angrydurf

The Danger Mobile is not actually self driving (Yet!) but if I can use his VP to get an experimental module to get his wheels on scene or I can burn an HP for it or Edit if it's an issue.

Ace nodded agreement with Adepts question almost absent mindedly as he continued to stare at the map trying to place what wasn't matching up in his mind, "Altitude." he finally announced as if to an unasked question and looked up at the retreating form of Argonaut then back to Adept, "Flight numbers and altitudes." he surmised, "which means she's tracking exactly where all the planes are over DC." he noted this wasn't an attack on an isolated plane or two. With proper planning and execution of her powers over the area she just might be able to bring all the air travel down. "Have they shut down the airports yet? Waved off incoming flights to their secondaries?" The aged adventurer shook his head as he tried to fit the final pieces of the puzzle, "What do you want from this?" he pondered. This was an idealistic if crazed villain, this attack therefore had a goal, that goal could of course be chaos but that was easily enough attained with such weather bending powers, there had to be something they were missing. With a sigh he returned the map to Adepts care and checked his watch, "Back up Argonaut, I'll Pick up Cannonade and we'll meet up at the end of the trail." he suggested as he glanced over the edge of the building as the Danger Mobile swung around the corner and idled to a stop below.

Savant Power Level: 8/12 (180/180PP) Unspent Power Points: 0 Trade-Offs: ±13 Attack / ±3 Damage, ±12 Defense / ±4 Toughness In Brief: Memetically enhanced genius atoning for the wrongs done while controlled by Labyrinth Catchphrase: Theme: Redemption Song Alternate Identity: Xavier Steadman, Subject 24005 Birthplace: Unknown Residence: Bedlam City Base of Operations: Bedlam City Occupation: Private Eye Affiliations: The Fix Family: Unknown Description: Age: 45 (DoB: 1971) Apparent Age: Also 45 Gender: Male Ethnicity: African American Height: 6'2" Weight: 210 Eyes: Grey Hair: Black Xavier is a dark skinned, broad shouldered man of middle years, Dark grey eyes peer out from a heavy brow with an intensity bordering on unsettling. He keeps his hair closely shorn in a no nonsense easily maintained style. He normally dresses in a dark grey woolen suit though varies his outfit as needed for a job. When disguising his identity he opts for a heavy indigo scarf and dark grey fedora in the style of mystery men of old, though this is less sentimentality than pragmatism, even in disguise being able to bled into a crowd is just sound survival policy in Bedlam. History: His history is largely a blank slate. Until his escape in his early thirties Xavier was under lock and key in a Labyrinth run facility as part of 'Project Savant' an attempt to unlock the mind's potential through intensive hypnosis and memetic training. He was a rare success, most minds buckled under the strain of the deep hypnotic states and the assault of the memetic learning programs, the results were varied some crippled, some catatonic or driven to psychotic breaks. Subject 24005 as he was labeled also began the process earlier than most, he was taken or given up by his parents shortly after birth and even his enhanced recall techniques can not summon a memory a time before hte project. By the time he was twelve he had outstripped most of his tutors and phase two began. Rather than focusing his capabilities toward any specific goal he was brought in to troubleshoot problematic research or operations for the organization. His ability to rapidly bring himself up to speed on any given subject and bring in disparate knowledge made leaps in both technologies but more often methodologies. Initial projects were presented as further tests and puzzles though the change in faces and the time pressure did not go unnoticed by the young Savant. Nor did he miss the clear discomfort and sometimes hostility his suggestions were met with by older experts. By adulthood he realized his simulations and tests were all too real and that his choices would impact real people though his conditioning kept him from outright rebellion he began to quietly plot and plan a way out. It took him nearly ten years to work his way free of the memnetic controls. More time still of active effort to plot an escape, he knew he'd get but one chance. Once they realized his programming was compromised he'd be a liability. He made his escape though not as efficiently as he'd have hoped, they'd be looking for him in the likely refuges and it was uncertain his efforts at reform would be met with anything but scepticism by the heroes of hte world. Subject 24005 took the name Xavier Steadman, and made for the one place he knew they'd not suspect him to go after all, no one came to