[Masks] San Fransapporo: After Dark

[The_Specialist]

Tsunami
Conditions: Angry, Insecure
Potential: 2/5
Gadget: 0
Hold: 0

Spoiler: Labels

Show

• Freak: +1
• Danger: -1
• Savior: +2
• Superior: +3
• Mundane: -2

Spoiler: Moves

Show

• [X] Fireside Chat: When you seek advice from your mentor, roll + the Label they embody. On a hit they will tell you what to do. On a 10+, mark potential if you follow their advice, and take +1 ongoing to follow through. On a 7-9, you get +1 forward to see it through if you do it their way. On a miss, they don’t have time for you because something big has gone down; mark a condition, GM’s choice.
• [X]Be Mindful of Your Surroundings: When you assess the situation before entering into a fight, you may ask one additional question, even on a miss.
• [X]Venting Frustration: When you directly engage while you are Angry, you can roll + the label your mentor denies (Mundane) and clear Angry.
• [X]Fight the Good Fight: When you pull your punches while directly engaging a threat, you can roll + Savior instead of + Danger. If you do, you cannot choose to impress, surprise, or frighten your foe.
• [X]Before We Get Started: When you take the time to closely observe your opposition before a battle, roll + Savior. On a 10+, hold 3. On a 7-9, hold 2. On a miss, hold 1 and mark a condition. During battle, you can spend your hold 1 for 1 to name a character you observed and...:
  
  • ...redirect their attack to another character or nowhere—into a wall or the sky.
  • ...cross a distance between them and you.
  • ...disarm them.
  • ...ignore all harm to yourself from one of their attacks.
  • ...escape any bindings or restrictions they attempt to place on you.

Max’s brows furrow, but he’s not entirely surprised by the answer, nodding in resigned understanding. “Thank you for taking the risk on us.” Rising to his feet, he reaches out to clasp Hart’s hand, giving a firm, steady shake paired with an intent look of promise.

“Stay safe, too.”

Once Hart has gone, he takes the disk inside the base proper, eager to have it past another layer of security. For whatever that’s worth these days. As he deliberates whether to check it out immediately or not, he feels his phone buzz in his pocket. Blinking a little to find a message from Lanuola, he's a little relieved and a little concerned. His response arrives quickly enough.

<...Hi Lan. Not busy. I’m at the base. Do you need me somewhere?...>

[Comissar]

Sunburst
Conditions:
Potential: 3/5

Spoiler: Labels

Show

• Danger: -1
• Freak: +1
• Savior: +2
• Superior: +1
• Mundane: +0

Spoiler: Burn and Flares

Show

Held Burn

0

Shielding

You call up a fast protective field to stop a danger. Spend 1 burn to defend someone else from an immediate threat, rolling +Freak instead of +Saviour.

Moat

Spend 1 burn to create a barrier that will hold back threats as long as you keep your attention on it. The GM may call for you to spend another burn if the barrier is threatened by particularly powerful enemies.

Reality Storm

You channel a destructive burst with your powers. Spend 1 burn to directly engage a threat using your powers, rolling +Freak instead of +Danger. If you do, you will cause unwanted collateral damage unless you spend another burn.

Snatch

Spend 1 burn to use your powers to seize any one object up to the size of a person from someone within view.

Move

Spend 1 Burn to move to any place you choose within the scene, breaking through or slipping past any restraints in your way. Spend a second burn to move to any place you've previously been.

Overcharge

You channel the full capacity of your incredible powers to overcome an obstacle, reshape your environment, or extend your senses. Spend 2 burn to take a 10+ when you unleash your powers.

Elemental Awareness

Spend 1 Burn and Mark a Condition to open up your mind to the world around you with your powers. You can ask any one question about the world around you and the GM will answer honestly.

Moves

Wish I could be - When you comfort or support someone, if you tell them what you most envy about them, you can roll +Freak instead of +Mundane.

Unstoppable - When you smash your way through scenery to get to or get away from something, roll +Danger. On a hit, the world breaks before you, and you get what you want. On a 7-9, choose one: mark a condition, leave something behind, or take something with you. On a miss, you smash through, but leave devestation in your wake or wind up somewhere worse, GM's choice.

Not urgently, just wanted to have a catch up if you're free for it. Meet at Sakura Park?

Opting to keep her phone out and in her hand ready for any return texts, Lanuola turned and started to make her way through the city and toward the park. She finds herself meandering down to sit at the Koi pond. With a frown she looks down to the takeout food she'd brought with her. "... What do Koi eat..? Would grilled food make them sick..?"

Deciding not to chance upsetting the well-being of the fish, Lanuola instead seats herself on one of the available benches and contents herself with people watching while she waits for Max.

[DreadPirateH]

Silk
Conditions: Angry
Potential: 4/5
Hold: 1

Spoiler: Labels

Show

• Freak: +1
• Danger: +3
• Savior: -1
• Superior: +2
• Mundane: -2

Spoiler: Moves

Show

• [X] Devil or Angel on My Shoulder: When you provoke a teammate to violent action or drastic measures as your Hero Persona, roll + Danger. When you discourage a teammate from going overboard or making an action they can’t take back as your Alias Persona, roll + Superior.
• [X]Been Reading the Files: You’ve learned about the superhuman world through your mentor’s resources. When you first encounter an important superpowered phenomenon (your call), roll + Superior. On a hit, tell the team one important detail you’ve learned from your studies. The GM will tell you what, if anything, seems different from what you remember. On a 10+, ask the GM a follow-up question; they will answer it honestly. On a miss, the situation is well outside your base of knowledge; the GM will tell you why.
• [X]Company Man: When you’re confronted by someone from your past, roll + Danger. On a miss, their presence is upsetting and you must either flee the scene or fall back to your training and comply with their wishes. On a 7-9, you’re shaken. Take -1 against them for the duration of the scene but clear their Influence over you if they have it. On a 10+, clear their Influence and mark Potential or clear a Condition.
• [X]There Will Be Blood: When you scathingly Reject the Influence of a Hero, you may choose to inflict a Condition as if they’d been hit hard even on a miss.
• [X]Aces High: When you enter a dangerous situation with no plan or trick up your sleeve roll + Danger. On a miss you’re truly woefully unprepared. Expect the worst. On a hit, the tools of success are near to hand. Some assembly may be required, the GM will fill in the details. On a 10+, take +1 forward to see yourself through.

Spoiler: Risk and Reward

Show

You’ve been on your own long enough and taken one too many gambles to learn a thing or two. How to repair your gear and stretch resources. How to watch your back when no one else will and how to watch other people’s backs when they think you’re not. Someone’s watching your back too
however, Luck itself. However you conceptualize this being, it’s got you in its pocket. That isn’t always in your favor.

When you begin play you have Influence over Luck and it has Influence over you. The GM acts as Luck’s agent when shifting Labels or using Luck’s Influence on you. Luck cannot lose Influence over you.

Risk/Reward: As long as you have Luck, you may gain 1 Hold per scene to a maximum of 2 and begin your first scene in the first session with 2 Hold. You may spend Hold at any time to reroll a Move. You must take the result of the second roll, even on a miss.

If you should go to 0 Hold at any time, lose Influence over Luck and shift Superior down and another Label up, your choice. You may mark a Condition to regain Influence over Luck. When you regain Influence over Luck, gain 2 Hold.

Ante Up: When you would Reject the Influence of Luck, Ante Up instead. You and Luck’s Agent will roll opposing 2d6. The higher of the two rolls win. If the Player wins, clear a Condition or gain Potential. If Luck’s Agent wins, lose Influence over Luck and mark a Condition.

Fortune Favors: When Luck would gain Influence over another Player, they Hold 1 and may spend it to reroll a move. They must take the second roll, even on a miss. When another Player would gain Influence over Luck, add a Team to the Pool.

The panels smash cut to Hikari and Xiua, mid-conversation, sitting on the roof deck of a touring bus winding its way through the East Ward. "I'm going to challenge them." A speech bubble filled with chatter from the tour guide intrudes from off-panel, covering up whatever Xiua might be saying. "It's like I told my last husband. I says 'Honey, I never drive faster than I can see. And besides, it's all in the reflexes." Hikari peers out through her sunglasses at two crashed vehicles on the side of the road, pointedly ignoring Xiua's flabbergasted expression. "Unless you've got any better ideas for how we can get them on side, yeah. Are you going to help me or not?"

The tour guide's speech bubbles continue to intrude over Xiua. "You should listen to the ol' East Ward Express and save her advice for some dark and stormy night, alright? When some wild-eyed eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against a bar-room wall and looks you crooked in the eye and he asks if you've paid your dues?"

"Of course I'm not expecting you to fight any of them," she groans. "But I could use your help gathering intel. Sizing them up, plan out how to handle them. If I'm lucky, I might be able to get through as many as half of them before the rest figure out what's going on."

"You just stare that big sucker back in the eye and you remember what ol' Marge Packard always says at a time like that. 'Have you paid your dues, Marge?' Yes sir, the check is in the mail."

She pulls out a paper tour map of the East Ward and a pen. One area, a sight along the tour route, is circled. "First thing is, I need to know where they are. Which is why we're on this tour. I already know about Ho-o in Iwa Village. What about the others?"

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Birthday Potential brings me to 4/5.

[Captain Jak]

Ronin
Conditions:
Potential: 3/5
Gadget: 1

Spoiler: Labels

Show

• Freak: +0
• Danger: +1
• Savior: +2
• Superior: +1
• Mundane: -1

Spoiler: Moves

Show

• [X] I'll Show Them: When you defend someone who doesn’t believe in you, you can always take Influence over them, even on a miss.
• [X]All The Best Stuff: You’ve compiled access to caches of equipment and weaponry other supers have hidden in the city. When you access a cache, say whose cache it is. If it’s a hero’s, roll + Savior. If it’s a villain’s, roll + Danger. On a hit, you find a tool or intel useful to your situation; the GM will detail. On a 7-9, you leave evidence that you’ve been here. On a miss, you tripped an alarm and they’re coming; prepare to explain yourself.
• [X]White lies: When you comfort or support someone by telling them lies they want to hear, roll + Savior instead of + Mundane. On any hit, if they open up to you, take Influence over them.
• [X] Always Prepared: When you have a chance to restock your supplies, hold up to 2-gadgets. When you unleash your powers by producing a brand new minor invention or gadget from your supply, spend 1-gadget and roll + Superior. When you reach 0-gadgets, mark a condition.
• [X] Damage: You get an additional condition called Damaged. While marked, take +1 to take a powerful blow. To clear the Damaged condition, you need time, external help, or special equipment or abilities.
• [X] Aim for the Moon, Land Among the Stars: When a plan you devise fails and you try to correct your mistake, roll + Superior. On a miss there’s no salvaging the situation, expect harsh retribution or one of your teammates has been placed in the line of fire, GM’s choice. On a hit you’ve pulled an iron out of the fire, gain an Opportunity. On a 10+, add a Team to the Pool.

Miho isn’t about to waste any time in beginning her ‘practical testing’. While she might prefer to do an actually proper job with a spectrograph or a tunneling electron microscope, there is something to be said in present circumstances to just hitting things and seeing which of two points of contact fails first.

Before she begins, however, she makes sure she’s using all of her tools at hand. Retrieving the tablet she’s brought along from the outset, she swipes through and activates one rather specific custom app. The tablet abruptly splits along numerous hitherto invisible seams, reconfiguring itself as it folds about her hand until it is a sleek gauntlet. Lacking the sheer power of her full armoured suit, of course, it nonetheless provides a boost in grip strength and wrist support.

Which she immediately puts to use by embarking on a series of stress tests with the sword against the amassed weapons and armours of the Armoury, taking note of anything that seemed to be particularly resistant to her testing methods.

