angrydurf

Sandman From Beneath You It Devours: Everyone Hates A Prequel Savant Knock on the Door Job Ouroboros Registration Day: 2 Fang 2 Furious Phalanx Elevator Pitch Ref point to Savant

It wasn't as if he'd expected a warm welcome even in good times the Russian people were mistrustful of strangers and foreigners in particular, not without reason, yet he remained uncertain if his presence was more hindrance than help. Particularly given the dearth of expertise he was able to offer from what had been revealed. Nodding thoughtfully he looked over the pictures with care, "Was a child taken there as well?" he inquired carefully looking to Frost at the question. "Whatever it is can come and go without attracting notice," he nodded to the dead man in the picture, "But they do not travel between the realms freely, else they could have moved on without need for violence." He set the pictures down and looked up at their host, "They must take the victims to some lair or portal to their home realms." Nodding to Frost he added, "We may be able to track them from the site of one of hte kidnappings."

Huang offered a small crooked grin in response. "See there's the wit we know and love." he teased harmlessly and looked ot Matt as he made his entrance offering a small nod of acknowledgement. "Well it's," he paused a shrugged, "Yea it'll probably make more sense in context." He turned to go and shook his head to Matt. "No, Jekyl and Hyde!" he corrected, "Well the sound track." he corrected with a shrug and oddly placed glare at his coat pocket like it had done him a personal wrong. "I'll leave you two to it." he suggested with a grin and sauntered out the door, "Want I should point the RA's at Robin and Rileys favorite roof buy you some time?" he offered as he left the room.

Sandman took the officials hand in turn, his grip perhaps not as firm as the heat vampires but certainly warmer. "What are you able to tell us of these disappearances?" he inquired delicately his Russian unaccented and carefully inflected in the ears of the native speakers thanks to the universal language of dreams. He well understood that even in modern Russia, perhaps even more-so than under soviet rule, asking what the man knew would be impolitic at best, "Our interest is solely in retrieving those lost." he assured as they had no interest in the recriminations of how things were allowed to go so far before experts were called upon. As Frost spilled the envelope's contents on the table he spared them only a fleeting glance keeping his attention on their host. The documents would like as not carry little of use to his particular skills.

"Let him do his thing." came Xaviers all too calm reply, "Need you on their systems to clear out the target files and locate the originals." he explained seemingly unconcerned by the shifting foundations of the job. Lou and Sophia could hear the 'guards' approaching speaking in hushed Japanese echoing down the hall. They went silent as they reached the door sitting slightly ajar and pulled their weapons as they pushed the door open, "Wolf Security!" demanded the apparent leader mangling the company they supposedly worked for. "Hands up and step away from the computer." "Alice we need eyes on the egress." came Xaviers collected demand, "We may have company waiting outside." he informed as he awaited the sounds of inevitable violence from Lou. "I'm relocating, real guards are remaining in place."

Ok we'll jump to initiative then. 'Guards' go on 14. There are six of them all pretty big guys even by Bedlam security mook standards. Defense +8 for a 18 DC to hit. They are however minions. Lou will have a surprise action and be within striking distance of them as they step into the room. Cracking the network security is a base DC of 25 Finding the Files and location of the hard copies you need to is a DC 20 check Erasing the files and evidence of your manipulation is a DC 30 check Sophias quickness makes all of those less than an action and if you treat yourself as distracted (no dodge bonus to defense) You won't count as in combat and can take 10 (20 given quickness but don't need it) Getting the originals is a full round action (move to get to them on the shelves, standard to unlock the cabinet and secure them in a bag)

