angrydurf

Mike ignored the fleeing villain stopping the remains of the airship was the priority now. The flying teen shot at near top speed down in front of the debris hurtling towards the frieghter interposing himself between the burning mass of twisted metal and the innocents below. Mike summoned his strength and braced himself to catch the flaming hulk.

"Give him three years and the chef here will be running Pharos." Ace said laughing lightly. It was likely true, Ace always kept an eye out for the up and comers. "If you don't mind one more piece of unsolicited advice," Ace said not quite as a question, "Let the past with Jack go, warn Taylor and move on, your much better off as you are with Dark Star. He's good for you, and you might just be able to help ground our favorite cosmic entity." Her happiness with her relationship with Dark Star was as obvious as her distaste for Jack, but the fact was she would likely have to see and even work with Jack again.

Ace laughed softly, "Its doing quite well, the gardener thinks he's stumbled upon a miracle fertalizer after your little boost." He however moved back on topic quickly, "I'm glad he makes you happy you deserve that." He offered with a quiet pat on the shoulder. "Well if it concerns you, you should talk about it but consider this, it may just be that he really doesn't care, he just cares for you that much." Ace explained with a small laugh. "I admit I don't know Dark Star well but he strikes me as a man who hasn't a duplicitous bone in his body. Which in a way is very different from most of us, but not a bad thing."

Aces face softened at her obvious discomfort, "I see, I'm sorry I misinterpretted Jacks words, I'm sure that didn't help anything." he tried once more to catch her eyes as he spoke. "I don't mean to bring up a tender subject, I had hoped your relationship there was a happier topic, though if not I'm happy to offer advice." His tone was gentle and not at all pushy. "Contrary to my behavior I do know a thing or two about relationships." He added with a smile. "You looked very happy together, well as well as I could read him at least."

Ready to be locked up

Ace smile broadly as he took in his old friends signature clutter, "Thank You." He said turning to Taylor and planting a quick kiss on her cheek. As she blinked out of existence she heard Ace's voice boom in a way quite unlike the rather suave and debonaire inflection he usually used, "HARRY, You old so and so."

"I've had a bit more time to make friends." Ace replied with a sly grin. "I'm happy to help Stesha, I'll admit I didn't know Moira well, but she certainly seems to have at least one good reason to come back, that might well be enough." He said looking into Steshas eyes. "You're a good friend Stesha, and I'm glad to be able to call you one." It was true, of all of them it was really only Stesha who was doing any of this just for Moira. He glanced up as their lunch arrived, and thanked the waiter as he set it on the table before them. "So," He began to ask, "How are things between you and Dark Star? He's not upset with your past I hope, paragons of morality can be a bit unforgiving of us regular folks." Moving the topic easily to what he was fairly certain was happier ground.

"Well that sounds like its settled." Mike said looking around non-chalantly before calling out, "Shotgun!" with a smile. Then followed James and everyone out towards the car.

"Its a start," He said with a grin, "Normally I woudl suggest accesories, jewelry, etc, But those are more personal highlights, Plus you already have a most impressive piece." He said with a gesture to the gem at he throat. "I think we can call it a day for the time being." He said with a wink, "We'll have to do it again sometime."

Initiative order Mercs 22 - 20 minions-DED Scarab 13 - 2 HP - Uninjured Ace 13 - 4 HP - Staggered Sky Lord Soldiers 10 - 20 minions Phantom 6 - 2 HP - uninjured Fires are growing quickly, there are bound to be other explosives in boxes somewhere and there are ~20 unconcious mercs scattered around the warehouse.

Are the police on scene to make the arrest at this point?

Mike looked somewhat blankly at Chris unsure exactly what they were talking about. "So what big problem is that supposed to avoid?" He asked. "I mean, I know I can't just hold everything in all the time or else it'll get out of hand and I'll just blow up and lose it." He said with a sigh, "I know lots of ways to blow off steam without having to be rude." He really didn't want to go to indepth into whatever repression Chris felt he had as the initial metaphor was bothersome enough without further explanation.

"Well can we safely land this thing without clearing an area?" Mike asked. "I mean if we lose the plane we're in a bit of a rough spot getting out. I can probably carry all of you but I dunno if that'll just bring those ubermensche down on us." "But teams don't seem like a bad idea overall." he added with a shrug, "Planning isn't really my thing, any thoughts fearless leader?"

Mike looked away at Alexs comment about their last smei-disasterous attempt to ride the free fall ride in a way he thought was non-chalant but really was anything but. "I'm sure we won't have any problems this time." He said awkwardly. Then glanceing to James, "Yea dinner sounds like a good meet up. When should we meet you two?"