Spoiler: CRUNCH

Show

Always Prepared: Unleash: 8

[The_Specialist]

Tsunami
Conditions: Angry, Insecure
Potential: 2/5
Gadget: 0
Hold: 0

Spoiler: Labels

Show

• Freak: +1
• Danger: -1
• Savior: +2
• Superior: +3
• Mundane: -2

Spoiler: Moves

Show

• [X] Fireside Chat: When you seek advice from your mentor, roll + the Label they embody. On a hit they will tell you what to do. On a 10+, mark potential if you follow their advice, and take +1 ongoing to follow through. On a 7-9, you get +1 forward to see it through if you do it their way. On a miss, they don’t have time for you because something big has gone down; mark a condition, GM’s choice.
• [X]Be Mindful of Your Surroundings: When you assess the situation before entering into a fight, you may ask one additional question, even on a miss.
• [X]Venting Frustration: When you directly engage while you are Angry, you can roll + the label your mentor denies (Mundane) and clear Angry.
• [X]Fight the Good Fight: When you pull your punches while directly engaging a threat, you can roll + Savior instead of + Danger. If you do, you cannot choose to impress, surprise, or frighten your foe.
• [X]Before We Get Started: When you take the time to closely observe your opposition before a battle, roll + Savior. On a 10+, hold 3. On a 7-9, hold 2. On a miss, hold 1 and mark a condition. During battle, you can spend your hold 1 for 1 to name a character you observed and...:
  
  • ...redirect their attack to another character or nowhere—into a wall or the sky.
  • ...cross a distance between them and you.
  • ...disarm them.
  • ...ignore all harm to yourself from one of their attacks.
  • ...escape any bindings or restrictions they attempt to place on you.

<...I’ll meet you there...>

Stuffing his phone in his pocket, Max casts a glance back at the newly acquired disk for a moment. Taking a brief glance over the security cameras just to make sure there’s nothing of note, he slips out of the base again, making his way to the park.

It’s not overly long before he shows up at the park, choosing to try and find Sunny manually rather than texting again, and thankfully he manages to stumble upon her at the Koi pond.

“Hey, Lan, ” He greets her softly, moving over to where she sits, and aiming to sit on the same bench unless she stands first. “How are things? ” As usual his manner and tone tends to come off a little serious even with casual wording, but there is genuine care in his gaze.

[Razade]

Pool: 1


Silk and Tumult: Sight Seeing

"Gonna need a bigger map." Tumult mutters as he pulls a pen out of his bags, placing a few circles in and around the Eastern District map he's presented with. "Aside from the ones not in this area, you've got Exeter here", Tumult places a circle near the edge of the district. "who runs a school of their own. Might be best to keep them for later. His shop is in spitting distance of The Moon Blade. Pretty much the same circle."

He grows quiet as the tour guide motions to the other side of the bus, a looming cemetery stretching off into the city. "And you'll find the Heron there." he finally speaks up again as the mood in the bus picks up, circling where they are on the map. "You might like them, former Weather Report if they're to be trusted. Din and The Weaver don't seem to have much of a fixed location. They'll probably find you before you find them. That leaves the Palm Top Tiger at the Pavilion. The Red Scabbard on the Riverfront, and the Fisher on the Bay. Bus tour ends at the Pavilion...might start there?"

Ronin, The Master Armorer: The Armory

By all appearances, everything the sword hits doesn't slow it down much. The blade is as sharp as sharp can be and while it certainly takes a good amount of force to cleave through increasingly large or durable things, it does so with the right amount of gumption and effort. The breakfest however is interrupted by a clear throat clearing cough from down one of the many hallways that Ronin has found themselves down, the promised Armorer making their appearance at last with a full page spread, the battle armored figure standing amidst the rubble and carnage. They too are armed with a slab of a sword, wasting little time as they set about a large arcing swing, a blast of energy racing across the floor towards Ronin.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

You know the drill. Condition or temporarily unstable for the 8 on unleash

[Comissar]

Sunburst
Conditions:
Potential: 3/5

Spoiler: Labels

Show

• Danger: -1
• Freak: +1
• Savior: +2
• Superior: +1
• Mundane: +0

Spoiler: Burn and Flares

Show

Held Burn

0

Shielding

You call up a fast protective field to stop a danger. Spend 1 burn to defend someone else from an immediate threat, rolling +Freak instead of +Saviour.

Moat

Spend 1 burn to create a barrier that will hold back threats as long as you keep your attention on it. The GM may call for you to spend another burn if the barrier is threatened by particularly powerful enemies.

Reality Storm

You channel a destructive burst with your powers. Spend 1 burn to directly engage a threat using your powers, rolling +Freak instead of +Danger. If you do, you will cause unwanted collateral damage unless you spend another burn.

Snatch

Spend 1 burn to use your powers to seize any one object up to the size of a person from someone within view.

Move

Spend 1 Burn to move to any place you choose within the scene, breaking through or slipping past any restraints in your way. Spend a second burn to move to any place you've previously been.

Overcharge

You channel the full capacity of your incredible powers to overcome an obstacle, reshape your environment, or extend your senses. Spend 2 burn to take a 10+ when you unleash your powers.

Elemental Awareness

Spend 1 Burn and Mark a Condition to open up your mind to the world around you with your powers. You can ask any one question about the world around you and the GM will answer honestly.

Moves

Wish I could be - When you comfort or support someone, if you tell them what you most envy about them, you can roll +Freak instead of +Mundane.

Unstoppable - When you smash your way through scenery to get to or get away from something, roll +Danger. On a hit, the world breaks before you, and you get what you want. On a 7-9, choose one: mark a condition, leave something behind, or take something with you. On a miss, you smash through, but leave devestation in your wake or wind up somewhere worse, GM's choice.

Lanuola glances up from the pond, breaking into a smile as she sees Max join her. "Hey." She shuffles along on the bench, ensuring there's plenty of space for her teammate to join her, "I'm, uh, I'm alright. I, uh..." A spike of uncertainty causes her skin to briefly ripple with light, "I... Actually just, uh, just got back from, uh, f-from talking with Vega..?"

She pauses, a hesitant look on her face as she watches for any kind of reaction from Max.

[The_Specialist]

Tsunami
Conditions: Angry, Insecure
Potential: 2/5
Gadget: 0
Hold: 0

Spoiler: Labels

Show

• Freak: +1
• Danger: -1
• Savior: +2
• Superior: +3
• Mundane: -2

Spoiler: Moves

Show

• [X] Fireside Chat: When you seek advice from your mentor, roll + the Label they embody. On a hit they will tell you what to do. On a 10+, mark potential if you follow their advice, and take +1 ongoing to follow through. On a 7-9, you get +1 forward to see it through if you do it their way. On a miss, they don’t have time for you because something big has gone down; mark a condition, GM’s choice.
• [X]Be Mindful of Your Surroundings: When you assess the situation before entering into a fight, you may ask one additional question, even on a miss.
• [X]Venting Frustration: When you directly engage while you are Angry, you can roll + the label your mentor denies (Mundane) and clear Angry.
• [X]Fight the Good Fight: When you pull your punches while directly engaging a threat, you can roll + Savior instead of + Danger. If you do, you cannot choose to impress, surprise, or frighten your foe.
• [X]Before We Get Started: When you take the time to closely observe your opposition before a battle, roll + Savior. On a 10+, hold 3. On a 7-9, hold 2. On a miss, hold 1 and mark a condition. During battle, you can spend your hold 1 for 1 to name a character you observed and...:
  
  • ...redirect their attack to another character or nowhere—into a wall or the sky.
  • ...cross a distance between them and you.
  • ...disarm them.
  • ...ignore all harm to yourself from one of their attacks.
  • ...escape any bindings or restrictions they attempt to place on you.

Max offers a hint of a smile in response, taking the offered space to sit beside her on the bench, hands tucking in the pockets of his bomber jacket. Nodding a little at her initial answer, he seems to notice the momentary flicker of light across her skin as well, his gaze growing a little curious, concerned rather than accusatory.

His hazel eyes blink once as he processes what she’s just said, thick brows knitting together slightly. Talking with Vega...? Well, at least she’s alive. He’s not thrilled with the idea of Lan speaking with someone who tried to assassinate them, but he is genuinely glad that Vega lived, and is able to speak. Even if she was an overly pink annoyance.

“You’re on speaking terms?” He asks first. Sure, his initial reflex is to bristle and warn her to stay away, but things have become so much more complicated the more they continue on this path. He’s not exactly free of sin himself, either... given what happened with Tumult.

His tone is genuinely curious, even if obviously a little cautious. He’s not sure who initiated the contact at this point, but the idea that either of the ladies would want to talk to each other after what happened does catch him by surprise.

“She didn’t try anything, did she? You’re alright?” He asks quickly second, eyes a little narrow in obvious distrust that isn’t directed at Sunburst despite his gaze focusing on her. “What did she want?”

[Captain Jak]

Ronin
Conditions:
Potential: 3/5
Gadget: 1

Spoiler: Labels

Show

• Freak: +0
• Danger: +1
• Savior: +2
• Superior: +1
• Mundane: -1

Spoiler: Moves

Show

• [X] I'll Show Them: When you defend someone who doesn’t believe in you, you can always take Influence over them, even on a miss.
• [X]All The Best Stuff: You’ve compiled access to caches of equipment and weaponry other supers have hidden in the city. When you access a cache, say whose cache it is. If it’s a hero’s, roll + Savior. If it’s a villain’s, roll + Danger. On a hit, you find a tool or intel useful to your situation; the GM will detail. On a 7-9, you leave evidence that you’ve been here. On a miss, you tripped an alarm and they’re coming; prepare to explain yourself.
• [X]White lies: When you comfort or support someone by telling them lies they want to hear, roll + Savior instead of + Mundane. On any hit, if they open up to you, take Influence over them.
• [X] Always Prepared: When you have a chance to restock your supplies, hold up to 2-gadgets. When you unleash your powers by producing a brand new minor invention or gadget from your supply, spend 1-gadget and roll + Superior. When you reach 0-gadgets, mark a condition.
• [X] Damage: You get an additional condition called Damaged. While marked, take +1 to take a powerful blow. To clear the Damaged condition, you need time, external help, or special equipment or abilities.
• [X] Aim for the Moon, Land Among the Stars: When a plan you devise fails and you try to correct your mistake, roll + Superior. On a miss there’s no salvaging the situation, expect harsh retribution or one of your teammates has been placed in the line of fire, GM’s choice. On a hit you’ve pulled an iron out of the fire, gain an Opportunity. On a 10+, add a Team to the Pool.

The reaction from the Master Armourer is, perhaps, not that much of a surprise, all things considered. Miho ducks behind a bulky suit of armour to shelter from the oncoming rush of energy, with mixed results.

”I would appreciate if you didn’t do that,” she calls out, wincing from the painful exposure to the assault. ”The Warlord’s wishes are that I test the efficacy of his new sword, and that is precisely what I am doing.”

She has small enough hope that the Armourer will stand down in the face of this, but then again, she also has small enough hope that she can stand against him without her armour, so she has little to lose by making the attempt!

[Comissar]

Sunburst
Conditions:
Potential: 3/5

Spoiler: Labels

Show

• Danger: -1
• Freak: +1
• Savior: +2
• Superior: +1
• Mundane: +0

Spoiler: Burn and Flares

Show

Held Burn

0

Shielding

You call up a fast protective field to stop a danger. Spend 1 burn to defend someone else from an immediate threat, rolling +Freak instead of +Saviour.

Moat

Spend 1 burn to create a barrier that will hold back threats as long as you keep your attention on it. The GM may call for you to spend another burn if the barrier is threatened by particularly powerful enemies.

Reality Storm

You channel a destructive burst with your powers. Spend 1 burn to directly engage a threat using your powers, rolling +Freak instead of +Danger. If you do, you will cause unwanted collateral damage unless you spend another burn.

Snatch

Spend 1 burn to use your powers to seize any one object up to the size of a person from someone within view.

Move

Spend 1 Burn to move to any place you choose within the scene, breaking through or slipping past any restraints in your way. Spend a second burn to move to any place you've previously been.

