EternalPhoenix

Serendipity and Stormchild "To the Luckstorm!" Riel and Kadene both joined in the toast with enthusiasm. Kadene actually had plain water. Riel, on the other hand, wasn't finished speaking. "Owen, my friend, you don't understand. We didn't set sail only for freedom and adventure." He paused, and looked at his sister, who nodded her agreement. He leaned in and spoke solemnly, with actual reverence in his voice. "There was a man. A pirate Captain. The greatest to ever sail. He became more than a mere Captain. He was an Admiral, a Lord, a King. He sailed everywhere, saw everything the world had to offer. Fame, money, power, he had it all. The Marines did eventually catch him. How, none knows. But on the day of his execution, right before he died, he proclaimed for all to hear that he'd left all of his treasure on a certain unmapped island east of India and west of the New World. The person who finds will claim his crown." Riel sighed, and looked slightly defeated. It was Kadene who continued. "Or rather, the Captain, ship, and crew who can find it. Those seas are the most dangerous in the world. Safe harbors and places to resupply are rare. Fierce storms ravage them without warning. And the natives are almost all hostile to foreigners. In 20 years many have tried. All have failed. Many now believe he lied." Riel slapped his hand on the table, suddenly energetic again. "I don't. And when we go home, the Luckstorm Pirates will succeed the Golden Pearl Pirates. The world will know the name Riel Estime as the freest man in the world and King of the Pirates." Kadene nodded her agreement, grinning with enthusiasm. "With Kadene Estime as his right hand, aye sir." She sobered. "So you see, Owen, while we're stuck here our journey can't continue. And it's as you said, too. Strict rules here, and the power to back them up in this city alone astounds the mind. The name's ironic. Not a whole lot of freedom in this city, as we see it. You can see why we want out." She shrugged. "It's not that we don't like you or don't want to be friends." Riel took over, his grin familiar and reassuring. "Quite the opposite. It's important to make the best of things. But our stay in your world is temporary. Chin up, though. We're not leaving tomorrow, and I doubt it will be next week. I have my hopes about next month, but we'll see."

Serendipity and Stormchild Riel, as it turned out, was not the biggest eater. To be clear, he was still a teenager with a teenager's appetite. However, it was Kadene who could really pack it away. It was kind of awe inspiring, actually. She'd noticed a stare or two, surprisingly blushed slightly in embarrassment, and muttered something about the energy fueling her powers having to come from somewhere. Anyone who'd seen her summon wind, lightning, and hail would probably just nod their head in understanding. But all good things must come to an end. Diego and Gookgak said their goodbyes are departed. Kadene wasn't asleep, but she was definitely deep in the bliss of having eaten her fill. So it was Riel who had to answer Owen's question. He'd gone with iced tea, having acquired a dislike of soda very early on. "Friend Owen, I don't understand what you mean." His grin wasn't present, but he was also enjoying the after meal feeling. If not to the same degree as his sister. "There's no 'settling in' to do. This is not our world, and we are not staying in it. As soon as AEGIS or one of your Science Companies works out how to send us back, we are leaving."

@ThevshiThat ought to do.

Stormchild "Bzzt! Time's up, wench!" Kadene's hands twitched spasmodically, energy crackling between every finger. And Hell roared down from the sky in response. A bolt of lightning crashed down from the blue with enough force to smash through steel and then some. The woman shattered to pieces, specifically because she wasn't actually standing there. It was nothing more than a mirage. It was the ground that showed the results of the potent bolt, and it was not pretty. The wind howled louder than before. "So ye be a coward, then? To Davy Jones with the lot of ye!" Kadene was furious enough to not watch how she spoke, whew.

Serendipity and Stormchild "Ah, good. We're all here." The voice of the grinning Captain Riel Estime came from beside Owen, where he had absolutely not been standing 5 seconds prior. Or rather, no one had noticed him standing there. Did everyone jump? Perhaps, perhaps. "What? I've been standing here for several minutes. It's not my fault none of you saw me. I even waved." His grin could be described as crap eating, if one were so inclined. Though perhaps the looks were about his attire. It was too cold for his usual swashbucklingly piratical style, so he'd changed to something vaguely Inuit. Furs, skins, and such. Somehow, he made it look dashing. More to the point, his sword wasn't visible at his side. That'd be more shocking than seeing him naked. "Agreed. We can go in and see this exhibit of yours, Owen." Kadene shimmered into existence on Owen's other side. She placed just a little emphasis on his name. She was dressed similarly to her brother. Furs up top, animal leather pants. No bare collarbone and legs today. Much too cold. Yet somehow, despite the lack of exposed skin her feminine appeal had not diminished. Her sword was also not visible, and it was just as shocking. She took Owen's hand with both of hers and got close enough he could smell the scent of her soap and shampoo. Surprisingly floral, both of them. "Shall we?"

Stormchild (at the table with Sarah, Owen, Mattie, and look there's a lot okay?) Kadene threw an arm over Sarah's shoulders and squeezed reassuringly before releasing her. "Mon ami, go at your own pace. Rule One of Aquivan Piracy. Do as thou wilt. Rule Two? And not what you don't. You miss your old life. So do I. It is permitted. Be a hero, or don't. Decide for yourself who you are and what you will do." For a moment her cheerful mien dropped, and there was steel under there. Sad, homesick steel. But it was only for a moment. "But there is food to eat, new friends to spend time with, and new people to meet." She laughed at Mary and Madison's energetic approach. "Hello, girls." Her grin was fierce with a hint of mischief. "Kadene Estime, First Mate of the Luckstorm Pirates. I'm Sarah's classmate. Unfortunately, she's feeling a bit sad tonight. What do you say we cheer her up, aye?" Kadene was on the shortlist of people here who had no idea who Lady Liberty was, and might well be the only one who wouldn't care if she did. "Mademoiselle Beth, a pleasure to meet you. Are these charming young ladies yours?"