Bedlam voluntarily. But in this wretched hive he could vanish and work at erasing his trail, and maybe begin to atone for the wrongs he'd been part of. In Bedlam a false identity was easily enough crafted, a disgraced investigator, working PI jobs for his meager wages snapping shots of cheating spouses and fraudulent insurance claims. A small fish in a small pool, unremarkable but for a stalwart refusal to do the gangs or mobs dirty work. A clean PI trying to make due, slowly earning a reputation as one of the rare good guys in Wolverton. Not someone to make waves but someone of integrity and a distant cold kindness. Personality & Motivation: Xavier is driven by shame and fear. Not of death or pain, such things can be managed and are perhaps what he deserves in the end, but he fears the shackles of hte mind returning and putting his brilliance once more to used for nefarious ends. He fears being weaponized again, turned to his former master's greater plans. Yet beyond that fear and shame is a desire to try and make right in some small way what his genius had put wrong. His actions are subtle and long term, a file mailed anonymously, a tip on a fraudulent lien. He wants to do more, but lacks the resources to take on his former masters on their terms so he works at the edges growing cracks and fissures, weakening, wearing them down. If his memetic enhancements hold through old age he might just survive to see some of his work bear fruit. Powers & Tactics: Savant has little in the way of flashy powers, he'd not even consider himself 'Super' though he knows his enhancements put his intellect in a frame rivaled by only a handful. He is an efficient and tactical fighter using terrain and situation awareness to his advantage to strike exactly where he needs to when he needs to. To ruthlessly exploit any weakness he uncovers and to always have a backup to his backups. He prefers to avoid confrontation but when unavoidable he'll strike fast and sure with his collapsible baton or fists to end the fight as quickly and quietly as possible. He understands the power of guns but refuses to rely on such means, they are usually more liability than benefit with the work he does. Power Descriptions: Savant has no obvious powers, his abilities are in the planning and execution of the plan, and always being ready with another, always seeking a weakness to exploit. Complications: The Good: Xavier is trying to make right the wrongs he was part of while under labyrinth control. He head is full of memories of the wrongs done and aspects coudl pop up and drive him to go further than is wise on a job. The Bad: Labyrinth wants him back or possibly just eliminated. Taurus hates loose ends. The Ugly: Xavier is a black man in Bedlam trying to to the right thing, the Mobs and Cops will target him for 'stepping out of place' and the Wolverton gangs will see him as potential threat to their power. Man with No Name: Xavier Steadman is a fabrication, there may be records of the infant that became subject 24005 somewhere in some dusty city hall waiting to be digitized but for all intents and purposes Savant has no Official past. Abilities: 6 + 0 + 8 + 20 + 10 + 0 = 44PP Strength: 16 (+3) Dexterity: 10 (+0) Constitution: 18 (+4) Intelligence: 30 (+10) Wisdom: 20 (+5) Charisma: 10 (+0) Combat: 22 + 24 = 46PP Initiative: +10 Attack: +13 Unarmed, +11 Base Defense: +12 (+12 Base, +0 Dodge Focus), +6 Flat-Footed Grapple: +14 Knockback: -2 Saving Throws: 4 + 5 + 5 = 14PP Toughness: +4 (+4 Con) Fortitude: +8 (+4 Con, +4) Reflex: +8 (+3 Dex, +5) Will: +10 (+5 Wis, +5) Skills: 68R = 17PP Bluff 4 (+4) Diplomacy 4 (+4) Gather Information 10 (+10) Investigate 10 (+20) Knowledge: Tactics 10 (+20) Notice 10 (+15) Search 10 (+20) Sense Motive 10 (+15) Feats: 13PP Ambidextrous Attack Specialization: Unarmed 1 Beginners Luck Eidetic Memory Equipment 1 Improvised Tools Jack-Of-All-Trades Luck 2 (4 Total) Master Plan 2 Skill Mastery (Investigate, Knowledge: Tactics, Search, Sense Motive) Speed of Thought Equipment: 1PP = 5EP Club (Subtle) 5 Powers: 9 + 15 + 17 + 5 = 46PP Comprehend 4 (Polyglot; Codes, Language: Understand, Language: Speak One at a Time, Language: Read; Power Feats: Innate) [9PP] (Savantry) Luck Control 4 (Plan M; Spend HP for others, Grant HP to others, Negate Fiat, Force Reroll; Power Feats: Innate, Luck 2) [15PP] (Savantry) Probability Control 4 (Polymath; Power Feats: Innate) [17PP] (Savantry) Device 1(Earbud; Flaws: Hard to Lose, Power Feats: Subtle) [5PP] Communication Link 4(Other Earbuds; Radio; Power Feats: Subtle) [5PP] Drawbacks: (-0) + (-0) = -0PP DC Block ATTACK RANGE SAVE EFFECT Unarmed Touch DC 18 Toughness Damage Collapsable Club Touch DC 20 Toughness Damage Totals: Abilities (44) + Combat (46) + Saving Throws (14) + Skills (17) + Feats (13) + Powers (46) - Drawbacks (0) = 180/180 Power Points

