Iron Station Savage Masks IC II [Archive] - Giant in the Playground Forums

InTheMachine

2022-04-18, 09:25 PM

Welcome to Thread II! You may read the first thread here (https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?633745-Iron-Station-Savage-Masks-IC&p=25114652#post25114652)!

When we last left our heroes:

Keith and Will had headed to Bastion College to gather more information about Benjamin Burnly, a student there that was said to have gained superpowers from a new drug on the streets called Nova.

John and Calvin were speaking on the rooftop of Arturo's, a well-known sandwich shop in West Side.

Louis was speaking to Raphael, Sidney, and Ryker in the kitchen over plates of delicious pancakes.

Arturo's
Miguel quickly comes back with a sweet tea and water, setting them down on the table. "Holler if you need anything Cal!"

Kitchen
Sidney smiles at Raphael as he goes to leave. "Thank you. I really appreciate that."

Ryker nods at the West Sider in silent thanks.

Raphael
The Maitre'd's gaze glides contemptuously over Raphael's attire. "I assume you're not here for the special event? Our doors normally don't open until 4pm." He sighs, then grabs the mic on his collar. "Marie, someone is here for you."

A few moments later the short blonde woman that Nightgaunt saved from a trio of muggers bustles down from the sweeping staircase to the left of the main dining room. She tilts her head, trying to place Raphael. "What can I do for you?"

Keith
"It is a **** shame he's not here," Terry sighs. "It was off-campus, so that party was wild, man." He looks around, and sees that they're isolated on that side of the field. "Can I tell you somethin'? I won't get in trouble, right? This dude showed up at the party and he was offerin' this new drug that he called Nova. Some of the guys bullied Ben into takin' it first. It was like he was a whole 'nother person. I saw him take two girls upstairs, even though was goin' out with Alli. He never would've done that. He's not that kinda guy. Later, I saw him rust one of the chairs on the back porch and pick it up with his mind. I've known Ben for three years; he's not a meta."

Terry looks back over at Keith. "I heard the guy that gave Ben that drug is supposed to be at a party tonight in a warehouse down in Bywater. I don't have more than that. I wasn't gonna go. That dude scared me. I don't trust him."

William
The Sunshine Baking Company is about a ten minute walk away. Emi does most the talking for the two of them, though Grayson does occasionally interject.

Roguewolf

2022-04-18, 10:07 PM

Keith
"It is a **** shame he's not here," Terry sighs. "It was off-campus, so that party was wild, man." He looks around, and sees that they're isolated on that side of the field. "Can I tell you somethin'? I won't get in trouble, right? This dude showed up at the party and he was offerin' this new drug that he called Nova. Some of the guys bullied Ben into takin' it first. It was like he was a whole 'nother person. I saw him take two girls upstairs, even though was goin' out with Alli. He never would've done that. He's not that kinda guy. Later, I saw him rust one of the chairs on the back porch and pick it up with his mind. I've known Ben for three years; he's not a meta."

Terry looks back over at Keith. "I heard the guy that gave Ben that drug is supposed to be at a party tonight in a warehouse down in Bywater. I don't have more than that. I wasn't gonna go. That dude scared me. I don't trust him."

Crowe looks along with Terry to make sure they're isolated and nods. "Anything you tell me stays between us man, and if anyone above me asks, I never got your name. I promise you won't get in any trouble." He smiles at the kid. He could tell he was scared of the information and had no idea what to do with it. Besides, he was a regular kid just trying to do right by his friend.

Crowe listens intently to Terry as he explains everything "From what I've learned so far today, that seems way out of character." Crowe shakes his head. Especially with how Emi said Allison was worried, he figured something else had to be at play. "I'm actually tryin' to figure out what's goin' on with that Nova stuff. Trust me, Terry, you dodged a bullet by not takin' it if you didn't. I know they tell ya all through school that drugs are bad but that one is somethin' else. I can't blame ya at all for bein' scared of the dude either."

Crowe takes a deep breath before continuing. "I honestly want to help Ben get better, or at least make sure he doesn't get hurt or hurt anyone he cares about. And thank you for all the help dude, I really appreciate it. And if the guy you're talkin' about is who I think it is, well, be safe tonight alright man? And seriously, thank you again." Crowe smiles and goes to fist bump Terry before making his way back over to Kylie. "And knock'em out tonight!"

When he's back over with Kylie, he'll let his suit melt back into his shadow. "Got a lot of info on Ben and that rave tonight. May have taken a bit longer than needed but we can head over to meet everyone else." Keith says it with a grin. He hops the fence again so they can get back outside of the stadium and starts to walk with her to Sunshine's.

As they walk, Keith starts to think of everything he wanted to say and figures now is just as good a time as any. "H-hey Kylie, I was wondering if you would like to catch a movie or maybe grab dinner with me sometime. Just the two of us." He started rubbing the back of his neck, trying to grasp the right words to say. "You're an awesome person and, and I really like you and spending time with you."

InTheMachine

2022-04-19, 08:46 AM

Keith
Kylie stops in the middle of the sidewalk. If he meets her gaze, she stares intently at him. “Keith… are you asking me out? Like on a date?”

Roguewolf

2022-04-19, 09:07 AM

Keith
Kylie stops in the middle of the sidewalk. If he meets her gaze, she stares intently at him. “Keith… are you asking me out? Like on a date?”

Keith stops when Kylie does, and starts to get really nervous. Probably good that he didn't eat this morning because his stomach was doing some major backflips. He looks to meet her gaze and is knocked back mentally by her eyes. "Yes, I am. I would like to go out on a date with you, Kylie." Words were becoming hard to work with.

In the back of his head, that voice in the dark just popped up. Holy **** you actually asked her out......... But dude you GOTTA work on your way with words! Why is it you can talk to anyone else just fine and then you go all stupid in the head here? I mean it's hilarious but man!

InTheMachine

2022-04-19, 01:20 PM

Roguewolf

2022-04-19, 03:21 PM

Keith
Kylie blinks, looking down at the sidewalk. A couple of people walk around the two of them. “Look, Keith… you’re a great friend,” she says, not meeting his gaze. “I just—“

She looks up, searching for the right words before she decides to just go with her gut. “I have someone that I like too. And it’s not you. I don’t think that’s fair to you.” Kylie sighs and mumbles, ”Then again, he hasn’t noticed me for two years.”

Kylie finally meets Keith’s gaze again. “Give me a few days to think it over, okay? If you’re still interested.”

OOC: I’m going to have Keith mark Insecure on his sheet

Keith looks down at the ground after she gets the first few words out, and then nods and looks up smiling rather softly. "I understand. Won't lie that I'm kinda curious about who, but I do get what you mean."

Inside his head was just a mix of laughing and something he thought might have been slight disappointment. Hey, ya still managed to say it and not completely **** up. But man, bet you know EXACTLY what Calvin was feelin'! HAHAHAHAHAHA! Oh hey, we should go do something crazy, just blow off some steam! Shut up other me.

Keith met Kylie's gaze again still with the soft smile. "Take all the time you need ok?" It was odd, he gets rejected and tries to make her feel comfortable. Then again, nothing else he can really say about it.

Pie (https://orokos.com/roll/940177): 2d6 9

OOC: I FEEL SO DIRTY EVEN DOING THIS!

After about another minute he takes a deep breath and rubs the back of his neck. "We should probably go ahead and meet up with everyone. And seriously, thanks for showin' me around Bastion today."

PK-Leon

2022-04-19, 04:03 PM

Kitchen

"I think it sounds like you can handle it." Raphael says with a smile and an exaggerated eye roll. Raphael stands, collects his and any other empty plates within reach and dumps em in the sink before turning and walking out with a mock salute. "I'm gonna get changed and go handle my reservations, if something comes up. lemme know."

"Appreciate it!" Louis says, thanking Raphael. "I'll try to keep you updated."

Â“I bet if you asked him, Aeryn would make you a different flavor of pancakes every morning,Â” Ryker says. Â“Not kidding. HeÂ’d do it.Â”

After reading the note, Sidney tears up. She flushes a little, wiping her eyes. Â“Sorry. IÂ’m not usually so weepy.Â”

Â“DonÂ’t worry about it baby. YouÂ’ve been through a lot in the past twenty-four hours,Â” Ryker says, squeezing her hand.

Sidney turns her attention back to Louis. Â“Do youÂ… think I could see him? I donÂ’t want to put him in any danger, but itÂ’s obvious heÂ’s hurting.Â”

Louis looses a heavy sigh. "I really want to take you to see him but... I don't think I can. Not until we're sure you've completely recovered up here." He finishes by tapping his temple. "I can't risk letting anything happen to either of you."

He runs a hand back through his hair as he considers something. "But if you wanted to write him a letter or send something his way I'd have no problem delivering it for you?"

HIDA

2022-04-19, 07:09 PM

“Just water, please,” John replied and waited for him to go.

“I noticed that you are a lot more relaxed here than you are back at the base,” John said, turning back to Calvin. “I gather that you’ve been coming here for years?”

"Yeah this was an old haunt of me and my Dad's back when he was still working with ISPD."Calvin says thinking back fondly of the time he spent here with his father. "Him and Marco go way back. And me and Miggy have been cool since we could both walk. I go to family events and Helped tia Carla and abuela here when Marco fell off a ladder and broke his leg. I've known these guys forever and I've know the team for like 6 months maybe. And while Lou and Will are cool, Not everyone is as easy to get along with."

mmdeforrest

2022-04-19, 07:32 PM

"Yeah this was an old haunt of me and my Dad's back when he was still working with ISPD."Calvin says thinking back fondly of the time he spent here with his father. "Him and Marco go way back. And me and Miggy have been cool since we could both walk. I go to family events and Helped tia Carla and abuela here when Marco fell off a ladder and broke his leg. I've known these guys forever and I've know the team for like 6 months maybe. And while Lou and Will are cool, Not everyone is as easy to get along with."

“So I gathered,” John said, picking up his Cuban. “The tension was pretty thick when I arrived last week. You can add that to the ‘if you need to talk about it’ list, should you need a sounding board or a place to vent.”

John took a bite of his sandwich, chewing happily. “You were absolutely correct about this Cuban. It’s fantastic.”

John paused before taking another bite. “Louis and William aren’t the only two you think positively about you. Ryker trusted you enough to be part of a pretty sensitive mission. He’s a little gruff, I grant you, but having you along it s kind of acceptance.”

John smiled a little mischievously. “Who knows? Another week with Sidney around and he may even begin to act like he isn’t ready to swing on us at any given moment.

“It had to be tough on him,” John observed, looking off into the distance. “He’s had to switch teams and partnerships a handful of times in the last year. Coming out of his background with the Rooks. I’d imagine there’s a good bit of concern we’ll abandon or turn on him at some point.” He glanced back to Calvin. “If he is able to get over that, you will have been a big part in helping him by going along to help bring Sidney in safely.”

InTheMachine

2022-04-19, 07:33 PM

Keith
Kylie sighs, looking down at her shoes before she looks back at Keith. “It’s Zack, okay? He’s always been super sweet to me, but he has that on again off again girlfriend and I never know if he’s still with her. I wish she’d just decide to leave him or stay, then I’d know what to do.”

“Sorry for dumping that on you Keith,” she says a little sheepishly. “It’s just frustrating, and not fair to you. I just need to sort out my feelings.”

Kylie starts back on the way to Sunshine Bakery. “It was no problem showing you around the school. Like I said earlier, it was really great seeing you again.”

Louis
Sidney’s face falls as Louis says that she shouldn’t see her dad and she looses a heavy sigh. “I feel so good now though, but, you’re right, it might not last. I have no idea when I could lose it again.”

“Sid,” Ryker says, demanding her attention. “We’re gonna get you fixed. Permanently. I swear it. No matter what I have to do.”

She nods and smiles, though it doesn’t reach her eyes. “I know you’d do anything for me, Ryker. Just don’t get too deep into anything. I know you.”

“Please, baby,” Ryker says with a confident grin. He hold his arms out wide. “I can handle anything.”

Sidney smiles for real this time and rolls her eyes before she looks back at Louis. “When were you going to visit my papa? I’ll have something written by then.”

Roguewolf

2022-04-19, 08:08 PM

Keith
Kylie sighs, looking down at her shoes before she looks back at Keith. “It’s Zack, okay? He’s always been super sweet to me, but he has that on again off again girlfriend and I never know if he’s still with her. I wish she’d just decide to leave him or stay, then I’d know what to do.”

“Sorry for dumping that on you Keith,” she says a little sheepishly. “It’s just frustrating, and not fair to you. I just need to sort out my feelings.”

Kylie starts back on the way to Sunshine Bakery. “It was no problem showing you around the school. Like I said earlier, it was really great seeing you again.”

Keith keeps his expression the same as Kylie tells him, at least as best he can but his eyebrows do raise slightly only to be lowered when he realizes it. It just HAD to be that ****....... F- The internal screaming continues as his own inner tormentor decided to laugh it up.

Keith just tilts his head and looks at Kylie. "I can understand that, and yeah, I remember hearin' about her. I'm sorry Kylie." He runs his hand through his hair, scratching the back of his head. "Kylie, you have nothin' to apologize for okay? Like I said, just take all the time you need." The soft smile continues.

As they continue back towards Sunshine Bakery, Keith nods. "It was awesome getting to see you too, and a nice surprise seein' Grayson and Emi." He chuckles a bit. Then the voice starts back up. HA! Yeah laugh it up. Fake laugh, hiding real pain. Keith just felt slightly awkward the rest of the walk. Mostly worried he just put their entire friendship in jeopardy.

"Honestly wouldn't mind sittin' in on one of Dr. Hara's classes. Seems like a cool teacher."

HIDA

2022-04-19, 09:06 PM

“So I gathered,” John said, picking up his Cuban. “The tension was pretty thick when I arrived last week. You can add that to the ‘if you need to talk about it’ list, should you need a sounding board or a place to vent.”

John took a bite of his sandwich, chewing happily. “You were absolutely correct about this Cuban. It’s fantastic.”

John paused before taking another bite. “Louis and William aren’t the only two you think positively about you. Ryker trusted you enough to be part of a pretty sensitive mission. He’s a little gruff, I grant you, but having you along it s kind of acceptance.”

John smiled a little mischievously. “Who knows? Another week with Sidney around and he may even begin to act like he isn’t ready to swing on us at any given moment.

“It had to be tough on him,” John observed, looking off into the distance. “He’s had to switch teams and partnerships a handful of times in the last year. Coming out of his background with the Rooks. I’d imagine there’s a good bit of concern we’ll abandon or turn on him at some point.” He glanced back to Calvin. “If he is able to get over that, you will have been a big part in helping him by going along to help bring Sidney in safely.”

Calvin scoffs. "Ryker tolerates me and that's fine. He's got a halfway decent reason to be standoffish towards me as he assumed my initial decision on Menagerie is how I'd feel about Songbird. I don't mind Stella or Sidney. but I didn't and still dont sit right with me because they could be wrapping us up as a gift to Vibrato, or the River king, or a greater ****in demon and I'm was just supposed to be chill with it like it was a slumber party. We didn't even put a nullifier on Stella she's been treated like a teammate since the day after we fought her when she was a part of the River kings crew. How the hell can I try to keep my teammates safe when everyone is cool with the Trojan Horse?"

Calvin leans back in his chair after realizing his forward leaning posture was getting aggressive.

"And i can admit i probably didn't have to hit Raphael over it. But everyone is okay with the idea. Even Louis took a wait and see approach. I'm not saying i can't be wrong . I'm saying i don't want to be right."

big teej

2022-04-19, 09:09 PM

Friend in Need:

"Hey Marie." Raphael says cheerfully, walking over to meet her. "Don't feel bad, you shouldn't recognize me from when we met." He says. "Is there somewhere we could chat for a minute? I'm sorry I haven't had a time to catch up with you since our chance encounter in the alley." He says quietly enough that the Maitre'd would have to work to overhear. His eyes very clearly plead with Marie to put 2 and 2 together.

InTheMachine

2022-04-19, 09:25 PM

Raphael
Marie looks confused for a moment before the lightbulb goes off in her head. She looks over Raphael's outfit and back at the Maitre'd. "Let's go out the front and around the side. He wouldn't be happy if I took you through the restaurant. I'm taking my fifteen," she calls over her shoulder as she goes through the double doors back the way Raphael came.

She takes him around the side back to the alley where they'd first met. "So this is what you look like, huh? I gotta admit, not what I was expecting. N-not in a bad way though," she mumbles the last part with a slight flush of her cheeks.

Keith and Will
"I haven't been in one of his classes," Kylie says. "Emi's had him a lot though. He does seem like a nice guy."

When the two of them arrive, Emi, Grayson, and Will already have a table next to one of the giant windows in the front. Kylie scoots in next to Grayson, leaving Keith to Will's side of the table.

Emi looks up at Keith, face concerned. Kylie shares a meaningful glance with her before she picks up a menu from the table. "Did you guys order yet?"

"Just drinks," Grayson answers. "We got you that mocha thing you like, and a black coffee for Keith."

big teej

2022-04-19, 09:36 PM

Memory Lane:

Raphael crosses his hands over his heart and looks skyward, fluttering his eyelids. "You're much too kind." He says with a smile. "You seem to be doing well, I'm assuming the riff-raff has been conspicuously absent?" He tilts his head slightly. "I appreciate you wasting your break on me. I trust that you have been well?"

He looks down the alleyway, fixing his expression as he scans for the bloodstains of that night.

InTheMachine

2022-04-19, 09:44 PM

Raphael
“I’ve been good,” Marie says. “I won’t say I don’t have nightmares about it, but it’s been getting better. Thank you again. I haven’t seen them again, and I also always make sure I take my break with one of the guys, just in case.”

Raphael can’t see any of the blood that was spattered about that day, but he can still smell it. Whoever cleaned it hadn’t gotten all of it.

“So what can I do for you? Surely this isn’t just a social visit.”

Roguewolf

2022-04-19, 09:45 PM

Keith and Will
"I haven't been in one of his classes," Kylie says. "Emi's had him a lot though. He does seem like a nice guy."

When the two of them arrive, Emi, Grayson, and Will already have a table next to one of the giant windows in the front. Kylie scoots in next to Grayson, leaving Keith to Will's side of the table.

Emi looks up at Keith, face concerned. Kylie shares a meaningful glance with her before she picks up a menu from the table. "Did you guys order yet?"

"Just drinks," Grayson answers. "We got you that mocha thing you like, and a black coffee for Keith."

Keith sits down next to Will and smiles at the rest of the group. When Emi looks over at him and slightly smiles and picks up a menu.

At the mention of them ordering him a black coffee and he grinned. "Thank for that man! Honestly going to need it. That and should probably pick up some of the good coffee for West Side sometime." He shook his head. "Runnin' real low on my Blackbeard's Revenge." Having everyone else around helped make it less awkward, though he only had himself to blame for that.

Keith looked over at Emi and Grayson. "So what have y'all been up to?"

"So how'd it go with the locker room, Will?"

mmdeforrest

2022-04-19, 09:46 PM

Calvin scoffs. "Ryker tolerates me and that's fine. He's got a halfway decent reason to be standoffish towards me as he assumed my initial decision on Menagerie is how I'd feel about Songbird. I don't mind Stella or Sidney. but I didn't and still dont sit right with me because they could be wrapping us up as a gift to Vibrato, or the River king, or a greater ****in demon and I'm was just supposed to be chill with it like it was a slumber party. We didn't even put a nullifier on Stella she's been treated like a teammate since the day after we fought her when she was a part of the River kings crew. How the hell can I try to keep my teammates safe when everyone is cool with the Trojan Horse?"

Calvin leans back in his chair after realizing his forward leaning posture was getting aggressive.

"And i can admit i probably didn't have to hit Raphael over it. But everyone is okay with the idea. Even Louis took a wait and see approach. I'm not saying i can't be wrong . I'm saying i don't want to be right."

“I can understand your concern and I think if I hadn’t had some different kinds of experiences. Of course, I arrived after Stella had been folded into the team but my personal encounter with her curse was a rather intense confirmation of that part of her story. I was even worried about bringing Sidney in.

“Not that I seem to have allowed my caution to rule my reaction there,” John observed rolling his eyes at himself.

“I think there’s a difference between some of us, relative to how secret we keep our identity. When I warned everyone that Sidney was arriving, no one seemed to feel the need to put on their uniforms. It was strange, to say the least.

“Anyway, if they aren’t concerned about that, that may explain why they are more laissez-faire about these things. Personally, I don’t get it. But I do get your concern and I think it was quite prudent to worry about it.

“Maybe not taking a swing at people, as you point out,” John joked. “But I do think you were right to be concerned. I’d still be concerned if it weren’t for my personal connections.” He chuckled. “Strangely, I think I may have more questions about some of the team than I do about Stella and Sidney.

“Weird.”

HIDA

2022-04-19, 10:47 PM

Calvin scoffs. "Ryker tolerates me and that's fine. He's got a halfway decent reason to be standoffish towards me as he assumed my initial decision on Menagerie is how I'd feel about Songbird. I don't mind Stella or Sidney. but I didn't and still dont sit right with me because they could be wrapping us up as a gift to Vibrato, or the River king, or a greater ****in demon and I'm was just supposed to be chill with it like it was a slumber party. We didn't even put a nullifier on Stella she's been treated like a teammate since the day after we fought her when she was a part of the River kings crew. How the hell can I try to keep my teammates safe when everyone is cool with the Trojan Horse?"

Calvin leans back in his chair after realizing his forward leaning posture was getting aggressive.

"And i can admit i probably didn't have to hit Raphael over it. But everyone is okay with the idea. Even Louis took a wait and see approach. I'm not saying i can't be wrong . I'm saying i don't want to be right."
======

“I can understand your concern and I think if I hadn’t had some different kinds of experiences. Of course, I arrived after Stella had been folded into the team but my personal encounter with her curse was a rather intense confirmation of that part of her story. I was even worried about bringing Sidney in.

“Not that I seem to have allowed my caution to rule my reaction there,” John observed rolling his eyes at himself.

“I think there’s a difference between some of us, relative to how secret we keep our identity. When I warned everyone that Sidney was arriving, no one seemed to feel the need to put on their uniforms. It was strange, to say the least.

“Anyway, if they aren’t concerned about that, that may explain why they are more laissez-faire about these things. Personally, I don’t get it. But I do get your concern and I think it was quite prudent to worry about it.

“Maybe not taking a swing at people, as you point out,” John joked. “But I do think you were right to be concerned. I’d still be concerned if it weren’t for my personal connections.” He chuckled. “Strangely, I think I may have more questions about some of the team than I do about Stella and Sidney.

“Weird.”
"I agree. There seems to be a prevailing notion that everything will always turn out great but seeing my dad work as a kid and seeing what people with power of any kind can do with it, vigilance is kinda mandatory in our line of work." Calvin says.

"But maybe its a thing that needs to be experienced. To be honest, I have my reservations about you, but when they were more harsh, I was dealing with other more personal issues at the time. So if I came off as distant or cold I apologize but it was likely for the best." Calvin says looking back at the city. He points his finger to the tall building John mentioned earlier "Beside the Stadium is Briggs Tower. It marks the line between Westside and Northside The stadium is technically shared responsibility between North and west but it lies on our side of things. Bastion is that way."

mmdeforrest

2022-04-19, 11:08 PM

"I agree. There seems to be a prevailing notion that everything will always turn out great but seeing my dad work as a kid and seeing what people with power of any kind can do with it, vigilance is kinda mandatory in our line of work." Calvin says.

"But maybe its a thing that needs to be experienced. To be honest, I have my reservations about you, but when they were more harsh, I was dealing with other more personal issues at the time. So if I came off as distant or cold I apologize but it was likely for the best." Calvin says looking back at the city. He points his finger to the tall building John mentioned earlier "Beside the Stadium is Briggs Tower. It marks the line between Westside and Northside The stadium is technically shared responsibility between North and west but it lies on our side of things. Bastion is that way."

“No need for apologies,” John responded after swallowing another bite of his Cuban. “The entire team didn’t know me from Adam’s house cat and I came in tow of an AEGIS agent from another continent without any local voice to vouch for me. Not even Seraph knew me as anything other than a consultant who had been foisted on him. There’s not a lot there to hang instant trust on.

John thought back to the coffin that he suspected few, if any other team members, knew about. “All we have right now is blind trust and hope.”

InTheMachine

2022-04-20, 07:16 AM

Will and Keith
“There isn’t much to report over the last week since you’ve been gone,” Emi says. “We’ve fought a few demons over East Side, but the biggest one we’ve found Ian and Zack took care of easily.”

“Oh, there was something a couple days ago when I was watching late night news,” Kylie adds. “Did you guys see that Songbird escaped from a convoy headed out of town? She exploded the armored truck she was in, despite having a nullifier on, and hasn’t been seen since. That was what? Four days ago? I can’t believe ISPD hasn’t found her yet.”

Grayson shrugs. His black nails drum on the table in a quick two step pattern. “I’m sure she had several safe houses set up. Even though Coldfront’s been going around destroying what Rooks property she can.”

HIDA

2022-04-20, 07:35 AM

“No need for apologies,” John responded after swallowing another bite of his Cuban. “The entire team didn’t know me from Adam’s house cat and I came in tow of an AEGIS agent from another continent without any local voice to vouch for me. Not even Seraph knew me as anything other than a consultant who had been foisted on him. There’s not a lot there to hang instant trust on.

John thought back to the coffin that he suspected few, if any other team members, knew about. “All we have right now is blind trust and hope.”

"That's really not a lot to go on." Calvin says, finally taking a bit of his sandwich. His whole expression changes. "Marco is truly incredible. They still taste just like when i was a kid. Me and my dad loved these." He said, taking another bite.

"You gotten to talk to your family recently?"

ImperialTM

2022-04-20, 10:30 AM

Roguewolf

2022-04-20, 11:22 AM

Will holds his cup of coffee with both hands as he talks to Emilia and Grayson. When Keith arrives William will move to one side of the booth to allow Keith to slide in. "Pretty successful, the helpful fellow let me know when and where this is happening so now we won't get lost on our way there," Will says with a wink. Picking up his menu William browses the options idly drumming his fingers on the laminated paper while he listens to the others. Looking through the options he stops at one and leans towards Keith "What even is this?" He says pointing to the Vegan Zucchini Brownie.

Keith smirks as Will tells him what he had learned and nods. "Awesome news there! Guys on the team were helpful too, though seems like there's an even bigger problem goin' on. Seems like everythin' about Ben down to his personality changed as well. Also sounded like he was dared to take the stuff by some of the others on the team." Keith shakes his head.

Keith grimaced seeing what Will was pointing at. "It's supposed to be a healthy non-animal cruelty alternative. Tried it once and...... " Keith shakes his head at Will. "Would take some gettin' used to."

Will and Keith
“There isn’t much to report over the last week since you’ve been gone,” Emi says. “We’ve fought a few demons over East Side, but the biggest one we’ve found Ian and Zack took care of easily.”

“Oh, there was something a couple days ago when I was watching late night news,” Kylie adds. “Did you guys see that Songbird escaped from a convoy headed out of town? She exploded the armored truck she was in, despite having a nullifier on, and hasn’t been seen since. That was what? Four days ago? I can’t believe ISPD hasn’t found her yet.”

Grayson shrugs. His black nails drum on the table in a quick two step pattern. “I’m sure she had several safe houses set up. Even though Coldfront’s been going around destroying what Rooks property she can.”

Keith nods and smiles as he keeps looking through the menu. "Sounds like some lesser ones thankfully. Hopefully y'all don't come across some of them like yesterday." Keith's hands shook a little bit reaching for his coffee. He took a deep breath when he noticed it and realized that most of East Side were much physically stronger than he was. They would most likely be fine. "Some advice though, if you guys run into one that's black and white, with two extra limbs comin' outa its back, physical attacks. Me and Polaris got ambushed by one and it absorbed fire and darkness. Not sure what else it could have but just a precaution. Oh and stay away from its head." Keith chuckles a bit. "Man, after gettin' knocked outa the sky by that thing, I need my back cracked to the point it just realigns my chakras and sends me into an astral projected state."

At the mention of Songbird, Keith stops mid-sip of his coffee and his eyebrows raise. "Wait she broke out while in a nullifier?" He then nodded with Grayson's comment. "True, she probably would have a lot of safe houses. Though something still seems off about the entire thing. Like the kidnapping was so out of character, just seems like something else might be at play there."

Will stops drumming his fingers at the mention of Songbird. His chest felt a little tight and he had a sense of unease wash over him. Setting down his menu Will motions for Keith to allow him to leave the booth. "I'll be right back, I have to make a call really quick." Getting up from the table William walks out of the building to the parking lot outside. Quickly pulling out his phone William dials Seraph's number. Listening to the phone dial William wipes the sweat off his hand in anticipation.

Keith looked over at Will and nodded, getting up out of the way for Will to make his call. He also just remembered that they never explicitly told Will that Sid was wanted. Then again, even with her being whammied by Vibrato, there's no telling what those machines of hers could do on their own. "No worries man."

InTheMachine

2022-04-20, 01:29 PM

Roguewolf

2022-04-20, 02:04 PM

Sunshine’s
“You mean the one with all the teeth?” Grayson asks. “That sounds like what Ian and Zack fought.”

Kylie nods. “Based on what you said, Keith, I’d have trouble taking it down, so I’m glad they were they ones that found it. It wasn’t too far from the hospital, right when Aimee and I were being discharged. Ian and Zack were coming to pick me up.”

Kylie looks confused when Keith mentions that it seemed out of character for Songbird to have kidnapped someone. “You know her personally or something? I don’t think it seems weird for a villain to ransom someone for money, especially when you have someone like Vitriol helping you out.”

“He put me in the hospital,” Grayson says, shuddering as he remembers that fight. “I had just joined the team, and I thought I could handle one guy while the rest of the team pursued a couple of other Rooks.”

Keith nods at Grayson when he askes about the demon. "Yeah that's the one. Nearly took my head off." Keith looks at Kylie as she mentions when she and Aimee were discharged. "Oh dang, yeah they would have finished it easy." His internal screaming began again.

At Kylie and Grayson's responses about Songbird and Ryker, Keith realizes exactly just how bad he messed up. They have no idea what is going on and how this even went down. "Can't say I know her personally, just what all has been reported. Just seemed like an odd escalation." He took a deep breath hearing it all out.

"I had no idea, im so sorry Grayson." Keith grimaces. "He came over with the South Side team and it's been..... a bit more than weird getting information on past cases." Keith looks down at his hands, now torn since his old friends and new friends are so at odds. Not many would understand his thoughts on giving people second chances. He had no idea that Ryker had put his best friend in the hospital. "I'm sorry you guys. It's also part of the emergency meetin' that we had this mornin'. Seraph thinks that there's more at play, but we're going to look into it more after this rave tonight."

Keith sighs. "Seems like ever since I went to West Side the world has just gone topsy-turvy." He shook his head. "Sometimes I really hate Uncle's training to look at and think of everythin'."

InTheMachine

2022-04-20, 07:11 PM

Roguewolf

2022-04-20, 07:29 PM

Sunshine’s
“I’d heard that they made him join a provisional team as ‘punishment’,” Grayson says. His knee starts to jitter under the table as the air around him drops a few degrees. “What the hell kinda punishment is that? Is he just as bad as when he broke my ribs?”

Emi puts her hand on Grayson’s shoulder and he starts a little. He lets out a breath he didn’t know he was holding and it frosts up the table before Kylie quickly places her palm on the table to get rid of the ice and warms the air before the few people can notice.

“S-sorry,” he mutters, eyes downcast. “I guess I was getting a little too worked up. When we fought, I thought he was going to kill me. I just can’t believe that they put him on a team.”

Keith shakes his head and smiles to comfort his friend. "No I get what you mean, it is kind of an odd punishment. Maybe it's somethin' like a public display that they used to do." Keith sighs. "I should apologize to you Grayson. Didn't mean to get you worked up like that."

"Honestly I should apologize to all of you." Keith says, looking down at the table. "Wasn't meanin' to bring down the mood." Keith takes a deep breath trying to settle his mind. It was unusual, he normally didn't cause such issues with them. Maybe it was just his nerves from earlier. C'mon Keith, get ahold of yourself. Just more inner turmoil since the Ryker he knew was not who everyone else knew. Oh and just the anticipation of what Kylie might say, oh, and the fact he needed to make sure to survive tonight. No pressure!

"I'm sorry you guys."

mmdeforrest

2022-04-20, 07:42 PM

"That's really not a lot to go on." Calvin says, finally taking a bit of his sandwich. His whole expression changes. "Marco is truly incredible. They still taste just like when i was a kid. Me and my dad loved these." He said, taking another bite.

"You gotten to talk to your family recently?"

“This past weekend,” John replied. “We try to talk once a week. It got a little trickier when I was in London but we still managed it most weeks. We dance around the question of what I am specifically doing. Dad’s line is secure enough but I think they are trying to figure out how much they want to know. Dad observed that it was like having a son serving in a war — although Mom added it was like having a decorated son. Regardless, what parent wants their child in danger?

“We haven’t figured out how to tell my brother and sister yet. We’re still working through that.”

“What about you? How often are you able to catch up with your family?”

HIDA

2022-04-20, 08:15 PM

“This past weekend,” John replied. “We try to talk once a week. It got a little trickier when I was in London but we still managed it most weeks. We dance around the question of what I am specifically doing. Dad’s line is secure enough but I think they are trying to figure out how much they want to know. Dad observed that it was like having a son serving in a war — although Mom added it was like having a decorated son. Regardless, what parent wants their child in danger?

“We haven’t figured out how to tell my brother and sister yet. We’re still working through that.”

“What about you? How often are you able to catch up with your family?”

"Haven't spoken to them since joining up with AEGIS." Calvin says reflectively, thinking of the last time he talked to his family. "I told my father I was joining up. and I was told I wasn't welcomed back. He hasn't tried to call or see me and my line has been blocked on their phones. Legally I'm an adult so there's nothing I can really do about it but i hope to run into them out and about getting groceries or at the mall but nothing. I haven't even seen the twins." Calvin pauses a moment as he replays their last moment together. Helping them with homework. He hasn't seen them and he doesn't know what's been happening with them.

"I-I'm glad you get to keep up with your family. Having people there for you is really... really nice, you know?."

mmdeforrest

2022-04-20, 08:32 PM

"Haven't spoken to them since joining up with AEGIS." Calvin says reflectively, thinking of the last time he talked to his family. "I told my father I was joining up. and I was told I wasn't welcomed back. He hasn't tried to call or see me and my line has been blocked on their phones. Legally I'm an adult so there's nothing I can really do about it but i hope to run into them out and about getting groceries or at the mall but nothing. I haven't even seen the twins." Calvin pauses a moment as he replays their last moment together. Helping them with homework. He hasn't seen them and he doesn't know what's been happening with them.

"I-I'm glad you get to keep up with your family. Having people there for you is really... really nice, you know?."

You would think that kind of detail would have been noted in the file I got to read, John though bitterly.

“I’m sorry, Calvin. I had no idea.”

He knew that Calvin had to be complicit in the decision to a degree — still respecting his father’s wishes. After all, he could find his siblings relatively simply — visiting their school, predicting their location based on years of knowledge of his family’s habits. If he wanted to, it would only be a matter of time.

Unless there was something else involved — some kind of Karmic debt or similar effect. You didn’t need a greater demon to curse you to have some kind of warping of your life.

“I know it’s a pretty lame response, but is there anything I can do to help?” He shook his head. “I’m sure if it were that simple, Marco would have intervened more effectively than I could.”

It was surprising how often he encountered situations where magic could not make a difference.

big teej

2022-04-20, 09:17 PM

Alleychat:

Raphael smiles a little sadly and says. "Don't worry, before long it'll be little more than an unhappy memory. I would imagine word's spread about what happened to that guy, but it's still smart not to take breaks alone."

"Actually, If things had been less crazy since, it would have been." Raphael says, turning his attention back toward Marie.

"I was kinda hoping to crassly cash in on my favor and get a table for two on the 30th?" He says.

InTheMachine

2022-04-20, 09:48 PM

Raphael
Though she smiles, her expression saddens, just a little. “Is this supposed to be a romantic dinner for two? What time were you wanting? Would you like our rooftop tables or something inside?”

Sunshine’s
Grayson shakes his head. “It’s fine Keith. I’m the one that got upset over it. I should know better and be more under control,” he says quietly as he goes back to drumming his nails on the table. “Wouldn’t be good if I transformed right here in the bakery.”

“That would definitely make the evening news,” Kylie says with a grin. “I can see the headline now: ‘Dragon destroys beloved downtown bakery’. The students from Bastion would start a manhunt for you.”

“You think they’d suspend classes for a day if Sunshine’s was destroyed?” Emi asks, continuing to try and lighten the mood. “To mourn the death of the best bagels in East Side?”

“Ha ha,” Grayson says, not joining in the two girls jokes. “You guys say that stuff l-like it couldn’t actually happen.”

“Relax Grayson,” Emi says with an easy smile. “You’re more in control than you think you are. You’ve gotten so much better than when you first joined the team.”

At Emi’s words, shapeshifter’s ears and neck flush and he places his gaze firmly on the table. “Y-you think so?”