Overcharge

You channel the full capacity of your incredible powers to overcome an obstacle, reshape your environment, or extend your senses. Spend 2 burn to take a 10+ when you unleash your powers.

Elemental Awareness

Spend 1 Burn and Mark a Condition to open up your mind to the world around you with your powers. You can ask any one question about the world around you and the GM will answer honestly.

Moves

Wish I could be - When you comfort or support someone, if you tell them what you most envy about them, you can roll +Freak instead of +Mundane.

Unstoppable - When you smash your way through scenery to get to or get away from something, roll +Danger. On a hit, the world breaks before you, and you get what you want. On a 7-9, choose one: mark a condition, leave something behind, or take something with you. On a miss, you smash through, but leave devestation in your wake or wind up somewhere worse, GM's choice.

Lanuola opts to answer Max's first question first. "Kiiiinda..?" Her expression is awkward, like she's been caught doing something she shouldn't have. She rubs at the back of her neck, not quite able to meet Max's eyes, "I actually, uh, actually asked to meet with her."

With the admission out of the way, Lanuola let out a breath and composed herself before continuing, "She, uh, she didn't try anything. We just talked. At, uh, at Samuyaki." She lifts her leftovers a little as emphasis, "I... Wanted to talk with her about, uh, about what happened at HexXxen. Umm. And, uh, and before that." Lanuola's cheeks glow a little in embarrassment, "In, uh, in short I was having a, uh, a hard time figuring out why she attacked me, uh, us, even though I saved her. But, uh, but she also said that now she was on our side..? And that the guy who shot at me was as well..?" She gives Max a questioning look, "She, uh, she seemed to think you already knew that, too, but, uh, but I couldn't work out why?"

[The_Specialist]

Tsunami
Conditions: Angry, Insecure
Potential: 2/5
Gadget: 0
Hold: 0

Spoiler: Labels

Show

• Freak: +1
• Danger: -1
• Savior: +2
• Superior: +3
• Mundane: -2

Spoiler: Moves

Show

• [X] Fireside Chat: When you seek advice from your mentor, roll + the Label they embody. On a hit they will tell you what to do. On a 10+, mark potential if you follow their advice, and take +1 ongoing to follow through. On a 7-9, you get +1 forward to see it through if you do it their way. On a miss, they don’t have time for you because something big has gone down; mark a condition, GM’s choice.
• [X]Be Mindful of Your Surroundings: When you assess the situation before entering into a fight, you may ask one additional question, even on a miss.
• [X]Venting Frustration: When you directly engage while you are Angry, you can roll + the label your mentor denies (Mundane) and clear Angry.
• [X]Fight the Good Fight: When you pull your punches while directly engaging a threat, you can roll + Savior instead of + Danger. If you do, you cannot choose to impress, surprise, or frighten your foe.
• [X]Before We Get Started: When you take the time to closely observe your opposition before a battle, roll + Savior. On a 10+, hold 3. On a 7-9, hold 2. On a miss, hold 1 and mark a condition. During battle, you can spend your hold 1 for 1 to name a character you observed and...:
  
  • ...redirect their attack to another character or nowhere—into a wall or the sky.
  • ...cross a distance between them and you.
  • ...disarm them.
  • ...ignore all harm to yourself from one of their attacks.
  • ...escape any bindings or restrictions they attempt to place on you.

Max awaits Lan’s explanation with clear concern but also interest, refraining from doubling down or any such thing even as she hesitates almost guiltily. Blinking once as his team mate admits to having initiated the contact, he tilts his head questioningly, the same look of restrained surprise and worry lingering.

Seeming to take some relief in the fact that Lyra didn’t try anything, his acknowledging nod comes off a touch uncertain still. He can’t help worrying at the idea of Lan contacting someone who is clearly strictly an ‘enemy’ in his mind, although his limited interaction with Lyra has only been antagonistic. Still, he gives her time to finish her piece, though his expression grows further doubtful at the idea of Lyra being ‘on their side’ now.

“That seems…” He trails off rather quickly when she mentions the guy who shot at her, and there's the tiniest flash of what might almost be panic in his face as he realizes he never apologized or explained to her. Except that Max rarely reveals fear. The memory of that horrific moment replays in his head, though. It had been just a heartbeat of a moment but it felt frozen in time. He can feel his cheeks grow hot with a mix of shame and embarrassment, and his gaze drops briefly as the touch of red grows visible in his face while he takes a moment to wrestle with answering Sunburst’s questions.


He recalls the Stranger he had met in jail, a flash of the card being passed over to him briefly playing in his mind. The sign of the White Wolf had been emblazoned on it. He’d taken it as a silent clue that Tumult would be broken out. Had Lyra been taken in by the Wolf too then…? Not someone he'd traditionally call an ally, but given the 'totally not information' the Stranger had given him, it seems times are changing.

"Oh..." He murmurs after a bit of a pause, with the clear tone of someone who has just come to a revelation. "Yes, I... suppose I have a guess."

He doesn't elaborate, however. Instead, clearing his throat, he tries to look back to Lan, his expression now visibly apologetic, and troubled.

“That... 'guy'… He goes by Tumult,” He explains first. Easy information to get through. The rest, less so. “He’s… He was… my best friend. My only friend, when I first arrived in this city. And… maybe would be something more than a friend, if things were different,” He confesses; saying it out loud for the first time makes his cheeks burn hotter, and his gaze briefly falls away before he forces himself to make eye contact again. Swallowing, he can’t help feeling a mix of frustration and shame still for the situation as a whole however, and takes his time to speak carefully.

“I owe him a lot. My life, even. I didn’t know… who he was associated with though, in the beginning. I’ve tried to convince him so many times to… leave that dark path behind. To join us.. But…” Trailing off, his lips draw back in a brief grimace before he looks down again, his expression far more open than usual, a rare revealing of vulnerability. He looks so lost, and confused.

“None of that excuses... what happened. I don’t know how it all went so wrong. And I don’t know what I can say… I...” He shakes his head a little, taking in a breath to gather resolve as he looks back to Lan with a mix of more of his usual determination, and still apology. His tone is earnest, if a little intense. “I am so sorry that I let my personal life reach a point that it put you in danger.”

[Comissar]

Sunburst
Conditions:
Potential: 3/5

Spoiler: Labels

Show

• Danger: -1
• Freak: +1
• Savior: +2
• Superior: +1
• Mundane: +0

Spoiler: Burn and Flares

Show

Held Burn

0

Shielding

You call up a fast protective field to stop a danger. Spend 1 burn to defend someone else from an immediate threat, rolling +Freak instead of +Saviour.

Moat

Spend 1 burn to create a barrier that will hold back threats as long as you keep your attention on it. The GM may call for you to spend another burn if the barrier is threatened by particularly powerful enemies.

Reality Storm

You channel a destructive burst with your powers. Spend 1 burn to directly engage a threat using your powers, rolling +Freak instead of +Danger. If you do, you will cause unwanted collateral damage unless you spend another burn.

Snatch

Spend 1 burn to use your powers to seize any one object up to the size of a person from someone within view.

Move

Spend 1 Burn to move to any place you choose within the scene, breaking through or slipping past any restraints in your way. Spend a second burn to move to any place you've previously been.

Overcharge

You channel the full capacity of your incredible powers to overcome an obstacle, reshape your environment, or extend your senses. Spend 2 burn to take a 10+ when you unleash your powers.

Elemental Awareness

Spend 1 Burn and Mark a Condition to open up your mind to the world around you with your powers. You can ask any one question about the world around you and the GM will answer honestly.

Moves

Wish I could be - When you comfort or support someone, if you tell them what you most envy about them, you can roll +Freak instead of +Mundane.

Unstoppable - When you smash your way through scenery to get to or get away from something, roll +Danger. On a hit, the world breaks before you, and you get what you want. On a 7-9, choose one: mark a condition, leave something behind, or take something with you. On a miss, you smash through, but leave devestation in your wake or wind up somewhere worse, GM's choice.

Lanuola rubs at her forehead as Max explains who Tumult is, flashes of light rippling across her skin briefly as he admits to knowing the shooter very well. "He... Max, he tried to kill me." There's little emotion in Lanuola's voice, instead she sounds almost like she's just commenting on the weather, "... When I asked Vega why she attacked us after, uh, after I saved her back at the hostage situation... She said it was, uh, it was to do with what Hikari did. She thought we were responsible too..."

She lets out a soft breath, pinching at the brow of her nose, "Sorry... I... It's been a lot to process." She sags, folding inward as she pulls one of her feet up onto the bench, hugging her knee to her chest. "I miss Cindy... It just... All seemed simpler when she was here, Max. There's so much happening, a-and it all feels so heavy. She just... She just made things feel brighter..."

She shakes her head, blue-tipped hair obscuring her face as it fell down. "... Ugh..." Lanuola lifts her head back up, looking over to Max with an apologetic expression, "I, uh, I'm sorry about Tumult. It's, uh, it's rough when things go wrong."

[DreadPirateH]

Silk
Conditions: Angry
Potential: 4/5
Hold: 1

Spoiler: Labels

Show

• Freak: +1
• Danger: +3
• Savior: -1
• Superior: +2
• Mundane: -2

Spoiler: Moves

Show

• [X] Devil or Angel on My Shoulder: When you provoke a teammate to violent action or drastic measures as your Hero Persona, roll + Danger. When you discourage a teammate from going overboard or making an action they can’t take back as your Alias Persona, roll + Superior.
• [X]Been Reading the Files: You’ve learned about the superhuman world through your mentor’s resources. When you first encounter an important superpowered phenomenon (your call), roll + Superior. On a hit, tell the team one important detail you’ve learned from your studies. The GM will tell you what, if anything, seems different from what you remember. On a 10+, ask the GM a follow-up question; they will answer it honestly. On a miss, the situation is well outside your base of knowledge; the GM will tell you why.
• [X]Company Man: When you’re confronted by someone from your past, roll + Danger. On a miss, their presence is upsetting and you must either flee the scene or fall back to your training and comply with their wishes. On a 7-9, you’re shaken. Take -1 against them for the duration of the scene but clear their Influence over you if they have it. On a 10+, clear their Influence and mark Potential or clear a Condition.
• [X]There Will Be Blood: When you scathingly Reject the Influence of a Hero, you may choose to inflict a Condition as if they’d been hit hard even on a miss.
• [X]Aces High: When you enter a dangerous situation with no plan or trick up your sleeve roll + Danger. On a miss you’re truly woefully unprepared. Expect the worst. On a hit, the tools of success are near to hand. Some assembly may be required, the GM will fill in the details. On a 10+, take +1 forward to see yourself through.

Spoiler: Risk and Reward

Show

You’ve been on your own long enough and taken one too many gambles to learn a thing or two. How to repair your gear and stretch resources. How to watch your back when no one else will and how to watch other people’s backs when they think you’re not. Someone’s watching your back too
however, Luck itself. However you conceptualize this being, it’s got you in its pocket. That isn’t always in your favor.

When you begin play you have Influence over Luck and it has Influence over you. The GM acts as Luck’s agent when shifting Labels or using Luck’s Influence on you. Luck cannot lose Influence over you.

Risk/Reward: As long as you have Luck, you may gain 1 Hold per scene to a maximum of 2 and begin your first scene in the first session with 2 Hold. You may spend Hold at any time to reroll a Move. You must take the result of the second roll, even on a miss.

If you should go to 0 Hold at any time, lose Influence over Luck and shift Superior down and another Label up, your choice. You may mark a Condition to regain Influence over Luck. When you regain Influence over Luck, gain 2 Hold.

Ante Up: When you would Reject the Influence of Luck, Ante Up instead. You and Luck’s Agent will roll opposing 2d6. The higher of the two rolls win. If the Player wins, clear a Condition or gain Potential. If Luck’s Agent wins, lose Influence over Luck and mark a Condition.