Confronted with the door and the fellow costumed adventurer on the other side Sandman pursed his lips, it would be a simple matter to bypass the door through the dreamlands as he had previous ones but in all likelyhood the man on the other side had a reason to be traveling in this direction. The doors sealed for both security and quarantine however this was no normal outbreak there was more to this than medicine knew that much was clear. Steeling himself the dream guardian summoned the Sands of Slumber to duty once more, the fine grains working themselves into the crevices and gripping the door tightly before with a gesture he flung them open and regarded the green clad hero inquisitively, "Something has gone terribly wrong here, some force is spreading disease at impossible rates and summoning foul parasites, possibly to spread them further." he intoned ominously a flicker of a frown crossing his face as he not for hte first time thought he was spending too much time under Phantom tutelage. "We need to find whatever is responsible and put a stop to it." he couldn't offer much more unfortunately but he hoped the other hero had another piece of this puzzle.

GM Across the room the guardsmen finished off the last of the invading rebels and began to withdraw to the approaching sounds of reinforcements. Time it would seem ran short now. Eriks head pounded as a wave of necrotic power washed over hte castle the mistress had been alerted to her prize's attempts to escape and she gathered the dark powers of this place to herself like royal raiments a swirling mass of death incarnate Erik could feel grow ever closer through his strained metamagi sense. The not!Avenger tilted his head at Aces last words as if considering then in a surge of speed snatched the box from Aces grasp. Holding it aloft the vampire laughed a haunting echo of mirth, "But if I have the heart what need I of you?" he intoned darkly. "With this I could command all of them." he growled in triumph as he looked down to examine the contents and howl in outrage, "What is the meaning of this!" he bellowed as he flung hte week old baklava to the floor and the cask atop it, "You think this some game!" he loomed threateningly over Ace who had delicately manuvered the vampire exactly where he wanted him.

Ace Ace glanced over the Vampires shoulder to where Jack of All Blades handly dispatched the last of his foes, "Nothing more than a place of honor at your side." Ace answered with a too easy smile, "You could rally this realm to your cause I am almost unknown, I need you." He seemed to admit as he pulled the box back teasingly. Of course this Jack Farretti had no need of him, as was the plan all along. The silk tongued immortal continued his ploy keeping attention on himself as the other battles drew to a close. The vampire prince none the wiser still that he was being set up, Ace maneuvered himself to keep the undead creatures attention firmly focused weaving the box as if afraid it might be snatched away his only leverage against the vampires. "So do we have a deal?" Ace finally asked as he came to a stop box clutched protectively to his chest.

