angrydurf

"It is." Mike replied with a nod, "Not that I'm biased or anything but its just far enough out to not feel like its right in the city but close enough to still have all the amenities ya know?" He keyed the elevator gestured for Erin to step in then followed. As they rose quickly to the surface he continued, "It has a good feel I guess, downtown and even down here its all to obviously urban for me."

Mike pause consideringly. He didn't go out to eat often actually and hadn't really at all since getting to school. Though with Erin being really just about as new to the scene she probably didn't know of any place either. Well he knew one place that would certainly work though, "Well I know this All night dinner place up in Hanover thats pretty good. I used to sneak out to grab something every now and then when my mom was on this raw food kick for a few months." He started heading to the door as the simulation disolved around them.

Mike smiled at the complement, "Archers been testing out just what I can do when I apply myself. Most of its pretty useless except against a big mob of folks but I suppose it can come in handy occasionally." he explained. As the screen popped up he turned to Erin, "What you think? Finish out the game or go for a refreshing beverage somewhere my treat?" He was really just as happy with either option this had been fun but he found he actually enjoyed the chit chat more than the game itself.

None of the yellow players could hurt him but with his team joining in this was quickly getting out of hand. "One sec." He calle dup to Erin before tossing his prisoner into a crowd of yellow players. He reared back and brought one foot down on the ground sending a shockwave through the ground knocking the warring factions off their feet. "Enough!" He shouted at the top of his lungs. He looked up to where Erin seemed to have the stands under control and gave her a thumbs up shooting a glare at anyone who looked ready to cause more trouble.

Ace just looked sad, and tired, the weight of his years came down on him as the others spoke. Shaking his head he responded quietly, "Arrowhawk I don't claim to understand your guilt. What I do understand is the Law and that none of us are above it. I won't turn you in, I won't send the police to hound you, that is not my place but I will advise you that running from your mistakes no matter how golden your intentions never helps. That is something I know better than anyone in this room I promise you." The ageless hero cast his gaze to his assembled fellow heroes his friends his rivals, all at his and eachothers throats over secrets kept too long and the self rightous indignation born of super hero sized egos. He fixed his gaze on Phantom, "I would advise you do the same Phantom think beyond this moment about what exactly you are defending." he said as his gaze fixed on Avenger. His voice hardened as he continued, "Avenger is what he is. A hero and a vampire, I've seen stranger in my day. But you all seem to treat what he is like its in the past. It isn't it is a reality of every day, even more with the position you have helped him gain. Can he be saved? Probably, can others? Maybe." Ace took in the room once more, "Every day he feeds ont eh blood of the living just to continue his existance, every day every vampire under his command does the same. And every day that you do nothing that blood is on all of your hands. Every newly risen monster that tears the throat from some innocent, every thrall wasted in some byzantine plot, and what happens when someone knows too much." He looked back to Jack, "Do you truely accept the responsibility you take on are you willing to put that blood on all of our hands too? Because thats what you do everyday we sit idly by and let it happen." "I am not going to raise my hand against any of you you have done too much good but I won't be party to setting aside morals for expediancy and self preservation." As his finished he took his seat once more waiting to see if Scarabs threats were idle this time.

I'm ready to lock this one up when you all are.

As Erin took to clearing u pthe mess in the stands Mike surveyed the field. Most of the players were just watching somewhat shocked at the events unfolding before them. However two of the yellow players seemed more intent on stiring up more trouble as the cocky pitcher and thier heavy hitter both made for the stands. In a flash Mike was infront of them warning, "This is under control, no need to get in the way." Trying to be as intimidateing as possible. The cocky one took a step back seeming to back down but then yelled to his buddy, "Take care of him, I'll deal with the girl." The big fellow threw a punch at Mike that woudl have staggered most but didn't even seem to phase the invulnerable youth. As the other boy tried to skirt past mike shot out one hand grabbing the sneaky player and quickly pulled him into a bear hug while he waited for things to calm down

Mike to care as he pulled her off the ground to keep his hands to 'safe' areas, he was all too aware that this wasn't exactly a normal trianing session and didn't want to be too forward. He turned at the hips raised Erin up to shoulder level and gave her a final warning, "Here we go." before he threw her towards the cluster of battling fans. She felt his muscles tense as he prepared for the throw, then swinging from his hips he launched her into the air. Mike was carefull to make th alaunch smooth and keep it slow enough that she could react in the air to land safely. She flew in a gracefull arc towards the knot of angry spectators.

