alderwitch
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Freedom City Guidebook
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Everything posted by alderwitch
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Angrydurf and I are out of town for his dad's birthday and it looks like the cabin we are staying at has no wifi. So we will be back the 29th! See you folks then!
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"Mostly because your mom liked doing your laundry. It has not been easy to adjust to you being grown," Alex said pragmatically, and gave a little shrug of her slim shoulders at the compliments. "I think its easier for my parents because I've always been, you know, a grown up in tiny body. I mean, my mom spends most of her time fretting about all sorts of things and then fretting that I am going to know she's fretting and worrying over the impact her thoughts will have on me." Alex gave his fingers a brief squeeze before reaching for her water glass. "Which, really, is what I hope AEON will help with for future parents. That sort of thing. Eventually."
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Hmmm... Alex paused for a moment before Danica felt her 'touch' stretching out in a different direction and there was a ripple- an echo almost - as she tapped Mike on the psychic link she shared with him. My knowledge of military matters is almost entirely academic. Mike, however, did the police academy and is more familiar with the nuances of that world and mindset. As she explained the details to Danica, she rapidly caught Mike up to the context of what was going on, tugging him into shimmering existence in the mindscape. Mentally, their connection was a much more tangible thing - existing as a ghostly connection from Alex to the tall paragon. Mike?
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Talya's sigh when he discarded his shirt was a quiet one of regret. If ever there was a brilliant visual example of indulging in the short term and ignoring things that were less pleasant than a shirtless Erik Espadas. "Well, I do rather enjoy the overprotective streak. It's entirely new territory, you know. I am not exactly used to much fretting over my well being and it really is remarkably endearing but this is only tangentially related to the unfortunate incident from last month and we are unlikely to run into anyone casting magic bolts at my face in the bank." She turned to watch him change, arms folded loosely in front of her mostly to keep from 'helping'. Talya pursed her lips, and turned her head to make sure the students had all filtered out before continuing onward, "That did, however, make me realize I've been remiss. I've only been part of a team once before, and I've never mixed relationships and work quite this way and I'm afraid I was so focused on the personal relationship that I have been, hm, lax on the former." A note of apology entered her voice as she added, "I am sorry about that."
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Talya ignored the good nature laughter and the wattage of her smile increased as she was set to rights once more. "Well, I was going to see if you were willing to come with me to the bank but there are other ways we could spend the time," she began before catching herself and giving her head a short, little shake. No, no. She was going to do what she'd set out to do and not find much more pleasant distractions. "After, perhaps," she said with a sigh and more to herself. Arching her brows slightly, she amended, "It's an errand I've already put off too long. An official matter of sorts, but not one either of us needs to change for. Unfortunately." Her mouth quirked in a brief smile, "I prefer when work involves the punching, you know."
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"We can do that. Did you want to go right now?" Taylor asked as as she glanced towards the stairs once more and then went to start putting away her papers. She'd learned with a rambunctious five year old in the house to not leave work lying around if she didn't want it embellished with crayon. "Jack's already watching JJ and I imagine the teenager won't emerge from his room any time in the near future. He's heavily in avoiding us today and might still be asleep to be honest."
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"Natalya Browning. Enchanted," Talya said as she stepped forward with a very white smile and the offer of a handshake. It was as polished and practiced as the greetings she'd offered the guards but where she'd made effort to put the guards at ease, Talya now projected polished aristocracy. She put one hand lightly on Raina's back although she remained on her feet. "I work with a group that has an arrangement with the school. We're very good at what we do. Your daughter is a delightful young woman and I enjoy teaching her." Talya's handshake was firm without being overly-so, nor did the contact linger as she straightened. "And neither the school, nor our classes, push heroic work. It's more about ensuring very special children are capable of handling any obstacles they might encounter due to their unique natures and abilities... but I'm sure you've already heard the spiel." She offered a very disarming smile then, "Raina's been making no small amount of friends from what I've seen."