Ok for Aces round he's gonna feint and set up for JoAB. The guards will finally get the upper hand against the rebels and the surviving five will regroup by the door eyeing Jack uncertainly. Not!Avenger will Grab the box from Ace Disarm roll: 12d20+20=37 And he does! No rebels remain it sounds like more guards are coming and JoAB can sense the oncoming storm of the ruler of hte realm heading this way though his metamagi senses.

Nodding along Kimo smiled at the observation, "Yea it seem like." he agreed and raised a brow, "So you got people help with all that too?" he asked carefully not sure what he could offer other than an ear to listen and an impressive collection of gilbert and sullivan on DVD. "I no imagine that." he shook his head, "Well you may be gone long time but you still ohana Auntie don't forget yea?" he settled on with a smile not prying further. He struggled not to smile at her question as to her sister as she was obviously upset at the prospect, "No no." he spoke up quickly, "Laka around still, she say she not gonna die till one'a us get her poi recipe right." he wrinkled his nose for all her wonderful skills in the kitchen Granny Lakas poi was not on the top of his list.

Reaching out Phalanx ran his fingers over the wall and let out a short sad sigh before turning to face infamy, "Then we'll have died trying." he said plainly and looked down remorsefully on the ancient agent of corruption. "And that matters to me." he shook his head, "I'm so sorry." he intoned quietly voice full of honest pity, "You can't even begin to understand us can you?" Phalanx met Infamy's eyes, "Trying matters." As the fog lifted from his mind and Phalanx found himself among the the heroes once more he nodded slowly, "I'm sure you will be equal the task." the tall paragon replied with a confident smile, "August Roman has bargained for great power but even now he has limits. We can stop him." His piece said Phalanx peered through the door trying to make out the scene beyond.

"See dat what all my Aunties say." Kimo agreed with a hearty laugh. "I dunno, never found out what I got going on but it didn't come up like what you do." he offered shrugging as he polished off hte last of his food and eyed the fries on her plate. "I put in a good word for you they love me down there." he replied confidently, "Also always like more pretty girls on the beach." he teased with a laugh and paused as a thought occurred, "You get all set with like ID and all that?" He paused carefully before adding, "I mean Laka or someoen might have some old papers if you need dem." he suggested and shrugged, "But you got Freedom League contacts so probably not so much yea?"

"Crazy haoles don eat nothin from animals, no meat, no cheese, no eggs, nothin." Kimo explained with a shrug, "Might be able get you work where I work you still strong swimmer?" he offered and suggested at once. Taking a long drink of his shake he shook his head, "Nah not da' kind." Kimo waved off here query, "Mostly just the water." he said somewhat humbly, "Strong too." the big hawaiian added as an afterthought. He paused thoughtfully and shrugged, "I the only one I ever hear of but granma Laka she say we have blood of the old Kahunas yea?" Kimo offered with a shrug, "League probably know more bout it than me though if htey been checking you out an all."

"Hey not bad." Kimo congratulated, "I got a roommate that was a vegan, you ever smell microwave vegan food?" the big man shuddered then glanced up at his great aunt and shrugged, "Probably not yea? S'ok for da best." He suggested with a grin as he polished off the first burger and sunk into the next with equal enthusiasm. Setting the burger down after few bites hi lifted his water cup with a wide smile, "Auntie, I bring da surf where I go no way I be in Freedom oddahwise" he explained and with a little twirl of his finger set the surface rolling in perfect miniature breaks.

So to clarify as my lovely wife has made clear I wasn't so much. I don't have any major objection to loosening some of our content guidelines here. I think it's the wrong direction to go to make a 'Rated R' subsection or what not but if this stuff opens discussion on looking at overall guidelines for the site there is certainly room for that. As for Bedlam in particular my concern is that opening content based on including the darker and grittier city like this might just tend toward more of hte old ultra-violence while still being borderline puritanical about the romance/sexual situations end of things. There are probably more legal concerns about the sexual situations though because lots of laws get passed "Fer teh Children!' without a lot of thought put into them. That said if we can't handle having Doc Metropolis' glowy blue dong on site we should probably shy away from rorschach deep fat frying a thugs face too.

