Heritage

Grim cocked an eyebrow at the super-scientist's sudden appearance; his demeanor suggested this was not a social visit. "Uh, okay..." She leaned over and spoke into the intercom system. "Interceptors, please report to the command center immediately. The test is over, per Dr Archeville." This did not sound good at all. The shapeshifter nervously held up her hand. "Before you begin, can I do one thing?" She approached the good doctor, and then suddenly poked him in the chest with both index fingers, a total of twelve times. She looked apologetically at her boss. "Look, it was just a precaution, y'know, in case you were Avenger pulling something." She looked to the others with some embarrassment. "Well, it's what I would have done." She took a step back and gestured that Archeville should continue. When the cowboy started to get defensive, Grim held one finger to her lips and gently placed her other hand on one of Colt's crossed arms, rubbing it affectionately.

The older man merely shrugged as he zipped open his kit. "Ah, y'know, just being polite. You look like a guy who values his privacy." Butch whistled at the weapons on display. "Wow, that's some sweet iron ya got there!" He snuck a peek back towards the trailer, then shook his. "I'd ask if I could handle 'em, but if Lainey saw me holding a gun, she'd kill me with her deadly eyebeams." He laughed. "She hates guns." Lynn's father shook his head as he rummaged around in the kit and produced a small baggie of weed, a lighter and some rolling papers. "Nah, I'm sure Lynn's known for years." He sighed deeply as he started to roll a joint. "Y'see, me and Lainey play these games; if she doesn't see me smoking grass in the house, then she can pretend I don't still smoke. It's stupid, I know, but whatcha gonna do, right? If you ever get married, you'll understand." He licked the paper, then lit up. "Speakin' of which, I gotta ask you, young man." Butch sat up slightly and adopted a mock-formal attitude and just the hint of a Southern accent, the joint dangling from his fingers. "Just what are you intentions with my daughter?" The twinkle was back in his eye; he was fully aware of the irony of a pot-smoking dad asking a clean-cut superhero that question.

This had never happened before; her newly animated hair had always done exactly what she wanted it to, not one strand ever out of its proper place. So why in the name of all that's holy could she not get this one tendril to let go? At the very least, she was fairly sure no one had noticed, or if they had, they were at least decent enough not to show it. Returning to the question at hand, Estelle decided to leave the troublesome fibers alone for now. The blonde superheroine smiled and gave Eddie a thumbs up. "Excellent! If you have a demo tape, or rather some MP3's I could listen to later, I'd really appreciate it. I'll make sure to give you my email address before you go, but I'd still like to hear you today, if that's alright." The golden serpent began to coil around Divine's leg, slowly wrapping itself around her calf as it crept upward. Estelle flicked her eyes towards the stupendous redhead and smiled nervously. This is a dream, a nightmare! Sure, parts of it are pleasant, like the feel of her skin beneath my strands, but I need to wake up now! With tremendous force of will, Gossamer forced the tendril to retreat back into the braid, which then twisted itself so tight that it audibly creaked, like the rigging on a storm-tossed sailboat. Feeling much better, but still a bit flush in the face, Estelle took a step towards Zoe while gesturing towards Kurt. "Well, why don't the two of you perform for us right now, just drums and guitar? That's a nice way to get started! Is there something you can both play?"

Lynn sat up and began looking over the stack, plucking a few book out and forming a little pile. "So if these books are all inaccurate, what's the best way to find out the truth? I mean, I know 'the truth about faeries' is kind of like an oxymoron, but is there anyway I can find out more, other than crossing back over into Avalon? I'd kinda like to avoid that, if all possible." Once she found enough titles, she held them up. "I'm taking these." She stuffed them into her messenger back and poured herself another cup of wine

