angrydurf

Jackson shot her a quizzical look, "Why would Huang .." he mumbled but decided to just skip the tea, "I'll be up all night." he said as he wave their mother on to finish serving. He smiled over at Taylor shaking his head slightly, "Zee. I'll be alright ..." he blinked, "You know gatekeeper?" he asked incredulously as she absently semi name dropped the famously out dimensional guardian.

Ace rolled his eyes, "I'm just saying there are worse fates." he explained with an easy shrug. "I know, but by that time no one wanted to hear us anymore." he said with some bitterness, "Those of us who remembered tried to remind them of your service but in those days it was a political death sentence to look weak on crime." he huffed not that most of the politicos hadn't been in the pockets of the dirtiest criminals to start with. He grinned over at her once more wiping away the unpleasant memories of the past, "Won't work. Simian tried it when I disrupted that cult he tried to start up on the borders of Dakana in 85'." he said in a flat tone that really left a great deal of question as to if he was being serious or not.

Jackson cocked an eyebrow her direction, "Too pretty?" he asked with a grin, "I like your ideas and would like to subscribe to your newsletter." he teased, "So tell me more about too pretty?" he asked trying to cover for her as he often did since her life had so firmly interjected itself into his. Always careful not to let her blame herself or show the pain. Huang and their mother came back in with the teas service and Huang gave Taylor a small shake of his head to indicate she should skip it. He assumed the charmed tea wouldn't effect her but better safe than sorry with this kind of thing.

Ace laughed at that, "Well arguably it turned out worse for Alexander." he said the laugh still coloring his voice, "Well times have changed," he replied, "I won't say for the better though that may just be my age showing." he joked easily. Ace looked back to her, "But today I think you'll find us good guys far more accepting of shades of gray." he explained with a wink. "Old relics like us need our moments of being maudlin, otherwise all we have is shaking our walker as the kids devil music." he teased as at least by appearance the pair of them were the youngest people in attendance.

Jackson leaned easily against the wall as Taylor tracked her son being passed from relation to relation cooed at and complemented at every turn. She had to admit it was nice in a way to have everyone's attention so sharply focused away from her. Her brother nodded and shook with laughter that didn't touch his eyes, "Well that's not in the cards anytime soon." he replied to her unasked question, "Jeremy left. One too many secrets." he whispered barely audibly. Vanishing for near a month and being unable to stop shying away from every touch had seen to that. "So you don;t have to worry about me stealing little Huangs thunder." he joked trying to lighten the mood once more.

Ace shrugged nonchalantly, "The winds of change blow strong these days. Transparency is the new buzzword." he explained with an easy grin, "The whole story hasn't been released of course, to protect the subjects in their twilight years." he quoted with a laugh. He glanced over to her once more with a wink, "I hear they have a very secure retirement program." he joked with an easy smile as he pulled her tight to his side for a sudden picture. "I'd heard such rumors of your reformation and assumed them exaggerated." he offered with a shrug, "But I'm glad you came, even with everything else you deserve to be here."

Huang smiled at his favorite niece and looked down at her infant son, "Oh ho," he laughed, "You shouldn't have done that the children in the schoolyard will make such fun." he said as he lightly tickled the babys chin earning himself an attempted nip from Jack. Huangs eyes slid up to Taylor again, "Though I suppose he has many obstacles to overcome." he whispered, "If you need anything let me know Taylor." he added with a solemn nod and turned once more with a wide grin to congratulate her parents on their beautiful grandson. The rest of the family noticed anything odd about the infant they didn't mention it though there was a strangely familiar thread of magic tickling Taylors senses as Huang moved into the kitchen to help her mother make s fresh pot of tea.

Ace smirked at her with a small shake of his head, "And all a the express permission of their estates." he said with grin. He looked over at her challenging offer consideringly as they made their way past the exhibits of assorted wartime exploits and nodded agreement, "Well this all," he gestured at the displays, "Certainly fits the narrative better than luring young naive officers and clerks into treason." he replied with a small pat to her hand. "I daresay you'll make your try and I'll try to stop you regardless." he finally replied to her challenge, "So what prize will you demand if you win?" he challenged back with a dangerously lazy smile.

Jackson just smiled and ushered her around the corner with a small shake of his head, "No no cake but its mom so asking for it not to be a big production was patently absurd." her youngest brother teased. As Taylor rounded the corner she saw the whole family arrayed around the spacious living room and a small hoard of bags in the corner assured that Baby Jack was not leaving empty handed this time. Not only were Taylors siblings and their significant others all looking up at her along with her parents but as an extra surprise her parents had Great Uncle Huang fly out from Hong Kong as well. A chorus of "Zee!" and "Oh isn't he just the most adorable thing!" accompanied the sudden crush of filial eagerness to meet the latest addition to the family. Huang hung back in his seat smiling across to Taylor with a small nod of greeting letting the young mother and child deal with the more pressing attentions before moving in himself to meet the infant.

Ace turned slowly to face Bombshell with a light smile dancing at the edge of his lips, "Talya." he murmured as he took her hand to plant a delicate kiss across he knuckles. "Yes I had heard." he said with a shake of his head, "I had a bouquet sent down." he said with a shrug. "So I do hope you're here on pleasure rather than business." he said smoothly his hand still gently holding her own.

He's using the mass combat rules for the big swarms. So you get a bonus for aoe but can take out multiple targets even without it. Standardly Ricochet doesn't have effect on Mass Combat nor allow you to hit multiple targets.

Taylor heard Jacksons voice rise above the general din of conversation in the living room, "Sit down dad I'll go help her out." he replied to his fathers grumbling about the dogs. Her youngest brother came around the corner with his old easy smile and a quick bat at the dogs hindquarters to send them running off towards the back. He was still a little skinny despite their mothers valiant attempts to plump him up but otherwise seemed much his old self only the slight redness and bags under his eyes revealing he still wasn't sleeping. "Zee!" he said cheerily and leaning in to make the absurd faces that infants must constantly be the target of at her tiny bundle of joy. "He's adorable." he said with a wide grin and he looped an arm over her shoulder and took her other burdens. "You ready for this?" he asked as he slowly steered her towards the almost eerily quiet living room where the other relatives waited in anticipation.

Ace and Bombshell at a Gala What could happen ;)

The Opening Gala of the Super Museums new exhibit 'Secret's of the Allies of Freedom' was a long time in coming. Many of the displays were well known even if they had until recently been classified. However there were even more of the only recently declassified that were all new. The crowd was an odd mix of historians and top military brass among the usual 'anything for a party' set that frequented such events regardless of actual interest. Ace Danger of course was a little bit of all of the above. He had been there after all. He drifted through the exhibits devoted to old friends and foes alike with an implacable mask of calm disinterest tweaking the nose of the occasional stodgy old general with a good natured joke here and there but for him keeping a low profile and letting the exhibit itself take center stage.

Mike slowly shook his head, "Uhm no I haven't." he replied with a small sigh he had known his lack of experience was going to be difficult to overcome but hoped it wouldn't eliminate him altogether. He fixed a confident smile on his face however as he continued, "And I know it's much more difficult than it may seem on the surface but I know I can handle it." The big youth listened to Phantoms explanation and it seemed reasonable enough, "Oh ok." he replied with a nod seemingly satisfied with the explanation though something about it seemed slightly off.

Mike tried to ignore that half of the interview team was sitting for some reason behind a curtain. He looked to Jack as he spoke and nodded, "Well, I like kids." he replied easily, "and like to think I'm good with them." not that he'd had too much first hand experience but in his limited experience his gentle nature seemed to be well suited. He looked to Taylor, "I have full first aid training that's up to date as well." he said eagerly hoping that would be a point in his favor. He looked back to Jack to try and read the inscrutable mans face but really got no where. He glanced back to Taylor nervously and whispered, "Is there a reason your husband was behind that curtain?"

Using Super Breath to try and blow the balloon the direction we want it to go.

Phalanx paused as the suggestion to get the balloon moving came across the coms. He cocked his head as he observed the surface for a moment none too sure that it would hold up if he pushed on it directly. As he saw it begin to shift with Wanders pulling from below he realized he would have to act. Taking a huge breath he backed away from the balloon and blew out toward the balloon trying to coax it into motion with his mighty breath.

Stesha gets an HP for Zealots escape. The void has no atmosphere nor anything solid within it its an extremely disorienting place. So without flight you can only really drift and this far from Phantoms vaguely shaped area where she imprisons and stores people/things there is no air. Suffocation takes like forever so I'm sure Phantom can do something or you can manage something. Since I forgot earlier phantom gets an HP for her complication(Baby)

Zealot felt the bods loosen as the ensorceled plant consumed him. Many would have despaired entrapt within the seemingly impenetrable prison but not Victor Cross. With unshakable faith he began to pray and soon the Witchbreaker Scourge began to glow with divine power. Drawing it back he lashed out at his prison over and over until he managed to breach the green walls and slip free into the park. He looked back at the scene with a sneer. Next time he would be prepared and he would make the witches pay for this humiliation. With that he vanished into the shadows to recover and prepare. *** Within the void Phantoms senses gave a lead as to Jacks whereabouts he wasn't far luckily. Fluer found herself suddenly in the space between worlds. In a place defined by its very absence of anything. Stretching in all directions inky blackness breached only by strange flares of eldritcht lightning. Every fiber of her being screamed that she did not belong here in the depths of the void so far from the near realms Phantom used as prison and storage.

Not quite out of rounds but he's doing nothing else obvious this round.

Zealot stood firm against the assault of otherworldy energies cradling his body around his tiny ward protectively as he was scoured by the raging forces of the void yet emerged from the storm unscathed. "YOU SHALL NOT HAVE THIS CHILD DEMONESS!" he called out defiantly as he readied his whip once more. As the very plants around them turned on him he shouted, "What foul sorcery is this!" Zealot struggled to evade their leafy embrace but to no avail. As the vines cinched tighter Jack Jr. vanished with a pop of air collapsing around where he had been. Zealot looked upon the enchantresses who had so neatly ensnared him, "Lured in with your homunculus." he spat bitterly, "Do your worse witches you shall not break me and you shall suffer exquisite damnation for your blasphemies against all that is holy."

Reflex save (1d20+10=12) Seriously IC? I mean really? He's snared.

Phalanx peered intently at the balloon trying to expand his senses into the microscopic range but couldn't manage to do so and maintain focus so distant nor through the material of the balloon. He thought to Psyche, 'Sorry I can't manage to get a read on anything that small this far off' in reply to her request as he quickly picked up James and looked around for anything else out of place. As he took hold of James he redoubled his efforts, 'Wait I have something.' he thought to Psyche and began to try and send the images her direction over their link.

Alright Phalanx doesn't have microscopic vision and I don't think I can get the points to stunt it with out loosing either the x-ray vision or the extended vision (Really both with his current set up, but even if Shaen let me use my pending edits I couldn't) So I'll say he tries but can't manage to keep it all going at once. As per IMs with Shaen. Switch array to quickness and take 20 on a notice check for a 25. *edit* Durr as shaen has pointed out I don't need to stunt off my super senses. Extra effort to stunt off my main array: X-ray vision, Microscopic vision(atomic level) and quickness 10