[Masks] San Fransapporo: After Dark

[DreadPirateH]

Hikari
Conditions: Angry
Potential: 2/5

Spoiler: Labels

Show

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

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 with your Alias Label. When you discourage a teammate from going overboard or making an action they can’t take back as your Alias Persona, roll + your Hero Label.
• [X]Save the Light: When you step in to intervene, help a civilian, or stop a threat roll + your Hero label. On a miss, you’re made to look the fool. Mark a Condition and give ground. On a hit, you’ve got someone’s attention. Use it as an opportunity or provoke them to action. On a 10+ your foe must respond in kind or flee.
• [X]Captain: When you enter battle as a team, add an extra Team to the pool and carry +1 forward if you are the leader.
• [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.

After being manhandled by Tsunami - for the second time - Hikari brushes herself off. She mostly tunes out Hannya as he spits his hot nonsense, though she makes a mental note of his threat to have the team shot. He was going to pay for that. A small panel of the defenestration list pops up. It's got a blank space, baby, and she writes his name.

It was obvious that Hannya and Tsunami had history. And it was equally obvious that this was not her situation to control. Tsunami's got a plan. It's a terrible plan, but if they could get the hostages safe, they could deal with the rest of it later. Trust your team.

Hikari holds up a fist, signaling Ground Zero to hold off. This would be the one time his overreaction speed isn't set to "way too fast".

Hikari shoots Tsunami a glare he's no doubt becoming familiar with. You'd better know what you're doing. Don't **** this up.

"Let them go, Hannya. We'll leave and Tsunami can hand you your ass in private like civilized men."

[Catastrophic_B]

Ground Zero
Conditions: Guilty
Potential: 4/5

Spoiler: Labels

Show

Freak: +0
Danger: +3
Savior: -1
Superior: +1
Mundane:-1

Spoiler: Moves

Show

In a China Shop: When you directly engage a threat, you can cause significant collateral damage to your environment to choose an additional option, even on a miss.
Physics? What physics: When you unleash your powers to barrel through an insurmountable barrier, roll + Danger instead of + Freak.
The gossip mags: When you tap into the gossip and rumor of the celebrity industry for information on an important city figure, roll + Superior. On a hit, you can ask the GM questions. On a 10+, ask three. On a 7-9, ask one:
- What are they up to?
- What or who do they most care about?
- What allies do they have? Enemies?
- Where and when can I find them?
- How could I make them vulnerable to me?
On a miss, ask one anyway, but they hear about your interest in them.

Maybe it's due to the electric net that was around her messing with the comms, but Hikari's orders come through as a static-y mess. The thought of coming down like a meteor and putting an end to all this crosses his mind, only for the idea to meet a quick death as he remembers the how many people he put in danger the last time he came in big like that. There were two already injured hostages down there, so he needed a better plan than just charging in.

He holds back, and after Tsunami pulls the net off of Hikari, there's a break in the fighting as Hannya seems to start a brief monologue. Judging from Tsunami's reaction, he's not saying anything nice, but from his altitude Hannya's word don't quite reach, and he only catches every second word or so as they're picked up by Tsunami and Hikari's comms. Not that he particularly cared what the guy had to say. He was just 'a bad dude' as far as he was concerned. Admittedly the hostage taking and firing on civilians did put some serious emphasis on the bad.

Over the comms he hears Tsunami's reply and he likes what he hears. Fights should be handled without civilians in the way, and it sounded like Tsunami had history with this guy that needed to be resolved. Plus once the hostages were safe, he and Hikari could always double back and help Tsunami out. If he even needed it. From the sound of Hikari's next words, it sounded like she agreed with the plan.

GZ smiled, it was nice to have all the team members here be on the same page.

He drifts a bit lower to try get a better look at their opponent, hoping that there would be some clue in his body language as to what he's thinking.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Rolled to reject, got an 8. Going to cancel influence and take +1 against. Rolled to try pierce Hannya's mask, rolled a 4. Marking potential. For the anniversary advance, GZ is going to pick up the Scion move "I'll show them".

[Razade]

Pool: 0


Sunburst, Sangha: Tiger's Curio

The old man gives a sour look. Then he trips over one of the many cupboards he'd only moments ago opened, the precious crystal object sailing through the air to land in some gathered shawls and other bits of fabric off to your right. More angry Mandarin spews from Sangha's lips as he stands, dusting himself off with a footnote of "very bad words" where there would otherwise be a translation. "Yes yes, fine. No money. What will Sangha get for training you hmmm? A broken leg and a bad back!" he mutters as he slowly makes his way around the counter. He gives you a once over, critical in only the way your grandmother does it when you're going out in something you know she wouldn't approve of. "You destroyed a building? Probably should take training to the basement."

Without looking over his shoulder he hobbles off into the dim fog of smoke. The stairs down are rickety and worn, when you find them in the clutter, and very soon they are without handrails with a steep sharp drop on one side. The simple shop quickly opens into a vast cavernous descent, more smoke eminating from below with a glow that only grows brighter the more you descend. The going is slow, especially behind Sangha who makes no real attempt to hurry though the bottom is eventually in sight.

So is the Ley Line.

You've heard stories, for sure, about the vast magical veins that run all around San Fransapporo. You've felt their power, as a magic user, and you've seen their destructive abilities when villains try to angle in on them for whatever schemes they might have. You've never seen one in the flesh though, not until today. The air is electric, you can taste it on your tongue. Pure mana washes over the basin you find yourself in, thick with the scent of life. All around you is vegetation, rivers flow and small waterfalls feed them. The scene is serene but you know it's a lie. It's the calm before a lightning strike. Before a wild animal might lunge at you, the slow throbbing pulse of your blood moving through your veins. Beneath it all is that one single Ley Line, the floor crystal and clean. Keeping you safe from the Line itself, for surely if you were to even place a hand in it you'd be washed away. Perhaps to the Cacophony, perhaps somewhere else, perhaps simply dissolved into magic itself. Sangha, to his credit, says nothing in this moment. He simply observes, as serene and tumultuous as the air around you.


Tsunami, Hikari, GZ, Hannya, The Rest: Crash Scene

The air is tense for a few moments as it seems Hannya deliberates. It's hard to really tell behind the mask but finally he motions forward as the Elementals shove their hostages at you. [COLOR="#FF0000"][I]"Fine. I'll take you on your honor then. You and your flying friend. Take the hostages and leave the thief with me." He gives another motion, one of the steel Elementals dashing off into the city. "But in case you go back on your word, I'll make sure my friends pay you back for your lies. I don't trust that one to make good on such deals. Best keep him shackled." The villain points up towards you Ground Zero, hollow black eyes gazing up at you. "Go now before I change my mind. Your friend here has a duel to lose."

Spoiler: Ground Zero

Show

Mark a Condition for your miss

[Captain Jak]

Ronin
Conditions: Damaged
Potential: 2/5
Gadget: 1

Spoiler: Labels

Show

• Freak: +0
• Danger: +0
• Savior: +2
• Superior: +2
• 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 how they are your role model as a hero, 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.

Truth be told, Miho isn’t horribly upset to be told that she had been passed over as a potential apprentice for the Smith; being told that one is too competent to need a mentor holding one’s hand is hardly something to take offense at; and she happens to agree, with the right support and training, Tsunami is going to be formidable.

Besides; spending excessive amounts of time in this sort of heat likely wouldn’t do good things for her; she’s happy to leave that sort of thing to those whose element it is. More literally in this case.

As the Smith keeps talking, however, Miho feels like she's been dashed in the face with a bucket of cold water, ambient heat notwithstanding. What she was hearing?

”I…” she begins abortively, atypically for her at a loss for words. They're often the wrong words, but she can usually find them. ”To me, the world is one great mystery,” she goes on. ”Oh sure, I'm smart, I've done things with hands and mind that not many have,” she says dismissively – it might seem like a great accomplishment, but she’s very much aware how much she hasn’t done yet, how much she has left to learn.