Still shaking, Lainey took the glass with murmured thanks, and drained it in one gulp; Lynn held her tightly, her head laying on her mother's shoulder. Perhaps unsure what to do, Butch rubbed his wife's back in comforting little circles. Once Colt left, Lynn and Lainey wordlessly helped Butch back into his chair; the two women sat on the sofa, and the three of them just sat there for a few minutes, staring into space. Finally, Lynn's mother turned to her and spoke in a tone that was almost back to her normal even tonme "Sheri, can you help me clear the table?" "Sure, ma." As they started to pick up all the dishes and carry them over to the kitchenette, Butch idly scratched the back of his head, a calculatedly casual gesture. "Uh, I'm gonna check on your boyfriend, Sher. Be back in a sec." Lynn mutely nodded as she worked with her mother. Her father rolled over to his computer desk, pulled a knock-off Gucci shaving kit out of the top drawer, and then headed outside, handily navigating the ramp. Seeing Colt with his e-cig, he maneuvered his wheelchair over his way, the shaving kit in his lap. "Mind if I join you?" Not really waiting for a reply, he indicated the Stellar Cycle with a jerk of his head. "Hell of a ride you've got there, bud. Does it, y'know, do stuff? Shoot lasers or oil slicks and smokescreens?"

I think Darius has been scarce a lot recently. How long do we wait on Fulcrum's post?

Works for me!

The birthday girl rolled her eyes dramatically. "Well sure, when you put it that way." She peered over at the parcel; it certainly was intriguing... "Y'know, I was trying not to be such a little brat today, but you do have a point. Back in a jiff!" She gave Colt a quick mustardy kiss, then eagerly scampered over to the package. Oddly enough, the return address was from a New York law firm called Fries, Slade and Darcott, located somewhere on the Lower East Side; intrigued, the shapeshifter dropped down to her knees and hefted the package. It felt solid, like maybe it was a book, and nothing rattled when she shook it. Sitting there in the grass, she sighed deeply. "Oh, what the hell." Out came the claws, and with near-surgical precision, she deftly opened the package; in an instant, a flood of smells wafted out, and the memories they stirred up shook Lynn to her very core. Staring down at the bundle of papers through eyes wet with tears (for the second time that day!), she could barely say the words. "Grampa Lou?" :cry:

And Grim has a Auto 25 on Notice, but she doesn't have her Danger Sense back in February.

GRIMALKIN Gather Information DC 10: Grimalkin is an attractive young crimefighter, mostly active in the Fens and West End. DC 15: Grimalkin, who likes to be called 'Grim' for short, was a member of the Interceptors, along with Jack of All Blades and a cowboy named Colt. She and Colt left active duty in the summer of 2011, but she returned to active duty in 2014. DC 20: Grim is a stealthy fighter who seems to appear out of nowhere, and attacks with a wicked set of claws. DC 25: Sometimes Grim takes on a faerie-like form, and flies about. Knowledge: Streetwise DC 10: Grimalkin was an active vigilante in the West End and the Fens. She was part of the Interceptors. DC 15: She's extremely stealthy, very athletic and uses vicious claws in hand-to-hand combat. She hadn't been seen on the street since 2011, but recently returned in 2014. DC 20: On occasion she turns into a small Tinkerbell-like form, but she still hits just as hard. She used to work with Nightrival (who mysteriously disappeared several years ago) on the Southside. DC 25: Grimalkin seems to be some sort of shapeshifter, and might take on other forms. Knowledge: Arcane Lore DC 15: Grimalkin is a West End-based shapeshifting heroine who often investigates supernatural crimes and events. DC 20: Grimalkin's shapeshifting appears to be magical in nature. Her appearance and abilities suggest she might be some sort of fae. DC 25: She can produce objects out of thin air, a trait associated with residents of Avalon. DC 30: Grimalkin seems to have problems with wrought iron, and will avoid it at all costs. SILBERMAN’S BOOKS Gather Information DC 10: Silberman’s Books is an excellent used bookstore in the West End. It also serves coffee and pastries, which are both very good. The staff are helpful and knowledgeable. DC 15: Silberman’s Books was originally opened back in the 40s by Ira Silberman, and was run by his son Louis for many years after his father’s death. It was recently reopened by Lynn Epstein, Ira’s great-granddaughter. Lynn is very pretty and friendly. DC 20: Ira Silberman used to be a stage magician known as ‘the Amazing Al-Kazar’ before he retired. Strange things sometimes happen at the store, though no customers have ever been hurt. DC 25: The Amazing Al-Kazar used to help the Liberty League back in the 40s. After the War, Ira Silberman tracked down fugitive Nazis, but he disappeared in the late 50s. Knowledge: Arcane Lore DC 15: Silberman’s has always been friendly to practioners of ‘the Craft’, and has a decent collection covering magic and the occult. The current owner, Lynn Epstein, is knowledgeable about such matters, and is willing to make special orders. DC 20: Actual magical tomes are occasionally available for sale at the store, though Lynn is careful who she sells to, and refuses to carry ‘dark’ materials. DC 25: Ira Silberman, aka the Amazing Al-Kazar, was a practioner of real magic, though he didn’t use it in his stage act. He used to help the Liberty League with supernatural cases, especially if the West End was threatened. He disappeared in the late 50s while tracking down former members of the Thule Society. DC 30: Supernatural forces are definitely at work in the store. Ira’s great-granddaughter may have magical abilities of her own.

