Heritage

Colby absently passed Colt a fresh beer, then held up an MGD for Grim and raised her eyebrows; Grim politely shook her head. "No thanks, I want to stay sober for whatever happens next." The detective nodded, fetched another Corona for herself, opened it and took a long swig. Their host shook her head. "Sorry. Well, it's not good, but far from unfixable; I think if we- " Suddenly there was a loud banging from the first floor, right over their heads. Colby sighed and then bellowed right back. "Alright, Ma, alright, I'll turn the music down! Jesus!" She stomped over to the stereo and turned it most of the way down, for the first time allowing her guests to hear the TV playing loudly upstairs. The policewoman returned to the rest of the group. "Okay, I don't know how much you understand about your powers, but at least part of their function is mystical in nature." She indicated Grim with a wave of her hand. "Not Primal like Tinker Bell over here, but mystical nonetheless." She took a stool and set her beer down for a second. "Your energy manipulation is an active power, right? You reach out to take the energy that's around you and wield it." She made a grabbing motion with her hand. "But I think then when you were fighting this demon character, something grabbed back." And then she formed her other hand into a claw and locked the two of them together, simulating a sort of tug of war. "Problem is, neither side wants to let go." She picked up the dreamcatcher and watched as it lazily turned. "So tonight, we help you let go."