She tries to iterate why this is a problem. ”But the more I learn, the more I discover that I have yet to learn,” she goes on. Greater exposure to her sphere of ignorance, is how she learned it. ”That is part of life that appeals to me so much; if I don’t know something, I can apply myself, study it, learn it, determine the rules and how they fit into the world,” she explains.

”But...magic,” she goes one, trying to keep her opinions on the subject out of her tone, ”I want to classify that as conditional methods of tapping potent energy sources from parallel realities, or matching harmonic variances to bring a native of such a reality into synch with ours,” she explains.

”But that’s not what you mean, is it,” the inventor goes on, stress leaking into her voice. ”I’m not…I can’t just accept that there are things I have to just...accept, that there’s a world out there of effects that have no sensible causes, that’s....” She trails off.

”...magical,” she concludes, defeated. How is she supposed to earn the respect of a woman whose value system is so alien to her own? Why had she set herself up for failure like this?

”I’m...sorry to have wasted your time. Thank you again for the access to your workshop, and I will be sure to tell Tsunami you have work for him,” she says briskly, trying to mask her turmoil as she stands. If only the rest of her was as numb as the legs that are just carried along for the ride by her intricately crafted, eminently non-magical armour.

[DreadPirateH]

Hikari
Conditions:
Potential: 2/5

Spoiler: Labels

Show

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

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 with your Alias Label. When you discourage a teammate from going overboard or making an action they can’t take back as your Alias Persona, roll + your Hero Label.
• [X]Save the Light: When you step in to intervene, help a civilian, or stop a threat roll + your Hero label. On a miss, you’re made to look the fool. Mark a Condition and give ground. On a hit, you’ve got someone’s attention. Use it as an opportunity or provoke them to action. On a 10+ your foe must respond in kind or flee.
• [X]Captain: When you enter battle as a team, add an extra Team to the pool and carry +1 forward if you are the leader.
• [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.

The situation was completely out of Hikari's control, but you'd never know it the way she saunters into Hannya's space to take custody of the hostages instead of waiting for their release. As her old friend Chelsea was fond of saying, 'Never let 'em see you sweat, baby girl.'

Jin was fond of no-win scenarios. The old man held that there was nothing more Zen than a truly impossible challenge. When there is no right answer in a crisis, when nothing you do matters, it is what you choose to do that truly reveals who you are. Your deepest flaws, your most profound strengths. To recognize the unchangeable is to recognize what can be changed. When everything else is defeat, true victory is knowing yourself.

But this is not a no-win scenario. This is an already-won. They rescued the hostages. Everything else is just details.

Passing close to Tsunami again on the way out, she flashes him a grin. "Mission accomplished," she says with a wink. "You did good. Kick his ass."

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Rolled a 10 via Discord to Comfort/support Tsunami. Tsunami can mark potential, clear a condition, or shift Labels. Thanks to the 10+, Hikari will clear her own Angry condition.

[Comissar]

Sunburst
Conditions: Afraid
Potential: 2/5

Spoiler: Labels

Show

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

Spoiler: Burn and Flares

Show

Held Burn

2

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.

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 shifts on her perch uncertainly as Sangha bustles about and curses. This was all going very differently to how she imagined it might. Her fidgeting intensifies as she comes under closer scrutiny. Her cheeks glow somewhat at the comment of the destroyed building, but she gives a meek nod as he leads her down to the basement.

Descending the stairs proves to be surprisingly challenging, and she finds she needs to brace herself with a hand on one wall. As it fails to get any safer, she finds herself wondering just what she'd gotten herself into. As they grew closer to the bottom, she began to feel a pressure in the air, her skin prickling with the changing atmosphere. Reaching the bottom, she finds herself standing in awe of the leyline. She felt transfixed. The beauty of the scene before her setting her at peace just as much as the heavy weight of magic in the air set her on edge. Without knowing how long she'd been stood staring, she manages to stammer out, "I-It's... I-It's incredible..."

[The_Specialist]

Tsunami
Conditions: Angry, Insecure
Potential: 2/5
Gadget: 1
Hold: 2

Spoiler: Labels

Show

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

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]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.

Tsunami is grateful for the cooperation of his team mates, for Hikari’s encouragement of his plan and GZ holding steady despite a situation that must surely be just a little tempting to crash into. Holding his gaze on Hannya, he’s almost a little surprised but ultimately relieved when the man agrees to his plan. It does fill him with some solace that Hannya, even if a thug, acknowledges his honour, and is willing to take him on it.

“They won’t. And I won’t either.” Max assures firmly, lowering his kanabō from a ready position to rest against the ground. His gaze briefly follows the elemental that Hannya sends off into the city, wanting to question it, but he has a role to play now, and he won’t do anything to further incense Hannya until the hostages are safe. With luck his teammates noticed, though either way he trusts them to keep their charges protected regardless.

Hazel eyes flick towards Hikari as she passes close by on her way out with the hostages, meeting her gaze momentarily. He’s almost surprised by the grin she flashes him, but it fills him with a small burst of renewed confidence along with her words. He did it. Even if Hannya trashes him now, they rescued those people. He trusts his team to handle the rest. The urging to ’kick his ass’ does cause one corner of his mouth to quirk upwards slightly, though thankfully the mask hides it. He’s not cocky enough to assume it’s going to an easy fight, but he appreciates the encouragement.

“Will do.” He responds softly to just her, his gaze returning to Hannya while he stands his ground quietly and resolute until there is some sizeable space between them all. Once he’s fairly certain his friends are well out of reach and soon to be out of sight, he lifts his kanabō off the ground but does not move from where he’s standing.

“...Shall we get started?”

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Thanks to Hikari, I’m going to clear Guilty!

[Catastrophic_B]

Ground Zero
Conditions: Guilty, Angry
Potential: 4/5

Spoiler: Labels

Show

Freak: +0
Danger: +3
Savior: -1
Superior: +1
Mundane:-1

Spoiler: Moves

Show

In a China Shop: When you directly engage a threat, you can cause significant collateral damage to your environment to choose an additional option, even on a miss.
Physics? What physics: When you unleash your powers to barrel through an insurmountable barrier, roll + Danger instead of + Freak.
The gossip mags: When you tap into the gossip and rumor of the celebrity industry for information on an important city figure, roll + Superior. On a hit, you can ask the GM questions. On a 10+, ask three. On a 7-9, ask one:
- What are they up to?
- What or who do they most care about?
- What allies do they have? Enemies?
- Where and when can I find them?
- How could I make them vulnerable to me?
On a miss, ask one anyway, but they hear about your interest in them.
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.

GZ grits his teeth and glares down at the villain. He was getting real sick of people saying **** about him. Admittedly he had wanted more attention after coming back from the Cacophony, but all this negative press had not been what he had in mind.

"Kick his ass Tsunami. And take a souvenir when you're done, the base is looking dull."

Trusting Tsunami and Hikari to handle their parts, he takes off after the elemental that fled.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Marking angry as per last GM Post.

[Razade]

Pool: 0


Sunburst, Sangha: Before the Ley Line

The air thrums with life, the energy palpapel so close to a living source of magical energy. That silent space between words is mirrored as Sangha turns to face you, the light casting his shadow up along the vast walls that you can now see crawl with life. Vines and creepers spiral up and up with glowing beads of dew, fruits of luminescent shades hang from branches that jut from the rough walls. The panels shift, almost as if moving to a first person perspective. Not Sunburst's however, she's standing in full view bathed in the magical light.

The panel is in two, a full color spread. Sunburst in one, vulnerable and in awe, glowing in her own scintillating way, as her speech bubble hangs above her head. "I-It's... I-It's incredible..."

The other is a young woman of near the same age. Dark hair, rebellious eyes, a tiger's mask in one hand as the other hangs limp at her side. She'd be pretty if it weren't for the bruisers that cover her arms, mud covering legs that still ooze with blood as if some great cat had decided to take a swing at them. In the light, those eyes gleam like fire and above her head hang the same words. The same awe. "I-It's... I-It's incredible"

And then the panels snap back aligning to show Sangha and Sunburst. "Yes." the old man finally says, frown on his face. "What do you see in the Ley Lines, girl?"

Ronin, The Smith: The Forge

"Time enjoyed is not time wasted. You have been a distraction, announced, but I am not unhappy you came. You are an earnest young woman, I see much of myself in you when I was your age. Stubborn, so much like Max. I am not asking you to simply accept magic. Go out, see for yourself." With slow movements The Smith stands, motioning to one of the large series of metal shelving that lines The Forge. "I am certain I have a pass or two for the Lines. Take one, take your friends, go beyond this world and find answers for yourselves. When you come back, tell me what you saw and if you truly believe."

Sure enough, in the indicated draw is several such "Line Passes". Printed on a metal you can't identify simply by touch and sight, weightless as paper but as solid as steel, they gleam in the lavalight. It would probably help if you knew the symbols and what they meant, but it couldn't hurt to take one of them could it? Of the four, a moon, a flame, a bolt of lightning and a simple square mark them as different.

Hikari, The Hostages: Leaving

The exchange goes off without a hitch as GZ takes off after the Elemental. That leaves you and your two wards with only one real question. Where do you take them to get them safe? A follow up, what do you do with them after?


Tsunami, Hannya: Showdown

Hannya watches Hikari go one way and Ground Zero go the other before finally turning their attention back to Tsunami. "You're giving me an opening shot on you or are you hoping someone comes in with a clutch shot to finish things off like last time?" You can hear the sneer behind the mask. He says nothing else as the Elemental swarm descends, sharp blade like fingers slicing at you as Hannya looks to book a hasty retreat.


Ground Zero, Elemental: On the Run

The Elemental doesn't seem in much of a hurry as it takes off until it notices you trailing behind it. Then it starts to hurry, far and fast away towards the Bay District with haste. It makes no real moves to impede you or really hurt or harm anything or anyone in the way. It's sole mission seems to just get as far as possible from Hannya as it's able. Which is quite far as it comes to a screeching, spark filled stop in the middle of a busy street. Cars slam on their breaks and swerve to avoid the creature before it moves to lift one such vehicle up and toss it at you with its occupants screaming all the while.

[Captain Jak]

Ronin
Conditions: Damaged
Potential: 2/5
Gadget: 1

Spoiler: Labels

Show

• Freak: +0
• Danger: +0
• Savior: +2
• Superior: +2
• 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 how they are your role model as a hero, 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.

Forestalled by the Smith's words, Miho remains as the massive artificer explains her intentions. She…is giving Miho a chance to prove herself, earn the respect she desperately craves from this great hero?

The comment about being much like the Smith herself nearly leaves her speechless, but there's something in those words that is outside her experience, and as always she doesn't like not knowing what was going on.

”The Lines?” she repeats, making of it a question. This isn't a facet of life in San Fransapporo that she has given much credit to in the past, and therefore isn't all familiar with what the Smith is referring to, unlike several of her teammates would be, she's sure. Her gauntleted hand reaches out and delicately takes one of the proffered strips; no deliberation is required, of course; the lightning bolt comes easily to hand.

[Comissar]

Sunburst
Conditions: Afraid
Potential: 2/5

Spoiler: Labels

Show

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

Spoiler: Burn and Flares

Show

Held Burn

2

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.

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 shakes her head a little, trying to fully comprehend the sight before her. "It's... Uh, there's... It's so full of... Of life..." She finds herself feeling flush with an almost cloying heat, "It's like, uh, it's like it's bursting out. Making everything grow near it with it's, uh ,with it's energy."

She manages to tear her gaze away, looking at the verdant plant life surrounding the magical source with a new realisation. "... There's, uh, there's no natural light down here. The, uh, the plants shouldn't be able to grow..."

Lanuola's attention turns back to Sangha, struggling to find him for a moment after having looked into the brilliance of the leyline. Unbeknownst to her, her eyes had turned to a brilliant white as they shone with reflected power. "It... It seems dangerous... That, uh, that much power... If, uh, if it were directed it'd, uh, it'd be really..." She struggles for a few moments to find an appropriate word, before finishing lamely, "Umm... Powerful..."

[DreadPirateH]

Hikari
Conditions: Angry
Potential: 2/5

Spoiler: Labels

Show

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

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 with your Alias Label. When you discourage a teammate from going overboard or making an action they can’t take back as your Alias Persona, roll + your Hero Label.
• [X]Save the Light: When you step in to intervene, help a civilian, or stop a threat roll + your Hero label. On a miss, you’re made to look the fool. Mark a Condition and give ground. On a hit, you’ve got someone’s attention. Use it as an opportunity or provoke them to action. On a 10+ your foe must respond in kind or flee.
• [X]Captain: When you enter battle as a team, add an extra Team to the pool and carry +1 forward if you are the leader.
• [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.

After checking to make sure White Sparrow and the judge were both physically unharmed, Hikari escorts them down the street back in the general direction they came from. It would be faster to take them on Sakura, but after everything they'd been through, better to take it easy. As they walk, she takes the opportunity to ask some questions. "White Sparrow, Snow Fox told me about how you gave yourself up to tend the wounded. I admire that kind of leadership. Of course, sparrows are clever birds. Having a pair of eyes on the inside never hurts. What can you tell me about what happened inside? Did either of you see or hear anything strange?"

[Razade]

Pool: 1


Ronin, The Smith: The Forge

"How long have you lived in this city, girl?" The Smith asks a little skeptically as she moves with plodding steps back towards her anvil. "The Ley Lines. They can be traveled like any simple road. So long as you have the pass and the means to do so, you may travel them as you wish. Any one of those three will show you a world beyond anything you could ever dream of. Return to me with a trophy from your travels. Then we can discuss how I might help you."


Sunburst, Sangha: Beneath the Store

Sangha nods, glancing up at the spiraling vines and creepers. "That's the power of the Ley Lines. The glow it casts is filled with the same life. If you knew how to channel it's energy you wouldn't even need to eat or sleep so close to one. But it's a deceptive light. It'd burn you up inside, your mind and your spirit. It'd leave you a husk...or worse." He then turns with another nod though motions towards your hands. "Perhaps we should get you away from it, no telling what might happen if you and it collided. A weapon out of this could take out the whole city. Maybe more. You saw what you needed to see in it. The first step in training your powers is to know this. There is always something larger, more dangerous, than you. Your power is a drop in the ocean next to this. To be humble is to know your limits, and from there you work inward towards self perfection. You're not a danger, only to what seems immediate. But that passes. You can control it."

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Some obvious label shifting here. If you accept, Danger down and Superior up. Or roll to reject.

Hikari, Hostages: Elsewhere

The Judge remains silent as you walk though the reason seems rather clear once White Sparrow speaks. "I appreciate the...unorthodox recovery effort. I find myself surprised you were not here with Jin Hikari, I had heard you'd parted ways but I couldn't fathom the rumors were true. I saw plenty though not much that seems relevant. Hannya and his men came in and took control of the building rather quickly. From their training I suspect many of his men were trained in military procedures, if not former military themselves. By the time I gave myself over they were already nearing their goal."

She motions to the Judge who bristles further. "The honorable Judge here has had some dealings the Guardians were aware of and monitoring for some time. It would seem the apartment complex was built on someone's dime and the Judge was given over to making sure it was filled and staffed with large names. Donors if you will. The Cleric's finger prints are all over this, Hannya was looking through the Judge's files in hoping to find a paper trail leading back to the Warlord. You and your team disrupted that. We have reason to suspect that the Rogue's Constellations were using the apartments as their base of operations though none were present to stop Hannya. The Judge seems to think that was a lie to keep him in line. He promised to cooperate with the Guardians if we could get him free. I volunteered. The Guardians need as many feathers in their cap ever since the schism. If you have any other questions I will happily answer them for you however I have my own duties to attend to and I would not wish to leave my team in the stewardship of Snow Fox for long."

