Heritage

We'll try this one more time! Grim is going to use Acrobatic Bluff to Feint, giving the benefit to Dynamo via Set-Up. Acrobatics check: 1d20+23=39

At Taylor's approach, Lynn smiled, waved and said 'hey'; she always felt just a smidge safer around Jack when his spouse was present, even if that probably wasn't really the case. Then her eyes fell on the baby, and she turned to mush. "Oh my God, he's adorable! Hey, little guy! Oop, he's got his poppa's chompers! That has to make life interesting." The changeling held up her hands. "Hey, technically humans are predators, too, and actually one of the most bloodthirsty, pardon the pun." She leaned in a little closer, feeling a bit more comfortable. "I've been doing a lot of research on predators; y'know, hittin' Wikipedia and the library. The simple truth is that most predators mate for life, humans being a notable exception in that category. So no, I don't think you love her or this little scamp any less than any human would. It may be expressed differently, maybe, or be like a different flavor, I dunno, but I'm sure that love is real. And despite my freakout over the ill-fated 'regifting' last month, I doubt they could be anywhere safer." She looked between the three of them, a portrait of a loving family like any other, and she pressed on. "The blood thing? That's my issue, how I was raised; Jews are raised to see blood as sacred. Not a drop of any blood, human or animal, can touch a devout Jew's lips." Lynn pivoted to face Jack more directly. "With a name like 'Faretti', I assume you were probably brought up Catholic? I guess I could be wrong, or you're family maybe wasn't practicing. Anyway, Catholicism has a very different take on blood sacrifice; in fact, it's one of the building blocks of the faith, what Jesus did for those who believe. And every Sunday, that blood sacrifice is re-enacted, and it's cool with everybody." She indicated Taylor with a wave of her hand. "Because of the relationship you have with your wife, with what you both agreed upon, me being critical of you for that sacrifice would be like me giving you crap for being Catholic." Then she raised up both her index fingers. "And, and this is most important, you turn those instincts that I'm pretty sure you share with most predators - the territoriality, the loyalty to the pack, the hunter's urges - to constructive ends. And for me to condemn that, or in anyway to try and separate you from your family, would be wrong and pretty damn stupid." She held up her hands and laughed. "Taylor and this little guy? Best thing that could have happened to you, am I right?" She sighed deeply and closed her eyes. "So that's the way I see this, after literally days of thought."

Geez pointed out to me that Goss did not need to blow a HP on the Grapple, so she's still got that one, which she might need in a minute! Toughness save (Flat-footed) 1d20+10=21 Yep, I thought so; reroll! Kiss an HP goodbye. Toughness save (part Deux): 1d20+10=18+10=28

Okay, since Geez already told me in chat that Señor Goopy isn't gonna be all that hurt by her Power Attack, we're gonna try something new, Surge for a second attack! Spend an HP to avoid fatigue! Squeeze the annoying alien douche-bag! Grapple check: 1d20+33=53

Despite her best efforts to avoid the blow, the Grue's appendage slammed into the side of Gossamer's face, but at least she was able to turn with the blow, which saved her from a broken nose. The chemist-turned-superheroine winced as she reached up to the bruise, but then her grimace turned to a sneer of contempt. "Our diversity is our strength, whereas your banal uniformity is your weakness and your curse!" She formed her hair into a massive battering ram and launched it directly at the Grue's chest! Sadly, it looked like it didn't have quite the impact she was hoping for, so she quickly reformed the limb into a golden constrictor snake that wrapped itself around the alien's torso.

Okay, so if I'm doing this right, Gossamer can do a Power Attack at +5; combined with her Bruised level, this would normally make her -6 to hit, but with Ace's Inspire 5 I'm just -1, right? Power Attack! 1d20=9=26 DC 30 Toughness save, punk! Edit: As was pointed out to me in chat, Bruised has no effect on rolls, so it's actually a 27.