Introduction Give a two or three word description of yourself. (Describe your character's concept.) Feisty Jewish pixie. Do you have any nicknames, street names, titles, or nom de plume? Grimalkin, Grim, Lil' Grimmie. What is your full birth name? Sherilyn (Shevon) Epstein. My Hebrew name means 'The Lord is gracious; I like it because it makes me sound like a backup singer. Where do you live? The Interceptors' HQ. Why do you live there? Are you kidding? It's The Real World: Freedom City, how could I refuse? What do you perceive as your greatest strength? Flexibility. I adapt well to new people and situations. What do you perceive as your greatest weakness? My big mouth gets me into a lot of trouble. Physical Traits How old are you? (Chronological age as well as age category.) 21 What is your sex? Female What is your race? White How tall are you? 5' 3" (normally) How much do you weigh? 116 lb (see above) What is your general body type, frame, bone structure, and poise? Itty-bitty What is your skin color? Fairly pale, but I can get a nice tan. What is your hair color? Brown What is your hair style? Short and pretty much all over the place. Do you have any facial hair? Um, no, how gross is that? What is your eye color? Brown, smoky and mysterious! How attractive are you? Depending on my mood, I'm either cute, pretty or hot most of the time. Yes, I can be shallow. What is your most distinguishing feature? I've been told it's my eyes, but I also think I have a cute butt! Do you have any scars, tattoos, or birthmarks? Not anymore! What is your handedness (left/right/ambidextrous)? Right Do you resemble some currently known person? I've been told I resemble Natalie Portman, but I really don't see it. What kind of clothing do you wear? Out of costume, I usually go for jeans, t-shirts and fatigue jackets, all of which I make myself. Do you wear makeup? I don't need to anymore; yay! What sort of vocal tone do you have? I sound a bit like a little girl who chain smokes, even though I'm neither of those things. History Where is your homeland? America, though I'd love to visit Israel. Are you aware of its history? I have a freshman public high school education; what do you think? Are you patriotic or a social outcast? A little bit of both, I guess. What are your opinion of home? Our country is pretty messed up, but I still think it's probably the best one around. Except maybe Canada Where is your home town? Atlantic City, NJ (technically Ventnor City, just next door) Are your real reasons for becoming an adventurer different from what you tell others? Probably. How far would you go to keep such secrets from being revealed? What would you do if the truth became known? I would not kill anybody to keep a secret, but I might commit a misdemeanor or two. What do you fear would occur if the truth became known? Something bad happening to my family. Do you have any particularly high or low ability scores? I've never been to ASTRO labs, but I'm wicked nimble. How have these scores affected your life so far? I spend most of my life running across rooftops. What about your race, growing up were you in the majority or a minority? I'm white, so that was the majority, but as a Jew I was also definitely a minority. Did this impact your outlook in any way? I think being a Jew made me a bit of a smartass, since I used humor to befuddle my enemies (aka stupid kids). How do you feel about other races? I was lucky neither of my parents is racist, so I was brought up pretty tolerant. Were there any traumatic experiences in your early years (death of a family member, abandonment, orphaned at an early age)? Jeez, where do I start? Try all of the above, and then some! Briefly describe a defining moment in your childhood and how it influenced your life. My father was nearly paralyzed when I was twelve; this event changed the rest of my life in ways you can't possibly imagine. What stupid things did you do when you were younger? The list would be pages long. Which toys from your childhood have you kept? I have most of my stuffed tiger (Rajah from Aladdin); bits of him have come off, but I fixed him with duct tape. Why? What do they mean to you? If you didn't keep any, why not? What did you do to them all? I was obsessed with Aladdin for years growing up; I wanted to be Jasmine, because she was pretty, smart and independent. Do you have any deep, dark secrets in the past that may come back to haunt you? Uh, does killing a guy count? Are you who you claim to be? Hell no! Do you have any sort of criminal record? I should, but I'm too sneaky for 'The Man'. How do you view the heroes/legends of your country? Some of them are awesome, but some of them were probably jerks, too. Family Who were your parents? Harold and Elaine Epstein Were you raised by them? If not, then why didn't they and who did raise you? Yes What was their standing in the community? Mom was pretty well thought of in our old neighborhood, but when we moved to the trailer park, she was feared! Dad is loved by pretty much everyone. Did your family stay in one area or move around a lot? We moved once, right before my freshman year. It was awful. How did you get along with their parents? Hoo boy, there's a question! I love my dad (even though he's a bit of a putz), but me and mom don't really get along. How would your parents describe you? Answer this in the voice of your mother, then in your father's. "Sherry is a troublemaker; it took me years to clean-up her mess after she left!" "I miss my little girl; I don't know why she has to do all these crazy things." Do you have any siblings? If so how many and what were their names? How did you get along with each of your siblings? I have a brother named Ben who I love very much, and a sister named Edna (aka Eddi). Me and Ben were pretty tight until he went off to college, but me and Eddi fought a lot. What was your birth position in the family? Youngest, the little brat. List all current knowledge of family locations, spouses, children, birth dates, schooling, and any important incidents that only you and they might remember. What the? This question is insane, my family is huge! I have one uncle in LA, an aunt and crazy great aunt in Chicago, and two crazy criminal uncles in NJ, one of whom's in jail. There, that's all ya get! Do you stay in touch with them or have you become estranged? I'm closest to my dad's hooligan brothers. Do you love or hate one member of the family in particular? I don't hate my mom, but we do not get along to well. I respect her more now that I'm older, though. Is any member of the family special to you in any way (perhaps, as a confidant, mentor, or arch-rival)? I guess my dad is closest; he's always been unconditionally loving and supportive, and introduced me to tons of great music and stuff like Monty Python. Are there any black (or white) sheep in the family (including you)? That would be me If so, who are they and how did they "gain" the position? Credit card fraud will do that. Do you have a notorious or celebrated ancestor? Two actually. My great-great-grandfather Karl was a New York mobster, but my great-grandfather Ira (on Mom's side) was a stage magician and part-time superhero! If so, what did this person do to become famous or infamous? Karl was a scary SOB, but Ira was very popular as the Amazing Al-Kazar. Do you try to live up to the reputation of your ancestor, try to live it down, or ignore it? When I was in high school, I was kinda obsessed with Karl Epstein and mob history in general. Ira Silberman was awesome. Do you ever want to have a family of your own someday? Yes I do. Would anything change your mind on this issue and if so, what? If I found out my kids would be some kind of hideous