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Talya had never really thought she'd miss English weather but the unseasonably warm December really had begun to cut into the Christmas mood, in her opinion. Still, that hadn't deterred her from enjoying the season, especially with the Espadas children to shop for. Although, to be fair, it wasn't like the ex-spy needed an excuse to shop but the season was more magical when there were children to spoil and Eden was right at the right age for that. So, it wasn't unusual for Talya to try and coax Min or Erik on a holiday shopping trip once Thanksgiving had passed. Nor was it unusual for Talya to turn up in the dojo when she wasn't scheduled to teach and knew Erik's classes were light, but she wasn't dressed to spar and her expression lacked the coaxing smile that usually accompanied Talya's suggestions to play hooky. Still, things couldn't be all that terrible as she waited for things to finish up before twining her arms around his waist and offering him an affectionate kiss. "And good morning to you, handsome. I don't suppose you have time in your busy schedule for a quick errand?"
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Robin dropped from her branch once Riley had made his way down and not promptly bolted off. Rather than follow her boyfriend's agile path down, Robin merely dropped from her high perch, landing on the grass on quiet feet from a drop that could easily have broken a normal girl's ankle. It was chilly outside, and without Riley to lean against, Robin was cold in her thin shirt and jeans but she was used to dealing with minor discomforts. Tucking her hands in her pockets, she turned her grey eyes on Peyton from behind Riley's shoulder. "Is he still here?" Robin wanted to know. "Is he staying?"
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Nighthawk had a good idea of where the van was active, at least, and she cut her way through the alleys towards a start point. Once Woodsman had found a good spot, she cut away from the direct area, cutting down alleys and into the hiding spots that experience had taught her about and trusting her partner to take care of himself. She wasn't overly conversational, herself, and telegraphed a tightly coiled agitation of someone who took this particular tactic quite personally. Gingerly, as Kingsnake and Woodsman searched the area around where the van had been located, Nighthawk carted back a biohazard bag that she'd snagged out from under other trash in a dumpster. She, after all, had practice avoiding the many dangerous things in dumpsters in the Fens, "I'm pretty sure clinics aren't supposed to dump this stuff in normal trash," Nighthawk commented as she set the bright biohazard bag on the street to carefully pull it open with her fingertip, "I don't think they're actually running any bloodwork. These look like they were just chucked as soon as they were taken."
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Nighthawk does not pass the Streetwise (1d20+6)=11, but she hits the extended search with a 25: (1d20+6)=25
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Robin watched the entire party with a flat expression on her face as she scanned the crowd for any potential trouble. Raina had successfully prettied up the Fens' native's exterior but there was little to be done over the way that Robin approached a crowded, illicit party. Once she'd mentally marked concerning parties, she turned her attention back just as Raina was ordering drinks, "Sure," Robin agreed with a shrug of her shoulders, willing to indulge in a drink. It was doubtful a single glass of anything would have much effect on the robust young woman, "Why aren't more people dancing yet?"
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"Nope," Robin replied, her answer swift and certain. Of course, this was the same girl that had taken no issue with the potential roommate troubles of having to perhaps wrestle Alkahest in the near future. Her grey eyes were almost unnaturally calm. "Don't matter how much firepower there is to deal with. Normal person can create unholy carnage with a handgun or a pipe bomb or a plain ol' car. What matters is how willing you are to use it and nobody at this party has that kind of mayhem inside 'em. It's just not there." Robin gave a little shrug of her scarred shoulders then. "It's fine. I'm pretty sure stuff is supposed to happen at parties. It'll all blow over by Monday."
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Talya smiled as Eden took off like a shot towards the latest arrival and shifted Mia onto one black clad hip, once more untangling the delicate string of pearls from chubby baby fingers. "As soon as you can manage the latch, you're going to be right in my jewelry box, aren't you?" She commented to the baby and then offered the most recent arrival a slight nod of her head. "Super powers are really no promise of punctuality. If anything, it makes you more likely to be tardy than not. The trouble that Erik can get into in a simple trip to the sandwich ship alone," the British spy's voice was dryly bemused before she tipped her head back towards Min in an undertone. "I promised Steve I would help put Miss A at ease and although its tempting to beat a strategic retreat, I suppose I really ought keep my word. Do you want to take our little magpie here, or shall I continue to hide behind a beloved grandchild as shield?" Her humor was obvious as she leaned in to press a fond kiss to the dryad's angular cheekbone. Despite the contact, there was no smudge from her lipstick. This, after all, was the same shade of red she wore in costume. It had taken some real searching to find a lipstick that didn't smear in battle.