When it was over, Estelle jumped to her feet and vigorously applauded Dragonfly's performance. "Bravissima! Truly, truly magnificent! I am really looking forward to this show, and the reactions of the audience; they will not know what hit them!" In truth, it was good to have a distraction away from the lovely Moira, just to keep her head grounded in the here and now. The blonde chemist cocked her head for a moment. Well Kurt, how's your brushwork? I for one would love to hear what Ace and Tayla could do with a jazz number." She turned to the elder (but not elderly!) heroes and smiled entreatingly. "What do you say? Can you show all of us young people how it's done?" ;)

Lynn frowned slightly; it made her a bit sad that Jack felt it best to 'case the joint', as it were, but she guessed she could sort of understand it. Things had been rough between them for a while now. "Well to be honest, I think the bulk of the work is on my side; I mean, I dunno, you might not like me very much, but I think I've given you a lot more crap than you've ever given me." She sighed and cupped her hands around her face; this was the hard part. "Look, I don't want you to take this the wrong way, Jack, but I think the big mistake I've been making is...well, to judge you by the standards of human morality. Because you're not human, even though look like one and often act like one; you're a predator. And by the standards of predator morality, you're actually pretty frickin' amazing." It all hinged on this argument, and her choice of words; if they couldn't see eye-to-eye on this, or if she offended him or Taylor, they were already done. Without realizing it, she held her breath in anticipation of his response.

Ummm...no. Does anyone have some Bactine? :D

Lynn looked about at all the supportive faces around her; she felt very lucky to have such awesome friends. "Thanks guys; I'm sure we'll get it all figured out in no time." She turns to Dynamo and holds out the precious items. "Eli, can you be totally awesome and run these inside to the Underground real quick? Vince will let you know where to put them, then he'll secure it all." She then clapped her hands firmly together and addressed the rest of the party with a grin. "Okay, I think I've satisfied the superhero community's crying quota for one day, so everybody dig into the grub! And remember to wait half an hour before hitting the pool!" Minutes later, the changeling was happily lounging in a hammock chair with Colt, enjoying her kosher dog and some other goodies from a plate balanced precariously on her lap; she hadn't been feeling very hungry lately, but the food still felt marvelous in her tummy. She lifted her head to her boyfriend and smiled. "Best. Birthday. Ever." She gave him a mustardy kiss, then closed her eyes and sighed, deeply content.

Grim nodded her head. "Agreed. Hopefully we get there in time to prevent another Custer's Last Stand." In a flash, Grim pixied out and zipped into the MAVERIC; once back to her normal self, she got on her cell to call Detective Colby. "Hey, it's Grim again; more bad news from the front lines. Actually, hold on a sec." She covered the phone up and harshly whispered to her teammates. "Do we want police back up at the next address, or do cops just cramp our style?"

Grim shook her head vigorously. "It's not all his fault; I don't think I help things the way I shoot my mouth off." She leaned over and wrapped her arms around Colt's chest. "Someday, maybe, we'll work all this out..."

Hi guys! Today (Thursday) was brutal at work, and I have busy days on Friday and Saturday (It's me birfday!), so I might not be on much before Sunday. Everyone have a great weekend until then!

Let's assume the first option; Grim really doesn't want to risk losing this guy.

The changeling jumped a good inch off the bench at the sound of his voice; she was even more nervous than she realized. Lynn turned to face Jack head-on, her palms resting on the top of the table as she took a deep breath. "Well, mainly to apologize to you, and Taylor, for saying some pretty horrible things in the cemetery that night; I was still upset about the whole...incident, and I should have waited until I'd calmed down to speak with you." She turned to nervously poke around in the shopping bags for a moment or two. "I also have some stuff for the baby, books and stuff. I got gift receipts in case you already have 'em; at my sister's shower, everyone bought a copy of The Velveteen Rabbit, so I skipped that one..." Lynn stopped fussing with the bags and closed her eyes. "I just...want the anger to stop."

Grim seeks to mend fences with Taylor and Jack.

The Promenade. Thursday, July 22nd, 2010. 9:03 pm Wow, it's actually really nice up here; I should visit Hanover more often. Sitting at a picnic table near the river's edge, Lynn had an impressive view of Freedom's skyline, all lit up as the last rays of sunlight died in the West. Couples strolled hand in hand along the paved footpath, and cyclists and rollerbladers were still out. She impulsively bought a glow necklace from a passing vendor, and slipped it over her head, a pleasant memory of childhood summers. Lynn was dressed very casually; at first she given a ridiculous amount of thought to what she'd wear to this meeting, but in the end she figured the important thing was to be comfortable. More than likely, Jack and Taylor wouldn't decide to do anything violent based on her choice of top :roll: So she settled on flip-flops, loose khaki shorts and Star Wars T-shirt, looking like any other tourist girl who'd spent the day shopping. Which she actually had, judging by the bags for various stores sitting on the grass by her side. As she watched moths circling a nearby light post, she sighed. Dear God, let this meeting go smoothly.