mutants, maybe. What type of person would be your ideal mate? He would need to be funny, strong, not talk as much as me but still able to make me shut up. Hotness is always a plus. Relationships Do you have any close friends? If so, who and what are they like? I tend not to have a lot of close friends, which surprises some people. Most of my friends I know from work, either normal or hero stuff. What is the history of their relationship(s) with you? Uh, we beat people up together, and then go out for drinks. Chumminess ensues. Do you currently have a best friend whom you would protect with your reputation or your life? My teammate and 'lovah', Colt. Save the sexy man! If so, who are they and what caused you to feel so close to them? What would have to happen for you to end this relationship? Oh, this is kind of a continuation of the last question, I guess. Well, the sex helped me feel closer to Colt (heh heh), but I think fighting side-by-side builds a bond, just like in the war movies. Do you have any bitter enemies? I hate Nazis, so I would consider SHADOW to be my enemies. Also skinheads and some vampires. If so, who are they, what are they like, and what is the history of their feud with you? Uh, I'm Jewish and they're NAZIS; I think that pretty much sums it up. Vampires are mostly selfish violent jerks. Mostly. Have you defeated them before? Yes, I have triumphed! How might these enemies seek to discomfit you in the future? Ah, they barely know I exist, which makes me sad. Which person(s) or group(s) are you most loyal to? Interceptors are GO! Who is your most trusted ally? Colt. Who do you trust, in general? My current and former teammates. Atlas, too Who do you despise and why? See above, re: Nazis. Also any racists, homophobes, and greedy jerkwads. Name seven things you hate in others. Selfishness, smugness, prejudice, greed, bullying, wastefulness, gossip. Is your image consistent? Is that a joke? I'm a shapeshifter, you schmuck! Do you deliberately present yourself differently in different situations, and how? You're really not grasping the whole 'shapeshifter' concept, are you? What would you die for? My family, even my mom. Also my teammates. What is the worst thing someone has done to you? Attempted rape. What is your general reaction to an attractive member of the opposite sex who lets you know they are available? How do you get along with others of the same adventuring class? Uh, you mean sneaky people with big mouths? Pretty good, unless it's in a boxing ring... Have you lost any loves? Yes. How did you handle the situation (short & long term)? Pretty hard; I get moody and don't want to see anyone for a while. Who would miss you should you go missing? My family, my boyfriend, my current and former teammates, I hope. How close are you to your adventuring companions? Pretty close, though Jack keeps his cards close to his chest. What do they not know about you? That I killed a man who tried to rape me. Are you a member of any house, guild, organization, or church? What is your level of involvement? Uh, I live in the Brownstone. I cook kosher meals, help with shopping and fight crime. Personality & Beliefs Do you, or did you, have any role models? My Grampa Lou is still my hero; he was smart and funny, and he taught me magic tricks, and we used to watch old movies together. Also my Aunt Iris, who was so brave when she battled cancer, right up to the very end. Do you have any heroes or idols, either contemporary or from legend? The Amazing Al-Kazar and Sgt Shrapnel. Robin Hood was also cool. Did you ever become disillusioned with former heroes or idols? If so, why and what were the circumstances? I was very unhappy to find out a former teammate was a vampire; still not very happy about that. When did you decide to become an adventurer? After I saw a prostitute attacked and the cops didn't even care. Why have you chosen to risk your life as a career? I think that life is often unfair, and want to help tip the balance; I also like the people you meet and getting physical. What do you expect to get out of being an adventurer? What, if anything, would make you stop adventuring? If I allowed someone to die from my actions, or somehow inspired someone to commit a violent brutal act. Do you have any dreams or ambitions? If not, why? I want to travel, inspire people but still cause mischief. What are your short term goals (what would you like to be doing within a year)? I would really like to be in a leadership position on a larger team; that would be awesome. Not like the captain, more like a lieutenant. What are your long term goals (what would you like to be doing twenty years from now)? Jeez, I really can't think that far ahead. A mom, I guess? If these goals seem at odds with each other, or with your dreams, how do you reconcile the differences? I think I could do both easily, because I'm that cool. Do you have any great rational or irrational fears or phobias? If so, what are the origins of, or reasons behind them? I guess I fear death, like most people, so that's not irrational. Otherwise, not too much. Does that mean I'm brave? How do you react when this fear manifests itself? I fight harder. What are your attitudes regarding material wealth? I think rich people are mostly a-holes, to be honest. I think money warps your perspective and makes you out of touch. Are you miserly with your share of the wealth, or do you spend it freely? When I actually have money, I share it, 'cause my own needs are pretty darn modest. Do you see wealth as a mark of success, or just as a means to an end? I see it as trouble. How do you generally treat others? I think I'm pretty decent to most people. Do you trust easily (perhaps too easily) or not? Not really; I can be very friendly with people I don't actually trust. Are you introverted (shy and withdrawn) or extroverted (outgoing)? Can I be both? Most people think of me as pretty extroverted, but I really like to have a lot of time to myself, and don't have a lot of friends. Are you a humble soul or blusteringly proud? I try to be humble, but my head gets a little big from time to time, then I have to smack myself upside the head and get over myself. What habits do you find most annoying in friends? Not talking about problems and letting things fester. What are your most annoying habits? I'm nosy and a bit of a flirt. I also talk too much. Is there any race, creed, alignment, religion, class, profession, political viewpoint, or the like against which you are strongly prejudiced, and why? I really don't like most of the rich people I've met, though I know one or two decent ones who buck the trend. What is your favorite food? Bagel and shmear; yes, I'm a good Jew. What is your favorite drink? Rum and Coke! What is your favorite treat (desert)? Strawberry cheesecake ice cream. Do you favor a particular cuisine? I like Indian food a lot. Do you savor the tastes when eating or "wolf down" your food? I'm a wolfer, I admit it. Do you like food mild or heavily spiced? Is-a spicy! Are there any specific foodstuffs that you find disgusting or refuse to eat? Pork, for obvious reasons. Gummi worms make me want to gag, too. What are your favorite color(s)? I like dark blue, hence my choice in costume! Is there any color that you dislike? Really bright orange. Do you have a favorite (or hated) song, type of music, or instrument? I like loud angry fast music, especially if it's sung by a girl. If you have a favorite scent, what is it? Freshly baked bread. What is your favorite type of animal? I'm a cat person. Are you allergic to any kinds of animals? Nope, thank God. Is there anything that enrages you? Ignorance, bigotry, bullying. Is there anything which embarrasses