[Captain Jak]

Ronin
Conditions: Damaged
Potential: 2/5
Gadget: 1

Spoiler: Labels

Show

• Freak: +0
• Danger: +0
• Savior: +2
• Superior: +2
• 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 how they are your role model as a hero, 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.

Ronin blinks, mentally realigning herself. Travel...the Ley Lines? The connotation hadn't immediately leapt to mind, any more than she would have thought of the hydroelectric network if someone said to travel the Grid. They are a natural source of power, like geothermal energy; the only real difference is the great deal of superstition that surrounds them, usually spouted by–

Oh.

The Smith is telling her...that sometimes stories are true? That one can travel along a 'river of energy' like it was a river in truth, falling through the cracks into other worlds?

Her coldly logical brain wants to reject this on principle, but is arrested by the source. She holds the Smith in deepest respect, and as hard as it is to swallow, she can't just reject the concept out of hand when proposed to her by such an august personage.

”My apologies for not understanding the reference.” Her reasons notwithstanding, she is supposed to be more than a little smart; she should have put two and two together.

Recalling her helmet, she immediately starts to feel cooler as her climate control has a sealed system to work with. ”I will confer with the rest of Yami no Yojimbo, see who is able to accompany me on this,” she hesitates a bare moment.

”…quest,” she concludes. Accompany, advise, ideally explain just how exactly one is supposed to ‘travel’ a ley line.

Respectfully taking her leave, she leaves the Smith to her work and returns to the city at large, leaving the workshop of molten rock and archaic implements behind.

Magic. That is not something that meshes with her science brain, and she shakes her head vigorously. She will follow up on mystic mumbo jumbo later; she has that meeting with Sidis coming up soon, and science brain is where that’s at.

Fortunately, there is bound to be some good news to cleanse her mental palate. She has [Chisei run a search for any press on their hostage rescue effort. It had done a lot for L’s frame of mind to come out of that without having destroyed anything, and she can’t wait to see if there’s any positive press yet that could further her own cause.

[Comissar]

Sunburst
Conditions: Afraid
Potential: 2/5

Spoiler: Labels

Show

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

Spoiler: Burn and Flares

Show

Held Burn

2

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.

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 nods, a serious expression on her face as she listens to Sangha's words. He was absolutely right, the Ley Line was practically bursting with power and she didn't doubt for a second that someone would be able to level cities with the power it contained. In a strange way, it was almost comforting to know that such an accepted part of the city's architecture had that potential. It gave her hope that the same could be true of her.

Sangha's gesture toward her hands makes her glance down, and she becomes aware of the rippling light playing across the surface of her skin. The patterns put her in mind of reflections off of water, and she turned her hands over in wonder at her unwitting display. Nodding her agreement, she asks "Umm, so, uh, back upstairs..?"

Following his lead, she sheepishly adds, "U-umm, what you said about knowing your, uh, your limits..? I, uh, I don't actually know where mine are... I've, uh, I've never tried pushing to, uh, to them."

Spoiler: OoC

Show

Accepting the shift. Between the events of the morning, and the way Sangha brought it up, Lanuola's inclined to agree with him.

[The_Specialist]

Tsunami
Conditions: Angry, Insecure
Potential: 2/5
Gadget: 0
Hold: 1

Spoiler: Labels

Show

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

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]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 hair on the back of Max’s neck stands up as the elementals abruptly swarm in, and his eyes narrow as he sees Hannya turn to run. He doesn't warrant the taunting words previous with any verbal response, resorting to simple action instead. Releasing the pent up energy in his limbs, the kanabō swings out and slams into the first steel construct directly in front of him, smashing it into the next one and clearing a momentary path. Max jolts forward with a burst of vapor, jumping and springing off the first few elementals until he’s clear. He closes the distance between himself and Hannya rapidly, but he in’t looking for an extended fight. He wants this done now.

Hooking his thumb under a shoulder plate, Tsunami activates a hidden mechanism. With percussive chorus of metal on metal and a roar of steam, his armour plating abruptly disengages from each other and from him, the plates violently flying forward. Instead of forming a wall as was the original intent, the slabs of weighty metal hit Hannya first and begin to cover and stack onto him instead in rapid succession.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Spending 1 Hold to cross the distance between Max and Hannya. Spending my 1 Gadget to try and catch/weigh him down. Rolled for Unleash +Superior and got a 12.

[DreadPirateH]

Hikari
Conditions: Angry
Potential: 3/5

Spoiler: Labels

Show

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

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 with your Alias Label. When you discourage a teammate from going overboard or making an action they can’t take back as your Alias Persona, roll + your Hero Label.
• [X]Save the Light: When you step in to intervene, help a civilian, or stop a threat roll + your Hero label. On a miss, you’re made to look the fool. Mark a Condition and give ground. On a hit, you’ve got someone’s attention. Use it as an opportunity or provoke them to action. On a 10+ your foe must respond in kind or flee.
• [X]Captain: When you enter battle as a team, add an extra Team to the pool and carry +1 forward if you are the leader.
• [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.

At the mention of Jin's name, a memory flits across Hikari's eyes. A vision of the past. A single panel, in washed out colors, show her kneeling on the floor, head bowed while Jin stands, his back to her. "Master, I'm sorry!" "Leave me! I have no more use for the likes of you. You are cast out."

Hikari shoves the memory aside, and the panels return to her walking with White Sparrow, but the rest of what the other hero has to say is hardly less pleasant. "Thanks for reminding me why we don't play for the same team." Hikari gives the Judge a baleful sidelong glance. Click! Another panel shows the ever-lengthening Defenestration List, with Judge Matias's name in the newest spot. "What do the Guardians get out of protecting a Warlord flunky?"

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Rolled a 1 to pierce White Sparrow's mask. Helloooooo potential.

[Catastrophic_B]

Ground Zero
Conditions: Guilty, Angry
Potential: 5/5

Spoiler: Labels

Show

Freak: +0
Danger: +3
Savior: -1
Superior: +1
Mundane:-1

Spoiler: Moves

Show

In a China Shop: When you directly engage a threat, you can cause significant collateral damage to your environment to choose an additional option, even on a miss.
Physics? What physics: When you unleash your powers to barrel through an insurmountable barrier, roll + Danger instead of + Freak.
The gossip mags: When you tap into the gossip and rumor of the celebrity industry for information on an important city figure, roll + Superior. On a hit, you can ask the GM questions. On a 10+, ask three. On a 7-9, ask one:
- What are they up to?
- What or who do they most care about?
- What allies do they have? Enemies?
- Where and when can I find them?
- How could I make them vulnerable to me?
On a miss, ask one anyway, but they hear about your interest in them.
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.

GZ is flying high before he sees the elemental notice him and pick up the pace. Increasing his own speed he comes down low, chasing but not getting to close, in the slim hope that he may be able to heard it away from the crowds it's running through. That hope is dashed against the rocks when it comes to a stop in the middle of a street, and throws a car at him.

"The elemental's attacking in the streets!" He calls out across the comms as he reflexively rolls aside to avoid the car.

The need to stop the car registering a moment later as it had almost passed him. He does his best to fight against his momentum, turning midair to reach out for the car, stretching out his arm as far as it can go. All he needs is a fingertip to make contact with the airborne vehicle. Just one fingertip...

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Rolled to Defend. Got a 5, marking potential.

[Razade]

Pool: 1


Ronin, The Smith: The Forge

The Smith cordially though bluntly gives a goodbye and with a teleport you're back on the street. The hostage situation seems to have been resolved, the news showing the Guardians taking most of the credit while there's quite a lot about your, and the team's, wild actions with unflattering social media to go along with it. The fact is however, despite some hiccups, you saved the day. Not the Guardians. Much could be said about the team work, much more could be said on how the Guardians handled the situation so poorly that you needed to step in. The less on both probably the better however.