Okay, Gossamer's Toughness save: 1d20+12=22. Well that's no fun! HP-fueled reroll! 1d20+12=26 D'oh, still missed it! She also has Impervious 8.

Hovering nearby, Fun Size Grim gaped at the big ol' hole her teammate had knocked in the museum's wall. "Jeez, Jack, did you have to knock him all the way to Hackensack?" Now I gotta go find him again!" She zoomed out into the street, her tiny nose twitching as she flew.

Based on the distance Mr. Sneakpants was knocked, I think Grim actually has to Track him using her keen sense of smell! Notice is Auto 25, Search is Auto 26, but I don't know which if either applies.

Grim stopped in place as though struck across the back of the head with a baseball bat; if there were any doubts as to Jack's capacity for human emotion, his biting words laid them to rest. She felt all the anger leave her body in a rush, the sudden vacuum making her dizzy. This was a mistake; why did I agree to see Jack tonight? It was far too soon, too close to the hurt. As much as I try to deny it, I am my mother's daughter; I can be just as stubborn, cruel and judgmental as she can. And just as stupid. She wanted to turn, to say something, but her throat was paralyzed; face burning with shame, she slowly climbed on the back of the Stellar Cycle. "Let's go." She barely got the words out.

Sorry, Q, I can post here tonight; if that's not quick enough, I understand.

Grim's jaw hung open with disbelief. "Wait, that's how you deal with a nasty vampire? Boy, good thing he wasn't really nasty, or he wouldn't have gotten any presents at all!" Grim folded her arms and glared at Phantom. "Well technically, I would call putting a head in a wooden gift box and presenting it as a birthday present as the very definition of an elaborate prank, but I know what you're getting at." She shifted her gaze to Wesley, and it softened a little bit. "Wes, for your part in all this, I forgive you; you felt it was the only way to throw Pitt off my scent, and you had the decency to feel ashamed and disgusted with yourself. As far as I'm concerned, we're square." But then the changeling swiveled it back in Avenger's direction, and her eyes grew stone cold. "You, on the other hand, pretty much fail the 'Basic Human Decency' test forever; I understand why the head was created in the first place, but what I don't understand is how giving someone their own preserved decapitated head as a wacky gag gift falls under 'cultural differences'. What 'culture' behaves that way?" Then she stopped herself and smiled. "Oh, I get it. Of course; that culture." Grim laughed and shook her head. "Funny thing is, I was actually happy when I got your message, 'Venger; I was looking forward to burying the hatchet and making peace with you. But I guess I should thank you for shattering that illusion." She pinned Avenger with a stare one more time. "Look, I'm not gonna go on the warpath or doing anything stupid that will get anyone killed; I can say that I really have no interest in speaking with you ever again. I accept that you exist, and that's pretty much all I have to say on the matter." The shapeshifter turned to Colt. "We can go now."

Grim looked up, her angry eyes red from crying, a thin stream of spittle dangling from her lower lip. "Alright...you've explained yourselves. And while I'm processing all of this, I have only two questions for you, Wes." She paused for a few seconds while she panted. "What happened to the rest of the body, and did you...did you create that thing before or after you slept with me?"

When Divine crossed the room, Estelle reluctantly released her ribbon from around the goddess's waist; she really enjoyed feeling the sway of those hips as she moved. My God, I have not been this attracted to someone in a long time, and not a female someone since...well... :oops: As the lovely creature began her song, Gossamer was transfixed, not by the song itself, since she honestly couldn't even say if it was in English, but the way Divine formed the words with her lips, coaxing subtle inflections out of each syllable. And of course, her curvaceous body was hypnotic, a perfect balance of softness and muscle that moved like a force of nature, the crash of waves or a summer breeze rustling a leafy oak. When the performance was over, the blonde scientist could only sigh. Well I'm certainly doomed. :roll: