion he's making.

------

Customer A lets out a whoop as if he's a cowboy and delivers a flying drop kick towards John's chest!

A Dropkick: [roll0] vs John's dodge. If it hits, it's a DC16 toughness check.

It's a miss, the customer just kinda flopping onto the floor pathetically.

The Bouncer, still shouting about demons, wildly swings towards Samantha.

Punchin' You: [roll1] vs her dodge. If it hits It's a DC19 toughness check.

The wild swinging hits, his armoured knuckles clanking against her cheek. A cute paw print mark like tattoo appears on her cheek.

Passerby A howls and throws out a wild palm thrust...at Customer C!

Thrust!: [roll2] vs his dodge. Spoilers these guys other than The Bouncer are minions so if he gets hit this'll take em out.

It hits! The customer lets out a gurgle as he falls backward! He bonks his head on the curb and is out cold!

Customer B throws himself at John, punching rapidly as if he's some kind of super hero.

Punchpunchpunch: [roll3] vs John's dodge. If it hits, it's a DC16 toughness check.

The customer hits, his fists thudding against John's chest.

Passerby B performs an actually pretty stunning heel kick to the Bouncer!

HEEL KICK!: [roll4] vs his dodge. Spoilers these guys other than The Bouncer are minions so if he gets hit this'll take em out.

This hits, the bouncer buckling a little under the pain of his being kicked.

Samantha, after a brief moment of vertigo, everything is made of candy. It's like that one sequence from the Simpsons. Everyone is a candy golem, including yourself!.

John, everything's changed to look like a Starry Night by Vincent Van Go. It's making it hard to see, but it looks cool. That said...everyone looks like some horrid deep one from Shadow Over Innsmouth. Uh oh.

John's turn!

[Tectonic Robot]

John puts his hands in his pockets, glancing around and whistling. "Is this the power of a stand? It's beautiful... and horrifying" He remarked, his towering, slender stand standing beside him. "Well, whatever. 4'33, I don't know if everyone but me was transformed into a monster, or if this is some sort of illusion, but we're putting a stop to it. Starting with..." 4'33 formed it's claw into a boney fist, then swung right at Senor Dropkick!

[roll0] Stand Attack!

[LaZodiac]

4'33's fist slams into the crawling creature's torso! It sputters and passes out.

------

Alf, it's your turn. You turn the corner to see Ann and the homeless looking kid standing in front of each other. The kid is off to the side just a bit, and he looks a little concerned...though he is also smiling. There's a large scorch mark on the ground in front of Ann that reaches forward about ten feet.

[Durkoala]

Alf took stock of the situation. One irritating teammate, two stands, signs of a struggle, and the fugitive who fled the fight, all in the parking lot of what passed for his home. The sight of the Side Door jogged Alf's memory: he knew the fugitive! His name was, um... Christian? Logan? Carter?

'You've done a great job, Annabel, but it's time to let the professionals step in,' he called 'Hey, Ethan. Jack Bean's on course to ****ing wreck all the stand users she finds and there's four of us and one of you. Give up and I'll make sure she leaves you alone'

Intimidation: [roll0]

[LaZodiac]

Ethan looked at Alf with confusion. "...I have no idea what you're talking about!" he said, and suddenly dashed towards him, his stand spiraling forward. It swung a dramatic right hook at Alf's face. "But you're an enemy...so eat this!"

Cat Paw vs Alf: [roll0] vs his dodge. If it hits, that's a DC15 toughness check.

It hits, Ethan's stand slamming Alf on the cheek. Regardless of any actual damage it does, a cartoonish paw print mark appears on his face, and Ethan laughs "Two down..." and he appears to vanish, popping like a balloon.

Ann, you can see a shimmering bit of disturbance in the air next to Alf. He's clearly still next to him.

Ethan Carter reappears behind Ann, and he's drawing out a knife. She doesn't seem to notice him at all.

Ann, it's your turn!

[Mystic Muse]

Ann flings another ball of hellfire at where Ethan really is this time.

"Sorry Alf, but right now this ******* is trying to kill us, so down he goes."

[roll0]

[LaZodiac]

The fireball hits home, scorching through the air and leaving a dark trail across the ground.

Toughness Check: [roll0]

The fire ball slams into Ethan, knocking him over, but he seems to have managed to survive the brunt of it! His arms are now on fire.

Alf, it seems Ann is firing AT YOU. You almost had no time to respond, and the blast of fire barely missed you. She also has the same cat paw like mark on her eye.

------

Since everyone in the other side of the fight is currently having...let's say, issues, I'm going to freehand this stuff. I rolled in real life to avoid double posting and to keep some information hidden, sorry~.

One of the candy golems lifts his hands and with a resounding crash, smashes another one to pieces! It falls over, seemingly defeated. One of the smaller candy boys delivers a spin kick to you, but you're able to dodge it, the faint smell of bubblegum hitting your senses. A third candy person tries to chop a fourth one, and though it hits nothing untowards seems to happen to the other.

One of the horrid, gibbering beasts spears another in the back with a downward swing of it's spiked weapon, taking it down. Another more adept looking frogman kicks at another, but it's able to avoid the strike. Another of the foul beasts lunges at you, trying to strangle you to death! It grabs on, but you're able to shake it off none the worse for wear.

John, your turn.

[Durkoala]

Toughness: [roll0]

Alf steps back and the swipe glances off his face. It stings slightly, but he shouts to Ann 'No, we can still take him alive! There's a lot we need to ask him!'
Then he yelps and flinches. '****ing watch where you're firing that!'