Kimo laughed with a shake of his head, "You still my grans older sistah, brah." he pointed out and sunk down at a table with their food on a tray. "You not ready you just say that," He suggested with a shrug clearly not understanding why she'd be hesitant to introduce herself to a family of which only the most elderly had known here enough to mourn her absence. "But I tell you wha, you lolo you think they don't want to see you." He seemed to leave it at that for the moment however. "Forward sound awful lonely tho." He dug into his burgers with gusto and took a long drink of the shake to wash down the massive bite. "So where they got you stayin?" he asked more casually, "An I ain't gonna boddah you with any more da' kine." he acknowledged, "Maybe we get you a board and find some waves." he shot her a wink at the last as one thing Kim never struggled to find even in Freedom was worthwhile surf.

GM The gregarious fencers challenge was answered, his words drawing the assembled guardsmen to charge him with fervor if not great skill. The clumsy blows rained down around him but Jack of All Blades handily avoided them. Meanwhile the battle between the guards and rebels continued, the guardsmen slowly gaining the upper hand, the Rebels continued to fight valiantly but with their leader distracted from the fray they would not last long. The guardsmen's numbers dwindled as well though more slowly discounting the waste laid to the livriend enforcers by Freedoms own scintillating swordsman. In The distance the sound of the alarm being truly raised rang through the halls, it would not be long now before more guards or worse the realms dread mistress arrived. Despite the tolling of the alarms Avenger remained fixated on the artifact of supposed power that Ace held out. "Hand it over and perhaps we can deal." he finally growled as he crossed the room in a blur of vampiric speed to loom over Ace. "What do you want for your part in this then?" the vampire prince grudgingly inquired.

Ace Maintaining his front as a co-conspirator Ace flashed an easy smile, "The keys to the kingdom, the tools of binding upon her most loyal thralls, the hearts and souls of her vanquished foes, the fell artifacts she draws upon to command the realm." ace encouraged exuberantly, "There isn't much time surely they'll be rousting her from her meditations we must be prepared to strike!" the Danger scion hammed it up in the style of the old school villainy, perhaps a bit overmuch but he seemed to still have the Vampire on the line for the moment. With a flourish he produced a small gilt box, "And of course there is this," Ace revealed as he tapped it thoughtfully, "Surely this catches you eye, you do remember don't you?" he intoned with care, "The heart of Dracula preserved and secured." Ace smiled, "The keys to the kingdom indeed, the lives of all of Draculs brood in our hands." Ace laughed maniacally as he held out the ornate chest. Of course those familiar with 'Ace Danger and Pandoras Box' would easily recognize the prop for what it was. Very pretty but mostly made of pop up card stock.

Ace will continue to distract the Faux-venger as his standard action and will use his move to ensure he's between the roaming guard on rebel fight and Talya/Dimitri. The ever so bright guards will try to bum rush Jack of All Blades three use Aid for the fourth 21, 9, 9 One succeeds... Fourths attack roll is a 25, so a miss, that Taunt pays off! Alright now bombshell and Dimitri are up if you all want another IC round otherwise Giz can clean up the last few guardsmen not fighting rebels

That'll drop the six around you and leave the other 4 shaken

I don't think adding a Rated R section is really a great idea, Bedlam can be a crappy place that doesn't mean the stories and characters there need to wallow in it. Racism is a touchy issue for many certainly but I think it's more of a matter of presentation than inclusion really. Keeping it as a backdrop to one of many things wrong with the city probably better than just pretending that it isn't an issue but maybe keep the worst of it offscreen. Don't ignore it but try to avoid triggering content. Rape/molestation is pretty much not able to be presented without being triggering so avoiding it in general I think is probably good. Also I feel the rape as backstory stuff is pretty weak storytelling to start with.