Serendipity (in the main hall) Riel was just a bit too far away to catch up to his sister, and disinclined to follow her. His roommate was over there. While he liked Owen, the kid was such a killjoy. He wouldn't let the pirate Captain do anything fun. Granted, anything he thought of as "fun" had probably been outlawed in this infuriating world. So instead he began to mingle. Showing off his fancy Captain's coat he only wore on special occasions. Flashing his grin and being extra courteous and charming with every lady he encountered. He grabbed a plate of his own, and if his cup was not as full of the soft stuff as the law would prefer? Well, what it didn't know wouldn't hurt it. These people really should be more careful at these events. Instead of emptying their glasses, he could be putting something untoward inside them.

Stormchild (in the main hall) Between Queenie's staff, the Luckstorm Pirates running support for them and all the other preparations the League had made that the twins weren't privy to, it seemed the event was becoming quite the success. Kadene was satisfied to have played her part. To still be playing it, really. Job wasn't done until the night was. She surveyed the scene and oh, Owen. And Sarah. And...Mattie? Everyone from the dorms, actually. Huh. She walked over. The music and general hubbub covered her footsteps. And she hadn't come with them, so a mirage made her look like someone else until she got close enough and turned it off. Nobody would ever accuse her of being unable to read the mood. Unable to care, sure, sometimes. But not unable to read. She sat next to Sarah all of a sudden. "Not one for parties, are you? I can't say the same. I can say that my brother and I are probably the most homesick people in the room. We don't have Christmas in Aquivan, not the way you all do. So all this?" She gestured at the whole party. "Just a reminder of how we don't belong here. And I can't even get drunk about it, track down the nearest strapping lad, and give us both a night to remember. I'm supposed to be outlaw scum, and here I am working a real job instead of plundering whatever we need." She sighed. "My point was," she said like someone who realized she'd gotten off track, "I get how you feel."

Queenie (lobby with Gaian Knight and King Cole) Maybelle only smiled at King Cole, practically dripping with sincerity. "And you're welcome to stop by anytime, Your Majesty." The new kids really were all right this year. Between these and the pirate twins, they ought to make out fine. She wondered, idly, if Paper was here somewhere. But she turned her attention to GK. "Oh, don't be silly. If she eats anyone out there she'll have less room for my cooking. That dragon can eat and no mistake. But even she's got limits." Her continued smile and good cheer made the joking along obvious. "Still, if everyone's here, they're going to need me in there shortly." She raised her voice to be heard by more than her immediate surroundings. "Enjoy the party, everybody! Catering courtesy of the Southern Queen! Visit us in the North End!" She then strolled away, a bounce in her step. Back to the main hall.

Terrifica Terrifica regards the vats as she listens to Predator. "Call it intrusive thoughts if you must, but one option for the necessary manpower to dismantle this place is already inside of it." She turns back to her fellow hero. "But you're right. It's better to build scanning devices and remotely observe this place until such time as the authorities can take it down." This, of course, was the sober responsible option. It wasn't any fun, but Terrifica had plenty of practice suppressing her inner mad scientist.

Kadene is very annoyed with Mindtrip, not that she knows her name. All Out Attack for +4, dropping Def to +0. Lightning Bolt. https://orokos.com/roll/1027834 21 result. DC 27 Toughness. As a note, it has Indirect 3, so it's as close to an "outta nowhere" attack as can be done without Subtle. Meaning she can be caught by surprise by it at your discretion.

Stormchild That hurt. Kadene was irritated. Those flying...things were way stronger than anything in Aquivan that could also fly. That was just cheating. Still, she heard Riel call. With another twitch of her crackling fingers, a massive fog bank (covering the entire area) rolled in out of absolutely nowhere. A real pea souper. Nobody could see beyond their nose. If they had a nose. Nobody, that is, except for the young heroes involved in this session. They would only notice a mild haze, visually speaking. She dropped out of the sky, hovering only perhaps a dozen feet above ground as opposed to the hundreds before, and drew her sword. To her regret, maintaining the fog meant she couldn't do anything else with her powers. Hence the sword.

Stormchild (inside Main Hall) Kadene, it could safely be said, was in her element. Barking out orders (only to the Luckstorm Pirates, who were helping the efforts of Queenie and her staff, but still) while dressed to the nines. Her Mirages adding to the decorations nicely. Was she going above and beyond? Yes. Because the alternative was sinking in malaise like her brother. She knew his burden like all good First Mates must, and for the same reason had to present a good face to the crew. Plus y'know it was a party.

Queenie (crossing from Main Hall to Lobby, approaching Gaian Knight) Maybelle's stride was confident as she entered the lobby. Stormchild really had her crew whipped into shape, she'd tell you what. "GK? Is everybody coming in now? I'm completely set up inside. Had to hire some outsiders because whew, this place is enormous!" She laughed all friendly like. Noticing King Cole, she spoke to the teen. "Well hey there sunshine. Hope you enjoy the party. Made all the food myself."

Serendipity and Stormchild Riel and Kadene had frozen for a few moments. Emotions played across their faces. Scent and vision held them hostage ever so briefly. It wasn't home. No place like this existed in Aquivan. The vibe of it, though...the two soaked it in like a sponge. Smiling, not grinning. A subtle difference, perhaps, but a real one. Riel nodded at his sister, then found a seat to lounge in, feet up on the table. Kadene squeezed next to Owen in her usual unself-conscious fashion. "Your finest pizza, good sir. We're young, we're hungry, and Prince Charming here-" She elbowed Owen playfully. Had she seen him looking? Oh, yes. "-has brought hopefully plenty of coin."