angrydurf

Mike remained slouched in his chair for a few moments kinda staring off after the question. "Well uh, we didn't really do a traditional school thing. It was more directed self study and tutoring and ... stuff." he answered lamely. He examined Erins face for a moment and noticed the vague confusion, "We're not like homeschool shut in's or anything they just didn't really do grade levels there really weren't enough of us." He said quickly trying to not come off too odd. "Anyway I'm 16 and Alex's almost there so I guess we're like juniors or something." he further explained then looked to Alex, "Alex could probably be in like collage or something if..." He kinda went quiet for a moment then continued quickly "If I didn't hold her back. She's wasted a ton of time trying to get my grades up." He smiled weakly but less comfortably his earlier joking smile about dorm life.

Should we wait on Rant and Rave or continue? Cus we're probably heading out of the bookstore soon.

Mike slouched down in his chair as he took a long pull on his drink. "Its still a school I figure they have a standard curriculum like any other right?" He posited. He glanced around at the table and picked at the crumbs on his tray. "Ya know dreary old clasics, math you'll never actually need again, all that stuff." He complained. "But it is the cross to bare for every highschool student don't see why we would be any different."

First Flight Ah the joys of child rearing in Freedom, and now on to our story. Melinda Harris hoisted her son up onto her hip with a slight grunt, "Come on heavy boy, nap time." Little Mike pouted and let out a resounding "NO" in response. Melinda smiled at he two year old and tickled him lightly "Good words my big boy but its still nap time." She carefully picked her way across the minefield of discarded toys and down the hall to the nursurey while her young charge repeated a pleading "Doun?". Melinda Gently laid him down in his crib with his favorite blanket and kissed her fingertips before touching them to the young childs forehead. "Night night sweet boy." She said as she slipped quietly across the room and gently shut the door. She stiffled a curse as she realised she had forgotton to turn on the monitor but shrugged and resolved to check in in a bit when he was hopefully asleep. Melinda returned to the kitchen and continued to work on her active culture pickled beets. Hearing an odd noise from the nursery she rushed down the hall to find her son quietly playing on the floor, he beamed up at her and shouted "Momma, gu doun!" while pointing at himself. She was surprised but glad he hadn't fallen in clambering out of the crib and noted that they would have to convert to the toddler bed soon. She scooped up her son and lightly scolded, "You can play later Mike, right now is nap time." She stepped lightly back to the crib and layed him down once more with the reminder "Now no climbing big boy its nap time, ok." She waited for his confusion to settle and give her an assenting "u kay" before she slipped out of the room once more. As the door clicked shut she turned to head back to the kitchen and remembering the monitor again sighed and returned to the room no longer wiling to rely on the noise traveling down the hall. She carefully turned the nob of the door and eased it open so as not to desturb the hopefully drowsing toddler. As the door swing open she was greeted by a happy squeal of "Momma, No clum." from her son as he hovered several feet off the ground in mid-air. She lost focus for a moment and nearly fainted then rushed across the room to catch him before he fell. A few seconds after she had him in her arms his weight slowly settled as he babbled at her "Momma mi doun? mi doun?" pointing at the floor and his toys. She hushed him and rocked him as her pulse bgan to normalize. "Hush baby snuggle momma for a minute you scared momma." she said as she strode out of the nursery and back down the hall to pick up the phone and quickly dial a number. Melindas heart was racing by the third ring, and before the person on the other end could offer greeting she interupted with "Rebbeca its Melinda, I need you to come over....no no everything is ok I... I just need you to come here." She paused for a moment as Rebecca responded then quickly replied "Yes yes of course bring Alex, I'll see you in a little bit then." and hung up the phone with a steadying breath and walked her son over to his play room and gently set him down to happily crash his cars together while she collapsed on the couch awaiting her friends arrival.

"Mmm hmm." Mike agreed through a mouthfull of food before he swallowed. He glanced over at Alex with a smile "Don't worry so much Alex I can down right bearable when I need too. I won't be that much of a burden on my roomy." He said it in a light tone but it was still clear that he understood her concerns and was trying in his clumsy way to assuage them. Mike popped the last bite of his meal into his mouth and swallowed almost without chewing. Even for a boy of his size he could certainly pack it away. "I dunno I guess there isn't much privacy but the campus is big I'm sure its not too hard to find a corner to get away from people." He offerd a weak smile with his commentary as hiding out may be his preffered M.O. it wasn't really the norm.

Mike watched Alex launch into lecture mode with a slight grimace and sat nodding while she put forth her theories on the school while wolfing down the small pile of breakfast sandwich's in front of him. As Alex paused to breath he quickly swallowed and interject "Long story short we probbably don't know alot more than you." He waved off Alex's inevitable disagreement and continued "I hadn't heard of the place till we were recruited, not that I really paid much attention to schools or anything but its not like its a well publicized place." He took a quick sip off his drink before adding "The invite came at a rather fortuitous time for us we had just, uhm, finished up at our last school and were looking for a place to go." Mike glanced at Alex as if to confirm he wasn't saying too much, "It must not be too expensive my dad din't flip out about it or anything."

"A few burgers with proccesed cheese sounds good to me." Mike said his stomach murmuring agreement, "I only had a smoothie and handfull of granola this morning." He explained "Overslept." He added with a shrug. "Oh hey its still early I can get some of those sausage biscut dealies." Mike exclaimed with a bit more enthusiasm than normaly woudl be warrented by such. "Well one good thing about this being a boarding school the food should be pretty good." He commented. Obviously Mike had not done his research into dormatory dining. Or perhaps escaping the craved dietary restrictions of his mother would make it an improvement. Either way he settled back into his seat seeming quite satisfied with the prospect.

