Avenger Assembled

Fall 2019 Claremont Academy 6PM There was quite the crowd gathering for this year's first Ambassador Talk, both among Claremont students and the occasional adult parent or guardian who had turned up for what promised to be a very special talk. Everyone knew who was coming - Aquaria Innsmouth, the first Deep One superhero! The word 'first' had been used with some vigor when faculty were talking up the event to students, Attendance was by no means mandatory, and many students (such as Watchdog and Daystar) were skipping it either out of personal conviction or taco night, but there were good snacks in the upper galleries of the big classroom that was usually used for the big first-year classes. Headmistress Summers was on the scene, standing up by the snacks to greet new people as they arrived, and (along with a few teachers) keeping an eye on students, guests, and guests of honor. She was currently having an argument with one of the second of those three. "That you would subject a prince of the blood to this appalling display is one of the most deplorable things I have ever heard." General Dalekos had come dressed as a Surfaceman for this event, albeit with the rumpled look of a man not quite used to this particular fashion. "The embassy will certainly hear of this." "Prince Telemachus," the young Atlantean princeling was staring straight ahead in the second row, and looking desperately as though like he was trying to pretend he couldn't hear the Atlantean general arguing with his headmistress, "is here by choice - and by his family's permission," said Summers frostily. "Just as you are here out of courtesy in your role as loco parentis to our Atlantean students." She murmured something else - and then, his face flushing scarlet, the general took a seat in the upper tier among the other visitors for the talk. As more students entered, Summers and other faculty greeted them by name and pointed them to their seats. "Our guest of honor will be arriving soon."

That got her a half-written box of text - and then a distinct pause that was only ended with SORRY. My sister came up behind me and asked what I was texting. She is not supposed to be that sneaky. I told her it's for work, so we had to watch that together. She agrees it's badass and now she is _back to her movie._ ? Back to your question... I always wanted to be a cop, so I learned how to fight when I was a kid. First it was just a way to teach me discipline, then it was actual fighting. I got actual training to fight when I was a teen, from some of the best. I'm pretty good at throwing down now.

That sounds awesome. came Ashley's reply. The second guy I ever dated used to take me paragliding, which is like that but with a silk parachute off a water boat...Do you have pics or video? Knowing she couldn't exactly reply with her own, she dug around for a moment before she found a video of her own. This is the kind of stuff people do on motorcycles. I'm not that badass, but I've done some cool tricks. Once when I was riding with my mentor, I rode one of those things up into the back of a moving cargo truck, then I took out all the thugs hiding inside with just my gauntlets. I have some scars but it was the best feeling.

Marquez listened with sympathetic concern during Artificer's tale. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Stylanios, I can only imagine how difficult that experience must have been for you. Your encounter does...fit our understanding of Deep One culture, yes," agreed Marquez, who had taken up his pen and was writing with great vigor. "I had the pleasure of working with Princess Thaelia during her time here at Claremont; I am sure she was a credit to her name." He hmmed. "Thank you for your candor, Heroditus - it's been very helpful. If you were a few years younger, I would simply make a recommendation to the Headmistress, but you are old enough that your opinion carries weight in this conversation. I hope that you will continue to be candid with me - do you believe that you will be able to conduct yourself appropriately, based on Claremont's code of conduct, in the presence of a Deep One?"

Marquez set down his pen and looked at Heroditus, his eyes wide, and for the first time the Atlantean teen had the idea that he had genuinely surprised the surface-dweller. "I see. That is very helpful information. Thank you for providing it." He was silent for a moment, then said, "That sounds like a remarkable process. Where did they find the volunteers?"

"I've only met her once, over the summer. The headmistress invited her to a holiday function so she could meet the faculty. She spent most of her time talking about the food," he admitted. "I know that Atlanteans see Lemurians as a hostile nation, one driven to continued raids against their borders with bloody consequences - which does match the experience of many surface-dwellers. From what she said, the Sea Devil's people see things in much the same way - that Atlanteans are enemies of their blood, who seek their destruction out of spite. I want you to understand, Heroditus," he added seriously, "that The Sea Devil's temporary presence here does not mean the school is taking a side against your people. This is a safe place, and you are among friends."

"Surface-dwellers know very little about what happens in Atlantis," admitted Marquez. "I know you were called up for a special assignment by the Atlantean military, and that it nearly delayed your arrival here. The officer in charge has taken an interest in your work here, by the way, the Headmistress has had several conversations with him about how we respect the privacy of students here."

"That's a very kind offer," said Marquez with a smile, "and it speaks well of you that you're so civic-minded. I'll certainly pass that on to your instructors." He considered, then said, "For the moment, I want to speak to you about a different matter. This year, we've invited an Ambassador that may be a challenge for you - and I want to hear your thoughts on the matter. The heroine who calls herself The Sea Devil has agreed to come to speak to our students about her nation, as they are generally hostile to humanity and many of our students know very little about them. I believe the Atlantean term for her nation is the-" His pronunciation of the Atlantean word for 'Deep Ones' was obviously phonetic - but understandable enough.

Sounds like me and my dad's motorbike. He took me riding when I was young because he was worried I'd just take it if he didn't. I still like to ride motorcycles. Gas engine, so it's loud, and you can get up to 100MPH on the straightaway. They're not very big, so you have to ride right behind the driver, but it's fun. Ashley considered that for a minute, then went on, her heart pounding in her chest. That's what you did before. If I was there, what would you take me riding on?

"You've traveled from one world to another, a change as great as the ancient mammals who returned to the water and became the great whales." It was not quite the metaphor he'd have used with a surface-dwelling student, but it seemed more politic. "Remember that if you ever feel overwhelmed - you're undertaking a remarkable journey." He smiled. "As for predictability, I will admit that's a quality that we on the surface lack - though I hope you'll find that's a quality you can enjoy as your time here goes on. On that subject,:" he added, "I wanted to speak to you about the question of surprises. You're currently enrolled in, ah, Ethics 201, I believe. Are you familiar with the Ambassador Lectures, where members of unfamiliar nations come and talk to the students about their people?"

"I do meet with all the new students, actually," said Dr. Marquez, "so you can consider this the first of several possible meetings." He lacked the physical capacity to give the typical reply to Heroditus, but did nod politely at the younger man's greeting. He didn't roll himself to behind the room's desk, but rather settled into position across from Heroditus on the same side. "This must be quite the experience for you - tell me, what are your thoughts on we surface-dwellers after your first few weeks' investigation?"

Yeah, it's pretty great. I'd never want to live anywhere else. Ashley sighed softly as she looked at the message, wondering if she'd missed a boat by not responding with a selfie of her own. Listen to us, talking geopolitics - or I guess astro-politics? Who the Hell knows? I heard about what happened to the Lor. Your people are pretty tough. She considered a moment, scrolling back over her own profile, and her friend's, before she wrote So you race, huh? How fast do you go?

Persephone The wilting came and took the marks. Very hungry. But we live. Do you have any water? Woodsman Riley's plan was to track down whatever had summoned that thing and put an arrow in it, but he didn't feel the need to share that. He peered down the hole after the creepy plant lady, then looked up at the others a moment before Cheval and Betsy jumped down after her. Gonna be real-ugh. With a deep sigh, he took the crossbow off his back and snapped a bolt home - then fired it down into the hole after the others. The flare arrow hit a wooden fragment right in the center of the hole, casting an eerie red light on everything inside the crater that was now rapidly filling with water. Down below, Betsy and Cheval saw much of what the latter had seen before - this had once been a magic place, a holy place, but it had been recently drained of power and sanctity - very recently. "Hey," Woodsman said suddenly. "You." He had no idea what Sagrado Corazon called himself, so instead he said, "You put those things down. Any idea what brought 'em up?"

Fall 2019 Heroditus knew intellectually what school counselors were - healers who looked after the mind rather than the body. Atlantis certainly had its own share of such people. But being summoned to meet personally with Dr. Marquez, the school's wheelchair-bound counselor, had come as a surprise. So here he was, waiting outside the counselor's office, wondering what had brought him here - but he didn't have long to wait. Pushing himself down the corridor came the doctor, a smile on his face for the student. "Ah, hello, Mr. Stylanios!" He pressed a button on his chair and the office door opened. "Apologies for keeping you waiting. Shall we talk?"

Ashley swallowed. Okay, well, that was an attractive woman - but thinking another woman was attractive was just harmless flirting. She was capable of aesthetic appreciation without it going any further - or at least not beyond just some harmless texting. My hair is very pretty, most of the time. And so is yours. She still wasn't ready to talk about the pink tips, so instead she wrote Are your ears an aesthetic choice, or is that natural for your species? They look really cute. Just go in the bathroom and take a selfie and send it to her, a voice in her head said, What could it hurt? Everything. My father was born in a country called Vietnam, on the other side of the Earth from where I am now. Over there almost everyone has black hair, but on this side it's a lot more mixed. He used to tell me that was the great thing about America; all different kinds of people together as one. A lot like the Lor?

