alderwitch

"Broadsword," Janus replied with a lazy grin and the banked enthusiasm of a teen warming to their favorite topic. "Though I've been doing more saber of late. I've been having some trouble finding a good teacher since coming to Freedom City, and a breadth of skill is always admirable. Sabers are too light; bounce right off troll hide." Janus mimed the stance, hand whistling through the air in a brief gesture of slicing, mimicking the differences. The bejewelled dagger on their hip was probably less for show than it appeared. Janus tracked movement out of the corner of their eye, noticing Micah as Pan did. Once the other boy had waved, Janus added in a wave of their own, encouraging Micah over to join the knot of teenagers before those bright violet eyes went back to Kam and the topic of martial arts. "Though if you're interested in a sparring partner, I'd be up for a few rounds. That Dakanan hand-to-hand style is lethal."

Janus inclined their head, giving a little wave at being reintroduced so people could put face-to-name. They didn't have much to add on the discussion of tortoises and their habits, really, but Janus listened giving Kam a lopsided half-smile when there was clearly information the young man was talking around. Dakanans and their secrets. Instead, Janus grabbed the few bags left in the Danger Fleet town car and slung one over their shoulder, the other in their hand as they finished unloading and set them on the curb next to Veronica's duffle. Gesturing with a nod of their head, Janus indicated Danica on the segway. "That's Danica." Janus offered easily in a low tenor without repeating the rest of the introductions that had been made before they turned to Kam and his memorization of the map, "Have you gone to the gym yet? I'm itching to hit the training salle."

Janus subtly adjusted their posture so as to let Veronica chat up Pan while Janus greeted the new students. A bemused smile flashed across Janus features before they offered Kam a graceful bow in return, far more comfortable for the dimensional Danger than the American handshake. There were so many nuances to a bow and its depth, where the hands were placed and how the head was held. The bow Janus offered made it clear that they recognized the Dakanan for who - and what - he was, although their features never betrayed more than passing familiarity with the country. "Of course, a pleasure. I'm Janus Danger and this is my cousin, Veronica." The introductions were directed to both Danica and Kam and a stunning smile made its return to their aristocratic features. Janus offered one hand to Danica in greeting, palm open and slightly turned up for her to take, "Both Veronica and I have had...ah, nontraditional schooling up until now. It's our first year attending at Claremont. And I believe Kam's as well?" Janus was well aware that was true. They actually did bother to read Rachel's briefings about what to expect and the ties between the Dangers and Dakana went back over a hundred years now.

Janus' long legs easily kept pace with their cousin as they made their way down to the town car. Taking in the handsome young man and his obvious pleasure at seeing Veronica, Janus lopsided smile turned into a faintly knowing smirk directed at Veronica as the boy hurried over. Janus was familiar enough with regular trips to Prime to extend their hand in greeting. Every finger had a ring on them, some bejewled and some simply covered in etchings. Despite the slender boned hand, Janus grip was politely firm and their hand calloused from years of fighting. "Janus Danger," the other Danger provided in that smooth tenor, friendly but without the devastating charm Janus had aimed at Prudence. Janus was, after all, a loyal cousin and did their best to avoid flirting when Veronica might have interest in that direction. The smile was easy and handsome and Janus' accent was vaguely difficult to place but not entirely different from Veronica's French accent, "Veronica's cousin. We're on the third floor - found your room yet?"

Janus finished installing the sword rack over the dresser with one final 'whack' of the hammer. With careful hands, Janus unwrapped the set of swords and dagger that was the first thing lugged up from the car and took to setting each one in their place with care as Veronica and Prudence talked. A wry half-smile was Janus' response to Veronica's efforts to coax a freed schedule from their PA-cum-babysitter. Straightening to their full height, Janus turned the full wattage of that Danger charm on Prudence with a devastating grin that was a little stunning even with Prudence being USED to the Dangers and their charm. "Prudence, we're in good hands here. Claremont has dealt with more troublesome students than a pair of Dangers before. I'm sure we shan't be going on any adventures within the first week," The smooth lies rolled off Janus tongue without even a modicum of hesitation, or remorse. "If you'd be ever so kind, do you think you can pop on down to the office and ensure that we have parking passes for the cycles? It'll be easier to attend Aunt Rachel's events without having to beg transportation. Thank you." With efficiency born of experience, Janus barely gave their PA a chance to get in a word edgewise before she was sent off on what was likely a rather unnecessary errand. Janus kept their gaze on Prudence's retreating back until they were certain the woman was off to do just that. Lifting one slender shoulder in a loose-limb shrug at Veronica, Janus commented, "I may not be a Prime native but from my limited research, I doubt we want a hovering adult while meeting students for the first time. That should take a bit, the line at the office was dreadful long when we passed."