Mike smiled at the mention of food and his stomach rumbled its agreement with the idea. He shut the back of the car and allowed himself to be shooed into the more spacious front seat though his head still nearly touched the roof of the car. He glanced over his shoulder as the girls settled into the back and replied "I'm good with anywhere I can get meat, moms back on that gluten free vegan kick, if I never see another lentil it'll be to soon." He was clearly trying in his awkward teen way to make up for his earlier silence but was stuggling again for a topic. "So have you lived in Seatle your whole life then?" He offered weakly.

Glad your feeling better

Mike visibly stiffened at the mention of the 'voluntary program' and peered grimly out from beneath furrowed brow with an attempt at stoic silence. "I guess you get used to the crowds and its not all so busy like this," he gestured at the airport throngs for emphasis "I don't go out a whole lot actually." He shifted nervously clearly uncomfortable with offering further explanation but unsure how to change the subject. Instead he kinda trailed of with a frown and peered out looking for their incoming ride leaving an awkward silence like only Mike could and avoided eye contact with his companions. As Mrs. Albright pulled up to the curb he quickly popped the back open for Erin to stow her bag glad to have a distraction.

Mike fell in step behind the girls as they made the trip to the waiting car. "It was twelve hour redeye I don't know that that ever qualifies as a good flight. The way I see it we're lucky she's still ambulatory." Mike said with a wry grin. "I'm sure you'll get the hang of the city pretty quickly its really not too hard once you get over expecting all the landmarks to be on the same stretch of ten blocks like in the movies." Mike explained before falling silent once more.

Mike dropped the sign to his side as Erin greeted them. "Yea, we're all new to this too." He confirmed as he dropped back into his traditional slouch. His plain jeans and black t-shirt had been spared the inevitable fall of glitter but his large overcoat had not been so lucky and its color was perfect contrast for the myraid particles to shine against. He offered one large hand to take her bag with a questioning "Traveling light?" as he noted her lack of other baggage. "Some of us could take a lesson in that." he added with asmirk and a nod in Alexs direction.

Mike piled out of the SUV and stood to his full height scanning over the crowds head looking for someone matching the rough description Alex's mom had been provided for a few moments before Alex batted at him with her homemade sign, with glitterpaint none the less, insiting that he use his height and hold it up where it could be seen over the crush. He glanced down at the proffered sign and with resolved sigh took it from his more diminuative friend. "Fine," he grumbled "but if I get craft herpes its your fault." His token protest taken care of he held aloft the sign in question. Once held aloft it was clear that the intended target could not miss it, she might turn and run, but she would certainly take note of it. Alex had decorated the middling sized posterboard with a border of glitter butterflies 'Because its more friendly, and welcoming." she had noted with a smile, accross the center in crisp block letters progressing through the rainbow of markers she had available was writen ERIN WHITE. Its angst ridden bearer not withstanding it was a rather festive sight.

Well I don't know what you had planned but another option is that Psyches Mom could have volyunteered to pick you up on the way to drop off psyche and phalanx. Or We could get dropped off and have a platform 9 3/4 style meeting. Either works.

Yea I was gonna try and figure out a way to tie in there but both of us are natives not much reason to be loitering around the airport. :)

Mike knew better than to get Alex started on her 'higher purpose' lecture. He had heard it to many times and really didn't want to start up the I didn't ask for this and I don't want it argument again. Instead he decided to tease his friend to distract her from the oncoming lecture. "Like a date movie?" He inquired with a smirk "I mean then I'd have to put the moves on to keep up my rep, ya know?" He asked rhetorically "And then things would get all weird afterwards. Nope I think it'll have to be Terminator Salvation for the sake of our friendship unfortunately." Mike adopted a look of faux depth and turned to Alex before adding sarcasticly "Your friendship is just to important to risk for something like that." He smiled an honest smile at his jest which given his usual teen angst was a sure sign that he was trying to break out of his normally black mood.

Isn't that always the way. If she wasn't such a clean freak I would doubt my mom ever cleaned the top of the refrigerator when I wasn't visiting. As is I'm sure she holds off if she knows I'll be around.

Count me in with Phalanx :)