Fortune Favors: When Luck would gain Influence over another Player, they Hold 1 and may spend it to reroll a move. They must take the second roll, even on a miss. When another Player would gain Influence over Luck, add a Team to the Pool.

With perfect timing, the panels return to the bus, where everything is as complicated as it can be. Landscape panels show off the sights around the East Ward as they travel through them, with the tour guide narrating intermittently. First they pass the San Fransapporo's Heroes Memorial, a graveyard with identical swords as headstones spreading out in all directions with eerie symmetry. Perhaps an overly dramatic haunt for the Heron, but with so many stories laid to rest on that knoll, there was no doubt a personal reason for it. Then past the Spanish mission and into Mission Hills, and the open air on top of the tour bus is filled with the smell of roasted corn, hot tamales, and the sound of the bustling crowd at the Fiesta Mall. "The early days of San Fransapporo weren't as peaceful as some people like to imagine. Off to your left is Plaza del Oro, where Toreador made his final stand against Ebon Hawk. The old boy really gave 'em what for, but you can't win 'em all, eh folks? But what are ya gonna do? Life goes on, or at least that's what my divorce attorney always used to tell me."

As the bus winds its way through the foothills, one site of historical note after another appears to have become just another development plot in San Fransapporo's suburban expansion. Manicured lawns, white picket fences, two car garages. For all these people, the supers might as well not exist, just background noise to their humdrum lives. The Three Pillars and their ongoing conflict might as well be on the other side of the world. Hikari envied them, and she spaces out as she remembers what it used to be like, back when she had been like that too. A mom, a dad. Rice and eggs for breakfast, schoolbooks and homework. No swords, no meditation, just gym class.

She breaks from her mundane memories as the bus pulls into their stop in the Tiger's Pavilion. The setting sun casts the orange glow of another dying day over the city, and the neon lights and giant plasma screen billboards of the city's most notorious tourist trap compete for attention. Shouldering her way through the teeming mass of humanity, Hikari makes her way back to the concrete stables where her carbon fiber steed awaits. With a few flicks of her finger on the embedded touchsceen, Sakura hums to life, and Hikari rides off as night begins to fall in the steel canyons.

[Razade]

Ronin: The Armory

"Yes." The other warrior entones, leveling the large weapon at Ronin with clear menace. "There is nohting you will learn against that which does not strike back. Your cousins were to be your testing, it seems you have defeated them. I will be your next trial." The tone is quiet though as hard as any steel though it seems the warrior is more than willing to grant you first blood if you're brave enough to take it.

Hikari, Tumult: Tiger's Pavilion

The Tiger's Pavilion is a constant swirl of sound, light and sights, a cacophany of modern attractions with music pouring out of storefronts and advertisements, the babble of conversation, tram whistles and bells and more. Small vendors sell pretty much anything for a price, food carts lining streets too clogged for motor vehicle traffic in a city already predisposed to keep people out of their cars as it is and the parking garage is little refuge from the madness the Pavilion exists in at all hours.

Even driving away from the hustle and bustle isn't without its madness, biker gangs swirl the outside of the Pavilion like hungry sharks, kept away by the congestion of the popular city center but more than willing to prey on any who exit when the sun starts to dip below the horizon. Hikari is soon joined by a large pack of these would be bike toughs, each bike embalzoned with tiger stripes, their bright orange bodies matching the twilight sky above. What's more, the sonic chaos of the Pavilion seems to follow the Yojimbo, each fitted with a massive speaker whose music plays loud enough to shake the bones. At the head of the pack is none other than the Palm Top Tiger themselves, easily distinguished by the massive sword they carry and the highly outfitted cycle they ride. What might have been a quick ride back to the base quickly becomes a densely packed affair, the Palm Top Tiger matching Hikari's speed before zooming off ahead while the rest of their gang begin to crowd the hero, trying to corral Hikari off the main roads and back towards the Pavilion itself.

Sunburst and Cindersnap: Side Paneled

The early morning sun is quite hot as it beats down on the mall promenade, the open air affair of the appropriately named Sun Mall already sweltering. Cindersnap seems not to notice, dressed down in athletic wear, her blazing red hair held up in a tight ponytail. She’d sent off a text earlier, the promised meet up set aside in her busy schedule during her exercise time. She’s already got breakfast for you and herself, two large rice bowls with ham, egg and cheese steaming away and at no risk of cooling given the weather.

Lanuola arrives at the Sun Mall dressed in a dark top and shorts, a blue hoodie tied around her waist in deference to the heat inside of the enclosed Mall. She takes a moment to cast around for Cindersnap, not expecting to see the Monsoon hero in more casual attire. She gives a wave when she does eventually spot her, though, heading over to join her.

“Hi! Umm, good morning. It’s, uh, it’s good to see you.”

Cindersnap offers a smile, even standing and holding out the chair for Sunburst as she moves to sit down. “Good morning, and to you, you look much better than the last time we met. I took the liberty of ordering you some breakfast. I don’t know if you’re hungry, you can always take it with you. I just got done with my morning run, so I’m starving. I hope you don’t mind?” she asks, taking her seat and eating daintily all said.

“Tell me a little about yourself, Lanuola…Lan? You can call me Abby, there’s no need to stand on protocol here. Hobbies? Friends outside the suit business? I have it on good authority that you’ve been helping a mutual friend at their shop…the Tiger?” she asks gently, maybe a little prodding, but good natured, in a way that its clear she’s not used to small talk, let alone girl talk.

Lanuola’s stiff posture relaxes somewhat at Cindersnap’s casual manner and she accepts the offered seat. “Uh, yeah, uh, ‘Lan’ is fine. And no, uh, feel free to eat.”

For her part, Lanuola doesn’t do much more than pick at the food offered to her. As it turns out, with Abby’s questions, she wouldn’t have had much time for eating anyway. “Oh, uh, you know Sangha..? I think he’s been helping me more than, uh, than I’ve been helping him.” She hesitates, flickers of light pulsing across her skin, then decides to continue, “I… Have trouble controlling my powers. He, uh, he’s helped me with that. Gave me this.”

She reaches around and fishes in the pocket of her hoodie, producing the prism Sangha had given her after a moment, showing it to Abby then setting it on the table in front of her. She hesitates again, “I… Uh… I don’t really do anything interesting outside of hero stuff, though. My, uh, my free time gets eaten up a lot by Kintsugi.” Lanuola trails off, finding herself embarrassed at bringing up the organization.

“Umm…” Searching for a topic change, she asked “What about, uh, what about yourself? Do you do… Much… When you’re not, uh, not working..?” She winces a little, uncomfortably aware of the awkward phrasing of the question.

Cindersnap nods along, being polite though its all information she probably already knows at this point, the files from Kintsugi not difficult to get ahold of for someone of her station.

“Am I making you uncomfortable, Lan?” she asks instead of answering, sitting back a little with the same easy smile as she plucks the prism off the table. “We’re just two girls talking and having breakfast. This isn’t an interrogation or anything, not going to bite your head off if you say something I don’t want to hear. We’re breezy.”

Lanuola rubs behind her neck, half an eye on the prism as Abby takes hold of it. “Sorry, I, uh… I don’t really like, uh, like talking about Kintsugi much. Umm… People don’t, uh, don’t always react well when, uh, when I explain what it’s about.”

Aware that her last question hadn’t been answered, Lanuola gives an uncertain shrug and a smile. “So, uh, it must, uh, it must be pretty busy working with the Monsoon..?”

“We don’t have to talk about anything you don’t want to talk about. If we hit a subject that makes you uncomfortable, all you have to do is ask to change the subject.” Cindersnap reaches out over the table, the prism offered out to Sunburst daintily.

“Oh, yes I suppose so.” She offers to the follow up question, glancing at her watch. “It’s why we don’t have a lot of time, I have to be in the office soon, but I penciled in some time for you. The Monsoon has other agents and what’s the point of being in charge if you can’t bend the rules a little? Are you interested in the Monsoon? I thought you were already with a group?”

Lanuola accepts the prism back off of Abby, putting it back into her pocket for safe keeping. She gives a small shrug, “I, uh, I haven’t really had a chance to, uh, to have much to do with the Monsoon. I’ve only really interacted with the Guardians. And, well, uh… They’re kinda jerks…”

She pauses to take a little food before continuing, “Umm, I think my sister might, uh, might be interested in the Monsoon, though…” Lanuola hesitates, “... Well, uh, w-when she comes back she may be.”

Cindersnap tries to hide a smirk at the Guardians being called jerks, not very successfully. “Oh, when is she due back? I can get an appointment with her if you’d like? Is she not interested in your team?”

“I, uh, I can find out..?” She certainly hoped to, the last couple of times she’d messaged Cindy that question she hadn’t had a response, “I’ll let her know you’d, uh, you’d be happy to see her, though.”

Lanuola doesn’t answer the last question immediately, “Us joining the team was, uh, was actually her idea. I probably wouldn’t have, uh, wouldn’t have done it if she didn’t push me to.” She pushes her food around her plate a little, “I think, uh, I think she’s just needing a break from, uh, from our parents.”

“Oh…trouble at home? Well, we have satellite programs in a few other towns and cities so if she’s looking for something stable with pay, I’ll give you my contact information and she can reach me.” Cindersnap offers, a little softer in tone considering the plaintive mood Sunburst seems to have slipped into.

“So why are you still with Hikari and all of them, then? I guess we’ll just get to the heart of it huh? I know Hikari…though I doubt she spoke about any of that. She’s a tough one to crack. I don’t know the others…and it sounds like your numbers are down from what they were. Ground Zero and The Lion are gone, and I assume your sister was Moonshadow. Why didn’t you go with either of them? Or your sister for that matter?”

Lanuola gives a grateful smile, “Thanks. Umm, even if she doesn’t take you up on that I, uh, I want you to know I really appreciate you offering to help her with it. That’s, uh, that’s really kind of you.”

She shakes her head, shoulders dropping a little, “She, uh, she hadn’t mentioned. Mosi went with his family to, uh, to Glavnos. Kai, uh… Kai got sent back to the, uh, the Cacophony…” She gives a shrug, “I’m not one of the Imamu and, uh, and I don’t exactly want to, uh, to end up in the Cacophony either. So…” She gives another shrug, “And, uh, yeah, Moonshadow’s my tuafafine matua. I… Honestly thought about going with her..?” Lanuola looks a bit guilty at that admission, “I think she, uh, she guessed I might, didn’t, uh, didn’t really give me a chance to go with her. And, uh, and to be honest, I feel like I have to, uh, to see this all out.”

“That’s very noble of you, but do you think there might be more to it? Your team? Like I said, I really only know Hikari and…well…that’s even suspect if I’m honest. Why don’t you tell me about the ones that’ve stuck around? Before we go spilling secrets we don’t mean to?”

“...” Lanuola rubs behind her neck, “I mean… Max, Miho, and, uh, and Hikari… They’re all kind’ve, uh, kind’ve insular… Miho spends most of, uh, most of her time in her workshop. Same with, uh with Max. And…” She hesitates, “I mean, I guess I know why, uh, why Hikari was always busy now… But, uh, but I used to enjoy hanging out with her when she was, uh, was free.”

After a moment, Lanuola gives a shrug and forces a smile, “It’s fine, though. I get that they’re all pretty busy. With, uh, with everything that’s going on, it makes sense we only really, uh, only really see each other during missions.”

“But that’s not really what you’re looking for? You’d rather they open up to you?” Cindersnap asks as she finally finishes her meal, fixing Sunburst with a stern look. “Have you told them that? Sitting here and putting on a brave face isn’t going to fix those problems and after the weeks you’ve all had….” She sighs, waving off towards the coast.

“Hikari had her reasons I’m sure, and I’m not saying they’re equivalent but what I am saying is…even if you have reasons for not telling your team, your friends, how you feel shut out by them, you should maybe consider if they’re good reasons or if they’re just yourself getting in your way. You understand?”