Robin quickly fastened the bolts into place. The sign was probably the sturdiest thing about the building once she was done. Slipping the wrench back through the loop of her belt, Robin paused for a moment, perched on her toes on the ladder and swaying slightly in the breeze as if she'd forgotten her precarious footing for a moment. Of course, considering that she ran across roof ledges, there was no real risk of falling, or that she'd be hurt if she did. It allowed her to focus on the odd tightening in her chest at putting her name - their name now- on something concrete in the Fens. Her throat tightened around the words before she stepped backwards and dropped nimble to the ground. Rather than immediately take down the ladder and move on to the (many) cleaning tasks inside, she drew back by Fred. For all of her strength, the hand that touched Fred's shoulder was gentle as always. "You know," Robin said, her voice a little hoarse. She still wasn't the most prone to sharing of emotions but she'd gotten better after their years at school, "I'll always be grateful to what I gained from Claremont but even with the dorms, I always felt a little adrift. Un-anchored. I know its not a lot to look at. It may never be a lot to look at, but it feels like coming home." Which, really alone, was pretty big to share aloud. Robin's therapists would have been proud. She knew that she didn't have to explain to Fred just how big a deal a 'home' was to Robin. There was something, however, she felt the need to add with a light squeeze on Fred's shoulder before she pulled back her hand (the flesh one as she was still a little hesitant about using the bionic prosthetic), "It wouldn't feel like home, though, without you."

Robin ignored the trickle of sweat down her spine as she balanced, holding a sign aloft in her hands as she tried to make sure it was straight enough to install it. In the wake of the invasion, without school; she had to find SOMETHING to focus on. That something was the very ratty, very cheap office with apartment above that she'd reluctantly taken some of Fred's hard earned money to put together. She agreed, though, they couldn't make it work without someplace to take in clients... and Robin DID need somewhere to leave. Between the bionic arm that glinted dully metallic in the light and the strong cording of her muscles, there was no questioning the super human strength that let her hoist it aloft to set it into place. 'Knight Errant Private Investigations' It was a play on her last name, clearly, but Robin HAD gotten the certifications needed to legally open up the PI firm. It wasn't the most.... typical way to do superheroing but Robin couldn't join either the police or the military. This way, at least, they could try and help people, that's what Robin was trying to focus on. At least if she focused on that, she didn't have to look too closely at the wreck of her personal life. "How's that?" She wanted to know from her partner as she fished for the wrench dangling from her thin, worn jean loop. "Is it straight?"

Janus carefully set their burden down on one half of the rather spartan room. Their frown had less to do with expecting richer environs and more to do with a distinct lack of personality that the white walls and simple loft bed, desk and dresser that made up each half of the identical sides of the room. "Death-by-beige," Janus drawled, their accent thickening as they gave the words sardonic inflection. Glancing over their shoulder with a flick of violet eyes, they took in Prudence with resigned affection. "And here I thought Great-Aunt Rachel would have a less strict schedule than court life. The more fool, me. Thank you, Prudence. Anything other than orientation and classes this week?" It was less actual appreciation than the polite manners drilled into Janus as firmly as their sword drills. One did not grow up even as a second-born Prince without learning respect, at least not when one's parents bought into the entire noblesse oblige. Janus turned around to install the display that held their many very sharp weapons on the wall. The hammer sound was probably easily heard even without sensitive ears down the hall but Janus' hands were quick and deft, used to taking care of such manual tasks for themselves. "Family dinner Saturday at the Manor," was the personal assistant's prompt reply and Janus buried a grimace facing the wall, one strong hand holding the wooden sword rack in place with the light catching the many rings bedecking that hand. Rachel did her best to herd the family but 'family dinner' mostly consisted of whatever Danger didn't squirm out by getting roped into adventure. Rather than an agreement, Janus' grumble was at least an acknowledgement of having heard the request but they shot a look over their shoulder to Veronica; one eyebrow arching in silent question.