Papa can you hear me Ouroboros The fog roiled around the child's ankles as he padded through the darkened wood. No more than six years of age he crept giggling from tree to tree, “Daddy? I gonna fthind you!” he called out to the empty echoing of the midnight forest. Overhead lurked the terrors of the night incarnate. Clinging to shadow and wrapping night like a cloak around him the vampire watched with a predatory eye as the child ambled from one stump to the next scrabbling to peer into one hollow or another. As the babe turned down the narrow lane, the hunter followed dropping on silent feet to the gravel below. His step was so light it disturbed not stone as he stalked the child through the dark of night. Ahead the tiny wanderer paused and suddenly spun as if sensing the danger lurking so close at hand but not quickly enough. The night hunter was gone in the blink of an eye vanished like smoke on the wind. Shivering against the chill of the night the boy continued on steps crunching lightly on the gravel lane. Crouching he crept quiet as he could manage, feeling the eyes upon him even if he couldn’t pinpoint the chill building at the base of his spine. Some instinct told him he was being stalked even as the hunter gave away no clue of its presence. At the end of the lane a heavy wrought iron gate stood slightly ajar, lit by the pale light of a lone streetlight. Beyond the gate the carefully manicured lawns and landscaped parkways of a quiet north bay community. Inside the walls the overgrown and twisted wood the hunter stalked his target though as the babe crept curiously toward the gate, peering behind him nibbling his lower lip uncertainly as he reached the gate. The child peered carefully into the gathering gloom as some nocturnal animal scampered away from the danger it could feel but not see. “Daddy?” the boy questioned as behind him the stalking vampire lowered himself from an overhanging branch, eyes aglow with vampiric power piercing the dark, fangs and claws and all the deadly implements of the worlds most finely crafted hunter. Looming in terrifying relief as the clouds blotted out even the moonlight the child turned toward the night hunter and gasped at the monster before him. “Daddy!” the boy exclaimed clapping his hands eagerly as he lunged forward to hug his father about the knees. “Ok now my thurn thu hide!” he screeched with glee as he tumbled into the underbrush to make way for his hiding spot, “An th’u gotta coun’ a hunred!”

Dream Daddy Sandman Ellis looked down with tired eyes at the file on his desk and shook his head. It had all the hallmarks, the drawings of the figure in the doorway, insomnia, anxiety, refusal to even speak of what was so frightening about the dark, the resolute belief no adult would believe him. Of course Ellis had no reason to be looking over the files the Hospital kept on it’s young psych and neurology patients. He could make some excuse about a consult for sedation, to help with the insomnia of course. But these were the files that plagued his nightmares. He’d see the boy. Not a touch of the dark dreaming on him. Sometimes the things that went bump in the night were all too human. He autodialed as he stood, “You’re a saint you know that Sis?” he said as he stepped out of his office, “Yea put them on.” he strode down the hall the lights of the ward dimmed already for the night shift, “Good night pumpkin and sweet dreams.” he said gently, “See you in the morning big guy.” he hung up as he stepped past the nursing station. “Have a good night Dr. Sanford.” came the chorus from the nurses as he waved good night to the staff. The upscale Hanover townhouse seemed the perfect suburban domicile of a young family. If the recycling seemed to clink a bit more on recycling day they must have had a dinner party, if things got loud being a day trader in midtown was stressful, sure his pretty young wife seemed a bit accident prone, but it really wasn’t their business after all, and the lawn was well kept, not like they were renters. Ellis stared at the home for a long time lurking across the street in a manner that would have been deeply suspicious if he wasn’t handsome, well dressed, and the correct color. Finally crossing the street he was resolved to his course however, it might not have been purely in his mandate, but then again it really ought be in everyone's. The hour was late, John Miller was already passed out on the couch when the Sandman flowed into the livingroom rising from the threads of sand that had worked around the doorway. It took only a small flexing of his power and the tendrils of glowing dream sand gave Ms. Miller and their son the rest they so richly deserved for at least a night. It was a good thing as well, it was no easy task waking the so called father from his drunken slumber, if it hadn’t woken them the angry ranting from the still inebriated alcoholic would have. In another neighborhood the neighbors might have called about the noise of course. But Sandman wouldn’t have been here if these were the kinds of neighbors that would risk a call to police that might lower property values. First came the anger, the righteous outrage, this was HIS house after all, then the cocky mockery, what was a hero going to do to him? His wife and kid knew better than to talk to the police, he’d be back in hours and make them pay for telling the ‘spandex squad’. That didn’t last long. No. There was a kind of insight that came of work with dream and nightmare, Sandman knew exactly where to press to bring the man's fears to life. Then again that would be almost too easy, no, this required a poetic touch. “You’ll leave in the morning, they’ll not see you again except as the name on a very regular check.” the dream guardian rumbled voice echoing with otherworldly power, “You were supposed to be his Father.” It took only a touch to the forehead and John Miller fell back on the couch once more to spend his night reliving every nightmare he’d inflicted upon his son, he’d spend many nights that way before he got through them all.

