Spacefurry

Blackstaff sighed a little in relief as Neil seemed to go for the offered treats. Slowly he crept forward a bit and tossed a couple more treats. "There you go. Good boy." He talks softly with one hand out, open palmed, and the treats in the other. "You've been a busy little bird." He tries to pet the cockatrice's neck comfortingly.

Alright let's try a Handle Animal to not freak the deadly birdie out. Handle Animal 19, not to shabby.

Blackstaff was sure Alaynah wouldn't attempt to run as the three of them spoke. The captain knew that neither he, nor the girl would abide by it. He waited for Dreamer to be seated before sitting himself. "Just a coffee, black. Thank you." He asked politely at her offer and gave her a small nod. "Professor." He looked to Advay and gestured to the empty chair even as he sipped the coffee. It's warmth chasing off the chill the night on the river waters was trying to seep into him. He nodded as she asked the Advay her questions. Having not asked them himself out of professionalism, he was actually thankful she asked them first. He hadn't had a reason to doubt the information he had gotten, but a straight answer from the him would settle a lot of doubts everyone had. "I think the young lady has asked the two most important questions." He said calmly. "Anything else decided here will be based on your answers." He watched Advay, waiting for the professor to answer.

I'm thinking an attempt at untrained Stealth and a Notice (seems more applicable then Search). Untrained Stealth 17 Notice 21

Leon snorted. Like he needed another adult trying to tell him what he should and shouldn't do. Leon tugged at Luke's sleeve. "Let's just help round up the other riders and see if this yahoo is good for his word." He pointed at the operator as he moved into the crowd. "Look, just get us home. Cause I swear, if we wind up running into Morlocks, I'm gonna find a way back here and kicking your ass." Leon was happy to help round up the other unfortunate riders that had been dragged along with them. With the help of the others he hoped they could find them all.

Leon didn’t back away when Pan invaded his personal space. He met the other boy’s eyes, having to look up a little. They were the same height, but Pan was doing his ‘floor is lava’ bit and floating a bit off the ground. Even without that he seemed to get ‘bigger’. Around him, in the corners of his vision, scenes played out. It caught him off guard for a moment before he realized is was one of his schoolmate’s illusions. It had shaken him, but not for the reason Pan would have thought. He had come to terms with being a criminal long ago. It was seeing himself running alone that had disturbed him. Of course, Pan had no way of knowing about his brother and sister. Leon didn’t talk about them, and he had certainly never named them. Still, anger seeped into Leon’s tone. “You think I haven’t had dreams like before? Please, those aren’t even the ones woke me up. There are worse things then being chased. Hrmph, there worse things even then being caught.” A good portion of the anger seeps out of his voice. “I’ve been abandoned by the people that should have cared about me the most. It was on the streets found my real family.” Leon took a deep breath and finally stepped back to lean against the tree again. He looked down at the ground debating with himself. Finally he looked up at Pan again, his mouth set in a hard line. “You wanna know why I’m here? I’m here for them.” He snapped a finger at the older boy before he could interrupt. “Not because of them, for them.” Leon shoved his hand back in his jacket. “I tried to fly solo. Didn’t let them watch my back. I got myself caught.” He closed his eyes. “I made a deal to protect them. I’m here, so they could be free.”

Leaning back, Leon laced his fingers behind his head and looks up at the branch’s. He smirked a little. He’d heard plenty of people dodge questions. “The book?” He shrugged as he smirked. “That was just exercise, stretching my fingers.” Rolling his head a little to look at Pan he gives the boy a wry smile. He searched Pan’s eyed, looking for the con. Or was he really one of those goodie-to-shoes that thought they could get criminals to turn over a new leaf. There was a lot in those eyes, tricks and secrets. But as he searched, Leon couldn’t see him lying right now. He looked away again. Honesty made him uncomfortable with anyone other then those two. He idly wonders how much they would laugh at the thought of any of them actually going straight. He’s sure he would had if Robert or Elizabeth come home saying stuff like that. “So, what? Am I your senior project or something?” Leon asks, trying to sound bored. “How to Train Your Criminal?” Something else trailed across his thoughts. Lying in the hospital. He’d felt something when the officer watching his room had told him the detective he’d tried to save was fine. He felt it again at the Prom aftermath and a little after their trip to the boardwalk. Leon shoved those thoughts aside as he noticed the twinges of ghost pains in his... were his arm should be. Pushing away from the tree he rubbed absently at his left arm and regarded Pan.