you? Sadly, not really. Do you enjoy "roughing it", or do you prefer your creature comforts? I love making do with very little. Do you have a patron deity? That would be Yaweh. Are you devout or impious? I'm more or less observant, but sometimes I get weak. I was brought up Conservative. Do you actively worship and proselytize or do you simply pay lip service? I don't attend temple as often as I should, but I think I mostly live my life according to the Torah. What lengths would you go to defend your faith? I would kill, to be honest, even though that's against a commandment. Was your faith influenced or molded by anyone special? My mom, actually; her ability to have faith while studying science really impresses me. Also my Grampa Lou lived a quietly pious life filled with joy. Do you belong to a dominant church, or an independent church, cult, or sect (and is the group accepted, frowned upon, or considered heretics)? I'm a Conservative Jew. Will you kill? I go back and forth on this one, but I killed once in the past, so I guess the answer is yes. When did you decide (or learn) that you would? When it was me or him, and I was alone and fifteen. When do you consider it okay to kill (under what circumstances)? In self-defense, to save the life of an innocent, or in a time of war against an oppressor. When do you consider it wrong to kill (under what circumstances)? Out of cruelty or because someone is different. What would you do if someone else attempted to (or successfully did) kill under your "wrong" circumstances, what would be your reaction? I would punish them, and hopefully leave them alive. What if it were your enemy? See above. What if it were your friend? I would stop them, but not kill them. I couldn't even if I had to. What if the opponent were not in control of their own actions (under duress, charmed, dominated, possessed)? I would attempt to knock them unconscious. What would you do if something were stolen from you? Try to get it back, but stop short of violence. Trickery, however, would be encouraged. What would you do if you were badly insulted publicly? I would be very loud in my rebuttal. Also possibly deface the guy's car. What would you do if a good friend or relative were killed by means other than natural death? I would mourn them and seek justice. What is the one task you would absolutely refuse to do? Kill a child. I would die first. What do you consider to be the worst crime someone could commit and why? Killing a child or someone else who's defenseless. On a related note, I have very conflicted opinions about abortion. How do you feel about government (rulers) in general? Why do you feel that way? I think they mean well but mostly screw things up. Do you support the current government of your homeland? Yes. If so, how far are you willing to go to defend the government? If not, do you actively oppose it? I guess I would fight in a war, if I believed the cause was just. What form of government do you believe is the best (democracy, monarchy, anarchy, aristocratic rule, oligarchy, matriarchy) and why? Democracy. I think Churchill said 'democracy doesn't work, but it's the best we've got'. I agree. Do you have any unusual habits or dominant personality traits that are evident to others? I use my power over glamour to amuse myself, pretty much constantly. If so, describe them and how you acquired them, as well as when they might be more noticeable and what causes them. I like to come up with little outfits, and make stuff; I also use my evil pixie powers when I flirt, because I'm EVIL! Do you have any unusual or nervous mannerisms, such as when talking, thinking, afraid, under stress, or when embarrassed? I tend to chew on my thumbnails, and also twist napkins into funny animal shapes. What is your most treasured possession? My little black cat with his witch hat. I love him so. If your life were to end in 24 hours, what 5 things would you do in those remaining hours? 1. Crazy sex with Colt. 2. Call my mom and tell her I love her. 3. Call as many of my friends as possible and tell them I love them. 4. Eat a whole pie. 5. Try to avenge my own death, if applicable; otherwise, get really drunk. Career & Training Where and how were you educated? I went to public school in Atlantic City and Egg Harbor Township. Who trained you in your adventuring class(es)? My mentor was Nightrival. I miss the big lug. What was your relationship with your teacher(s)/mentor(s)? We got along great. Is this person or institution still in existence? I have no idea where he is, and think about him a lot. Were you a prize student or did you just barely pass? Skated by on my bountiful charm. Look at your skills. How did you acquire them (especially the unusual ones)? Mostly practice, or by being an inhuman pixie freak! Have you ever done anything else for a living? I was a bike messenger and scam artist, but not in that order. How do you function in combat (maneuvers, weaknesses)? I cheat. Have you ever received any awards or honors? Lots and lots of hugs. Is there anything that you don't currently know how to do that you wish you could? Medical skills, so I'm useful after a fight. Are you envious of others who can do such things in a good-natured way or are you sullen and morose about it? No, I think it's cool to see what other folks can do. Lifestyle & Hobbies When not adventuring, what is your normal daily routine? I tend to sleep in, but I love to make breakfast and drink coffee on those rare occasions I'm up early. I love to read, especially at the library. I also love to watch cartoons, which makes sense 'cause I kinda am one now. Also the sex. How do you feel and react when this routine is interrupted for some reason? Annoyed at first, but I get over it pretty quick. What are your hobbies when you are not adventuring or training? I love bike riding, movies and going to the library. What do you do for relaxation? What things do you do for enjoyment? What interests do you have? I love history, I love Wikipedia, I love to go dancing. How do you normally dress when not in your adventuring gear? Sweats and/or jeans. What do you normally wear in bed at home? I usually make either an oversized T-shirt or jammies. What do you normally wear in bed while adventuring? This has yet to come up. I'm guessing jammies. Do you wear any identifiable jewelry? Other than the stuff I make out of glamour, no. Where do you normally put your weapons, magic items, or other valuables when you are sleeping? In a duffel bag in my room. What morning or evening routines do you normally have? I actually pray when I'm not too sleepy (sadly a lot), I'm a good flosser and I like to read in bed. Do these change when you are adventuring? Not so much, no. Travel: how do you get around locally? Bicycle, roof-running and sometimes flight. Do you have a Last Will and Testament? No. I probably should, huh? What does it say? Right now I guess it's blank. I hope I can leave some money to charity someday, also my family. Miscellaneous What would you like to be remembered for after your death? For trying hard to make a better place, even with all my screw-ups. What kind of threat do you present to the public? None, I hope. If your features were to be destroyed beyond recognition, is there any other way of identifying your body? What a horrible question! At this point, probably not As a player, if you could, what advice would you give your character? Speak as if he/she were sitting right here in front of you. Use proper tone so they might heed your advice... "Try and plan ahead, at least a little bit. You can do anything you want, so don't waste your amazing life just punching people in the face, as fun as that may be. Build something that lasts."