[Tectonic Robot]

John rubbed the back of his head. So he and 4'33 had slobberknocked one of these guys. John had no idea how this power worked, however; he could have been teleported into another world, or these people could be transformed monsters, or he could just be hallucinating. Honestly, though... he wasn't exactly feeling... threatened by them. And it looked neat. 4'33 emerged again, standing behind John, the would-be poet standing with his hands in his pockets, glancing around as the slimy faced deep ones loomed around him, silent.

[LaZodiac]

Gnomish's turn! By which I mean she can take the turn I missed, and then take her actual turn!

[Gnomish Wanderer]

Samantha was mystified by the sudden candied world she found herself. Was this some new thing her power was doing? She wasn't sure, nor did she rightly have the time to figure it out. With the enemies all around her she took in a breath and there Candyman was, standing beside her. She moved back, the big golem mirroring her movements perfectly, and swung a punch to one of the candied figures!
[roll0] to hit with a DC27 vs Toughness!

[LaZodiac]

Candyman's fist slams into the back of one of the candy shaped people, and they shatter, falling to pieces!

Gnomish's turn again!

[Gnomish Wanderer]

Samantha spun about, letting the Candyman throw another strong punch towards another of the figures, invigorated by the collapse of the first figure!
[roll0] to hit with a DC27 vs Toughness!

[LaZodiac]

With a resounding crash, another candy monster falls to pieces under your fists! Only two remain, one of which seems ready to fight, the other seemingly standing around, dumbstruck.

All of a sudden, one of the mindflayer esque monsters lashes out, slaughtering two of the deep ones. Only two remain, and both are quite violent looking, covered in gore that swirls around their hands like the night sky.

Alf's turn!

[Durkoala]

Alf looked around for Ethan, rummaging through his pockets as he did so. 'You know, Jack ****ing Bean in her bloody white tower! Seriously nasty arch-dealer lady with connections across the country? Stone-cold control freak bitch with **** temper and worse friends? She's bound to be as ****ing pissed as a hornet in a bar about a bunch of hunger games ****ers strutting about on her turf, and you have no idea what the **** you're doing here, do you?'

Suddenly he sprints towards Ann, looking rather like a scarecrow that's suddenly heard the call of nature and abandoned its post. 'Behind you!' he screams, pulling something from his pocket.

Going for shuriken
Chance of standing out [roll0] Subtle
Misfire chance [roll1] No misfire
Misfire roll [roll2] Not needed


Alf pulls out a handful of paring knives, each roughly the length of a finger.

[LaZodiac]

And now it's Ethan's turn!

"I still have no idea what you're talking about! Like, seriously, for real." Ethan taunts. He even goes as far as to stick out his tongue at you. He then rears back, clearly preparing to stab Ann in the back. She doesn't seem to notice what's going on.

For some reason Alf runs in front of you shouting out something being behind you. Ethan meanwhile sticks his tongue out at you and turns the corner, running off.

Ann's turn!

[Mystic Muse]

Ann runs after him, undeterred, throwing another fireball at him.

[roll0]

[LaZodiac]

Ann just kind of pushes past Alf and pursues Ethan around the corner. He's within range, and a searing blast of fire slams into his back! He falls, and doesn't get up.

Samantha, John, you both leave the illusionary world he had put you in, and now everyone is able to see what actually happened. The other crazed people are laying on the floor, beaten up quite badly but alive.

[Durkoala]

Alf runs over to Ethan and crouches by him. The unused knives are shoved back into his pockets and he pulls out a bottle of painkillers. With some effort, he flips Ethan over and checks to see if he's obviously alive or conscious.

'SAMANTHA! I NEED YOU HERE RIGHT THE **** NOW!'
Medical check [roll0]

[LaZodiac]

Unfortunately, Ethan seems pretty dead.

[Mystic Muse]

Ann turns around, puts a new cigarette in her mouth, and begins walking back to the bar, lighting it as she does, not saying a thing. She puts her lighter and cigarettes back in her pockets, followed shortly after by her hands as she casually walks away.

She looks up at the sky and mutters something.

[Gnomish Wanderer]

Samantha blinks repeatedly as the candyland fades and the razed civilians are downed before her. "Wha-" She starts to stammer, in a rush of confusion, before she hears her name being shouted. She takes an instant to glance John's way, giving him a small nod. "Take care of the people here, will you?"

She then books it, rushing around the corner to skid as she takes in the scene of Ann walking off and of Alf and Ethan on the ground. The princess stays frozen for a second. "What's happening here, is he another one who went crazy?"

[Tectonic Robot]

John frowns. "Wait, take care of the--" He begins, before frowning. Whoooo did she think he was? A doctor? A saint? John looks around at the myriad of less-monsters, now-people, before rubbing the back of his head. Being the only go standing after a brawl was... disconcerting. He paused for a moment, before sidling back into the bar and leaving the victims of the attack on the ground. They'd be fiiiine. The police were probably already on their way.

John re-entered and saw Samantha hurrying out the back. He rubbed the back of his head, feeling thoroughly out of the loop. "Sheeze, so much for our first team meeting." He muttered to himself, stopping by the bar to order a calming glass of milk!

[LaZodiac]

The bar keep gives John his milk, clearly trying to stay out of what happened.

It's around this time that the seemingly dead Ethan groans a little. Seems he's only mostly dead.

[Durkoala]

She then books it, rushing around the corner to skid as she takes in the scene of Ann walking off and of Alf and Ethan on the ground. The princess stays frozen for a second. "What's happening here, is he another one who went crazy?"

Alf doesn't look up at Samantha. 'I think he's the guy responsible for this. Ann blasted him. I think. I'm not sure what happened there' He fiddles with the bottle for a second and says nothing. 'I don't know what to do now. Do we hide him away or try tell his family?'



It's around this time that the seemingly dead Ethan groans a little. Seems he's only mostly dead.