Players Name: Tier 1 NPC submitted by Angrydurf Power Level: 8 Trade-Offs: None Unspent PP: none Characters Name: Steve Masters Alternate Identity: Superbeast Height: 5'11"/6'5" Weight: 180/260 Hair: Light Brown/ Blue-Black Eyes: Brown/all black (no whites) Description: Steve looks to be a nondescript street tough in his late twenties or early thirties. He keeps his hair to a military buzz and usually accesorizes with a pair of wrap around sunglasses. He has rough features with a destinct angle to his nose from a past break. His clothes are generally relaxed fit jeans and a t-shirt sometimes topped by a windbreaker or hoodie. When he takes on the Superbeast form he becomes a hulking fur covered beast man. His face and head tak on destinctly a canine though primal shape and he ganes several inches of height though runs on all fours when at speed. His fur is a deep blue-black with silvery highlights over his head shoulders and upper back. History: Steve was born in 1983 and and grew up on the rough streets of the fens though one of the ruugher times for that neighborhood. He got mixed up in all sorts of trouble as a kid dropping out of school at 15. This culminated in a grand theft auto rap that he was nearly tried as an adult for. His lawyer was able to cut a deal if he went back to school He finished out high school barely and kept his head down. Once he graduated he still had no real skills or prospects, he could have slipped back into crime but at the urging of his social worker applied and was accepted into the marines. A natural born follower he excelled there and learned all sorts of new ways to injure and kill. He went from deployment to deployment witout signifigant action and after his 8 years were up drifted back to freedom. He had a fresh new discharge and still no marketable skills. He made a rough living as a day laborer for awhile barely keeping his head above water. He started to run occasion packages for some of his old buddies for extra cash and even worked lookout or muscle occasionally. A deal he was working went bad down at the docks when his latest employer tried to double cross the client. The sniper took out most of steves cohorts before they knew what had happened but with the first crack Steves training kicked in and he was down and under cover. Of course that just meant that they took him instead of killing him. the procedure was incredibly painful and he barely remembers any of his time in captivity through the haze of pain and drugs. But in the end he was a success of the DNascent process, well he survived at least. He however was more successful than they expected and effected an escape. He jumped a high wall and fled the complex while being transported across the yard. After hours of running he hid in a cave and passed out. When he came too he was back to normal and it almost seemed like a nightmare. He crawled out of his cave and snuck across fields stealing clothes as he went untill he hit the interstate. He waved down a ride and headed back to freedom. Once there it didn't take long for some of his old cronies to find him. He'd been gone for months but the y thought he had double crossed the guys at the bad deal. They grabbed him and drugged him. He woke tide to a chair and they started to question him. He didn't have the answers they wanted so they got physical. That was a mistake. Steve erupted into Superbeast and ripped them all to shreds. When he came too steve was back at his appartment but he remembered what had happened as if in a dream. He hid out for awhile and figured out better exactly what he had going for him. He then decided he needed some security and offered his services to one of the made guys he kinda knew. Once they saw whet he could do they passed him up the line to August Romans Circut Maximus. He was quickly brought on as a fighter and supplements that with odd jobs as muscle for the mob or whoever will pay. He's been connected to some of the crimes but knows just enough of whats going on that the mob has sent down lawyers to spring him so far. ((OOC: Steve gets jobs both as himself and Superbeast and few select employers know the connection and hire him with the assurance that if things go bad Superbeast will make and appearance. He can be extra muscle for a villians sceme or a suprise for heroes busting up a mob deal of some kind. He will work for anyone that'll pay so far and really has virtually no morals on what they ask him to do. He can be added to any encounter that needs a little something extra. He's also a good opponant for anyone fighting in the circut maximus.)) Personality & Motivation: Steves main motivation is money and to a lesser degree the power trip of crime. He doesn't really have skills that are aplicable to much else really. He's really a small time thug at heart and despite certainly having the power to step onto the larger stage still just acts as muscle and backup for the real criminals. Really he's pretty happy with this independant thinking isn't his strong suit and he knows it. Powers & Tactics: Steve generally fights for keeps, and still with a certain military precision that alot of his contemporaries lack. He has an assortment of general skills but mostly is muscle and knows it. In a fair fight he'll shoot first ask questions later, against a real threat he'll try and get away long enough to stash his stuff before the beast is let out. As Superbest he keeps the attack fast and ferocious, He'll use whatever advantage he can leaping down from rooftops or over fences to keep the fight one on one and will favor hit and run agianst a group. Against a single foe he'll just pile on the attacks as fast as he can and try and take his foe down as fast as possible. Complications: record(He's got a record and will be rounded up with the other "usual suspects" Seceret Identity (the Super beast is known only to a select few to be Steve Masters) [yea NPCs can't get VPs for these but they are hooks for PCs/refs to use] Stats: 12pp Str: 14/18/22 (+2/+4/+6)Normal/Superbeast/Raging Dex: 14 (+2) Con: 14/22 (+2/+6)Normal/Superbeast Int: 10 (+0) Wis: 10 (+0) Cha: 10 (+0) Combat: 16pp Attack: +4 (+6 melee/pistol, +8 claws) Grapple: +8 (+10 superbeast, +12 raging) Defense: +8 (+2 flat-footed) Knockback: -4 (-2 normal form no vest) Initiative: +12 Saves: 6pp Toughness: +4/8 (+2/+6 Con, +2 defensive roll, +4 Tactical vest){+4 normal no vest, +8 Superbeast or normal with vest vest will not fit on superbeast form} Fortitude: +2/+6 (+2/+6 Con, +0)Normal/Superbeast Reflex: +6 (+2 Dex, +4) Will: +2 (+0 Wis, +2) Skills: 28r = 7pp Acrobatics 3 (+5) Bluff 1 (+1) Disable Device 2 (+2) Drive 2 (+4) Gather Information 2 (+2) Intimidate 5 (+5) Notice 4 (+4) Sense Motive 4 (+4) Stealth 5 (+7) Feats: 19pp All-Out Attack Attack Focus: Melee 2 Attack Specialization: Claws Attack Specialization: Pistol Defensive Roll 2 Dodge Focus 4 Improved Initiative 2 Power attack Equipment 3 Powers: 73pp Enhanced Constitution 8 [8] Enhanced Strength 4 [4] Enhanced Feat: Evasion 2 [2] Enhanced Feat: Fearsome Presence 5 [5] Enhanced Feat: Instant Up [1] Enhanced Feat: Rage 2 (10 rounds) [1] Enhanced Feat: Take Down Attack 2 [1] Leaping 4 [4] Regeneration 25 (bruised 3 [no action], unconscious 2 [standard action], Injured 6 [no action], Staggered 5 [standard action], disabled 7 [standard action], Ability 2 [1 hour]; PF: Persistant, Regrowth, Diehard) [28] Speed 1 [1] Strike 2 (claws; PFs: mighty) [3] Super-Movement 3 (Slow fall, Sure footed, Wall crawling) [6] Super-Senses 7 (Acute Smell, Accurate Hearing, Counters concealment smell, Tracking smell, Uncanny dodge)[7] Drawbacks: -8pp Involuntary Transformation (When angry[common], Irresistible) [-5] Normal Identity (free action) [-3] DC Block: ATTACKS: SAVE DC: DAMAGE TYPE: (Name of Attack) (Save DC/Type) (Type of Damage: Bruise/Injury, or other) For example: Pistol ------ 19/toughness ------- (Ballistic) Bruise/staged Claws ------ 21/toughness ------- Bruise/staged Claws(raging)---23/toughness ------Bruise/staged Unarmed ------ 17/toughness ------- Bruise/staged Costs: Abilities (12) + Combat (16) + Saves (06) + Skills (07) + Feats (19) + Powers (73) - Drawbacks (08) = 125 Total Cost