Kylie looks over at Keith, grinning wider. “See? No need to apologize. You know anyone that would write a eulogy for a bakery?”

Roguewolf

2022-04-20, 10:10 PM

Sunshine’s
Grayson shakes his head. “It’s fine Keith. I’m the one that got upset over it. I should know better and be more under control,” he says quietly as he goes back to drumming his nails on the table. “Wouldn’t be good if I transformed right here in the bakery.”

“That would definitely make the evening news,” Kylie says with a grin. “I can see the headline now: ‘Dragon destroys beloved downtown bakery’. The students from Bastion would start a manhunt for you.”

“You think they’d suspend classes for a day if Sunshine’s was destroyed?” Emi asks, continuing to try and lighten the mood. “To mourn the death of the best bagels in East Side?”

“Ha ha,” Grayson says, not joining in the two girls jokes. “You guys say that stuff l-like it couldn’t actually happen.”

“Relax Grayson,” Emi says with an easy smile. “You’re more in control than you think you are. You’ve gotten so much better than when you first joined the team.”

At Emi’s words, shapeshifter’s ears and neck flush and he places his gaze firmly on the table. “Y-you think so?”

Kylie looks over at Keith, grinning wider. “See? No need to apologize. You know anyone that would write a eulogy for a bakery?”

Keith lifts his head up and watches as Kylie and Emi try to lift Grayson's spirits. He has a half smile on his face listening to them joke about the bakery. He starts chuckling when Grayson makes his second comment.

"You really are in way more control than you think. Honestly kinda jealous of it since I still have to meditate every day." Keith shakes his head at the thought and his grin gets wider.

The second Kylie looks at him and he sees her grin, it turns into a Chesire grin and he busts out laughing the moment she asks about a eulogy for the bakery. "HAHAHAHAHAHA! I think I got one!" Keith clears his throat. "Oh Sunshine's, your bagels brought so much comfort to the masses. But alas, no longer shall the students of Bastion partake of your wondrous creations. No more shall the cakes melt in the mouths of the masses, nor the cookies bring solace to those who have failed a term paper. All of East Side has a Sunshine story to brighten their days, and you shall live on within our hearts, and our empty stomachs."

Keith thinks for a moment. "Maybe not my best work." He's still chuckling now with a lopsided smile.

HIDA

2022-04-20, 10:33 PM

You would think that kind of detail would have been noted in the file I got to read, John though bitterly.

“I’m sorry, Calvin. I had no idea.”

He knew that Calvin had to be complicit in the decision to a degree — still respecting his father’s wishes. After all, he could find his siblings relatively simply — visiting their school, predicting their location based on years of knowledge of his family’s habits. If he wanted to, it would only be a matter of time.

Unless there was something else involved — some kind of Karmic debt or similar effect. You didn’t need a greater demon to curse you to have some kind of warping of your life.

“I know it’s a pretty lame response, but is there anything I can do to help?” He shook his head. “I’m sure if it were that simple, Arturo would have intervened more effectively than I could.”

It was surprising how often he encountered situations where magic could not make a difference.

"I was gonna ask Marco of he'd been by or if he had heard anything about mom or the twins, but i feel like it would weaken my resolve about my decision to be a hero." Calvin admits, looking towards his old neighborhood. "I'm doing this myself so its kind of the price i paid to live my dream. I know it's selfish to think i could be in touch with my family and moonlight as a Hero. Im barely hanging on in my studies as it is, all while keeping my identity mostly a secret. My dad is probably just protecting the family in his own way. but its sucks man... It ****ing sucks."

"I just wish I could see them and tell them I miss them." Calvin says, turning away from John for a moment.

InTheMachine

2022-04-21, 09:06 AM

Roguewolf

2022-04-21, 09:42 AM

Sunshine’s
All three of them smile at Keith’s words.

“Like you never left,” Kylie says with a soft smile.

A server comes over to take orders and the three East Siders put in their food. Kylie orders a apple Gouda panini, Emi gets an egg, cheddar, and avocado sandwich, and Grayson orders a bacon, egg, and cheese croissant with extra bacon.

Once the server leaves, Emi looks back over at Keith. “So you guys are looking into Songbird? If we can help in any way, let us know. I know you guys don’t get over East Side much.”

Keith keeps chuckling a bit and then goes back into a softer smile. "Yep, though it's the first time in the past week I've really felt at home. West Side is nice just, so much is different." Keith looks over at Grayson. "No one actually plays music loud enough over there so it's quiet as all hell."

Keith looks and sees that Will still isn't back and he has no idea what to get him. Keith decided to go ahead and order too, he would just wait to eat until Will got his, also ordering a bacon, egg, and cheese croissant with extra bacon.

At Emi's question, Keith nodded. "Yeah, though mostly just a few others have been checking out safe houses and staking them out. The rest of us were on standby for the demons." Keith lets out a sigh and then smiles. "Probably will definitely be asking, especially if Seraph has his theory right. I'll still find my way over here, can't just up and disappear on you guys." His lopsided grin returned. He really hadn't realized just how much he missed the gang.

ImperialTM

2022-04-21, 09:52 AM

The phone picks up on the first ring, but it’s Mimi that answers. “Seraph is currently asleep. Is this something that I could help you with, William?”
William clicks his tongue in frustration "Mimi, is Sydney still at the base? Is everyone safe?"

InTheMachine

2022-04-21, 11:52 AM

Will
“Sidney is still at the base. She is currently under house arrest, similar to Ryker,” Mimi says. “She has been locked out of all rooms except for common areas. I would notify Seraph if anyone at the base was deemed ‘unsafe’ for those around. Do not worry, I am keeping a close watch on Sidney. Ryker has not left her side since she entered HQ last night for more than a few minutes. I have spoken with him about keeping watch over her as well.”

Sunshine’s
Grayson grins. “Killswitch just put out a new album. I’ve been learning the leads over the past couple days.”

Kylie rolls her eyes, but chooses not to say anything.

ImperialTM

2022-04-21, 12:32 PM

“Sidney is still at the base. She is currently under house arrest, similar to Ryker,” Mimi says. “She has been locked out of all rooms except for common areas. I would notify Seraph if anyone at the base was deemed ‘unsafe’ for those around. Do not worry, I am keeping a close watch on Sidney. Ryker has not left her side since she entered HQ last night for more than a few minutes. I have spoken with him about keeping watch over her as well.”
Will is silent for a long moment before wiping a hand across his face and letting out a long sigh "Ok. Ok, we'll see you at the base. Please notify us if anything goes wrong." Ending the call Will heads back inside with a smile that's only a little forced. "Sorry about that friends. Hope I didn't miss ordering."

Roguewolf

2022-04-21, 01:02 PM

Sunshine’s
Grayson grins. “Killswitch just put out a new album. I’ve been learning the leads over the past couple days.”

Kylie rolls her eyes, but chooses not to say anything.

Keith grins as Grayson explains and takes another sip of his coffee. "Didnt realize the new album just released! Gonna try and get it downloaded after while." He puts the cup down. "How is the practice goin'?"

He notices Kylie roll her eyes, figured it was from all the music and like she said, it was kinda crowded but they really just didn't do things like this at West Side. Hell he still didn't know half the team.

Ending the call Will heads back inside with a smile that's only a little forced. "Sorry about that friends. Hope I didn't miss ordering."

When Will comes back, Keith smiles and gets up to let him back in. "She just left but should be back in a moment. Wasn't entirely sure what to get ya bud."

He looks back at his friends from East Side. "Mostly been catchin' up and you missed a eulogy of bagels."

ImperialTM

2022-04-21, 01:20 PM

He looks back at his friends from East Side. "Mostly been catchin' up and you missed a eulogy of bagels."
William's brow raises in amusement "Eulogy of bagels?"

InTheMachine

2022-04-21, 03:40 PM

Sunshine’s
“They just dropped it yesterday,” Grayson replies. “The old stuff was good, but they really added in some sick new riffs and chord progressions that are a little different for them.” This is probably the most animated the shapeshifter has been for the entire conversation. He starts to say more, but acutely realizes that anything more technical would probably bore anyone else at the table. “I’m learning all of it by ear, but I’m pretty sure I have about half the songs down already.”

The server sees Will return the table and comes to get his order before leaving the five of them again.

Kylie smirks, elbowing Grayson in the side. “Sometimes you need to prepare a eulogy when there’s the possibility of a certain dragon destroying Bastion’s favorite bakery.”

PK-Leon

2022-04-21, 04:33 PM

Kitchen Talk

Sidney smiles for real this time and rolls her eyes before she looks back at Louis. Â“When were you going to visit my papa? IÂ’ll have something written by then.Â”

"I was thinking about leaving in an hour or two and heading back before the meeting this afternoon. Thanks Sidney. I know it's unfair of me to ask you stay here after being... 'gone' for so long but I promised that I'd help try to get your life back to the way it was. Speaking of which..." Louis rubs his jaw as he thinks of how to propose his idea. "I've got a prototype I've been working for the past week and I plan on using it to track down the person responsible for doing this to you, however progress has been slower than I'd like. A lot slower actually. So I was thinking that maybe you'd be able to lend me your expertise and help with the completion of the prototype so we can expedite your exoneration?"

Louis gets up from the kitchen table. "You don't have to answer now. It's just an idea. Thanks for the pancakes by the way!" He offers to both of the chefs. "I'm gonna start getting ready for the day. If you need me I'll be in my room or the lab." He disappears in a flash of light after finishing his sentence.

Roguewolf

2022-04-21, 05:30 PM

William's brow raises in amusement "Eulogy of bagels?"

Sunshine’s
“They just dropped it yesterday,” Grayson replies. “The old stuff was good, but they really added in some sick new riffs and chord progressions that are a little different for them.” This is probably the most animated the shapeshifter has been for the entire conversation. He starts to say more, but acutely realizes that anything more technical would probably bore anyone else at the table. “I’m learning all of it by ear, but I’m pretty sure I have about half the songs down already.”

The server sees Will return the table and comes to get his order before leaving the five of them again.

Kylie smirks, elbowing Grayson in the side. “Sometimes you need to prepare a eulogy when there’s the possibility of a certain dragon destroying Bastion’s favorite bakery.”

Keith grins at the updates from Grayson. "Dude you do really well playin' by ear. No doubt you'll have them all down real soon." He just chuckles a bit. "Pretty sure they're all going to be confused as hell when they find out how eclectic my music tastes are."

When Will places his order and asks about the eulogy, Keith chuckles again at Kylie elbowing Grayson. "Oh right, that's somethin else that's different. So Will, there are dragons. Not exactly like Smaug from The Hobbit if you read that before but like actual awesome and good dragons."

mmdeforrest

2022-04-21, 07:16 PM

"I was gonna ask Marco of he'd been by or if he had heard anything about mom or the twins, but i feel like it would weaken my resolve about my decision to be a hero." Calvin admits, looking towards his old neighborhood. "I'm doing this myself so its kind of the price i paid to live my dream. I know it's selfish to think i could be in touch with my family and moonlight as a Hero. Im barely hanging on in my studies as it is, all while keeping my identity mostly a secret. My dad is probably just protecting the family in his own way. but its sucks man... It ****ing sucks."

"I just wish I could see them and tell them I miss them." Calvin says, turning away from John for a moment.

“I’ll go with you if you would like to ask him now,” John offered. “It might help if you had a wingman for moral support.” John glanced off into the distance. “There is the possibility that he doesn’t know about your father’s response. If that’s the case, of course, Marco would at least be able to carry your good wishes to your family.

“In fact,” John observed, “it would make sense for him to keep your identity quiet, if he fears what might happen to you or to your family — to keep your enemies from making their way to your front door.” He shook his head. “That doesn’t feel like the full story but it may, at least, be what he is telling himself.”

He turned back to face Calvin. “And as frightening as our inter demons are, I suspect that the demons we have fought would have run you off if you were likely to back out of this line of work. Your worrying about it may be a sign of sanity, but I suspect the Dagger would not have chosen someone who would just cast it away because he didn’t feel like being a champion any more.

“It, and the Sword Saint Germain, likely know you well enough to have sensed that.

“That said, I’d recommend finishing the Cuban first. It’s really good.”

HIDA

2022-04-21, 08:12 PM

“I’ll go with you if you would like to ask him now,” John offered. “It might help if you had a wingman for moral support.” John glanced off into the distance. “There is the possibility that he doesn’t know about your father’s response. If that’s the case, of course, Marco would at least be able to carry your good wishes to your family.

“In fact,” John observed, “it would make sense for him to keep your identity quiet, if he fears what might happen to you or to your family — to keep your enemies from making their way to your front door.” He shook his head. “That doesn’t feel like the full story but it may, at least, be what he is telling himself.”

He turned back to face Calvin. “And as frightening as our inter demons are, I suspect that the demons we have fought would have run you off if you were likely to back out of this line of work. Your worrying about it may be a sign of sanity, but I suspect the Dagger would not have chosen someone who would just cast it away because he didn’t feel like being a champion any more.

“It, and the Sword Saint Germain, likely know you well enough to have sensed that.

“That said, I’d recommend finishing the Cuban first. It’s really good.”

*ahem* "Yeah. Don't want it to get cold." Calvin says turning back to John after getting the last of the dirt out of his eye. He takes a few bites of his cuban and mulls over what John said

"I think I'll talk to Marco and Miggy for a second before I leave." Calvin decides before taking the last bite. "Sorry for all this I just kinda dawned on me and how everything has been going, especially the last couple of weeks. Just ...Thanks. Was there anything else you wanted to talk about before we jam over to Mr. P's?"

mmdeforrest

2022-04-21, 08:26 PM

*ahem* "Yeah. Don't want it to get cold." Calvin says turning back to John after getting the last of the dirt out of his eye. He takes a few bites of his cuban and mulls over what John said

"I think I'll talk to Marco and Miggy for a second before I leave." Calvin decides before taking the last bite. "Sorry for all this I just kinda dawned on me and how everything has been going, especially the last couple of weeks. Just ...Thanks. Was there anything else you wanted to talk about before we jam over to Mr. P's?"

John smiled as he finished his Cuban. “Only the knowledge of what the second best thing on the menu is so I know what to try next time!”

ImperialTM

2022-04-21, 08:35 PM

When Will places his order and asks about the eulogy, Keith chuckles again at Kylie elbowing Grayson. "Oh right, that's somethin else that's different. So Will, there are dragons. Not exactly like Smaug from The Hobbit if you read that before but like actual awesome and good dragons."

"Really!? What do they look like? Do they breathe fire? How big can they get? Do they interact with people regularly? Can....can you go on dragon rides?"

HIDA

2022-04-21, 08:37 PM

John smiled as he finished his Cuban. “Only the knowledge of what the second best thing on the menu is so I know what to try next time!”

Calvin Flashes a wide smile. "We'll Get you a Shrimp Po'boy with some shoestring fries and a big sweet tea. You'll love it." Calvin says before standing up and walking back down to the main lobby.

"Hey Marco, Miggy! You guys gotta sec? I need your help."

Roguewolf

2022-04-21, 08:43 PM

"Really!? What do they look like? Do they breathe fire? How big can they get? Do they interact with people regularly? Can....can you go on dragon rides?"

Keith takes a deep breath and starts to answer his questions in order as he can. "Yes! Kinda just like, well dragons, various sizes and colorations, and various human forms too. Not entirely sure but fairly big. Some do, but it depends. You've spoken to one today. And..... I don't know, never thought to ask but I would assume you would need to ask very nicely."

Keith chuckles a bit. "Have no idea what all everyone else has told you, just tyrin' to keep you up to speed." Keith takes out his phone and finds some news footage of Draconian to show Will. "Here's the one (https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DYApK5YWsAAP6q2.jpg) you met today."

ImperialTM

2022-04-21, 10:08 PM

Keith takes a deep breath and starts to answer his questions in order as he can. "Yes! Kinda just like, well dragons, various sizes and colorations, and various human forms too. Not entirely sure but fairly big. Some do, but it depends. You've spoken to one today. And..... I don't know, never thought to ask but I would assume you would need to ask very nicely."

Keith chuckles a bit. "Have no idea what all everyone else has told you, just tyrin' to keep you up to speed." Keith takes out his phone and finds some news footage of Draconian to show Will. "Here's the one you met today."
"What! When! Where! Who was it!" William clicks his tongue in disappointment. "An actual dragon..." he muses, the thought of such a powerful creature living side by side with people. His mind starts wandering back to the people he's met. "Was it the professor? No, wait!" William dramatically gasps "It's John isn't it."

big teej

2022-04-22, 11:42 AM

Alley Chat II:

"Girlfriend's birthday." Raphael says, his gaze growing distant as he thinks about his next few words. "I think... 6 in the evening on the roof would be best." He holds his hands up and shrugs. "But I have no idea what I'm doing, I bow to your expertise."

He thinks for another moment before saying "You deserve better than being wrapped up with a bloody-handed hero. Someone who worked really hard to earn your affection. Not me."

InTheMachine

2022-04-22, 12:19 PM

Arturo's
Marco calls Miguel out of the back.

The younger teen tilts his head at Calvin. "You need our help, Cal?" he asks.

"You know we'll do whatever we can for ya," Marco says as he scrapes off the grill before turning to face Calvin.

Sunshine's
Grayson flushes again as Keith shows news footage of Draconian to Will. "T-that's me. I'm a dragon. Kinda." He rubs his forearm with his other hand.

"No kinda about it," Kylie says. "I'm pretty sure that anyone who sees you says 'yeah, that's a dragon'.

Raphael
Marie shrugs, eyes still crestfallen. "What? A girl can't be a little disappointed that the guy that saved her, that turned out to be pretty cute, ends up coming back to talk to her, only to tell her that he has a girlfriend already?"

"Yeah, I can get you a rooftop table. Just make sure you follow the dress code so that Pierre doesn't throw a fit at me," she says with a small smile.

Louis
A knock sounds on the door to the lab about thirty minutes after he leaves the kitchen. If he opens the door, Sidney is standing there with a sealed envelope in her hands. She hands it over to him. "Here's the letter to my papa. Thank you for taking it to him for me."

She looks past him to the interior of the lab. "Is this where your prototype is? Could I see it? To see what I'm working with? I would be happy to help you out with it, if I can."

big teej

2022-04-22, 12:37 PM

Mission Accomplished:

"You can, but I'm not sorry for trying to mitigate that." Raphael says with a grin. "And I promise to be on my best behavior next time I'm here." He says with a wink. "I really appreciate it Marie, next time I promise it'll just be a social call."

Raphael escorts Marie back inside and then saunters through town toward the Amity Court Market.

Roguewolf

2022-04-22, 12:50 PM

Sunshine's
Grayson flushes again as Keith shows news footage of Draconian to Will. "T-that's me. I'm a dragon. Kinda." He rubs his forearm with his other hand.

"No kinda about it," Kylie says. "I'm pretty sure that anyone who sees you says 'yeah, that's a dragon'.

Keith nods. "Yep it's Grayson. Though if John is one too, I'm curious which kind."

He also nods at Kylie's response. "She's got a point, though no one would ever really guess unless they see that form." Keith smirks. "I still remember that one time we pulled the 'Now you see him, now run' trick on some guys for you to change. Dark shroud was good for that."

HIDA

2022-04-22, 01:10 PM

Arturo's
Marco calls Miguel out of the back.

The younger teen tilts his head at Calvin. "You need our help, Cal?" he asks.

"You know we'll do whatever we can for ya," Marco says as he scrapes off the grill before turning to face Calvin.

Calvin takes a deep breath. "I don't know if Dad or mom mention that I'm at school now but I rarely get to see them anymore. Could you, could you tell them I'm ok and I hope they are too. There's alot more i wish i could go into but I'm late for another appointment. Thanks for lunch. please let me know If you need anyhting. Miggy my number still works. Tell Tia and Abuela i said hey. Be back again soon!"

InTheMachine

2022-04-22, 01:16 PM

Raphael
As he walks up to the Amity Court Market, Raphael sees that there's a special event going on today. The street is absolutely full of people. Most of the street vendors have extra merchandise out, and there are several additional stalls set up for food. There's a small stage set up at the end of the street where an energetic brasshouse band plays (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWbY9nAeZMI).

Sunshine's
Emi smiles as she recalls the incident. "I remember you telling me about that. You guys were getting chased by some of the River Kings pigmen and Grayson sent them squealing back to the bayou."

Arturo's
Marco's face softens. "I'd be happy to, Cal. Your dad comes in every once in a while and we talk for a bit. He seems to be doin' well."

Miguel grins. "I will. I just get caught up in work and school, ya know. I'll see ya around."

As John and Calvin head to Mr. P's, they see that the sign on the door is currently turned to close. The inside of the shop is dark.

ImperialTM

2022-04-22, 01:38 PM

Grayson flushes again as Keith shows news footage of Draconian to Will. "T-that's me. I'm a dragon. Kinda." He rubs his forearm with his other hand.

"No kinda about it," Kylie says. "I'm pretty sure that anyone who sees you says 'yeah, that's a dragon'.
William stares at Grayson, mouth agape "You're pulling my leg aren't you." He looks around at the others and then back at Grayson "Shiny hornets in Tuscany..."

"How big can you get? Are your parents also dragons? Were you hatched from an egg or born like a human? Can you breathe fire while not in dragon form? What happens to your clothes when you transform? Can you do a partial transformation or is it all or nothing? How long do you..." William pauses and looks sheepish "I'm sorry these are probably very rude questions to ask but I- there is just so much to understand about your guy's time."

big teej

2022-04-22, 02:06 PM

It's Loud:

Before diving into the crowd, Raphael checks his phone for messages from Stella, Marcus, Tanya, Seraph, or anyone else from the team. He slides his phone back into his pocket and lets the crowd sweep him along the street, simply wafting in the sear of humanity until he washes up on the shores of a food truck. He waits in line for a moment before stepping up and ordering a boudin corndog.

Street Snack in hand, Raphael plunges back beneath the waves, seeking out the wrought iron tables he usually sits at.

Roguewolf

2022-04-22, 02:23 PM

Sunshine's
Emi smiles as she recalls the incident. "I remember you telling me about that. You guys were getting chased by some of the River Kings pigmen and Grayson sent them squealing back to the bayou."

Keith's Cheshire grin returns as he laughs some more. "It was awesome! Didn't think they would squeal as loud as they did though. Ears rang for a good week after." He shakes his head. "Move over Barnum and Bailey's, here comes Radke and Karver."

Keith listens as Will lists off his questions as well. He also rubs the back of his neck. "Think anyone would be curious, but he's actually an ice dragon." Keith turns to the others. "So Will is, kinda new to our time period. There's a whole lot to catch him up on but he seems to take most of it well."

InTheMachine

2022-04-22, 02:41 PM

Sunshine's
Emi and Kylie shake their heads. "Not pulling your leg, Will," Kylie says.

"I'm... really just a normal person," Grayson says in response to Will's questions. "I was just a typical kid up until I hit middle school, and then I... k-kinda turned into a dragon one day when I got upset. My parents told me it was an old family curse that's apparently skipped a couple of generations. How big do you think I am now?" he asks Emi.

"I would say about thirty feet long, and fifteen feet high when you stand up straight and you don't count your wings," she answers.

Grayson shrugs. "It's kinda like I get replaced by the dragon. All my clothes and stuff are fine when I shift back, which is really useful. Oh, and I don't breathe fire, like Keith said."

Kylie narrows her eyes at Will's last words. "What do you mean, 'our time'? Are you a time traveler? I feel like that's weirder than being a dragon," she says with a small smirk.

Raphael
His phone has no new texts. Raphael finds his normal tables, but they're filled with people. If he waits for a minute, he can snag one of the smaller ones to himself.

The band changes songs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dj186Ke8cQI) and the crowd in front of the stage shifts and surges with the music.

Deep in the crowd, he spots a possibly familiar head of red hair (https://raid.guide/media/cache/43afb5ef54e7f058be8fc50581994c9e/hero/warpriest-2060.jpg). But then, she's gone, swallowed by the throng of people.

ImperialTM

2022-04-22, 03:03 PM

Sunshine's
Emi and Kylie shake their heads. "Not pulling your leg, Will," Kylie says.

"I'm... really just a normal person," Grayson says in response to Will's questions. "I was just a typical kid up until I hit middle school, and then I... k-kinda turned into a dragon one day when I got upset. My parents told me it was an old family curse that's apparently skipped a couple of generations. How big do you think I am now?" he asks Emi.

"I would say about thirty feet long, and fifteen feet high when you stand up straight and you don't count your wings," she answers.

Grayson shrugs. "It's kinda like I get replaced by the dragon. All my clothes and stuff are fine when I shift back, which is really useful. Oh, and I don't breathe fire, like Keith said."

Kylie narrows her eyes at Will's last words. "What do you mean, 'our time'? Are you a time traveler? I feel like that's weirder than being a dragon," she says with a small smirk.
William nods along to Grayson's explanation "Ice is still cool. If you don't mind, it would be a dream to see your dragon form someday. Talk about being able to check off a bucket list."

Will chuckles at Kylie's question "Not by choice. Well, partly by choice." Will looks down into his mug gathering his thoughts. "I volunteered for a military experiment in the 1940s. Without spilling secrets the mission was to do a small jump in time. That~ didn't turn out so well. Instead, I got shot forward to your time now. When I was growing up we didn't have any of this." He says gesturing. "Things were...simpler. And technology was nowhere near as advanced."

mmdeforrest

2022-04-22, 05:02 PM

Arturo's
Marco's face softens. "I'd be happy to, Cal. Your dad comes in every once in a while and we talk for a bit. He seems to be doin' well."

Miguel grins. "I will. I just get caught up in work and school, ya know. I'll see ya around."

As John and Calvin head to Mr. P's, they see that the sign on the door is currently turned to close. The inside of the shop is dark.

Notice Wild Die (https://orokos.com/roll/940447): 1d6o6+4 14

John considers the store, drinking in the details of the place to see if there was any echo of the Dagger or a similar item associated with it.

“I take this as a sign that there is a Po’boy in my future,” John says with mock seriousness. “You can sense these things when you’re a magician, you know.”

He turned to Calvin. “And who knows? You may have a response by then.” He turned back toward the window. “Anyplace else you wanted to check out before we headed back?”

big teej

2022-04-22, 06:23 PM

Amity Court Market:

"Well Heck with ya." Raphael mutters under his breath as he puts his phone away.

He waits for a giggling gaggle of high school girls to vacate a table and slides in before anyone else can take up residence. His eyes linger on the girls as they disappear into the crowd, shaking his head slightly. He reclines, kicking his feet up onto another of the wrought iron chairs and bobs one foot in time with the beat of the crowd and the music, watching the press as he enjoys his corndog.

He sees nothing more interesting than the crazed outfits people will wear in public in hot weather. (https://orokos.com/roll/940454)

InTheMachine

2022-04-22, 06:54 PM

Raphael
Across the street, Raphael spots a dark-haired man looking at him before his gaze quickly flits off in another direction. The man speaks into his collar before the crowd moves again and he’s gone.

The man meets up with a familiar head of red hair that has hunted Raphael since he fled his homeland in the center of the crowd. The two of them extract themselves from the throng of people and disappear down a side street.

Sunshine's
Grayson gives Will a nervous smile. "There's a park pretty close by. Emi can put up something like a psychic barrier to keep people away if you're really that interested. I-I don't mind showing you."

The server comes back with a tray-full of food. She sets each plate down in order and asks if anyone needs anything else before she heads back behind the counter.

The three East Siders look at Will in wonder.

"I was wondering about the clothes," Kylie says. "Makes a lot more sense now. How long have you been here?"

John and Calvin
The windows of the shop have dark curtains that have been pulled closed, so John can't see much. Through a gap in the curtains he does spot a large books self full of thick tomes. He also sees what he suspects to be a real human skull on the edge of a table.

ImperialTM

2022-04-22, 07:02 PM

Grayson gives Will a nervous smile. "There's a park pretty close by. Emi can put up something like a psychic barrier to keep people away if you're really that interested. I-I don't mind showing you."

The server comes back with a tray-full of food. She sets each plate down in order and asks if anyone needs anything else before she heads back behind the counter.

The three East Siders look at Will in wonder.

"I was wondering about the clothes," Kylie says. "Makes a lot more sense now. How long have you been here?"
"Really!" William says beaming. William thanks the server as they set down the plates. "I've been here a little less than 4 months now? A very hectic 4 months." he finishes with a laugh.

Roguewolf

2022-04-22, 07:25 PM

Sunshine's
Grayson gives Will a nervous smile. "There's a park pretty close by. Emi can put up something like a psychic barrier to keep people away if you're really that interested. I-I don't mind showing you."

The server comes back with a tray-full of food. She sets each plate down in order and asks if anyone needs anything else before she heads back behind the counter.

The three East Siders look at Will in wonder.

"I was wondering about the clothes," Kylie says. "Makes a lot more sense now. How long have you been here?"

"Really!" William says beaming. William thanks the server as they set down the plates. "I've been here a little less than 4 months now? A very hectic 4 months." he finishes with a laugh.

Keith smiles a bit. "Would be pretty cool actually. Haven't seen that in a while." He tales a sip of his coffee. "You're in for a show, Will!"

Keith thanks the server as they set down the plates. He turns to Kylie. "Threw me through a loop the first time too. Still wasn't sure how to respond the second you looked at me and called me 'sir'." He laughs recalling the situation.

Keith comes to a full stop."Wait did you mention the 4 months think the other day? Holy **** it has been a busy four months for ya!" He takes a bite of the croissant.

mmdeforrest

2022-04-22, 08:07 PM

John and Calvin
The windows of the shop have dark curtains that have been pulled closed, so John can't see much. Through a gap in the curtains he does spot a large books self full of thick tomes. He also sees what he suspects to be a real human skull on the edge of a table.

“Yes,” John continued. “Your Mr. P is someone I should probably meet. He appears to have quite the shop. Is it mostly rare books or is it a more eclectic collection?”

John glanced up and down the street, weighing the odds of someone noticing him working a spell that would magnify the books sufficiently for him to read their bindings. They could be nothing more than old books — the kind of thing the wealthy used to buy by the yard to make sure their stately homes were sufficiently intellectual and bear no relation to the skull or his possession of a magical, transforming weapon dating back to the Bronze Age that turns its wielder — a wielder it seeks out and selects — into a champion for good.

Stranger things may have happened and synchronicity makes strange bedfellows, but mere coincidence it did seem a reach.

His binoculars would have made it simple to see — if be somewhat conspicuous. Summoning his uniform, which would give him access to them, would be even more conspicuous.

That left magic.

Casting that impacted him would be better than a spell that pushed into the space. He had learned that lesson with Stella’s curse. Of course, he had no way of knowing what wards, if any, were present and reaching into the street.

He looked over the storefront and glanced up at the second floor for signs of occupation. “It couldn’t hurt to knock,” he suggested as innocently as he could.

Noticing the Second Floor Flat (https://orokos.com/roll/940467): 1d10o10+4 10

John made a note of the address. That would allow him to do some research and try to either find out more about Mr. P’s past or find the signs that he was obscuring it.

big teej

2022-04-22, 09:34 PM

Amity Court Market:

Raphael frowns and narrows his eyes, seeing his admirer disappear into the crowd. Suspicion creeps into his otherwise relaxed mind. He takes another bite from his boudin dog and slides a phone from his pocket and dials Seraph without looking, expecting Mimi to intercept his call.

"Hey Mimi." Raphael says by way of greeting. "Is AEGIS, Myraid, or Iron Station PD running ops in Amity Court? Time is a factor."

He scans the crowd again, feeling a crawling sensation between his shoulder blades.

Attempt to assess the situation: 6 (https://orokos.com/roll/940470)
Welp, at least I got a potential out of it.

InTheMachine

2022-04-22, 09:51 PM

Raphael
"ISPD has a few uniformed officers in the area," Mimi answers after a moment. "I'm not seeing any other operations currently in effect for Amity Market."

A brunette woman standing across the street over by a stall selling paintings and handmade jewelry sees Raphael looking at her and quickly turns and walks away into the crowd.

Sunshine's
"You've only been here for four months?" Emi repeats. "Did AEGIS pick you up immediately? If so, that was lucky. I can't imagine being flung almost one hundred years into the future."

"That would be crazy," Kylie agrees.

The three East Siders quickly finish their food and drinks.

"Marlport Garden is right up the road," Grayson says as he, Kylie, and Emi get out from their side of the booth.

John and Calvin
John doesn't see any movement or anything out of place looking at the upstairs apartment.

ImperialTM

2022-04-22, 10:01 PM

"You've only been here for four months?" Emi repeats. "Did AEGIS pick you up immediately? If so, that was lucky. I can't imagine being flung almost one hundred years into the future."

"That would be crazy," Kylie agrees.
"More or less they did. I was lucky I even found them to begin with."

The three East Siders quickly finish their food and drinks.

"Marlport Garden is right up the road," Grayson says as he, Kylie, and Emi get out from their side of the booth.
William finishes his food with military efficiency and follows after the eastside trio. On the way, William turns to Keith "What's Eastside like? Are the other bases similar in design as ours?"

Roguewolf

2022-04-22, 10:14 PM

Sunshine's[/B]
"You've only been here for four months?" Emi repeats. "Did AEGIS pick you up immediately? If so, that was lucky. I can't imagine being flung almost one hundred years into the future."

"That would be crazy," Kylie agrees.

The three East Siders quickly finish their food and drinks.

"Marlport Garden is right up the road," Grayson says as he, Kylie, and Emi get out from their side of the booth.

"More or less they did. I was lucky I even found them to begin with."

William finishes his food with military efficiency and follows after the eastside trio. On the way, William turns to Keith "What's Eastside like? Are the other bases similar in design as ours?"

Keith nods along with everyone else. "It is pretty wild, and after seein' you shoot yesterday we're lucky to have ya." Keith follows suit in finishing up his food and coffee quickly, would definitely need to get something else later but this just hit the spot. "And blood sugar is all good!"

He gets up from the booth as Grayson, Emi, and Kylie do and follows them with Will. He smiles again at all the questions. It was actually a lot like talking with Aeryn.

"So East Side is roughly the same, the base layout is similar but it seems like West Side is kinda bigger? It's odd to describe since we have so many more people at West Side than there ever were East Side. So far these are the only two I've gotten to see but they're very similar." He lets out a nervous laugh. "Kinda weird but my room West Side is roughly the same location it was back East. Layout is just a bit different since the closet and bathroom are on opposite sides."

big teej

2022-04-23, 09:22 AM

Hackles, Rising:

Raphael stands up, looking around himself and says to Mimi in a strained voice. "I'm either being paranoid, or I've got a bunch of plainclothes goons keeping an eye on me."

Raphael turns his attention to the rooftops, scanning for any local corvid's who's vision he might be able to borrow. He reaches out with his mind, seeking that sense of kinship and servitude, but there's nothing close enough. I don't like this...

Raphael eyes the crowd again, looking for the densest knot of foot traffic and, leaving his boudin corndog behind, glides into the crowd, slithering his way between fair-goers toward the stage and the band. The press of bodies and his growing sense of being pursued is a tingle in his mind. An awakening of power he'd long, forcefully, kept dormant. He blinked and he could, for that tiny flash of darkness, tell each and every one of the sweaty bodies around him apart by scent and heartbeat.

He shook his head, suddenly parched. Why, today of all days, did I leave that stupid backpack at home?

Notice 7 (https://orokos.com/roll/940500)
Unleash Powers to seek those who seek me: 6... (https://orokos.com/roll/940501)
Oh No! I missed with a Move, better mark a Potential!
Nightgaunt gains an Advance: Pick up Burn and 3 Flares from the Nova Playbook.
Nightgaunt picks up Reality Storm, Move, and Snatch for his 3 Flares.

Raphael is angling through what he perceives as the most packed part of the street, toward the band.... because if I'm about to have violence done upon me, having the stage as a backdrop is a proper Street Fighter moment, and excellent placement for collateral damage. Maybe I can hit someone with a saxophone! (https://youtu.be/010aaw1Ajo0)

PK-Leon

2022-04-23, 09:34 AM

Louis
A knock sounds on the door to the lab about thirty minutes after he leaves the kitchen. If he opens the door, Sidney is standing there with a sealed envelope in her hands. She hands it over to him. "Here's the letter to my papa. Thank you for taking it to him for me."

She looks past him to the interior of the lab. "Is this where your prototype is? Could I see it? To see what I'm working with? I would be happy to help you out with it, if I can."

"Mimi, could you grant Sidney access to the lab while she's accompanied by me?" Louis asks while looking back over his shoulder at the door. "Thank you." He reappears at the entrance as it opens.

Louis accepts the letter and carefully tucks it into the inside pocket the jacket he left on a nearby table. "Anytime. It's the least I could do for you two. I could tell your dad was pretty torn up after what happened to you. But I think it'll make him happy to know you're okay." He says with a warm smile.

His smile widens at Sidney's curiosity. "Welcome... to 'The World of Tomorrow!'" Louos says with a sweeping gesture inviting Sidney to come in. "This is where the prototype is currently being assembled and where I do most of my work. Hmm... Actually this is where Mimi does most of the work I should probably say. I just help from time to time. Take a look and tell us what you to think. Mimi, could you show Sidney your schematics?"