Patriarch Ace Danger The young scion stared up almost in wonder at the elder Danger with bright eyes almost too blue beneath tousled blond locks. “You said you’d tell us about the war after the other grown ups were done.” the younger insisted with a stubborn set of his jaw that spoke not but trouble for the boy's future. The older Danger shook his head, “Now now, patience.” he mock scolded with a trademark grin that took any bite from the words as he led the child and his friend followed him into the garden. Settling on a stone bench worn with age he swept his arm over his diminutive audience calling for them to sit caring no more for the grass stains then the children did. “Hmm about the War you say?” he asked with a cocky smirk that had broken more than a few hearts in it’s day. With a shake of his head the elder Danger made clear their needling wasn’t going to loose his silver tongue on those tales this day. “War isn’t for young ears.” he confided gently as he patted his leg thoughtfully. “Hmmm no, I think we can do better than that.” Among children and the grown alike the Danger penchant for a tall tale well told was well known, and he’d not disappoint his audience this afternoon any more than he would have the grown crowds he’d spoken before earlier. “No no, children need stories of adventure,” he stated resolutely despite a few disappointed sighs, “No I think today is a day to celebrate life not death.” He let loose a grin, “Unless you don’t want to hear about the time we helped retrieve the Heart of the Congo?” He looked over his fidgety audience as they bounced eagerly to hear of the famed adventurers career and exploits abroad. “We’d flown in at the request of an old friend of mine, the life had gone out of their fields” he began slowly, “Bringing in the plane on that tiny dirt runway was an adventure itself, but perhaps for another day.” he elicited a few rolled eyes at the teasing. Looking down at the children around him he smiled wide, “As I was saying, the life was gone from their fields and they had little to eat.” He ran his hand over the twining vine as he spoke, “the government and the university claimed it was a drought, and played out soil.” he shook his head ruefully, “But the villagers knew better, the Living Heart had been taken by some so called archaeologist, for study of course.” He swept his hands up in mockery, “The betterment of all civilized man!” he exclaimed in an over the top british accent. “Ah Mr. Danger Sir?” Came the polite if ill timed interruption, “If the children are bothering you…” he trailed off uncertainly as the storyteller frowned, “On this of all days I think we could all use a reminder of youth.” he corrected firmly and waved the meddling adult off. “Now where was I? Ah yes the living heart…” *** “Uncle Ace!” the younger Danger exclaimed excitedly, “You said you’d tell us about the Invasion!” the child's father quickly approached, “Sorry Mr. Danger I’m sure today of all days you-” he was cut off by a wave of the immortals youthfull hand, “I think today we could all use a reminder of youth.” he smirked and led the children toward the garden, “Have I ever told you about the Jungle Patrol retrieving the Heart of the Congo?” echoed back as they vanished behind the hedge.

"Well I assure you Cathy missed you enough to make up for the rest of the school." Huang suggested with a laugh and a grin, "And you should note the restraint in me not pointing out any of the myriad innuendos I could draw from you wanting me restrained." he shrugged slightly as he leaned against the edge of the closet with some care. He was pensive a moment, "Well I suppose that's one way to put it." he agreed finally. Despite his normally gregarious persona he was still a bit delicate on the subject of his parentage. "I mean not so much influence as blood so to speak." he explained with a wry smirk at the turn of phrase. "Really I had it easy compared to the full creature of the night crowd." he admitted cagily, "I mean I didn't spend months locked in a room till I could learn to behave." he looked sidelong to Fred with a questioning expression, "What I'm saying is there are folks worse off and folks less worse off and that doesn't really matter." he finally elucidated, "None of that changes how you feel or what you think you need to do." he looks to the hall for a long moment, "But I think we can say something about you not having to do it alone." he pointed out, "And before you start taking yourself too seriously." Huang paused as he fished in a pocket for a long moment before triumphantly pulling out the CD of the Jekyll and Hyde musical with the all star cast of David Hasselhoff among other 'lesser' luminaries. The dhampir let out a sigh, "They're not good with modern tech but I'll pick it up on iTunes or something." he shrugs and sets the Cd on Freds bed, "Till then the songs are actually not half bad."

Huang stared down the hall doing his best impression of a Judd Nelson rebellious wall slouch as Cathy and Phae bounced in and out of the room with their assorted comforts verbal and icy treat alike. "Looks like we're up." the dhampir confided to Matt as he pushed himself off the wall and began the slow amble down the hall to Freds room, "Fair warning though," he offered with a grin, "I'm bringing the 'A' game." he explained holding up a copy of 'Sweeny Todd' with a cocky grin that faded to a frown at whatever blank looks he got before thrusting it back in his pocket digging up to his elbow as he murmured a string of curses in cantonese, "No with the Hoff you degenerates." he scolded whatever entity was seeking out the item on his behalf. He rounded the corner with a quick smile, "Heeey Fred!" he greeted with a toothy smile, "It may surprise you to learn I have not always been the dapper and collected man you see now." he confided with a sage nod and sighed as he let a portion of the artifice that he maintained fall away. He shrugged, "Lets just say you're not the only one who has had to take a time out now and again to keep the baser urges at bay." what Huang considered a baser urge of course was questionable given his usual behavior.