Phalanx 3 = 1PP ToV: The Angel Of Death (3) Ace Danger 6 + 2 + 7(GM) = 15 = 2PP Exes and Ohs (6) [ToV] The Ice Storm (2) Ouroboros 1(GM) = 1PP Sandman 1 = 1PP ToV: Vanity (1) Kanunu 5 + 4 + 5 + 1(GM) = 15 = 2PP Children of the Land (5) Lateral Ascension (4) Down the Unfamiliar Road (5) Savant 1(GM) = 1PP + 1(rep) + 1(20Q) + 2(Questionnaire) = 5PP Reputation Table 1PP Twenty Questions 1PP The Questionnaire 2PP GM Posts 4+1=5 * 2 = 10; 7 to Ace, 1 to Ouroboros, 1 to Kanunu, 1 to Savant Exes and Ohs (4) Lost in the Supermarket (1)

well as mentioned it wouldn't be replacing one of those metropolis's it would be the wretched Hive down the interstate. So one could certainly be from teh Twin cities and just know Bedlam as that set of exits you don't pull off on to get gas.

Ouroboros “Uuuhhhhg.” Huang groaned as he looked dawn at the pile of dishes that were his assigned duty for the evening. “I am so sick of this Mr. Miyagi Bullshit.” he growled into a pot as he began scrubbing and tapped into the power of his vampiric nature his hands moving with greater swiftness as he sped through the cleaning process at a blur. Taking a step back as he smugly finished the hours of work in minutes he nearly stumbled over a pile of soiled pots, pans and bowls the monks had freshly delivered. “No, no no no no no.” he intoned shaking his head, “That is just not possible.” he turned again at the sharp bark of laughter from his ‘teacher’ in the arts arcane. “Very funny.” he growled eyes flashing red then fading as he forced down his urge to hard counter the monks mockery of his efforts and prove his superiority. “So some kind of test of patience? Do it the slow dumb way to prove I’ll jump through your hoops?” he yelled as the monk turned and walked away. Kicking a pot hard enough to dent it and nearly break a toe Huang spat out a curse in old slovak that would peel paint from the walls of a less blessed place. “No training is worth this.” the teen sullenly complained as he glared death down on the accumulation of filthy crockery. “No power is worth even feigning bent knee to this kind of nonsense.” he raged and subsided slumping in a pile. Not that he could leave, not really, even the void here was warded to stop the uninitiated from coming or going. An incantation of a few words of power and spectral hands took up the task next only to once more be undone with yet more dirtied dishes. Summoned creations, entities of void, animate tools all fail before the test. Finally humbling himself before the task he’s been set he buckles down, perhaps the lessons are worth it in the end, perhaps this will satisfy the arbitrary needs of the Shamballa monks. Hours later he completes the task and turns to see yet another batch. “What have you learned?” asks the monk his affect flat. “That you’re a jerk?” Huang replies with scowl as he sets about the task once more complaining all the while. By the third or fourth batch he even fell into the mindfulness techniques his mother had taught him to deal with predatory urges in his childhood. And still the task was not satisfied. It seemed they must use some kind of magic to even soil so many bowls and pots. Exhausted the teen dhampir looks up from his task as the monk returns, “What have you learned?” he asks once more and Huang shakes his head, “I have no idea what you want to hear.” Huang replied finally, “and that’s the point isn’t it.” he finally admitted, “I need to learn and I am ready for you to teach me.” Huang reluctantly acknowledged as the monk motioned for him to follow. He wasn’t sure how long it had been in truth when he finally emerged from the valley on his wrist was a sigil of his initiation to those with the sight to see it. Hard won, and but a first step on a longer road to be sure.