InTheMachine

2022-04-23, 12:38 PM

Raphael
"Do you require assistance, Raphael?" Mimi asks. "I can deploy the entirety of South Side team."

A shot rings out into the air. There's a moment of utter silence before the screaming starts. The crowd panics and everyone starts to run for the end of the streets and the few side streets that connect to the Market as more gunshots break through the sound of chaos.

Through a gap in the crowd, a crossbow bolt impacts Raphael's shoulder. The pain rips through him, more agonizing than any bullet has been. Another bolt comes in low, tearing through his right thigh.

Combat Begins!
Jacks... ??? goes! Raphael is shot with a crossbow! Roll Vigor at -2 or be Shaken!
10s... ??? goes! Raphael is shot with another crossbow bolt! Roll Vigor at -2 or be Shaken!
8s... Raphael has Initiative!

OOC: Mark your Doom Track for Facing Danger Alone

Louis
"If that is what you wish, Louis," Mimi says before the door opens.

Sidney smiles at Louis as she's welcomed into the lab. Her grin widens as she takes in the equipment and the schematics that project onto the whiteboard. She walks up to the board, taking in what Louis has been working on. "Did you design this yourself? It looks good."

She picks up a dry erase marker from the bottom of the whiteboard and makes a few notes underneath the schematics, mostly mechanical jargon, before she comes over to the table and looks at the scattered pieces of metal and nuts and bolts. "So what are you having the most trouble with?" she asks as she sits.

The Gardens
It takes about five minutes to walk to Marlport Garden. Once inside, the East Siders head off the beaten path into a thicker patch of wooded area, before it opens up into a small clearing.

Emi pauses for a moment, seeming to concentrate. "Okay, we're good."

Grayson nods before it seems like he's consumed by a flash of frosty air. In his place, a winged dragon about half the size of a semi-truck appears. The dragon has shimmering opaline white scales and large spikes of ice protruding from his face and down his back and tail. He falls onto all four feet, shaking the ground, before his head turns so that he can observe Will's reaction.

big teej

2022-04-23, 01:11 PM

My Favorite Shirt!

"Ow!" Raphael screams, doubling over as the bolts pierce him, burning like fire... all too familiar cleansing flames. He falls to his knees. "Mimi." He says through clenched teeth, his fangs elongating as he loses his grip on the facade. "Tell Seraph the Darkwatch is here." He grips the bolt in his thigh with both hands and rips it out and casts the sizzling dart away. "Need extraction." He growls and shoves the phone in his pocket. Doubling over, He takes in several deep breaths he doesn't need and wills himself to change, fluttering up and over as a cloud of bats to land, crouched like a gargoyle, atop one of the speakers in costume.

The Darkwatch members in the crowd stand in stark contrast, the only people not running in panic. "You just don't know when to quit!" He screams, his voice cracking. Nightgaunt reaches out for one, grasping the tether of his life, and yanking on it, uncaring, at least for the moment, if it kills the man.

Burn: 3/3

Generate Burn: 11 (https://orokos.com/roll/940521)
Marked the Doom Track for facing Danger Alone
Vigor Roll: 4, (https://orokos.com/roll/940522) -2 = 2, failure, only rolled once cause I failed the first one.
Become Unshaken: 4 (https://orokos.com/roll/940526) +/-2 = 4, a success.
Marked the Doom Track to use powers without being Sated, Overexerting myself.
Marked The Doomsign, "Bolstered" and cleared the Doom Track
Bolstered let's me mark the Doom Track to use an Adult Move once.
Shooting: 4 (https://orokos.com/roll/940532)
Damage: 11 (https://orokos.com/roll/940533)

InTheMachine

2022-04-23, 01:28 PM

Raphael
The man collapses as his blood is pulled from his body. Off to the left another bolt flies true and hits Nightgaunt in the side of his chest, just under his unbeating heart.

A familiar figure dressed in full plate hops up onto the opposite side of the stage. Cassandra tosses her fiery red hair from her eyes as she pulls her mace from the the loop on her belt. “I finally found you, beast,” she says, flourishing her weapon. She rushes forward and swings, smashing through the speaker Nightgaunt sits upon. “It’s time for you to stop pretending. You’re a monster and nothing more!”

The three other Darkwatch members still standing advance toward the stage, pinning Nightgaunt in.

Initiative:
7s… Darkwatch goon shoots Nightgaunt with a crossbow. Roll Vigor at -2 or be Shaken! -already done
6s… Cassandra attacks Nightgaunt but misses!
Initiative resets!
Queens… Nightgaunt has Initiative!

OOC: Cassandra gains Influence over Nightgaunt! She attempts to shift Nightgaunt’s labels. Freak up, Savior down.

big teej

2022-04-23, 02:07 PM

Awakening: (https://youtu.be/EZOzCUYsRjM)

"Oh $#!%" Nightgaunt says, diving off the speaker and down to the street as Cassandra destroys it. An unfamiliar sensation clenches at his soul as he rolls on the pavement. Fear.

Her words sink in, alongside the rush of memories from the last time he'd laid eyes on this woman, the last time he'd seen his parents, or his true home. He pushes himself to his feet and glances at Cassandra before turning his attention to her unarmored goons. A deep combined sense of shame and rage fills him, and he bares his teeth inside his helmet and spits out his reply.

"You're right, Cassandra." He raises one hand, nails elongated into talons. "We're exactly the same." He brings his arm across his body in a dismissive swipe in the direction of her underlings. There's a brief moment of silence before four bloody red streaks tear through the fabric of reality, slashing through the goons and ripping up a wide swathe of pavement.

Burn: 2/3

Nightgaunt accepts Cassandra's Influence - No matter how hard I try, no matter how many of my friends I deceive, I am just a blood sucking monster.... But I am still a hero!
Reality Storm: 8 (https://orokos.com/roll/940563) - I choose to resolve Critical Blow and inflict Double Damage on the goons.
Fighting Roll: 5 (https://orokos.com/roll/940565) +2 from Reality Storm = 7 vs. Goon Parry
Damage: 18 (https://orokos.com/roll/940566) x2 = 36 Damage vs. the goons

Nightgaunt attempts to Provoke Cassandra: 11 (https://orokos.com/roll/940568) I want her to throw caution to the wind, giving me a chance to escape, or an advantage on my next action against her.
...although she's probably not super susceptible to my words.... so per the GM, that's a miss and a Potential.

InTheMachine

2022-04-23, 02:23 PM

Raphael
Cassandra bares her teeth as Nightgaunt annihilates her soldiers. “We are nothing alike,” she spits. “Your kind kills with no thought. No mercy. You’ll get none from me.”

She dives off the stage, flanged mace high above her head, and brings it down on Nightgaunt’s shoulder before pulling the weapon out of his flesh and swinging again, smashing his chest inward.

Initiative:
8s… Cassandra goes! She hits Nightgaunt with her holy mace, inflicting 42 damage
Initiative resets!
10s… Cassandra goes again! She hits Nightgaunt for 38 damage!
Nightgaunt is knocked back 5 spaces.
9s… Nightgaunt (if he’s still up) has Initiative!

big teej

2022-04-23, 02:46 PM

Bloo-bloo-bloo-bloo (https://youtu.be/aR3zm5X4pPk)

Any flippant retort to Cassandra's declaration is silenced as her mace and oblivion rocket Nightgaunt down into the pavement, breaking his helmet into pieces that fall freely from his blank-eyed face as his body bounces across the street to crash into and dent the side of a food truck.

Raphael's lifeless body drops to the ground, rapidly disintegrating into white mist and black smoke that rises up in a brief trail before loosing any amount of cohesion.

Nightgaunt is defeated and pulls a 10 - Exhausted. Raphael cannot recover this fatigue by any means until 2 whole days have passed.

InTheMachine

2022-04-23, 03:06 PM

Meanwhile- 11:11am
Mimi comes over the intercom back in the base, “All available personnel, Raphael is in dire need of assistance. His location is Amity Court Market.”

Stella drops the bowl full of cake batter that she’d been mixing, looking over at Aeryn and Sidney.

Aeryn looks between the two women before rushing out of the kitchen, almost running into Drake as he rounds the corner. “I’m going on ahead,” he tells his team leader as he makes his way to the skylight in the living room.

“We’ll be right behind you,” Drake says. “Stella, do you think we could borrow one of your summons? Ryker and I aren’t fast.”

Stella nods and snaps, replacing her clothes with her stage magician’s outfit. “You have two minutes before I leave.”

Drake reads how serious she is and nods. “We’ll meet you on the roof.”

“I’m sorry Sidney, but I have to go,” Stella says to her best friend.

“It’s alright, Stell,” Sidney replies. “I get it. Go save your boyfriend.”

Up on the roof, Stella summons Jaal who snorts in displeasure at being used as transportation as Drake and Ryker hop on his back. Yuki takes to the air in her cockatrice form, followed by Menagerie on Shrike.

Aeryn arrives at the scene first. He lands in front of the stage, looking over the destruction caused during the fight. His gaze roams over the blood splatters and finally lands on the dented food truck and the remains of Nightgaunt’s helmet.

“Guys,” he says into comms on all channels. “We have a problem. I think Nightgaunt’s been kidnapped. Or something. He’s not here. And he’s not answering me on comms.”

mmdeforrest

2022-04-23, 03:20 PM

“Guys,” he says into comms on all channels. “We have a problem. I think Nightgaunt’s been kidnapped. Or something. He’s not here. And he’s not answering me on comms.”

John glances at his wrist and reads the speech to text message and looks around for an alleyway as he pulls out his phone and taps the “Pickup” Widget on the screen before switching to the comm link relay.

“We have trouble, Calvin,” he says quietly, glancing sideways as he puts the phone to his ear. “Where are you, Aeryn?”

“Acknowledged, John,” Clea notes. Pickup in two minutes or less at your location.”

InTheMachine

2022-04-23, 03:35 PM

Team
“Amity Court Market,” Aeryn answers. “Police are starting to barricade the area.”

“Aeryn,” Seraph says on the same line. “Get back in the air and look for anything suspicious. I’m on my way.”

HIDA

2022-04-23, 03:43 PM

John glances at his wrist and reads the speech to text message and looks around for an alleyway as he pulls out his phone and taps the “Pickup” Widget on the screen before switching to the comm link relay.

“We have trouble, Calvin,” he says quietly, glancing sideways as he puts the phone to his ear. “Where are you, Aeryn?”

“Acknowledged, John,” Clea notes. Pickup in two minutes or less at your location.”

Team
“Amity Court Market,” Aeryn answers. “Police are starting to barricade the area.”

“Aeryn,” Seraph says on the same line. “Get back in the air and look for anything suspicious. I’m on my way.”

"I'll meet you there." Calvin says, His face growing stern.

"Bastion, now!"

As the warhorse appears Goldheart leaps from a flash of fire atop the steed.

"Goldheart inbound." He says over the comms,

Cutting through parking lots and leaping over cars he arrives on the scene.

Roguewolf

2022-04-23, 03:57 PM

The Gardens
It takes about five minutes to walk to Marlport Garden. Once inside, the East Siders head off the beaten path into a thicker patch of wooded area, before it opens up into a small clearing.

Emi pauses for a moment, seeming to concentrate. "Okay, we're good."

Grayson nods before it seems like he's consumed by a flash of frosty air. In his place, a winged dragon about half the size of a semi-truck appears. The dragon has shimmering opaline white scales and large spikes of ice protruding from his face and down his back and tail. He falls onto all four feet, shaking the ground, before his head turns so that he can observe Will's reaction.

Keith starts in awe at Grayson's transformation as always and watches Will's reaction closely. "Still one of the coolest transformations I've ever seen." He took a quick glance at Kylie before returning to watch Will seeing a dragon firsthand. He was still a bit uneasy about earlier, but he was mostly worried about having potentially damaged their entire friendship than her eventual response.

He was torn from his thoughts by his communicator going off.

Meanwhile- 11:11am
“Guys,” he says into comms on all channels. “We have a problem. I think Nightgaunt’s been kidnapped. Or something. He’s not here. And he’s not answering me on comms.”

Keith's eyes went wide and started their red angry glowy thing at Aeryn's words. "Aeryn, Will and I are at Marlport Gardens. We'll be right on our way!" Keith's voice was panicked, he looked at Will and everyone else. "We got an emergency, Nightgaunt's gone missing." He tried to keep his breathing steady to keep his eyes normal but thankfully everyone here knew about it.

In some shaky breathing, Keith turned to Grayson/ Draconian. "I hate askin', I REALLY hate askin' because I know it's weird, but could you give Will a lift to Amity Court Market? Please?"

mmdeforrest

2022-04-23, 04:28 PM

John kept his face down and close to the store window as Calvin transformed and vaulted into his saddle, waiting for the inevitable whinny as Bastion reared up before galloping off. With everyone in the area (he hoped) focused on the warhorse, he willed his own transformation.

“Clea: Monad Light mode.”

He checked his heads up display and noted he had 45 seconds to pick up.

A quick look was tempting — so very tempting. “Mimi,” he said as he turned to look at Clea as she shifted colors and the Hieroglyphic Monad appeared on the hood. “Scan the police bands. Are they reporting any vehicles or pedestrians of interest fleeing the scene.

He looked through the glass, reassuring himself that he and Calvin would be back.

He turned to look up the street and saw Clea driving towards him at the maximum legal speed limit. She had shifted to the white paint with grey Hieroglyphic Monad on the hood and dropped the shields over the license plate.

He glanced back at the window. He had time.

Spellcasting: Heightened Senses, Eagle Eye (2)
Wild Die for the Curious Reroll (https://orokos.com/roll/940581): 1d6o6 15

One Bennie spent.

15 seconds.

John struggled against the magical eddies that swirled in Calvin’s wake but he held his focus and looked into the semi-darkness of the shop, reading the bindings as Clea pulled up and stopped directly across from him.

Committing the titles to memory, he strode across the street and got into the car, anxiously waiting Mimi’s response. While the rest of the team focused on the square, he wanted to make sure any potential kidnappers were not being pursued elsewhere.

ImperialTM

2022-04-23, 04:46 PM

It takes about five minutes to walk to Marlport Garden. Once inside, the East Siders head off the beaten path into a thicker patch of wooded area, before it opens up into a small clearing.

Emi pauses for a moment, seeming to concentrate. "Okay, we're good."

Grayson nods before it seems like he's consumed by a flash of frosty air. In his place, a winged dragon about half the size of a semi-truck appears. The dragon has shimmering opaline white scales and large spikes of ice protruding from his face and down his back and tail. He falls onto all four feet, shaking the ground, before his head turns so that he can observe Will's reaction.
Will brings his arms up recoiling from the blast of cold air. As the transformation finishes and the ground shakes beneath his feet Will brings down his arms and marvels at the creature in front of him. The air had changed. He was no longer standing before an unassuming kid, this was a dragon. Will felt a little intimidated by the size of the creature and knowing what power lay within. William lets out an excited laugh as a huge smile breaks out on his face. "I-" Williams's words are cut off as Aeryns voice cuts in on his communication device. His smile drops "What do you mean or something? What happened." William said tersely. William turns to Keith "We need to get to Amity Court Market. Now."

InTheMachine

2022-04-23, 05:29 PM

Team
"Look," Aeryn says. "Mimi told us Nightgaunt was in trouble. I got here and there's blood everywhere, but I don't see Nightgaunt. All I can find are broken pieces of his helmet."

John
He only manages to read a few titles in the darkness of the shop: The Beginner's Guide to Alchemy: Practical Lessons and Exercises to Enhance Your Life, Daemonologie, and The Kybalion: A Study of The Hermetic Philosophy of Ancient Egypt and Greece.

"There are not currently an pursuits within a few blocks around the Market," Mimi replies to John. "Most calls are for an active shooter, however there are also reports of a fully armored figure engaging in a fight with a 'guy in black'. One of the policemen on scene said that he saw a woman with bright red hair in armor leave down one of the side streets, but he was assisting an injured pedestrian, and couldn't follow. There are no reports of suspicious vehicles."

Gardens
Grayson snorts, letting out a cloud of icy air from his nostrils that frosts the grass below him.

Emi looks over at Will and Keith. “He says he’ll take you there. Do you need us to come too?”

Amity Market
Goldheart arrives on scene just after the rest of South Side and Menagerie do.

Mercury is speaking to one of the policemen just inside the barricade.

Zodiac has shifted into her wolf form. She snuffles around the scene, moving between blood stains, but careful not to disturb them. She spends a lot of time around a food truck with a large dent in the side.

Ryker, Menagerie, and Polaris are nowhere to be found.

ImperialTM

2022-04-23, 05:36 PM

Grayson snorts, letting out a cloud of icy air from his nostrils that frosts the grass below him.

Emi looks over at Will and Keith. “He says he’ll take you there. Do you need us to come too?”
"I won't say no to the help. One of our teammates is missing and the scene is messy." William looks to Grayson "So how does this work do I just climb aboard and grab on to a spike?" With help, William climbs onto Grayson's back and situates himself between two spikes. "Ready to fly when you are."

HIDA

2022-04-23, 05:40 PM

Amity Market[/B]
Goldheart arrives on scene just after the rest of South Side and Menagerie do.

Mercury is speaking to one of the policemen just inside the barricade.

Zodiac has shifted into her wolf form. She snuffles around the scene, moving between blood stains, but careful not to disturb them. She spends a lot of time around a food truck with a large dent in the side.

Ryker, Menagerie, and Polaris are nowhere to be found.

Goldheart Looks at the scene.

"****. Bastion can you get a scent?"

He looks over to Yuki. ****

"Zodiac. Are you able to find a trail?"

Roguewolf

2022-04-23, 05:41 PM

Team
"Look," Aeryn says. "Mimi told us Nightgaunt was in trouble. I got here and there's blood everywhere, but I don't see Nightgaunt. All I can find are broken pieces of his helmet."

Gardens
Grayson snorts, letting out a cloud of icy air from his nostrils that frosts the grass below him.

Emi looks over at Will and Keith. “He says he’ll take you there. Do you need us to come too?”

"I won't say no to the help. One of our teammates is missing and the scene is messy." William looks to Grayson "So how does this work do I just climb aboard and grab on to a spike?" With help, William climbs onto Grayson's back and situates himself between two spikes. "Ready to fly when you are."

Keith nods and speaks as his shadow moves the suit up his body. "Wouldn't say no to any help at all. Anything that can take down or subdue Nightgaunt is dangerous." He shakes his head, eyes returning slightly to normal. "Sorry to put you guys in this situation." Keith floats up onto Grayson's dragon form and helps everyone else get up as well. He turns to Kylie and forces a smile. "Guess the payment for me being late today will have to wait."

Keith taps his comm to speak to Aeryn and the team again. We're on our way, taking to the sky and we'll keep all eyes open! Oh, and don't freak out when you see us. Got some backup. Any clues as to what we should be on the look out for?"

mmdeforrest

2022-04-23, 06:07 PM

A woman in armor.

John’s blood froze.

Vampire hunters.

“All points: We are looking for a woman with red hair in full armor, last seen ducking down an alleyway. Be on the lookout for Medieval weaponry — bows especially. My ETA is under five minutes. Dee out.

The pedestrian traffic was thickening as he got closer. He was tempted to begin to ask questions but knew he would be unlikely to capture anything definitive. Even with his enhanced vision, there was little chance of moving quickly through the crowd.

“Mimi: I need this reply on a secure channel. How closely do you monitor the gasses found in the base?”

John got out of the car. “Clea, head home. I’ll see you when I get there.”

“Acknowledged, 007, Mark 2,” she teased as he closed the door.

John chose not to reply. He was not in the mood to banter about two legends he did not think he could not live up to.

The Enochian Tablets flared beneath his fingers as he traced out his next spell.

Flight (4 — 2x Pace)
Spellcasting (https://orokos.com/roll/940602): 1d10o10 5

Launching himself into the air, he scanned the area, looking for an armored redhead or any vans. Based on the partial descriptions he was receiving, he suspected it was not a one-on-one fight that took down Nightgaunt. Their vehicle would be a van large enough for armored personnel to occupy. While she had a head start on them, she would have had to make her way through the crowd to any getaway vehicle.

“And delivery vans are so rare in major metropolitan areas,” he muttered to himself as he scanned the area.

Unless she had a safe house to duck into, John considered bitterly.

Notice Roll (https://orokos.com/roll/940604): 1d10o10+4 8

He also watched for Miss Menagerie. She would be in more danger than most here — not because she was under direct threat but because her emotional reaction could result in actions that would draw attention from ISPD.

“And I’m sure none of her creatures have the ability to track by scent….”

Another thing to worry about.

InTheMachine

2022-04-23, 06:38 PM

mmdeforrest

2022-04-23, 06:57 PM

Amity Market
Zodiac glances up at Calvin before putting her nose back to the ground. "His scent just... disappears over here by the truck. A lot of the blood on the ground is his though."

John
"I only monitor gases within Louis' lab," Mimi replies in a separate channel to John.

Even with enhanced vision, John does not spot anything out of the ordinary for the situation. He does spot Menagerie and Ryker atop a large black dragon (https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/hellintheearth/images/7/72/Black_Dragon.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20090725002250) down one of the side streets not too far from the stage.

Keith and Will
Once Will and the girls are situated, Grayson opens his wings and leaps into the air. His wings work hard at first to heave his bulk up, but soon he's gained enough altitude to go to mostly gliding. It's about a ten minute flight to the Market. Grayson lands in the street, outside the police barrier.

As John descends into the alleyway, he notes a white dragon approaching from the north. “All points: White Dragon incoming,” he reports. “It’s moving quickly but I cannot approximate the time it will take to get here.”

He makes certain to keep an eye on the black dragon below him. “Heads up, friends,” he says, hovering a few feet before the dragon. “I don’t believe I have had the honor of meeting your draconic associate, Miss Menagerie. I am called Dee and I am here to help.”

His eyes glance up, seeking Stella’s eyes. “What do you need me to do?”

Roguewolf

2022-04-23, 06:57 PM

Keith and Will
Once Will and the girls are situated, Grayson opens his wings and leaps into the air. His wings work hard at first to heave his bulk up, but soon he's gained enough altitude to go to mostly gliding. It's about a ten minute flight to the Market. Grayson lands in the street, outside the police barrier.

Keith responds to John as best he can in the air. "Thanks John, we'll keep an eye open." Keith turns back to Kylie and Emi. "Sounds like a redhead with medieval gear got him." When John responds about the white dragon, Keith responds again. "Everyone, that's me and Will with some of my friends. White Dragon is friendly."

When they land at the Market, Keith helps anyone that is getting off Grayson down. "I'm going to fly back up and see if I can spot anything. I owe ya big time Draconian, extra bacon next time on me." Keith smirks and flies up a bit and starts to look around the Market, trying to find someone that fits the description or anyone with some kind of medieval weaponry. It wouldn't be too easy to hide some of it he thought.

Notice (https://orokos.com/roll/940620): 1d6o6+2 7
Spend a Benny to reroll
2/3

InTheMachine

2022-04-23, 07:25 PM

ImperialTM

2022-04-23, 07:36 PM

As they land William is already sliding off the dragon's back. "All right squad, what do we know so far? Full report starting with whoever arrived first." William asks everyone on comms. Hearing the growl from Grayson William will turn to the dragon. "What's the matter, did you catch wind of something?"

Roguewolf

2022-04-23, 07:48 PM

Keith and Will
Crowe sees nothing out of the ordinary that would make him think twice for the situation. No redheads in armor. No medieval weapons. Just the police line and some people that are interested in what happened across the street, though most of them are currently gaping at the giant white dragon in the street.

As his head turns to look at the scene, Draconian lets out a rumbling growl as he sees Ryker casually walk up to the edge of the police line to speak with Mercury.

Crowe falls back down to where Draconian, Will, Kylie, and Emi were. "Nothin' in the sky, figure with Dee and Menagerie here they'd have picked him up already. Or at least a trail." Crowe puts a hand on Draconian's shoulder, at least as close he can get to the shoulder. "I know man, he's here tryin' to help with Nightgaunt."

Crowe descends back down to Will and whispers to him. "Had a rough fight with Ryker a long time ago when he first joined East Side. Didn't know about it until today."

Crowe takes a deep breath to calm himself. Patience yields focus. He starts to go through his mind of different groups that could just run out of nowhere and disappear with old school weapons like that. Possibly an occult group since, Raph did seem rather occult-like in his abilities.

Knowledge Occult (https://orokos.com/roll/940631): 1d6o6 3 1d6o6 2
OOC: He does not!

Nothing comes to his mind on the groups, so instead he contacts Dee through the comms. "Hey Dee, what kinda group do you think would make use of this kinda weaponry? Figure you might know something more about Nightgaunt's abilities since they're semi-occult-like in a way."

mmdeforrest

2022-04-23, 07:49 PM

John
"Oh?" a deep baritone voice says, echoing through John's mind as the dragon fixes one red eye up at him. "Another sorcerer? I am Jaal. I assume you're here to assist in finding the vampire my foolish mistress has fallen in love with?"

Menagerie looks up at John. He can see the barely restrained despair in her eyes. "I don't know what to do," she says quietly. "Jaal tracked a scent here, but it looks like they got into a car of some kind and took off. They have to be long gone by now. My tracking spell only works with something I'm familiar with, and it's not activating for Raphael. They had to have taken him, right? There was no... body."

“I am honored to meet you, Jaal,” Dee replies telepathically. “While I should be addressed as Dee here, my given name is John Kelley. And, yes: I am here to assist in finding the vampire your mistress has fallen for.

“Does she know? I suspect she does not, if she is looking for him here.”

Dee fixes Miss Menagerie with a look. “Their vehicle has blended in to the traffic and we are unlikely to be able to trace them — whether because of the distance or because they have taken precautions. Either way, the hunt has only just begun and it is far too soon for despair. We will find him.”

Ryker hops down off of Jaal's back. "I'm gonna go see if Mercury's found anything talking to the police out front. Lemme know if Jaal finds anything else, Menagerie," he says as he heads up the street toward the stage.

John floated to one side to give Ryker some room to pass after a moment’s hesitation — one he could not explain.

“I do want you to prepare yourself for this, Miss Menagerie — not because I fear we will not find him but because of what we may find. A brazen attack in a crowded market speaks of a ruthless set of enemies. We do not know who they are and what part of Nightgaunt’s life they come from. There may be some surprises for all of us along the way.”

As his head turns to look at the scene, Draconian lets out a rumbling growl as he sees Ryker casually walk up to the edge of the police line to speak with Mercury.

John’s head turned at the sound of a deep, draconic growl coming from behind him. “I don’t like the sound of that.” He turned back quickly. “It may be a silly thing to ask a sorceress astride a dragon, but will you be okay here?”

mmdeforrest

2022-04-23, 07:55 PM

Nothing comes to his mind on the groups, so instead he contacts Dee through the comms. "Hey Dee, what kinda group do you think would make use of this kinda weaponry? Figure you might know something more about Nightgaunt's abilities since they're semi-occult-like in a way."

John studies Stella as he relies carefully to Keith.

“There are some police reports — unconfirmed — that describe the red-headed woman in Medieval-styled armor. That would be the kind of thing you would expect to be played out as a theme for her minions.

“What is the white dragon growling at?”

Roguewolf

2022-04-23, 08:08 PM

John studies Stella as he relies carefully to Keith.

“There are some police reports — unconfirmed — that describe the red-headed woman in Medieval-styled armor. That would be the kind of thing you would expect to be played out as a theme for her minions.

“What is the white dragon growling at?”

Keith shakes his head and replies. "I was thinkin' maybe they were after him because they thought he was somethin' else. We need to learn more about Raph so we can figure out why they targeted him.
Should even narrow down who this was."

He let's out a nervous laugh at John's question of Draconian's growling. "At Ryker, long story that I'll relay later. Draconian's one of my best friends from East Side." He starts to go back through all the information again. There wasn't a lot that he knew about Raph except that..... Wait a second, didn't I see him just yank blood from somethin' once? And the swarm of bats....... OH **** THEY THOUGHT HE WAS A VAMPIRE! His eyes went wide thinking about how Raph had fought before that it would make some sense.

He started going through again at different groups typing in specifically 'vampire hunters' into the search engine on his phone.

Investigation (https://orokos.com/roll/940640): 1d4o4+2 4 1d6o6+2 7

InTheMachine

2022-04-23, 08:42 PM

Team
“I was first on scene,” Aeryn says on the open channel. “When I arrived, there were still a few people around, but nothing suspicious. There was a lot of blood around near the stage. Big gouges in the street below and more blood near those. Looks like something got thrown into a food truck, ‘cause the side has a huge dent in it. More blood over there, and that’s where I found what’s left of Nightgaunt’s helmet. The police started setting up a line not too long after I got here, but then Seraph told me to get back in the air and look around, so I did.”

John
“I don’t believe she does,” Jaal replies to John. “I haven’t informed her of his heritage. As long as he didn’t harm her, I saw no need.”

Menagerie looks down at Jaal’s back before she glances back at John, warring with herself. “Raphael told me once that his entire family was killed. Do you think these are the same people?” She sighs. “I’ll be fine. I promise that I won’t leave the scene unless one of the team is with me. I know better than to go off alone, since I’m in AEGIS custody.”

Keith and Will
At the sound of the growl, Ryker looks up and a ****-eating grin slowly spreads across his face as he sees a familiar white dragon. “Oh heeeey, I remember you,” he calls out, crossing through the police line.

“Ryker,” Mercury says in a low tone. “Don’t start anything. That’s an order.”

Draconian’s tail thumps against the street, hard enough to crack the asphalt.

Emi and Kylie get in between the dragon and Ryker.

“It’s not gonna be just him fighting you today,” Kylie says. “Don’t get any ideas.”

“I don’t wanna fight. Much,” Ryker replies. “I just didn’t expect to see half of East Side here.”

Keith’s search doesn’t come up with much. Most sites are full of bogus information, as far as he can tell.

mmdeforrest

2022-04-23, 09:11 PM

John floated to the ground and released his spells. While maintaining flight presented options, he was beginning to feel edgy and wanted those options to be fully open.

“Let’s keep this between ourselves for a little while longer, Jaal. I may need your assistance once we return to the base, though. I will be checking his coffin to confirm he is there and I am weighing whether it will be better for her to know and not fear for him or know and have to process his state of being while he is not there to explain himself. It is something I will need to consult Seraph about.”

John nodded. “The way things are going, Miss Menagerie, it may be best if you come along with me. I don’t want any further misunderstandings between the two provisional teams. Whatever happens, know that you are under my protection here.” He looked at Jaal and winked, suspecting the dragon could see into the darkness his hood provided. “Which the two of you oh so clearly need.”

“Mimi, please patch me through to the East Side Comms as well as ours.

“All points: This is Dee. Everyone please stay calm. We do not want our teams to come to blows. To that end, please be aware that Miss Menagerie, her dragon, and myself will be entering the square. Like Ryker, she is in AEGIS custody and assisting our team and, indirectly, yours. An attack on either of our teams is something that should be met with unity, not animosity.”

John walked out of the alleyway at an even pace, listening for the dragon pacing behind him. He did not doubt they would be there but he worried that the tension he was hearing over the comms.

He also wanted to see the side of the food truck for himself. He could see the general layout of the battlefield from above but knew that the clues that could make a difference would be subtle and a…closer…look…was…wara…

Warranted.

Focus, John, he reminded himself. You’ve seen beautiful women before. Stay cool.

John kept his gaze as level as he could while he swept the square to get an initial impression of events.

Notice Roll (https://orokos.com/roll/940645): 1d10o10+4 9

“I don’t believe we have all met. Would you be so good as to introduce us, Crowe.”

Roguewolf

2022-04-23, 11:18 PM

“Mimi, please patch me through to the East Side Comms as well as ours.

“All points: This is Dee. Everyone please stay calm. We do not want our teams to come to blows. To that end, please be aware that Miss Menagerie, her dragon, and myself will be entering the square. Like Ryker, she is in AEGIS custody and assisting our team and, indirectly, yours. An attack on either of our teams is something that should be met with unity, not animosity.”

John walked out of the alleyway at an even pace, listening for the dragon pacing behind him. He did not doubt they would be there but he worried that the tension he was hearing over the comms.

He also wanted to see the side of the food truck for himself. He could see the general layout of the battlefield from above but knew that the clues that could make a difference would be subtle and a…closer…look…was…wara…

Warranted.

Focus, John, he reminded himself. You’ve seen beautiful women before. Stay cool.

John kept his gaze as level as he could while he swept the square to get an initial impression of events.

“I don’t believe we have all met. Would you be so good as to introduce us, Crowe.”

Team
“I was first on scene,” Aeryn says on the open channel. “When I arrived, there were still a few people around, but nothing suspicious. There was a lot of blood around near the stage. Big gouges in the street below and more blood near those. Looks like something got thrown into a food truck, ‘cause the side has a huge dent in it. More blood over there, and that’s where I found what’s left of Nightgaunt’s helmet. The police started setting up a line not too long after I got here, but then Seraph told me to get back in the air and look around, so I did.”

Keith and Will
At the sound of the growl, Ryker looks up and a ****-eating grin slowly spreads across his face as he sees a familiar white dragon. “Oh heeeey, I remember you,” he calls out, crossing through the police line.

“Ryker,” Mercury says in a low tone. “Don’t start anything. That’s an order.”

Draconian’s tail thumps against the street, hard enough to crack the asphalt.

Emi and Kylie get in between the dragon and Ryker.

“It’s not gonna be just him fighting you today,” Kylie says. “Don’t get any ideas.”

“I don’t wanna fight. Much,” Ryker replies. “I just didn’t expect to see half of East Side here.”

Keith’s search doesn’t come up with much. Most sites are full of bogus information, as far as he can tell.

Keith gets mildly aggravated at his phone and the lack of information. He puts his phone away and sees the exchange and groans. He puts himself between the groups looking back and forth at them. "Ryker, please, not right now." He looks over at his East Side friends. "I'm not askin' anyone to forgive, but we have somethin' we're all workin' towards right now." Keith looks up at Grayson. "Trust me, I know how you feel. You know I want to rip apart the guy that about killed me." Keith sighs, before telling them. "I didn't know about the fight dude, and that's on me." Keith looks at his friends. on East Side and then back to Ryker. "Seriously, we got other things to worry about now. You're on the heroes' side now, gonna be a bit weird sometimes."

He turns his gaze back to East Side and smiles. "I know y'all don't trust him, so trust me. I'll always be at y'all's side." He figures Emi is reading his mind and transmitting to everyone else on East Side. Emi, since I figure everyone else on the team can hear if he tries anything I'll beat his *** myself. He's mostly bein' a smart*** right now. At least I'm pretty sure. He does that to about everyone. He has a sudden realization about Emi and her powers and that John just mentioned Menagerie. Oh right, Emi don't read Menagerie's mind, there's a curse there it's all a giant mess but it hurts both her and the mind reader.

Keith looks over at John and just laughs. "These are my best friends from East Side. This is Draconian." He points to the dragon. "And these are Burnout and Siren." He motions to Kylie and Emi respectively. "Me and Will were hangin' with them at Bastion before all this went down."

InTheMachine

2022-04-24, 07:56 AM

John
Coming out from the side street next to the stage, John can see the destroyed speaker up on stage, and five great bloody gouges in the asphalt that are angled in such a way that it looks like they came from the stage. Upon closer inspection, John finds a broken crossbow bolt about twenty feet from the stage, before the gouges in the street. There’s no head on the bolt; it’s just sharpened wood. If he picks it up, he can feel the faint echo of holy magic on it.

The food truck is dented in such a way that it looks like a body was thrown at great speed into it. There’s also a good amount of blood around. Seeing John, Yuki comes trotting over. Her voice is sharp in his mind and he can tell that she’s speaking directly to him rather than broadcasting. “The blood around the truck is Raphael’s along with a few spots in front of the stage. The bolts have his blood on them too. I think I know who did this. They’re called the Darkwatch, a group of monster hunters that operate all over the world. I can see why they might be after Raphael; his powers do closely resemble that which they hunt.”

Team
“I was just comin’ over to say hi,” Ryker says, holding that smile on his face.

“Why do you guys have Miss Menagerie with you?” Emi asks Keith telepathically. “If she’s in custody, why is she not back at your HQ?”

Kylie glares at Ryker. “Look. You stay away from Draconian, and we don’t have a problem, okay?”

Draconian snorts, creating a plane of ice on the street below his head.

Mercury comes up behind Ryker and stands next to him. He says a few words to the former villain, quiet enough not to be heard by anyone close by.

At John and Drake’s words, Ryker relents. “Whatever,” he scoffs as he walks away back toward the scene.

PK-Leon

2022-04-24, 09:03 AM

Drawing Board

Sidney smiles at Louis as she's welcomed into the lab. Her grin widens as she takes in the equipment and the schematics that project onto the whiteboard. She walks up to the board, taking in what Louis has been working on. "Did you design this yourself? It looks good."

She picks up a dry erase marker from the bottom of the whiteboard and makes a few notes underneath the schematics, mostly mechanical jargon, before she comes over to the table and looks at the scattered pieces of metal and nuts and bolts. "So what are you having the most trouble with?" she asks as she sits.

"Myself? Not really. I came up with the initial concept and what components would be needed, Mimi filled in the gaps."