Trap-Door Spider-Man Power Level: 10 (150/150PP) Unspent Power Points: 0 Trade-Offs: ±0 Attack / ±0 Damage, +5 Defense / -5 Toughness In Brief: Like Spider-man but more on the level of the streets ... Catchphrase: Just your friendly Neighborhood Trap-Door Spider-man Theme: Trap-Door Spider-man, Trap-Door Spider-man, Does whatever a, Trap-Door Spider can, Digs a hole, In the Ground, Sits and waits, For you to fall in, Lookout out, Over there, Its the Trap-Door Spider-man Abilities: 20 + 20 + 10 + 0 + 10 - 2 = 58PP Strength: 30 (+10) Dexterity: 30 (+10) Constitution: 20 (+5) Intelligence: 10 (+0) Wisdom: 20 (+5) Charisma: 8 (-2) Combat: 8 + 10 = 18PP Initiative: +22 (+10 Dex. +12 Improved Init) Attack: +10 Melee, +4 Ranged Defense: +15 (+5 Base, +10 Dodge Focus), +2 Flat-Footed Grapple: +29 Knockback: -0 Saving Throws: 0 + 0 + 0 = 0PP Toughness: +5 (+5 Con) Fortitude: +5 (+5 Con, +0) Reflex: +10 (+10 Dex, +0) Will: +5 (+50 Wis, +0) Skills: 40R = 10PP Craft(Structural) 10 (+10) Knowledge: Tactics 5 (+5) Notice 5 (+10) Profession() 5 (+10) Stealth 15 (+20) Feats: 22PP Attack Focus(melee) 6 Dodge Focus 10 Grappling Finesse Hide In Plain Sight Improved Grapple Luck 2 Seize Initiative Powers: 3 + 4 + 3 + 20 + 12 = 42PP Additional Limbs 3 (Arm-rachnid; Four extra arms;) [3PP] (Mutation) Burrowing 3 (Digger!; Feats: Subtle) [4PP] (Mutation) Enhanced Feats 3 (Ambush; Improved Initiative 3, ) [3PP] (Mutation) Snare 10 (Webs; Extras: Engulf +0) [20PP] (Mutation) Super Strength 6 (Spidey Strength) [12PP] (Mutation) Drawbacks: (-0) + (-0) = -0PP DC Block ATTACK RANGE SAVE EFFECT Unarmed Touch DC 25 Toughness Damage Snare Touch DC 25 Reflex Snare Totals: Abilities (58) + Combat (18) + Saving Throws (0) + Skills (10) + Feats (22) + Powers (42) - Drawbacks (0) = 150/150 Power Points Mutant Spider (Or Ant-Lion?) totem, with too many limbs and a tendency to ambush criminals from hidden hidey holes quickly immobilizing them in a grapple or with webbing! Functions at to slightly below street level. Concept credit to an old friends high school gaming group.

Ok, DC 30 computers check to jam their coms. DC 25 disable device to put the delay on the alarm system. And a stealth check from Lou if he follows Xaviers plan. Xaviers Master Plan is in Effect so a +3 to all skill checks and attack rolls.

"Or multiple someones." Xavier intoned flatly across the encrypted earpieces as he zoomed in on the exposed wrist of one guard. "Wolfram has a strict dress code." he explained as he confirmed his suspicions. "And these extra guards all have tattoos in violation of that regulation." He shook his head as he did a headcount on the guards to corroborate Alice's supposition. "From what's exposed at the wrist, full sleeve in at least three cases." the PI sighed as the possibilities and probabilities spun through his mind. "There is another player in motion." he finished his count and shook his head, "They're on the move, they won't follow the normal patrol route, probably targeting your area." he warned as his mind rolled the problem like hte tumblers of a lock, "Alice, We'll need a delay on the alarm put in place." he ordered succinctly, "Then to your fallback at the north vent shaft." He was already on his feet the timing was already too close. "Sophia we need to jam their coms. Lou fade to the hallway, use Sophia as bait."

Right so it's probably not up to code but this door looks like the only way in or out of the Special collections area. If the guards come by off schedule Lou and Sophia will be pretty much boxed in. Also of course it has some ambush potential, for you or for them.

Flashing just a hint of fang as he smiled in reply Huang shook his head slightly, "A wise man knows to take plans only so far when a creature of such spontaneity is involved." he acknowledged breath hitching slightly at the touch to his ankle. "But I did want to ensure we got off to the right foot." he grinned at his own turn of phrase. "But I envisioned my efforts would not go unrewarded." he agreed with a small laugh as he pressed his calf into Sets questing foot. "But I must say I like where this is go-" he was cut off as the appetizer and drinks arrived. After assuring the perhaps overly attentive waiter everything was quite in order but they would take another moment to decide on entrees he looked back to Set, "So where were we?"