The lack of screams and panic was a good sign. Jennifer tried to judge the location of the window and threaded her way through the bustle of the student, heading for the elevators. She tapped her foot as she waited patiently. Sure, she probably could run the stairs faster, but that could draw unwanted attention if she passed people. Once inside, she pressed the button for the floor of the open window. Mentally, doubt crept in for a moment. ‘What am I going to do if someone did break it? I should call the cops.’ Curiosity poked its nose into her thoughts. ‘What could anyone be after though? It’s a college science building, not Astrolabs or something. Jennifer supposed she was just going to have to find out for herself.

Jennifer continued to smile as they walked. Movement caught her attention and she looked up towards the roofs as Professor Stillwell spoke. “hmm?” She tried to follow the figure without being obvious, but quickly turned her attention back to the professor. ”Ah ya, I plan on making the most of my studies. Besides, my mother would skin me if I wasted the track scholarship I was offered.” Jennifer said jokingly even as she noticed the figure slip into one of the science buildings. “Anyone entering a building through an upper story window probably shouldn’t be there.” She thought to herself. “I should probably check that out.” Glancing at her watch Jennifer gave a quick excuse. “Oh shoot, I just remembered I’m suppose to meet my friend Sammie.” She gave Professor Stillwell a friendly smile. “I’m sorry Professor, thank you for walking with me. I’ll see you in class.” She gave him a quick wave and hurried off towards the science building.

Leon regarded Pan and shook his head. “You don’t get it.” He walks past Pan and leans against the tree. “Do you have any family?” Leon asks in return. “What would you do for them? Would you lie for them? Would you fight for them? Would you steal for them? Would you do anything you could for them knowing they would do the same for you?” He pauses a moment before speaking again. “Guess when you do something long enough it just becomes habit, or instinct.”

Leon followed Pan, the silence heavy. How was the other boy going to start. Was it going to be ‘I should call the police.’ or ‘What were you thinking?’. Maybe the oldie but goodie ‘If you ever do that again...’ Leon regarded Pan, his eyes flickered up to the tree. It wasn’t one he’d expected, but is wasn’t completely unfamiliar. He looked back at the boy. “For fun?” He said seemingly thoughtfully. “I guess it can be at the right times.” He answered honestly. “Because I can? Sometimes.” Leon continued, answering Pan’s questions in reverse. ”Watched? Hated?” He glanced back towards the school proper. “Don’t we all want to be watched? To be acknowledged?” He looked back at Pan, almost daring him to dispute him. “And being hated only matters if you care what the other person thinks.” He added, trying to sound dismissive, but something of the fire behind his eyes changed and he looked away again. Something about Leon shifted, like he was drawing in on himself. Tensing up like someone expecting a fight while covering a wound already inflicted. “You want to know why I’m here? Short answer: family” Pan might be able to hear the mixed emotions that stung the last word.

Notice Check 16

Leon glared back at Knievel. The villain was being a hassle without even having to do anything. When the voice approach, Leon regarded the man as he addressed them. “You can drop the whole ‘innocent carny’ act.” He added as he crossed his arms. “Spill it before you wind up like him.” Leon nodded towards the helpless Knievel and tried to sound intimidating.

The Bible’s ‘feelings’ still lingered for a moment as Leon moved to leave. Leon’s shoulders tensed. How did this new girl know his name. He turned to regard her as she approached him. He met her eyes for only a moment then looked away. He shoves the small book into his pocket and waves dismissive with his other hand. “Ya, ya, I know. It told me.” He says, not bothering to lie about taking it, nor caring whether she believes him about the book talking to him. “It’s a book and you care about a lot. I can respect that. If you ever need a book fixed, come find me.” He glances back at Judith, then past her at Ashley’s stern look and makes a mental note to watch out for her. He looks at Judith again then turns to leave again. He only gets a few yards before Pan glides to a stop in front of him. Leon tilts his head slightly. He got impression that it would be easier to just listen to the older boy’s preaching. He didn’t think Pan would attack him once they were alone, but in Leon’s experience on the streets, physical retaliation wasn’t ever out of the question. He and his siblings had jumped into fights to save each other from people who felt wronged plenty of times. With a sigh, he tries to look relaxed as he rolls his eyes and follows Pan.

Jennifer chuckled. “I know, which is a good thing since I don’t think I can pull off the pigtailed goth look.” Her smile turns a bit rueful. “Sometimes though, I wish it could be that simple. I think a lot more people would get the closure they deserve.” Jennifer smiled again “If I can help bring that closure, this will all be would be worth it.”

The air was cool and crisp as Jennifer exited the building, classes over for the day. The clouds were a little darker then this morning but the promised snow still hadn’t arrived. Professor Stillwell walked with her as they started across the campus. She was enjoying his class as he really seemed to know his stuff. “Hmm?” Jennifer had been lost in thought for a moment, then she smiled. “Oh, honestly, I was hoping to get into criminal forensics. I really hope I can help people someday.” She sounded hopeful if not a little embarrassed. “I know, it sounds a little cheesy. But I love science, and it’s been my dream for years.”