The meeting with Sidis looms and with no sign from the team just yet it might be wise to prepare. This is, after all, not an every day event. Sidis is quite cagey on who he lets into his private time considering so much of his time is spent in the public. Looking your best, and not in your armor, is probably going to go a long way to making him feel at ease. Where do you go? Who do you consult, not on the team, for such fashion nightmares? When you were under the thumb of your father and The Warrior they had people for that. Do you still keep in contact with some of them?


Sunburst, Sangha: The Ley Line

Sangha shrugs though moves to the stairs, slower going up than he was going down. "Probably best not to test them out here. There's places outside the city we could go if you wanted to truly let loose. Might be for the best to go there just in general if you're worried you can't keep up." He's huffing and puffing by the time he finds somewhere to sit, leaning on a dusty counter to catch his breath.

"Before that, you need to experiment with that trinket of yours. You can keep it...things like that have a way of getting back here when people don't need them anymore. If you feel bad for not paying, stop by and take me to the park some time. I'm out of shape and war is coming to the streets." he grumbles, the old hero finally looking his age as he sits sweaty and tired. "If you got nothing else, run along. You're too young to waste your time here."

Do you have anything else? If not, where would you go?


Hikari, White Sparrow, The Judge: The Street

White Sparrow can't help but turn her nose up at the dismissal, stung by it for sure. "We can't all act freely, Hikari. Sometimes it is wise to have limits, the consequences for going wild are steep indeed." The question gets another chilly look, this not going the way the formally alive hero seems to have thought it would. "Peace. Or it would have until The Storm King. The Guardians looked the other way on many things to keep the peace here. The Warlords are not the only ones buying out politicians and people in the rungs of power. There is a war raging you cannot see and that I am not a part of. When The Weather Report was brought low it destabilized the city, a Pillar removed. Now the city seeks to right itself once more and we teeter on the brink of open conflict the likes of which the city hasn't seen since...." She pauses, frowning before looking about. As if something was amiss, her eyes wide, something truly amiss then.

"Since the Warlords were established...their war to right the wrongs of others. You know your history yes? The Warlords were established after the brutality of the Silver Age's villains. How quick we forget..." she muses, still seeming quite unsettled as she seems to almost withdraw inward. "A wave...a wave rises, Hikari. The Storm King was just the start, something larger...something more dangerous was born from that tumultuous moment. It awoke the darkness buried in Karakuri Town. Something deep." Her eyes return to you, wider than before, black throughout. "You bare it's darkness. You have seen its tragedy. You...we must get away!" she hisses, grabbing for the Judge in her flight though her injuries and stress catch up with her before you can and White Sparrow collapses in a heap.


Tsunami, Hannya: The Fight

With steam and surprise, Hannya lets out a shout as he stumbles. Legs snatching him first as he goes falling forward before the wind is struck out of him by the chest plate. It's not enough to immobilize him, evidenced as he starts to crawl with screeching metal on pavement, but it's certainly enough to keep him here for as long as you need. Which might be a bit as the Elementals rally in place of where you were only moments before with long bladed fingers where you were standing.

They turn on you quickly however as Hannya barks an order through gritted teeth. "Get him you fools!! Geeet hiiiiiim!!" The Elementals are nothing if not dutiful, swarming forward upon you once again. They'll clear the distance soon enough. In your ear you hear the crackle of Ground Zero, something about the Elemental he's chasing attacking too. If ther was only a way to help the both of you right where you are. What do you do?


Ground Zero, A Motor Accident: The Fight 2

You get more than a fingertip as the car hits you bodily, too extended to catch in and too wide a target for it to sail past you. It doesn't hurt of course but you lack the ability to stop its momentum as you and the car cash into the street below. Luckily you're there to break its fall, the impact reverberating through you with the car crunching on top of you. You hear some powerful pops on the way down, the airbags obviously deploying once you got hit. If only they put them on the outside. The screams of terror are still coming from the car so at least it seems no one is too injured.

You see, in the distance, from where you're laying that the Elemental seems to have given up on running and instead moved to another car as civilians scatter every which way.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

That'll be a powerful blow for you. Even if it's not painful you still got hit by a car.

[Comissar]

Sunburst
Conditions: Afraid
Potential: 2/5

Spoiler: Labels

Show

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

Spoiler: Burn and Flares

Show

Held Burn

2

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.

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 nods her understanding to Sangha's suggestion. "Outside the, uh, the city makes a lot of sense. Umm, are, uh, are you ok..?" She hovers uncertainly beside the elderly man as he regains his breath.

At Sangha's direction, she turns her attention back to the prism in her hands. "Umm, I'll, uh, I'll try to. I guess, uh, I guess I'll try firing beams through it..?" She blinks, then looks up in alarm, "Wait, war..? What do you mean?" It's then that her phone starts singing out, reminding her she needed to get to her Kintsugi meeting. "U-umm, right, uh, I'll, uh, I'll see you later!"

Turning to leave, she offered a final wave goodbye, then hurried onward to her meeting.

[The_Specialist]

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

Spoiler: Labels

Show

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

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]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.

With Hannya reduced to a literal crawl, Tsunami closes the rest of the distance in the blink of an eye. He knows he only has a moment before the Elementals close in on him, especially with Hannya screaming for them. There’s a buzz in his ear with GZ’s voice, and he definitely hears the word ‘elemental’ again. He could use his drones to try and keep the Elementals at bay, but even that would take a moment too long to organize.

He’s banking on what he’s observed earlier, and on what he learned the last time they fought. His boot lands on Hannya’s back, further pinning the man down, while Max tugs his own mask down, letting it hang loosely around his neck. Reaching down, he wrenches Hannya’s mask off next, lifting it to his own face instead while using his kanabō to pin the man’s head down to the ground.

“Elementals, cease all hostilities!” Tsunami barks into the mask.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Spending final Hold to ’disarm them’. Max is removing Hannya’s weapon of controlling the Elementals.

[Captain Jak]

Ronin
Conditions: Damaged
Potential: 2/5
Gadget: 1

Spoiler: Labels

Show

• Freak: +0
• Danger: +0
• Savior: +2
• Superior: +2
• 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 how they are your role model as a hero, 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.

Flying back to her neighbourhood, heading for one of the rotating locations she has for a more or less out of sight armour transformation, Ronin has Chisei bring up a summary of the news coverage of the hostage situation's resolution. The success of the operation being attributed to the Junior Guardian is as she expected; she ceded that to them after all, and just a positive assist from Yami no Yojimbo is a good start on rehabilitating their reputation.

Except...there isn't anything really positive reported about their involvement. Despite Sunburst's amazing performance in protecting everyone and freeing the hostages pretty much singlehandedly, despite intel gathered and a successful defeat of the villain that involved the JGs not in the least...the coverage focuses on the extremely poorly received, dangerous, and deliberately caused damage to public property during the chase.

Chisei is obligated to pilot the armour for a minute; there is far too much profanity that needed to be shrieked to focus on anything so minor as staying aloft, and black censor bars feature heavily in the speech bubbles trailing the armour in flight.

Taking a moment to run through a meditation exercise, Ronin calms herself enough to begin thinking clearly. The team, far-flung as it is, needs to hold together or they could fall apart in the face of such continuing negative press. The tips and tricks she has picked up from psychology articles seems to have worked wonders when speaking with L; she is going to have to employ the same for the rest of the team.

Dictating to Chisei, she starts to send out messages to the rest of the team. In person would probably be better, of course, but she has her own important meeting to get ready for, and to be fair, not trying to seem understanding in person is a plus for her. Hopefully she will get replies from people when they have a chance to do so; she understands what it's like to have one's hands full.

Tsunami; we got all the hostages out, no one was injured. You were inspiring; taking off after the baddie without hesitation, using your tech to support your efforts so seamlessly with your powers. And that single combat? You're everything I hope to be someday as a hero.