Some of the younger officers brightened at Dark Stars suggestion but the Luitenant running the crime scene only shook his head. "We already took custody, heck he's under protective custody at the request of the Estonians until we get him back to the Embassy." He said bitterly, "As much as I'd like to, I'll not put you at odds with the force Dark Star, its our necks if he's not delivered safe and sound to his people. We can just hope his antics will make the Estonians reconsider their relationship with him." He signaled and the cruiser carrying the madman headed out along with its escourt.

He held her hand tightly, "Well I figure what better surprise attack than you suddenly flying at them." He shrugged it was a simple plan but he felt it had a certain elegance to it. His other hand went tentitively to her waist, "You can handle the landing I figure, maybe even pulloff one of those surprise flip things you do." He took her weight in his hands easily and asked, "Ready?"

Mike grinned, "Well like I said earlier my prospects are pretty much hero or heavy lifting, advanced combat simulator programming isn't really one of my skills." he looked to Erin questioningly. "But if we do break it up I have an idea I've been meaning to try out." Mike extended one hand, "See I think I can get you there without much effort on your part." He said as he waited for her decision.

Mike Shrugged, "I'll give it a shot." He said and stepped up to the mound. It wasn't untill he was there and facing the first batter that he realized he had no idea what the signs were. Not that it mattered considering that all he'd really manage was a fastball and that a bit wild. He fired off his first pitch and it screamed across the plate with a crack like a bullwhip as it broke the sound barrier. The Next four weren't so on target and he walked the first hitter, and not intentionally. Maybe this wasn't so hot an idea after all. Mike managed to get two strike outs and two more walks loading the bases for them over the next four hitters. One of thier better hitters was back up when Mike locked in and threw two perfect fast balls for two more strikes one more and they were back at bat withotu givign up a run. The final pitch flew straight and fast but the batter had gotten the measure of Mike and managed a perfect line drive towards first base where Erin had taken up her old position.

"I suppose so," Mike said with a nod, "Well we got a couple years to figure it out right." He added with a smile as he pulled himself out of the dugout. He aproached the plate bat in hand and watched as the cocky pitcher wound up and sent the ball screaming downfield and right into Mikes side. The field protecting the batter seemed to have malfunctioned though is it was accidental was arguable as their catcher snickered. Luckily Mike was uneffected by the hit and with a scowl took his walk though it did get them a man on base.

Mike was clearly glad he hadn't totally blown it, "Well if you do need to sometime, I'm already depressed all the shrinks say, so no worries there." He said with a self depricating smile before moving on. He shrugged as he thought about her question, "I dunno really. I never really thought about heroing full time. Really I hadn't even thougth it was possible." he paused, "But it'd be hard to hold down a job and moonlight so I guess that makes sense. I dunno I'm not good for much other than heavy lifting either." He finished with a small laugh.

Takin an HP for my Hero Code Complication

One of the younger officers escourted her to a newly arrived paddy-wagon to unload her villainous cargo, his eyes growing wide as the flowers grew and disgourged the miscreants. "Only in Freedom." He mouthed under his breath. "Thank you Ma'am, from the sound of things you folks really saved our bacon tonight." he said as he turned to begin reading the criminals their rights. As soon as the officers attention was back on them the mastermind behind the nefarious caper waved off the reading and demanded, "Officer, contact the estonian embassy your laws do not apply here." as he finished his his statement he glared at Fluer de Joie, "Tell your psychotic friend that what my machine showed him was nothing but the murderous fools deepest desires." With that he sat calmly, arms crossed while the Officer confered with his suppirior and they made the call. Fluer overheard a muffled curse and the words, "Diplomatic Immunity" before the young officer grimly led him to a police car, "I'll escourt you to the embassy ... Sir." the last statement was strained to say the least.

Mike looked nervous at the examination she gave him. 'What did I say? Would have died with everyone else? She must've been there when whatever got her parents happened.' He thought to himself he was curious about what had gone so wrong in her past but wasn't one to press uncomfortable issues. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to bring up something bad." he replied shifting uncomfortably, "For what its worth I'm glad you got them, I think we're all better off having known you." It was the simple truth, Erin in her own infuriating way had opened the door to him seriously thinking about what his powers meant. He didn't want to pry any further if she didn't want to share so he avioded more talk of her past, "So what do you think you want to do with it after graduation?" He asked, He knew Mark was in it for the long haul but he didn't know if this was the kind of life the rest fo them could live as adults. I mean keeping up in school was one thing trying to hold down a job while moonlighting as a hero? That seemed almost impossible.