Lanuola hesitates, then breaks eye contact and looks back down at her plate, an uncomfortable tightness in her chest as her cheeks begin to glow. “...” She rubs at her collarbone, taking a few moments before responding, “... I, uh…”

She lapses back into quiet for a few moments, then lets out a shaky breath, “Y-yeah, I, uh, I-I understand.”

The look the comment earns is one Sunburst is likely familiar with. An older sister, unimpressed with the response. “You’re a smart lass, I’m sure that you do.” she starts, arms folding across her chest to further compound the unimpressed look. “But understanding it and working on it are two different things, aren’t they.” It wasn’t a question. “So we can sit here, acting like what you said actually answered my question or we can try again. I’d say your choice but I have a good bit of time before meetings and I can keep ordering food.”

The glow of Lanuola’s cheeks brighten further at the chastisement, abruptly feeling like a young kid being scolded by Cindy. She sits with her arms hugged around her waist, doing her best to try and think through how to reach out to her team. “I’m… It’s…” She sighs, “I-It’s all just very, uh, very messy… It, uh, it’d be easier to just, uh, just start over…” Rubbing at her eyes, she asks, “... Do, uh, do you think that could, uh, could work..? Just, uh, just try and start over with, uh, with them..? With Hikari..?”

“Life’s messy, what makes it fun. You can go through it kicking and screaming or ride the wave. Took an elder god knocking me upside the head to learn that. Don’t wait for your own elder god, who knows when you’ll even bump into one.” Cindersnap sighs before turning to motion to the cafe waitress, putting in another order before glancing back to Sunburst. “You want anything? It’s my treat.” she offers before sending the waitress off.

“Where were we…oh right. I’m not going to sit here and tell you what Hikari did was right, or defend her. She probably wouldn’t appreciate it if I did and it’s not really my place. All I’m saying is, it’s hard to make friends. It’s harder when you put up the walls and it sucks to be alone. I don’t think you want to be alone, I don’t think you want to be miserable. Nothing I say or do will kick you into not being alone or miserable, forgiving Hikari….not forgiving Hikari…that’s something you have to choose to do. Before you can do that though, I think there’s someone you need to forgive, to even get to Hikari. Here…” The fiery heroine fishes out her phone, sliding it to Sunburst. The phone, set in selfie mode, simply reflects Sunburst back on herself. “When you can say sorry to her, you’re going to take this world by storm.”

Lanuola hesitates at the question of what she may want, “Umm… Something, uh, something sweet..? I, uh, I don’t really know what they sell here…”

She sits and listens to Cindersnap talking about trying to be more open, about finding a way to let herself be vulnerable. Lanuola shifted in her seat, uncomfortable with the advice she was being given. Kintsugi had taught her that her emotions were a source of danger, and she herself had experienced multiple times just how much damage she could cause to those around her if she failed to keep a tight check on herself. And so she’d just operated on the assumption that the best way to avoid hurt was to not get close to people.

She gives a curious frown as the phone is slid across the table toward her. Looking into the screen she sees herself. Herself looking weary, looking anxious and stressed. Her view blurred slightly as she found herself threatening to tear up. Rubbing her eyes clear with the back of her hand, Lanuola found herself fighting back frustration and irritation at her apparently fragile emotional state.

After a few moments, she gently slides the phone back across the table. “S-sorry. Umm, a-and, uh, and thanks…”

“Don’t mention it.” Cindersnap says after a few moments, allowing Sunburst to collect herself before giving another insistent motion to the waitress who finally comes over with a bustle. Cindersnap turns to the waitress with a bit of mischief in her eyes. “I think my friend here’s more in the mood for something sugar-y. Could we get an order of the Purple Rain Crepes, and a halo halo for her? Thanks, put it on the Monsoon’s account. Oh, and a Strawberry Fields Crepe and a Vanilla Coke, for me please.”

She turns back to Sunburst, the mischief still in her eyes. “They wouldn’t give me an expense account and not expect me to use it to cheer up one of the city’s most promising heroes right?” she offers, motioning to the hustle and bustle of the average San Fransapporo morning. “Let me get your number before I have to head off. You can stick around and order more if you’d like, but I’ve got to go back to work after those crepes.”

Lanuola gives an embarrassed smile at the praise, gratefully agreeing to Cindersnap’s offer of desserts. After writing down her number and passing it over, she settles into talking a bit more about herself. The panels focusing on the pair begin to skip larger chunks of time.

A casual back and forth between them as they wait for the desserts to arrive. Lanuola laughing at a joke as Cindersnap thanks the waitress for the delivery of sugary treats. Cindersnap hiding a smirk as Lanuola winces at brainfreeze. A little more talk over mostly eaten food, a generally upbeat ambience over the table. Then finally, a panel of Lanuola sitting on her own, her posture relaxed, a soft glow surrounding her and a fresh drink in her hands as she quietly people-watches from her lone table.

[Captain Jak]

Ronin
Conditions:
Potential: 3/5
Gadget: 1

Spoiler: Labels

Show

• Freak: +0
• Danger: +1
• Saviour: +2
• Superior: +1
• Mundane: -1

Spoiler: Moves

Show

• [X] I'll Show Them: When you defend someone who doesn’t believe in you, you can always take Influence over them, even on a miss.
• [X]All The Best Stuff: You’ve compiled access to caches of equipment and weaponry other supers have hidden in the city. When you access a cache, say whose cache it is. If it’s a hero’s, roll + Savior. If it’s a villain’s, roll + Danger. On a hit, you find a tool or intel useful to your situation; the GM will detail. On a 7-9, you leave evidence that you’ve been here. On a miss, you tripped an alarm and they’re coming; prepare to explain yourself.
• [X]White lies: When you comfort or support someone by telling them lies they want to hear, roll + Savior instead of + Mundane. On any hit, if they open up to you, take Influence over them.
• [X] Always Prepared: When you have a chance to restock your supplies, hold up to 2-gadgets. When you unleash your powers by producing a brand new minor invention or gadget from your supply, spend 1-gadget and roll + Superior. When you reach 0-gadgets, mark a condition.
• [X] Damage: You get an additional condition called Damaged. While marked, take +1 to take a powerful blow. To clear the Damaged condition, you need time, external help, or special equipment or abilities.
• [X] Aim for the Moon, Land Among the Stars: When a plan you devise fails and you try to correct your mistake, roll + Superior. On a miss there’s no salvaging the situation, expect harsh retribution or one of your teammates has been placed in the line of fire, GM’s choice. On a hit you’ve pulled an iron out of the fire, gain an Opportunity. On a 10+, add a Team to the Pool.

Well. She would argue the point of proper scientific testing almost never being performed under antagonistic conditions, but she has a feeling that the point would be lost upon this man.

Moving out from behind her meagre shelter, moving less than smoothly in the leg units that are far less precisely calibrated for her movements like her own gear is, Miho faces the Master Armourer.

”We are both well aware that I am far from a match for you under these circumstances,” she says gamely, lifting her chin in faint defiance. ”And regardless, we also are both well aware that my...Grandfather has no intention of favouring me, now or in the future. In any case, one cannot lead people solely on the strength of being a better weaponmaster, so tell me,” she says speculatively, grounding the tip of her bestowed blade into the floor.

”What could I do to encourage your support of me, lacking an ability to beat you into submission?” she inquires intently.

Spoiler: CRUNCH

Show

Pierce the Mask: 10
How could I get you to support me?
How could I gain influence over you?
What do you intend to do?

[The_Specialist]

Tsunami
Conditions: Angry, Insecure
Potential: 2/5
Gadget: 0
Hold: 0

Spoiler: Labels

Show

• Freak: +1
• Danger: -1
• Savior: +2
• Superior: +3
• Mundane: -2

Spoiler: Moves

Show

• [X] Fireside Chat: When you seek advice from your mentor, roll + the Label they embody. On a hit they will tell you what to do. On a 10+, mark potential if you follow their advice, and take +1 ongoing to follow through. On a 7-9, you get +1 forward to see it through if you do it their way. On a miss, they don’t have time for you because something big has gone down; mark a condition, GM’s choice.
• [X]Be Mindful of Your Surroundings: When you assess the situation before entering into a fight, you may ask one additional question, even on a miss.
• [X]Venting Frustration: When you directly engage while you are Angry, you can roll + the label your mentor denies (Mundane) and clear Angry.
• [X]Fight the Good Fight: When you pull your punches while directly engaging a threat, you can roll + Savior instead of + Danger. If you do, you cannot choose to impress, surprise, or frighten your foe.
• [X]Before We Get Started: When you take the time to closely observe your opposition before a battle, roll + Savior. On a 10+, hold 3. On a 7-9, hold 2. On a miss, hold 1 and mark a condition. During battle, you can spend your hold 1 for 1 to name a character you observed and...:
  
  • ...redirect their attack to another character or nowhere—into a wall or the sky.
  • ...cross a distance between them and you.
  • ...disarm them.
  • ...ignore all harm to yourself from one of their attacks.
  • ...escape any bindings or restrictions they attempt to place on you.

"He... Max, he tried to kill me."

There is a visibly flinch on his face before Max lifts a hand to cover it, albeit briefly before continuing upward to push the loose strands of hair away from his eyes; the gesture is overly abrupt and tense, the need to physically expel some of the internal emotions.

“I know... I know he did,” He utters, his tone clearly troubled, struggling to reconcile. There’s more to be said there, but he doesn’t quite have the words strung together. He fights to focus and listen as Sunburst continues, though gives a brief vigorous nod of empathy when she apologizes for struggling to process it all, herself.

“Yeah... I miss her too,” He commiserates, his voice almost sounding to crack slightly in the last syllable. Maybe it was just coincidental timing, but he can agree when Cindy had been around things had seemed less confusing. And he’d always liked her. He can’t really imagine what it is like for Lan to be without her, especially now with things the way they are. Not good. “I’m sorry,” He mumbles softly.

When Lan apologizes for the ‘it’s complicated’ situation between Max and Tumult, it seems to be a final straw of sorts however, Max dipping his face into his hands again for a moment, hiding any immediate shift in expression. His lips are still drawn into a grimace however when he lifts his head, standing abruptly although it seems more for the need to fidget or pace than any intention of leaving. He shoves his hands in his pockets as he faces her more fully.

“You... you don’t need to apologize... or... offer sympathy... You’re too nice for all this. He tried to kill you! I... And I failed to stop him! That’s not okay! And I should never have let you be in that position! All I can do is... thank whatever powers at be that yours are so strong... and you can protect yourself. I don’t know what I would do if he had... succeeded,” The last word he somewhat chokes out, not enjoying entertaining even the thought. “You should yell at me! You have more than the right. It’s all so... stupid. And if you want to yell at him... I’ll make it happen. If you want him arrested, I’ll help. And I’ll just deal with what comes of that. I miss when things weren’t so complicated, but... but they are. I just want to fix whatever I can... You’re my friend too, you know?”

[Comissar]

Sunburst
Conditions:
Potential: 3/5

Spoiler: Labels

Show

• Danger: -1
• Freak: +1
• Savior: +2
• Superior: +1
• Mundane: +0

Spoiler: Burn and Flares

Show

Held Burn

0

Shielding

You call up a fast protective field to stop a danger. Spend 1 burn to defend someone else from an immediate threat, rolling +Freak instead of +Saviour.

Moat

Spend 1 burn to create a barrier that will hold back threats as long as you keep your attention on it. The GM may call for you to spend another burn if the barrier is threatened by particularly powerful enemies.

Reality Storm

You channel a destructive burst with your powers. Spend 1 burn to directly engage a threat using your powers, rolling +Freak instead of +Danger. If you do, you will cause unwanted collateral damage unless you spend another burn.

Snatch

Spend 1 burn to use your powers to seize any one object up to the size of a person from someone within view.

Move

Spend 1 Burn to move to any place you choose within the scene, breaking through or slipping past any restraints in your way. Spend a second burn to move to any place you've previously been.