Louis whistles a bit as Sidney jots several notes down on the whiteboard only seconds after studying their design. "You really know your stuff huh?" He leans against the counter as he begins to explain the situation. "So far assembling the frame hasn't posed much of an issue however it's proven to be much more time consuming than I anticipated. What I'm struggling with is how to fit all of these components in such a compact space. Despite is size it feels that space is at a premium. Mimi's already explained how each component works in concert and walked me through assembly but I just don't have enough experience working on something like this in order to finish it as fast as I'd like. Cybernetic creatures and cars are proving to be very different beasts." He laughs.

HIDA

2022-04-24, 09:03 AM

Amity Market
Zodiac glances up at Calvin before putting her nose back to the ground. "His scent just... disappears over here by the truck. A lot of the blood on the ground is his though."
"Well unless his body evaporated he's probably been captured." Goldheart says, Looking at the damage.

Team
“I was just comin’ over to say hi,” Ryker says, holding that smile on his face.

“Why do you guys have Miss Menagerie with you?” Emi asks Keith telepathically. “If she’s in custody, why is she not back at your HQ?”

Kylie glares at Ryker. “Look. You stay away from Draconian, and we don’t have a problem, okay?”

Draconian snorts, creating a plane of ice on the street below his head.

Mercury comes up behind Ryker and stands next to him. He says a few words to the former villain, quiet enough not to be heard by anyone close by.

At John and Drake’s words, Ryker relents. “Whatever,” he scoffs as he walks away back toward the scene.

"Dee, Do you know who could've done this?" Raph isn't a pushover and should've been more than a match for... crossbows and ****. Since Yuki can't find a trail he was probably magiced away." Goldheart says, waving his hand for emphasis. "I don't know how your magic works but can you see what happened to him? If there's a trail, I can meet whoever is at the end of it."

Roguewolf

2022-04-24, 09:30 AM

Team
“I was just comin’ over to say hi,” Ryker says, holding that smile on his face.

“Why do you guys have Miss Menagerie with you?” Emi asks Keith telepathically. “If she’s in custody, why is she not back at your HQ?”

Kylie glares at Ryker. “Look. You stay away from Draconian, and we don’t have a problem, okay?”

Draconian snorts, creating a plane of ice on the street below his head.

Mercury comes up behind Ryker and stands next to him. He says a few words to the former villain, quiet enough not to be heard by anyone close by.

At John and Drake’s words, Ryker relents. “Whatever,” he scoffs as he walks away back toward the scene.

Keith breaths a sigh of relief as Drake convinces Ryker to not fight anyone. At least he thinks that's what happened.

He turns back to Emi. So that one is kinda weird because I'm not entirely sure. Guessing she came out to help everyone get here faster too, that and she's been near about inseparable from Nightgaunt. Did find out that she was basically held hostage by the River King though. He's holding her mom's soul to get her to do his dirty work. She's also the only one to know about a greater demon, but that's where the curse comes into play. I probably shouldn't even be saying all this.

He shakes his head. Everything was going so well today. He walks back over to the East Siders. "Have a feelin' that whoever this was is long gone by now." He pinches the bridge of his nose. "Not how I thought today would go down either. This throws tonight just completely sideways....." He blinks a few times and let's out the breath he didn't realize he was holding in. "Sorry about all this. What can I do for you guys?" Nothing had quite gone right since just before lunch. Was this the universe telling Keith he over stepped or just a massive coincidence?

mmdeforrest

2022-04-24, 10:47 AM

Dee took out a pair of latex gloves from their pocket in his cape and puts on as he walks up to the bolt’s shaft. Excellent work, Yuki, he replies. It would have taken me quite a while to sort all of that out. The Darkwatch is my primary suspect as well. All of the signs are there — although I’m trying to keep an open mind.

He lightly touched the bolt, careful not to disturb its location and examining it for any makers marks or symbols.

Checking out the Bolt (https://orokos.com/roll/940665): 1d10o10+4 13

“Holy magic,” he observes quietly, standing up and looking around again. “Mimi,” he subvocalized, “place the base on lockdown and take it to whatever the equivalent of Yellow Alert is. Let me and Seraph know immediately if any unusual vehicles or pedestrians approach — especially ones wearing armor and carrying crossbows or suspiciously large briefcases.”

“Did the other blood match any of the bodies’ scents, Yuki?” John asked, looking around for the collateral damage he was expecting to find. It disturbed him to see so little of Nightgaunt’s foes’ bodies remaining.

Hearing Goldheart’s question, he approached the knight-in-shining-armor. He made sure his comms were open for his initial analysis. “There’s a list of people who could have done this kind of thing. That said, it’s a pretty short list — unless some people have started hiring out their services. I don’t think his body was removed by magic, though. The perpetrators left by car in the alley Miss Menagerie and I came out of.

“There are traces of sacred magic on the bolts, which argues for someone targeting Nightgaunt as a vampire. They would be just as lethal to anyone, of course, but whoever it was came loaded for bear.

“Yuki has suggested the Darkwatch as a possible suspect organization and they would certainly fit the bill. I’m withholding judgement until we can say for certain but my initial guess lines up with her’s. She and Miss Menagerie have traced some of the movements via the traces of blood and scent markings with impressive efficiently. Whoever did this struck fast and hard and got out fast. It was a very professional strike — as evidenced by the absence of civilians being hit in the crossfire and the absence of the casualties on their side being left behind.”

John crossed his arms, trying to reconstruct the scene in his head, knowing it would be hours to days before any security footage from nearby cameras or cell phone videos became available. “Mimi: Please let me know if any of the local news outlets start posting video of what happened.”

John rested his hand on Goldenheart’s armored shoulder briefly. “We’ll find them.”

He continued forward to where Crowe stood nearer his former teammates. “Thank you for coming,” he offered the East Siders sincerely. “I know this is outside your usual stomping grounds but, if I may presume to speak for the group, we appreciate your help.”

John took a deep breath and steadied himself before turning to Siren. “We may need some additional assistance from you, if you would be so kind. We can fill you in on the details when we are in a less public setting — one of our bases would be preferable.”

Your place or mine, John? Very smooth, he observed to himself, trying hard not to wince as his eyes rolled internally.

“I would also appreciate any observations the three of you have about what you see here. Our investigation will doubtless profit from your own expertise.”

InTheMachine

2022-04-24, 05:27 PM

Louis
“This is kinda my thing,” Sidney says with a lopsided smirk. “I’ve been making mechanical birds for a couple of years now.”

She looks at the schematics again and back down at what she’s working with. “Yeah, cars are definitely a little different than bots. Just looking at it, I can assure you though, everything will fit. You just might have to finagle some pieces. I’m happy to start working on its guts for you. That’s the hardest and most time-consuming part. Once most of the insides are done we can mount them to the frame and you’ll be good to go.”

John
Yuki looks over at the giant claw-shaped slashes in the street and then back to John. "Each one of those gouges smells of a different person's blood. It also smells odd. Like... stars? Metallic. Acrid. I've never smelled anything like it before."

Looking at the bolt, John doesn't see any maker's marks or anything else identifying.

Keith
"What do you mean, 'inseparable'?" Emi asks Keith. "Do you mean that they're like together? Dating? What kind of hero dates a villain? No, don't answer that." The telepath sighs.

Team
Kylie and Emi look at each other before stepping away from Draconian toward the scene.

Emi smiles softly at John. "I would be happy to hear you out. Though it does pique my curiosity that you're unwilling to talk in a public space." John feels a faint touch on his mind which quickly withdrawals after gently testing his defenses.

There's a rush of wind from above, and Seraph lands next to John, accompanied by Aeryn. "I've heard most everything over comms," he says, folding his wings. "South Side and Menagerie, head back to base, with the exception of Zodiac."

Menagerie hops down off of Jaal's back, ready to try to persuade the older hero into letting her stay, but he silences her with a sharp look. "I'm not in any mood to argue. Go back to base with South Side."

The sorceress' gaze goes down to the ground and she stands there for a moment before she lets out a frustrated huff and climbs back onto Jaal. Ryker and Drake quickly follow and the dragon takes off in the direction of West Side HQ, lead by Aeryn.

Seraph watches them go before glancing back at Yuki. "I want a full report, Zodiac. Walk me through everything. Also, thanks for lending your assistance," the angel says, nodding to the East Side team.

Kylie inclines her head slightly. "It's no trouble. Though it looks like we were too late to help."

Roguewolf

2022-04-24, 05:52 PM

Keith
"What do you mean, 'inseparable'?" Emi asks Keith. "Do you mean that they're like together? Dating? What kind of hero dates a villain? No, don't answer that." The telepath sighs.

Team
Kylie and Emi look at each other before stepping away from Draconian toward the scene.

Emi smiles softly at John. "I would be happy to hear you out. Though it does pique my curiosity that you're unwilling to talk in a public space." John feels a faint touch on his mind which quickly withdrawals after gently testing his defenses.

There's a rush of wind from above, and Seraph lands next to John, accompanied by Aeryn. "I've heard most everything over comms," he says, folding his wings. "South Side and Menagerie, head back to base, with the exception of Zodiac."

Menagerie hops down off of Jaal's back, ready to try to persuade the older hero into letting her stay, but he silences her with a sharp look. "I'm not in any mood to argue. Go back to base with South Side."

The sorceress' gaze goes down to the ground and she stands there for a moment before she lets out a frustrated huff and climbs back onto Jaal. Ryker and Drake quickly follow and the dragon takes off in the direction of West Side HQ, lead by Aeryn.

Seraph watches them go before glancing back at Yuki. "I want a full report, Zodiac. Walk me through everything. Also, thanks for lending your assistance," the angel says, nodding to the East Side team.

Kylie inclines her head slightly. "It's no trouble. Though it looks like we were too late to help."

Keith sighs as Emi does. I honestly have no idea, just always see them together. Sorry, I know it's a huge mess. And..... I'm sorry about the screaming match inside my head earlier. A whole lot going on. HE runs his hands up his face and through his hair under the hood in exasperation. Doesn't help that somebody over there can't remember we're supposed to talk about Seraph asking for your help. He thinks for a moment. Does, Grayson want me to put up a dark curtain so he can change back?

Keith walks up with Kylie and Emi, stopping about the time he gets to John. "Still gotta talk with Seraph about all that. Oh, and probably don't." Keith whispers the last bit to John and tilts his head back to Draconian.

Provoke PC (https://orokos.com/roll/940701): 2d6+1+1 9
Keith is trying to get John to not divulge the mission secrets about Songbird, since these are his people.

If you do, add a Benny to the Team Pool.

Keith nods at Seraph thanking them. "Maybe, but wouldn't have been able to think of gettin' here in time without y'all."

Keith tries to support Kylie in that they wouldn't have made it at all without her and East Side's help.
Support (https://orokos.com/roll/940702): 2d6 8

mmdeforrest

2022-04-24, 06:44 PM

John
Yuki looks over at the giant claw-shaped slashes in the street and then back to John. "Each one of those gouges smells of a different person's blood. It also smells odd. Like... stars? Metallic. Acrid. I've never smelled anything like it before."

Stars? Dee asks as he walks towards Goldheart with Yuki. That is a very specific and unusual connection. Meteoric Iron might scent differently than the iron found in blood but that doesn’t seem the obvious leap to make. Unless, of course, you are scenting some kind of otherworldly being. I’ll see if I sense anything there once I check in with everyone else and try and decrease tensions.

Keith walks up with Kylie and Emi, stopping about the time he gets to John. "Still gotta talk with Seraph about all that. Oh, and probably don't." Keith whispers the last bit to John and tilts his head back to Draconian.

Spoiler: Rolls, Mechanics, OOC
Hide

Provoke PC: 2d6+1+1 9
Keith is trying to get John to not divulge the mission secrets about Songbird, since these are his people.

If you do, add a Benny to the Team Pool.

“Direct message to Crowe,” John subvocalizes over the comm. “Don’t worry: I have no intention of moving on this before clearing it with Seraph.”

John had to admit that part of him had asked Siren for assistance as an excuse to speak to her and set up an excuse for a future meeting with her. Crowe was right to warn him not to get out ahead of Seraph on this.

Add a Bennie to the pool.

Kylie and Emi look at each other before stepping away from Draconian toward the scene.

Emi smiles softly at John. "I would be happy to hear you out. Though it does pique my curiosity that you're unwilling to talk in a public space." John feels a faint touch on his mind which quickly withdrawals after gently testing his defenses.

John simultaneously felt his heart thump at the touch of Siren’s mind and the Amulet of the Hieroglyphic Monad warm up as it amplified his mental defenses. He cocked and eyebrow and offered an amused but friendly smile before he remembered she would not be able to see the cocked eyebrow. Perhaps some other time, he projected as her mind withdrew. It would be interesting to know how a psychic link differs from a magical one.

How would they differ? It was an interesting question, now that he considered it, and worth knowing about before they attempted any encounter with Vibrato. That alone might be worth a later discussion.

Focus John, he reminded himself. This was a crime scene — even if he suspected he knew where his teammate’s body rested.

He opened his mouth, about to ask another question when he heard Seraph descending from on high.

There's a rush of wind from above, and Seraph lands next to John, accompanied by Aeryn. "I've heard most everything over comms," he says, folding his wings. "South Side and Menagerie, head back to base, with the exception of Zodiac."

Menagerie hops down off of Jaal's back, ready to try to persuade the older hero into letting her stay, but he silences her with a sharp look. "I'm not in any mood to argue. Go back to base with South Side."

The sorceress' gaze goes down to the ground and she stands there for a moment before she lets out a frustrated huff and climbs back onto Jaal.

“I’d like to stay long enough to investigate one more item — with your permission, Seraph. It’s something I promised Zodiac I would follow up on.”

Ryker and Drake quickly follow and the dragon takes off in the direction of West Side HQ, lead by Aeryn.

Dee glances up at the departing dragon and looks over at Sharpshooter. “We are going to have a talk about team transport later.”

He turns back to Seraph, switching to Angelical. “I would also like to speak with you as soon as possible about where Nightgaunt’s body may currently be at repose. I’m uncertain how fully you know about his past but I do know the first place we should look.”

InTheMachine

2022-04-24, 07:26 PM

Roguewolf

2022-04-24, 07:44 PM

Team
Seraph nods to John, answering him also in the language of angels. "That's fine. I sent South Side back because you moved the base to Condition Yellow. That, and Stella doesn't need to be here."

Emi's eyes focus on John as he projects his thoughts to her after her gentle mental probe and her smile to him grows a little wider.

The two East Siders follow behind Seraph, John, and Yuki, taking in the scene. As they pass Keith, Emi tells him, "He says he's fine. Thank you for the offer though."

Kylie gently touches Keith's shoulder as she passes with a quiet laugh. "You don't have to defend us. Now we're just interested in what went on."

"You mean his coffin?" Seraph asks John in Angelical as they get closer to the gouges. "I know what he is."

Keith nods at Emi and glances back at Grayson and smiles at the pair. "Anytime!"

Keith's face starts to flush when Kylie passes him and touches his shoulder, and he lets out a nervous laugh. "R-right just wanted to make sure you knew I appreciated everything." He has a small smile on his face and turns to follow Kylie and Co. Just like I never left...... Kylie's words from earlier echo in his mind. Just wish I could see everyone more often. And you..... He catches himself thinking actively remembering that Emi is right there.

Taking in the scene, he can't help but marvel at it. At the claw marks, Keith's eyes widen. "He at least put up a hell of a fight." He looks over at Yuki. "John mentioned that you thought of Darkwatch?" The name sounded vaguely familiar but he couldn't quite place it. "Can go ahead and look into them as soon as we get back. Hopefully, find somethin'."

Keith watched John and Seraph's exchange in the other language. Times like this I wish I knew languages like Uncle.....

mmdeforrest

2022-04-24, 07:49 PM

Team
Seraph nods to John, answering him also in the language of angels. "That's fine. I sent South Side back because you moved the base to Condition Yellow. That, and Stella doesn't need to be here."

Emi's eyes focus on John as he projects his thoughts to her after her gentle mental probe and her smile to him grows a little wider.

John feels his heart thump again. Was there some requirement that mentalists in this town had to be this good looking? While part of him wondered if it was a side effect of their abilities, causing viewers to see them in the best possible light, he quickly rejected the thought. That would not impact cameras and other purely mechanical capture devices.

He would have to spend some extra time in meditation this evening. If this was what it would be like encountering Vibrato, he needed to learn how to center himself better than this.

"You mean his coffin?" Seraph asks John in Angelical as they get closer to the gouges. "I know what he is."

“Thank you for letting me continue helping with the investigation.

“I was almost certain that you did,” John continued in Angelical after muting his comm. “His condition didn’t seem like the kind of thing AEGIS would miss and I can’t imagine you or Mimi would have missed him moving a coffin into the base. I can look into what might be done to speed his recovery once we return to the base.

John took a breath to steady his voice before continuing, trying not to glance at the other team. “Keith didn’t want me to go further before we spoke to you, but I was considering asking Siren to assist with Songbird’s condition.”

Dee looked at the gouged as they arrived. The force of the blows was evident in the scars to the pavement — as well as the blood and what few remains there were that were within them. It did not leave much to go on, but he reached out with all of his senses to see if he could pick up anything that would explain Zodiac’s use of the word stars.

Gouges in the pavement (https://orokos.com/roll/940709): 1d10o10+4 13

InTheMachine

2022-04-24, 08:40 PM

Team
"The Darkwatch is a group of monster hunters that operate all over the world," Yuki broadcasts toward Keith. "I'm sure they were after Nightgaunt because his powers closely resemble what they hunt. They seem like more of the ask questions later type."

"I've heard of them," Kylie says as she kneels at the edge of one of the gouges. "Your teammate did this?" she asks as she looks closer at the bits of blood and meat left of what used to be people. "Does he always fight like this?"

Seraph lets out a low whistle. "I think he learned a new trick."

John
Hearing John take a steadying breath, Seraph looks up at the sorcerer. He smiles slightly at John, but chooses to stay silent in his observation. "She was who I was assuming Keith was talking about earlier today. Other than her father, she's one of the most powerful psychics in Iron Station," he says, continuing the conversation in Angelical. "That's if she'll help at all, though. It's not like Songbird did herself any favors by working for the Rooks. And Ryker hasn't helped matters today either."

Getting closer to the rends in the street, John feels a slight warping, like the fabric of reality was torn. Being so magically sensitive, he can see just a slight wavering in the air where four giant claw marks still hang, lining up with the gouges.

"You see that?" the angel asks John. "That woman saw him do this to her people and still managed to take him down. She has a very strong will, whoever she is. Then again, she is a monster hunter."

Keith
"What language are they speaking in?" Emi asks Keith telepathically. "I can't place it."

Roguewolf

2022-04-24, 08:59 PM

Team
"The Darkwatch is a group of monster hunters that operate all over the world," Yuki broadcasts toward Keith. "I'm sure they were after Raphael because his powers closely resemble what they hunt. They seem like more of the ask questions later type."

"I've heard of them," Kylie says as she kneels at the edge of one of the gouges. "Your teammate did this?" she asks as she looks closer at the bits of blood and meat left of what used to be people. "Does he always fight like this?"

Seraph lets out a low whistle. "I think he learned a new trick."

Keith
"What language are they speaking in?" Emi asks Keith telepathically. "I can't place it."

Keith's eyes narrow as he continues to look around. "All over the world huh? Ran into a ground like them before, similar M.O. just a different set of operations." Keith's eyes glow slightly red and then he relaxes.

At Kylie's question he nods. "Sorta, like Seraph said that's pretty new and unusual. He's super strong and those claws can be sharp but that's definitely insane."

Hearing Emi in his mind, Keith jumps slightly. I have no idea. Something definitely older than Latin that probably barely exists anymore.

mmdeforrest

2022-04-24, 09:48 PM

"I've heard of them," Kylie says as she kneels at the edge of one of the gouges. "Your teammate did this?" she asks as she looks closer at the bits of blood and meat left of what used to be people. "Does he always fight like this?"

Seraph lets out a low whistle. "I think he learned a new trick."

“While I have not been in Iron Station long, Burnout, I have not seen Nightgaunt fight with this ferocity before. And if he was not willing to unleash this kind of power on a demon, I think it unlikely that this would be considered usual. Based on the position of these remains and the crossbow bolt that has Nightgaunt’s blood on it, I would posit that these are the individuals who provided covering fire for the main combatant.

“I suspect everyone involved recognized it as a kill or be killed encounter of a kind different from our usual encounters.”

Hearing John take a steadying breath, Seraph looks up at the sorcerer. He smiles slightly at John, but chooses to stay silent in his observation. "She was who I was assuming Keith was talking about earlier today. Other than her father, she's one of the most powerful psychics in Iron Station," he says, continuing the conversation in Angelical. "That's if she'll help at all, though. It's not like Songbird did herself any favors by working for the Rooks. And Ryker hasn't helped matters today either."

“I may have an angle or two I can play to try to convince her,” John said, feeling his face redden slightly at the angel’s smile. “I’ll see if I can get her alone and persuade her.”

John took another breath, glad he was speaking in a language whose known human speakers could be counted on two hands. “That didn’t come out…I mean….” He glanced at Seraph. “I’ll see what I can do.”

That, he recognized, did not sound any better than the rest of what he had said and decided to stop before he dug himself any deeper.

Getting closer to the rends in the street, John feels a slight warping, like the fabric of reality was torn. Being so magically sensitive, he can see just a slight wavering in the air where four giant claw marks still hang, lining up with the gouges.

"You see that?" the angel asks John. "That woman saw him do this to her people and still managed to take him down. She has a very strong will, whoever she is. Then again, she is a monster hunter."

“Yes,” Dee replied. While it would be incorrect to say he was grateful for the change in topic, the scene before him did help shift his focus. “The tear marks from whatever claws he conjured out of himself are still visible. Given from what I have seen of Nightgaunt, I would have expected them to fade by now.

“This is clearly something new,” he observed dropping to one knee. “The splatter patterns give a sense of where he was when it happened and the residual energy almost vibrates with his fury — and something akin to despair. I don’t think he wanted to do this — or to find this within himself: one of the two.”

He reached out with his senses and searched his memory, attempting to determine which of the many planes and powers Raphael had tapped into to do this.

Occult Wild Die (https://orokos.com/roll/940715): 1d6o6+2 7

John looked down at the congealing blood. “They likely wanted it less than he did,” John added quietly in Angelical before switching back to English, offered a brief prayer from the Mass (https://mycatholicprayers.com/prayers/the-confiteor-i-confess/). It wasn’t the Last Rights but he was not authorized to perform those and, given his practice, was at best in imperfect communion with the Mother Church. And while he did not want to impose his own views on anyone there, a silent prayer seemed out of place. Nevertheless, he hoped his prayers lifted these departed souls somewhat in their passage in Purgatory.

If their actions had not barred them from there. Whatever the case, they were now more certain if their approach was righteous in a way he was not, reminding himself not to place himself in the role of their judge. In that kind of certainty, anyone could become monstrous.

Serpah might know the answers to these questions but he doubted the angel was free to speak about such points. And as an article of Faith, he likely shouldn’t.

InTheMachine

2022-04-25, 11:36 AM

John

“I may have an angle or two I can play to try to convince her,” John said, feeling his face redden slightly at the angel’s smile. “I’ll see if I can get her alone and persuade her.”

John took another breath, glad he was speaking in a language whose known human speakers could be counted on two hands. “That didn’t come out…I mean….” He glanced at Seraph. “I’ll see what I can do.”

That, he recognized, did not sound any better than the rest of what he had said and decided to stop before he dug himself any deeper.

Seraph’s grin grows wider before he says in Angelical, “I’m surprised the sight of a beautiful woman would get this flustered, John. Not that I blame you.”

Unfortunately, as he kneels before one of the gouges, John can’t call to mind what plane may have been rended open, or what power Raphael may have used.

“I think you’re right about both,” the angel says. “From what I know of his past, these are the people that killed his family. He’s been trying very hard to suppress his heritage, and this kill or be killed situation probably brought out something he never wanted to use. I hate that he had to face this alone.”

Team
Seraph inclines his head as John says a quick prayer before Kylie hops up on the stage, looking at the carnage below. She observes the destroyed speaker, then looks down at the blood splatter right below the stage and checks the angle to the dented food truck. “Hey, Zodiac, right? This blood down here is Nightgaunt’s?”

The wolf walks over and sniffs before she nods. “Yes. It is.”

“It looks like whoever attacked him probably has some kind of powers,” Kylie says as she jumps back down, using a small blurt of flame from her hands to slow her before she hits the ground. “If he got hit here, and then impacted that food truck hard enough to leave that big of a dent. That’s easily fifty feet he got thrown.”

Kylie shrugs. “Other than that, I’m not seeing much that you guys haven’t pointed out already. If they’re smart, which I’m assuming they are, they would have had the license plate on their car covered up, so even if someone managed to get video of it, we won’t be able to track it. Like Dee said, these guys were professionals.”

“Siren,” Seraph says to the blonde. “Before you leave, would you go speak to some of the officers that were here? You might be able to get a visual for the woman who attacked Nightgaunt.”

“Absolutely Seraph,” she replies with a slight nod. “Just give me a few minutes.” She saunters off back toward the police line.

mmdeforrest

2022-04-25, 12:19 PM

John
Seraph’s grin grows wider before he says in Angelical, “I’m surprised the sight of a beautiful woman would get this flustered, John. Not that I blame you.”

“In truth,” John admitted in Angelical, “so am I. I’d like to say the emotional complexity of the situation — Raphael’s fight, having to keep things quiet from Stella but not her dragon, and helping manage the inter-team rivalries while interacting telepathically with Zodiac and Siren. And she does know how to use more than just her powers to keep a man off-balance, though and admitting it to you in Angelical helps me at least attempt to keep a poker face.

“I’ll have to decide later how hard on myself I should be. I suspect that will matter once we face Vibrato.”

Unfortunately, as he kneels before one of the gouges, John can’t call to mind what plane may have been rended open, or what power Raphael may have used.

“I think you’re right about both,” the angel says. “From what I know of his past, these are the people that killed his family. He’s been trying very hard to suppress his heritage, and this kill or be killed situation probably brought out something he never wanted to use. I hate that he had to face this alone.”

Team
Seraph inclines his head as John says a quick prayer before Kylie hops up on the stage, looking at the carnage below. She observes the destroyed speaker, then looks down at the blood splatter right below the stage and checks the angle to the dented food truck. “Hey, Zodiac, right? This blood down here is Nightgaunt’s?”

The wolf walks over and sniffs before she nods. “Yes. It is.”

“It looks like whoever attacked him probably has some kind of powers,” Kylie says as she jumps back down, using a small blurt of flame from her hands to slow her before she hits the ground. “If he got hit here, and then impacted that food truck hard enough to leave that big of a dent. That’s easily fifty feet he got thrown.”

Kylie shrugs. “Other than that, I’m not seeing much that you guys haven’t pointed out already. If they’re smart, which I’m assuming they are, they would have had the license plate on their car covered up, so even if someone managed to get video of it, we won’t be able to track it. Like Dee said, these guys were professionals.”

“Siren,” Seraph says to the blonde. “Before you leave, would you go speak to some of the officers that were here? You might be able to get a visual for the woman who attacked Nightgaunt.”

“Absolutely Seraph,” she replies with a slight nod. “Just give me a few minutes.” She saunters off back toward the police line.

John took another deep breath as he watched Siren saunter off towards the police line. “She’s going to project the images she finds into our minds, isn’t she?” he said, lapsing back into English. He wasn’t certain if he looked forward to the intimacy of that contact again or not. Seraph’s gentle but well-deserved teasing made him confront that he had, at minimum, developed a crush on Siren — something that would undoubtably cloud his judgement and he needed to make certain mental adjustments in the next few seconds if he wanted to do what was expected of him right now.

Yes, his mental defenses had held the last time her mind brushed against his but he recognized that she had not really tested them. A crush could make him weaken them out of a desire to pursue that intimacy.

Perhaps that, he recognized, was a portion of her and Vibrato’s success: A subconscious or conscious desire on the part of the target to let them in.

The imbuing of mental defenses into the Amulet of the Hieroglyphic Monad was more beneficial than he had realized. It would not be swayed by either of their beauty. That might be enough to save him and others in a time of crisis.

He looked around the square, thinking about Serpah’s observations about what Raphael had to face alone here less than an hour ago. Already in the back of his head, he had begun to develop a desperate plan to bring him back quickly — more quickly than he suspected the vampire would normally return. It would be dangerously close to necromancy, in a way (Not that Dr. Dee had shied away from dabbling in that darker art.) and certainly dangerous to his person — even if Seraph would be there to keep watch. But he owed it to Raphael and Stella to make that attempt.

He caught himself looking across the square to where Siren was now speaking with the police, dodging the connections his mind was threatening to make and wondering why he thought of it as some kind of retreat to something safer.

InTheMachine

2022-04-25, 01:32 PM

Team
“She most likely will,” Seraph replies.

A few minutes later, Emi returns. Her dark eyes go to Seraph first, then the rest of the team, resting just little longer than necessary on John. “If you’re prepared and comfortable, I’ll project an image into your mind. Step forward if you’re ready.”

To those who accept, the image of a woman (https://raid.guide/media/cache/43afb5ef54e7f058be8fc50581994c9e/hero/warpriest-2060.jpg)with flaming red hair and bright blue eyes, dressed in full plate wielding a flanged mace is imprinted into their thoughts. The image is just a little blurred, like she was in motion.

“Can you project that to the rest of the team when we get back to base, Zodiac?” Seraph asks the wolf.

“I will be able to,” she replies. “Don’t worry, Seraph.”

Roguewolf

2022-04-25, 01:53 PM

Team
Seraph inclines his head as John says a quick prayer before Kylie hops up on the stage, looking at the carnage below. She observes the destroyed speaker, then looks down at the blood splatter right below the stage and checks the angle to the dented food truck. “Hey, Zodiac, right? This blood down here is Nightgaunt’s?”

The wolf walks over and sniffs before she nods. “Yes. It is.”

“It looks like whoever attacked him probably has some kind of powers,” Kylie says as she jumps back down, using a small blurt of flame from her hands to slow her before she hits the ground. “If he got hit here, and then impacted that food truck hard enough to leave that big of a dent. That’s easily fifty feet he got thrown.”

Kylie shrugs. “Other than that, I’m not seeing much that you guys haven’t pointed out already. If they’re smart, which I’m assuming they are, they would have had the license plate on their car covered up, so even if someone managed to get video of it, we won’t be able to track it. Like Dee said, these guys were professionals.”

Keith thinks for a moment when Kylie mentions it. "If they're monster hunters then it would probably be some light based abilities. It'll be even harder to track with that in mind since they could just bend it around them." He digs around in his mind for any information he had compiled on a probable safe house. If only John and Seraph hadn't mentioned everything in that weird language, he might have another idea.

Team
“She most likely will,” Seraph replies.

A few minutes later, Emi returns. Her dark eyes go to Seraph first, then the rest of the team, resting just little longer than necessary on John. “If you’re prepared and comfortable, I’ll project an image into your mind. Step forward if you’re ready.”

To those who accept, the image of a woman (https://raid.guide/media/cache/43afb5ef54e7f058be8fc50581994c9e/hero/warpriest-2060.jpg)with flaming red hair and bright blue eyes, dressed in full plate wielding a flanged mace is imprinted into their thoughts. The image is just a little blurred, like she was in motion.

“Can you project that to the rest of the team when we get back to base, Zodiac?” Seraph asks the wolf.

“I will be able to,” she replies. “Don’t worry, Seraph.”

Keith nods. "Yeah, most likely. It's really helpful."

Keith steps forward about the time Emi askes, he was used to it by now. Even though sometimes it still surprised him, it became natural over at East Side. His eyes widen at the image, and some haunting memories fly back. It wasn't just like that but having to hunt another secret society was still something that brought up memories of that day his journey began.

"Thank you, Siren. At least now we know who the top dog is for them it seems." He wanted to rush in and get rid of them, but that wasn't something he could do. Not at his current level. "I'll start diggin' into everything I can find on them. Even the best leave some traces." His thoughts went back to some of the times he tracked groups from the Empire with his Uncle. The lackeys had to be the best, but there's always a trace, nothing is ever perfect.

"Where should we head from here, Seraph?" Keith would have had his phone out trying to Google-fu what he could be the computer back at base would be better. Phones were limited in that capacity, and he could ask Mimi for help. If only there was some interface where he could project the image of this woman to Mimi for easier searching. Like that Cerebro thing.

Not the busy day he was originally expecting. And they still needed to prepare for the Dragonovs tonight. This was getting out of hand fast.

mmdeforrest

2022-04-25, 06:57 PM

Team
“She most likely will,” Seraph replies.

Keith nods. "Yeah, most likely. It's really helpful."

John closed his eyes and steadied his breath, unsure how committed he would remain if he watched Siren.

He stood with his back to a gate behind him emblazoned with the Hieroglyphic Monad — the only passage through the wall.

The visualization wasn’t so much a magical spell as it was a focusing trick.

Before him, a chasm stretched infinitely far down — the borders of his own mind.

The visualization was a conscious reminder of what existed on another plane and in another state.

A bridge extended out of the mists that swirled on the other side of the chasm. Any who wished to contact him had to cross that bridge.

It was entirely for his conscious mind’s benefit. It served no other real purpose.

The lawn before the wall was green — welcoming even. As he watched, a rose and gardenia arbor began to appear at the edge of the bridge, weaving itself up and over.

Who put that there?

You did, of course, came the answer up out of the chasm.

John pushed the image away, releasing it and replacing it with still water. He held it for a moment, ignoring the question of who responded to his question, before opening his eyes.

He was ready…he thought.

Team
A few minutes later, Emi returns. Her dark eyes go to Seraph first, then the rest of the team, resting just little longer than necessary on John. “If you’re prepared and comfortable, I’ll project an image into your mind. Step forward if you’re ready.”

Keeping himself as impassive as possible, John stepped forward, opening the borders of his mind to Siren.

Team
To those who accept, the image of a woman (https://raid.guide/media/cache/43afb5ef54e7f058be8fc50581994c9e/hero/warpriest-2060.jpg)with flaming red hair and bright blue eyes, dressed in full plate wielding a flanged mace is imprinted into their thoughts. The image is just a little blurred, like she was in motion.

“Can you project that to the rest of the team when we get back to base, Zodiac?” Seraph asks the wolf.

“I will be able to,” she replies. “Don’t worry, Seraph.”

InTheMachine

2022-04-25, 07:25 PM

mmdeforrest

2022-04-25, 08:01 PM

A tall, blonde figure approaches from across the bridge. Each of her steps causes gentle ripples in the still water below that echo out into the endless expanse.

Siren looks up at the impressive gate behind John, before her dark gaze settles on him. “You really don’t want me in here, do you?” she asks softly. “Though it isn’t like I don’t understand. Someone as mysterious as you must have many secrets hidden away. Don’t worry. I won’t invade your privacy any more than this,” she says with a small smile.

John hoped that she could not sense the amusement aimed at him from out of the chasm — or hear the first bolt on the gate slowly turning into position to release itself.

“It’s not that you’re unwelcome, Siren” John observed. “The flowers that appeared here are a nod to that. It’s just that what lies beyond is somewhat complicated and I would rather put some of it in order, lest harm come to you inadvertently.”

There was a scratching from inside the gate, a memory of the Homunculus arriving as if to serve as an example of the king of thing he didn’t want to appear.

The garden table, with cucumber sandwiches and tea for two, that appeared beside him provided further complexity, leaving him unsure who was producing what.

“Are we outside of time here or will the others see us standing still, looking into one another’s eyes?”

Looking into one another’s eyes? Smooth, John.

He reached up and drew down his cowl.

“At the risk of delaying things,” he said, “I do have you at a disadvantage. Quite ungentlemanly of me, really. My name is John Kelley. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Siren.’ He half drew out a chair for her. “I can pour the tea if we have time.”

Roguewolf

2022-04-25, 08:18 PM

Team
Seraph looks over at Keith. “We should head back to base. I don’t think there’s much more that we can find here.”

Keith nods and sighs. "Guess this really is about it." He turns to Kylie and Emi. "Seriously, thanks for bringin' us and comin' with. Lunch will be on me again next time." He smiles at the two and back at Grayson. "At least this time I head to West Side I get to say goodbye and see y'all soon." Not exactly how he wanted to part ways with them today, but duty was calling. They had bigger fish to fry and well.... his emotional state had caused him to divulge too much information already just to Emi. No telling what could happen if he stayed near them.

"Guess anythin' else y'all wanna talk about or ask before I head back?" He asks his East Side friends.

Awwwwww already missin' them huh? And then you spill more info than needed to them? Guess you're just pathetic, or maybe you really don't care. How will you even survive tonight, if you really want to. HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ksYhCpSgA0) Good heavens the trouble can you cause for everyone around you! Don't even need me to do this!

Shut up White....... I can still keep goin' on. His tormentor was really starting to drive him crazy. Having a sense of insecurity didn't help either. You're only actin' up now because she said to wait a couple days. You're also only in my head. He was exhausted from the mental arguing.

STOP CALLIN' ME WHITE!!!!!

It's what you wear, how else do we differentiate ourselves?