Mike continued to follow Alex in her browsing keeping his beleaugered sighs to a minimum. He flipped open the proffered book skimmed it shifting the others under his arm to free his hand. "While certianly an interesting read I don't really see how it applies." He murmered almost to himself. As they made their way through the store Mike remained blissfully unaware of the 'cop' eyeing them. He continued to take books from Alex as she browsed, looking every part the boyfriend of burden.

Mike started slightly at the shout but paid little attention beyond that. "Posters huh? That shouldn't be so bad." He drifted around the aisle glancing at the titles as he went. "So are we looking for textbooks or just some light reading." He added quotey finger around light as he looked at the size of some of the tomes on the shelf she was browsing. He had pulled his own more limmited selection already and took some of his friends burden as she continued her browsing.

The musings of a teen hero to be. I see this as a scrapbook and journal of his journy. I like to think of it IG as his battered composition book full of "deep" thoughts on his adventures but first THE QUESTIONAIRE Introduction Give a two or three word description of yourself. (Describe your character's concept.) Reluctant Teen Hero Do you have any nicknames, street names, titles, or nom de plume?T he Government and ASTRO Labs list my file under the code name Phalanx What is your full birth name? Michael Allen Harris Where do you live? In my parents house in Hanover. Why do you live there? Its my parents house and I'm 16. What do you perceive as your greatest strength? Loyalty to my friends. What do you perceive as your greatest weakness? The detructive potential of my powers Physical Traits How old are you? 16 What is your sex? Male What is your race? Human? american caucasian mutt How tall are you? 6'3" How much do you weigh? 210 Lbs What is your general body type, frame, bone structure, and poise? Tall and muscular but not overly muscular, stands slouched or leaning with shoulders drawn in. What is your skin colour? Pale but with an olive base waiting to come out should I get more sun. What is your hair colour? Coal Black What is your hair style? Shoulder length and somewhat unkempt, bangs perpetually in my face. Do you have any facial hair? Much to my chagrin I can't even manage bad teen stubble What is your eye colour? Emerald like my mothers How attractive are you? Reasonably, but I hide it under baggy clothes and a sullen demeanor. What is your most distinguishing feature? I have a very striking, chiseld face, but hide it behind unkempt hair and a bad attitude. Do you have any scars, tattoos, or birthmarks? Nope What is your handedness (left/right/ambidextrous)? I write with my right but I also wear my watch on the right and tend to interchange hands on different tasks. Alex says my file lists me as ambidextrous. Do you resemble some currently known person? Not really other than the eyes from my mom I barely even look like my parents. Dads all of 5'8" and mom tops out at 5'4" I was taller than them by the time I was 12. Despite being a big sports fan dad is not even a little athletic and while oms a fan of the pilates I don't think I got my frame there either. What kind of clothing do you wear? Loose and baggy dark colors mostly. Topped off by a rumpled black duster. Do you wear makeup? Not since I stopped trick or treating What sort of vocal tone do you have? I did get lucky on the voice change and only had about a week of cracking before it settled into a full deep timber. I do tend however to mumble but can project quite well when the need arises. History Where is your homeland? Freedom City, USA Are you aware of its history? Yea my dad is kinda an amatuer historian and tend to be on the verbose side for his favored topic. Are you patriotic or a social outcast? Can't it be both? I'm patriotic I suppose but I'm kinda an outcast on the smaller scale. What are your opinion of home? Its Freedom. It really is the shinning example of what humanity super and normal alike can accomplish together. Well I suppose the rest of the country is pretty good too. I really think of Freedom as the heart of America though Alex says thats pretty biased. Where is your home town? Freedom City Are your real reasons for becoming an adventurer different from what you tell others? Once I do so probably not but first I'll have to see a need worthy of the risks to others. How far would you go to keep such secrets from being revealed? What would you do if the truth became known? Well there really aren't much in the way of secrets I'm a bad liar so I try just not to. What do you fear would occur if the truth became known? Not really aplicable Do you have any particularly high or low ability scores? Well I'm stronger and tougher than anyone I've met so far. Alex says the doctors projected that I have potential 'Off the charts' but that their method had inaccuracies. How have these scores affected your life so far? For a good portion of it they have defined it. Since the incident in 2nd grade I've been in a special program and under government surviellance so I'd say theres been a pretty big impact. What about your race, growing up were you in the majority or a minority? Majority Did this impact your outlook in any way? Uhm I don't think so. Self analysis isn't really my forte though. How do you feel about other races? Like Aliens? Don't know much about em as for people with varied skin tones I really couldn't care less. If they're good people they're good people if not, not. Were there any traumatic experiences in your early years (death of a family member, abandonment, orphaned at an early age)? Uhm we'll go with yes. I mean first off there was the whole Terminus Invasion that likely gave me powers in the first place then theres the incident from 2nd grade and the ensueing years bussed to ASTRO Labs for school. Briefly describe a defining moment in your childhood and how it influenced your life. In second grade I got in a fight with another boy, it was a normal scuffle but I kinda hit him too hard, the teachers and my parents say he's fine but I've never seen him since and Alex says they all thought he was dead. Since then I've been in a special program for schooling and really don't want to risk that happening again. I'm in better control now I guess but the risk of someone getting hurt is just too high. What stupid things did you do when you were younger? See above Which toys from your childhood have you kept? I have a baseball glove and ball my dad gave me for a birthday, we never really got to use it. My room is kinda scattered with others I guess too but they are just stuff mom hasent donated yet. Why? What do they mean to you? If you didn't keep any, why not? What did you do to them all? Well it kinda is the whole downside to my powers thing, Heres this normal boy and his dad activity and we can't do it cus if I throw too hard it might kill him or at least break his hand. Do you have any deep, dark secrets in the past that may come back to haunt you? Its not really a secret though I don't talk about the fight if I can help it. Are you who you claim to be? Well I'm certainly Mike Harris, but I'm not nearly the loner bad boy I pretend to be but I know its better and safer for everyone this way. Do you have any sort of criminal record? Not really, though the government has records of the past ten years of my life that are pretty exhaustive. How do you view the heroes/legends of your country? I sometimes dream that I could be like them but know they are better then me. They have managed to use thier powers for so much good but I can't risk it. Family Who were your parents? Marvin and Melinda Harris, My dads a copy editor at the city desk for the Freedom Ledger my mom is the general manager of a organic food