Mike nodded, "Might be fun to try but I don't think I'll be varrying it up much if I do," He said with a half smile, "But nothing beats a fast enough fastball right?" Mike paused for a minute before picking up the conversation from their last at bat, "So," He asked, "If you don't mind me asking. Was it hard to adjust to getting powers all of a sudden? Mark and Eddie and all them seem to think it's just awesome right off the bat, I always wonder what it would be like to be normal."

Mike winced as his three teammates charged toward one another, even if they were just simulacrums. Avoiding the tangle the blue short stop managed to grab the ball on the first bounce and sent it whizing towards third almost in time to get the vital third out but just short. That left it at two outs and bases loaded Mike called in to Erin, "Come on one more strike you can do this." In a way the fielding time was nice artificial breaks in the conversation may not work well for most dates but as far as Mike was concerned a little breather gave just enough time to regroup. The next batter was a slim fellow with a cocky sneer as he took to the plate. Erin managed to get a strike off him on the first pitch but on the second he fired back with a powerfull hit flying straight at her head!

Mike was confused how the delay of the season would stop the games, but it didn't seem like anything to dwell on, if she wanted to talk about it she would. "Looks that way." He said trying to be cheerful, "but we're pretty solid on the fielding so it should be ok." It was nice to use thier powers in a non-combat scenario for once. Punctuating his point a strike out brought them back to the field again, "Three quick strikeouts right." He said to Erin with a smile as he headed for the outfield.

"Well if my reasearch is correct," Mike said in an absurd basso impresion of Alex, "A key element of the sport is disagreement with the umpire." He smiled as Erin returned to her seat. "So," He said questioningly, "You played? Before I mean." He didn't want to press about her past but it seemed a safe enough subject.

Mike nodded a little sadly at Erins troubles adjusting before replying, "Well it wasn't a twenty four hour facility we mostly went during normal school hours. My mom was friends with Mrs. Albright so we knew eachother from before. I think they couldn't really forbid it, the program was semi-voluentary." He shrugged, "I suppose we could have socialized out of school with other kids fromt he program but we hardly ever really interacted with them, at the institute so there wasn't a point." He also had his suspicions, from an acidently overheard rant of his mothers, that the other parents in the neighbor hood had been warned away from him and Alex but that seemed a little dark for hte convorsation, "I think there might have been clearance issues or something with bringing other kids fromt he neighborhood around but it never really came up." "I know we had to do a ton of planning and get clearance to go on vacation an even then we weren't allowed to leave the country." He explained, "We went to visit my grandparents once and awhile but it was always such a hassle that we weren't able to do it often."

Mike shrugged non-comitally, "I some ways yes in others no." He replied. He paused to think how to explain the dual joy and terror of being in the general population after institute. It wasn't that the institute was nice but you became accustomed and there was a kind of security in that. Finally he let out sigh, "We didn't really see other students there, I mean occasionally they woudl group us up for one thing or another bt always very structured, there wasn't any downtime with other kids really." He explained. Once he said it out loud it sounded alot worse than it was in a way. He smiled and spoke, "I know it sounds pretty horrible, but it also felt safe in a way ya know? Like if you weren't exposed to anyone else you couldn't hurt them." It really came to the crux of his fears being out and about that if he lost control just for a moment someone could get baddly hurt even killed, Erin lived with that everyday to more so in a way since she had the instinct to strike out too but that just made it easier to talk about.

Mike shook his head, "No. Not really, for a little while when we were around eight or so they tried to disguise some of hte power testing as sports but Alex figured it out and asked about it in front of all of us." He shrugged, "after that they pretty much gave up on any pretense." He glanced over at Erin and paused for a moment he didn't usually talk much about the time they spent at the institute but Erin already knew all the stuff that he didn't like to explin and it was nice in a way to talk to someone who hadn't been through it about what it was like. "It wasn't really a school anyway." He explained, "I mean we had tutors and were kept up to date on curriculum basics, even advanced stuff if you got to it. But it was all interspersed with therapy and powers testing."

Mike shot into the air before the words were even out of her mouth. What he lacked in precision he made up for in speed and moments later Mike came to rest on the ground ball in hand. He tossed the ball lightly to Erin with a smile, "Nice of you to give all of us a chance." He said, it was without malice he was fairly certain she could strike out every one of the batters if she tried.