One away. She considers messaging Hikari; whether the other girl has taken note of it or not, Ronin hasn't actually directly spoken to her since her inconvenient absence that allowed Silk to kick all their asses back on the Island.

Nah. She can wait.

Ground Zero, on the other hand....

Zero.

You are headstrong, destructive, and I can hardly imagine you being more of a menace if you were deliberately trying to do so. You call yourself a hero; I'm not sure you should be allowed off a leash. You can't be trusted to run around unsupervised; you will meet me at the attached time and coordinates, dressed neatly and professionally and on your best behaviour, or so help me I will find a way to stuff you back into the dimension you crawled out of.

You don't use pretty words on an untrained dog; you attach a chain to its collar until it can be taught to behave.

That one at least felt very satisfying.

Landing in a small park a few blocks from her house, into a concealing copse of trees, she slips between the trunks until she's behind a massive, decorative boulder just beside a paved path. Triggering the armour's transformation, in a few moments she's seated in her mobility chair. While there a few functions of the suit that were damaged in the hostage extraction that she'll need to fix sooner rather than later, they will have to wait until after her meeting; fortunately, they're not anything that will interfere with the suit when it's in this form.

One more call to make, this one is important. And is going to be an actual call, to boot. Fishing out her HUD glasses, she slides them onto her face and makes her call.

"Miho! How's my favorite girl on wheels doing?" Erika is, without a doubt, Miho's best meat friend (the title of best ever friend of course goes to Chisei) and has been super supportive of her since pretty much the moment they met. Miho feels a bit guilty over how long it's been since they've last talked, though.

”Ups and downs, you know how it is,” Miho replies. ”Look, I was hoping you could do me a favour? I've got this important dinner meeting thing coming up this evening, and I kinda need your expertise on what to wear so he doesn't think I don't know how to dress properly.” The fact that she needs help with this is suggestive, but whatever. ”Do you think—,”

There's a wash of air that ruffles her bangs, and Erika is standing in front of her, phone still to her ear. "Shut. UP. You have a date??," she squeals, her far-too-pretty face lighting up with excitement.

”It's...not a date,” Miho replies, her cheeks colouring faintly with embarrassment as she ends the now-unnecessary phone call. Erika is also Kitsune, a minor teleporting and empathic hero that was, to be fair, critical to Miho at a very dark time in her life. The fact that this near-goddess considers her a friend, despite the fact that Erika is a few years older than her to boot, is still hard to believe sometimes. ”I just need your help...please? I want to make a good impression.”

She hopes she isn't going to regret this; Erika has been on her for a while now to do a makeover. Not that there's been anything wrong with her up until now...has there?

Spoiler: CRUNCH

Show

Hokay, here we go!

Comfort and Support Tsunami with White Lies: 7
Telling Ground Zero who he is (Ronin has influence over him), shifting Danger up and Savior down. Roll if he wants to reject.
And then taking advantage of her influence over him to inflict a Condition. GZ is now Afraid that she's going to put him back into the Elemental realm. Ronin no longer has Influence over GZ.

[Razade]

Pool: 1


Ronin and Kitsune: Tiger's Pavilion

Kitsune directs you to the Tiger's Pavilion, the one stop shop for pretty much everything in San Fransapporo if you just knew where to look. Luckily Kitsune is among that number and she's waiting for you at one of the many tram stops that dot the Pavilion and its glitzy neon lights and exotic smells. "There you are. I made some calls, got you in last minute at a boutique not far from here but we'll have to hurry. They offer some of the best services in the city, très exigeant. You're probably not going to want to eat before your not-a-date, we can use the time to catch up."

True to her words, the boutique isn't far, a small hole in the wall leading to a cramped waiting room and then into a similarly cramped dressing room. A small domino mask is hard to miss in the sole window of the place, an easier indicator that meta-human business was kept confidential on premises. The ladies are old, exacting and errandgirls run about the place fetching clothing and makeup and any other kind of truss or tress you might need. Kitsune herself finds a place to sit out of the way, trying to be as much furnatiure as anything else so as not to get swept up or upset the flow. "So, are you going to tell me what this not-a-date is or can I start guessing? Is it a moonlit rendezvous with that limber Lion you've got with you?"


Tsunami and Sunburst

The fight is over and not a moment too soon for you Tsunami, the elementals coming to a halt before disappearing into shadowy wisps. Twilight Archer, a member of the Guardians, is on the scene in a suspiciously quick amount of time. As if they were there for the whole fight really. They seem brusque as they take Hannya off your hands though seem utterly unconcerned with your mask or (for that matter) Hannya's. With only really a few annoyed words in regards to your team's lack of self control, Twilight Archer gathers the villain and departs.

What happened to the rest of the team is soon answered by a text from Ronin. Some positive words for you, not so positive words for Ground Zero despite your own personal efforts to motivate him. The others had their own missions, GZ with an elemental that you can only guess is gone like the rest, and Hikari with the hostages. Probably not your scene there. The best bet would be to return to the team's base if for no other reason than...that's kind of where you live. Maybe Xiua's finally sent you a message? At the very least, considering the time of day, the team might return to touch base before going off on their day to day activities.

Spoiler: Tsunami

Show

Ronin got a 7 on their Comfort/Support. You get to either open up or not

The same goes for you, other than the rather harsh words from Ronin in regards to Ground Zero there's not much in the message waiting for you after you get out of your Kintsugi meeting. No mention of Hikari or what Ronin might be up to on top of the others. The fog of war is insurmountable at times. The best way to get abreast of the situation would be back to the base, it was the most likely place to find Tsunami at the very least, Ronin as well as often as not. Home might be calling as well but the day is still fairly young. Your feet find themselves moving to the base, a riverside locations that teleportals are all to quick to bring you to.

Cindersnap,others: The Monsoon

The panels move to a new location now, not yet seen in Yami no Yojimbo as more than set dressing. The Monsoon stands as the largest building in the entire metro-area by mandate, a shining beacon of overgrown gardens and modern architecture to symbolize the unity of the Three Pillars and act as a neutral grand for heroes and villains throughout the city. That neutrality was shattered six months ago in what was dubbed The Ballroom Blitz, when agents of a powerful witch coven brought violence to the Monsoon's halls. The damage has long since been repaired but now more than ever the Monsoon is guarded by its own private forces, the police of the Three Pillars.

In one of the many boardrooms, several heroes sit. The first is identified as Cindersnap, a former member of The Worst Generation turned rising star of the Monsoon's private forces. Clad in smart business suit and flaming red hair pulled back in a no nonsense pony tail, she is all stern lines and hard surfaces. Alongside her sits Rapid Snake in one of Wukong Industry's full body raid suits in blacks and venomous greens, Curadora in her white and gold remodeling of her former Bruja's outfit and Delta, another of the Monsoon's up and coming in a suit much like Cindersnap's. Other faces line screens along the perimeter of the room.

"The Constellations are on the move, it would seem our informant wasn't blowing smoke up our backsides." Cindersnap is seen saying once everyone is introduced. "That can only mean that their assault on Monkey Island went south."

"So they didn't get the key?" Delta pipes up, glancing between the people actually seated.

"It would seem not, considering Polaris has been confirmed in hospital I would think whatever deal was worked out turned sour. The rest of the team has been dispatched to retrieve it though my source doesn't seem to have any idea where it is either. If we could get our hands on it, it'd go a long way to upping our combat readiness." Cindersnap continues, looking around at the screens. "They're after the Yami no Yojimbo. I can only guess they somehow managed to get it during the dust up."

A collective murmur spills from the screens and the others in the room.

"The Yojimbo received nothing from us, the key was kept secure until it was stolen." Rapid Snake interjects, fingers rapping against the table. "And they'll receive nothing from the sounds of it."

A collective affirmation ripples through the space though Cindersnap's lips turn into a deep scowl.