'Holy****holy****holy****!' Alf grins madly and leans in close to Ethan's face. 'If you turned him into licorice, could you turn him back? Would he still be alive? Actually, wait a second...'

He quickly goes through Ethan's pockets, looking for anything helpful or valuble.

[roll0]

[Gnomish Wanderer]

"Ah, good, okay, so Ann stopped the crazines-" She started to say, before Alf got distracted with the not-quite-dying man. Samantha moved over to his side as Alf started to loot the pockets of the downed opponent, pressing gently on his shoulders as she settled in next to him, looking down at Ethan's stirring body.

"Um, yeah, I can turn him back. It worked on the squirrel, anyway. But he'll still be a person-sized candy, so that's not exactly an... ideal way to store someone, you know?" She grabbed her other hand, looking down a bit, her brain spinning. "Maybe we can find a freezer or something, in case he becomes a candy that melts, and store the other stand users there until this tournament is over? Kidnapping, yeah, but at least... at least we can get around killing him and leaving him here to get revenge on us."

Candyman loomed behind her, ready to pick Ethan up and get to work.

[LaZodiac]

Alf, you don't find anything while rummaging through his clothing, not even a phone.

[Durkoala]

"Ah, good, okay, so Ann stopped the crazines-" She started to say, before Alf got distracted with the not-quite-dying man. Samantha moved over to his side as Alf started to loot the pockets of the downed opponent, pressing gently on his shoulders as she settled in next to him, looking down at Ethan's stirring body.

"Um, yeah, I can turn him back. It worked on the squirrel, anyway. But he'll still be a person-sized candy, so that's not exactly an... ideal way to store someone, you know?" She grabbed her other hand, looking down a bit, her brain spinning. "Maybe we can find a freezer or something, in case he becomes a candy that melts, and store the other stand users there until this tournament is over? Kidnapping, yeah, but at least... at least we can get around killing him and leaving him here to get revenge on us."

Candyman loomed behind her, ready to pick Ethan up and get to work.

'OK, I can shrink him away once you've candied him. That gives us more space to work with. Uh, yeah, if I shrink him first, then you take him to see if there's a freezer around, then?' Alf sat back and took a breath before calling forth Ace of Spades. A slimy grey hand peeled out from him, followed by the the rest of the Stand slowly rising out of his back like some kind of swamp monster. Clumsily yet gently, it pressed a hand to Ethan's chest and seemed to flex some kind of internal muscle.

With the faintest rushing gurgle and a quiet rapid ticking, Ethan started to shrink away; the tube leading from its elbow bucked and twitched as something insubstantial was pumped through it. Alf found himself disquieted by the process: it was uneasily organic, especially now it was being used on a living person. When Ethan was the size of a tin can, he willed the hand to lift and break the connection.

'You... should probably ask Ann if there's a freezer here or something.' He paused for second, glancing at the aftermath of the brawl. 'Uh, what happened here anyway?'

[Gnomish Wanderer]

Samantha stood aside as Ethan shrank, mouth aghast and the barest hint of a grimace as she watched Ace of Spades work. "Jesus." Was really all she could say as the process finished.

"I guess that takes care of that. I'll candy him and store him in my freezer at home? My mom won't disturb my tupperware." Samantha took a breath and wiped her face, as though cleaning off the horrified expression. Then she reached down, pantomiming the movements of Candy man as the golem held Ethan in its big hand.

Like an ocean washing away a sandcastle, a wave pressed and distorted Ethan for the barest of moments, leaving behind a candy figure!

[LaZodiac]

With Samantha's touch, Ethan's body changes to appear as though it's coated with the edible candy coating of a smartie or MnM.

[Mystic Muse]

Ann walked back into the bar, sat back down at the piano, and began playing again. Dude was God's problem now, not hers.

[Durkoala]

"I guess that takes care of that. I'll candy him and store him in my freezer at home? My mom won't disturb my tupperware." Samantha took a breath and wiped her face, as though cleaning off the horrified expression. Then she reached down, pantomiming the movements of Candy man as the golem held Ethan in its big hand.

Like an ocean washing away a sandcastle, a wave pressed and distorted Ethan for the barest of moments, leaving behind a candy figure!

'Uh, that's a neat trick' Alf seemed to be both intrigued and slightly repelled by Ethan's transformation. He peered at the little figure, but was wary of being too close in case the transformation was somehow contagious. After a second or two he tore his gaze away and stood up, flexing his fingers.
'We should probably go rejoin the others inside. You go ahead, I want to check something out here'

He glanced around at the street and the battered patrons.

[LaZodiac]

Aside from the fact that they're all knocked out cold the other people seem fine. The bouncer is clearly in the process of waking up.

[Gnomish Wanderer]

"Ah, alright..." She said, holding the little candy man and moving him to a safe pocket in her bag for now. She patted Alf on his shoulder and quickly scooted off, taking a glance at the waking patrons, around the bar and into the front. Samantha sighed a bit as she pushed back into the bar and in a graceful sort of saunter she glided over to the piano, leaning slightly against it as Ann was playing. She closed her eyes and just listened to the music, clearing her mind.

[Durkoala]

Alf waited until Samantha was inside the pub before slinking over to better assess the condition of Ethan's minions... he would say to anybody who asked what he was doing. Well, no rest for the wicked, right?

Carefully, he picked his way through them. Pat them down, pretend to check pulses, crack open wallets and purses out of sight and palm the money, move on to the next. Money didn't grow on trees, as Dad used to say.

[roll0]

The bouncer's armour looked too tricky to work around, so Alf let him wake up. He wasn't sure why; maybe picking the pockets of a group of people who'd got mixed up in a fight that had nothing to do with them felt low even for him and some reparation should be made. Even if it wouldn't actually help those people. Bills to pay, Mouths to feed, Alfred.