True to her word, Gossamer arranged her vanquished foes in a neat pile, careful not smother any of them; once that was done, she withdrew the scanner and checked it again, hoping to get back on Dr. Archeville's trail. "Hang in there, Doc; I'm still coming!"

For several moments, 'Lenya' could only stand, holding Alex's journal in her hands as she stared at the words until they lost all meaning. So many emotions swirled in her heart, mind and gut, competing with each other and making her light-headed and nauseous. All of this...all of this, and yet she's still a girl, with a boyfriend and homework, who eats in the cafeteria and has unicorns on her notebook. All of this... Would her own life appear just as far-fetched and fantastic if someone read her most intimate thoughts and feelings, as mundane and ridiculous and beyond comprehension? For the first time since her transformation, Grim saw metahumans as others did, the folks who couldn't bend bars with their brains or travel to distant worlds. Without even realizing it, she sat on the lower bunk, still holding the journal in unfeeling hands; she turned to look at the cat, its face noble yet deeply perturbed at the intrusion. Lenya blinked at the cat a few times, then spoke in a flat unaccented voice. "No wonder they fear us...worship us...we're not- " In a flash, she suddenly felt very exposed and had to leave; her heart was pounding in her chest as she returned the journal to its drawer and straightened up the desk. Once the faux Russain was sure everything was back in its place, she quickly listened at the door, and hearing no one, oozed back into the hallway and staggered out to the quad to clear her head.