September 4, 2018 Claremont Academy (Third Floor, Rita Kord Dorm) Janus followed along, glancing at the numbers of the rooms as they passed each one in turn. The Danger scion had dressed 'down' recognizing that there would be a lot of hauling and unpacking from dark windowed car to the dormitory which meant that they only somewhat looked like some lost extra from an over-embellished k-pop video. Hair that faded from white to rose at the tips was pulled back in a tight braid that brushed the tightly laced leather pants. (Who wore leather pants in the late summer? A Danger, that's who.) The flouncy poets shirt had been cuffed back above leanly muscled forearms. Bright violet eyes cut to the sign. "Three-twelve. This is us, 'Ronnie." Like the androgynous features, Janus' smooth tenor didn't betray if the tall, slim individual was male or female, though their handsome features lent itself to an easily assumed pretty male. Shortening Veroncia's name with familial familiarity, Janus paused before apologizing as they well knew high school had an impact. If nothing else, Janus had seen all the high school movies while taking up space in Danger Manor over the summer. "Sorry, Veronica." Janus amended as they bumped the door open with one lean hip, "Habit."

Name: Janus Danger Codename: N/A Year: Sophomore Pronouns: She/her typically but is non binary and accepts He/him as well. Or they. Or THE Janus Danger. Roommate: Probably their cousin, Veronica! Goal: Finding a teacher that can truly push their swordsmanship to the next level. Favourite High School Movie: Avalon High

Sofia didn't seem to realize she was still absently stroking Lou's arm and stomach. It took a moment for the hacker's brain to reset enough to participate in the conversation. "I just need a halfway decent computer - desktop or laptop. Whatever, I can make it work, and an internet connection that's not abysmal." Sofia hesitated, touching her tongue to the roof of her mouth as she paused, "And I should probably call home with a halfway decent excuse before my mama starts hitting up my cell when I don't show up in the next twenty-four hours." Sofia tipped her head to the side with a thoughtful expression as she added, "Some basic electronic tools might not be amiss. A burner phone. I can probably rig up some decent fake IDs given the tools to do so, like a card press and lamination machine. Kinda depends on what the next play is. Two to three days and I can rig up some much more solid paperwork trails, new bank accounts, new names, that sorta stuff."

"I'm good," Sofia replied, demurring the drink as she was still on her phone, her fingers moving rapidly to double check and discard which aliases were entirely blown and which were salvageable. It wasn't the sort of thing she wanted to do less than sober. Still, she patted Lou as she came up alongside him regardless of just how little Lou broadcasted 'wants to be hugged'. "If you frowned any harder, pretty sure you could crack the bottles from sheer force of will. Xavier will come up with a plan; its what he's good at." Leaning on her forearms, Sofia finally looked up from her phone only to blink at the astoundingly pretty man that owned that soft southern voice. "Oh, hey. Hi. Hello." Sofia patted Lou's arm again like he was some sort of talisman against acting like an idiot. "Heyyyy..." Alas, Lou was not, in fact, that sort of talisman.

Psyche didn't say anything. With one last touch on her bond to Mike, to let him know that he'd feel her absence. It wasn't often that something could disrupt the bond she shared with him, but a jaunt through to the Terminus would certainly do the trick. Bracing herself for the dampening of the voice that she'd lived with her entire life, she took a steadying breath and took her place in the middle of the group walking through into the unknown. "I'm right behind you," she told Erin. "We're as prepared as anyone can be, and we have luck on our side. That's as good as it's going to get; and it'll be enough."

Well, I can have Phantom contact the Modoros who empower her but I think I'll probably be having her wrestle with whether or not to do that for much of the thread. At the moment, she's asking what, if anything, Nick needs from her to set up the space for their workings.

Phantom appeared in the lobby, looking more translucent than usual. The Master Mage might have looked drawn and tired; but that was what the mask and cowl were for. Her features were hidden by their shadows but there was no mistaking the lines that bracketed her mouth. They looked deeper today. Without a word, she exerted the effort to turn fully solid, her booted feet landing with a thump. She was shorter than most people expected, once standing, and it left her cape to billow out along the ground in a wind that didn't blow, at least not across Prime. "Time is short." Phantom said simply, as if picking up the thread of a conversation already in progress. She nodded once to Rene before asking their host, "What do you need of me?"