"I don't claim a perfect understanding of Taylors duties but from what I have gathered I think there is a sumbstantial difference between parralel dimensions, like where centurion came from, and the realms of gods and demons." Ace said with a shrug. "The pact was forged by man to keep the meddling of the gods from wreaking havok on humanity, it certainly isn't perfect but on a metaphysical level we can't pick and choose." Ace explained. He looked thoughtfull for a moment, "The pact however isn't enforced by Taylor alone, there are others who ensure that its rules are followed, and there are parts of it that literally can not be violated." "The gods direct entry to this realm is one of those rules, which means that the Moira you know and love is allowed to be here." Ace said with a gentle smile, "The real question is if we can undo whatever changed that, and to a degree if she'll want us too."

"Well hopefully that question at least wil be answered when Taylor finishes her reasearch." Ace said simply. He was uncertain of wether or not to bring up details but figured Stesha already knew far more damning things about Taylor/Phantom. "Its not an easy job she has and its not so much cop as INS agent." He explained, "Hopefully Taylor will be able to ascertain how and why Moira was allowed to be here in the first place. From there we can find the justifacation for bringing her back in such a way that she'll actually stick around."

Antoni and Bernadette looked blankly at Taylor unsure of what to say when Ace stepped in, "We'll go over outfits and acesories when we get you home." Antoni quickly boxed up the shoes and deftly placed them in a bag which he handed to Taylor with a smile. Bernadette gave her a quick hug and wished her safe travels before Ace turned to leave the store.

"Well far be it from me to comment on others lifestyles but I will say that regardless of what has come before you comported yourself with far more dignity than he managed." Ace said while laying a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Frankly the man thinks hes a far better liar than he is and its goign to catch up with him one of these days." He confided materof factly. "As for Taylor you should warn her at least for your own sake. Even if she doesn't listen. You'll feel much worse if something bad does come of it and you didn't at least try." Ace shrugged as he fell silent leaving it to Stesha to decide if she needed to talk further about that.

"The Olympians are tricky this is true, however they are also fractious and spitefull." Ace said with a grin. "It woudln't take much to get them fighting amoungst themselves as to where she belongs." Ace had already in fact begun a studdy of likely candidates to stand against her staying, after all any power she gained was taken form some one else and these days there just wasn't much to go around. "So worries aside, are you doing ok?" His tone was kindly and surprisingly open, "You were clearly very upset about many things. Felling better?"

"We met him once when we were very young I think." Antoni siad whistfully, "At grandfathers estate in the country remember?" He asked his sister who smiled and gave a quick nod before taking over for her brother as the buisness focused one. "Its a good height on you," She said examining Taylors walk, "It'll add alot of length to your leg without looking like you are on stilts." She beamed at taylor as she spoke. "I think a gold a purple and a black." Ace said then added to taylor, "Its a start."

Ace sighed, "She has some very good reasons to come back. I have little doubt that she does want to eventually. The question is whether or not they manage to convince her that she can come back later." He explained then waved off the rather depressing thought. "Gods have great power but not unlimmited. Free will and choice are throughout every religion something that the gods can not touch. That is from my understanding largely due to the pact. They may try to twist her but in the end all they have is words." Ace smiled a wicked grin, "And I happen to be very good at words."

Ace let the little lie pass for the time being, "I was able to contact my associate, She is looking into the matter but it may take a bit. She would have a different name amongst them that would need to be invoked." He paused a moment examining Stesha, "We will find a way to bring her back if thats her desire. If not, well I think you have more friends of quality than you giver yourself credit for." He offerd her a small smile and pointed to himself breifly, "Even if for some the quality is rather dubious."

"You're well worth waiting for my dear." Ace had made sure to be early so she would not have to wait knowing such surroundings might be uncomfortable for her alone. His smile was warm and his demeanor calm. "I'm glad you could make it at all." he said welcomingly. He spoke briefly to the waiter ordering wine and apetizers, "I suggest the duck," He said then consideringly for a moment, "the Vegetarian quiche is also good if thats more your speed." "So how are you holding up? You seemed pretty rattled yesterday." He inquired kindly.

August 17th, 2009: Ace and Stesha share A Friendly Luncheon, to discuss Moiras disapearance and maybe uncover a bit more about what went wrong with her and Jack.

Ace waited patiently at The Grill, trendy midtown eatery catering to the next generation of Wading Way bigwigs. It was a nice place good food, and more importantly buisness casual attire and not so busy that they'd be rushed out of their table. He was glad Stesha had agreed to meet him she had clearly been distraught over Moiras disapearnace, and Ace wanted to make sure she was doing ok. The meeting the previous day had seemed to do more harm than good in that regard and despite the closeness they aparently shared Ace could not imagine Dark Star being particularly warm and comforting on such an issue. Though truth be told he also had concerns about her relationship with Jack, it certainly seemed he was unsavory and while that was all well and good when you knew what you were getting into Taylor did not seem the type to go for that. So Ace waited for his young friends arrival with much on his mind.