"They retrieved the device from our operative in the Authority, she gave her life for it. They at least get a thank you for keeping it safe. Lightbringer herself moved on them, it was no small feat they got it away without even knowing what it was. We all agreed to draw in as many people as we could here. We at least have to approach them and see what they're really up to. If they have the Repository then they're ahead of us on that front. " Cindersnap matches Rapid Snake's own finger tapping, brows knitting to match her scowl. "I'll do it myself if I have to. Our goal is vast, we need them if we're going to overthrow the Pillars and fill it with something better. Kintsugi has backed us already. War's coming to the streets, Kusanagi has to be there to meet them. It's the only way we're getting a jump on this."

Silence moves over the room this time as glances are exchanged. "Fine then." Cindersnap finally says as she stands from her chair. "The rest of you can talk things out, I'll handle this on my own. I'll take them out or take them into the fold."

[Comissar]

Sunburst
Conditions: Afraid
Potential: 2/5

Spoiler: Labels

Show

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

Spoiler: Burn and Flares

Show

Held Burn

2

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.

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 finds herself unwilling to head home just yet. She didn't particularly want to find out what her parents thought of her latest escapades, besides which, her Kintsugi meetings often left her feeling kind've drained. She pulls her phone out of her pocket as she walks away from the Kintsugi building, re-reading the group text Miho had sent out. It sounded like a lot had happened away from the building she'd been protecting. She... Should probably get caught up on that... Tapping her phone case rapidly a couple of times, she eventually pockets it and sets off for the nearest teleportal.

The panels blur together as she travels through the portal, a shimmer effect providing the only boundary between the disparate locations. The next panel shows her standing alone in the arrival room, standing uncertainly and looking around. The perspective is distant, making her look small in the face of the empty space. "... H-hello? A-anyone here..?"

[Captain Jak]

Ronin
Conditions: Damaged
Potential: 2/5
Gadget: 1

Spoiler: Labels

Show

• Freak: +0
• Danger: +0
• Savior: +2
• Superior: +2
• 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 how they are your role model as a hero, 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.

Swept up in the whirlwind of enthusiasm that is her friend Erika, Miho feels small, plain, and rather insufficient when compared to her gorgeous, vibrant companion. She's generally dressed for function rather than form, and is painfully aware of how thin her useless legs are; even the laboriously mapped external manipulation of her legs by the armour has only served to slow the withering process of otherwise unused muscles.

So, being in a...boutique is a very foreign experience for her. Getting blown through the front window of one a couple of weeks back while in armour hardly counts, after all. She's very self-conscious about all the attention that is being paid to her...appearance, of all things – but that's before Erika skillfully drives that all out of her head with a well-targeted thrust of inquiry.

”What? No!,” she exclaims, faintly mortified. ”I told you, it's not a date. Or a 'rendezvous' of any sort! I'm not looking for anything like that, you of all people know me better than that.” There, decisive, unambiguous. ”And he and his family are leaving town shortly anyhow,” she blurts out, completely undermining any ground she might have made up. She isn't looking for any sort of emotional entanglement with anyone; why does Mosi have to be so...pretty?

”Anyhow, it's not like that,” she goes on, trying to ignore the faintly skeptical look on her friend's face. ”It's a professional meeting! I not only met, but managed to get invited to a private dinner with...William Sidis.” She's talked about him before to Erika – truth be told, 'fangirled' would be a more accurate if less dignified term – and she's sure her friend will be just as excited as she is.

Well...almost.

[DreadPirateH]

Hikari
Conditions: Angry
Potential: 4/5

Spoiler: Labels

Show

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

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 with your Alias Label. When you discourage a teammate from going overboard or making an action they can’t take back as your Alias Persona, roll + your Hero Label.
• [X]Save the Light: When you step in to intervene, help a civilian, or stop a threat roll + your Hero label. On a miss, you’re made to look the fool. Mark a Condition and give ground. On a hit, you’ve got someone’s attention. Use it as an opportunity or provoke them to action. On a 10+ your foe must respond in kind or flee.
• [X]Captain: When you enter battle as a team, add an extra Team to the pool and carry +1 forward if you are the leader.
• [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.

As White Sparrow monologues, the panels alternate between her and Hikari, who isn't taking kindly to being lectured at. She rolls her eyes and grinds her teeth while the other hero recites history to her as if she didn't know. As if she hadn't been part of that pillar brought low. As if she hadn't been there when the Storm King had returned, ripping a wound in the sky to pour out an endless storm, a maelstrom the likes of which San Fransapporo had never seen before! Like she hadn't lost friends in the war that followed. Talking to her like she's other people.

And then she brings up Karakuri Town, like an undead girl looking to get laid to rest. She's even worse than Snow Fox! Hikari's blood is set to boiling, and she feels that familiar itch in her fingers. She resists the urge to draw her sword, until the other hero turns those inky black eyes on her and chills her blood in her veins. As White Sparrow tries to flee, Hikari's reserve cracks like ice.

Racing to her side, Hikari hauls her up by her collar to look into her face. She's not gentle about it. "Oh no you don't! You don't get to pull that oracle crap on me! You think you know where I've been? Then tell me, with all your wisdom from beyond the grave, what did I see?"

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Rolled a 4 on Discord to provoke White Sparrow. Marking potential, bringing Hikari to 4/5, and marking Angry per GM's instructions.

[Catastrophic_B]

Ground Zero
Conditions: Guilty, Angry, Afraid
Potential: 1/5

Spoiler: Labels

Show

Freak: +0
Danger: +3
Savior: 0
Superior: +1
Mundane:-2

Spoiler: Moves

Show

In a China Shop: When you directly engage a threat, you can cause significant collateral damage to your environment to choose an additional option, even on a miss.
Physics? What physics: When you unleash your powers to barrel through an insurmountable barrier, roll + Danger instead of + Freak.
The gossip mags: When you tap into the gossip and rumor of the celebrity industry for information on an important city figure, roll + Superior. On a hit, you can ask the GM questions. On a 10+, ask three. On a 7-9, ask one:
- What are they up to?
- What or who do they most care about?
- What allies do they have? Enemies?
- Where and when can I find them?
- How could I make them vulnerable to me?
On a miss, ask one anyway, but they hear about your interest in them.
There when it matters: When you defend someone, on a hit you can hold 1 instead of choosing one from the list. Spend your hold when they are in danger later to arrive on the scene ready to help.
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.

GZ lifts the car off up and quickly rolls out from under it, getting ready for the elementals next assault, only for his metallic foe to fade away into mist. When half a minute passed without the elemental reappearing to throw more cars, he let himself breath a sigh of relief. It looks like Tsunami had handled everything on his end just in time.

"Elemental's gone on my end. I don't know what you did Tsu, but it worked. Good job," He says into his communicator.

As he walks away from the scene, his phone buzzes, a message from Ronin, with her saying a lot of the same sh*t as Twilight. Something he was getting real sick of hearing. The threat to send him back into the Cacophony is original though, and if anyone of the team could do it, it would be Ronin. The thought of ending up back there sends a brief chill down his spine. He sends back two messages, the first is an emoji of a hand with the middle finger raised, and the second simply reads "I'll be there." He would be there alright, heck he'll even dress nicely for the occasion, but if Ronin thought that was the best way to get him to play nice, she had another thing coming.

But for now he was content to head back to the base and see if he could nap for a while. It was still early but the day was already a mess and he couldn't wait for it to be over.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Had 5 potential saved up when I made my last post, cashing that in for a Playbook move, taking There When it Matters. Not something he's been known for, but something he'll be trying to do. Rolled a 5 for the powerful blow, marking potential. Rolled a 7 to Reject Ronin's Influence, shifting Mundane down and Saviour up, as he did just save a car full of people (messy though it may have been). Marking Afraid from Ronin taking advantage of Influence. Will also be giving Ronin the position of Rival.

[The_Specialist]

Tsunami
Conditions:
Potential: 2/5
Gadget: 0
Hold: 0

Spoiler: Labels

Show

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

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]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.