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Robin winced at the retching from inside the room, automatically scrunching her nose in distaste as the smell wafted past her. She shifted, dropping her backpack and leather jacket with a soft thump on the hallway carpet before she propped her hands on her hips. "You already know that I agree with you that its a crappy thing to bring up," Robin pointed out, her tone even and almost mellow in contrast with Riley's agitated demeanor. "And you already know that even with all the weird backgrounds, most kids here don't have the sort'a life and death background that you got." She tipped her head to the side, giving an impatient shake to clear her bangs from falling in her eyes. Robin wasn't used to having her hair loose enough to obscure her vision and she was finding the tendency to get in her face without a bandana or hat to hold it back irritating. She paused for a long moment before pointing out, "I've got powers too. We don't even know what they are or where it comes from, and you're not afraid I'm going to rip your head off. Unless... Are you?"
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Robin was glad she'd only stopped at the few sips of alcohol. Her instincts had told her the party might turn volatile although she'd been expecting the outburst from Alkahest and not her boyfriend. She rose in one smooth motion, casting a glance over towards Phaedra's bewilderment and giving her a small shrug, "Had to know that was going to hit a nerve." Robin pointed out before she slipped over the back of the couch to follow Riley, snagging her jacket and backpack on her way out of the room. A wave of her fingertips indicated that she had the archer in hand to the assembled room and gestured towards Huang to indicate it was his job as host to pick up the thread of the party game. She added to Phae's question an explanation of, "Riley's ex-roommate had an issue with him being trans. He's got wings and some sort'a holy magic and he's an asshole. I got it. I got him." Without explaining further she turned to follow her boyfriend down the hallway, hopefully before he found a hiding place. Riley was much better at hiding than she was at finding him. She, too, passed Raina and Fred in pursuit of her significant other. "Riley. Wait up."
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"Could be," Robin said, finally speaking up although she didn't relax the tight coil of her stance. Her answer was for Riley, but she didn't take her gaze off the now armed man. Her tone was short, but her speaking patterns placed her as a Fens native, as clear as day and nothing like Riley's. "There's a free clinic that showed up 'round the same time people started going missing. Mobile. Already looked for it tonight. Thought it might be something unpleasantly science-y." Anger turned her tone tight and harsh then, "No one gives a good goddamn when street folk go missing. Makes 'em easy pickings for all kinds a wack jobs. After all, a dead junkie - s'his own fault for being a drug addict, right?" Her voice cracked with scorn and the leather of her jacket creaked as her muscles tightened as she turned her attention back to Kingsnake, "Either put away the whip and help, or go on and use it. Every minute counts. I ain't got time for posturing today." Internally, Robin already blamed herself for things going on so long. If she hadn't been at Claremont, she'd have caught wind of the problems days ago and that castigation left her agitated and impatient.
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Robin hadn't noticed anything behind them, as her focus was on the burned out home and what might lie inside. At the low growl of her boyfriend, she pivoted on sneakered feet with her weight dropping back on her right leg. She didn't seek cover as she far preferred any threat came at her rather than Riley. He worked best at range, after all. She took a step towards the fencing, her hands balled into fists at her side. There was a wary readiness in her posture and although there was no recognizable fighting stance that she fell into, that she had experience in matters martial was clear in her posture and bearing. Letting Riley do the talking, her gaze scanned the darkness from behind her mask with her mouth set in a grim line.