Overcharge

You channel the full capacity of your incredible powers to overcome an obstacle, reshape your environment, or extend your senses. Spend 2 burn to take a 10+ when you unleash your powers.

Elemental Awareness

Spend 1 Burn and Mark a Condition to open up your mind to the world around you with your powers. You can ask any one question about the world around you and the GM will answer honestly.

Moves

Wish I could be - When you comfort or support someone, if you tell them what you most envy about them, you can roll +Freak instead of +Mundane.

Unstoppable - When you smash your way through scenery to get to or get away from something, roll +Danger. On a hit, the world breaks before you, and you get what you want. On a 7-9, choose one: mark a condition, leave something behind, or take something with you. On a miss, you smash through, but leave devestation in your wake or wind up somewhere worse, GM's choice.

Lanuola lets her foot back down, resting her hands on either side of her on the bench as Max speaks. A wry smile comes to her face as he talks about her powers and how she was fortunate to be as strong as she was. She shakes her head when he finishes, looking up at him from the bench, "I'm not going to yell at you, Max. It, uh, it wasn't your fault that things went bad."

She lets out a pent-up breath, then rocks herself off the bench and up onto her feet. Crossing the short distance to the older boy, she gives him a soft smile and punches him lightly in the arm, "I, uh, I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you. And, uh, and Miho and Hikari, too." She looks down to the pond, her hands resting in her pockets, "I'd still, uh, I'd still be holed up in my room. Scared to, uh, scared to do anything in case it went wrong. Cindy... She, uh, she got me to get out and see new things. But, uh, but you guys all gave me a reason to keep doing so."

She looks up at Max again, "So... Thanks for being you, Max."

She lets the moment hang in quiet, contemplating the park around them, then a grin forms on her face as she looks back at her teammate, "I think, uh, I think my tinamatua thinks we're dating, by the way."

[DreadPirateH]

Silk
Conditions: Angry
Potential: 4/5
Hold: 1

Spoiler: Labels

Show

• Freak: +1
• Danger: +3
• Savior: -1
• Superior: +2
• Mundane: -2

Spoiler: Moves

Show

• [X] Devil or Angel on My Shoulder: When you provoke a teammate to violent action or drastic measures as your Hero Persona, roll + Danger. When you discourage a teammate from going overboard or making an action they can’t take back as your Alias Persona, roll + Superior.
• [X]Been Reading the Files: You’ve learned about the superhuman world through your mentor’s resources. When you first encounter an important superpowered phenomenon (your call), roll + Superior. On a hit, tell the team one important detail you’ve learned from your studies. The GM will tell you what, if anything, seems different from what you remember. On a 10+, ask the GM a follow-up question; they will answer it honestly. On a miss, the situation is well outside your base of knowledge; the GM will tell you why.
• [X]Company Man: When you’re confronted by someone from your past, roll + Danger. On a miss, their presence is upsetting and you must either flee the scene or fall back to your training and comply with their wishes. On a 7-9, you’re shaken. Take -1 against them for the duration of the scene but clear their Influence over you if they have it. On a 10+, clear their Influence and mark Potential or clear a Condition.
• [X]There Will Be Blood: When you scathingly Reject the Influence of a Hero, you may choose to inflict a Condition as if they’d been hit hard even on a miss.
• [X]Aces High: When you enter a dangerous situation with no plan or trick up your sleeve roll + Danger. On a miss you’re truly woefully unprepared. Expect the worst. On a hit, the tools of success are near to hand. Some assembly may be required, the GM will fill in the details. On a 10+, take +1 forward to see yourself through.

Spoiler: Risk and Reward

Show

You’ve been on your own long enough and taken one too many gambles to learn a thing or two. How to repair your gear and stretch resources. How to watch your back when no one else will and how to watch other people’s backs when they think you’re not. Someone’s watching your back too
however, Luck itself. However you conceptualize this being, it’s got you in its pocket. That isn’t always in your favor.

When you begin play you have Influence over Luck and it has Influence over you. The GM acts as Luck’s agent when shifting Labels or using Luck’s Influence on you. Luck cannot lose Influence over you.

Risk/Reward: As long as you have Luck, you may gain 1 Hold per scene to a maximum of 2 and begin your first scene in the first session with 2 Hold. You may spend Hold at any time to reroll a Move. You must take the result of the second roll, even on a miss.

If you should go to 0 Hold at any time, lose Influence over Luck and shift Superior down and another Label up, your choice. You may mark a Condition to regain Influence over Luck. When you regain Influence over Luck, gain 2 Hold.

Ante Up: When you would Reject the Influence of Luck, Ante Up instead. You and Luck’s Agent will roll opposing 2d6. The higher of the two rolls win. If the Player wins, clear a Condition or gain Potential. If Luck’s Agent wins, lose Influence over Luck and mark a Condition.

Fortune Favors: When Luck would gain Influence over another Player, they Hold 1 and may spend it to reroll a move. They must take the second roll, even on a miss. When another Player would gain Influence over Luck, add a Team to the Pool.

Hikari grits her teeth as she's surrounded by the pack. I thought tigers were supposed to be solitary? The music blaring from all sides is loud enough to shake her skull, even inside of her soundproofed helmet. She jukes Sakura left and right, trying to make some space to squeeze her way out of the formation, but there's no budging the tigers. And before long, it's clear what they want with her. Hikari had planned to go looking for this fight, but it seems to have come to her instead. Passing back through the steel canyon and past the raging neon, Hikari is surprised to find herself on unfamiliar roads that seem to be heading toward the East Ward.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Rolled a 14 in the Discord for Aces High. Taking +1 Forward.

[Razade]

Pool: 1


Ronin: Armory

Another attack isn't forthcoming, your opponent at least kind enough to let you entreat with them, and moments after to consider. "I believe your Grandfather's intent is earnest. None of the other members of your family have the Warlord's favor as you. If you would stop your foolish commitment in standing against him you would have my support. You do not indulge in the petty squabbles of your brethren, they would see your noble line torn apart. Work with your Grandfather, there are many who would back your banner."


Silk, The Palmtop Tiger: Streets of San Fransapporo

The Tigers lead you further than the less glitzy and glamorous sights of downtown San Fransapporo. Out past the suburban streets of the Eastern Wards, out into the foothills of the mountain ridges that extend out across the horizon of your fair city, where the lights don't reach and only the sound of tire and engine cut through the evening chill. Eventually, as panels give shot after shot of long, lonely, windy, road do the Tigers pull up to a stop forming a barrier across the stretch of roadway. The Palmtop Tiger kicks off their bike, flipping their visor up to get a good look at you.

"Hikari, of the Weather Report...or no...not anymore, right?" Their voice is high, youthful, matching the swagger in their step as they step into the pool of headlights, racing suit of tiger stripes bright and garish. "My tribe here says you've been sniffing around the Eastern Wards today and then you happen into my neck of the woods. Call me paranoid but when one of the Dragon Slayers comes around, I take notice. Especially when they've been talking to another Slayer. Hear you and Cindersnap've got real close and you and yours are taking on the Authority to boot. How's that going for you?"

[DreadPirateH]

Silk
Conditions: Angry
Potential: 4/5
Hold: 1

Spoiler: Labels

Show

• Freak: +1
• Danger: +3
• Savior: -1
• Superior: +2
• Mundane: -2

Spoiler: Moves

Show

• [X] Devil or Angel on My Shoulder: When you provoke a teammate to violent action or drastic measures as your Hero Persona, roll + Danger. When you discourage a teammate from going overboard or making an action they can’t take back as your Alias Persona, roll + Superior.
• [X]Been Reading the Files: You’ve learned about the superhuman world through your mentor’s resources. When you first encounter an important superpowered phenomenon (your call), roll + Superior. On a hit, tell the team one important detail you’ve learned from your studies. The GM will tell you what, if anything, seems different from what you remember. On a 10+, ask the GM a follow-up question; they will answer it honestly. On a miss, the situation is well outside your base of knowledge; the GM will tell you why.
• [X]Company Man: When you’re confronted by someone from your past, roll + Danger. On a miss, their presence is upsetting and you must either flee the scene or fall back to your training and comply with their wishes. On a 7-9, you’re shaken. Take -1 against them for the duration of the scene but clear their Influence over you if they have it. On a 10+, clear their Influence and mark Potential or clear a Condition.
• [X]There Will Be Blood: When you scathingly Reject the Influence of a Hero, you may choose to inflict a Condition as if they’d been hit hard even on a miss.
• [X]Aces High: When you enter a dangerous situation with no plan or trick up your sleeve roll + Danger. On a miss you’re truly woefully unprepared. Expect the worst. On a hit, the tools of success are near to hand. Some assembly may be required, the GM will fill in the details. On a 10+, take +1 forward to see yourself through.

Spoiler: Risk and Reward

Show

You’ve been on your own long enough and taken one too many gambles to learn a thing or two. How to repair your gear and stretch resources. How to watch your back when no one else will and how to watch other people’s backs when they think you’re not. Someone’s watching your back too
however, Luck itself. However you conceptualize this being, it’s got you in its pocket. That isn’t always in your favor.

When you begin play you have Influence over Luck and it has Influence over you. The GM acts as Luck’s agent when shifting Labels or using Luck’s Influence on you. Luck cannot lose Influence over you.

Risk/Reward: As long as you have Luck, you may gain 1 Hold per scene to a maximum of 2 and begin your first scene in the first session with 2 Hold. You may spend Hold at any time to reroll a Move. You must take the result of the second roll, even on a miss.

If you should go to 0 Hold at any time, lose Influence over Luck and shift Superior down and another Label up, your choice. You may mark a Condition to regain Influence over Luck. When you regain Influence over Luck, gain 2 Hold.

Ante Up: When you would Reject the Influence of Luck, Ante Up instead. You and Luck’s Agent will roll opposing 2d6. The higher of the two rolls win. If the Player wins, clear a Condition or gain Potential. If Luck’s Agent wins, lose Influence over Luck and mark a Condition.

Fortune Favors: When Luck would gain Influence over another Player, they Hold 1 and may spend it to reroll a move. They must take the second roll, even on a miss. When another Player would gain Influence over Luck, add a Team to the Pool.

As the Tigers lead her down the dark desert highway, Hikari tries to block out the deafening music around her. Steadying her breathing, she tries to retreat into the Void within as she has so many times before. The gaudy neon glow of the bikes and the streetlights drain from the panels, shifting into softer pastels and then towards gray as the perspective pulls farther back out. The swarm of motorcycles spreads out into a train and cacti and desert shrubs take the foreground, the moon hanging prominently in the sky. It's almost peaceful - for a moment.

Then it shatters. Spiderwebs of color crack across the grayscale panels, fluorescents of every hue bleeding through. The perspective flattens back in as the dams burst and the maddening color and sound flood back with a vengeance, gaudier than ever. Before the colors were merely bright. Now, they leave afterimages in their wake. Hikari can't predict the Tigers' moves, her own reaction times are sluggish, and she feels panic rising up in her chest. The bikes crowd close again, revving their engines and squeezing their brakes, trading places with each other and crowding off any avenue of escape. Then, just as she nears her breaking point, it all comes screeching to a halt.

Hikari skids to a stop in front of the blockade and idles perpendicularly across the road. Putting her right boot down, she remains sitting as the Palm Top Tiger takes the stage. The headlights from the Tigers' motorcycles are concentrated in one big pool, casting Hikari and Sakura in a hard ring of shadow.

"Palm Top Tiger. You've been watching me? Talking about me?" she asks rhetorically, keeping her helmet on as she swings her other leg off of Sakura to plant herself in the shadow. "I kind of like that." She pauses, swinging her head around slowly so all of the assembled bikers can feel the weight of her gaze sweeping across them from behind her visor. She can't read their body language, has no idea what their leader's going with this, but the fear she felt before is gone. In its place, she feels only a strong, pliant resolve. "You think you know so much about me. But your alley cats left out the most important part." As she pulls her helmet off, the red ends of her scarf work their way free from the confines of her moto jacket, fluttering in the breeze.