'Hey, are you okay? Things got pretty ****ed up out here'

[LaZodiac]

Alf, you are able to pick the wallets of the poor people who got knocked unconcious. The bouncer just kinda shakes his head, voice echoing a little from the metal helmet "I...have no idea what just happened, and I'm going to try and not question it. Thanks for the...help? I suppose?"

[Tectonic Robot]

John emerged from the bar, refreshed and feeling rather happy with himself. He noticed Sam and Ann hanging out by the piano, and nodded approvingly. "I'd say we won pretty hard there." He said conversationally, hands in his pockets as he sits down at a table near the piano.

[Durkoala]

Alf, you are able to pick the wallets of the poor people who got knocked unconcious. The bouncer just kinda shakes his head, voice echoing a little from the metal helmet "I...have no idea what just happened, and I'm going to try and not question it. Thanks for the...help? I suppose?"

'Nah, I was just around. It was mad out here, I didn't want to get involved until it was over, you know?' Alf gave a self-conscious cough and flicked his gaze away from the bouncer for second 'Do you want a hand getting back inside? You could probably use a drink after that. My treat.'

[LaZodiac]

"No, but thanks. I'm still on the job. Though...hold on a second" he says, then thinks briefly, rummaging through his pockets. He takes out a small envelope. "I saw you, before this whole mess happened. You were eating with our pianist. This is gonna sound weird but I was told to give you, or really anyone that was seen with her, this." he hands the envelope over to Alf, shrugging.

[Gnomish Wanderer]

"I'd say we won pretty hard there." He said conversationally, hands in his pockets as he sits down at a table near the piano.Samantha took a breath, leaning lightly against the piano. That was insane. "I guess. I don't like the term winning, considering what just happened. And it looks like we're in for a lot more of this." She called over to John, not really moving from her spot, and turned her head toward Ann. "Um... You were pretty good out there. We have each other's numbers, right? Mind if I, uh, text you?"

[Mystic Muse]

Samantha took a breath, leaning lightly against the piano. That was insane. "I guess. I don't like the term winning, considering what just happened. And it looks like we're in for a lot more of this." She called over to John, not really moving from her spot, and turned her head toward Ann. "Um... You were pretty good out there. We have each other's numbers, right? Mind if I, uh, text you?"

Ann shrugs. "Not a problem. I figure we'll be using my house as a headquarters after this anyway. Unless someone has a better idea.

[Gnomish Wanderer]

'****, ****, she thinks I'm just being practical.' Samantha thought, face going a bit red as she looked away from the piano. Ann was a little too much to take in all at once, like watching the ocean. You knew you were looking at something grand and you didn't understand how it could be so breathtaking. Like the ocean, too, Samantha got the far-off feeling of whether the ocean even could know you existed. She leaned back against the piano, pulling out her phone and thumbing through it awkwardly, giving herself something of a reason for just looking away.

"So, uh, yeah. I'll be storing the people we fight, I suppose, I can keep them in tupperware in a deep freeze. I... am fairly certain it won't cause them any lasting harm." She texted, sort of ignoring that her squadmates were all within about thirty feet of her current location.

Samantha took a breath, purposeful as she straightened herself out, and looked back toward Ann. She gave a light smile, and she couldn't find a way to push past social norms and politeness to try to break the tension of the question forming in her mind. So instead she asked, awkwardly, "Haha, you got a boyfriend?" '****, no!' "I-I mean, like, people in your life who might end up targets in this war, like boyfriends or, or... or family!" She said at last, regaining her confidence.


"...Oh no, what if they target my mom." She said as the realization hit her like a ton of bricks. Samatha was for sure the one who stood out most from the group, and she had no idea if someone who was now hunting them might have known her. Her mind was reeling, and she had to think of a way to keep her mom safe. Somehow.

[Durkoala]

'Sure, I can do that. Take care of yourself, OK?' Alf takes the envelope from the bouncer, briefly clasps his hand and starts to walk towards the pub.

Now, should he look at the letter or not? The bouncer did say that it was for anybody associated with Ann; Ann probably wouldn't like people going through her mail before her. On the other hand, stirring up trouble within their little team was a bad idea. He'd let Ann open the letter herself, but...

He thought of Ethan's empty pockets and called on his stand, materialising the flabby arm over his own. For the first time, he noticed the tattooed Spade symbol on the right palm and the wire stitching running down the inside of the arm. When the envelope was the size of a playing card, he stopped and recalled the stand. Perfect.

...she'd better have her reading glasses on her.

[Mystic Muse]

'****, ****, she thinks I'm just being practical.' Samantha thought, face going a bit red as she looked away from the piano. Ann was a little too much to take in all at once, like watching the ocean. You knew you were looking at something grand and you didn't understand how it could be so breathtaking. Like the ocean, too, Samantha got the far-off feeling of whether the ocean even could know you existed. She leaned back against the piano, pulling out her phone and thumbing through it awkwardly, giving herself something of a reason for just looking away.

"So, uh, yeah. I'll be storing the people we fight, I suppose, I can keep them in tupperware in a deep freeze. I... am fairly certain it won't cause them any lasting harm." She texted, sort of ignoring that her squadmates were all within about thirty feet of her current location.

Samantha took a breath, purposeful as she straightened herself out, and looked back toward Ann. She gave a light smile, and she couldn't find a way to push past social norms and politeness to try to break the tension of the question forming in her mind. So instead she asked, awkwardly, "Haha, you got a boyfriend?" '****, no!' "I-I mean, like, people in your life who might end up targets in this war, like boyfriends or, or... or family!" She said at last, regaining her confidence.

"I'm not into guys, have no significant other, and if someone tried targeting my parents to get to me, not only do they not know me at all, they would be doing the world a favor." Ann says.