PK-Leon

2022-04-25, 08:22 PM

Drawing Board

“This is kinda my thing,” Sidney says with a lopsided smirk. “I’ve been making mechanical birds for a couple of years now.”

"Okay, youmay have a point." Louis replies with a smile, acknowledging his oversight. "That reminds me of something I've been wanting to ask you. You're obviously talented at this, so why limit yourself to only building birds?"

"She looks at the schematics again and back down at what she’s working with. “Yeah, cars are definitely a little different than bots. Just looking at it, I can assure you though, everything will fit. You just might have to finagle some pieces. I’m happy to start working on its guts for you. That’s the hardest and most time-consuming part. Once most of the insides are done we can mount them to the frame and you’ll be good to go.”

"Sounds like a plan. We could definitely use a second pair of hands and you've been at this way longer than I have so at least one of us will know what they're doing." He considers something for a moment before he continues. "I think we'll have to postpone working on it together though. At least until I come back from the cafe. I can't exactly leave you by yourself with access to everything the lab, for safety reasons. You understand right?" He half smiles.

InTheMachine

2022-04-25, 08:47 PM

Siren’s smile grows wider as she answers his question. “Time inside the mind is dilated. We could spend hours here and only a second will have passed outside.”

She looks back at the gate as it rattles. “Mysterious and dangerous,” she murmurs, deliberately just loud enough for John to hear.

“The pleasure is mine, John,” she says as she sits in the offered chair. “My name is Emilia Shaw. Emi to my friends. I would love some tea. I spent quite of bit of time in London when I was growing up and I miss having true afternoon tea time.”

Keith
The two East Siders climb back onto Draconian’s back after saying goodbye to the other West Siders. “We’ll see ya around Keith,” Kylie says. “Don’t forget that our phones still work,” she calls out as Draconian takes off from the street.

Louis
“I like birds,” Sidney says with a shrug. “Originally, I built the Watchers to keep tabs on Crowns operations. They’re small, and they can fly. And if you keep little birds on a roof, no one looks twice at them. At some point, I got the name Songbird from Jesse, so I stuck to birds to keep with the theme,” she finishes with a grin.

Sidney’s face falls a little as Louis mentions leaving for the cafe. “Yeah, I understand. I’ll go back to helping that blonde kid… Aeryn, learn how to bake a cake for his buddy. Maybe I can get Stell to help out too.”

Roguewolf

2022-04-25, 09:05 PM

Keith
The two East Siders climb back onto Draconian’s back after saying goodbye to the other West Siders. “We’ll see ya around Keith,” Kylie says. “Don’t forget that our phones still work,” she calls out as Draconian takes off from the street.

Keith smiles and waves at each of them, keeping his eyes on Kylie of course last. "Be safe, and don't worry, I won't forget! I'll update y'all as soon as I can!" His smile falters with a sad look once they are out of range and can no longer see him.

His insecurity got the best of him since he hadn't exactly talked to them in a good week and he had been up to his neck in work that contacting them escaped him. He knew Kylie hadn't meant it in a condescending way, but the comment still stung. He knew he had basically disappeared. He could finally be free in his thoughts and replayed most of the events.

"We'll always have the Sunshine Eulogy." He said more to himself than anyone in particular. Eyes still to the sky where they disappeared to. "Ah crap, what was the album he mentioned again? Eh I'll text him later, they'll know I didn't forget." His face returns to a soft smile momentarily before being crushed again by the comment. He couldn't very well just text Kylie after while without any updates, especially after making things so awkward. Even then what about when they find out he hadn't told them about Sid being at their base and in custody? His eyes dropped to the ground at the thought. Well if she doesn't say no from today, she might very well at that point.....

He was kind of just frozen in place at the entire exchange. The scene outside fitting, since he had his own inward battles going on.

mmdeforrest

2022-04-25, 09:12 PM

[QUOTE=InTheMachine;25440055]Siren’s smile grows wider as she answers his question. “Time inside the mind is dilated. We could spend hours here and only a second will have passed outside.”

She looks back at the gate as it rattles. “Mysterious and dangerous,” she murmurs, deliberately just loud enough for John to hear.

“The pleasure is mine, John,” she says as she sits in the offered chair. “My name is Emilia Shaw. Emi to my friends. I would love some tea. I spent quite of bit of time in London when I was growing up and I miss having true afternoon tea time.”

John ignored the more insistent scratching at the gate, willing the bolt back into place.

“I hope I earn the right to call you so someday, Emilia,” John replied as he eases her chair in. “Funnily enough,” he said, stepping around to pour the tea and offering her a smile, “I just arrived in Iron Station from London a short time ago. One of the tours I was on there included lessons in serving high tea. Perhaps you can come by our base some time and I can try to prepare it for you.”

He sat down across from her after offering sugar, lemon, and cream. “I’d offer to try and teleport us over for tea at the Ritz,” he suggested, serving her a cucumber sandwich, “but there would be a lot of questions from AEGIS were I to reappear there unannounced.”

Stop trying to show off, John, he chided himself as he noticed the tip of a darkly nailed finger probe from underneath the door before quickly withdrawing, as if it had sensed it had been noticed.

“Do you get back to London often?” he asked, taking a sip of tea and almost losing himself in her eyes. Only the threat of a sliding bolt disturbing their conversation kept him from doing so. Yes, it might lend to the air of mystery that seemed to catch her interest but he did not want her to leave out of a concern over his privacy.

All told, fighting demons was much easier.

PK-Leon

2022-04-25, 09:36 PM

Drawing Board

Â“I like birds,Â” Sidney says with a shrug. Â“Originally, I built the Watchers to keep tabs on Crowns operations. TheyÂ’re small, and they can fly. And if you keep little birds on a roof, no one looks twice at them. At some point, I got the name Songbird from Jesse, so I stuck to birds to keep with the theme,Â” she finishes with a grin.

A wave of uneasiness washes over Louis at the mention of Jesse. The knowledge of Blackout and Coldfront's involvement in Ryker's arrest weighed on his conscious but now wasn't the time to discuss it.

"You've got a good brand if I'm being honest." He admits, nodding at in approval.

SidneyÂ’s face falls a little as Louis mentions leaving for the cafe. Â“Yeah, I understand. IÂ’ll go back to helping that blonde kidÂ… Aeryn, learn how to bake a cake for his buddy. Maybe I can get Stell to help out too.Â”

"I think Aeryn would enjoy that a lot actually. I think you're the only person here with as much passion for cooking as him which is a change of pace from what I gather? Though everyone here enjoys eating." He shrugs with a guilty smile on his face. "Alright, I should probably get ready to head out. Did you want me to pick up anything for you on the way back?"

InTheMachine

2022-04-25, 10:23 PM

“You just came from London?” Emilia inquires as she takes a little bit of sugar and cream in her tea. “Were you there for business or pleasure?” she asks, a flirty smile playing at her lips.

She takes a dainty bite from her sandwich and chases it with a sip of tea. “I wouldn’t say no to high tea with you. It’s been quite a long time. I spent most of my childhood in Knightsbridge, but I haven’t been back in quite a few years. The last time was four years ago, when my grandfather passed away. As you can imagine, it wasn’t a happy trip.”

Emilia watches as the finger disappears back under the gate. “I have to say, you’re a very interesting man, John. I won’t deny that you’ve intrigued me. I’ve never been offered tea inside someone’s mind.”

Louis
“He seems like a good kid. Very enthusiastic,” she says with a slight smile. “Ryker’s just as bad about only wanting the end result and not wanting to help, so it’s nice to have someone that actually wants to learn.”

She thinks for a moment. “If you’re going to the cafe, would you bring me my toolbox? It’s in the workshop, the door behind the kitchen table.”

mmdeforrest

2022-04-25, 11:02 PM

“You just came from London?” Emilia inquires as she takes a little bit of sugar and cream in her tea. “Were you there for business or pleasure?” she asks, a flirty smile playing at her lips.

“A bit of both,” John replied, returning her smile and taking his cup in two hands, lest she notice it tremble at the force of her smile. “I was studying abroad, doing research into the connections between Elizabethan magic and the theatre and staying at a friend of my father’’s flats in the Strand. It was convenient for my work in the British Museum — where I was most likely to take my tea, although it wasn’t as fancy — and his work in Shanghai was keeping him away for six months. It worked out well. I got a free place to stay and he got a free house sitter.

“My studies, as you might guess, took a somewhat more practical turn while there and I studied with, among others, Doctor John Dee in a space not unlike this — where time loses meaning and events can continue longer than reason would allow.

“I haven’t really been gone long enough to miss it yet, but I can sometimes feel the edges of it.”

She takes a dainty bite from her sandwich and chases it with a sip of tea. “I wouldn’t say no to high tea with you. It’s been quite a long time. I spent most of my childhood in Knightsbridge, but I haven’t been back in quite a few years. The last time was four years ago, when my grandfather passed away. As you can imagine, it wasn’t a happy trip.”

I’m sorry for your troubles,” John offers simply.

Emilia watches as the finger disappears back under the gate. “I have to say, you’re a very interesting man, John. I won’t deny that you’ve intrigued me. I’ve never been offered tea inside someone’s mind.”

“I’ll see what I can do about the pest control issues next time,” John bantered back, feeling less confident about that than he sounded. “It’s not a pleasant memory and it’s unlikely to stop pestering us so long as I try to ignore it. It’s called the Homunculus and I was, unfortunately, involved in its accidental release.

“Accident or not, people got hurt and I’m partially responsible.” He glanced at the door. “Happy now?”

The titter that returned would be unpleasant for anyone, he imagined. The memories he associated with it he kept firmly behind the door.

“My apologies for the intrusion,” he offered Emilia. “Now that it has been acknowledged, I suspect it will fade into the background. I hope it wasn’t too unsettling — although I suppose you have encountered more than your fair share of the unsettling while protecting Iron Station.”

PK-Leon

2022-04-26, 12:09 AM

Drawing Board

“He seems like a good kid. Very enthusiastic,” she says with a slight smile. “Ryker’s just as bad about only wanting the end result and not wanting to help, so it’s nice to have someone that actually wants to learn.”

"Have you tasted your food? Can't really fault 'im for it. Wouldn't want to get between an artist and her work ya know?" Louis teases.

She thinks for a moment. “If you’re going to the cafe, would you bring me my toolbox? It’s in the workshop, the door behind the kitchen table.”

"Consider it done. I'll grab a duffle bag to toss it in." Louis puts on his jacket and moves towards the entrance of lab. A thought comes to mind as he waits by the door. "So when I pick up your toolbox that's not going to trigger any of your birds to attack right?" He asks remembering the incident with Knives.

Louis waves over his shoulder at Sidney as the two part ways. "I'll come find you as soon as I get back. Until then, make yourself at home. Mimi will take care of ya." He returns to his room and slings a duffle bag onto his back before heading to the garage. Both rider and vehicle change in appearance as the light of the sun greets them, his black jacket and motorcycle simultaneously transitioning to his trademark red as he takes to the streets.

InTheMachine

2022-04-26, 09:15 AM

PK-Leon

2022-04-26, 09:58 AM

Special Delivery

Louis arrives at the cafe just after the clock strikes 10. He pats his jacket pocket to ensure the letter he promised to deliver was still there before walking through the front door.

He pushes his aviators up onto his forehead and takes in the scene at the cafe before looking for Scott behind the counter.

mmdeforrest

2022-04-26, 11:25 AM

“Dr. John Dee… from the sixteenth century?” Emilia asks. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised,” she says as she leans forward a little in her chair. Her eyes seem to look at John in an entirely new light. “I should have made the connection. I saw his mirror once, in the British Museum, among other things that he used. Even as young as I was, I could feel that they held power. Just not something that I could tap into.”

John looked down into his cup, feigning introspection as he swirled its contents. In truth, his heart thumped with the look she gave him and he needed a moment to collect himself. “The connection is much more obvious if you see my code name typed out. One of the tabloids — I think it was The Mirror — ran the question ‘Who Is D?’ using just the capital letter. Given my amulet, a few people have made the connection but it isn’t obvious.

“Most of AEGIS: London City like the connection and some people on the Occult Team and Quartermaster Division there like to play off it.”

John chucked and looked back up for a moment before glancing back down.

Nope, not quite collected enough to meet her gaze yet.

“Q Division likes to call me 007, Mark 2 because that was Doctor Dee’s code number when he worked for Her Majesty’s Secret Service.”

He looked up, able to meet her gaze again.

Just barely.

She was beautiful. Really, really beautiful.

Focus, John.

“They like mixing connections between history and film.”

“Doctor Dee’s Mirror was the initial portal for my introduction to him,” John continued, keeping it together as best he could, “and the source of the clearest communication I ever had with him. I have visited it since but it did not open the same way it did that first time.

She shrugs as the echo of the Homunculus retreats. “I’ve seen nightmarish things. Especially when I was training my powers with my father. He wanted to be sure that there would be few things that could faze me when I looked inside someone’s mind.”

Emilia looks back up at the gate before returning her gaze to John. “Seraph’s mind is even more locked down than yours. It was a little unsettling, looking into the mind of an angel, so I spoke to him only briefly, but he said that you had something that you wanted to ask me.”

“There is,” John replied, setting down his teacup and picking up the teapot to offer her a second cup. “I assume you are familiar with Vibrato and her work. We have a case where she appears to have fragmented off a portion of someone’s mind, creating a dangerous split personality. I was able to wall that part of her mind off but my experience with this kind of thing is rather limited.

“Seraph, Keith, and I all appear to have independently come to the conclusion that you might be able to help. I didn’t want to go blundering up against this kind of thing,” he said, nodding towards the gate, “and accidentally cause damage to her mind. Since the personality fragment was trying to defend itself, I used that urge to wall it off — at least temporarily.

“After accidentally triggering the curse that had been placed on Miss Menagerie earlier that day, I thought it best to be cautious.”

He looked at her intensely, trying to maintain the appearance of a serious and professional magician instead of melting into puppy dog-like admiration of her.

“There’s more, of course,” he admitted. “But I wanted to see if you would be able to help with that kind of thing before we got into the complications.”

John smiled wryly. “As if all of that was not complicated enough.”

InTheMachine

2022-04-26, 01:47 PM

Louis
The atmosphere in the cafe is lively. Most of the tables and couches are full and there’s a few people milling around waiting for to-go coffees. Smooth jazz plays over a speaker in the back. There’s two girls working the counter, both college age. Scott however, is nowhere to be found.

One of the girls (https://i.pinimg.com/originals/4e/b9/b4/4eb9b47eb9e591e5d1bb263c21cd7984.jpg) waves at Louis as she takes her place behind the register. Her handwritten name tag says ‘Isabelle’, and Louis can see a couple of rose tattoos on her hand and arm. “What can I get started for you?”

At the mention of Vibrato, any humor or enjoyment of the conversation drains out of Emilia’s face. She accepts the second cup of tea, leaning back in her chair and she sips at it, not even bothering to add cream and sugar. Once John is done with his explanation, she sets her teacup down on its saucer, and fixes him with a much more serious gaze than before. “I can most likely help. It won’t be easy; Vibrato is not gentle with her victims.”

She does answer John’s wry smile with her own, however small. “It does sound that you have it under control, though. Brilliant thinking, walling off the personality fragment. Now, what are these other complications?”

mmdeforrest

2022-04-26, 02:26 PM

At the mention of Vibrato, any humor or enjoyment of the conversation drains out of Emilia’s face. She accepts the second cup of tea, leaning back in her chair and she sips at it, not even bothering to add cream and sugar. Once John is done with his explanation, she sets her teacup down on its saucer, and fixes him with a much more serious gaze than before. “I can most likely help. It won’t be easy; Vibrato is not gentle with her victims.”

She does answer John’s wry smile with her own, however small. “It does sound that you have it under control, though. Brilliant thinking, walling off the personality fragment. Now, what are these other complications?”

John had braced himself for her change in demeanor but was surprised at how much it disappointed him. It wasn’t because of the professional side of things. He guessed that her reaction to Vibrato was akin to his own regarding the greater demon that was maneuvering about the city. It was something of a personal affront that an opposite number would be operating in his speciality and it somehow fell to him to address the matter.

Granted, he would have to stand in line to be considered the opposite number of a greater demon behind Seraph and Harbinger, but he would be willing to wait in that line.

No, it was the warmth and charm she directed at him withdrawing that hurt. She was still beautiful, of course, even in her business-like manner. But now, her thoughts were no longer on him and he had to fight down the urge to draw them back.

He had, after all, promised Sidney that he would help.

“Just the one. She did this to Songbird. That’s why she shifted from making mechanical birds to provide surveillance for the Rooks to bigger crimes like ransoming the Mayor’s child.

“I won’t try to persuade you of her goodness, although I suspect you will find her to be good, should you be so generous as to help her. I have already promised to help her and I will place myself at your disposal should you need or wish for any assistance.

“And, of course, I would be in your debt.” He smiled and looked at her mischievously. “As would be Ryker.”

“You may wish to think this over,” John added. “But I do want you to know that the offer of high tea stands, regardless of your answer.”

InTheMachine

2022-04-26, 06:40 PM

Roguewolf

2022-04-26, 07:02 PM

His mind was a whirlwind, everything that had happened since the day he arrived had just seemed to make things worse. First, there was the Yuki and Drake thing, Calvin going off the rails because he let it slip up when Calvin mentioned wanting to see both of them. Now he told Emi everything he knew about Stella. Granted it's better that way since she would have probably peeked but that was a chance he didn't want someone else taking. **** how else is everyone from West Side going to look at him now? How could he face them? How could he face South Side and Stella now as well? His main solace was not telling them about Sid just yet, since that was more of a private conversation with Emi but still. Then again he also has known Emi, Kylie, and Grayson far longer than everyone else here.

Is this me startin' to become more like...... him? Too nervous to do anything, or scared to rock the boat until everthin' just boils over and explodes? Is this how I end up turnin'? Pushin' away everyone until it's just me? His mind kept racing with each thought and each time he was pulled further into his thoughts. Sinking, drowning in the void.

OOC: Keith marks Guilty Condition.

Team
Keith feels a cold wet nose touch his elbow. “Keith, are you okay?” Yuki asks before she looks at Will. “Do you need a lift back to base? I’m happy to take you.”

Keith was jarred from his panicked thoughts by Yuki's nose and voice in his head. He even forgot for a moment that she couldn't read minds and tried to answer her through thought. Oh right...... How easy it is to fall back into old habits.

Keith turned his head to look at Yuki and smiled a bit. "N-not really. I uhhh..... I'll tell you about it after we get back. Just a lot to process." He shook his head and pulled his hood down a bit to cover his eyes better. He could feel them getting teary. "Thanks, Yuki, ya just pulled me from some bad memories."

mmdeforrest

2022-04-26, 09:06 PM

One perfectly manicured eyebrow raises at the mention of Songbird and her sardonic smile grows wider. “Do you have her under AEGIS custody, like Menagerie? Keith told me all about her earlier. And about her possible relationship with one of your team.”

“Did he now?” John asked, setting down his cup and recalling his insistence on clearing speaking to Siren…Emilia about Sidney only after clearing it with Seraph first in order to maintain secrets. “He clearly trusts you a great deal if he disclosed that.

“But, yes — both are technically in AEGIS custody — although Miss Menagerie has somewhat fewer restrictions on her than Sidney — Songbird, that is, does.”

John takes a sip of tea. “Of course, it has been less than twelve hours since she came in from the cold. Also, Miss Menagerie’s power set is somewhat helpful, given the demonic incursion we are facing. Sorry to play the man-of-mystery card but as much as I would like to tell you there are some new developments there that are highly classified.”

John considered revealing that Stella was in a relationship with Raphael but that seemed one too many disclosures about them right now.

Emilia sighs, once again picking up her teacup to take a sip. “If you’ve seen inside her mind and seem convinced that she’s a good person, I’ll take your word for it, John. I haven’t met her personally, and up until the incident with the mayor’s daughter, I hadn’t heard of her. You don’t seem like the type to give out favors easily, and I won’t say no to having Vitriol owe me one.”

“I feel like I owe it to Vibrato’s victims to try and help them,” she explains, looking down at the table. “As one of the few people that could possibly make them normal again, it’s almost like my responsibility, my duty, to them.”

“I know the feeling,” John admitted quietly. “If it’s in your domain, it feels like it falls to you and only you to do what you can for others.” John reached out for his cup. “Not everyone would do so and it says a lot about you that you would.”

John smiled gently and spoke quietly. “Just when I thought you couldn’t get any more beautiful, you begin to radiate it from within.”

John froze and his eyes widened and he sat up very straight as he set his cup quietly and carefully down on on its saucer.

“I just said that last part out loud, didn’t I?” he asked Emilia with as much composure as he could muster while the Homunculus tittered at his situation from behind the gate.

InTheMachine

2022-04-26, 10:17 PM

John smiled gently and spoke quietly. “Just when I thought you couldn’t get any more beautiful, you begin to radiate it from within.”

John froze and his eyes widened and he sat up very straight as he set his cup quietly and carefully down on on its saucer.

“I just said that last part out loud, didn’t I?” he asked Emilia with as much composure as he could muster while the Homunculus tittered at his situation from behind the gate.

Emilia’s own carefully constructed composure begins to crack at John’s words. Her pale cheeks flush with just a hint of color and she tucks a stray piece of golden hair behind her ear. “It was out loud. I… ehhmm— thank you,” she says quietly, fiddling with her teacup, setting it just so back on its saucer.

She takes a breath, looking back up at John from under her lashes as she steels her nerves. “I’m glad to know my own attraction to you isn’t one sided,” she says, taking in John’s expression at her confession.

mmdeforrest

2022-04-26, 10:47 PM

Emilia’s own carefully constructed composure begins to crack at John’s words. Her pale cheeks flush with just a hint of color and she tucks a stray piece of golden hair behind her ear. “It was out loud. I… ehhmm— thank you,” she says quietly, fiddling with her teacup, setting it just so back on its saucer.

A part of John’s brain remained detached, wondering how one might describe the feeling of time stopping in a location where time has dilated. Certainly, it was not standing still, as he was perceiving the passage of time. Indeed, part of him was hyper aware as Emilia brushed her hair back into place. He could count time by the flutter of her pulse on her delicate neck or the progression of the blush across her cheek.

The rest of his brain, however, had been reduced to something less coherent than thought as it tried to divine from anything whether his inadvertent compliment had been too forward or too fast.

There may have been hints, of course, but his own emotions prevented him from ordering them in a manner that permitted analysis.

She takes a breath, looking back up at John from under her lashes as she steels her nerves. “I’m glad to know my own attraction to you isn’t one sided,” she says, taking in John’s expression at her confession.

The glance from under her eyelashes momentarily dashed what little coherence was left and he felt suspended somehow — the tension melting out of him and the stunned expression being replaced with something akin to wonder. He knew that, if he looked away for even a moment, he could gather his thoughts again and respond. Irrationally, he feared that, if he did, she might somehow vanish and all this would be some dream and he would have to wake up and attend the 8 AM meeting.

Her eyes, however, held him.

A threatening growl of frustration from behind the gate faded into nothingness as the underlying cause for his fear, if not his giddy nervousness, faded away.

John reached across the table, tentatively taking Emilia’s hand. He smiled, glanced down to assure himself that it was really there, and looked back up into her eyes.

“You do realize that no one will ever really understand where we had our first date if we try to say anything beyond ‘I asked her to tea.’

“Does this mean I may presume to call you Emi?”

PK-Leon

2022-04-27, 12:39 AM

Beneath the Mask (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dl-1TZJicZY)

The atmosphere in the cafe is lively. Most of the tables and couches are full and there’s a few people milling around waiting for to-go coffees. Smooth jazz plays over a speaker in the back. There’s two girls working the counter, both college age. Scott however, is nowhere to be found.

One of the girls waves at Louis as she takes her place behind the register. Her handwritten name tag says ‘Isabelle’, and Louis can see a couple of rose tattoos on her hand and arm. “What can I get started for you?”

Louis' search comes to a screeching halt after the barista waves him down.

Looks like Scott was being serious... I suppose there's no reason why I can't enjoy myself while I'm here right?

A smiles emerges across his features as he walks up to the counter. "Hey, I think I'll have a Colombian Cauca, light on the cream and sugar, and... and uh..." His eyes move across the menu, occasionally flickering back to Isabelle. Louis chuckles softly at himself. "Sorry, I'm just having a hard time deciding what to pair with my coffee. Any suggestions?"

InTheMachine

2022-04-27, 02:02 PM

Louis
Isabelle glances down at the cheat sheet prepared for her and runs her finger down, looking for the coffee Louis had ordered. “The owner makes some specialties everyday. Ah, here it is. He has a cookies and cream cookie that he would pair with it, or you could go with our fruit tart, which has strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries in a vanilla custard,” she says, tossing her hair out of her eyes as she points to the tart inside the case below her. (https://everydaypie.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Fruit-Tart-7.jpg) “Personally, I would go with the fruit tart. I just had a piece this morning and—“ she does a chef’s kiss “—it was so good. Mr. Ashford really knows what he’s doing.”

She gently squeezes John’s hand and gives him a playful smile. “I’ll allow it.”

Emi thinks for a moment. “I think most people would probably stop listening after ‘I asked her out to tea’ anyway. It’s a very tame first date, you know? Not that I mind. I’ve greatly enjoyed my time here with you. In fact, I can’t wait to do it again.”

She reaches out with her other hand, tracing their intertwined fingers with her own. “Because no matter how real it feels, all of this is just a figment of both of our imaginations, in a way,” she says, continuing to hold hold John in her dark eyes. “When would you like to have that high tea? I’m open all day tomorrow, if that works for you.”

mmdeforrest

2022-04-27, 04:23 PM

She gently squeezes John’s hand and gives him a playful smile. “I’ll allow it.”

Emi thinks for a moment. “I think most people would probably stop listening after ‘I asked her out to tea’ anyway. It’s a very tame first date, you know? Not that I mind. I’ve greatly enjoyed my time here with you. In fact, I can’t wait to do it again.”

She reaches out with her other hand, tracing their intertwined fingers with her own. “Because no matter how real it feels, all of this is just a figment of both of our imaginations, in a way,” she says, continuing to hold hold John in her dark eyes. “When would you like to have that high tea? I’m open all day tomorrow, if that works for you.”

“More real than life but as substantial as a dream,” John observed, falling a little more deeply into her eyes before it occurred to him that she had asked a question.

“Shall we say 3:30?” John asked as his mind tried — and failed — to run through the list of things he would need to order. Her touch took up a surprising amount of his attention. “That should give me plenty of time to prepare after sleeping in a little. We were up late working last night,” he said. “But I can go out and get what I need this afternoon, since I don’t have anything else scheduled today except for a meeting.”

And Seraph and Keith about getting Emi to help, he thought.

And a visit to a coffin in the basement.

And a conversation with Stella.

And Sidney.

Time was already getting uncomfortably tight.

“Is there any kind of tea or biscuits you would like to have available? The shops will be open in London for another hour or so and Harrods and a couple other places I know stay open late.”

Stay cool, John. Underpromise and overdeliver, as Dad used to say.

InTheMachine

2022-04-27, 05:20 PM

mmdeforrest

2022-04-27, 07:12 PM

“3:30 works for me,” Emi says. “I don’t have a preference as far as tea or biscuits go, so I’ll leave that to your discretion. After this—“ she gestures at the table with her free hand “—I trust your taste.”

“So,” she says, a coy smile slowing spreading on her face. “Your place or mine?”

John was not in any way, shape, or form ready for that question.

“I suppose I could try teleporting high tea to your team’s base,” he heard himself saying while he panicked internally, “but I would hate for a passing transdimensional entity to pinch the clotted cream. You know how tricksy Heffalumps and Woozles can be.

Mixing references to Tolkien and Milne, the analytical part of his brain observed. You really are grasping for any straw you can, aren’t you?

“My place would have the advantage of me knowing where to find the teapot,” he added, marginally getting ahold of himself. “But I also wouldn’t want you to be uncomfortable, given some of the people in residence at our base.

He looked down and chuckled. “The view from the roof is nice — especially at sunset when the river catches the light but I don’t know this city well enough to know if that is a selling point of if almost everyone has access to a similar view.

“And if I’m being completely honest,” he admitted, looking at their clasped hands and trying to draw some stability from the fact that she was still voluntarily holding his hand, “I’m not sure which location would provide the chance to have you to myself. I suspect Keith would jump at the time to say hello and everyone there would like to meet you — and maybe try and steal a jammy dodger while doing so. And it’s just as likely someone at your base would be there to give me the once over.”

You’re beginning to babble, John. You were doing better when you talked about the river. Get it together, man.

He looked back up and marveled again that she was sitting across from him and listening to what he had to say.

Focus on her.

“Intelligence and beauty fits in anywhere. I will have to work a little harder. Which location sounds the more mysterious and dangerous of the two?” he asked. “I’d hate to suddenly become off-brand.”

InTheMachine

2022-04-27, 08:17 PM

mmdeforrest

2022-04-27, 08:59 PM

Emi’s smile grows wider as John speaks and her expression gets more and more amused. “Relax, John,” she says with a short laugh. “I was kidding. Honestly, I think my brother would be very upset if I brought you over to our base for our first real life date.”

“I can meet you on the roof of your HQ. Just go up there and have your AI lock the door,” she suggests. “Hopefully they’ll get the hint. If they don’t, I can be very persuasive,” she says, looking faux-intently at John.

Notes to Self, the analytical part of his brain catalogued:

She has a super-powered brother (Assumption: Residence in then base suggests association with the team.). Conduct research in AEGIS database and with Keith to determine likelihood of him dropping a car on your head to make a point about caring for his sister.
Demonstrating to sister’s less worthy suitors that you can drop a car on their head may be impressive but would require discarding secret identity. Unadvisable approach to take at this time.
Super-powered brother suggests genetic link to powers. Research family in database to determine likelihood of father attempting to drop a car on his daughter’s suitors’ heads to make a point about arming about his daughter.
Extract pledge from Clea that she will resist being used as an object to be dropped on my head.
Order garden set for roof for same-day delivery as soon as possible.

“You don’t have to convince me of that,” John responded, trying to relax and wondering why he was suddenly fixated on cars. He made an additional mental note to watch out for synchronistic associations with cars. “But if I may be so bold to ask, how will you get to our roof? I’m guessing you know the address because you have visited before — or Keith mentioned it to you at some point when he was transferring over. But even with the old fire escapes, it isn’t easily accessible.”

InTheMachine

2022-04-27, 09:37 PM

mmdeforrest

2022-04-27, 09:54 PM

“I guess all you know of my powers is that I’m a telepath,” Emi says. “I’m also a proficient telekinetic. Using that, I am capable of, albeit slow, flight. Getting to the roof isn’t a problem for me.”

“So, tomorrow at 3:30,” She extracts her hand and moves her seat back to stand. “I’ve enjoyed our date, John. I’m really looking forward to the next one.”

“The pleasure was all mine, Emi” John said as he stood, “and I look forward to seeing you tomorrow under more pleasant circumstances.” He glanced around, half stepping from behind the table but once again unsure. “I’m not sure how this part works. Normally, one would walk a lady to her door. Does the bridge stand in for that or do we follow some other protocol?”

InTheMachine

2022-04-28, 04:00 AM

“Such a gentleman,” Emi says. Her form wavers. There’s a gust of wind off the water, and she disappears entirely, leaving John alone in his thoughts.

Team
As East Side flies away in the back of Draconian, an unmarked black Charger stops outside the police line, and Detective Varga steps out.

Seraph looks at John to get his attention as the detective stops to speak with one of the officers first. “So how’d it go?” the angel asks in Angelical.

“West Side, Zodiac, if you’re ready you can head back to base,” Seraph says over comms. “I’ll speak to the detective.”

Zodiac shifts into her cockatrice form and lets Will get on her back before she takes off back to base.

mmdeforrest

2022-04-28, 06:12 AM

“Such a gentleman,” Emi says. Her form wavers. There’s a gust of wind off the water, and she disappears entirely, leaving John alone in his thoughts.

John found a bemused smile on his face after Emi faded. “No kissing on the first date — even if it’s all in out heads.” His smile, however, quickly faded. He had business to attend to. “You may as well make yourself known. I know you are there.”

“I must concede,” a sinister voice said from behind him, “that you handled that remarkably well, corporeal. You may almost be worthy of our active interest.

“Almost.”

John turned and faced the spirit, which he sensed was suspending time a little longer to speak with him. “I was wondering if you would make an actual appearance or find some way to not remain in the shadows of the chasm. To what entity am I speaking?”

“For now, you may call me Sir,” came the condescending reply from the indeterminate shape standing behind the table.

“I see, Sir Spirit,” John returned. “Did you come to provide color commentary or are you here to see how well my mental construct of a cucumber sandwich compares to the real thing?”

The spirit snorted derisively. “Never touch the stuff. While the concept behind feeding is one we can comprehend, its association with fallen matter is something that is, quite frankly, almost as repulsive as that display of affection you engaged in.”

“Then turn away next time, Sir Spirit, and give us some privacy.”

The spirit considered him. “Yes,” it said after a moment. “Almost worthy. The shift of my injunction for a name that would subordinate you to me into a title is a clever defense — no spells required. And despite watching your will leak out your ears every time the female looked at you, you seem none the worse for wear, even after you confronted and contained your fears of her finding you unworthy, confessing flaws.

“Yes. Almost.

“If you survive the demon, we may even need to directly act. Some of my colleagues recommend acting now and countering your threat before you have time to mature. But they are a small, excitable wing of our conclave.

“No. While I will condescend to speak with you, we will not condescend to do more than toy with you for now.

“Enjoy your dreams of love, John Kelley, and remember how easily we corrupted it through Edward with just a few hints that played on his desires. He wasn’t our target but through him we struck true.

“And accidentally set in chain events that led to me,” John observed cooly. “Perhaps you actually missed your mark.”

He could feel the anger and dark delight of the spirit at his rejoinder.

“Touché, John Kelley. Touché. You are learning fast. I look forward to the contest when it begins.”

The world around John faded into the mist as it was released and he returned to the mundane world.

As East Side flies away in the back of Draconian, an unmarked black Charger stops outside the police line, and Detective Varga steps out.

Seraph looks at John to get his attention as the detective stops to speak with one of the officers first. “So how’d it go?” the angel asks in Angelical.

Seraph’s question snapped John completely back into reality. In between watching Emi, beautiful but poker-faced, walk back to Draconic as he processed their meeting and his meeting with one of the opposition, he had stood silently. He should have expected that Seraph sensed something more had occurred.

“So, I have some good news and some complicating news and some bad news, Seraph,” he responded in Angelical. “The good news is that Emi has agreed to help Sidney. The complicating news is that she agreed to a second date over high tea tomorrow at 3:30 on our base’s roof and I have no idea about the protocols for reserving space at the base.”

John looked down, somewhat embarrassed to have to admit the next bit to the angel. “The bad news is that I allowed myself to get distracted enough that we forgot to have her show me the image of Nightgaunt’s attacker. I’ll have to ask Zodiac to project it into my mind later.”

“West Side, Zodiac, if you’re ready you can head back to base,” Seraph says over comms. “I’ll speak to the detective.”

Zodiac shifts into her cockatrice form and lets Will get on her back before she takes off back to base.

John’s mind caught up with Zodiac’s transformation a moment or two after she took off. It would be safer to have flown with her rather than cast a spell while so off-balance. Teleporting, however, had the advantage of getting him back to base fast and arriving perhaps before Stella and the others arrived.

“I’ll see you back at base, Crowe. We should probably talk. I have some questions I need to ask about your former base.”

He focused, bringing to mind his workshop’s circle.

And proximity to the coffin he needed to check.

Spellcasting for Teleportation (https://orokos.com/roll/940959): 1d10o10 5

Roguewolf

2022-04-28, 08:46 AM

Team
As East Side flies away in the back of Draconian, an unmarked black Charger stops outside the police line, and Detective Varga steps out.

Seraph looks at John to get his attention as the detective stops to speak with one of the officers first. “So how’d it go?” the angel asks in Angelical.

“West Side, Zodiac, if you’re ready you can head back to base,” Seraph says over comms. “I’ll speak to the detective.”

Zodiac shifts into her cockatrice form and lets Will get on her back before she takes off back to base.

Keith is still somewhat muddled in thought even after Yuki had ripped him back to reality. Something that he was rather grateful for but that also left him wondering how to best handle making amends to the team. He was about to take off with her and Will as Seraph started talking to John in that strange language again.

Why can't they just use English since we're all here for the same thing.....

John’s mind caught up with Zodiac’s transformation a moment or two after she took off. It would be safer to have flown with her rather than cast a spell while so off-balance. Teleporting, however, had the advantage of getting him back to base fast and arriving perhaps before Stella and the others arrived.

“I’ll see you back at base, Crowe. We should probably talk. I have some questions I need to ask about your former base.”

He focused, bringing to mind his workshop’s circle.

And proximity to the coffin he needed to check.

Spellcasting for Teleportation (https://orokos.com/roll/940959): 1d10o10 5

Keith was again stirred from his thoughts by John's comment of needing to talk and having questions about East Side. "Wait what do you mean you nee...." John disappeared right before he could get the sentence finished and just dead panned with resting ***** face at where John was just standing. "And he's gone....."