"I'm Silk."

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Keeping this as a reminder that I have +1 Forward from Aces High.

[Razade]

Pool: 1


Moonshadow: Returned

It's like kismet, or maybe The Secret, who knows. Thinking about home has manifested a lifeline, an easy lie to get back in without having to deal with too much drama.

Cindersnap, a name you recognize as a member of the Monsoon, somehow manages to track you down wherever you are. Where is that, again?

Correspondence with your sister has already filled you in on some things. The team is still standing though for how long without you, whose to say. Ground Zero was arrested, deemed a liability to the safety of the city. His location is presently unknown though Cindersnap's e-mails seem to indicate he was sent back though to the Cacophony from whence he came. Lion also seems to no longer be in the city, Tempest of Glavnos having taken him and his entire tribe from San Fransapporo to Glavnos proper. Not a great fate but probably a safer one than what the city promised in the long run. Contact with Ronin has also ceased, she was present at the last team meeting where Hikari revealed herself as Silk, the crazy shadow ninja that mucked up the Monkey Island job, but that's the last anyone has seen of her. She was last seen at her home with another member of the Warrior's family and then....the trail goes dark.

The job offer is simple in light of all that. Come back home and help out your old team. That's it. At least on paper. Allusions to other tasks are peppered throughout of course. The pay isn't bad either, a weekly paycheck, an allowance if you've ever seen one, an apartment paid up to a year with utilities and internet, furniture and a new rail pass included. Hard to beat a landing pad like that, especially considering your other prospects of returning home.

So, how do you get home? Where do you go first? Sunburst seems busy, she's not answered her phone today, so that can't be a port of call. Probably not your parent's house right? Not after that big blow out. Probably still need time to cool off. It's your first time back home in months, so there has to be somewhere on your mind, right?


Sunburst: Flashback

In the weeks since your incarceration, Kintsugi has moved offices. The former having a small fire problem, as one of the other power wielders lost control during one of the meetings you skipped. The new offices are cleaner at least, if a bit more cramped and cozy. Your contacts at the organization were insistent you come in, somehow having heard of your dust up with the Authority. The waiting room is empty when you arrive however you're joined not too long after by a familiar, though grumpy face. Sangha steps in and, catching sight of you though it's not hard to miss, gives a sigh.

He finds a seat as near enough opposite you, Sunburst, with a slow groan, old bones creaking as he settles. "We've been seeing a lot of each other." he states, tone neutral as he smooths out his pants. "You use the prism I gave you when you took a swing at Lightbringer? What'd her face look like?"


Silk, the Tigers, Palmtop Tiger: Deserted Highway

"Call yourself whatever you want. Doesn't change a thing." Palm Top Tiger shoots back, motioning to one of their lackeys. "Cindersnap came sniffing around a few months ago, before you and yours got the Authority all riled up, wanting to drag us into some scheme of theirs. We turned her away after roughing her up a bit and now she's sending you around in her place. She's either desperate, stupid or crazy and you're all three if you think we're going to handle you any differently. Cindersnap lost her edge, in the old days she'd have done this right. Question is, have you?"

The lackey from before returns after having fiddled with something on the side of their bike, sfx of dragging accompanying said return as they bring what appears to be a large suitcase into the headlamp light. They turn a few dials on the large box before steam erupts from its sides, the entire thing folding and forming into a massive two handed...weapon. The Palmtop Tiger is one of the swordsmen of the city but this thing could hardly be called a sword. Large speakers line the slab of metal, blinking LEDs of dark blue thrum and pulse as the Tiger lifts the beastly thing and levels it one handed at Hikari.

[Comissar]

Sunburst
Conditions:
Potential: 3/5

Spoiler: Labels

Show

• Danger: -1
• Freak: +1
• Savior: +2
• Superior: +1
• Mundane: +0

Spoiler: Burn and Flares

Show

Held Burn

0

Shielding

You call up a fast protective field to stop a danger. Spend 1 burn to defend someone else from an immediate threat, rolling +Freak instead of +Saviour.

Moat

Spend 1 burn to create a barrier that will hold back threats as long as you keep your attention on it. The GM may call for you to spend another burn if the barrier is threatened by particularly powerful enemies.

Reality Storm

You channel a destructive burst with your powers. Spend 1 burn to directly engage a threat using your powers, rolling +Freak instead of +Danger. If you do, you will cause unwanted collateral damage unless you spend another burn.

Snatch

Spend 1 burn to use your powers to seize any one object up to the size of a person from someone within view.

Move

Spend 1 Burn to move to any place you choose within the scene, breaking through or slipping past any restraints in your way. Spend a second burn to move to any place you've previously been.

Overcharge

You channel the full capacity of your incredible powers to overcome an obstacle, reshape your environment, or extend your senses. Spend 2 burn to take a 10+ when you unleash your powers.

Elemental Awareness

Spend 1 Burn and Mark a Condition to open up your mind to the world around you with your powers. You can ask any one question about the world around you and the GM will answer honestly.

Moves

Wish I could be - When you comfort or support someone, if you tell them what you most envy about them, you can roll +Freak instead of +Mundane.

Unstoppable - When you smash your way through scenery to get to or get away from something, roll +Danger. On a hit, the world breaks before you, and you get what you want. On a 7-9, choose one: mark a condition, leave something behind, or take something with you. On a miss, you smash through, but leave devestation in your wake or wind up somewhere worse, GM's choice.

Kintsugi - The Past

Lanuola enters the new meeting building for Kintsugi with some trepidation. She'd left home early to make sure she found the place on time and, having done so with plenty of time to spare, had been awkwardly trying to kill that same time outside so that she wouldn't have to be the first one in. Though now it looked like she was, in fact, here on her own and would have to wait for everyone else. Sitting herself in one of the chairs that gave her a view of the entrance, she hunched forward a little and fidgeted with her hands while she waited, hoping that she had both the right day and place. The sound of approaching footsteps catch her attention. Hopefully it wouldn't be Akihito.

She blinks in surprise as she sees Sangha enter the room, sitting up straight as though she'd been caught behaving in a way she shouldn't be. She hadn't managed to find her voice by the time he seated himself and asked his questions. Feeling entirely wrong-footed, Lanuola rubs at her wrists without thinking as she replies, "I-I, uh, wh-what? I, uh, I-I didn't fight her."

[Mr. E]

Moonshadow
Conditions: None
Potential: 0/5

The Nancy and Maurice Geller Intercity Rail Terminal glows golden in the late afternoon sun. Crowds of little figures, somberly dressed in black or dark blue, can be seen scurrying away from the long silver line of the train, like ants picking at the carcass of a dead snake. In the bustle of business workers rushing to catch taxis, Cindy appears as a flash of colour glimpsed through a gap in the crowd. Dressed in a faded pink T-shirt and with the tip of her hair freshly died blue, she is bobbing her head to the tune in her headphones and doesn't seem to notice how out of place she looks. Instead, she let's the crowd pull her forward, drifting through the exit doors and out onto the bustling streets of San Fransapporo.

Compared to Silverstead, an affluent and neatly ordered regiment of restored Victorian villas made popular by beach views and a certain hipsterish charm, San Fran is a messy jumble of sounds and colours, but Cindy grins at the sight anyway. Ducking down an alleyway she pulls out her phone (which is slick and modern - an early purchase with the funds offered by Cindersnap) and dials Lan, just in case. But after a few rings her sister's voice emanates from the phone, asking her to leave a message and "I'll get back to you soon!" Cindy hangs up before the tone instead and switches to her messaging app. After a momentary pause, she taps out a short message:

"I've arrived!!!"

For good measure she attaches a photo of her view down the street, running past the train station, down the steep hill and towards the glimmering water. Then, sticking her phone in her pocket with purpose, she settles her backpack on her shoulders more comfortably and strides in the direction of the water.

[DreadPirateH]

Silk
Conditions: Angry
Potential: 5/5
Hold: 1

Spoiler: Labels

Show

• Freak: +1
• Danger: +3
• Savior: -1
• Superior: +2
• Mundane: -2

Spoiler: Moves

Show

• [X] Devil or Angel on My Shoulder: When you provoke a teammate to violent action or drastic measures as your Hero Persona, roll + Danger. When you discourage a teammate from going overboard or making an action they can’t take back as your Alias Persona, roll + Superior.
• [X]Been Reading the Files: You’ve learned about the superhuman world through your mentor’s resources. When you first encounter an important superpowered phenomenon (your call), roll + Superior. On a hit, tell the team one important detail you’ve learned from your studies. The GM will tell you what, if anything, seems different from what you remember. On a 10+, ask the GM a follow-up question; they will answer it honestly. On a miss, the situation is well outside your base of knowledge; the GM will tell you why.
• [X]Company Man: When you’re confronted by someone from your past, roll + Danger. On a miss, their presence is upsetting and you must either flee the scene or fall back to your training and comply with their wishes. On a 7-9, you’re shaken. Take -1 against them for the duration of the scene but clear their Influence over you if they have it. On a 10+, clear their Influence and mark Potential or clear a Condition.
• [X]There Will Be Blood: When you scathingly Reject the Influence of a Hero, you may choose to inflict a Condition as if they’d been hit hard even on a miss.
• [X]Aces High: When you enter a dangerous situation with no plan or trick up your sleeve roll + Danger. On a miss you’re truly woefully unprepared. Expect the worst. On a hit, the tools of success are near to hand. Some assembly may be required, the GM will fill in the details. On a 10+, take +1 forward to see yourself through.

Spoiler: Risk and Reward

Show

You’ve been on your own long enough and taken one too many gambles to learn a thing or two. How to repair your gear and stretch resources. How to watch your back when no one else will and how to watch other people’s backs when they think you’re not. Someone’s watching your back too however, Luck itself. However you conceptualize this being, it’s got you in its pocket. That isn’t always in your favor.

When you begin play you have Influence over Luck and it has Influence over you. The GM acts as Luck’s agent when shifting Labels or using Luck’s Influence on you. Luck cannot lose Influence over you.

Risk/Reward: As long as you have Luck, you may gain 1 Hold per scene to a maximum of 2 and begin your first scene in the first session with 2 Hold. You may spend Hold at any time to reroll a Move. You must take the result of the second roll, even on a miss.

If you should go to 0 Hold at any time, lose Influence over Luck and shift Superior down and another Label up, your choice. You may mark a Condition to regain Influence over Luck. When you regain Influence over Luck, gain 2 Hold.

Ante Up: When you would Reject the Influence of Luck, Ante Up instead. You and Luck’s Agent will roll opposing 2d6. The higher of the two rolls win. If the Player wins, clear a Condition or gain Potential. If Luck’s Agent wins, lose Influence over Luck and mark a Condition.

Fortune Favors: When Luck would gain Influence over another Player, they Hold 1 and may spend it to reroll a move. They must take the second roll, even on a miss. When another Player would gain Influence over Luck, add a Team to the Pool.

Silk regards Palm Top Tiger's...weapon... warily. They both stand in tense silence for a moment, the "blade" leveled at her in an impressive display of strength.

There is time for talk. And there is time for action.

With a flurry of motion, Silk leaps up onto the flat of the Boom Box Zanbato, crosses it in two steps, and gives the Tiger a swift kick in the head.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Rolled an 8 to Directly Engage. I'm going to impress, surprise, or frighten the opposition.

[Razade]

Pool: 1


Moonshadow: Back In Town

It's a fairly innocuous place for a meet up, the beachfront. Throngs of sightseers and vacationers clog up the general tone and feel of San Fransapporo the closer you get to the water. A few years ago this place wasn't so lively, aliens falling from the sky, turning people to robots, but if you hadn't lived in the city or knew its history you wouldn't be able to tell anything of the sort had happened, all neat storefronts and bike paths. No sooner have you hit it though, the old familiar feeling of being followed hits. Before long, that feeling grows and soon enough you find yourself in a throng of people decidedly un-touristy.