"...Oh no, what if they target my mom." She said as the realization hit her like a ton of bricks. Samatha was for sure the one who stood out most from the group, and she had no idea if someone who was now hunting them might have known her. Her mind was reeling, and she had to think of a way to keep her mom safe. Somehow.

"You might have to take her and drive south of the border until this all blows over." Ann said, having not looked up from her piano playing.

[Gnomish Wanderer]

"I'm not into guys, have no significant other-""Same." Samantha says quietly, looking a bit away, lucky her makeup is still doing such a good job at hiding that blush.

"-and if someone tried targeting my parents to get to me, not only do they not know me at all, they would be doing the world a favor." Ann says.

"You might have to take her and drive south of the border until this all blows over." Ann said, having not looked up from her piano playing."South? Like... maybe fly her somewhere... We can't do that, her job is too important to her. And we don't really know anyone south, we don't have really any extended family. Dammit." Samantha huffs a bit and looks lost in thought. "Well, I'll just, not go home for a while. My mom won't notice for the most part. Or when I do I'll go incognito. People can't find where I live that way. I'll just need to, find somewhere to crash... Uh, would that be at all possible at your place, given we're using it as a base?"

She then pauses, hovering for a second behind Ann, and settles for a tender touch on her shoulder. "Uh, sorry about your parents. That sounds rough."

[Mystic Muse]

"Everyone can use my place, yeah. It'll help protect the people you care about to some degree, hopefully, and the main one at risk will be me. And honestly, that's not a big deal to me. Even if I lose everything, I worked my way up from nothing, I'll do it again." Ann says, not looking up from the piano, until the realization hits her.

"Wait. Are you flirting with me?" She asks, clearly surprised, but practiced enough she doesn't miss a beat.

[Gnomish Wanderer]

"Everyone can use my place, yeah. It'll help protect the people you care about to some degree, hopefully, and the main one at risk will be me. And honestly, that's not a big deal to me. Even if I lose everything, I worked my way up from nothing, I'll do it again." Ann says, not looking up from the piano, until the realization hits her.

"Wait. Are you flirting with me?" She asks, clearly surprised, but practiced enough she doesn't miss a beat."Thank yo-" She starts to say, before Ann catches on to what Samantha was doing! Samantha's eyes are wide, and her pose tenses up, almost like she's about to run, her blush now deep enough that even her makeup has no cure for the redness burning through her cheeks and ears. "Uh, um, well, uh." She stammers, leaving her mouth hanging open for a moment.

'Get a hold of yourself!' And with that she made sure to snap out of it, holding her bunched-up palms for a moment before releasing them and noticeably relaxing, with a soft sigh. "I mean, I wasn't trying to make you uncomfortable or anything, I'm sorry." Samantha couldn't handle it anymore and finally averted her gaze from Ann. "I'll... just go, yeah. We can pretend this didn't happen."

[Durkoala]

'Hey, Annabel!' Alf's voice breaks into the awkward atmosphere. He's slouched to the point of cringing, as usual, but he's grinning like a wolverine. 'Your friend in the armour had a letter for you!'

Without looking at John or Samantha, he passes her the envelope, then says quietly 'Also, I think we need to talk about what the **** you meant when you said Ethan was trying to kill us'

[Tectonic Robot]

John had been staring at his companions while they were speaking. He was actually kind of glad they weren't paying attention to him; his facial expressions weren't quite polite. The wannabe poet was bad at hiding his mirth at the awkward flirting and the funky group dynamic that was on display here. John snickered, before standing up and leaning on the piano. "And I thought that love blossoming on the battlefield was just a cheesy line! You best not get too attached to each other, though." He lifts a finger. "We could very well get murdered in this game, and it'd be doubly tragic if we were romantically entangled with one another before we bit the dust, wouldn't it? Not to mention how distracting it'd be!"

[Mystic Muse]

"Thank yo-" She starts to say, before Ann catches on to what Samantha was doing! Samantha's eyes are wide, and her pose tenses up, almost like she's about to run, her blush now deep enough that even her makeup has no cure for the redness burning through her cheeks and ears. "Uh, um, well, uh." She stammers, leaving her mouth hanging open for a moment.

'Get a hold of yourself!' And with that she made sure to snap out of it, holding her bunched-up palms for a moment before releasing them and noticeably relaxing, with a soft sigh. "I mean, I wasn't trying to make you uncomfortable or anything, I'm sorry." Samantha couldn't handle it anymore and finally averted her gaze from Ann. "I'll... just go, yeah. We can pretend this didn't happen."
"Umm...okay then." Ann says, a little befuddled.

'Hey, Annabel!' Alf's voice breaks into the awkward atmosphere. He's slouched to the point of cringing, as usual, but he's grinning like a wolverine. 'Your friend in the armour had a letter for you!'

"Can you read it to me? I'm kind of in the middle of a job." She points out, gesturing with a nod towards her piano playing.


Without looking at John or Samantha, he passes her the envelope, then says quietly 'Also, I think we need to talk about what the **** you meant when you said Ethan was trying to kill us'
"He was using some sort of perception altering attack to make is perceive certain things as threats. While I can't say for crtain he was trying to kill us, I imagine he was at least trying to get us to harm or subdue each other for him. I took the only option I had available at the time."


John had been staring at his companions while they were speaking. He was actually kind of glad they weren't paying attention to him; his facial expressions weren't quite polite. The wannabe poet was bad at hiding his mirth at the awkward flirting and the funky group dynamic that was on display here. John snickered, before standing up and leaning on the piano. "And I thought that love blossoming on the battlefield was just a cheesy line! You best not get too attached to each other, though." He lifts a finger. "We could very well get murdered in this game, and it'd be doubly tragic if we were romantically entangled with one another before we bit the dust, wouldn't it? Not to mention how distracting it'd be!"