co-op and part time yoga instructor. Were you raised by them? If not, then why didn't they and who did raise you? Yes though for the last ten years I've spent the days in a special government program. What was their standing in the community? Pretty much normal citizens, my mother was jailed a few times for protesting the Moore act back in the eighties though. Did your family stay in one area or move around a lot? We've lived on Oak street in Hanover my whole life. How did you get along with their parents? I never new my paternal grandparents they died before I was born. I always loved my Moms parents they had the coolest Farm outside the city but I din't get to go visit very often after the government survielance started. How would your parents describe you? Answer this in the voice of your mother, then in your father's. Mother: He's a good boy but the teen years are hard for anyone and someone different doubly so. The Governments meddling certainly hasn't helped, it's left him feeling like some kind of freak. I'm sure he'll grow out of it now that he can go t a normal school and maybe make some friends. Father: He's a good kid, a good kid. Strong, fast, tall, what more coudl a father ask for? heh heh well yea he's not adjusted well with everything I suppose but his hearts in the right place. Do you have any siblings? If so how many and what were their names? How did you get along with each of your siblings? Only child. What was your birth position in the family? First and only. List all current knowledge of family locations, spouses, children, birth dates, schooling, and any important incidents that only you and they might remember. My parents live in Hanover and mom works there too, dad commutes to downtown. My grandparents live on a farm about an hour and a half north of Freedom. Theres really almost nothing only we know since the survielance started. Before that there is the circumstances of my first flight but Alex's mom knows about that too. Mom was born in the summer of '67, August 15th, Dad was born on the 3rd of Febuary in 65. Do you stay in touch with them or have you become estranged? I live with my folks still and hope that now that the government "study" we were "asked" to take part in has "ended" we can hopefully visit my grandparents again. Do you love or hate one member of the family in particular? Not really though my relationship with my father could be better, he just doesn't understand me. Is any member of the family special to you in any way (perhaps, as a confidant, mentor, or arch-rival)? Not really, I mean none of them really understand what I'm going through. Are there any black (or white) sheep in the family (including you)? Nope If so, who are they and how did they "gain" the position? N/A Do you have a notorious or celebrated ancestor? The Harris' have a long history of mediocrity that I seem to have resoundingly broken. If so, what did this person do to become famous or infamous? N/A Do you try to live up to the reputation of your ancestor, try to live it down, or ignore it? N/A Do you ever want to have a family of your own someday? I suppose in the abstract but really the chances are slim. Even if we got past the obvious risks I don't know that I could, well you know, contribute. Would anything change your mind on this issue and if so, what? If I find a woman who wouldn't be at risk of death if I was, uhm, overly vigorous? But I don't see any calls from Lady Liberty soon so not likely. What type of person would be your ideal mate? Kind hearted and open, accepting of me for who I am. Someone who can know me and still loves me. Relationships Do you have any close friends? If so, who and what are they like? Other than Alex not many. I got to know a few of the other kids fromt he program but we didn't really have alot of contact outside of that. What is the history of their relationship(s) with you? I've know Alex her whole life and as far back as I can remember. She's kinda always been there even when we got carted off after I hurt that poor kid. She's almost like a littel sister to me but a likea really smart telepathic littel sister that helps me on tests. Do you currently have a best friend whom you would protect with your reputation or your life? Alex definately, some of the other kids from the program ar close but it woudl depend what kind of trouble they had gotten in. 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? Alex has always been there, half the time in my head she probably knows me better than I know myself honestly. I can't think of anything that Alex woudl evr do that woudl make me end it but I suppose in she went crazy mindbender and all that I might but I just don't see that ever happening and even if it seemed too I would have my doubts. Do you have any bitter enemies? Not really. Not really a full fledge Hero at this point. If so, who are they, what are they like, and what is the history of their feud with you? N/A Have you defeated them before? N/A How might these enemies seek to discomfit you in the future? Well my family or alex would be obvious targets should I earn the enemity of nefarious types. Which person(s) or group(s) are you most loyal to? The city and whole country really. And Alex and my family. Who is your most trusted ally? Alex Who do you trust, in general? I tend to trust the government despite my mom's ranting about the program, I mean they are right I am dangerous. On a more personal level I trust my family and Alex, a couple of the other kids from the program I kinda trust but I don't even know if we'll see them again. Who do you despise and why? Bullies, those who prey on people weaker then themselves Name seven things you hate in others. Cruelty, Violent behavior, Abuse of power, Greed, Intolerance, Abuse of trust, Taking freedoms for granted and abusing them. Is your image consistent? Pretty much, I'm a sullen teen is pretty consistent. Do you deliberately present yourself differently in different situations, and how? I put up a pretty consistent presentation though in testing I tend to present myself as less capable than I am. What would you die for? The greater good though I'd rather not have too. I'd die to defend my parents or Alex or other innocents in danger. What is the worst thing someone has done to you? Some of the testing methods got pretty extreme. There was a set of tests Alex says to see if my powers had an emotional componant, designed to upset me. They were made by profesionals with access to my psych evaluations so it was pretty rough. What is your general reaction to an attractive member of the opposite sex who lets you know they are available? Feign disintrest then maybe write poetry about what might have been. How do you get along with others of the same adventuring class? I respect the control others have and ability to use thier powers in a non-reckless way. Have you lost any loves? Nope, Had pet goldfish once but that hardly counts. How did you handle the situation (short & long term)? N/A Who would miss you should you go missing? Well my Parents firstly, probably Alex pretty quickly. I might still be under survielance but they say they've stopped that. How close are you to your adventuring companions? I don't really have any yet. But before I do I woudl have to be pretty close, or at least I would get close to them quickly. What do they not know about you? I'm a pretty open book but I don't really bring up the incident. Are you a member of any house, guild, organization, or church? What is your level of involvement? Nope, My dad tried to get me into the boyscouts but I wasn't into it and mom said the last thing I needed was paramilitary prep training. Personality & Beliefs Do you, or did you, have any role models? My dad and grandfather, I really respect the little things they do and did to keep things going, I think too much