Psyche sat perfectly still, her legs folded under her and her hands lightly resting in her lap. Her expression was smooth, almost serene, as her preparation for today was entirely internal. She had to be entirely confident in the protections of her mind and utterly centered; which wasn't an easy task with Phalanx out fighting and the city screaming in the psychic static background. It would only get worse with where they were going. It had been a long time since she'd felt it necessary to take the time for a full on meditation before a battle but it was, without question, vital for Psyche to be at her best. Part of her still clocked the movements around the room, growing more aware as she began pulling herself out of the low-trance she'd immersed her mind in. "Ready," she answered Erin's question, even if it hadn't been directed at her. Leaving the couple to their moment, she rolled to her feet and walked over towards where Mark tried to take in all the video feeds at once. Her hand came down on his shoulder in mute support, answering his unspoken thoughts with quiet reassurance, "We will."

Can I put Psyche in the Nihlor thread? I think she's right in Wander and Midnight's PL and doesnt have too much overlap with either? Also she'd totally go with them

Let me think about which one to run! I'll run one and I think if its just one character, it'll probably be Phantom? I'm waffling a lot

Robin would have been happier if she'd had something to keep busy with. Studiously not looking at her injury, Robin twisted her head to follow Raina's sudden flight. In a rare moment of self doubt, Robin asked Fred in a low voice, "Should I go after her?" Normally, she'd feel that was her responsibility to shoulder but she couldn't miss the look directed towards her arm - or rather, where the arm should have been. Robin was still studiously not looking but she could hardly miss the looks of concern. "I could have let go. I knew the risks. I've always known the risks." It was weird, Robin thought, it almost felt like both fists clenched. Almost. Turning away from where Raina was, Robin gave a curt, short shake of her head to questions from the Leaguers that had arrived. Her good hand came down gently in reassurance to the dog that passed by her legs. She couldn't tell them apart in the best of times and this was... not the best of times. Mentally clocking Raina's flight to go after her, she ghosted up behind Riley in mute support, her posture a little awkward as she tried to figure out what her stances were minus one limb. "You don't have to go," Robin reaffirmed because she felt someone ought to, even if her brief interactions with this Peyton has been strained at best. "We could see about maybe getting a message through instead?" Although knowing Riley's level of paranoia, Robin knew that it would likely go unheard. Still, it should at least be said. Her grey eyes were sad in features drawn with pain and loss but her shoulders were square and her voice remained steady, even. Robin was nothing if not a survivor. She'd survive this too. Her left arm moved instinctively trying to put her hand in the small of Riley's back only to jerk the stump back abruptly. "I wish we'd met under different circumstances."

Phantom had left all tasks other than the fragmenting barrier to other arriving members to deal with. Even after the main rift closed, she remained in the air, silent as her hands moved in intricate patterns, stitching reality closed with all of the power at her disposal. That world was never supposed to come in contact with others as it frayed and fragmented. The first step was to cut and cauterize the connections from Prime and then she'd likely spend the rest of the week flickering from dimension to dimension to excise it from the coil. Only when she was addressed, did she look from her work to ghost down. "The pathways are not yet fully closed but they will be once my work is done. For the good of the Coil, the connections must be cut," Phantom said, her grave voice more rough than usual. Riley's mother was not the first person Phantom had to have this conversation, nor would she be the last, "When fully severed, it will begin the slow drift towards the Terminus and its destruction; the reason the Terminus actually exists. It will not likely be in your lifetime or your children's lifetime but its death will be inevitable." The metaphysics of it; the unholy union of two dimensions into one unstable whole didn't matter so Phantom did not share the details or the reasons. Nor did she offer her apologies. 'Sorry' was too small a word for the news she had to give and served only to make it more bearable for Phantom herself, and this was her burden to bear. "If I send you back, you will not be able to return. I do not offer amnesty to many; I cannot, but you may remain here on Prime with your child. The choice is yours." Phantom turned her head away then, turning to sketch more sigils in the area and unwind the magic that had been worked, leaving Riley and his mother to their discussion.

For the first time in a long, long time, Robin was in shock. Part of her knew it, recognized it, as the portal shut and took a piece of her with it. It didn't even hurt, Robin noted in utter detachment as she yanked back a stump where there should have been a muscular arm. No arm, though, just blood leaving her body probably too quickly. It seemed like it should have hurt but it didn't. Nothing really did as she rose to her feet, acrobatic training compensating for the awkward lack of a limb. Her pupils were too wide and her eyes too glassy as she turned; reactions slow and dulled. "Fred," Robin's voice rasped hoarsely as her roommate was sick in one corner. "Hey..." She turned to Raina's palpable distress and lifted her one good arm up to shield herself from the blaze of heat. It shook some of the worst of the shock out of Robin's, even as it made the loss more real, more tangible. She couldn't help but lift her remaining hand up to the almost surgically smooth end of her left arm. Robin forced her hand away from the injury, pushing any emotions about that loss down to be dealt with later. Robin was very good at 'later'. "It's alright," she said, her voice was solid and steady. "I'm alive. We stopped it. We stopped it together, and that's what counts." She held out her one good hand for Fred, "You DID do good, Fred. You all did."