Paper/Leon - 4 Dreaming of Falling - 1 Think Fast! - 3 Blackstaff/Christopher - 2 Fate of the Serpent - 2 Chimera/Jennifer - 1 Dr. Midas Returns - 1

Leon had only made it a short distance from his mark when he noticed something was 'off'. It took another few steps before he realized what it was. The book was gone. Stopping, he knew he hadn't dropped it and he glanced down at his empty hands, then around in confusion. Reaching out with his sense he found it. Looking over to the boys, he saw Pan handing the book to Micah. "How in the...?" Leon hadn't even notice the older boy take the book from him. He met Pan's gaze without flinching, not bothering to feign looking guilty. Leon just shoved his hands in his pockets and continued towards the gate without saying a word.

Leon is about to head out, so feel free to join in.

@RocketLordBecuase someone is a jerk-face. ? Re-rolling Sleight of Hand: 23

Leon hurried down the path towards the front gates. It wasn’t that he had anywhere to be in a hurry. He just really need to stretch his muscles, and not just the ones in his legs. He spotted a group on the walkway as he moved and knew which muscles he felt like stretching. He spotted Pan and another older boy, Micah he though the name was. The other two girls he didn’t remember seeing before, and one of them was carrying a book. With a mischief smile he picked his target. Keeping his pace, Leon lowered he head a little and walked on as if not watching where he was going. With a feigned absence of attention he passed by Ashley and ‘accidentally’ bumped into her, causing them both to pivot some. He reached out quickly to steady the older girl and apologized profusely in a hurried and hopefully sincere sounding tone. “Oh my god! I am, ah, sooo sorry. I, I, ah, wasn’t watching where I was, ah, going.” Leon added in some youthful stammering that pretty girls expect from younger men. It was an act he’d pulled before. It had been a little while since he’d tried the old ‘bump-n-grab’ but damned if he didn’t still have the touch. He stepped away from Judith and turned as if wanting to hurry on away from the embarrassing encounter. Holding the book close to him as he did so.

"This guy?" Leon sounded genuinely surprised as he thumbed back at the subdued villain. He glanced back at Kneival and raised a eyebrow in doubt. Looking back at the others he waves a hand dismissively. A few stray pieces of paper swirl around Kneival, coming together over his head. A comical 'dunce-cap', complete with large lettering stating it to be so, comes to rest on top of Kneival's head. "He's already bound up. I say we just call the cops and let them deal with him." "Since we're already back here. Maybe we can make some arrangements to help the future. We just need to know where Stephanie Meyers is right now and we can save the world from two bad book series." Leon looks around at the others hopefully for a moment before raising his hands it mock defeat. Leon holds up his hands. "Okay fine, new plan. We send a letter to the school and have it delivered in the future after we left. We round up all the other peeps that got we got drag along with. If it works, then someone at the school should be able to find a way to get all of us back to 2020."

Blackstaff tried to give Dreamer a reassuring smile and nodded. Carefully he climbed to his feet, and holding on to the railing, he glanced at the captain of the ship. He hoped Alaynah wouldn't try anything since the girl had agreed to put the boat back in the river. Looking out over the river he also hoped the fog he called up would hold out long enough to see them safely down. He didn't want to start a fight with authorities on the river for the world to see, but he found his fingers flexing reflexively, like they anticipated holding something. Blackstaff made a fist and released it, instead grabbing the railing. He didn't need it or its power he thought darkly, he had proven that to himself plenty of times. He had his blasting rod and it was more then enough to focus his power.

Blackstaff looked around casually at Dreamer's gesture, nodding. "Hmm, you may have a point." He agreed, then shook his head. "But I don't think we're going to have much more privacy if you park this thing downtown." His expression grows thoughtful for a moment before he nods to himself, then focuses on Dreamer again. "It sounds like the captain might be abandoning ship when we do land. And I can't really blame her." He manged a wry chuckle as he glanced at Captain Alaynah. "How bout this. You put us down in the water, near a pier while we still have some cover. You, me and the professor can slip away and find somewhere to sit and talk this out." He looks over at Advay again. "Don't worry, I'm not going to just hand you over." He looks back at Dreamer hopefully. "I like to think we can talk, and come to some kind of agreement."

I was hoping to fully bind him. It says if the target fails by 5 or more, or on a second successful snare attack the target is rendered bound and helpless. It doesn't specify the snares have to be from the same source, but even if they do if he fails by enough it may work.