“Good. Thanks.” He answers GZ with audible relief when his teammate confirms the other Elemental is gone. “Hannya’s down. We’re done.” He confirms for GZ and the others.

Tsunami can’t help being suspicious of just how quickly Twilight Archer appears, though he hates that he must be guarded towards other heroes. Max holds his grounds in face of Archer’s snippiness, neither accepting the criticism outright nor arguing on the matter, having no interest in escalating the situation with needless bickering. He allows Hannya to be taken off his hands, finding himself now in possession of two masks it seems, rather than having relinquished his back to the villain.

He’s quick to check his phone, keen to know if all the hostages and civilians are safe. Thankfully Ronin’s message removes the need to send one of his own out in inquiry, but he is caught somewhat by surprise. For as much as Max wants to be a hero, a good man, and a student that makes his teacher proud, he’s abysmal at accepting compliments, and unused to receiving them. Or realizing he’s receiving them, Max imagines Xiua might point out.

The praise is glowing, especially coming from someone Max admires and honestly feels inadequate next to. So glowing, instinctively he struggles to believe the words are true; Ronin is inspired? By him and his tech? Despite ill-learned behaviours of self-doubt and deprecation, he believes even more strongly that Ronin wouldn’t lie to him. Thankfully no one is around to witness him flustered, and the blush is gone by the time he reaches the base anyway, which is where he takes himself while distractedly struggling to answer the text.

<Great job with the hostages, that was a lot we left you with. Thank you. I couldn’t have got that done that if I didn’t trust you to handle as much as you did, but I knew you had it. If I’ve inspired you, I’m honoured. But I think inspiration is a word better kept for you. You’re every bit as much a hero as I am, you shouldn’t think otherwise.>

He tries to keep it short, fail, before he overthinks too much, fail, but honestly he’s at a bit of a loss for how to appropriately respond to such kind words. At least he doesn’t have to respond to that kind of praise in person. Still, he ends up worrying afterwards. Was that too long? Too short? Does it sound too sappy? Or abrupt? Text doesn’t convey tone well, not that he’s much better verbally either when it comes to feelings and such. But he really does appreciate her words. So he adds another:

<Thank you.>

A minute later, for good measure. He’s not sure if that’s better or worse. Maybe he should have just left it at that from the beginning. But he stops himself from doing anything more lest he become even more awkward a human being.

The base is quiet when he first arrives. But not empty. It seems like GZ is trying to nap. While in Max’s mind there’s no time for slacking off, he also doesn’t have anything for GZ to do, so he lets his teammate rest, moving off to his forge instead. Rest is important in the end, at least for other people. Max struggles to allow himself any down time, however. Once in his workshop, he removes the remaining frame of his armour so he can already start working on replacing the missing plates with standard ones until he can recreate or re-engineer the shield prototype.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When he hears the portal activating later, he realizes more time has passed than he was initially aware of. When was the last time he drank anything? It’s probably time for a break. Exiting the forge, Max appears in the main room, now wearing just a tank top and a soot-stained jumpsuit, the top half of which simply hangs loosely around his waist. The lack of apron suggests he’s not in full on smithing mode at the moment however.

“Hey,” Max greets Sunburst simply, but his tone is friendly enough, for Max. As soon as he speaks, he’s aware of the unusual quiet in the room. It’s empty in the base aside from them, but it’s more than that. Something in her stance seems... uncertain. As though she’s a guest in the place she’s just entered. But she’s not, she’s a teammate! He’s not sure what that means just yet, but he tries to remain attuned to it. He’s had time to wind down from his own awkwardness earlier.

“I... think it’s just me right now,” He answers her question first so as not to let silence creep in, wiping his hands idly on the sides of his tank before gesturing to casually beckon or welcome her further into the base. He offers a small smile of encouragement, though with the rarity of a Max smile it is still hopefully worth something.

He is (sub?)consciously aware that most of the team probably don’t ever come to the base looking to just hang out with him, and though he’s not sure who she might have been hoping to find, he’s here now, and he certainly doesn’t want any of his team to feel less than appreciated. “I heard from Ronin, that you two got all the hostages out earlier, no injuries. That’s great to hear. Awesome job with that, and the barrier before. Really saved the day with that. A lot of people will live thanks to you. And it was a huge relief being able to count on you when I went after Hannya with the others. So thank you,” He dips his head to her in acknowledgement and gratitude.

“Anyway. Everything alright?”

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Clearing Angry thanks to Ronin’s Comfort roll! Hopefully that counts enough as 'opening up'. Also rolled 10 to Support Sunburst! So going to clear Insecure too.

[Comissar]

Sunburst
Conditions:
Potential: 2/5

Spoiler: Labels

Show

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

Spoiler: Burn and Flares

Show

Held Burn

2

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.

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 breaks into a smile when she sees Max walk into the room. She raises a hand briefly in response to his greeting, "H-hey"

At his encouragement, she walks further in, taking a seat on one of the sofas. Her posture isn't entirely relaxed, she's sat near the edge of the seat rather than leaning back into it, but some of her tension has left her body now that she's no longer the only one present. When Max starts praising her actions in the hostage situation, she starts fidgeting, her cheeks flushing. "U-umm, thanks... I, uh..." She shakes her head a little, trying to allow herself to accept the praise being offered, "Th-thanks. It, uh, it felt really good to, uh, to have helped like that."

She nods a couple of times as Max asks after her well-being, "U-umm, yeah. I'm, uh, I'm doing ok. I, uh, I saw Ronin's text after my, uh, my Kintsugi meeting. I, uh, I wanted to check how, uh, how things went with you guys..?"

[Razade]

Pool: 1


Ronin, Kitsune: Tiger's Pavilion

Several young ladies are quick to be swept up in your little meet and greet with Erika, obviously a long time customer by the way they move about to get clothing for her as she listens dutifully with that ever so slightly smug smile that says "yes, not a date. Riiiiiight". She turns to give you a quizical eyebrow when you finally mention your not-a-date, not seeming to be convinced by the name drop considering your previous discussions. "You don't say....using that natural charm and everything I bet. He has ever reason to give you more of his time." she finally concludes, holding a few pieces of clothing up against you before handing them off with a tutt.

"Do you want me to come with you? For emotional support? It's not a date so you can bring a friend?" While you are obviously a fan, much of San Fransapporo views HexXxen with a fair bit of skepticism. It was only a decade ago they'd chosen the generally rural Bear Island for the base of their global headquarters, only five years ago they'd been wrapped up with the Archangel Controversy and four years since they were traced back to the Obsidian Spider meta-drug. Neither of which they had direct involvement with but word travels in San Fransapporo and opinions are hard to shake. Erika is far less of a vocal opponent as others within the city, especially with the coming of Wukong Industries as further evidence that San Fransapporo was becoming far too cozy with the military industrial complex, but her protectiveness over you only adds to her mistrust.

"If not me, one of your teammates? Maybe that red head..." she trials off, giving a little gasp as one of the workers brings a simple dress of midnight blues and silvers to bare. "Try this on. I'll do your hair after and there's still your make up to do....."


Hikari, Tumult: Sidestreet

White Sparrow continues to try and flee, the Judge too, though when you lash out they both stop. One because you've got hold of her, the other because you've got hold of her more than likely. Terror fills White Sparrow's eyes, as she bats at you though she's too weak to really get away. "K-Karaukuri Town." she manages to choke out, stuggling out of her costume even to get away. "Its shadow is on you. You've seen it, the Wave. You have to let us go, we have to get away. You're already lost."

There's little you can do to stop her from wriggling out of her costume or making space between you. You could always grab her again though the fire of a fight burns in her eyes as she steadies herself. "You're lost, Hikari." she repeats, her voice growing more calm. Chill. Unless stopped, she leaves and the Judge follows albeit slower. Almost stopping even as a shadow passes overhead. Your day is only getting worse as Tumult lands beside you, eying the slowly departing Judge. He's wise enough to keep his mouth shut at least, ready to follow your lead if you're not done with the hostages.