"First off, love would be a stretch, since we barely know each other. Secondly, I can't imagine anyone getting attached to me." She says in response.

She keeps playing the piano.

[Gnomish Wanderer]

"Umm...okay then." Ann says, a little befuddled.Samantha was kicking herself a bit, as she stood awkwardly back from the piano. 'Why is talking to her so hard? Get over yourself!'

"He was using some sort of perception altering attack to make us perceive certain things as threats. While I can't say for certain he was trying to kill us, I imagine he was at least trying to get us to harm or subdue each other for him. I took the only option I had available at the time."The brightly colored girl nodded along with Ann, looking at Alf. "Wait, yeah. Why wouldn't you think he was trying to kill us? That guy got the same speech we did and it looked like he was hoping that the regular townsfolk would do it for him..."

John had been staring at his companions while they were speaking. He was actually kind of glad they weren't paying attention to him; his facial expressions weren't quite polite. The wannabe poet was bad at hiding his mirth at the awkward flirting and the funky group dynamic that was on display here. John snickered, before standing up and leaning on the piano. "And I thought that love blossoming on the battlefield was just a cheesy line! You best not get too attached to each other, though." He lifts a finger. "We could very well get murdered in this game, and it'd be doubly tragic if we were romantically entangled with one another before we bit the dust, wouldn't it? Not to mention how distracting it'd be!"Samantha gave John a hurt glare. She wrapped her arms around herself, looking down afterward.

"First off, love would be a stretch, since we barely know each other. Secondly, I can't imagine anyone getting attached to me." She says in response. But last sentence broke her demure stance. "W-what? Why not, you seem... really great!" Samantha put her hands on the top of the piano, feeling teh strings vibrate beneath its exterior. "I mean, if it's not obvious, I would love to get to know more about you. Regardless of what /he/ says." She said, with an acidic jab towards John.

[Durkoala]

"Can you read it to me? I'm kind of in the middle of a job." She points out, gesturing with a nod towards her piano playing.

"He was using some sort of perception altering attack to make us perceive certain things as threats. While I can't say for certain he was trying to kill us, I imagine he was at least trying to get us to harm or subdue each other for him. I took the only option I had available at the time."

She keeps playing the piano.

Alf's smile became a little strained. 'I'll read this in a minute, because that's bull**** you're saying. You could track him well enough to shoot him while running and I'm pretty sure I heard you saying you were going to kill him for trying to kill us, so we could have been able to talk to each other. And, maybe, for the sake of argument, you only had one shot at him. Did you think of just blasting his legs instead of trying to cremate him?'



The brightly colored girl nodded along with Ann, looking at Alf. "Wait, yeah. Why wouldn't you think he was trying to kill us? That guy got the same speech we did and it looked like he was hoping that the regular townsfolk would do it for him..."

'No, he was...'


Samantha put her hands on the top of the piano, feeling teh strings vibrate beneath its exterior. "I mean, if it's not obvious, I would love to get to know more about you. Regardless of what /he/ says." She said, with an acidic jab towards John.

If anybody looked closely, they could see Alf's eyes bulge out and cross slightly as he realised the closest thing he had to a friend on the team really was ineptly flirting with the nearest thing to an enemy he had on the team. His mouth hung open for a second, but all that emerged was a shocked wheeze. With an effort, he recovered.

'...He was probably trying to kill us or defeat us, he just wasn't any good at it. I... just... I really don't want the ****leheads who started this let us drag them to their level, OK? Life is precious and all that ****. We have the power to take people out of the game without killing them, so I think we should try to do that if we can.' He coughed self-consciously, then added: 'Ethan was also acting really weird, so I wanted to ask him some questions'

[Mystic Muse]

Alf's smile became a little strained. 'I'll read this in a minute, because that's bull**** you're saying. You could track him well enough to shoot him while running and I'm pretty sure I heard you saying you were going to kill him for trying to kill us, so we could have been able to talk to each other. And, maybe, for the sake of argument, you only had one shot at him. Did you think of just blasting his legs instead of trying to cremate him?'


"To be perfectly blunt, no. I had no reliable way of subduing him nonlethally. Even attempting to take out his legs might have left him worse off."




'No, he was...'



If anybody looked closely, they could see Alf's eyes bulge out and cross slightly as he realised the closest thing he had to a friend on the team really was ineptly flirting with the nearest thing to an enemy he had on the team. His mouth hung open for a second, but all that emerged was a shocked wheeze. With an effort, he recovered.

'...He was probably trying to kill us or defeat us, he just wasn't any good at it. I... just... I really don't want the ****leheads who started this let us drag them to their level, OK? Life is precious and all that ****. We have the power to take people out of the game without killing them, so I think we should try to do that if we can.' He coughed self-consciously, then added: 'Ethan was also acting really weird, so I wanted to ask him some questions'
Ann just shrugs.

"I've killed people before. I'll probably end up doing it again." She says nonchalantly.

[Tectonic Robot]

John snorts softly. "You might wanna pop your eyes back into your head, buddy." He says to Alf. "You look like you just saw a ghost."

He glances at Ann, shaking his head distastefully. "People who die later in the book say crap like that, miss. I think you should tone down the whole 'stone cold killer' act." I don't know how I feel workin' with a murderess in the first place, anyway."

[Mystic Muse]

Samantha was kicking herself a bit, as she stood awkwardly back from the piano. 'Why is talking to her so hard? Get over yourself!'
The brightly colored girl nodded along with Ann, looking at Alf. "Wait, yeah. Why wouldn't you think he was trying to kill us? That guy got the same speech we did and it looked like he was hoping that the regular townsfolk would do it for him..."
Samantha gave John a hurt glare. She wrapped her arms around herself, looking down afterward.
But last sentence broke her demure stance. "W-what? Why not, you seem... really great!" Samantha put her hands on the top of the piano, feeling teh strings vibrate beneath its exterior. "I mean, if it's not obvious, I would love to get to know more about you. Regardless of what /he/ says." She said, with an acidic jab towards John.