Title-wise I love Zombie Powder is a Helluva Drug 8-)

Grim let Colt's hand-up blend smoothly into a bit of a hop to show her enthusiasm for walkies. "Yes, sir! Big meaty sammiches on hearty rye, coming right up!" Humming to herself, she happily went to work, once again showing her somewhat surprising domestic side as she made them each two thick sandwiches, as well as packing snacks, juice and water for the walk itself. "One of these days we need to get a bunch of folks together, maybe rent a cabin on a lake or something? Good guys need more breaks." She finished her lunch preparations as she continued in this vein. "Like how awesome would it be to get Jack and Atlas into the great outdoors? Or maybe another couple? Then we could canoe and hike all day...good times!"

Lynn nodded in agreement. "Yeah, whenever I get married, I think we're gonna go for a small civil ceremony in a concrete bunker; the bridal party will be heavily armed with katanas and flamethrowers, and the groomsmen will be killer deathbots packed with C4." She chuckled softly, but then got a wistful look in her eye as she thought of the more serious implications of her jest.

"Well then, I'll wear a mask too, as a sign of solidarity...even though I don't think anyone in this town really cares who I am." Lynn looked around thesmall circle of faces and sighed. "We so need a new membership drive; I'm gettin' bored looking at the two of you every day." She gaved Colt a friendly wink, but her tone did hint at some truth behind her comment.

Colby taps the side of the dreamcatcher, spinning it slowly. "Well to quote Admiral Ackbar, 'it's a trap', and yeah, as a rule traps are pretty nasty; I had to wear special gatorskin gloves when I made this thing." Gingerly laying the unwholesome object on a metal tray, she opened the glasses case and pulled out an pair of ugly black plastic frames with no lenses; she held them with a great deal of respect, almost reverence. With great care, she slowly slid them on; Jack saw two powerful beams of pure white sweeping the room like a lighthouse. "Alright, let's see what I can see- whoa!" She happened to catch sight of Grim, stuffing celery and spinich dip into her mouth in a very unladylike fashion. The changeling stopped in mid-mouthful, eyes darting back and forth. "Whuh?" "Nothing, I just didn't know you were so...Primal." "Oh yeah, I'm-" She stopped to swallow. "I'm not really human anymore; haven't been for a while, actually." The detective took a deep breath. "Well that's disturbing." Then she slowly turned her gaze towards Jack, passing over Colt as she went, her body slightly hunched over with effort. "Cowboy is strictly caffeine-free, good to know...and now we have a look at Zorro." She held her gaze on Jack for quite some time, her scrutiny feeling uncomfortably like standing naked in the headlight of an oncoming train; from time to time, she cocked her head to one side or the other, or looked at the swordsman sidelong. After what seemed like several minutes, she removed the glasses and returned them to their case, lost in thought. "Hmm...I need another beer." Colby hopped her butt up on top of the bar, flipped her legs over it, landed on the other side and opened up the fridge, all in one smooth movement. "Anybody else ready for another one?"

Okay, posted based on info given to me by Electra, but she didn't mention what was in the journal.

Still trying to maintain some sort of plausible deniability (and sadly damage American-Russian relations), Grim reformed as Lenya inside the room. Okay, time to do Doc's evil bidding :roll: It was quite clear that two very different students shared the room; one side was fairy Spartan, with only a few items like a music box and stuffed bear on the dresser to even let you know a girl lived there, while the other side was apparently decorated by Oompa-Loompas from the look of it. The riot of colors was almost physically painful. Lenya turned to look at the beds, and met the steady gaze of a skinny orange tabby curled up on the neatly-made lower bunk, its eyes quietly judging her. “Hello, nice kitty.†:? Doc’s file on Alex included the following warning about her roommate, Erin: "Super-Soldier from Parallel World devoured by 'Zombies'. Steer clear if possible; do not confront." Based on this disturbing warning, the interloper was not looking to stay long. The Spartan side logically belonged to Erin, so Lenya focused on the Day-Glo area, starting with her desk; she quickly found a spiral notebook, the kind with gross unicorns on the cover that made her gag. “Let’s see what we have here…†A quick scan of its contents did not yield the usual homework or girly kvetching about boys, but in fact outlined a detailed business plan for a fairly large and prosperous company. Even more shocking, the sweet young girl she’d met during the snowball fight was apparently CEO of said company, and earning a salary of 250K a year! What the hell? How is that even possible? Sadly she’d been unable to squeeze her camera phone under the door with her, so Lenya did her best to commit details to memory. The shapeshifter didn’t even bother with the laptop on the desk, lacking the computer skills to unlock even the most basic electronic security, and instead rummaged through the drawers until she found a journal. “Bingo!â€

Oh my god, where did you find that picture? Priceless!