Ace Danger April 1941, Southern Libya “But it’s a dry heat!” replied the Captain as his steward doled out the water ration and was met by laughter from the men as they hunkered in the slim shade of the crumbling fortress. Ace waved off the offered water where he lay with their local guide slowly practicing the careful wrap of the layers of the bedouins outfit. “Leftenant’s gone native sah!” barked one of the men to be met with another round of laughter from the commandos. The radioman emerged from the tent that mostly protected his equipment from the sand and blistering heat, “Nazi bastards laid siege to Tobruk.” he stammered looking uncertainly to their commander, there’d be no resupply from the allied lines. The Captain nodded smartly, “Jerry’s in for a rough spot, Those Aussie boys know a thing or two.” the stalwart englishman intoned with grin though turned and whispered to the steward as rations were cut back again. Miles of Axis held territory ahead and nothing but the endless dunes of the great sand sea behind the commandos were in for a wait. Ace sat beside the guide in the early morning the sun barely peeking over the horizon as they licked scant moisture from the stones they’d buried, “I think the heats getting to Lieutenant Danger Sir.” the steward remarked the parched captain merely nodded and checked casks once more with a shake of his head. The radioman emerged from his tent tattered now by the sandstorm that had ruined carelessly exposed stores the night before. “Not too long for the rest of us simmons.” the brusque officer confided slowly as the radioman shook his head, no response from HQ. “That damn bedouin’s deserted.” Bellowed the Captain in outrage through cracked lips. Ace slowly stood from where he lounged under the shade they’d built from the remains of the radioman's tent when the radio went out. Wrapped head to toe like the rest of his squad in whatever fabric they’d managed to scavenge he shook his head, “He went for help sir.” the american noted with a nod earning a baleful glare from his commanding officer. “We’ll see. Was the only grumbled reply as he looked at the half buried jeeps even with a guide they weren’t going anywhere regardless. Sun baked and no longer sweating the captain stared up at the sky and laughed maniacally, “Buzzards come to feast so soon!” he cackled as the bird circled overhead, “COME ON THEN GET IT WHILE IT'S HOT!” he bellowed and collapsed in the fine sand that covered everything now body still quaking with mad laughter as those of the men strong enough slowly rose to pull him back to the lee of the crumbling fortress. “Not today, Captain.” Ace replied slowly as he looked up, “That is a falcon not a buzzard.” pulling the field glasses from the Captains kit as the sun mad commander was shuffled off he peered out into the dunes of that nigh impassible sea of sand and stone and smiled, “Boys our ship has come in.” on the horizon the distinct humps of the ‘ships of the desert’ stood in silhouette against the setting sun.