He shakes his head to try and regain some state of calmness and realizes that Goldheart was still there. "Hey Goldheart, mind if I talk with ya for a second before we get back to base? I sent you a text the other day but mostly since I didn't know when you would be back and I'd much rather say what was in it in person, just haven't had a chance to." Keith hangs his head in shame. "Look, I'm sorry for what happened the day I arrived here. I should have let you know the full story because you are a teammate, and you deserved to know what was going on. I don't really expect any kind of forgiveness, honestly if you wanted to go ahead and punch me for it I deserve it."

Keith takes a deep breath. "Main thing is, I'm sorry, and would like to work towards redeeming myself."

HIDA

2022-04-28, 09:02 AM

Goldheart sees the mental image of the Armored woman and commits it to memory.

Way to get yourself killed, idiot. and before I could even apologize... ****.

"Should've made the effort earlier." He says aloud to no one. He turns to head out before Crowe calls to him.

He shakes his head to try and regain some state of calmness and realizes that Goldheart was still there. "Hey Goldheart, mind if I talk with ya for a second before we get back to base? I sent you a text the other day but mostly since I didn't know when you would be back and I'd much rather say what was in it in person, just haven't had a chance to." Keith hangs his head in shame. "Look, I'm sorry for what happened the day I arrived here. I should have let you know the full story because you are a teammate, and you deserved to know what was going on. I don't really expect any kind of forgiveness, honestly if you wanted to go ahead and punch me for it I deserve it."

Keith takes a deep breath. "Main thing is, I'm sorry, and would like to work towards redeeming myself."

"You're cool, man. It was ****ty finding out that way and ****tier to think someone else knew. But at the end of it you were trying to be helpful. So it's whatever. and if you're looking for redemption, we need to find who did this. I need to talk to them."

Roguewolf

2022-04-28, 09:13 AM

InTheMachine

2022-04-28, 09:35 AM

“Second date?” Seraph asks, glancing over at John for a moment while watching the detective. “I’m guessing the first one went well then. There really isn’t a protocol for reserving space in HQ, but the roof should be pretty quiet, as nothing happens that causes the team to need to scramble.”

A quick smile flashes across his face as John admits that two of them had forgotten the entire reason she’d looked into his mind in the first place. “That’s very unlike you, John. So distracted.”

The angel looks like he’s about to say more, but Detective Varga starts to make his way over. Seraph greets him and starts to walk him through the scene and what the teams had found.

Back at Base
As John rematerializes, Mimi comes over the intercom. Her electronic voice sounds almost concerned. “John, I can’t locate Raphael. Do you have any new information? I am… unused to being so blind.”

mmdeforrest

2022-04-28, 12:24 PM

Back at Base
As John rematerializes, Mimi comes over the intercom. Her electronic voice sounds almost concerned. “John, I can’t locate Raphael. Do you have any new information? I am… unused to being so blind.”

“Raphael is currently Missing in Action, Mimi,” John reassured her. “I have some avenues of investigation I am working on, although I am not at liberty to share them with the team at this stage. While there is cause for concern, don’t worry too much about our teammate, Mimi. I am less concerned with if he will return than I am about the state he will be in when he does.

“Please keep the following information restricted to Seraph and myself at this time: Should Raphael appear in the base or tries to contact me via my comm, please alert me immediately, indicating I have an incoming call from Bauhaus 1986.”

His mind must be working overtime if it came up with that piece of trivia, he thought.

“I have a few other questions for you,” he said looking around at his workshop. What had appeared well appointed now felt inadequate. He would have to clean things up before tomorrow evening. “I need you to calculate how long a body of water vapor would take to drift from the market to our location. Second, please locate Stella and let me know when her ETA is. Please also locate Sidney for me.”

He looked down at the gold ring as he stepped to his workbench. It had impressed everyone who had seen it so far and he wondered if Emi would also be impressed. At that thought, he developed a sinking feeling that the preference for the material had been chosen by a practitioner centuries ago to impress a woman.

Not that he was in any position to criticize them if they did.

“I know you can monitor us, Mimi, but how much of the base can you actively see? I am especially interested in your ability to monitor the basement.”

Taking out a pen, he wrote a note on the notepad he kept there in case he needed to record something mid-experiment and tore it from the sheet. He folded it around one of his calling cards, secured it with a long pin, then placed it in his pocket.

Dear Raphael,

Give a call when you get in (My card is in the envelope.) and let me know if you need me to bring anything down — the blood packets you keep in the refrigerator, for example. I’m almost certain your recovery will have taken a good bit out of you and you will need some refreshment.

I have Mimi monitoring my line to make sure you can reach me — day or night — since you had locked your door from the outside and ripping it from its hinges might send the wrong message.

You may have planned to get out the door by shifting into a mist but, as I mentioned, I suspect the fight and your return will have left you fatigued.

Sincerely,

John

“Oh, and has Clea returned yet or is she stuck in traffic.”

John turned in the direction of Raphael’s secret chamber. Unless his teammate has a surprise in store for him, he didn’t expect to find a body resting in the coffin. Nevertheless, he needed to make certain before he left his note for Raphael.

Spellcasting Roll for the Spirit World (https://orokos.com/roll/940966): 1d10o10 9

Heightened Senses (3): Low Light Vision and Spatial Sense (Spirit/X-Ray Vision), Contingent (-2) on Intangibility (5)

Shifting into the spirit world, John passed through the doorway of his workshop (Such an odd habit, he thought, given the wall would have been a more direct route.) and approached Raphael’s door. Again, he scanned the space, looking for any signs of Wards or similar traps in the room or on the coffin itself. He would hate to get this far and have to call off tomorrow’s date because he did something foolish here.

Notice Roll (https://orokos.com/roll/940967): 1d10o10+4 8

Oh, no, he thought to himself. What if Raphael returns while he is entertaining Emi?

He couldn’t focus on that particular nightmare scenario now, he reminded himself. He had work to do here and now.

PK-Leon

2022-04-28, 01:01 PM

Isabelle glances down at the cheat sheet prepared for her and runs her finger down, looking for the coffee Louis had ordered. “The owner makes some specialties everyday. Ah, here it is. He has a cookies and cream cookie that he would pair with it, or you could go with our fruit tart, which has strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries in a vanilla custard,” she says, tossing her hair out of her eyes as she points to the tart inside the case below her. “Personally, I would go with the fruit tart. I just had a piece this morning and—“ she does a chef’s kiss “—it was so good. Mr. Ashford really knows what he’s doing.”

"With an endorsement like that how could I refuse?" He flashes a smile. "I'll take one. Speaking of which, where is Scott anyway?" He feigns a glance around the cafe. "Is it just you today?"

InTheMachine

2022-04-28, 01:13 PM

PK-Leon

2022-04-28, 01:38 PM

“One Colombian Cauca and one slice of fruit tart,” Isabelle says as she puts it into the system. “Anything else for you?”

"An introduction," he looks back over his shoulder to gauge the line. "If you have the time that is? I don't think we've met before and I'd definitely remember seeing you across the counter." He adds with few small nods of his head.

As Louis asks about Scott, she looks down in the kitchen off to her left. “Do you know the owner? He’s here, just in the middle of making some more coffee streusel cakes.”

"Yeah, he's a friend. I'm actually out on delivery and I've got a letter for him. I think it can wait until he's finished baking though, I'm not exactly in a rush."

InTheMachine

2022-04-28, 02:02 PM

Louis
Louis sees a few people behind him waiting in line. Isabelle exhales a little and smiles at Louis’ boldness. “Tell you what, you sit here at the bar and I’ll come talk to you once the line goes down.” She rings up his order and hands him the receipt. “This one’s on me.”

Once Louis takes a seat it’s a few minutes later when the other girl (https://w0.peakpx.com/wallpaper/45/990/HD-wallpaper-women-women-with-glasses-face-drawing-painting-digital-painting-illustration-artwork-digital-art-2d-angel-ganev-cyan.jpg)working behind the bar drops off Louis’ coffee. Her name tag says ‘Quinn’, and she quickly ducks under the counter to grab the fresh tart from the case. She cuts a piece out from it and sets it on a small serving plate with a fork, then putting it in front of Louis. “Let me or Izzy know if you need anything else,” she says before she heads back to work.

About five minutes later, the line has died down and those waiting for to-go orders have gotten their coffee and left. Isabelle comes over and stands in front of Louis’ seat. “Introductions, huh? I’m Izzy Castillo, barista by day and jazz musician by night. What’s your name, delivery boy?” she asks, leaning forward against the counter, propping herself up on her elbows.

mmdeforrest

2022-04-28, 02:33 PM

John
“I understand, John,” Mimi answers. It takes her a moment to do some calculations. “Based on the current wind speed and direction, water vapor would not be able to drift from Amity Market to West Side base.”

“Stella’s ETA is four minutes and thirty-eight seconds. Sidney is currently in the lounge, watching The Godfather while she waits for Aeryn and Stella to return.”

“To answer your question on how much of the base that I can see, the answer is all of it. I have sensors, video, audio, and others, in every room. Using those, I construct a spatial visualization of the entire interior structure of the base, including the basement. However, I cannot see into closed spaces, such as Raphael’s coffin. I would be able to see a change in temperature and any movement from the room it resides in.”

John chuckled to himself. “I suspected you had to know about the coffin but I needed to be sure. I don’t know how long it will take Raphael to return to it but I expect him to arrive there at some point.

“By way of a test, please determine if you can sense my presence as I enter Raphael’s coffin room. I should appear there soon, if you do not detect me after I shift myself into the spirit realm.”

“Clea has returned. She is in the garage now.”

Looking into Raphael’s coffin, John can see he has not yet returned. He doesn’t sense any traps or wards in the room, beyond the obviously magical lock.

Avoiding the door, John ghosts into Raphael’s room and approaches the side of the coffin. Reassuring himself there is no obvious danger, he temporarily shifts back into the mundane world.

He pauses as he reaches for the coffin, considering his options. While he had not sensed anything, a minimum of contact would be the most prudent approach. He could slip the note into the gap between the lid and the body of the coffin, making certain that it was roughly at eye level.

But how often does one get to look into a vampire’s coffin?

In his new role, the opportunity might present itself more often than he thought but he had no way of being sure.

He reached out and lifted the lid. The interior was much as he expected to find — an attractive and tasteful lining, appropriate colors, properly appointed for one of high rank.

That last detail struck him. Raphael had not put on any airs but the coffin spoke to wealth and power. Seraph had mentioned that the Darkwatch had destroyed his family. That act apparently took position as well as his parents.

John sighed. As if his vampiric associate wasn’t complicated enough. Of course, he was also the most likely person he would have to speak to in a century or two about the good old days.

He pushed that thought away as it crept toward his memory of Emi. He had too many other emotionally complex meetings coming up to face that fear made more concrete by having been on a date.

A lovely date.

Focus, John.

He looked at the impression where Raphael had rested his head over any number of years and pinned his note to the padding on the lid, gently lowering the lid back in place.

“I will be leaving this place now, Mimi,” John said in a hushed voice. Keep an eye on it for me and, when he returns, try to speak to him. We will need to contain him if he is in a rage or blood frenzy through no fault of his own.”

InTheMachine

2022-04-28, 04:36 PM

mmdeforrest

2022-04-28, 06:47 PM

John
“I can see a shift in the temperature,” Mimi says. “There are very small shifts in airflow that I can sense as well.”

“I will be sure to attempt to speak with Raphael once he returns, and I will be sure to let both you and Seraph know when he arrives.”

Spellcasting (Out of the Spirit Realm) (https://orokos.com/roll/940978): 1d10o10 12

Spellcasting (Back into of the Spirit Realm) (https://orokos.com/roll/940979): 1d10o10 5

“Thank you, Mimi. You’re a treasure.”

He realized how much he meant that as he shifted back into the spirit realm and left Raphael’s sanctum. Mimi was always there, always willing to help, always discrete. Given the madness of their lives, she provided the team with a comfort they would not get anywhere else: A sense of stability and security. They could retreat to their rooms and lock out the world while still knowing that she would be there to answer questions and provide them with what they needed.

John glanced upward as he returned to the main basement area, focusing up through the building to where he saw Jaal landing on the rooftop. He moved quickly toward the stairs, releasing his spell and returning to the mundane world.

He took the stairs up, two at a time, hoping he could get into place before Stella was able to reach the main floor.

She would need help. She would need hope.

She would look to him to find them.

He needed to speak the truth, he recognized as he reached the top of the stairs, without telling her all of it.

He reached the door to the roof. He would be in place when she arrived.

He hoped he would be up to the task.

InTheMachine

2022-04-28, 07:28 PM

mmdeforrest

2022-04-28, 07:43 PM

John
The door to the roof swings open and the first person John sees is Ryker. He stops in the doorway, eyes narrowed. “How the hell did you get here before us?”

“He teleported,” Drake answers from behind Ryker. “He did it the other day with me.”

Ryker glances over his shoulder at his team leader before he shrugs. He looks back at John and says low under his breath, “Stella’s not doin’ to good. I think she needs someone with her right now. Sid and I are happy to hang out, but I’m hopin’ that you have more answers for her than ‘Raph’s a strong dude, he’ll be fine’. I’m gonna get Sidney and tell her what happened.” He goes past John, heading down the stairs.

Behind him, Drake is leaning against the wall, waiting for Stella. She’s standing in front of Jaal, speaking quietly with the dragon.

“I’ll do what I can, Ryker. Thank you.” He turned as he walked past. “Oh, before you go: We’ve secured someone to help Sidney. There are no guarantees but she and I will do what we can to help Sidney.”

John stepped forward to face Drake. “Your father, assuming my guess is correct about your relationship to Detective Varga is correct, was arriving on the scene when I was leaving. Seraph was going to speak with him about what happened.” John looked past him to where Stella was speaking with Jaal. “Wish me luck,” John said quietly as he stepped onto the roof.

He did not know if Stella was distracted enough to not notice his footfall but he doubted much would get past Jaal. Nor did he have any idea if reaching out to him would be enough to make contact.

“May I approach, Jaal?”

Even if it did not work, the pause would be enough to give each an opportunity to react to his presence.

InTheMachine

2022-04-28, 07:57 PM

mmdeforrest

2022-04-28, 08:15 PM

John
Ryker’s steps pause. “Thanks John,” he says quietly before continuing down the stairs.

Drake nods. “You’re right. He is my dad. I’m not surprised it took him that long. When I was speaking to the officers there, they were saying there were a lot of conflicting reports about what happened.” He looks up at Stella and her dragon. “You got this.”

Jaal lets out a low rumble as John approaches, though it doesn’t seem threatening. “You may,” he says.

Stella presses her forehead against Jaal’s scales before she turns to face the magician. Her expression is pinched, eyes watery.

John approached Stella, unsure if he should hug her or not. For some, such a move would provide comfort — the reassurance that someone felt and cared. For others, however, it was an invasive move, intruding on their vulnerability and grief.

He stood before her, leaving himself open and trying to follow her lead and note any signals from Java. “I am going to ask you to do something very difficult and very unfair, Stella. I am going to ask you to trust me at a time you may want nothing more than the straight answers I know you want to be provided.

“I have a sense that Raphael is out there — that he is not gone. But I may have to walk some paths and go some places where you cannot come before he returns to us.

John looked into her eyes. On the verge of tears, they seemed larger, but so fragile right now. “I have already been to one and laid some groundwork for what will come to pass.

“I’m sorry to sound like a character out of some gothic melodrama,” he said, “And I know making this kind of pronouncement may be an occupational hazard for practitioners like you and I and that is doubtless making listening to this all the harder for you. But there are secrets that are not mine to reveal to you that matter in this,” he explained. “They will doubtless become clearer to you in time. And when they do, I hope you can forgive me for not telling you them now for as difficult as they are, they would offer you greater certainty.”

John looked down. “It is unfair to ask you to wait and to trust in nothing other than my assurances when I have nothing tangible to offer.” He looked back up and met her eyes. “But he will come back.”

“Even so,” John added, “the hardest part may not be the waiting. His experience will doubtless have traumatized him and it may take time for him to recover. It may be more difficult to help him in his healing than it will be to wait for that to come.

“As difficult as it is, don’t despair. Your friends are here in the base and we will do what we can to help you while we wait for Raphael to come back. All you have to do is ask.

“So: What would you ask of us and what would you ask of me?”

InTheMachine

2022-04-28, 08:49 PM

mmdeforrest

2022-04-28, 09:27 PM

John
Stella listens to John, gaze on her shoes. “I…” She takes a breath, getting her emotions under control. “Please John. I need to know. What do you know about him that I don’t? How can you be so sure that he’s not… dead?”

Jaal watches John impassively, choosing to stay silent and let John decide what he reveals.

John looks around him: at the noonday light on the river, which sparked in a manner incongruous to the conversation he was having; at the nearby rooflines that shelter their roof from onlookers; at the space around him. He felt his mind begin to slip toward the question of where to put the new furniture he planned to order within the hour in a desultory manner, imagining planting boxes and a cafe table with some accent lighting. Perhaps with some evergreens in pots to act as a screen and a line of lower bushes to define an outdoor space.

He recognized the thoughts for what they were — a defense mechanism. Like it or not, he had foreseen this conversation coming. At first, he thought it might be for her safety — to protect her from the threat of a vampiric transformation.

This, however, was worse than that — far worse. Her image of Raphael had been many things, including among them a savior and a partner and, perhaps, a lover. Now, he held that image in his hand and if he said the wrong thing or shaded the right thing wrong, he would destroy it.

John knew that it was too late to avoid it being impacted. The events of the day and his impromptu speech had already influenced things.

John also knew that however emotional she was right now, Stella wasn’t stupid. But everyone had within them the capacity to lie to themselves about themselves and those they loved.

He glanced at Jaal and asked the question he knew he didn’t need to ask. “No matter what happens, you will take care of her?”

“One question for you first, Stella:” John asked gently. “Are you asking me for information you don’t already have or are you asking me to confirm what you already know?”

Notice Roll for her Reaction (https://orokos.com/roll/941001): 1d10+2 9

InTheMachine

2022-04-28, 09:49 PM

John
Jaal growls, reverberating the air in John’s lungs. “A stupid question, human.”

Stella looks hard at John, tears threatening to spill over. “I don’t know much about Raphael, but I do know that he has a lot to his past. It’s my fault, but I told him that I could wait to learn about him. I wanted to let him tell me things at his own pace.”

“I wish I hadn’t,” she whispers in a strained voice, closing her eyes briefly. “If I knew more about him, maybe he would still be here. I could’ve helped him, when he needed me.”

mmdeforrest

2022-04-28, 10:45 PM

John
Jaal growls, reverberating the air in John’s lungs. “A stupid question, human.”

Humans ask questions for many reasons, Jaal, John projected. Sometimes it is for information. Sometimes, it’s so others can hear the answer. Right now, knowing that she has friends she can count on to support her matters and her most significant connection to this place has just disappeared. Yes, Sidney is here but she has her own problems. She has some trust in me but I am too new an addition to her life to be a known quantity. Your presence is an anchor for her amidst this storm in a way I cannot be. That’s why I asked aloud instead of this way.

Stella looks hard at John, tears threatening to spill over. “I don’t know much about Raphael, but I do know that he has a lot to his past. It’s my fault, but I told him that I could wait to learn about him. I wanted to let him tell me things at his own pace.”

“I wish I hadn’t,” she whispers in a strained voice, closing her eyes briefly. “If I knew more about him, maybe he would still be here. I could’ve helped him, when he needed me.”

“No, Stella.,” John said firmly. “A professional, planned hit like that isn’t something we could have prepared for. And from what I saw there, it may have happened too fast for him to have called for help. I couldn’t have gotten there fast enough. Neither could you have.

“You will still have the time for him to tell you at his own pace, Stella, if — and only if — I do not answer your question.

“You have asked me for the most difficult of things: The truth. But the truth is often hard because it conflicts with other things — like your desire to let Raphael tell you his own story in his own manner in his own time.

“He can offer you that — but only if I do not tell you why I know he will return here, to this base, sometime soon — although I cannot tell you if that short time will be measured in hours or in days. That is not yet clear to me.

“I swear to you, Stella, that Raphael is no more dead now than when you saw him earlier today.

“I would also point this out to reassure you. Seraph sent us back to base. He didn’t deploy us on a search and rescue mission, dividing the area around the market into zones and having us search each for any obvious getaway vehicles. That speaks to the likelihood of his knowing that Raphael will return here rather than be found somewhere out there,” John said, gesturing vaguely over the other rooftops — uncertain in which direction the Market lay.

“So what do you want me to do, Stella: Do you want me to tell you Raphael’s truth or do you want to wait and have Raphael tell you his truth?

John attempts to Pierce Stella’s Mask, rolling: Pierce the Mask: What do you want me to do, Stella? (https://orokos.com/roll/941006): 2d6-1 5

InTheMachine

2022-04-28, 11:12 PM

PK-Leon

2022-04-28, 11:29 PM

Louis sees a few people behind him waiting in line. Isabelle exhales a little and smiles at LouisÂ’ boldness. Â“Tell you what, you sit here at the bar and IÂ’ll come talk to you once the line goes down.Â” She rings up his order and hands him the receipt. Â“This oneÂ’s on me.Â”

Louis arches an eyebrow in surprise. "I appreciate it. And take your time, I don't plan on going anywhere... yet." A playful smile dancing on his lips.

Once Louis takes a seat itÂ’s a few minutes later when the other girl working behind the bar drops off LouisÂ’ coffee. Her name tag says Â‘QuinnÂ’, and she quickly ducks under the counter to grab the fresh tart from the case. She cuts a piece out from it and sets it on a small serving plate with a fork, then putting it in front of Louis. Â“Let me or Izzy know if you need anything else,Â” she says before she heads back to work.

"Thanks, I'm sure I'll think of something." He offers before digging into the first piece of tart.

About five minutes later, the line has died down and those waiting for to-go orders have gotten their coffee and left. Isabelle comes over and stands in front of LouisÂ’ seat. Â“Introductions, huh? IÂ’m Izzy Castillo, barista by day and jazz musician by night. WhatÂ’s your name, delivery boy?Â” she asks, leaning forward against the counter, propping herself up on her elbows.

Louis points at himself with his fork as he works through a piece of tart then washes it with a sip of coffee.

"Louis, Louis LeBlanc. College student by day and professional delivery boy by... day? Nothing too special." He finishes with a grin and exaggerated shrug. "Jazz musician huh? So that means you're in a band right?"

Roguewolf

2022-04-28, 11:51 PM

Crowe flies through the noon sky recounting the events of today. He had made some amends with Calvin, but still had a ways to go. Now he just needed to come clean to Stella about him telling Emi about her.

Keith you did it all in good faith and trying to keep both Emi and Stella safe from, whatever it was that lashed out at her and John yesterday. You did go overboard but heart was in the right place. He just sighed as he stayed on route back to base. It really wasn't helping that John wanted to ask him about East Side.

Come to think of it, what could he even tell Kylie as an update? When would even be too soon to contact her either since she does want time? No Keith, don't just fall off the face of the Earth. First, and most importantly, you are her friend. If anything I at least have that goin' for me. He shrugged and smiled a bit at the thought. It could have been way worse. She could have just told him to go away and vanish right then and there.

He came to a stop on the rooftop near West Side and turned his gaze East. "This will be fun explaining to Yuki, but she'll probably have some good advice. Not lookin' forward to this next interrogation." Keith sighs and then has an odd thought. If John can read minds and he already has a habit of jumping the gun on a plan, did he go ahead and say something to Emi? Wonder if I can make my own little translator like the Empire uses? Would be handy for the next time they start in that...... whatever language it was. Hopefully his luck would change before nightfall.

He finished his flight back to West Side and hopped in from the skylight, suit melting back into his shadow by the time he landed.

InTheMachine

2022-04-28, 11:55 PM

Louis
“That’s right,” Izzy says, returning Louis’ smile. “You’re listening to my band right now. I have a set coming up tonight at The Machine Shop in West Side. 7pm, if you’re interested.”

“Which college do you go to? I don’t think I’ve seen you around Briarwood, but I guess I don’t spend a ton of time on campus.”

mmdeforrest

2022-04-29, 07:38 AM

John
Coils of black smoke emerge from Jaal’s nostrils, but he says nothing back to the magician.

“John,” Stella says, looking up at him. “You’re asking something of me that isn’t fair.” She returns her gaze to the ground, crossing her arms over her midsection tightly.

“I can’t wait. I have to know. Why did he tell you whatever his secret is, and not tell me? How do you and Seraph know he’ll be back?” As she speaks, the tears that she’d been holding back spill over onto her cheeks. “I c-can’t stay in the dark anymore. I don’t think I can bear it.”

“I warned you at the start that I was going to be unfair.

“He didn’t tell me,” John Said quietly. “I discovered it on my own. All he ever told me is that I should stay away from his packets and that he needed them because of something the Darkwatch caused. And because of what they caused, they hunted him, believing he was a monster.

“Like you, I wanted to give Raphael some time — especially because of you. The revelation wasn’t an easy one for him to make, if he was having to build up to making it.

“Until a short time ago, I wasn’t even certain if anyone else knew. I suspected Seraph did, of course. But I have no way of knowing how much Drake knew,” John said, motioning back toward the team lead.

John chuckled and looked down. “Funny thing, that. In bringing you here, Raphael entrusted many of our secrets to you. But he cares for you so much that he is afraid that if you learn his secret you might reject him, leaving him with a magnified pain and the memories of you.”

“Forgive me if I have lost count, Stella,” John said looking at her. “It has been an interesting day, to say the least and I have spent more of it in different states of being than is normal. But you know the importance of threes to practitioners like us — both for those who ask and those who answer.

“I will ask you a third time: Are you sure you want me to tell you? And know that, when I answer, I will not have the whole story and knowing incomplete stories require you to hold judgement in abeyance until you learn the rest.”

InTheMachine

2022-04-29, 10:15 AM

ImperialTM

2022-04-29, 10:30 AM

Yuki asks before she looks at Will. “Do you need a lift back to base? I’m happy to take you.”
William solemnly nods not being able to bring himself to words. Raph was gone. How did these people find him? What were they even doing and why were they here? Where were they now? William’s thoughts raced through these questions.

Zodiac shifts into her cockatrice form and lets Will get on her back before she takes off back to base.
Will’s hands clench as they fly. Turmoil roiled around inside him. The feeling of hopelessness and uselessness resurfaced. The inability to do anything in the face of opposition. No tracks, no stragglers, nothing. His head felt foggy, thoughts coming in half statements that rolled together in incoherent patterns. Will’s hand comes up sharply and slaps the side of his face. The jolt of pain runs through him like a bullet cutting through the fog. He needed to focus. They still had an important mission tonight. For now finding Raphael was a dead end. Poor choice of thoughts. William takes a deep breath and puts on a smile. “So. Yuuki was it? I’m guessing you’re feeling better. Do you think you’ll be ready for a big mission tonight?”

PK-Leon

2022-04-29, 10:44 AM

“That’s right,” Izzy says, returning Louis’ smile. “You’re listening to my band right now. I have a set coming up tonight at The Machine Shop in West Side. 7pm, if you’re interested.”

"Really?" Louis asks, his curiosity visibly rising with every new detail he learns about the barista. He listens intently to the music for few moments hanging onto every note he hears and the voice that blends them all together. "So you make great coffee and amazing music? Which instrument do play by the way? Also... you wouldn't happen to be the one singing would you?"

“Which college do you go to? I don’t think I’ve seen you around Briarwood, but I guess I don’t spend a ton of time on campus.”

"I could say the same. I probably spend more time riding around the city then I do in my classes lately." Memories of this weeks events flash through Louis' mind but he shakes the thoughts away and takes another sip of his drink for good measure. "I'm a physics undergrad at Briarwood but I've been thinking about picking up mechanical engineering as a second major recently. What about you? Music theory maybe?" He teases.

mmdeforrest

2022-04-29, 10:49 AM

John
“Merde,” Stella whispers, squeezing her eyes shut. She lets out a shuddering breath and takes another. “Yes John, tell me. I need to know.”

As John looks over his shoulder to check on Drake, he sees that the hero has put in a pair of earphones and his foot is tapping to the loud music he’s listening to, though he’s watching the two of them carefully. The magician figures he’s mostly still there just to make sure Stella doesn’t decide to jump off the roof or take off into the city in an emotionally compromised state.

John nods and reaches out his hand. “Very well, Stella. Come with me.”

John flashed back to years ago, when he was an adolescent and his sister was still a child, upset and hurt. “Come with me, Kate,” he had said. “I’ll find a way to make it better.”

He didn’t think paying for an ice cream cone with his allowance would be enough this time. Nor did he expect to find himself sitting on a park bench, listening to the waves roll over the boulders of the shoreline, watching his charge slowly grow happier as she enjoyed the ice cream.

He hoped Kate was well. He missed her.

He wondered how he would be able to tell her about Emi. She always teased him when he would have a new girl or woman he was interested in. She, however, was unlikely to lose interest when he mentioned that he had taken her to tea.

He glanced up at Jaal, refocusing on the here and now. “Unless you can shrink enough to pass through the doorway, you cannot come. We are going to the basement where I have things to show her.

The evidence of things you already know. I don’t know if you want to be there for that or not. Her feelings are going to be complicated if she learns you know he is a vampire and you have not let her in on the secret today. Somewhat selfishly, I have no intention of dragging you into this. Heaven knows it’s going to be complicated enough when I show her and talk her through this. I will leave it to you to decide how you wish to approach this.

“Whatever you learn today, Estelle Bordeaux, remember this: I will keep my promises to you and be here to help in any way I can.”

InTheMachine

2022-04-29, 11:03 AM

Will
“Yes, my name is Yuki,” she answers into Will’s head. “I am feeling much better. Harbinger healed me when I got back to base yesterday, I just needed to sleep off the medication the paramedics gave me. What’s the mission? In the meeting this morning, we were just told that you and Keith were doing some reconnaissance.”

Louis
“Performing Arts, actually,” the barista answers, leaning her head on her hand. “I play piano, and sing. You like what you hear?”

“Oooh, one of those ridiculously smart science people, huh? I could never get through those classes. Calculus was enough for me,” she says with a rueful grin.

John
Stella snaps her fingers and Jaal fades into black smoke that drifts into her hat, before she tentatively reaches out and takes John’s hand. “I know you will John.”

ImperialTM

2022-04-29, 11:15 AM

“Yes, my name is Yuki,” she answers into Will’s head. “I am feeling much better. Harbinger healed me when I got back to base yesterday, I just needed to sleep off the medication the paramedics gave me. What’s the mission? In the meeting this morning, we were just told that you and Keith were doing some reconnaissance.”
"It's uhh, an intel-gathering mission on Nova." Will says a little sluggishly "Keith and I looked into the kid who got superpowers from Nova. It turns out that at one of the parties that happened recently this drug was present and used. Tonight at 11 there's going to be a rave in the Bywater district. Rumor has it that these Dragonov brothers will be attending. Hopefully, if we can find where they are getting their supply we can maybe find where these demons are coming from." William looks down at Yuki. "I was hoping we could have everyone on this mission in case things go belly up. Would you be able to help corral and help civilians escape if need be?"

InTheMachine

2022-04-29, 12:55 PM

Will
Wind buffets him as Yuki flaps again to gain a little altitude and she slightly shifts her direction to use the air currents better. “I actually have a new form that could work well, though it won’t be the most… comforting thing for civilians to see.” She pauses. “A rave is a party? Sorry, there are some words that I’m not familiar with in English.”

Keith
Ryker and Sidney emerge from the lounge into the living room.

“You seen Stella?” Ryker asks Keith. “I got Sid caught up on what happened to Raph. What we know at least.”

Sidney nods, grabbing ahold of Ryker’s wrist. “It’s terrible. I can’t imagine losing someone like that.”

mmdeforrest

2022-04-29, 01:01 PM

John
Stella snaps her fingers and Jaal fades into black smoke that drifts into her hat, before she tentatively reaches out and takes John’s hand. “I know you will John.”

“I wonder if he likes anyone but you,” John half observed, half asked Stella as he watched her place her hat back on her head.

John slaps Drake on the shoulder reassuringly as he leads Stella past him and down the stairs to the basement. “Mimi,” he says as he closes the door to the space. “Please lock the door to the basement and, with the exception of Seraph and Harbinger, don’t let anyone in without my authorization.”

He walked Stella to the center of the room. “A couple ground riles, for all three of our safety: Look, but do not touch. While I have been researching your curse, I still don’t know enough about it to know how it will interact with things today. Second, you are still in AEGIS custody, so I will ask you to restrict yourself to the base — even if you feel the need to go off somewhere and think. Third, I would ask you to remember something Sister Helen Prejan asks when speaking about her opposition to the death penalty: Would you like to be solely judged on the single worst thing you have ever done?

Accepting her assent, the Enochian Tablets appeared once more beneath his hands and he scribed out the spell.

Spellcasting (https://orokos.com/roll/941035): 1d10o10 9
Matter Control (6)

To the right of the stack of boxes, barrels, and other detritus, the wall irised out, allowing a view of Raphael’s coffin.

“The Darkwatch is not hunting Raphael without reason, Stella. He may not be a standard vampire, but he is a vampire.

“The Darkwatch slaughtered his family and drove him from his home at some point in the past. I do not know how he came to be here, but Seraph accepts him — which is all I need to know.

“If he had been truly destroyed earlier today, we would have found scarring on the pavement where they drove a stake through him. None of the reports we received spoke of that. His attached harmed him enough to force him into a mist. In time, that mist will return here, enter the coffin, and coalesce.”

At his command, the wall irised closed.

“I left a note for him to call me as soon as he gets in so that I can provide whatever immediate help he needs.”

John reached for Stella’s hand and gave it a supportive squeeze before turning to face her. “That’s why you can be certain that he will come back to you.”

ImperialTM

2022-04-29, 01:02 PM

Wind buffets him as Yuki flaps again to gain a little altitude and she slightly shifts her direction to use the air currents better. “I actually have a new form that could work well, though it won’t be the most… comforting thing for civilians to see.” She pauses. “A rave is a party? Sorry, there are some words that I’m not familiar with in English.”
Will can't help but laugh "That's what I'm told. The word is new to me as well."

"What forms do you have? I apologize, I don't know much about your powers except that you can morph into different creatures."

Roguewolf

2022-04-29, 01:16 PM

Keith
Ryker and Sidney emerge from the lounge into the living room.

“You seen Stella?” Ryker asks Keith. “I got Sid caught up on what happened to Raph. What we know at least.”

Sidney nods, grabbing ahold of Ryker’s wrist. “It’s terrible. I can’t imagine losing someone like that.”

Keith looks over at Ryker and Sid when they enter just as he finished having his suit melt back into the shadow. He chuckles a bit. "Ryker, I gotta say that you love to read my mind man. Was about to ask you the same." He thinks for a moment before looking back over at Sid and Ryker. "It's....." He starts to think of choosing his next words carefully. "It's not something I would wish anyone to go through."

He couldn't think straight at the moment, everything was still rather foggy from his tormentor and then just the pressure of his own feelings. "Oh right, I still need to talk to them about helpin' Sid." He lets out a sigh. "If a bus happens to fly towards me later today just, I guess donate my body to science." That's about how everything seems to be going anyway.

"Speakin' of how are you holdin' up Sid? I'm sorry things got really hectic on what started as a decent day."

InTheMachine

2022-04-29, 01:25 PM

John
“Oh mon Dieu,” Stella breaths as she looks upon Raphael’s coffins. Her knees threaten to give out underneath her, but she manages to stay standing. If she could face a greater demon and stay in her feet, she wasn’t going to let this be her undoing. “It makes so much sense. How could I not see it?” she says, not really asking John.

“He turns in bats and mist, does blood magic, regenerates…”

She looks at John, eyebrows drawn. “‘No more dead than he was this morning’. I guess you’re right. If he’s a vampire, he is… dead. But his hands were always warm. I heard his heartbeat. Was that all an illusion?”

Will
“My powers are to turn into versions of the animals in the Japanese zodiac,” she answers. “I can currently turn into the rooster, the dog and the tiger, which you’ve seen, and the boar. After yesterday, I’ve gained access to the snake. But as I’ve said, an snakes as long as a semi truck is probably not what people want to see when they’re panicking.”

The roof of West Side base comes into view, and Yuki lands not too far from Drake, letting Will get off before she shifts back into her human form.

Keith
“You plannin’ on dyin’ later?” Ryker asks, looking at Keith sideways. “It would hurt, but I can probably survive getting hit by a truck, if you need me to kick someone’s ***.”

Sidney considers Keith’s question for a moment. “Honestly, I’m doing well, other than what just happened to Stell. My mind is clear. Ryker’s here with me,” she says, glancing over at her boyfriend. “I’m better than I’ve been in a year and a half.”

mmdeforrest

2022-04-29, 01:39 PM

John
“Oh mon Dieu,” Stella breaths as she looks upon Raphael’s coffins. Her knees threaten to give out underneath her, but she manages to stay standing. If she could face a greater demon and stay in her feet, she wasn’t going to let this be her undoing. “It makes so much sense. How could I not see it?” she says, not really asking John.