attention is paid to "supers" and not enough to normal folks who day to day make things run. Do you have any heroes or idols, either contemporary or from legend? That said I think Heroes do have a place, and I personally am still inspired as many are by Centurion and his sacrafice. Did you ever become disillusioned with former heroes or idols? If so, why and what were the circumstances? Not, really though some of the testing in the program had me doubting the government for a bit but they did have the best intrest of the country at heart and I can respect that. When did you decide to become an adventurer? Haven't really though Alex likes to point out that it really is where our talents lie I don't think she takes the risks seriously enough. Why have you chosen to risk your life as a career? Well I wouldn't call it a career but for a just cause is there another choice? What do you expect to get out of being an adventurer? What, if anything, would make you stop adventuring? Well I just hope I can manage not to cause more harm then good should I get pulled into a situation. If my actions led to innocents being hurt I would probably give up. Do you have any dreams or ambitions? If not, why? Well I most often wish I could just be normal but in my heart of hearts I dream of the Freedom League or other such grand heroism. What are your short term goals (what would you like to be doing within a year)? I hope to be able to blend in at this new school and that no one gets hurt, Its been along time since I was in general population with normal kids my age. What are your long term goals (what would you like to be doing twenty years from now)? The simple life a good job and maybe a family. Deep down though I hope I could be part of something bigger than me. If these goals seem at odds with each other, or with your dreams, how do you reconcile the differences? Simply put I don't. I an pretty good at self denial and I know the hero dreams are just my Ego overiding the truth of how dangerous I am. Do you have any great rational or irrational fears or phobias? If so, what are the origins of, or reasons behind them? I have a perfectly rational fear of hurting others. I have grave destructive potential and must always be careful. How do you react when this fear manifests itself? I usually lock up and become indecisive. What are your attitudes regarding material wealth? I suppose its nice but if you have enough you don't really need more. My folks work hard for where they are and deserve what they have but they try and give back too. Are you miserly with your share of the wealth, or do you spend it freely? I tend to spend pretty freely but never having really wanted for anything I can't say that that would be the case when I'm on my own. Do you see wealth as a mark of success, or just as a means to an end? I guess its a kind of success but if thats how you measure your worth its pretty sad. How do you generally treat others? It varries I tend to be ratehr acerbic to new people and definately don't let people get close. But should you weather that and become my friend I'm actually pretty open and careing. Do you trust easily (perhaps too easily) or not? Myself i don't trust at all and others I tend to not trust too easily but I will give people the benefit of the doubt in most cases. Are you introverted (shy and withdrawn) or extroverted (outgoing)? I'm more introverted over all though deep down I do crave compaionship. Are you a humble soul or blusteringly proud? An odd mix really I'm humble appearing but thats mostly due to my somewhat exagerated opinion of my own abilities. What habits do you find most annoying in friends? How they try to pressure me into doing more with my powers. Alex is also really nosy and kinda a tattletale. What are your most annoying habits? I'm a rather sullen grumpy teen boy thats pretty annoying in and of itself. the healthy dose of self loathing certainly doesn't help. Is there any race, creed, alignment, religion, class, profession, political viewpoint, or the like against which you are strongly prejudiced, and why? Well I'm pretty down on those who wish chaos and discord or tyranny but I don't think that unreasonable. What is your favourite food? I'm a simple creature and really a fan of a good burger What is your favourite drink? I usually just drink water, sometimes citrus juices. What is your favourite treat (desert)? I have a certain weakness for hot cinabons with the cream chees frosting Do you favour a particular cuisine? I like 'american' food mostly though will eat almost anything, I tend to not be able to fill up on asian cuisine though. Do you savor the tastes when eating or "wolf down" your food? I tend to bolt my food. Do you like food mild or heavily spiced? Doesn't make a big difference so long as the spices are complementary. Are there any specific foodstuffs that you find disgusting or refuse to eat? Not yet What are your favourite colour(s)? I'm a fan of dark colors back and sometiems deep blue or red. Is there any colour that you dislike? Pastels really rub me the wrong way Do you have a favourite (or hated) song, type of music, or instrument? I'm a fan of alot of music really mostly new rock alternative and some stuff from the college station. If you have a favourite scent, what is it? I like the smell right after a rainstorm up in the country. What is your favourite type of animal? Don't really have a favorite but I'm kinda partial to dogs I guess. My moms allergic so we coulc neer have one. Are you allergic to any kinds of animals? Nope Is there anything that enrages you? I try really hard to never let my temper get the best of me though threats to my family or friends definatly strain that. Is there anything which embarrasses you? Sometimes I'm embarassed by things Alex shares but not in general. Do you enjoy "roughing it", or do you prefer your creature comforts? I'm pretty happy with either, I like the outdoors but I'm certainly happy to have the comforts of home when I get back. Do you have a patron deity? Not really. My dads a non-practicing Apiscapalian and my mom likes to sing at the Unitarian church on the weekends but identifies as buddist most of the time. I kinda belive in a higher power but don't really have a name for it. Are you devout or impious? I respect religion but it isn't really for me. Do you actively worship and proselytize or do you simply pay lip service? I don't really do either. What worship I do is earnist but uncommon. What lengths would you go to defend your faith? Uhm I don't really have one so not far. I mostly belive in doing right. Was your faith influenced or molded by anyone special? I suppose mostly by my parents indifferance. Do you belong to a dominant church, or an independent church, cult, or sect (and is the group accepted, frowned upon, or considered heretics)? Not really part of an organized church of any kind. Will you kill? Never again. ((OOC note Mike thinks he likely killed the boy in second grade but the kid may have made a full recovery Mike just hasn't been really fully informed on it.)) When did you decide (or learn) that you would? Even though it was an accident I still haven't forgiven myself for what I did to that boy. When do you consider it okay to kill (under what circumstances)? Never, no matter how evil the person is you shouldn't sink to their level. When do you consider it wrong to kill (under what circumstances)? Always, Justifacations are just lies to yourself to hide from the truth of what you've done. What would you do if someone else attempted to (or successfully did) kill under your "wrong" circumstances, what would be your reaction? I would stop them. If I was unable to stop them I would try and apprehend them and turn them over t the authorities. What if it were your enemy? makes no difference. What if it were your friend? Same though