Okay, so to see what's going on with Gossamer, you need to bet one of these checks. Stealth (to see the hair tendril) 1d20+7=11. I'm actually gonna blow an HP here, since it is thin strand of hair and should be hard to see from at least some angles. Stealth reroll: 1d20+7=19 Heh, I bet a lot of folks will still make that Notice check Gossamer's Bluff is an Auto 17, 21 with Attractive. And many folks will make that on Bluff or Sense Motive. The girl simply must get her social skills up higher!

The blonde superheroine smiled back and mouthed a 'you're welcome'; in all honesty, she was finding it increasing difficult to keep her eyes off of her, and she could tell her heart rate was increasing just a tad, though a deep swig of her daiquiri cooled her off a bit. Estelle sighed deeply and shook her head; clearly the girl's parents had spoiled her rotten. Probably spent every summer across the Atlantic drunk and dancing on tabletops. Turning back to the rest of the musicians and various superpeople, she clapped her hands loudly and raised her voice. "Hello, everyone and welcome! I must apologize for the chaos you've all no doubt been experiencing, but I must admit this is the first time I've done this sort of thing. For those who don't know me, my name is Doctor Estelle de Havilland, and I welcome you to my home!" She sighed and took a deep breath; so far so good! She did her best to keep the lovely Divine just in the corner of her peripheral vision, to minimize distractions. Goodness, what a feeling! "The reason you're all here, other than a love of music, is to raise both money for and awareness of the amazing inequality of educational opportunities that exist in this country. I have founded a charitable foundation with two focuses. First, to create a college fund for Freedom City students pursuing degrees in the arts and sciences, and second, to donate funds to elementary and secondary schools in the city's poorest neighborhoods, again with a focus on the arts, including musical programs, and the sciences." This was going quite well! Estelle was feeling the return of her usual confidence; however, unbeknownst to her, or at least to her conscious mind, a small tendril of hair had loosened itself from her braid and was extending down the back of her leg, inching closer and closer to where Divine was standing, just a few feet away. "To raise money for this foundation, to add to the start-up capital I've used to prime the pot, as it were, we will be presenting a concert in the Liberty Dome in late August. I've already signed several local bands, such as Albion, Crossbones and Madman Finale, and they are eager to participate, but to really push this show over the top, I'd like several of Freedom's heroes to perform on stage, either together as a sort of 'supergroup', if you'll forgive the appalling pun, or as solo performers." At this point, the golden tentacle gently but firmly wrapped itself around the goddess's toned ankle; the sensation sent a jolt through Estelle's body, which she attempted to disguise with enthusiasm as she loudly clapped her hands and rubbed them eagerly together. "So before we go any farther, uh, who is most comfortable performing solo?" Don't look at her don't look at her why can't I let go? :shock: :oops:

Lynn could only shrug as she raised her cup to her lips. "I dunno; I mean, I'm already part of a team, but that got a little complicated due to my, uh, love life." She winced, then she took a sip. "Mmm, that's tasty! My grampa slipped me a sip of this when I was a kid; tastes a lot better now, though." She leaned back and rubbed her eyes. "I guess I'll keep reading up on this faerie stuff, y'know, keep hittin' the books." She tipped her head back and looked at all the bookshelves upside down. "Any titles you could recommend?"