Inside Judy crossed her arms and sat down in her favorite chair, looking up at Ashley like a sulking child. She is a child, thought Ashley, dammit, they both are! She closed the room and locked it, activating the room's security systems before she turned back to the rogue First Daughter. She suddenly thought of a year earlier, and how she'd wanted to see the girl find some independence. I could have handled drugs, or sex, or even - Come to think of it she couldn't really handle gay, now could she? "Well?" Judy demanded, aware she was being studied. "What were you thinking just now?" "That Ah love Leroy and Ah want to marry him," said Judy, adjusting her dress as she looked up at Ashley, her ring gleaming on her finger. "Ah'm not stupid, Ashley. Obviously we'll have to wait until we're both eighteen." "...do you really think your parents will let you do that?" asked Ashley, trying her best to keep her voice under control. She knew it was the wrong strategy when Judy's eyes flashed. "Ah don't have to do everything they say," said Judy flatly. "Ah spent the whole summer eating crow for Daddy's career, and the whole year before that lying to everyone so Ah wouldn't embarrass Momma. And Ah will still do that for them, because Ah made them a promise, and Ah keep mah promises." She held up her hand with the ring on it and said, "But Ah made a promise to Leroy, and he made a promise to me." Ashley paced the room like a leashed dog. "You can't...you can't possibly think that you've made the right decision here. You're only seventeen, Ashley, you have your whole life ahead of you! Neither of your parents married when they were your age." "Ah told you we will get married in a few years," said Judy firmly. "Leroy is sweet, he is a Christian, and he is willing to admit when he makes mistakes. That puts him ahead of most of the boys mah parents have wanted me to date," she added with a little shake of her head. "And he said he loves me." He's seventeen! He literally has no idea what that means! And he's from some sort of goddamned Hellhole where- Ashley took a breath, then said, "Jaycee, what happened today is going to get around the school, and it's going to get around fast. Summers is going to intervene and she is going to make sure you and Leroy don't spend a lot of time together this year." "Well. Absence makes the heart grow fonder," said Judy with a thin smile. "That's what Momma said before we left, remember?"

Judy could use some meditation, as long as it doesn't let demons in.

Taking all recruits for those interested in a thread where Aquaria Innsmouth comes to Claremont to give a talk called: The Children of Dagon and Hydra - A Powerpoint Presentation! Look there's extra credit if you go and write a paper on it for that one class.

@Tiffany Korta, looks like Merge is up.

A few days later, the phone rang. It was Agent Johnson. "Monica, hello!" He chatted briefly to make sure everything was all right, then said, "I have somebody here who would like to speak with you, heh-heh!" A moment later, a familiar, accented voice came through on the line, laughing like your favorite uncle. "Why hello there, little lady! This is Jedidiah Cahill!"

Woodsman "That thing was magic!" Riley did not like yelling, but the downpour and thunder overhead made it necessary to be heard. "I saw it just appear out of nowhere by the edge of the swamp!" He made a gesture, back to where the creature had come. "If somebody knows how to find magic people, we should go back there and look for where it came from!" Don't freak out about the lady Transformer or about the lady covered in plants, you're trying to go monster-hunting. Woodsman had seen weirder stuff in Freedom City, but he wasn't immediately sure what. The distant sound of sirens told them emergency services were on their way despite the storm, so he took the opportunity to limp over to his fallen bike, which had miraculously survived its rapid skin when he'd leaped onto the back of the beast. "Somebody does that once, they'll do it again!"

Oh, F- She had asked that, hadn't she? It was through an act of Herculean self-will that she didn't shove the phone back in a drawer and never think of it again. Okay. Okay. She typed a few things, then deleted them, then typed: Just trying to picture you. I'm 1.7 meters tall, muscular - dark eyes and black hair. She opted, upon some consideration, not to mention the pink tips. White shirt and denim jeans.

Inside Once she'd gotten over the instinctual urge to shoot him in the face, Ashley shot Ben a faint but distinct smirk. It was nice to see that Claremont students actually gave a crap about each other. And besides, he reminds me of an old friend. This was definitely not the time to be making friends, though, so she instead hit the button for the building's elevator without doing more than giving the other student a grunt of acknowledgement. "Everything is just fine," lied Judy in a firm whisper as she made eye contact with Ben, something that would have been just about impossible for her even six months earlier. "A pleasure to meet you," she added, another lie not because she didn't like Ben but because her heart was breaking. "Ah'm Judy, this is Ashley." Judy smelled distinctly odd to the amazing octopod - she didn't really smell like anything! Oh there was perfume, perhaps, and whatever soap she used in that long black hair, but there was no smell of her last meal, no smell of sweat, no smell of anything. As the elevator doors opened, she smiled in a way that didn't reach her eyes at all and said, "We'll talk later."

God, I don't even know anymore, thought Ashley for a moment before she started typing again. I like to play hard. I hit the gym, I ride my bike fast and find a place where they're playing the music loud. All of that was true enough, though in particular. I drink beer - that's liquid bread with alcohol. She thought for a minute, then said, I don't get to travel much, but when I do, I like to hit new cities and meet new people. I don't get to talk to a lot of mystery women, especially ones from space. Don't let her know you're new at this, don't let her know you're new at this...So I saw Lor soldiers back in the day. Do you have to wear those uniforms all day?

Didn't sound Grue to me. Ashley smiled and kept typing. Let's just say I don't have the usual super-people job. She considered for a moment, glancing over at Judy again. She wanted to ask about space, and the stars, but she didn't want to sound like a stupid hillbilly to the astro-woman. Mostly watching a package right now. But that's enough about work. Tell me about yourself. What do you like to do?