Alright Alice will notice that the number of guards is higher than their reported allotment by at least four possibly as many as six. Having Wolfram donate security is odd enough donating EXTRA security without record of it is a red flag.

Ok pushed things forward to mid heist just before things start to go wrong Need a notice check from Alice and Xavier. Need a DC 30 disable device check from Sophia for the keypad lock on main door to the rare collections. Xavier notice is 27

Xavier briefly met each of their eyes as the skilled group of thieves each quickly planned and discarded how they would alone enter such a surprisingly secure location. Despite their not insignificant skills no one of them would be able to get in and out alone. A bare hint of a smile touched the stately PIs features as the puzzle began to whir in their collective minds, "And here's how we get in." He began. *** To even a good thief the free climb descent through the duct-works of the aging library would have been near impossible. Luckily Alice was not merely a good thief, she was the best. As she dropped silently into the former supply closest that now housed the central security systems hardwired feeds her earbud fed Xaviers voice to the team, "We're on the clock." he announced his terminal sparking to life with the live feeds she patched through and she cut the alarm. The systems checks would uncover the break in time but if all went to plan they would be long gone by then. "You're clear for entry." he informed Sophia and Lou as the door they waited at flashed the green pass code at a wave from the hackers phone. Between guard patrols they made their way into the basement of the Library and approached the secure rare collections.

Savants Master plan check is 27 That's a +3 when triggered.

"You think?" the Dhampir questioned Cathy with a small shrug. "I mean I Robly was a thing for at least a week before even they noticed." He pointed out with a nod to Riley and the newly arrived Robin though he nodded thoughtfully at Robins less offensive phrasing of 'Total nerd' and 'bathroom hooch'. "I could go loo-" he half volunteered before his excellent excuse to skip out on the rest of his classes arrived in the form of Matt and his chagrined psychopomp. "Locked?" Huang said with a shake of his head. "That is not the kind of thing to do solo." he sighed, "I mean if you can let yourself out it kinda defeats the point," he noted quietly, "And if you can't well-" Taking in the stares of his fellows he stopped short, "Right shutting up now, how terrible she thinks she needs to do that?" he asked honestly trying to read what an appropriate response might be though given his mannerisms probably sounded more like sarcasm. "Oh captain my captain." Huang replied to robins instructions with a snappy salute. "Wouldn't want her getting the wrong idea sending in huggers." he agreed with a smile to Cathy. "So where's she hiding out?" he asked, "Not the basement right?" he paused, "Cus, Yea not the place for people with a temper..."

Ouroboros: Fragile 5 posts Death Cab For Cutie 1 post June/July Vignette - Patrimony Savant: Knock On The Door Job 3 posts Ace Danger: June/July Vignette - Patrimony Sandman: From Beneath You it Devours: Everyone Hates a Prequel 1 post June/July vignette - Patrimony

Approaching with characteristic if unintentional silence Huang made sure to pass Rileys sightlines before speaking. Surprising the jumpy one with a hair trigger stake thrower wasn't the smart move he'd learned early on after all. "Buenos dios mi compadres." He greeted easily because mangled spanish was certainly how one prove oneself to be cool and worldly right? It always seemed to work in the movies at least. "Fred?" he asked raising a brow, "Missing class?" the dhampir frowned slightly, "Uncharacteristically cool. Maybe she met someone." he offered with a shrug and a toothy grin at Cathy who's perfect attendance he suspected was only marred by the direct intervention of the resident unholy power. Looking down at Riley he added questioningly, "Unless there is a new batch of custom hooch brewing?"

So how do you imagine the "Liberty" and "Justice" entities relating to the "Spirit of Liberty" that empowers Lady Liberty?

Ace hid his discomfort with Talyas forthright vulnerability and Erics clear avoidance of the topic behind a facade of false affront at Dimitris commentary, "Hey I resemble that remark." he retorted with a smile. "You my dear are a treasure." he complimented Min with an easy grin as he scooped up a cracker and dollop of brie, "Love a good brie." "And I will note." he pointed out to Eric, "That depends entirely on the corner stores you frequent." He nodded sagely. "I was travelling through this market in Marrakesh in the early days of the war and this hawker caught my attention." he explained bombastically, "Philtres, Salves, and Imbrications of all sorts arrayed on this delightful late ottoman rug." the ageless adventurer continued building up a head of steam in yet another tall tale in the origin of his own famed lifespan. He glanced to Talya and paused, "Well perhaps that is a tale for another time." he shrugged, "Suffice to say I left a changed man."