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Notice check: 5 She sees nothing
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She had turned to watch the entrance of the alley automatically, her grey gaze scanning the empty street for any sign of threat or activity. She was silent, her hands stuffed in the pockets of her worn leather jacket as she waited for Riley to camouflage their ride. She turned her head towards him at the quiet question, her expression grim behind her dark mask. "There's a condemned row house about a block and a half over. It was damaged in a fire a while back and the city hasn't gotten around to tearing it down yet. Junkies sometimes use it as a place to get high outta the weather." Robin replied as she turned to head off that direction with quick, impatient strides and her words short and sharp. "No one's seen Jason in a while and if he's not there, then there might be something left in his stuff." Robin led the way through the narrow streets of the Fens, cutting away from main roads until they came to the burned out building in question, behind cyclone fencing. Rather than search around for the tear in the fencing that allowed access, she took a few quicker steps and then leapt, clearing the fence in one swift movement the way that a normal kid might post over a bench, and landing soundlessly on the ground beyond. It didn't occur to Robin to offer her partner a hand over the fence - she'd seen him climb before, after all.
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"That sounds good!" Alex agreed with a sweet smile before she turned it on the waiter, "I'll have the Shish Taouk, please," she said as she glanced over the menu briefly before flipping up the wine menu and adding after a moment, "With the Fontadi Vigna del Sorbo - the 2010, please." Having ordered, she handed the menu over with another smile of thanks. Alex scrunched her nose at her tall fiance as she teased, "Hardly. You're pretty self sufficient, Mike. I mostly make sure you have clothes that aren't too tight at the neck and collars and fall asleep on you during movie nights."
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"Well, not quite that way, but I know what you mean," Taylor said as she shifted on the couch, pushing her laptop away. She caught the deeper timbre of Jack's voice upstairs as he caught their son again in what Taylor mentally called 'vampire tag' in the back of her head, "I mean, I wouldn't trade my life now for anything but Jack's awfully busy and the kids keep us hopping when we're not busy with, you know, politics and super heroing respectively." She sighed then, a little wistfully, before giving a shake of her head. Taylor reached out and shut the laptop closed, her voice lightening, "I can't get drunk, though, and I'm a terrible shot."
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Nighthawk was right on his heels, eschewing the line to drop down to the grass below on quiet feet. "Probably faster than the bus," she agreed as she pulled the soft cotton mask from her pocket and tied it back on over her face once more. She kept her voice low and falling into communicating in gestures as they made their way out of the high school with the ease of practice. Once they were clear of the most likely avenues of being caught, she elaborated, "Homeless folks are going missing in the Fens. I got ways of getting information outta people but I know even on city streets, you're a hell of a tracker. Think you'll be faster'n I am. I dunno what's going on, but I think sooner the better." There was banked anger in her tone. It took a lot to rile Robin and this was over into a quiet, humming rage. It sharpened her voice but she was careful to keep her tone down. "Don't think most people are gonna notice - or care - before something bad happens." She paused and then added, her voice low, "Thanks."
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Taylor was not in costume as she was enjoying the post Halloween lull in supernatural antics. Instead, she was curled on the living room couch, working on a long overdue translation for some of her freelance contacts when the phone rang. In the distant, she could hear the shriek of JJ's giggles as his father tried valiantly to keep their nocturnal offspring on a diurnal schedule during the weekend. As the phone rang, Taylor called out, "I've got it," and went to pick up the line. Her voice was warm as she answered, "Oh, hello, Lynn. No, I'm not busy. Is everything alright?" It was probably a sign of Taylor's lack of social life that her first thoughts were mystic problems rather than small talk.
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Bombshell let out a small breath of relief as she had her answer. Sitting back on her heels, she retrieved her hands from Min long enough to slide Erik's great coat more fully into place and slip her arms through the sleeves and pull it closed. Her hands were far more steady as she fastened the rarely used buttons down the front with nimble fingertips. She nodded her head slightly to Erik's not-quite-question. "Close enough," she answered rather evasively before adding, more quietly, "The details don't matter right now. Later." She added that last with a gentle squeeze of his arm, her fingertips lingering in a far more subtle show of affection than she'd bestowed on Min but no less heartfelt, before rising to bare feet on the rubble and offering her hands to Min in help rising that she really didn't need, "They claimed that they were trying to stop the Terminus or something of the sort that's the last thing I remember before... ahah," she dropped the words and added to Min, "You didn't, however, do anything undeserved, dearest, and what would have happened is an untravelled path. Instead you dug me from the rubble - for which I am very grateful. It is unpleasant digging oneself out from the ground. Especially when one lacks super-human brawn."