I woudl try and understand why they had taken this step and if warrented lobby for lienence. What if the opponent were not in control of their own actions (under duress, charmed, dominated, possessed)? Then its the responsability of the one controling them. There is always a better way than killing. What would you do if something were stolen from you? Probably report it stolen, if I knew who stole it I would try and get it back and find out why they felt the need to steal it, maybe help them if they were just that needy. If it was just greed turn them over to the authorities. What would you do if you were badly insulted publicly? Insult them back and sulk What would you do if a good friend or relative were killed by means other than natural death? Mourn them, bring the responsable party to justice and try and live up to their memory What is the one task you would absolutely refuse to do? Kill, Harm innocents What do you consider to be the worst crime someone could commit and why? Genocide, Killing on such a scale is monsterous. How do you feel about government (rulers) in general? Why do you feel that way? It vaies from ruler to ruler some are just some are incompetant and some are corrupt we shoudl aid the just, and help to correct the course of the others. Do you support the current government of your homeland? I do though some elements make me nervous If so, how far are you willing to go to defend the government? If not, do you actively oppose it? I'll defend the government however I can within my morals. What form of government do you believe is the best (democracy, monarchy, anarchy, aristocratic rule, oligarchy, matriarchy) and why? Democracy, Freedom and equality. I'm not so naieve as to think its perfect but its better than the alternative. Do you have any unusual habits or dominant personality traits that are evident to others? I tend to be quiet and even sullen, I hold myself apart and try not to let anyone get close. None the less I can be cought looking with a degree of longing to more social groups. If so, describe them and how you acquired them, as well as when they might be more noticeable and what causes them. Well I came to them kinda naturally, I hold others at arms length to protect them from me. New people especially friendly ones tend to bring this out more. Do you have any unusual or nervous mannerisms, such as when talking, thinking, afraid, under stress, or when embarrassed? Not really, when my temper starts to get pricked I tend to look away and concentrate on other things. What is your most treasured possession? Don't really have one. I'm pretty fond of my iPod but things can be replaced. If your life were to end in 24 hours, what 5 things would you do in those remaining hours? Tell my family how important they have been to me, Thank Alex for always being there, Find the boy I hurt and/or his family and tell them how sorry I am, Play catch with dad, Last game of slapjack with Alex. Career & Training Where and how were you educated? Early education was in public school from 2nd to 10th grade was in a special program at ASTRO Labs under government contract. Who trained you in your adventuring class(es)? No one yet but I'm about to begin attendance of the Clairmont Academy What was your relationship with your teacher(s)/mentor(s)? The teachers and doctors at fromt he program were nice enough but always a little skitish and secretive. Is this person or institution still in existence? Astro Labs is but offiacially at least the program has been shut down. Were you a prize student or did you just barely pass? Kinda in the middle I did well on the standard curriculum but balked at much of the testing they performed. Look at your skills. How did you acquire them (especially the unusual ones)? Most of them are just basic knowledge picked up at school, I do watch people pretty carefully and have honed my ability to read them to an extent as well as pick up details in general. I have worked as a stage hand with my mom on som community productions building sets and such as well. Have you ever done anything else for a living? Nope How do you function in combat (maneuvers, weaknesses)? I mostly try and keep the weaker people around safe, I'll take an attack meant for someone else if I can get in the way. When I'm forced on to the offensive I try and end it quickly before things get too out of hand with a powerfull attack. Have you ever received any awards or honours? Not yet Is there anything that you don't currently know how to do that you wish you could? Not really, I mean eventually I need to get job training but I don't know what I want to do when I grow up, maybe construction I like working with my hands. Are you envious of others who can do such things in a good-natured way or are you sullen and morose about it? Well I'm not really envious but sullen and morose are kinda keywords for me. Lifestyle & Hobbies When not adventuring, what is your normal daily routine? School in the morning, then home to work on homework or just hang out. Sometimes Alex comes over or I go over to her house either for tutoring or just to hang out. How do you feel and react when this routine is interrupted for some reason? If I get to miss school I'm pretty happy. What are your hobbies when you are not adventuring or training? I some times work on backstage stuff and set building for comunity plays my mom gets involved in. I also write some when I have private time for it poetry mostly. What do you do for relaxation? What things do you do for enjoyment? What interests do you have? I like movies and though most video game controlers are too small I do enjoy some games. I'll play board games with Alex at her insistance as well. How do you normally dress when not in your adventuring gear? I don't really have an 'adventuring' costume yet. What do you normally wear in bed at home? Boxers sometimes a t-shirt. What do you normally wear in bed while adventuring? Same? Do you wear any identifiable jewelry? Not in general Where do you normally put your weapons, magic items, or other valuables when you are sleeping? Don't have any. What morning or evening routines do you normally have? I eat a big breakfast and rush to catch the bus, in the evening I dodge questions about school from my parents over dinner and try and watch some TV in my room before bed. Do these change when you are adventuring? Not really. I mean I gues it would if i had to do stuff at night. Travel: how do you get around locally? Mostly public transit. I have my license but no car yet Do you have a Last Will and Testament? No, I don't really have anything to put in it. What does it say? N/A Miscellaneous What would you like to be remembered for after your death? Being a good person, leaving this place better than I found it. What kind of threat do you present to the public? A prety signifigant one in my estimation. If I am carelss I can cuase a fair amount of destruction adn hurt people pretty bad. If your features were to be destroyed beyond recognition, is there any other way of identifying your body? The techs from the program might have some way of detecting the Terminus energies that they same infuse my tissues but that woudl be the same for Alex or likely any of the kids from the program. 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... You can be better than this. You can do the right thing you know what it is. Step up and make the world a better place. You have the power to harm but also to help a great number and stop those that would use thier own powers to the detriment of the city and society in general. You have it in you to be a real hero like the Freedom League you just have to step up and do it. With power like yours comes responsability to not only not cause harm but to help standing on the sidelines when you could help is just as bad as doing it yourself.