Grim took a deep breath and nervously adjusted herself, apparantly a bit uncomfortable with the subject. "Uh, well, she's dealt with depression and anxiety most of her life, but being 'Miss Scientist', she never wanted to go into therapy; she said psychology was basically as useful as voodoo and psychiatrists just tried to medicate everyone's problems away." She rubs her eyes at the frustrating memories. "Dad had to work on her for years to get her to see someone. But then she finally broke down and gave in; she still makes snarky comments about it, but I guess it is helping, so..." She shrugged and sat up, then did a lazy sexy stretch, clearly an attempt to distract Colt. "So, today we go walkies, yes?" :love:

I hope you don't mind, Giz, I included some energy descriptions that felt right.

Colby shrugged easily as she settled onto a stool. "Ah, we try; there's not as many of us as there used to be, but Uncle Dan is still a terror, and his son Eddie is finishing up at the academy." She muttered under her breath as she takes a swig, "Even if he is an idiot..." She pushed the snack tray across the bar, indicating it with a nod; it was mostly chopped veggies and dips, but there was also some Chex Mix, cheese and crackers and mixed nuts. "You guys help yourselves, though Jack here here might want to hold off." She waved her bottle in his general direction. "We don't want you choking on your own vomit now, do we?" She gave him a wink, but her tone wasn't entirely light. "Uh, yeah..." Grim grabbed the offered beer and took a big swig, still fairly unnerved by the whole situation. "So, what to we do first? Do we start chanting, dance in a circle or what?" Colby shook her head as she drained the last of her beer, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. "Nah, nothing like that; first off, I have a little look-see at our boy Jack through these-" She reached behind the bar and brought out a battered leather glasses case; to the swordman's perception, it leaked a pure crystaline light, almost like staring straight into a halogen bulb. "These babies let me analyze any magical effects he might be under. Then after that, if my theory is correct, I have him stare into this for a few minutes-" She dangled what looked like an Indian dreamcatcher, all beads and yarn, but suspended in the middle of it was a dull black stone; to Jack, it was a sickening void, like a little black hole that funnelled energy down the drain and out of existance...

"Oh for pity's sake, you're not the damn Gingerbread Man! Get back here!" As she tucked her phone back into her belt, Gossamer was really far more annoyed by her failed attempt at heroic multitasking than she was at this ridiculously lucky buffoon. Feeling a bit like a Keystone Kop, she chased after him, a very large golden hammer swinging 'round her head. Boom!

To hit: 1d20+10=22 Now that's more like it! :kaboom:

It wasn't often that Dr. Estelle de Havilland was truly and deeply bored; as a scientist, she found the world a fascinating place, and could stand transfixed for minutes at a time watching the formation of crystals under a microscope. But today she found herself between projects and feeling more or less useless as she half-heartedly finished typing up her labs notes. With a sigh, she idly glanced out her rain-streaked window, feeling like a child who couldn't go out to play. But suddenly, there was a light in the sky, and a sound that rattled the windows of her lab; Estelle leaped out of her chair and ran to the window, and found herself gaping in awe at the sight. "Another spacecraft! Could it be related to the earlier landing?" She ran back to her PC, saved her Word doc, and hurriedly took off her lab coat and kicked off her shoes. Just then Rudy Langstrom wandered into the lab, eyes fixed on his clipboard just before one of Estelle's whizzed past him. "Dr. de Havilland, you need to sign off on- whoah!" His eyes lit up as he yelled over his shoulder back out into the hall. "Guys, she's doing it again!" "Doing what again?" called a familar voice from outside. "The thing, the changing thing!" The beautiful blonde scientist looked heavenward as she rolled up her sleeve, revealing the high-tech bracer that covered her left forearm; it had many functions, including communications, chemical analysis and a computer link, but right now she flipped up a clear plastic cover and slapped the large red button below. In a flash, billions of tiny nanomachines oozed out of the bracer's reservoir, spreading up her arm and across her body as they converted her blouse, skirt and even ambient moisture into her sleek blue and silver bodysuit. Rudy sighed happily as he hung on the door frame. "I love my job." Norm Sivana, the shorter and heavier of the two technicians, came panting into the room, cluching his chest. "Lemme see, lemme see...oh, I missed it!" Now fully suited up and ready for anything, Gossamer strode to the window and activated a hidden latch, which slid the glass open, letting a good bit of the storm in; she stepped onto the ledge, pausing briefly to shake her head and smile at the FAR boys. "Gentlemen, do try and grow up." And with that, she leaped out the window, her long glorious hair billowing out behind her to slow her fall; the two techs ran to the window to marvel at her descent. Norm pumped his fist in the air. "ASTRO Labs rules!" With a confidence she'd never once have imagined, Gossamer swung into action, her hair effortlessly grasping flagpoles, streetlights and rain-slick gargoyles as she rapidly made her way west. "Think I should catch the train..." Her last swing brought her up to the monorail with a graceful arc, and she nimbly landed on top of a westbound car, riding it in a low crouch. Soon Gossamer found herself at the edge of the crash site, and several things looked familiar about the scene; thankfully one of them was the human space traveller from the barge, though she was still too far away to identify any of the others present. Well at least we have an expert on hand. One vessel was down and it appeared two races were in violent conflict; not wanting to jump into the fray blind, the scientist held back for just a moment, trying to seperate friend from foe.