Masked heroes aren't at all uncommon in San Fransapporo so no one's batted an eye that you, a totally regular person, has suddenly found themselves surrounded by decidedly not regular people. It's just a day in the life here. Red lacquered masks, long robes and waist long shawls with bright colors mark them as a group, it's hard to tell which of them speaks first, or last, the words coming in all around you. "This way." One of them offers, trying to steer you down a narrow street, a small cafe at the end.


Sunburst, Sangha: Kintsugi HQ

"That's not what they're saying in the Pavilion." Sangha offers, creaking slightly as he finally finds a comfortable way of sitting. "They say you and your friends broke half a city block putting the hurt on her and her goons. We both know you didn't, or we wouldn't be talking but there's power in stories. Guess you're just out of the loop, shouldn't be surprised about that either. With a group like yours, it might pay to be a little more aware of what people are saying about you. Especially now."


Silk, Palm Top Tiger: Streets Outside San Fransapporo

To her credit, the Palm Top Tiger takes the blow to the head in stride. A grimace of pain shows that she certainly felt it, but in the next fluid motion she's brought about the slab of a weapon up and back, throwing you off in a single motion and presenting an array of speakers that all at once thrum into life. The sound sfx on the page show a *Don* in big bold letters, vibrant neon oranges and yellows that match the peaks and valleys of the waveforms of the sound as it pushes the Palm Top Tiger backwards. Panels break as she moves, asphalt from the road shattering as the blast is aimed at you, hitting you as dozens of wire thin lines slam into you and send you backwards. Then there's silence once more, smoke rising in the grooves ripped between you, only a soft panting from the Palm Top Tiger and the ringing in your ears filling the space between.

In the next moment, sound and fury once more as the swordswoman swings again, the air moving through the mighty blade quaking through the speakers, the waveforms going from soft blues and greens at the start of the blades arc to vivid reds as another powerful wave blasts asphalt and dirt your way.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Mark a Condition from your exchange of blows

[Comissar]

Sunburst
Conditions:
Potential: 3/5

Spoiler: Labels

Show

• Danger: -1
• Freak: +1
• Savior: +2
• Superior: +1
• Mundane: +0

Spoiler: Burn and Flares

Show

Held Burn

0

Shielding

You call up a fast protective field to stop a danger. Spend 1 burn to defend someone else from an immediate threat, rolling +Freak instead of +Saviour.

Moat

Spend 1 burn to create a barrier that will hold back threats as long as you keep your attention on it. The GM may call for you to spend another burn if the barrier is threatened by particularly powerful enemies.

Reality Storm

You channel a destructive burst with your powers. Spend 1 burn to directly engage a threat using your powers, rolling +Freak instead of +Danger. If you do, you will cause unwanted collateral damage unless you spend another burn.

Snatch

Spend 1 burn to use your powers to seize any one object up to the size of a person from someone within view.

Move

Spend 1 Burn to move to any place you choose within the scene, breaking through or slipping past any restraints in your way. Spend a second burn to move to any place you've previously been.

Overcharge

You channel the full capacity of your incredible powers to overcome an obstacle, reshape your environment, or extend your senses. Spend 2 burn to take a 10+ when you unleash your powers.

Elemental Awareness

Spend 1 Burn and Mark a Condition to open up your mind to the world around you with your powers. You can ask any one question about the world around you and the GM will answer honestly.

Moves

Wish I could be - When you comfort or support someone, if you tell them what you most envy about them, you can roll +Freak instead of +Mundane.

Unstoppable - When you smash your way through scenery to get to or get away from something, roll +Danger. On a hit, the world breaks before you, and you get what you want. On a 7-9, choose one: mark a condition, leave something behind, or take something with you. On a miss, you smash through, but leave devestation in your wake or wind up somewhere worse, GM's choice.

Lanuola hunches forward as Sangha speaks. Her stomach churning as she heard how the city apparently saw her and her team. After a few moments she forces herself to nod a couple of times in acknowledgement of the advice. "I-I, uh, yeah... U-umm, I'd, uh, I'd been avoiding it." She tucks her hair away from her face as she looks back up at the retired hero, "I, uh... I guess, uh, I guess that's not the only, uh, the only thing you came to say..?"

[The_Specialist]

Tsunami
Conditions: Angry, Insecure
Potential: 2/5
Gadget: 0
Hold: 0

Spoiler: Labels

Show

• Freak: +1
• Danger: -1
• Savior: +2
• Superior: +3
• Mundane: -2

Spoiler: Moves

Show

• [X] Fireside Chat: When you seek advice from your mentor, roll + the Label they embody. On a hit they will tell you what to do. On a 10+, mark potential if you follow their advice, and take +1 ongoing to follow through. On a 7-9, you get +1 forward to see it through if you do it their way. On a miss, they don’t have time for you because something big has gone down; mark a condition, GM’s choice.
• [X]Be Mindful of Your Surroundings: When you assess the situation before entering into a fight, you may ask one additional question, even on a miss.
• [X]Venting Frustration: When you directly engage while you are Angry, you can roll + the label your mentor denies (Mundane) and clear Angry.
• [X]Fight the Good Fight: When you pull your punches while directly engaging a threat, you can roll + Savior instead of + Danger. If you do, you cannot choose to impress, surprise, or frighten your foe.
• [X]Before We Get Started: When you take the time to closely observe your opposition before a battle, roll + Savior. On a 10+, hold 3. On a 7-9, hold 2. On a miss, hold 1 and mark a condition. During battle, you can spend your hold 1 for 1 to name a character you observed and...:
  
  • ...redirect their attack to another character or nowhere—into a wall or the sky.
  • ...cross a distance between them and you.
  • ...disarm them.
  • ...ignore all harm to yourself from one of their attacks.
  • ...escape any bindings or restrictions they attempt to place on you.

The corners of his lips bend into a bit of a frown at first when Lan states that she’s not going to yell at him, but he lets her speak her piece without trying to persuade her again, at least just yet. He does however appear unconvinced that it wasn’t his fault still.

He gives her his full attention when she stands, although he doesn’t appear to tense up or any such thing as she approaches. In fact, the little punch takes him by surprise, just as much as the smile does. Max doesn’t flinch or appear angered, just confused at first. When she speaks this time however, he slowly seems to relent on his determination to be punished somehow, glancing down at the pond along with her for a moment as well.

Max nods finally, seeming to understand, and lifts a hand to touch his arm where the ‘punch’ struck, a rare little smile breaking free across his lips. He does shake his head once when she thanks him for being… him, trying to hide the smile a little as he ‘tsks’ softly. “Yeah… you’re welcome, I guess. Can’t really help being me… for better or worse. And hey, I’m really glad you chose to stick with me… and us.”

“W-... she does?” Blinking once as he processes her last comment, Max once again looks a little shocked, though he recovers with a soft huff of what sounds to be amusement, even if he shuffles his weight a little sheepishly. “Well, if you ever need a fake boyfriend to scare some jerk away or something, I don’t mind pretending.”

[Mr. E]

Moonshadow
Conditions: None
Potential: 0/5

Spoiler: Labels

Show

Freak: +0
Danger: +1
Savior: +2
Superior: +1
Mundane: -1

Cindy would like to know when being followed started to feel so gosh-darned familiar. She thinks it was probably sometime in Silverstead, maybe after that thing with the pretentious chick (you know, the one with the fedora and the fake Chicago accent?). As the masked figures flow around her, she appears as a flash of green amongst a swirl of red, her eyes flicking around the scene.

The next panel is a tense close-up, a snap shot of her face as she weighs her options. Then, after a fraction of a second, she smiles and shrugs.

"Guess I did want a drink anyway." Turning to follow her new 'friends' her grin turns slightly s**t-eating as she leans towards one of the lacquer-masked figures, "Anything on the menu you particularly recommend?"

But while she does her best to appear casual as she walks down the alley, her eyes continue to scan her surroundings, categorizing possible exits and looking for any clues about what happens next.

'Nobody's going to murder me on my first day back, right...'

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Obviously Cindy is trying to assess the situation here:

(2d6+1)[8]

On a hit I'd like to ask 'what can I use to get out fast?' On a 10+ I will also ask 'what here is in the greatest danger?'

[Comissar]

Sunburst
Conditions:
Potential: 3/5

Spoiler: Labels

Show

• Danger: -1
• Freak: +1
• Savior: +2
• Superior: +1
• Mundane: +0

Spoiler: Burn and Flares

Show

Held Burn

0

Shielding

You call up a fast protective field to stop a danger. Spend 1 burn to defend someone else from an immediate threat, rolling +Freak instead of +Saviour.

Moat

Spend 1 burn to create a barrier that will hold back threats as long as you keep your attention on it. The GM may call for you to spend another burn if the barrier is threatened by particularly powerful enemies.

Reality Storm

You channel a destructive burst with your powers. Spend 1 burn to directly engage a threat using your powers, rolling +Freak instead of +Danger. If you do, you will cause unwanted collateral damage unless you spend another burn.

Snatch

Spend 1 burn to use your powers to seize any one object up to the size of a person from someone within view.

Move

Spend 1 Burn to move to any place you choose within the scene, breaking through or slipping past any restraints in your way. Spend a second burn to move to any place you've previously been.

Overcharge

You channel the full capacity of your incredible powers to overcome an obstacle, reshape your environment, or extend your senses. Spend 2 burn to take a 10+ when you unleash your powers.

Elemental Awareness

Spend 1 Burn and Mark a Condition to open up your mind to the world around you with your powers. You can ask any one question about the world around you and the GM will answer honestly.

Moves

Wish I could be - When you comfort or support someone, if you tell them what you most envy about them, you can roll +Freak instead of +Mundane.

Unstoppable - When you smash your way through scenery to get to or get away from something, roll +Danger. On a hit, the world breaks before you, and you get what you want. On a 7-9, choose one: mark a condition, leave something behind, or take something with you. On a miss, you smash through, but leave devestation in your wake or wind up somewhere worse, GM's choice.

Speaking with Max - Present

Lanuola's grin breaks out into a laugh at Max's offer. She hesitates a moment, then steps in to give him a hug, holding it only a few brief moments before stepping back again. "Thanks. I'll, uh, I'll message you if I need a 'date'." Glancing around the park, she adds, "Hey, if, uh, if you're not busy, did you want to go see a movie or something..? I think, uh, I think I could use some down time, and it'd be fun to hang out."

[Razade]

Pool: 1


Moonshadow and Friends

You're brought to a small table in the otherwise empty cafe, quiet enough you could hear a pin drop, or your own breathing. Your friends don't stick around though you're more than certain they're not far away, the prickling of their presence all around you in the lonely cafe.

"Would have been nice to know you were coming back without having to spy on you." The voice isn't familiar, you're unlikely to have met them face to face before you left but you know the owner of it as Cindersnap steps out from the kitchen doors dressed down in civilian clothing. She'd sent you quite a number of corrospondances while you were out doing your own thing, somehow always managing to find you exactly where you were. The spying probably explains that.

"Didn't want you evaporating into the city before I had a chance to see what you were about. This a social call to your sister or you here to stay?"


Sunburst, Sangha: Kintsugi HQ

"No, mostly that." Sangha replies dryly. "Times were, a young heroine could go out and do some damage and not have the whole city coming down around her head. When my daughter was still in town, she'd get up to trouble. Would sneak out to clubs with her friends, get into fights, come home and act like she'd never been out. Thought she could fool her old man because he was busy keeping the city from falling apart but I knew. Her and her girlfriend." Sangha makes a face, something between a frown and concern though it passes quickly.

"Times were sure different then. Now you've got places like this to lecture you on your powers instead of teaching you how to use them safely. The Guardians used to have bunkers beneath the city for kids like you but they were shut down. No, I got called here because your friends want to rebuild them and you just happened to be here. Don't go thinking I'm growing fond of you."