As the voices grew louder and more numerous, an icy chill went down Estelle's spine. Good Lord...they're all around us. There was no doubt that she was afraid, but as was often the case, the arrogance of villains also made Gossamer rather angry. "You would be wise not to underestimate us; there are many of us as well!" The golden-haired warrior sent a thick tightly-wound whipcord lashing out towards the impostor closest to Director Powers, hoping to give the man room to act.

Okay, so let's get a read on how tough these guys are; Gossamer is gonna target the Grue closest to Director Powers with Ye Olde Hair Slap. To hit with hair: 1d20+10=21 Hair -- DC 25/Toughness

As Mr Silver spoke, Lynn's eyes got wider and wider, and she found herself hanging on every word, like he was telling a ghost story. "Oh man, that does not sound good." Her pointed ears grew larger, almost like a doe's, and twitched a bit. "Guess I better keep my guard up, huh?" Out of the corner of her eye, the feykin caught a glimpse of the silver bottle the Queen of Summer was so insistent she bring along, and she cocked her head as she looked at it askance. "Waitaminute; if all we had to do was that ritual, what's the big deal with the bottle?" In an instant, she snatched it up, had the flower-shaped stopper off, and took a big whiff; her expressive face went from suspicious to quizzical. "It's dandelion wine." Then she looked at the tag around the bottle's slender neck and smiled. "I think we're just supposed to drink it." With two flicks of her fingers, she conjured up a pair of oaken goblets, which she filled to the brim with wine. Putting down the flagon with a dull thud, she raised the cup in salute, grinning like an idiot. "Mazel tov!"

For the record, I imagine Gossamer's loft probably looks something like this.

Lynn shrugged offhandedly as she accepted the dog. "Oh you know, the usual; gift cards, antiquities from ancient lands, a phoenix egg. Fairly run-of-the-mill stuff." She shot Elena a quick wink. Then she indicated the package she'd found in the hallway with a jerk of her head. "I also found something I guess I got in the mail; not sure if it's a gift or what. I'll have a look at it later." She piled mustard, relish and onions on her dog and took a big bite. "Mmm, very tasty! You are a true grillmeister."

For a few moments, Estelle just stared at the girl's outstretched fist, then she met her gaze and smiled sweetly. "Well, first of all, Z, I don't fist bump. And second of all-" A tendril of hair shot out with surprising speed to snatch the glass out of the teen's hand. "I do not allow underage drinking in my home. Now, can I get you a juice or soda?" She turned back to look at the lovely Divine, and with a smile offered her the drink via hair extension.

At this statement, Estelle's jaw dropped in shock. "You can? Then why did Viktor-" The sudden implications of the now-completely unnecessary sacrifice she'd made sank in, for now her dinner with Rudy served no practical purpose other than to test her social skills to their very limit. Under her breath, she muttered: "You couldn't have mentioned that sooner?" With a sigh, she took Phalanx's outstretched hand, then she used her hair to create harnesses for both herself and Midnight for added safety. "Let's be off, then." The things she did for this city... :roll:

20 it is, then.

I'll be honest, I have no idea; I was just going from the DC Block Shaen put on her sheet, which reads: "Unarmed -- DC 22/Toughness (24 w/ Sneak Attack) -- Damage" Let me look at the rules and her sheet and see if we can figure it out. Edit: Should it actually be DC 20, or is there another feat coming into play?

Estelle gently put arm around behind Vivian's back and walked her into the adjacent hall, offering no comment about her excited outburst. "Well, he was very large, and very strong; he actually picked me up and ran through traffic at one point! He was wearing a polar bear fur, as well as a helmet, and he was looking to sell a beautiful silver armband to have some ready cash." She shook her head, amazed at how incredible her own tale sounds to her ears. "I think he'd recently woken up from some sort of hibernation or deep sleep; his English was excellent though a bit outmoded, and he said he'd known fourteen hundred summers." Estelle sighed sadly and shrugged. "And after I bought him a steak, I never saw him again. And that's really all there is to say, I'm afraid."

I dunno, Giz, do you want to wind this one down?

Where are we at with this one?