“He turns in bats and mist, does blood magic, regenerates…”

She looks at John, eyebrows drawn. “‘No more dead than he was this morning’. I guess you’re right. If he’s a vampire, he is… dead. But his hands were always warm. I heard his heartbeat. Was that all an illusion?”

“Why would you have noticed, Stella? I mean, have you seen the rest of your housemates here? A human using powers like his is what passes for normal around here. I only came in suspicious because the Occult Division of AEGIS: City of London had theories about him and Keith.

“As to his warmth, no,” John says thoughtfully, “I don’t think it was an illusion. There is something non-standard about him. With everything that we have been facing, researching his status fell down my priority list. I suspect that everything you experienced with him was exactly as it seemed.”

He offered a lopsided smile. “Except for him being undead the whole time, of course.

John looked at her carefully. “You okay? I feel like I just put you in the middle of the world’s worst good news-bad news joke.”

Roguewolf

2022-04-29, 01:55 PM

Keith
“You plannin’ on dyin’ later?” Ryker asks, looking at Keith sideways. “It would hurt, but I can probably survive getting hit by a truck, if you need me to kick someone’s ***.”

Sidney considers Keith’s question for a moment. “Honestly, I’m doing well, other than what just happened to Stell. My mind is clear. Ryker’s here with me,” she says, glancing over at her boyfriend. “I’m better than I’ve been in a year and a half.”

At Ryker's question, Keith just chuckles a bit. "Not plannin' on it, I still gotta hunt down a couple deadbeats and now this Darkwatch." He shakes his head and smiles a bit. "Nah the person I mentioned this mornin' that might be able to help some, her brother is kind of a j******. Won't stop me from askin' her a favor though, and I already owe her lunch again." Keith thinks back to this afternoon's semi-lunch and has a realization. "This is goin' to get complicated fast."

At Sidney's response, Keith smiles and nods. "Glad to hear, and we're gonna get those ******s that did this. Might take a bit of huntin', but they will fall." He almost noticed his voice change a bit, as though it wasn't him speaking. "Got a good guy there, and you two need anything just shout."

He started wondering what all John had wanted to discuss and figured it would be best to get that part over with. "Y'all seen John anywhere? He asked somethin' weird earlier and it's kinda buggin' me."

InTheMachine

2022-04-29, 01:59 PM

mmdeforrest

2022-04-29, 02:21 PM

John
“It’s just… so obvious, looking back,” Stella says. She looks back at the wall where Raphael’s coffin lays beyond. “I think I’m okay. What he is doesn’t change what I’ve experienced with him. He’s kind and cares for me, and that’s what matters,” she says firmly. “I actually feel better, knowing that he’s something beyond human and that both you and Seraph think he’ll come back here.”

The sorceress looks back at John. “Thank you, for sharing this with me. I was struggling to think straight earlier.”

“There’s been a bit of that going around lately,” John admitted ruefully. “Things have been coming at us pretty fast. But you’re welcome, Stella.”

“I suspect we should keep the details of why we expect his return somewhat vague,” John continued. “Unless Seraph chooses to brief everyone in this afternoon’s meeting, we can tell everyone that we are trying to divine the information we need to get an exact location of where he has gone to ground but we have sensed that he is as well as can be hoped.

“Oh, and something else that might cheer you:” John added, trying not to let his smile take over too much of his face. “We have secured some assistance to help Sidney.”

Roguewolf

2022-04-29, 02:22 PM

Keith
Ryker shrugs. “Last I saw, both of them were in the roof.”

Keith nods. "The game is afoot then." Keith looks up at the speakers for Mimi. "Hey Mimi, do you know where John and Stella are?" He didn't know what him or the team would do without Mimi. "Also, is there anything that you would like Mimi? Want to get you a thank you for everythin'."

After Mimi responds, Keith turns back to Ryker and Sid. "Dependin' on an answer I get anywhere between, now and in a few days, any advice on a first date? Asked her out today and she said she'd let me know after thinkin' about it."

ImperialTM

2022-04-29, 02:46 PM

“My powers are to turn into versions of the animals in the Japanese zodiac,” she answers. “I can currently turn into the rooster, the dog and the tiger, which you’ve seen, and the boar. After yesterday, I’ve gained access to the snake. But as I’ve said, an snakes as long as a semi truck is probably not what people want to see when they’re panicking.”

The roof of West Side base comes into view, and Yuki lands not too far from Drake, letting Will get off before she shifts back into her human form.
"Thank you for the assistance, Yuki. I'll see you both at the meeting." William gives a nod to Drake as he passes by "Sir." William makes his way down to the common room waiting for Seraph to return.

InTheMachine

2022-04-29, 02:46 PM

John
Stella nods. “Yes, I think that would be best. I’m sure Raphael wouldn’t be happy to return and find out that everyone here knows his secret.”

Her face brightens considerably as John tells her the news about Sidney. “You did? That’s wonderful! Who is it?”

Keith
“John and Stella are in front of John’s workshop,” Mimi answers. “They will return momentarily.” She thinks for a moment. “I do not require material things, Keith. There is nothing that you can ‘get me’. Though I do appreciate the thought.”

Sidney and Ryker share a look. “We’re not the people you should ask about first dates,” Sidney says with a little bit of a laugh.

“I got shot by some Crowns and Sid patched me up, and we had coffee later at her dad’s cafe,” Ryker explains. “I don’t think that would work out well for you.”

Roguewolf

2022-04-29, 03:08 PM

Keith
“John and Stella are in front of John’s workshop,” Mimi answers. “They will return momentarily.” She thinks for a moment. “I do not require material things, Keith. There is nothing that you can ‘get me’. Though I do appreciate the thought.”

Sidney and Ryker share a look. “We’re not the people you should ask about first dates,” Sidney says with a little bit of a laugh.

“I got shot by some Crowns and Sid patched me up, and we had coffee later at her dad’s cafe,” Ryker explains. “I don’t think that would work out well for you.”

Keith shrugs. "Guess I'll just wait for them here then. Thank you Mimi!" He smiles up at the camera. "If there's anythin' we can ever do for ya for entertainment then, just say the word!"

He chuckles a bit and has a lopsided grin. "Yeah that, probably wouldn't go too well with her. Interestin', yes though." Keith shakes his head still laughing a bit. "Coffee and a cafe isn't a bad idea though, and do know one of her favorite places. Thanks, y'all!" He stops his chuckling and looks between the two of them. "Well, if it ends up happenin', y'all will be the first to know."

mmdeforrest

2022-04-29, 04:26 PM

John
Stella nods. “Yes, I think that would be best. I’m sure Raphael wouldn’t be happy to return and find out that everyone here knows his secret.”

Her face brightens considerably as John tells her the news about Sidney. “You did? That’s wonderful! Who is it?”

John feels his smile shift to something more foolish for a moment before he gets it under control.

The blush he felt spreading across his cheeks, however, was something he could not stop.

“Siren, the telepath and telekinetic from Kieth’s old team,” John manages to say in as offhand manner as possible. “You may have noticed her astride the white dragon at the market.”

He almost mentioned that she would be arriving tomorrow when he realized that was when they had set their date but they had neglected to determine when she would help with Sidney.

Perhaps he should write out an agenda for tomorrow and make sure that he didn’t miss anything else important.

InTheMachine

2022-04-29, 05:52 PM

John
Stella notices John’s blush and smiles. “She was very pretty. If your interested, John, maybe you should try asking her out, after she comes to help Sidney. Maybe Keith would be willing to tell you what she likes so you have a little bit of a leg up.”

“You’re a wonderful guy, John. She’d be lucky to have you,” Stella says. “Shall we get back to the others? I was supposed to help Sidney and Aeryn bake a cake for Drake.”

She starts to climbs the stairs back up the living room.

Keith and Will
Aeryn floats down through the skylight, joining Ryker, Sidney, Keith, and Will in the living room, closely followed by Seraph. The older hero sighs as he folds his wings. “Mimi, let everyone know I’m pushing the meeting back to 5pm. I’m headed back to bed, unless anyone needs me.”

Team
Mimi comes over comms, repeating Seraph’s words with a few additions. “The meeting has been pushed back to 5pm. Please arrive in a timely manner. We will have a guest present.”

mmdeforrest

2022-04-29, 06:34 PM

John
Stella notices John’s blush and smiles. “She was very pretty. If your interested, John, maybe you should try asking her out, after she comes to help Sidney. Maybe Keith would be willing to tell you what she likes so you have a little bit of a leg up.”

“You’re a wonderful guy, John. She’d be lucky to have you,” Stella says. “Shall we get back to the others? I was supposed to help Sidney and Aeryn bake a cake for Drake.”

She starts to climbs the stairs back up the living room.

“Thanks, Stella,” John said quietly as he followed her up the stairs. “I’m honored that you think so. I was planing to talk to Keith. If I’m going to pull off high tea for her tomorrow, any information he can provide will be of use.”

He was about to say something else when Mimi reported the meeting had been pushed back. “Good news, in its own way. That should give me the time I need run out and get some things for the roof. I’ll be cutting things tight as it is.”

InTheMachine

2022-04-29, 07:47 PM

mmdeforrest

2022-04-29, 07:57 PM

Living Room
Stella and John emerge in the living room. Sidney immediately comes over and hugs Stella tightly, which the sorceress returns.

“I’m okay, Sidney,” Stella says, pulling back. “Mostly, at least.”

“You know I’m here for you,” her friend replies. “Always.”

Stella smiles at her and hugs her friend again. “I know.”

“Now, where were we on that cake?” Sidney asks. “Aeryn, you good to keep baking?”

The alien looks between the two women and shrugs. “Sure, I guess. We have a little more time now.”

The three of them make their way to the kitchen.

John watched the three make their way to the kitchen as he drew his iPad Mini out of his cloak. He hadn’t considered the possibility of competition for the oven when he was thinking through his plans of what he would make. Nevertheless, it was good to see Stella stable and recovered for now. That would likely come and go while they waited for Raphael’s return but, for now, she was not slipping into despair.

The good news, he thought as he opened Safari, was that many of the dainties he might lay out could be made without the oven — cucumber sandwiches, for example. He would need to keep that in mind when making his shopping list.

“Hey, Keith: Have you got a second?” John asked as he opened up the website for Lowes and began scrolling through the garden furniture. “I had a few questions about your former team — ” He felt himself pause a little too long. “Emi in particular.”

Roguewolf

2022-04-29, 08:04 PM

Keith nods as Seraph walks by. "Rest well, I'll see ya just before to talk about the friend that might help."

When Keith sees Stella and John come back up, he decides that Stella may need a bit to process things still and figures alienating his own guilt can wait a bit. He turns to John.

"Just the guy I was lookin' for." He listens to John ask him about Emi and immediately returns to a neutral face for a moment. Well then, guess he can't read minds.

Keith shakes his head to get clear his mind. "What would you like to know? I actually still need to talk to her about Sidney later. Just tried to keep it under wraps until Seraph had the meeting he wanted this morning." He started wondering if he should send the others a text to see how they were holding up. It wouldn't be a bad idea to tell them all he had fun today. At least while it lasted.

mmdeforrest

2022-04-29, 08:26 PM

When Keith sees Stella and John come back up, he decides that Stella may need a bit to process things still and figures alienating his own guilt can wait a bit. He turns to John.

"Just the guy I was lookin' for." He listens to John ask him about Emi and immediately returns to a neutral face for a moment. Well then, guess he can't read minds.

Keith shakes his head to get clear his mind. "What would you like to know? I actually still need to talk to her about Sidney later. Just tried to keep it under wraps until Seraph had the meeting he wanted this morning." He started wondering if he should send the others a text to see how they were holding up. It wouldn't be a bad idea to tell them all he had fun today. At least while it lasted.

Something seemed to be bothering Keith. Given what had happened today, that was to be expected. He should probably begin with a reassurance. “Before anything else,” he offered, “you all may have noticed that Stella is doing better. We put our heads together downstairs and did some reaching out. We have a sense that Raphael is out there somewhere and has not been captured. Why and where he has gone to ground isn’t clear but there is more than a little to be hopeful about. I’ll try to collect my impressions and have something more coherent to say by the time of the meeting. But, for now, she — and we — have hope.

“About Sidney,” John said, turning towards Keith, “I need to fill you in on that part since Seraph and I went over that in Angelical.” He glanced over at Ryker. “Part of my discussion with Seraph at the Market was getting clearance to request her assistance. She has agreed to help — although the timeline for actually doing that hasn’t been finalized.” Conscious of Sidney’s proximity, he lowered his voice for a moment. “In between her being your friend and wanting to help those who have been used by Vibrato, it wasn’t difficult to persuade her to assist. I’ll try to get that timeline hammered out with her tomorrow.

John looked down for a moment, painfully conscious of the non-sequitur he was about to speak.

“Do you know what kind of tea and snacks she prefers? You know — does she favor sweet or salty snacks, tat kind of thing?”

Roguewolf

2022-04-29, 09:51 PM

Something seemed to be bothering Keith. Given what had happened today, that was to be expected. He should probably begin with a reassurance. “Before anything else,” he offered, “you all may have noticed that Stella is doing better. We put our heads together downstairs and did some reaching out. We have a sense that Raphael is out there somewhere and has not been captured. Why and where he has gone to ground isn’t clear but there is more than a little to be hopeful about. I’ll try to collect my impressions and have something more coherent to say by the time of the meeting. But, for now, she — and we — have hope.

“About Sidney,” John said, turning towards Keith, “I need to fill you in on that part since Seraph and I went over that in Angelical.” He glanced over at Ryker. “Part of my discussion with Seraph at the Market was getting clearance to request her assistance. She has agreed to help — although the timeline for actually doing that hasn’t been finalized.” Conscious of Sidney’s proximity, he lowered his voice for a moment. “In between her being your friend and wanting to help those who have been used by Vibrato, it wasn’t difficult to persuade her to assist. I’ll try to get that timeline hammered out with her tomorrow.

John looked down for a moment, painfully conscious of the non-sequitur he was about to speak.

“Do you know what kind of tea and snacks she prefers? You know — does she favor sweet or salty snacks, tat kind of thing?”

Keith looks up from his stupor of guilt at John when he explains that he and Stella sense Raph hasn't been captured. "Ah, well then. Wonder if that means my thought was right? At least we know then he's not been taken."

Keith raised an eyebrow and sighed when John explained most of it to him about his talk with Emi. "Guess that saves me a short meeting then. Though would have been nice to know on the way. Saves the awkwardness of having to tell her about Sid too." Keith thought for a second and his face about deadpanned. "That might make a few things difficult. She's generally good at keepin' things under wraps, like this, but I may be hearin' about it later." His face read of anxiety at having to explain this to Kylie.

At John's whisper, Keith nodded. "I'll help with what I can, but we got a lot of plannin' for tonight's mission too. I'd say probably the sooner the better. Never know how things can turn out and that's going to be rough either way. There do be dragons involved in this situation and history." He sighed. "Hopefully if she does tell them she does tell them why I had to keep it to a half truth this morning."

Keith tilts his head at John's question about Emi's snack and tea preferences. "John, that is one hell if a non-sequitur. Wait.... oh crap did you? **** I better tell Grayson he missed his shot." Keith slaps his forehead. He thought John was a mind reader as well so he was purposely vague. "Guess that answers that. Well, there be dragons and possibly flying busses in our futures then John." Keith takes a deep breath. "Then again, guess the other worse thing is we get burned at the stake. I'm weighin' my options on those."

"Alrighty then. She does have a preference for sweet. As for tea, I'm not entirely certain. I know she does like some of the expensive stuff, but so long as it is prepared well most tea will suffice. Assuming the cognitive discussion went well enough. Oh and did warn her not to try and read Stella's mind, didn't need that acting up while at the Market either."

Keith sighed a moment as he considered his dilemma and how to best handle the entire thing. "I do have a request for some advice if you don't mind though. Any tips for calming the mond while awaiting a response of a potential date?"

mmdeforrest

2022-04-29, 10:11 PM

Keith raised an eyebrow and sighed when John explained most of it to him about his talk with Emi. "Guess that saves me a short meeting then. Though would have been nice to know on the way. Saves the awkwardness of having to tell her about Sid too." Keith thought for a second and his face about deadpanned. "That might make a few things difficult. She's generally good at keepin' things under wraps, like this, but I may be hearin' about it later." His face read of anxiety at having to explain this to Kylie.

At John's whisper, Keith nodded. "I'll help with what I can, but we got a lot of plannin' for tonight's mission too. I'd say probably the sooner the better. Never know how things can turn out and that's going to be rough either way. There do be dragons involved in this situation and history." He sighed. "Hopefully if she does tell them she does tell them why I had to keep it to a half truth this morning."

John nodded. “I kept it to relatively broad outlines with Emi. She knows Sidney’s mind has been tampered with, that she was with Ryker in the Rooks, and that she’s a good person who needs her help.” He grinned and glanced toward Ryker. “The thought of you owing her one did have some appeal, though.

“She mentioned that you had provided her with some information about the team here,” John continued, turning back to Keith. “She seemed comfortable enough with what she knows.”

Keith tilts his head at John's question about Emi's snack and tea preferences. "John, that is one hell if a non-sequitur. Wait.... oh crap did you? **** I better tell Grayson he missed his shot." Keith slaps his forehead. He thought John was a mind reader as well so he was purposely vague. "Guess that answers that. Well, there be dragons and possibly flying busses in our futures then John." Keith takes a deep breath. "Then again, guess the other worse thing is we get burned at the stake. I'm weighin' my options on those."

"Alrighty then. She does have a preference for sweet. As for tea, I'm not entirely certain. I know she does like some of the expensive stuff, but so long as it is prepared well most tea will suffice. Assuming the cognitive discussion went well enough. Oh and did warn her not to try and read Stella's mind, didn't need that acting up while at the Market either."

Keith sighed a moment as he considered his dilemma and how to best handle the entire thing. "I do have a request for some advice if you don't mind though. Any tips for calming the mond while awaiting a response of a potential date?"

“Wait, can we back up a second before we get into a discussion of comparative meditative techniques and go over that bit about dragons, flying busses, and being burned at the stake. It sounds like there are some details I should know about before she comes to high tea tomorrow.”

Indeed, while the bus could be considered a variation on the theme of her family dropping a car on his head, the thought of a dragon or a pitchfork-wielding mob had not been part of his initial mental list of concerns.

InTheMachine

2022-04-29, 10:42 PM

Living Room
Ryker rolls his eyes and crosses his arms as he falls back onto the cushions of the couch. “Of course it does.” He sighs. “But I’d do anything for Sid, even if it means owning a favor to some ridiculously powerful psychic, who’s teammate’s ribs I broke two years ago. What could she possibly want from me?” He asks, voice dripping with sarcasm.

Keith tilts his head at John's question about Emi's snack and tea preferences. "John, that is one hell if a non-sequitur. Wait.... oh crap did you? **** I better tell Grayson he missed his shot."

He smirks, looking over at Keith. “Did that dweeb think he ever had a shot with a girl that looks like that?”

Roguewolf

2022-04-29, 10:58 PM

John nodded. “I kept it to relatively broad outlines with Emi. She knows Sidney’s mind has been tampered with, that she was with Ryker in the Rooks, and that she’s a good person who needs her help.” He grinned and glanced toward Ryker. “The thought of you owing her one did have some appeal, though.

“She mentioned that you had provided her with some information about the team here,” John continued, turning back to Keith. “She seemed comfortable enough with what she knows.”

Keith breathed a sigh of relief at the first bit. "Thank the heavens. My cover story before the Market of keeping it under wraps and just investigating should be enough to hold over and they all know I'm a bit of a stickler for not sayin' more than really necessary."

Living Room
Ryker rolls his eyes and crosses his arms as he falls back onto the cushions of the couch. “Of course it does.” He sighs. “But I’d do anything for Sid, even if it means owning a favor to some ridiculously powerful psychic, who’s teammate’s ribs I broke two years ago. What could she possibly want from me?” He asks, voice dripping with sarcasm.
He smirks, looking over at Keith. “Did that dweeb think he ever had a shot with a girl that looks like that?”

Keith ran a hand through his hair. "We need an almost equally psychic to be able to tell. By now I'm sure she has at least 15 different plans."

At the comment about Grayson, Keith tilts his head with a slight scowl and then chuckles a bit. "I'm not actually sure, tried to tell him to take the chance multiple times but he never did. Even tried to get him to write a song for her and everythin'. He's actually pretty cool when you get to know him. Pretty wicked guitar player." Keith rubs the back of his head. "Honestly he was also the first to tell me I should go ahead and tell Kylie how I felt, just waited too **** long."

At the mention of Stella and talking about the team, Keith shook his head. "Only really told her about Stella for the safety concerns. Didn't really tell them about anyone else, though they knew South Side was here and we had a nice discussion on our time at East Side. We mostly talked about Will and how he got here. And then a good discussion on dragons bein' real and music."

“Wait, can we back up a second before we get into a discussion of comparative meditative techniques and go over that bit about dragons, flying busses, and being burned at the stake. It sounds like there are some details I should know about before she comes to high tea tomorrow.”

Indeed, while the bus could be considered a variation on the theme of her family dropping a car on his head, the thought of a dragon or a pitchfork-wielding mob had not been part of his initial mental list of concerns.

Keith raises an eyebrow. "John, are you telling me you missed the big dragon back there? Actually that shouldn't be much of an issue I'll just be consoling him if my guess on why you're askin' about Emi's preferences is right. Busses and trucks well...... training day a few times I got pitted against her brother and that was NOT a good time." He thinks for a moment. "Then again I may have also jumped the gun and gone worst case scenario with the burning at the stake comment. More so if things go deep south tonight."

He takes a moment to think about his next words carefully. "You should be fine since her brother, while protective, is still a hero type. Should only have to worry if you break her heart or do something really stupid." Keith blinks a few times readying himself to console Grayson when he found out. "Just be yourself, and retain some mystery."

He grimaces and then takes a deep breath. "Main reason I'm askin' advice is finally asked out my crush and......" He has to stop a minute to think of how to best phrase it. "I think the phrase 'Scream into the Void' works here but it's more like the Void is screaming into me if that helps. Also trying to prepare myself if I get good news and have something semi planned."

mmdeforrest

2022-04-29, 11:22 PM

John pinched the bridge of his nose. “Keep in mind, Keith, I’ve only been in town for less than one week and am catching up on the local heroic community. If you wanted to know something about The Longshoreman, Rock Lobster, or Hope and Anchor, I’d be more on top of things. But I’m guessing you couldn’t tell me much about them.

“Well, maybe Rock Lobster, given his YouTube following.

“Anyway, let me see if I have this straight: Her brother, who I was going to ask about, is heroic but overprotective and can throw busses around. Grayson is the name of Draconic, whose ribs Ryker broke a little while back, and he has feelings for Emi that he has never acted on and, for reasons unexplained, doesn’t believe his very intelligent, psychic teammate has picked up his feelings. And while we know that the stunningly beautiful psychic is arriving tomorrow for high tea, we don’t know and cannot predict what her draconic friend, super strong brother, and as-of-yet undescribed father are likely to do.

In addition to that, you want advice on what mental exercises might help you stay calm while you wait for a response from your friend and crush from the team — I’m assuming Burnout, given she was the other one there and you kept surreptitiously glancing at her — is going to get back to you later about whether she is going to go on a date with you. That last formulation hints that there is something more going on than you are telling us right now.

John took a deep breath and let out a sigh.

“And I thought getting the furniture set up on the roof and the food made was going to be the complicated part of this.”

He looked around at his teammates. “Have I missed anything?”

PK-Leon

2022-04-29, 11:30 PM

“Performing Arts, actually,” the barista answers, leaning her head on her hand. “I play piano, and sing. You like what you hear?”

"So what can't you do? He smiles around his fork as he takes another bite out of his tart. "And I love it, your music I mean. Definitely looking forward to hearing you live tonight."

“Oooh, one of those ridiculously smart science people, huh? I could never get through those classes. Calculus was enough for me,” she says with a rueful grin.

Louis waves the compliment away with a free hand. "'Ridiculously smart' would be giving me waaay too much credit. Science was always interesting to me even as a kid, machines especially, but that's probably because my old man's a mechanic. I guess growing up to be a gear-head was inevitable." He looks down into the depths of his cup thinking of the countless hours he spent working alongside his father in their family garage. "So what was it that got you into music?" His eyes linger on Isabelle's lips for a moment before moving up to meet her eyes again.

Roguewolf

2022-04-29, 11:38 PM

HIDA

2022-04-30, 01:41 AM

After everything had gone on and the team dispersed Goldheart went back to the base.

"Mimi, Where's John? I need to speak to him."

mmdeforrest

2022-04-30, 07:18 AM

Keith runs his hand down his face. "Right, sorry, easy to forget as it feels like it's been way longer."

He takes a deep breath as well before responding to John. "The dragons comment was mostly joking, which I apologize for. He's mostly just going to probably listen to the same song over and over again, and then circle back around to pining and teenage angst. She tries her best not to read the minds of those she is closest too, so his hopes there are, sound but also unlikely."

"I'd like to avoid the brother if at all possible. And yes you are correct, it is Burnout and there is more there than I prefer to go into at this time. Mostly because, positive thinking. Funnily enough that issue is completely unrelated to Emi and her brother thankfully."

Keith sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose. "The furniture and food is going to be the easy part. You can also go early and order some stuff from Sunshine's Bakery over near Bastion. Everything is good there. Good coffee and tea, if you want loose leaf, go to Avian's Roost and tell Owl what you want. He'll get you a good blend."

"Again, sorry for the dragons comment, just lamenting at my sanity in a bit."

“No problem, Keith,” John replied. “I think it’s just my day to annoying dragons. And given the way you have been talking, I think it might be better for me to avoid the brother initially as well.

“As for relaxing, some of that tea you just recommended might not hurt. By the time you walk out and get a cup, I may be back with the furniture. I don’t think I will have enough time to have assembled everything, but we’ll see how efficient I am. A spot of tea looking out at the river for a little bit before the meeting and you’ll be right as rain, as the saying goes.”

John’s eyes widened just a moment as he opened Dark Sky to look at tomorrow’s weather report.

“I think you’re right, though. Going local may be the better option. Having everything overnighted from London might feel a little much for a second date. I’ll try limit myself to something from one of the known sweets shops.

“Although,” he said to himself, “if I go with sweets maybe I should look into something from Brussels or Switzerland. I’ll have to check when the flights arrive from those locations.

John shook his head. “Anyway, I don’t think it will be about the technique, Keith. It will be about settling in and giving yourself some space to freak out then acknowledge and accept your emotions as your honest feelings. Once you get there, it will melt away for a little while. Each time will get a little easier, though.

John switched his screen back to Lowes. “So what do you guys think: Should we go with a metal, wood, or wicker set for the furniture? Since everyone is going to have access to it, I’d like it to be something that works well for everyone.

“I was thinking of something where we can center it around a gas fire pit but I didn’t know if it got cold enough at night.” John glanced over at Ryker. “What do you think? I’ve seen Yuki curl up on the couch and nap in some of her other forms. Would having a fire pit to be able to do that up on the roof be something she would enjoy?”

InTheMachine

2022-04-30, 08:08 AM

HIDA

2022-04-30, 08:27 AM

Calvin
“John is currently in the living room, speaking with Keith, Ryker, and Will,” Mimi answers.

"Thanks Mimi." Goldheart says, Making his way to the Living Room.

"John. You gotta minute? Sorry to interrupt."

Roguewolf

2022-04-30, 08:31 AM

Keith shakes his head. "I'll head over since there does seem to be some extra time and pick up a blend for ya. May also want to get a nap in." Team is probably a good idea but it just tastes like hot leaf juice most of the time.

At John's comment about technique, Keith chuckles a bit. "Guess you're right. Thanks man." Guess I will go talk with myself. Whole other meanin' to it but eh, guess having an answer isn't too bad.

Keith laughs a bit at the comment about psychics and magicians. "Never know what's gonna happen with them. But since that seemed to go well thirty minutes ago, just remember, sweet."

Keith grins at the idea of a firepit. "Would be a cool idea. Though a few options to weigh in on for the actual furniture. Metal might last the longest, but good wooden furniture is a godsend.

As Calvin enters behind them, Keith half waves. "Just a discussion on furniture now man, all good!"

mmdeforrest

2022-04-30, 09:21 AM

Living Room
Ryker shakes his head at Keith’s description of Grayson. “What a *****,” he mutters. He listens to the back and forth between John and Keith, his face amused. “Nah, John, I think you got all of it.”

“Wait, your second date?” Ryker asks John. “Didn’t you just meet this girl today? Like thirty minutes ago? ****in’ magicians and psychics man…”

Keith laughs a bit at the comment about psychics and magicians. "Never know what's gonna happen with them. But since that seemed to go well thirty minutes ago, just remember, sweet."

“It’s can be a bit complicated, I will concede. For what it’s worth, it was spontaneous rather than premeditated.”

“I think she’d love that,” Ryker replies to John’s question about Yuki. “I think one of the reasons she likes Drake so much is that he’s like a ****in’ furnace. So yeah, she’d love a fire pit. Even if we can only use it for a couple months out the year.”

Keith grins at the idea of a firepit. "Would be a cool idea. Though a few options to weigh in on for the actual furniture. Metal might last the longest, but good wooden furniture is a godsend.

“Fire pit it is, then,” John said, placing an order for the set and moving on to the planters. “Maybe I should leave these for phase two so I can make sure I have as much time I think I do.”

"Thanks Mimi." Goldheart says, Making his way to the Living Room.

"John. You gotta minute? Sorry to interrupt."

As Calvin enters behind them, Keith half waves. "Just a discussion on furniture now man, all good!"

It looked like the planters were getting bumped to tomorrow. He had no idea what plants would thrive in this climate anyway.

Needing to know about gardening was not an anticipated entry on the list of things he needed to learn fast.

“Sure thing, Calvin. But first, let me bring you up to speed. Stella and I did some work. We didn’t get much, but we were able to determine that Raphael is out there somewhere. We don’t know why he has gone to ground — whether he needs to recover a little or if he is waiting for the Darkwatch to lose track of him. It isn’t much, but it was enough to give Stella hope.

“As Keith said, we were just looking at patio sets for the roof. I, um, am kind of getting it set up for a date tomorrow afternoon.” He offered Calvin a wry smile. “Things have been moving somewhat fast today.”

HIDA

2022-04-30, 09:37 AM

“Sure thing, Calvin. But first, let me bring you up to speed. Stella and I did some work. We didn’t get much, but we were able to determine that Raphael is out there somewhere. We don’t know why he has gone to ground — whether he needs to recover a little or if he is waiting for the Darkwatch to lose track of him. It isn’t much, but it was enough to give Stella hope.

“As Keith said, we were just looking at patio sets for the roof. I, um, am kind of getting it set up for a date tomorrow afternoon.” He offered Calvin a wry smile. “Things have been moving somewhat fast today.”

"A Date? When the- Nevermind." Goldheart says. waving his hands. "What the Hell is Darkwatch? What do you know about them? Why did they go After Raph and Why aren't we going after them right now?! You seem to be taking this whole situation alittle too casually right now. You talked to Seraph and ****. Where's the plan?"

Roguewolf

2022-04-30, 09:48 AM

"A Date? When the- Nevermind." Goldheart says. waving his hands. "What the Hell is Darkwatch? What do you know about them? Why did they go After Raph and Why aren't we going after them right now?! You seem to be taking this whole situation alittle too casually right now. You talked to Seraph and ****. Where's the plan?"

Keith looks between Calvin and John as Calvin starts to question him. He shrugs when Calvin asks about the date. "Seems like they fancy themselves a group of monster hunters. Some kinda professional hit squad. I'm gonna research them a bit and see if anythin' I know of another society might line up with theirs, but it's unlikely. Probably also be part of the meeting later. That and the night mission."

Keith looks at the ground a bit sheepishly. "I might also have an idea of how to draw them out, but I've never used the ability before. I'm not even sure if I could control it enough, or have it last long enough for them to come back out." He cracks his knuckles. "Could give it a quick go and see how well it works. Anyone wanna volunteer? Ya just gotta stand right where you are."

mmdeforrest

2022-04-30, 10:09 AM

Keith looks between Calvin and John as Calvin starts to question him. He shrugs when Calvin asks about the date. "Seems like they fancy themselves a group of monster hunters. Some kinda professional hit squad. I'm gonna research them a bit and see if anythin' I know of another society might line up with theirs, but it's unlikely. Probably also be part of the meeting later. That and the night mission."

John nods, trying to pull his focus away from trying to make tomorrow a great time for Emi and back into the present moment. The memory of her eyes smoldering from beneath her lashes as she teased him with “your place or mine” made it more of a challenge than he would like to admit.

“All fair questions, Calvin, and I am afraid all I have are frustrating answers. As Keith says, Darkwatch are monster hunters — ones that focus particularly on vampires. They verge on the fanatical and came loaded for bear today. Several of us have observed Raphael’s power profile made him an obvious target for them and he had mentioned them as a threat to me once.

“As to why we aren’t pursuing them right now, we have no leads. They were professional and proficient. Stella and Jaal managed to track them as far as where their getaway vehicle was waiting. Neither Aeryn nor I saw any vehicles that were obvious candidates when we surveyed the area.

“Seraph and I did speak but it was mostly about the evidence at the scene. Raphael drew on things deep within himself when he fought so he knew it was a kill or be killed encounter. I’m glad he was able to get to what, at minimum, passes for safety.

“At today’s 5 PM meeting, Yuki will be projecting an image of the woman who led the attack — the one she showed you at the market — to all of us so we can watch for her.

“If she tracked Raphael to the Market, she at minimum knows he frequents this quarter of the city. We may get lucky and spot her while we are out and about.

“All that being said, I’m open to any ideas of how we can find the Darkwatch or get Raphael back here sooner.

“And I’m sorry if I appear to be taking this lightly,” he replied earnestly. “I’m not. I will concede that my encounter with Emi — Siren — has left me a little distracted. Working with Stella to obtaining what information we have was…well, anyway. She’s the better off for it as it has given her some comfort.

“I suspect I am trying to focus on more pleasant things. I didn’t meant to come across as being callous.

Keith looks at the ground a bit sheepishly. "I might also have an idea of how to draw them out, but I've never used the ability before. I'm not even sure if I could control it enough, or have it last long enough for them to come back out." He cracks his knuckles. "Could give it a quick go and see how well it works. Anyone wanna volunteer? Ya just gotta stand right where you are."

“Maybe we should talk through this a little more first, Keith,” John said. “You don’t sound confident about the safety of what you are suggesting.”

Roguewolf

2022-04-30, 10:31 AM

“Seraph and I did speak but it was mostly about the evidence at the scene. Raphael drew on things deep within himself when he fought so he knew it was a kill or be killed encounter. I’m glad he was able to get to what, at minimum, passes for safety.

“At today’s 5 PM meeting, Yuki will be projecting an image of the woman who led the attack — the one she showed you at the market — to all of us so we can watch for her.

“If she tracked Raphael to the Market, she at minimum knows he frequents this quarter of the city. We may get lucky and spot her while we are out and about.

“All that being said, I’m open to any ideas of how we can find the Darkwatch or get Raphael back here sooner.

"I just wish that were all for that meetin'." Keith says with a sigh. Today was starting to get too complicated. "Raph definitely surprised everyone, since there was a lot more blood there. And you're right John, we might just get lucky. Worst case we might find one of the grunts." He still needed to talk to Stella himself about Emi.

“Maybe we should talk through this a little more first, Keith,” John said. “You don’t sound confident about the safety of what you are suggesting.”

Keith shakes his head. "It only really affects me so this is more just a test run. But....." Keith considered John's words for a moment. "No, you're right. My own mental and emotional state right now it might not hold well."

He scratches the back of his head. "So I've been tryin' out one of my uncle's techniques for controllin' his shadow and if I do it right, it should give me an illusionary appearance. Biggest thing is I have to have seen the person and heard them speak before. I don't generally like having to use it but if we gotta."

InTheMachine

2022-04-30, 07:25 PM

Louis

"So what can't you do? He smiles around his fork as he takes another bite out of his tart. "And I love it, your music I mean. Definitely looking forward to hearing you live tonight."

Louis waves the compliment away with a free hand. "'Ridiculously smart' would be giving me waaay too much credit. Science was always interesting to me even as a kid, machines especially, but that's probably because my old man's a mechanic. I guess growing up to be a gear-head was inevitable." He looks down into the depths of his cup thinking of the countless hours he spent working alongside his father in their family garage. "So what was it that got you into music?" His eyes linger on Isabelle's lips for a moment before moving up to meet her eyes again.

Izzy notices Louis’ gaze and smiles, leaning even closer. “My dad is a jazz musician who plays saxophone, so I’ve been around music my whole life. I started piano lessons at four years old and I’ve loved it ever since.”

From out of the kitchen, an apron-d Scott emerges. He looks to his right and sees Louis flirting with one of his baristas. “I told you,” he says with a wide smile at the hero.

Living Room
Drake and Yuki enter the living room. Drake looks over at John. “Did I hear you correctly? Raphael’s fine? Or fine enough?”

mmdeforrest

2022-04-30, 08:05 PM

Living Room
Drake and Yuki enter the living room. Drake looks over at John. “Did I hear you correctly? Raphael’s fine? Or fine enough?”