Mike stared after her as she walked off shaking his head in vauge confusion and turned eying the displayed lunchboxes skepticly before selecting one for himself. thirty dolars for a faux steel construction workers lunch pail seemed downright rediculous but given the alternatives he realy saw no other choice. He stomped up to the counter behind his friend and gazed at her baffled as she announced their next destination. How would she even know what books to get? Did bookstores even carry textbooks? he wondered to himself as they made their way across the mall. However he was this time wise enough not to ask, she had undoubtably modeled a curriculum and likely it was accurate. Really he didn't want to know exactly how far behind her studies he would be this time. He glanced baffled at the list she had provided him and began searching through the shelves for the titles she had indicated Civics in a Super Powered Age? Where did they come up with this stuff. Calling over the shelf to his companion mike queried "So how many more stops do we have?" He peered over the shelf at what she was looking at. "I mean I love school shopping as much as the next guy so no rush or anything." He added sarcasticaly.

Mike just laughed and shook his head almost as if in disbelief. Truethfully however he wasn't in the least bit surprised she had done research, it was just like Alex to research how to blend and not realize the fact that such research was needed pretty much guarenteed they wouldn't. "Blend?" he said incredulously "We haven't been in a normal school since ..." he trailed off and looked away frowning through a curtain of hair. Mike took a deep breath and continued with a new tact "Alex we don't know anyone there and frankly we don't even know how students interact in a place like that, this, whatever." He paused to glance around and make sure their little discussion wasn't drawing too much attention before continuing. "Trying to be something other than what we are suits neither of us I don't even have any t-shirts with logos to cut off." He spoke quietly but earnestly. "Best case scenario the other misfits at the school accept us before we make too big of fools out of ourselves. And I really question if I would want to fit in with pople who think those," He gestured at the revamped display of 'classic' lunchboxes "are the height of cool."

Mike visibly shuddered at the pastel monstrosity she presented. "Uhmm ok so what your saying is you guessed? Fine by me I mean after all," He grabbed a black backpack with many extranous pockets zipers and buckles and held it up with a mocking smile "School supplies are fun." He finished in a rediculous falsetto imitation of his friend. He slung the pack over one shoulder and drifted down the aisle picking at the proffered goods and frowning at the preponderance of Hello Kitty memrobilia in Alexs chosen store. "What kind of store is this anyway?" He asked under his breath drawing a startled look from a diminutive employee stacking some kind of nightmarish postmodern lunch box display.