Phalanx In Freedom Mike felt perpetually oversize and clumsy, worried that a stray shoulder or stumble would break something or worse hurt someone as he made his way through the busy sidewalks and malls. He realized now how good he’d had it. In Freedom there were occasionally those as tall or broad of shoulder as himself, sometimes even taller, but here in Tokyo it was as if he was in truth the giant marauder he always worried he’d be. This wasn’t helped by the looks of bewilderment to alarm, or autographs assuming he was one sport star or another. Everything seemed crowded and undersized while at the same time the streets seemed to be endless mazes of bright neon and concrete and narrow twisted alleys between immense skyscrapers. Not an inch of space was wasted in the city which of course meant there was little room for one accustomed to the sprawling suburbs and larger than life modernism of Freedom. After picking his way through the dense crowds of commuters Mike arrived at the International School and met with the headmaster for his orientation and class assignments. This was a great opportunity not only to further develop his knowledge as an educator and learn more about other educational systems but a chance to get out of the unique bubble of Freedom City. He was appreciative of both opportunities though after seeing the lodgings was grateful his gifts put Freedom City within commuting distance. The first day was not precisely what he’d expected from his visits to classrooms in Freedom, the student driven environment allowed for more one on one attention where needed while encouraging more independent learners to explore the lessons and materials in ways Mike would not have thought to explore with them on his own. His fellow teacher instructed primarily in Japanese while Mike presented in english the melding of language for instruction was tricky to match and he had doubts it would work in a more structured environment though it certainly seemed to pay dividends in the student's mastery of the languages. Of course the changes in curriculum and style were expected, in fact a significant part of the reason for the exchange program he was there under. The social landscape was more of a surprise. While the Japanese staff were generally reserved while at work the younger faculty were eager to take out and perhaps show off the JET teachers at their favorite watering holes. At first Mike demurred, even in the states the bar scene was not really his thing. On the other hand he was here to learn and that wasn’t necessarily confined to the classroom. The staff both local and foreign were open and gregarious trading stories of home and friends with a casual ease Mike envied. Education in a government lab had left him woefully unprepared for normal socialization and while he’d certainly grown at clairemont and after he found himself with little to say that didn’t involve his famously empowered finance, their eclectic band of friends with little beyond shared superheroics, or said heroics themselves. Sitting uncomfortably on the periphery as he usually did at these sorts of social events he tried to grasp the ease with which his fellows shared their interests and lives with so little exposure of anything too personal. He suppose the ease might have been down to the alcohol, at least in part, though that was a dead end for him. Regardless the conversations and ease with which the others interacted began before any imbibement at all. He found himself quietly nodding along politely but not engaging as was his custom. Before long he made his excuses about jet lag and took his leave to meander back to the apartment he was renting and from there a rapid fight back to Freedom for the night. These habits and withdrawn social schedule did not go unnoticed over time of course. Some speculated he had met a local girl, others attributed it to homesickness as he seemed withdrawn at Work when not interacting with the kids directly. The locals he noted seemed to find his lack of workplace banter almost comforting, though when they joined the others on nights out they too opened up. A change Mike took notice of and thought often on as he tried to figure out how to meld a less standoffish person without the need for active deception which he far from excelled at. He noted over time the difference in how he was treated at work as well as outside work. Not actively disliked of course but his own discomfort and withdrawn manner carried over to others interactions with him. He didn’t exactly mind, he was secure in his interpersonal life in freedom but he knew in a way that even in freedom he was an outsider, disconnected outside the few friendships he made in school or had foisted upon him by his gregarious fiance. He resolved to fix the problem and gently managed to broach the subject with his co-teacher under the guise of the balance of workplace professionalism and out of work socializing. His concerns about burdening others or going beyond the bounds of workplace social norms served well enough as a proxy for his needs to provide cover for his superheroic identity. Under the cover of the banal work social appropriate chit chat there was plenty of room to be social without being personally revealing. He slowly came out of his shell and stopped avoiding the after work or weekend social calls. He’d talk obliquely about Alex without name dropping, open up about how he’d spent the weekend without providing details, in truth being more open allowed him to call less attention to the oddities of his schedule and the workaday average hobbies he expressed didn’t attract additional attention while not appearing secretive. There was a sort of balance to maintaining a heroic and normal persona and as he built these new relationships he began to uncover it. Certainly the gentle elementary school teacher with amatuer interest in ballroom dance and gardening might have been a bit of a romance novel best friend of the romantic lead but it wasn’t any less truthful than saying nothing and certainly didn’t tie him back to Phalanx.

Looking incredulously down at Leilani a broad grin split Kimos face and he shook with a deep belly laugh at her reply, "Auntie you take a knock on tha head when you crash?" he inquired sarcastically, "You think ohana give up that easy?" He held the door for her with a quiet smile still dancing on his features, "Gran is good, she always say you gonna turn up bumbye." he offered with a shrug, "Aunties all complain how you go missing an they moms all say no surfing fo long time." He teased lightly, "So you got that to answer for." Stepping into the burger shack he ordered a pair of bar-b-que burgers with sweet onions, a mountain of fries and a shake then glanced to his long lost aunt, "An what she wants too brah," Adding to Leilani, "My treat" Once their order was placed he leaned back to await the foods arrival and looked to her quizzically, "They all gonna want to see you you know."