"Look, for right now, we're going to have to leave it. There are things about me that I'm not comfortable discussing in the place I work." Ann says. She says this before the thing to Alf, pretend it's with the post up there.





He glances at Ann, shaking his head distastefully. "People who die later in the book say crap like that, miss. I think you should tone down the whole 'stone cold killer' act." I don't know how I feel workin' with a murderess in the first place, anyway."

"First off, I already know this story's author has it out for me. Secondly, if you aren't comfortable working with me, don't. In fact, I'll make you a deal. If you three don't want to work with me, I'll ride South of the border, and you'll never have to worry about dealing with me again."

[Durkoala]

John snorts softly. "You might wanna pop your eyes back into your head, buddy." He says to Alf. "You look like you just saw a ghost."


'Fttthhhh...' Alf equolently replied. The ghost of my hopes that Samantha would be sane, perhaps...



"To be perfectly blunt, no. I had no reliable way of subduing him nonlethally. Even attempting to take out his legs might have left him worse off."

Ann just shrugs.

"I've killed people before. I'll probably end up doing it again." She says nonchalantly.

'Worse off than what? I've got no idea if he's going to survive when we change him back. Personally, I feel that having no legs and psychic powers sounds like a better deal than no life.

Also, did you not hear me say that we needed to ask him some things? He was acting really weird back there and we need answers if we're going to survive'


He glances at Ann, shaking his head distastefully. "People who die later in the book say crap like that, miss. I think you should tone down the whole 'stone cold killer' act." I don't know how I feel workin' with a murderess in the first place, anyway."

"First off, I already know this story's author has it out for me. Secondly, if you aren't comfortable working with me, don't. In fact, I'll make you a deal. If you three don't want to work with me, I'll ride South of the border, and you'll never have to worry about dealing with me again."

Alf's eyes briefly sparked with genuine sardonic amusement. 'Some of my best friends have been murderers. We may not be the best of friends, but I can deal with working with a killer or a lawyer -- if you can keep it under control'

Aside, to John, he said 'Uh, that's a different way to look at the world'

[Gnomish Wanderer]

The conversation was getting a bit heated and Samantha was a little lost herself. She did her best to speak up as well, though her comments were short, background noise.
"Look, for right now, we're going to have to leave it. There are things about me that I'm not comfortable discussing in the place I work." Ann says."Oh! Um, I didn't mean-" She started, closing her eyes tightly for a moment. "Of course."
"I've killed people before. I'll probably end up doing it again." She says nonchalantly.That was an interesting comment. Interesting being a... chosen word. Samantha's head was spinning a little bit. The cute girl on the piano stand had killed people before? TH-that just didn't make sense! Samantha probably knew somewhere that she was letting her judgement be clouded, but she pushed that somewhere further away. "You have? ...What?? When? Um..."
He glances at Ann, shaking his head distastefully. "People who die later in the book say crap like that, miss. I think you should tone down the whole 'stone cold killer' act." I don't know how I feel workin' with a murderess in the first place, anyway."Samantha kept quiet here, looking between the three like she had just found out their skin was invisible or something. A shocked, slightly upset glance.
'Worse off than what? I've got no idea if he's going to survive when we change him back. Personally, I feel that having no legs and psychic powers sounds like a better deal than no life.

Also, did you not hear me say that we needed to ask him some things? He was acting really weird back there and we need answers if we're going to survive'"Well, I mean, he was hurt, yeah. He was trying to kill us back. I... I don't want to attack people. But I don't think we can refuse to hurt people if it otherwise means dying to them." She tried to say, her tongue feeling heavy. "I mean. He's alive. Let's do all we can to keep others alive. I have him right here." Samantha patted her little pink backpack softly. "We can uncandy him and ask him questions like this, but it's a risk. Who knows what his powers can do or what he'll do to escape. Who knows what any of them will do if we give them an inch of reprise.""
"First off, I already know this story's author has it out for me. Secondly, if you aren't comfortable working with me, don't. In fact, I'll make you a deal. If you three don't want to work with me, I'll ride South of the border, and you'll never have to worry about dealing with me again.""W-what..." She was a bit stunned. "I... W-we need to work together to have a better shot, don't we?" She stammered a bit as she spoke. "Um."

[Mystic Muse]

The conversation was getting a bit heated and Samantha was a little lost herself. She did her best to speak up as well, though her comments were short, background noise."Oh! Um, I didn't mean-" She started, closing her eyes tightly for a moment. "Of course."That was an interesting comment. Interesting being a... chosen word. Samantha's head was spinning a little bit. The cute girl on the piano stand had killed people before? TH-that just didn't make sense! Samantha probably knew somewhere that she was letting her judgement be clouded, but she pushed that somewhere further away. "You have? ...What?? When? Um..."
"Back in high school. It's the reason I don't sing any more. Found out I can actually force people to do things with my singing. In that particular case, I told them to choke and die." Ann says, continuing to play the piano. "Haven't sung since that day, because I find forcing people to act against their own will morally reprehensible. Besides which, it affects anyone that can hear me, so friendly fire is a concern." She says. "You don't have to believe me. In fact, ifI were you guys, I wouldn't. But I have no reason to lie about this."