I'm going to post Gossamer showing up, but will not have her act other than taking in the scene until her init comes up.

The ceiling of the basement was a little low in spots, with dropped soundproof tiles poking down where they covered pipes; off to one side was the laundry area, which Grim noted had the wonderful smell of clean clothes. One half of the basement was panelled with fairly nice wood, but the other half was still raw brick and concrete. A big gas furnance warmed the space, humming and growling in the back corner. There was a wet bar and a neon MGD sign, but there were also lots of shelves thrown up, crammed full of odd knicknacks, some of it cheap tourtist crap, and some of it downright scary: bundles of birds' feet hanging on strings, jars full of murky fluids, and most of a dog's skeleton nailed to a slab of plywood. Colby stepped behind the bar like it was all business as usual. The attractive policewoman smiled and reached across the bar, offering the cowboy a firm handshake; her grip was strong and fingers calloused, more like a farmer worker than a big city detective. "Pleased to meet ya, Colt." She turned and opened an old-fashioned looking fridge that was filled with beer and liquor. "What'll you have? I've got Corona, MGD, Sam Adams, Rolling Rock...mostly domestic pale ales, but I might have a Carlsberg Elephant back in here somewhere..." Grim looked slightly freaked but also intrigued as she moved around the room, afraid to touch anything but also wanting to look at everything. "Uh, I'll take an MGD while your at it...wait, do I smell spinich dip?" Colby stood up, looked Jack up and down, and sighed deeply. "Well, I don't think I can make it any worse...but if my theory's right, you should walk out of this basement a free man."

"Okay, let's do this." Lynn sort of hunched up the shoulders of her leather jacket as the three Interceptors marched across the street and up the short driveway, past the silver Prius to the back door. Once out of view of the street, Grim conjured up her mask, then pushed the glowing plastic door bell. In a few moments, the door opened to reveal a very relaxed looking Colby in her Phish T-shirt and cargo pants, tipping back a Corona. The sound of West African hip-hop blared over an old stero somewhere in the background. "Hey, you guys made it!" She peered past them to look out towards the street. "So is this all of you? Here, c'mon in!" She pulled the door open and headed down the steps into the basement, the smell of herbs and incense wafting out into the chill winter air. Grim's nostrils twitched like crazy as she tried to sort out the amazingly complex assortment of scents as she clunked down the old wooden steps in her boots. "You guys want a beer?"

The changeling rested a sympathetic hand on his arm. "Hey, if it freaks you out too much, I can fade us both out, and then it just looks like Colt crosses the street." She shrugged. "Look, I dunno, she said for this kind of work she needs to work in her 'ritual space', whatever that means; I guess it's like a shrine or something." She turned to the cowboy, her eyebrows raised expectantly. "You good to go, hon?"

Gossamer stroked her chin thoughfully as her hair slowly swayed back and forth, a sign that she was in deep thought. "At this point, it seems likely she had some sort of outside help, unless she quite suddenly developed powers of her own. Is there another cell above this one, and if not, what function does that room serve?"

That'll teach her to fight crime and use her cell at the same time! Hubris!

OOC for the Interceptors visit to see Detective Colby.