“How fine he is, Drake, I’m not sure,” John cautioned. “All I know for sure is that he hasn’t been captured and that he has gone to ground. I hope that he will be able to either make his way back here or contact us to come and pick him up soon. The rest is unclear at this time — although Yuki is scheduled to provide everyone with an image of the attacker at our 5 PM meeting.

“Come to think of it, could you project that image to me again, Yuki? I’d like to double check something about her armor.”

Persuasion Roll (https://orokos.com/roll/941237): 1d6o6 13

John hoped for two things: First, that his casual request did not sound as forced to everyone else as it did to him and, second, that the image he was supposed to have seen included any portion of the armor. He also thought that, Calvin thought over his responses, it was probably not best to confirm with Yuki that she would be interested in a fire pit on the roof.

OOC Housekeeping
John revealed his weakness to Emi and earns two bennies to be added to the Team Pool when she is present.

Having reassured Stella about Raphael, he no longer feels Guilty about having triggered her Major Curse.

Roguewolf

2022-04-30, 08:48 PM

He was glad the discussion of that other ability was left away. Truthfully he hated it. Becoming someone else for even just a few minutes, he had done that enough growing up.

Keith raises an eyebrow though at John's response. "Managed to make a date and keep it business? Glad that worked out well." He still remembered the armor, though he hadn't thought to study it too much.

He thought back to it but figured he wouldn't see as much as John would anyway. Instead he started to wonder about who all else he could make amends to while passing the time. Certainly Stella, that's where he figured his guilt might end but just a few hours couldn't alleviate it that quickly. No he needed to reflect on it all still. After all, thanks to John misunderstanding what he had intended to be a safety measure, Keith just felt that insecurity from before growing.

OK yes I said more than I really needed to, but if anyone would understand Stella's story I really think Emi would. Too bad now everyone thinks I just talked about everyone.

He needed a break. He needed his head clear before they started to take on the Dragonovs, and so far nothing was going in their favor.

Keith shook his head getting rid of the intrusive thoughts. Not like anyone would really believe he did anything with the thought of being helpful in mind.

While everyone was discussing Raph and John looked at the armor 'again', Keith took a few steps back from the group and opened a direct line to Mimi whispering his question. "Hey Mimi, is is possible for you to find out if someone is still in the city based on a name? I know they used to be here but I'm not sure if they still are, and only have their old hero name. It's a bit of a personal issue I need to resolve but no rush. The person I'm looking for went by the title; Silver Horn."

InTheMachine

2022-04-30, 10:24 PM

Roguewolf

2022-04-30, 10:58 PM

Living Room
Drake crosses his arms. “Oh. Well, at least we know he hasn’t been kidnapped by the Darkwatch. Anyone want a drink? I’m gonna grab some water.” He waits for any requests before heading into the kitchen.

Yuki shifts into her wolf form at John’s request and projects the picture of the red-haired woman to him.

“Hey Yuki,” Ryker says, folding his arms behind his head. “John was just askin’ if you would be interested in a fire pit on the roof, cuz he’s gonna get some furniture up there for a date. What’cha think? I told him you’d be cool with it since you like snugglin’ up to Drake so much.”

Wolf Yuki’s ears pin back and her eyes go down to her paws. “Not funny, Ryker,” she says. “You know I’ve always liked warm things. In this form especially.”

“I know,” Ryker answers with a smirk at his teammate. “I just like teasing’ you. I ain’t wrong though.”

Keith
“I will look into Silver Horn for you,” Mimi answers into Keith’s earpiece. “It may take me some time to find them with just a name however.”

Keith was half paying attention to the others but chuckled a bit seeing everyone sorta getting along. He hadn't realized just how much he enjoyed being here with the others, even if he had screwed up a lot. [I]Crap, that makes me the screw up here too....[_i]

He did look up when Drake asked about anyone wanting something and chuckled. "I'll grab some water in a minute, thanks though Drake!"

As Mimi spoke into his comm, Keith smiled and took a deep breath. "Thank you so much Mimi. I don't mind telling ya why, will do so probably while in the library or somethin'. Seriously though I appreciate it."

He looks back over at Ryker and Yuki and chuckles a bit. "At least the roof will be a bit more comfortable. Probably even set up a grill up there."

He turns to John. "Need help just ask. Just going to try and see if there's anything else I can find on.... at this point name it." He let's out a laugh.

Keith made his way into the kitchen after that and checks in with Aeryn, Sid, and Stella. "How's the baking lessons comin' along? Oh, Stella do you have a minute as well?"

HIDA

2022-04-30, 11:32 PM

John nods, trying to pull his focus away from trying to make tomorrow a great time for Emi and back into the present moment. The memory of her eyes smoldering from beneath her lashes as she teased him with “your place or mine” made it more of a challenge than he would like to admit.

“All fair questions, Calvin, and I am afraid all I have are frustrating answers. As Keith says, Darkwatch are monster hunters — ones that focus particularly on vampires. They verge on the fanatical and came loaded for bear today. Several of us have observed Raphael’s power profile made him an obvious target for them and he had mentioned them as a threat to me once.

“As to why we aren’t pursuing them right now, we have no leads. They were professional and proficient. Stella and Jaal managed to track them as far as where their getaway vehicle was waiting. Neither Aeryn nor I saw any vehicles that were obvious candidates when we surveyed the area.

“Seraph and I did speak but it was mostly about the evidence at the scene. Raphael drew on things deep within himself when he fought so he knew it was a kill or be killed encounter. I’m glad he was able to get to what, at minimum, passes for safety.

“At today’s 5 PM meeting, Yuki will be projecting an image of the woman who led the attack — the one she showed you at the market — to all of us so we can watch for her.

“If she tracked Raphael to the Market, she at minimum knows he frequents this quarter of the city. We may get lucky and spot her while we are out and about.

“All that being said, I’m open to any ideas of how we can find the Darkwatch or get Raphael back here sooner.

“And I’m sorry if I appear to be taking this lightly,” he replied earnestly. “I’m not. I will concede that my encounter with Emi — Siren — has left me a little distracted. Working with Stella to obtaining what information we have was…well, anyway. She’s the better off for it as it has given her some comfort.

“I suspect I am trying to focus on more pleasant things. I didn’t meant to come across as being callous.

"Uh huh." Goldheart says, completely annoyed at the magicians ill-timed frivolities. "I'm glad Stella is ok but that still doesn't help us get closer to finding Raph or dealing with this new threat. Are you saying they went after him because he's Vampire? How do vampires walk in sunlight or is that a lie? Do you think your date helps us with any of that? Or did you just taking advantage of the situation."

Goldheart steps past John and Shakes his armored helm on the way to the kitchen. "I expected better."

Calvin is trying to get John to admit he's knows more about this than he's owning up to and to spill it.
Provoke a PC: 9 (https://orokos.com/roll/941257)

mmdeforrest

2022-05-01, 12:16 AM

"Uh huh." Goldheart says, completely annoyed at the magicians ill-timed frivolities. "I'm glad Stella is ok but that still doesn't help us get closer to finding Raph or dealing with this new threat. Are you saying they went after him because he's Vampire? How do vampires walk in sunlight or is that a lie? Do you think your date helps us with any of that? Or did you just taking advantage of the situation."

Goldheart steps past John and Shakes his armored helm on the way to the kitchen. "I expected better."

Calvin is trying to get John to admit he's knows more about this than he's owning up to and to spill it.
Provoke a PC: 9 (https://orokos.com/roll/941257)

“Vampires being destroyed by sunlight has never been a thing,” John responds somewhat cooly. “It was a plot device invented for the film Nosferatu to let the writers compress the story they were stealing from the Stoker estate and try and make it different enough to avoid copyright law. They failed in that. In the novel, Count Dracula walks through the city streets of London without the least bit of discomfort during the daytime — although, unlike Raphael, his powers are limited when the sun is shining.

“Knowing that kind of thing is why I was sent here, Calvin — to help with demons and vampires and whatever else is roaming around this city right now. Sometimes, that means I cannot reveal everything I know because the time isn’t right or the pieces on the board haven’t moved into the right position or because I haven’t figured out things fast enough or because there are secrets I am not permitted to tell.

“Every one of us has a security clearance but none of us know what each other’s security clearance is. Some of our clearances are higher than others. They can’t tell us what we know that hasn’t been cleared for our level. Montcrieff had to not tell me any number of things for that reason and I can guarantee you that there are people in this room who know things they can’t tell you or me.

“And if it turns out there are things like that with Raphael, I will not be able to tell you. It comes with the territory. That doesn’t mean I am any less anxious for him or any less interested in tracking down Darkwatch and running them out of town.

“And no, my date with Emi — whether it was the one I had on the borders of my mind between the tick of a second or the one I will be having tomorrow — has nothing to do with Raphael’s fight. It began as an opportunity to ask her to help us with Sidney. And I trust you will forgive me if that encounter grew into something else and for a moment — just for a moment — I was just a kid from Providence sitting across the table from a lady more beautiful than he could imagine.

“But even then, that couldn’t last, could it? My past in London and my present here intruded and my otherworldly responsibilities intruded.”

John closed his eyes for a moment, getting himself back under control.

“Look, Calvin, we’ve all had a tough morning. Let’s just leave it at that before either of us say something that we don’t really mean. Yes, I know more than I am saying and no I cannot tell you what it is. This probably isn’t the last time that will happen. I am sorry about that but, as I said, it comes with the territory.

“I’m not going to say I am sorry about the date, though.”

He took another deep breath. “I’m going to grab a coffee milk and head to my room. I have a lot to do and I should change.”

InTheMachine

2022-05-01, 07:27 AM

Roguewolf

2022-05-01, 08:40 AM

Kitchen
Keith enters the kitchen to find Sidney going over flavor profiles with her two students while the cake in the oven cooks. Aeryn occasionally pauses to ask what something is, but mostly seems to be following along as Sidney explains how sometimes contrasting things, like salty and sweet flavors, can go together.

Drake stands off to the side, drinking his glass of water, watching the three of them interact and listening to Sidney’s lesson.

“What do you need, Keith?” Stella asks, coming over to the shadow user.

Keith smiles as he sees Aeryn is attentive to the lesson. He always was willing to learn new things. As Stella came over, he could feel the weight of the world on him.

"Actually had to tell you something, and to apologize. While we were at the Market, I thought it best for safety reasons to tell my friend that could help Sid about your curse. I didn't want to chance her trying to read your mind and that thing activating right then and there." Keith sighs. "She's also one of the most understanding people I know, and I trust her. She also asked about you being out and about so I told her Raph gave you the chance to change sides and show everyone the truth." Keith looks at the ground in shame. "I was almost forced down a similar path, and my friend knows about that history. I am sorry for telling her about it Stella. I can promise that she would do what she could to help. That doesn't change the fact that what I've done was wrong. I just wanted you to know, and to say, again, that I'm sorry."

He mentally prepared himself for the beratement that he thought would inevitably follow, or at least a loss of faith in anything he does.

InTheMachine

2022-05-01, 09:21 AM

Roguewolf

2022-05-01, 11:07 AM

Kitchen
Stella sees the guilt in Keith, hears it his voice and smiles reassuringly. “I think it was probably for the best that you told a telepath not to read my mind. After what happened yesterday with John, I’m not eager to repeat that experience.”

“Honestly, I should have just sent Jaal with Drake and Ryker, but I couldn’t… not after Mimi said that Raphael needed help. I was emotionally compromised, and not thinking clearly, especially after seeing the scene. So I understand if you needed to give someone some additional information about me, to explain why I was there in the first place. Sometimes I forget that I’m still under AEGIS custody, since Seraph has graciously given me such a long leash.”

Keith rubbing his eyes, he hadn't realized most of the emotional damage today had hit him so hard. He also looked up and smiled at Stella. "Thanks Stella. And I understand completely. I don't think anyone would have blamed you for rushing out there either."

He shook his head and kept up the soft smile. "I do promise she's trustworthy. Heck she knows my past. Kinda just like you, was about forced down another path. A villain used my mom against me for it, which is why I'll do everythin' in my power to help you save yours. And I'll make sure to put that other away behind bars when I find him."

Keith takes a deep breath and he becomes worried again. "Either way, we got this. And Raph will be back."

PK-Leon

2022-05-01, 01:13 PM

Izzy notices Louis’ gaze and smiles, leaning even closer. “My dad is a jazz musician who plays saxophone, so I’ve been around music my whole life. I started piano lessons at four years old and I’ve loved it ever since.”

"Seems we're the same in a way." Louis mirrors Izzy's smile as he loses himself in her eyes for a moment.

From out of the kitchen, an apron-d Scott emerges. He looks to his right and sees Louis flirting with one of his baristas. “I told you,” he says with a wide smile at the hero.

Louis snaps back to reality when he hears a familiar voice calls out from the kitchen and leans to one side to verify it's owner. "Seeing is believing." He concedes with a shrug and a grin.

"Oh yeah, I have a special delivery for you!" He reaches in to his jacket pocket and removes Sidney's letter, gently waving the envelope in the air for emphasis. "Think I could convince you to step away from the counter for a few minutes so we can catch up and have you take a look at this?"

"Hey Isabelle, I know it's a lot to ask but..." He feigns a heavy sigh. "Do you think I could I borrow a napkin and a pen for sec?" He looks back up at the barista with a playful look in his eyes and waits for her reply.

InTheMachine

2022-05-01, 01:43 PM

Louis
Izzy grins. “You lookin’ for this?” she asks as she turns Louis’ cup around, revealing a phone number written in sharpie on the back. She turns around and grabs a napkin and pulls out a marker from her apron. “I guess I could help you out though. Here you go, delivery boy,” she says as Scott comes up beside her.

The older man looks at the envelope in Louis’ hand intently. “I’ll meet you around the side.”

Louis finds Scott in the alley beside the coffee bar, waiting next to the fist sized crater in the brick. He’s studying the wall. As Louis comes up, he points at it. “You have any idea what could’ve caused this?”

Kitchen
“Thank you, Keith,” Stella says, briefly grabbing his arm. “It means a lot, hearing that. Everyone here has been so compassionate and understanding. I never thought I’d meet people like all of you,” she says, looking over at Drake and Aeryn.

Drake smiles at her. “Everyone’s past is different. I always try not to judge until I hear the facts. You and Ryker have proved to me that you’re more than who you used to be. Things have happened to both of you that weren’t under your control.”

Roguewolf

2022-05-01, 03:04 PM

Kitchen
“Thank you, Keith,” Stella says, briefly grabbing his arm. “It means a lot, hearing that. Everyone here has been so compassionate and understanding. I never thought I’d meet people like all of you,” she says, looking over at Drake and Aeryn.

Drake smiles at her. “Everyone’s past is different. I always try not to judge until I hear the facts. You and Ryker have proved to me that you’re more than who you used to be. Things have happened to both of you that weren’t under your control.”

Keith smiles and returns to his usual self for the moment. "Have the same philosophy as Drake. I'd rather hear the story before casting any kind of judgment. As someone once told me 'there are many paths to the same place'." He stretched his arms, this had been probably the second most comfortable he had felt all day. First time was giving that joke of a eulogy, just because it seemed like old times.

"Come to think of it, I'll have to tell you guys that story later. Probably when things have calmed down a bit though." He lets out a laugh after. "Well either way, just gotta make it through this rave." He looks over at Drake and smirks. "You ready to party?"

PK-Leon

2022-05-01, 04:27 PM

Izzy grins. “You lookin’ for this?” she asks as she turns Louis’ cup around, revealing a phone number written in sharpie on the back. She turns around and grabs a napkin and pulls out a marker from her apron. “I guess I could help you out though. Here you go, delivery boy,” she says as Scott comes up beside her.

The older man looks at the envelope in Louis’ hand intently. “I’ll meet you around the side.”

"Oh, so you're a magician too? I'm impressed." Louis says as he lifts his coffee up to his lips. He offers the older man a nod before he steps outside.

"I guess I'll have to leave you with something else now." Louis smiles. He picks up the marker and taps his temple a couple of times as he casts a quick glance around the room in search of inspiration. Izzy's arm grabs his attention when he looks back at the barista. "I've got it."

Louis uncaps the maker and sketches a rose onto the napkin. He quickly assesses his work then decides to add a stylized signature in the bottom right corner. "I assumed you might be the flower type but unfortunately I didn't come prepared today." He smiles but then tilts his head to consider something. "Actually..." He recaps the marker and sets it down on the bar, then rolls up the napkin. Louis holds out an open hand and points at Izzy's with his eyes. Should she take it he'll place the rolled up napkin into her hand and close it around the napkin so that both the top and bottom of the paper remain visible.

"Watch closely." He says glancing at her eyes once more. He uses one hand to support hers while he waves his free hand over both in one fluid motion. A vibrant red rose now rests in her hand where the paper napkin once was. He waits for a reaction and locks eyes with her once more. Louis wraps both of his hands around hers the moment she looks away from the rose and speaks up. "It's not much but at least you won't have worry about watering it." He grins. If Izzy looks back at her hand she'll find the paper napkin in the roses stead.

"Alright, I probably shouldn't keep Scott waiting any longer. Thanks for everything, this was great." Louis finishes the final bite of his tart and washes it down with the last of his coffee as he gets up from the bar but opts to toss the cup into his duffle bag. "I'll see you tonight, Izzy." He leaves barista with a warm smile and small wave as he heads outside to meet Scott.

Louis finds Scott in the alley beside the coffee bar, waiting next to the fist sized crater in the brick. He’s studying the wall. As Louis comes up, he points at it. “You have any idea what could’ve caused this?”

Louis whistles at the sight. "Not a clue. Unless you know any superpowered kids in the neighborhood that play baseball?"

What is it with heroes and walls? He sighs inside.

"Here, this is for you." Louis hands over Sidney's letter. "I don't know what's written in it but... take all the time you need to read it. I'll try to answer any questions I can." He offers.

InTheMachine

2022-05-01, 08:27 PM

Roguewolf

2022-05-01, 09:37 PM

Kitchen
“I wish,” Drake says with a chuckle. “Too bad we’re working. The only one old enough to go out with me for beers is Ryker, and he doesn’t drink. Oh, and Seraph. But I feel like that would be weird. Unless John is? But I don’t think he’d be a big partier either. Guess I’ll just have to settle for a delicious cake.”

“Settle?” Sidney repeats, putting one hand on her hip. “The cake’s not done, you know. I could just… let it burn.”

Drake holds up his hands in surrendered. “No wonder Ryker likes you,” the South Sider says.

Keith smirks and laughs. "Eh I'll settle for busting some Crowns. Though I do hope it's not too eventful. I have no idea about John, and could see that feelin' weird with Seraph."

Keith's eyes widen as Sidney retorts to Drake. "For real." Keith chuckles at Drake as he grabs a glass of water. "Still, sorry ya gotta get dragged into this tonight man. Happy birthday, dude." Keith raises his glass a bit to Drake before taking a drink. Keith takes out his phone and starts typing up a text. He had considered sending it to just Kylie but, sending it in the group chat seemed less conspicuous and didn't feel like it was putting pressure on her.

Y'all make it back alright? Seriously, had a ton of fun with you guys today! I'm really happy we got to see each other. Should do it again real soon!

Keith tilts his head to the side a bit. "So Ryker doesn't drink?"

HIDA

2022-05-01, 10:00 PM

“Vampires being destroyed by sunlight has never been a thing,” John responds somewhat cooly. “It was a plot device invented for the film Nosferatu to let the writers compress the story they were stealing from the Stoker estate and try and make it different enough to avoid copyright law. They failed in that. In the novel, Count Dracula walks through the city streets of London without the least bit of discomfort during the daytime — although, unlike Raphael, his powers are limited when the sun is shining.

“Knowing that kind of thing is why I was sent here, Calvin — to help with demons and vampires and whatever else is roaming around this city right now. Sometimes, that means I cannot reveal everything I know because the time isn’t right or the pieces on the board haven’t moved into the right position or because I haven’t figured out things fast enough or because there are secrets I am not permitted to tell.

“Every one of us has a security clearance but none of us know what each other’s security clearance is. Some of our clearances are higher than others. They can’t tell us what we know that hasn’t been cleared for our level. Montcrieff had to not tell me any number of things for that reason and I can guarantee you that there are people in this room who know things they can’t tell you or me.

“And if it turns out there are things like that with Raphael, I will not be able to tell you. It comes with the territory. That doesn’t mean I am any less anxious for him or any less interested in tracking down Darkwatch and running them out of town.

“And no, my date with Emi — whether it was the one I had on the borders of my mind between the tick of a second or the one I will be having tomorrow — has nothing to do with Raphael’s fight. It began as an opportunity to ask her to help us with Sidney. And I trust you will forgive me if that encounter grew into something else and for a moment — just for a moment — I was just a kid from Providence sitting across the table from a lady more beautiful than he could imagine.

“But even then, that couldn’t last, could it? My past in London and my present here intruded and my otherworldly responsibilities intruded.”

John closed his eyes for a moment, getting himself back under control.

“Look, Calvin, we’ve all had a tough morning. Let’s just leave it at that before either of us say something that we don’t really mean. Yes, I know more than I am saying and no I cannot tell you what it is. This probably isn’t the last time that will happen. I am sorry about that but, as I said, it comes with the territory.

“I’m not going to say I am sorry about the date, though.”

He took another deep breath. “I’m going to grab a coffee milk and head to my room. I have a lot to do and I should change.”

"Yeah. glad your nanosecond date went well enough to nab you a second one and I'd love to be happier for you but there has to be a more appropriate time than now, don't you think? If you we're being preyed upon by fanatical cosplayers and we couldn't contact you, don't you think we should be exhausting all available resources to do that? Go plan for your date or whatever but I'm gonna do everything I can to get him back." Goldheart says walking into the kitchen and towards Keith.

"Keith. you were saying something about getting Darkwatch attention, How?"

mmdeforrest

2022-05-01, 10:12 PM

John was almost trembling as he entered his room. For all of his earlier outer calm, the conversation with Stella was emotionally draining and, with his nerves already under strain after his encounter with Emi — no matter how well that conversation had gone, the back and forth with the rest of the team had taken its toll even before Calvin had gotten in his face and, in the process, touched a nerve. He knew enough to not feel guilty about not seeking Raphael and he couldn’t get angry at Calvin for responding like he did, in the absence of knowing about Raphael’s vampirism.

“Mimi: When Seraph gets up, please let him know that I have briefed Stella about Raphael’s condition and shown her the location of his coffin, which reassured her. I have told the team she and I were able to determine that Raphael has gone to ground but we do not know any details. Calvin remains upset and is trying to develop a plan to find Raphael. End of message.

John leaned on his desk and took a deep breath. He knew what he was feeling was primarily an after effect of an adrenaline rush but that didn’t ease the feeling. For that, he would have to wait.

He set down the glass of coffee milk he had gotten in the kitchen while trying to stay out of the bakers way and transitioned out of his uniform into one of his Salve Regina tee shirts and dockers he felt appropriate for Lowes, once again casting the housekeeping spell that rendered the costume cleaned and pressed after hanging it on the valet.

He regarded the cloak for a moment, considering the spells he might be able to weave into it permanently. The ability to fly and to teleport instantly would be useful. Stepping over to his whiteboard, he made a quick note.

“Incoming video call from AEGIS: City of London, John,” Mimi reported quietly. “It is Agent Henrietta Montcrieff. Would you like to answer?”

John, somewhat surprised at the timing of the call, lowered the wall hanging that covered his notes, picked up his glass, and stood in front of the screen. “Thank you, Mimi. Please put her through.

Agent Montcrieff appeared on the screen, her office dark. Not that it needed to be — even if it was outside of normal business hours in London. She, like most agents, had made certain that the area behind her was devoid of anything that might hint at actionable information.

“Good evening, Montcrieff. To what do I owe the singular pleasure of a call from you?” While there was bantered in his tone, there wasn’t a hint of sarcasm. John was truly glad to speak to her.

“I called to check up on you, Kelley” Montcrieff replied seriously. “Today’s express requisition to AEGIS — with clearance to use your personal line of credit — is rather specialized and contains some items that are out of character for you: Eleven rebreathers; one standard issue AEGIS sidearm, in either ballistic or energy configuration, based on local availability, with associated ammunition and low profile shoulder holster; one miniature, concealable combat knife with wrist sheath; one pair of knuckledusters — either worked into a pair of leather gloves or separate, and 50 rounds of blessed ammunition for a 1911 Colt and, if appropriate, for your requisitioned sidearm.”

“How did you find out about this order, Montcrieff,” John asked carefully.

“While you have been assigned and relocated to Iron Station South on a consulting basis, you are still attached to City of London as well — and will be so long as the Homunculus remains at large. That means I get cc’ed on all of additions to your file and all requisitions.

“Don’t be too alarmed. This is a small enough requisition to not attract the attention of anyone who isn’t already looking,” she observed reassuringly, “but it leaps out to anyone who is keeping an eye on you.”

Montcrieff smiled knowingly. “My oversight privileges also means that I know that Q division has used my voiceprint in Clea. While I was initially somewhat put out, I do find it rather amusing in a way. Besides,” she added in a voice that hinted at a more than professional interest in his well being, “I like thought of my voice at least being there to keep an eye on you. You were a good partner and I would like to maintain that partnership — even if you are across the pond.”

“Which brings me to my point,” she continued, switching back to a more professional tone. “While I know you are likely not at liberty to discuss the situation, I wanted to, first, to make myself available should you wish to discuss the mission profile in general terms — advice on planning, threat assessment, that kind of thing. Second, I do feel compelled to point out that you are not certified on some of this equipment. I was, after all, there when you barely passed your sidearm certification. And while the 1911 ammunition is clearly for Sharpshooter, the standard issue sidearm does appear to be for you.

“Oh: Rome denied the request for the ammunition. It appears they or the Swiss Guard’s Special Services Division have something going down somewhere in the world and they are rationing their own stock. I took the liberty of resubmitting and asking for any available just before calling. Based on the time stamp associated with the order, this came in before the incident with your resident vampire and Darkwatch, so I suspect you’ve been too busy to check the requisition’s status.”

John glanced up sharply as she identified Nightgaunt.

“So I was right about him,” she observed smugly. “No need to confirm or deny, Kelley,” she continued. “I would need to report it if you did. We do need to work on your non-verbal tells, though. You may be a potent magician but you remain somewhat green relative to the cloak-and-dagger world you now occupy.

“Heaven help you,” she teased, “if you were find yourself trying to impress an attractive and observant woman.”

John was painfully aware that he instinctively looked slightly down and to the side before bringing his eyes back up to the screen as Montcrieff’s mention of an attractive woman.

An amused smile played about her lips as she let him hang for a moment. “So what’s her name, Kelley? Your flight attendant hasn’t been in town for a week, so it can’t be her.”

“I’m surprised you don’t already know, Montcrieff,” he replied, torn between feeling like a fly caught in a web and being excited to tell her the news. “You seem to be able to read my mind better than she can.”

Her eyebrows shot up. “Siren?” Montcrieff asked incredulously. “You managed to woo Siren while investigating a crime scene where one of your own teammates had gone missing in action?”

John shifted uncomfortably, thinking back to Calvin calling him out on that point. “I don’t know as I would call it wooing her. She had to pass us the image of Nightgaunt’s attacker to us and telepathic contact doesn’t pass at the same rate as the mundane world It was an opportunity to get to know one another.”

“Really?” Montcrieff asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “So if you weren’t wooing her, what were you doing?”

“Having high tea, believe it or not,” John admitted, trying to sidestep the question of wooing. “I’ve invited her over for the real thing tomorrow. She lived in London so developed a taste for it.” He frowned. “At least my memories of the Homunculus won’t keep trying to intrude in the mundane world.”

Gentleness returned to Montcrieff’s voice for a moment. “I’ll send you great-grandmama’s recipe for scones.” She leaned back in her chair. “You’ve been there less than a fortnight and you have fought raeksha, uncovered an artifact, helped a woman who had been mind controlled, and gotten a date with a woman so beautiful that the men of London City Station — especially Psi Division — recall her arrival to London with Eidolon four years ago.

“I’m not sure if I should be worried or impressed.”

John shook his head and took a sip of coffee milk. “I suspect the former rather than the latter, Montcrieff. There are some moments where I think I am only barely keeping my head above water. Things have been moving at a fever pitch here since I arrived and while I haven’t blown it yet, it feels like I keep coming closer and closer.” He let out a single, coughing laugh. “I think people see the magician and expect me to be as wise like a Merlyn or Gandalf and I haven’t even graduated from university.

John sighed. “Maybe I should start taking more philosophy courses.”

“You seem to be keeping up,” she reassured him. “Stay honest but don’t be too hard on yourself. You may be new at this but you have more potential than all but a handful of practitioners worldwide — and you have surpassed people who have decades of experience on you.

“And remember: I’m only a telecall away. But unless I misjudge you, you have extensive preparations to make before your 5 PM Iron Station time meeting — if your schedule is to be trusted. We can touch base again later — after you have tea with Siren — a meeting I am sure you made purely for business purposes. In the meantime, I will see what I can do about getting your order expedited — but no promises. Just make sure to remember which end of the gun is which.” She smiled. “Montcrieff out.”

John smiled back at the fading screen. “Kelley out — and thanks, Montcrieff.

“Mimi, please display photographs of Eidolon and Siren’s brother, along with his code name, — and with any publicity photos of the family as a whole — that are available at my security clearance level.

“A good looking family,” John observed. He would have to make an effort.

After making sure he would be able to recognize them, John thanked Mimi and asked her to clear the screen. He reached down, picked up his iPad Mini, and left for Lowes.

mmdeforrest

2022-05-01, 10:14 PM

Just make sure to remember which end of the gun is which.” She smiled. “Montcrieff out.”

Montcrieff force quit the telecall software to make certain Kelley could not still somehow be on the line before relaunching it. She next turned to his file, closing the report of his order from Lowes (One tasteful outdoor furniture set. At least he hadn’t gone overboard.) and re-examining the data it contained.

Unlike Dr. Pearson, she was not envious of Kelley’s powers and abilities (The man could at least have the decency to try and conceal it.). While she had learned one or two formulae to shield her location when necessary, she was far more interested in the knowledge of the field than she was in putting what she learned into practice.

There was no question that her former partner was developing quickly — perhaps too quickly. His power as a magician had outstripped his skill as an agent. Not that he was officially an agent but unlike those who thought they should somehow contain or control him, she wanted to see him develop. He would be able to partner with her mentee’s mentee’s mentee long after she was dead.

Agents come and go. AEGIS, however, would continue and Kelley would be a useful ally centuries hence.

She could, however, appreciate why he had alarmed so many people. He was a walking advertisement for synchronicity — right down to his name, John Kelley — the first name of one of his mentors and the second of the other — both physically long dead but still legends. It pointed to something. Unfortunately, her own theories could not be confirmed due to a lack of records. In between the burning of many records during the Irish Civil War and the devastation of the potato famine, records of his paternal line disappeared from history in the mid-1800s.

And then there was the Mirror. Everyone in the City of London Occult division had studied it. It was a standard after hours outing to the Museum. Several had even handled it. To one and all, it was an inert object — perhaps useful as a tool but no more useful than any other flat, glossy surface. The Division had been so confident in that assessment that they had not installed anything to monitor for events. And yet for Kelley, it had become a portal.

And if that weren’t enough, three days later he had stumbled across a working antique pocket watch with an obsidian mirror set within its case in the Portobello Road — just what he needed when he needed it.

She pulled up the recipe she had promised him and sent it. They had been partners for a remarkably short time but he had been the first one who felt like a real partner. Their personalities complimented each other, their skills meshed, and they cared for each other. Not in the way he appeared to care for Siren — although that could easily be just him being smitten in the way that Phillips still was, of course. But Montcrieff sill felt the connection to him.

She knew she was required to monitor him for professional reasons. The Homunculus was too significant a danger to not be able to get in touch with him, if necessary. Smiling to herself, she acknowledged that she wanted to — to stay in touch and make sure he did well.

He had her back in Windsor and later in Whitechapel — just like she had had his in Islington.

“Take good care of yourself, Kelley,” she said to the picture of him standing on the top of the Volta Memorial. Out of uniform, he almost looked like any other university student. She knew that he would never have that kind of life. She hoped that he would enjoy the one he would have.

mmdeforrest

2022-05-01, 10:16 PM

Once he saw the size of the boxes associated with his order, John rented a truck and got serious about the shopping. In addition to the patio set, he bought some planters, potting soil, five potted leland cypress, one dogwood, one Japanese flowering cherry tree (in honor of Yuki), a selection of flowering plants whose names he would need to read off the labels but that a friendly master gardener assured him would work well in this area, an outdoor rug, a mini-fridge, several extension cords, a one-burner gas grill, a charcoal grill (since Keith had mentioned wanting a grill), charcoal and a waterproof storage bin for it to go in, a discrete set of trash receptacles (garbage and recycling), a small solar powered composter, a wind chime, and an offset patio umbrella.

And one roll of scotch tape.

“I’ve got to be out of my mind,” he said as he pulled down the cargo door.

It wasn’t the cost, he thought as he turned on the truck and, following Montcrieff’s texted instructions, disconnected the power cable to the GPS tracker and bending the locking mechanism in a way that mimicked wear and tear so that there would be no record of exactly where he went and nothing that looked too suspicious. (“They’ll see the damage and tape it back together with electrical tape rather than investigate,” she had texted. “Just hope you never get one that one of us have already done that to. It’s a lot harder to cut a wire and make it look like an accident.”) It was that he was attempting to build an entire outdoor room in a manner that made it look like it had been there for more than 24 hours for a woman he had met only hours before.

It is true that she was stunningly beautiful, very intelligent, and his equal in terms of having her own power — a quality he was only now just appreciating. Running through that list alone made him feel like a giddy schoolboy. But it was also true that he was clearly going overboard and spending money hand over fist to make himself feel more in control of a life he no longer felt in control of.

Raphael had almost been destroyed within a few blocks of him, for Heaven’s sake.

Creating this space was something he could do and once it was done it would be done.

Baring his of someone else’s desire to shift some thing around, course.

He really hoped that Emi would like it.

“You’re being adorably pathetic, John,” his sister would have told him with a smile.

“Mimi: Can you open the garage door?”

The thought of Kate’s reaction calmed him a bit as he pulled in.

He glanced at his watch. It was 1:45.

There was no question he would have to cheat. Not that he had ever planned not to, but he was glad he had not intended to use the assembly process as a meditation to calm himself.

It took him fifteen minutes to unload the van and carry everything upstairs — even after the strongest members of the team — including, after Sidney’s suggestion, Ryker — pitched in to help. The hand truck that came with the rental and his experience from last summer working as a bar back helped them stay quiet and efficient and, most importantly, not damage anything in the process.

Once everything was upstairs, he used his pocket knife to open all of the boxes as Sidney, Stella, and Yuki looked over the plants, directing the others to place them and the garden rug into roughly the right places. The slight breeze felt good across the sweat on his back.

Making some easels out of the cardboard, he taped all the instructions to each of them. Smiling — and tempting fate, he quietly asked Mimi to play track eight from the Fantasia soundtrack. Glancing over at Stella, he winked as “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” started playing through the roof’s speakers.

Matter Control (4): Master +5, Requires Material -2 = 7
Spellcasting: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (https://orokos.com/roll/941224): 1d10o10 7

By the end of the nine minutes and nineteen seconds it took for Stokowski’s performance to complete, the various pieces of his projects had shifted about the roof and assembled and arranged themselves. Indeed, the image of a conductor presented itself forcefully to him when he had to turning the pages of the instructions from time to time.

Once done, he stepped back and surveyed his work. It was close enough to the image he had of the setting earlier to satisfy him — although now that he was finished, he thought another cypress or two would improve the screening.

Before releasing the spell, he piled the cardboard and papers into a stack for ease of transport then moved the last two items he had set aside into place — the propane tanks for the fire pit/coffee table and the one burner gas grill he wanted nearby to be able to boil a kettle. Then he did one last sweep of the setup to make sure that all of the labels and price tags had been removed.

“You may be nuts, John,” he muttered to himself, “but it does look good — even if there aren’t enough wear marks for it to look anything but brand new.”

It will be interesting to see if she is clever enough to notice and comfortable enough to call him out on it, John thought.

He looked back at everyone. “Nice team building exercise, don’t you think? Have I forgotten anything, since I am headed back to Lowes anyway?”

The drive back was quieter than he liked. He had no intention of plugging his phone into the truck’s system, where its contents might be downloaded. In some ways, the peace was good for him, letting his mind settle some more after the morning’s events.

“Hey, one thing,” he mentioned to the woman working customer service as he returned the truck. “The lights on the dashboard flickered when I first turned on the truck. I thought you should know, in case something is coming loose.”

“We’ll look into it,” she replied, glancing at the screen. “Yeah, there’s a message here to check the GPS. Good luck in getting all that assembled! I imagine it will take you the rest of the day.”

“It certainly is a big job,” John replied with a smile.

John noted it was 2:45 when he got back in the car. “I have done as you asked, John” Clea informed him. “You will need to go to three different stores to get all of the ingredients you have listed. In addition, your order from the florist is ready to be picked up. I am displaying the most efficient route now.”

Definitely nuts, John thought to himself as he shifted the car into gear.