[Gnomish Wanderer]

"Back in high school. It's the reason I don't sing any more. Found out I can actually force people to do things with my singing. In that particular case, I told them to choke and die." Ann says, continuing to play the piano. "Haven't sung since that day, because I find forcing people to act against their own will morally reprehensible. Besides which, it affects anyone that can hear me, so friendly fire is a concern." She says. "You don't have to believe me. In fact, ifI were you guys, I wouldn't. But I have no reason to lie about this.""You have... a-a magic voice?" She asked incredulously. Samantha had to take a moment to think about that one. I mean, I guess I'm magically turning things to candy, after all, but like... whoa. "So... you didn't kill them on purpose?"

[Mystic Muse]

'Fttthhhh...' Alf equolently replied. The ghost of my hopes that Samantha would be sane, perhaps...




'Worse off than what? I've got no idea if he's going to survive when we change him back. Personally, I feel that having no legs and psychic powers sounds like a better deal than no life.

Also, did you not hear me say that we needed to ask him some things? He was acting really weird back there and we need answers if we're going to survive'

"Depends on who you ask whether no lofe is better. And sorry, ask him whatever you need to, and I'll work on developing a non-lethal solution to future problems. This caught me off guard, so I did the thing I knew I could. That's the best I can offer."

Ann says. Whether Alf knows it or not, she actually is trying.

[Durkoala]

"Well, I mean, he was hurt, yeah. He was trying to kill us back. I... I don't want to attack people. But I don't think we can refuse to hurt people if it otherwise means dying to them." She tried to say, her tongue feeling heavy. "I mean. He's alive. Let's do all we can to keep others alive. I have him right here." Samantha patted her little pink backpack softly. "We can uncandy him and ask him questions like this, but it's a risk. Who knows what his powers can do or what he'll do to escape. Who knows what any of them will do if we give them an inch of reprise.""

'Honestly, I don't think he was all that tough in an actual fight. If we spread ourselves out so he can't catch us all at once and stay on the phone, there's probably not much he can do. Most of his power was in making other people do the work for him: we can probably build an interrogation room he can't bust out of easily'
Alf makes no comment on the first part of Samantha's decleration.


"Back in high school. It's the reason I don't sing any more. Found out I can actually force people to do things with my singing. In that particular case, I told them to choke and die." Ann says, continuing to play the piano. "Haven't sung since that day, because I find forcing people to act against their own will morally reprehensible. Besides which, it affects anyone that can hear me, so friendly fire is a concern." She says. "You don't have to believe me. In fact, if I were you guys, I wouldn't. But I have no reason to lie about this."


"Depends on who you ask whether no life is better. And sorry, ask him whatever you need to, and I'll work on developing a non-lethal solution to future problems. This caught me off guard, so I did the thing I knew I could. That's the best I can offer."

Ann says. Whether Alf knows it or not, she actually is trying.

'Eh, he got himself some free psychic powers. That sounds like a fair trade if he loses a limb. Honestly, he had the chance to cut and run the night we got our stands instead of getting involved in all... this... ****. He only has himself to blame if he gets a bit banged up because he tried to murder somebody.'

Alf coughed again, taken slightly aback by Ann's apology. 'Uh, well, it all came out of nowhere, things happened. I don't think anybody there had any idea what they were doing.

...About that controlling voice of yours, would you be OK to use it in interrogations? It'd go a lot easier if we could just sing at people to get them to talk rather than beating the **** out of them. We can probably find a way around us all being caught if we try'

Alf didn't quite believe that Ann actually can control people through singing, as she really reminds him more of a lawyer than a siren, but maybe she was one of the people who got her Stand naturally?

[Mystic Muse]

"No. I refuse to use my voice ever again, not for any purpose." Ann says firmly.

[Durkoala]

"No. I refuse to use my voice ever again, not for any purpose." Ann says firmly.

Alf looks at Ann sceptically, still unconvinced of her story, but pressing her about it seems rather petty. 'OK. We'll have to think of something else. Moving on...' He opens up the tiny letter from the bouncer and peers at it, silently cursing Ann for turning his trick back on him.

[LaZodiac]

It's teeny tiny writing, but even with the size difference you can tell it's quite well hand written. It says the following.

"Dear pianist,

If you are reading this letter, the man I have sent you is surely dead. As well it should be...though I hope you do not mind my manipulations. He is not a member of this little game we find ourselves in, so any injuries at his hand are for good, and as such I do truly hope none of you have died. Regretfully, I know not your names. My compatriot has chosen not to divulge them. So, I would like to arrange a meeting between you and yours. Come to the Gold Range Bistro as soon as you have received this communication. There, we shall meet, so as to discuss the terms of your surrender.

Signed, Genesis Saturos."

[Durkoala]

Alf slowly reads out the letter. At the end he says, 'Well, does anybody want to go surrender?'

After a pause to hear what the others have to say, he continues 'Do you think Ethan was his man? He seemed like somebody had been messing with his head'

However, at the back of his head, he remembers that the bouncer had been the one to hand him the letter...

[Mystic Muse]

Alf slowly reads out the letter. At the end he says, 'Well, does anybody want to go surrender?'

"I will fight until rendered to tallow, then spit at my enemies as I burn." Ann responds.

[Gnomish Wanderer]

"I will fight until rendered to tallow, then spit at my enemies as I burn." Ann responds."Valorous." Samantha says softly. "I agree, I don't know who this guy thinks he is but we defeated, uh, Ethan, without death. We'll defeat him too."

[Durkoala]

"I will fight until rendered to tallow, then spit at my enemies as I burn." Ann responds.


"Valorous." Samantha says softly. "I agree, I don't know who this guy thinks he is but we defeated, uh, Ethan, without death. We'll defeat him too."

'Venomous' Alf corrects, but he doesn't mean it as an insult 'Glad we're all agreed on this. Do you think we should head after the guy who wrote this now, or maybe we should try to bunker down?'

He crumples up the the letter and places it on the rim of the piano.