Jinx Power Level: 10/10 (147/150PP) Unspent Power Points: 3 Trade-Offs: +4 Tou / -4 Def In Brief: Luck Siphon Catchphrase: Theme: Alternate Identity: Alison Abernathy Birthplace: Freedom City Residence: Hanover Base of Operations: Freedom City Occupation: Accountant Affiliations: Family: Description: Age: 31 Apparent Age: Late twenties/Early Thirties Gender: female Ethnicity: Caucasian Height: 5' 5" Weight: 168 lbs Eyes: Green Hair: Brown Alison easily fades into the crowd in Freedom City. She's pretty, in a sweet faced nondescript sort of way, not heavy or thin. While Alison, herself, might mutter about the ten to fifteen pounds she's wanted to drop since college, she wouldn't look out of place at any middle class suburban venture. She often wears glasses, although she only needs them for when she's working on a computer or trying to read. Her brown hair is long enough that it can be pulled back into a pony tail, but not so long that it takes forever to wash. It has a small wave that can turn to frizz when humidity gets the best of her. She's a jeans and t-shirt sort of person in her free time and has a wardrobe full of boring but work appropriate clothes when she has to deal with clients. History: Personality & Motivation: Powers & Tactics: Power Descriptions: Complications: Untrained: Most of Jinx's powers work autonomously and she's only just learning how to flex luck deliberately rather than adjusting it instinctively. Abilities: 0 + 2 + 0 + 6 + 4 + 4 = 18 PP Strength: 10 (+0) Dexterity: 12 (+1) Constitution: 10 (+0) Intelligence: 16 (+3) Wisdom: 14 (+2) Charisma: 14 (+2) Combat: 12 + 12 = 24 PP Initiative: +1 Attack: +6 Defense: +6 Grapple: Knockback: Saving Throws: 8 + 7 + 8 = 23 PP Toughness: +0 (+0 Con) / +14(10 Imp) Fortitude: +8 (+0 Con, +8) Reflex: +8 (+1 Dex, +7) Will: +10 (+2 Wis, +8) Skills: 24R = 6PP Bluff 4 (+6) Computers 4 (+7) Drive 4 (+5) Profession (Accountant) 4 (+6) Sense Motive 8 (+10) Feats: 6 PP Beginner's Luck Interpose Luck x 5 (3 from feats, 2 from powers below) Seize Initiative Powers: 82 PP () Luck (Jinx; Container) [82 PP] Luck Control 3 (Fortune's Favor ; Extras: Ranged; Power Feats: Luck x 2 ) {14 PP} Protection 14 (Good Luck; Extras: Impervious 10; Duration: Sustained (+0), Power Feats: Subtle) {25 PP} Damage 10 (Bad Luck; Extras: Ranged, Area (Shapeable) Selective; ; Power Feats: Accurate x 2, Variable Descriptor, Subtle) {43 PP} DC Block ATTACK RANGE SAVE EFFECT Unarmed Touch DC 20 Toughness Damage Sword Touch DC 23 Toughness Damage Soul Sword Touch DC 23 Toughness Damage Totals: Abilities (18) + Combat (12) + Saving Throws (23) + Skills (6) + Feats (6) + Powers (82) - Drawbacks (0) = 147/150Power Points

Alderwitch Psyche HATERS Unite = 1 Posts Nighthawk (IC) Pop Quiz: All You Have Is Your Fire = 1 Posts Guide Point to Janus.

Well my plans for Janus personally is more of an arc about figuring out who she is. There's a lot of paths that I could go, although I already have a trip to Fortuna for Claremont buddies in the planning sketches, to get lost in the Babylon woods. I'm not SUPER interested in having Janus lose her entire legacy as I've played, well, a lot of characters who start from very little and work their way up to being a full fledged super hero. I'm still doing the struggling super hero thing with Robin and I like that arc for her but part of why I created Janus was to be part of a bigger legacy as I haven't really done that before. I have zero interest in Janus giving up her names, titles and worldly possessions for forever and will respectfully pass on that particular plot arc.