Gizmo

"No, the zombie got decapitated by-- Never mind. Sounds fair. I'm probably still going to buy you ice cream, though." He tossed the tennis balls over his shoulder and they landed unerringly back in their bin. "I've got a lot of misplaced guilt and it'd be nice to do that for somebody who won't end up wearing most of it." Walking over to one of the weapons racks instead he picked up a pair of practice foils, returning to hand one to Raina. "Anyway, I got kinda off track there but what I was trying to get at is that I know I'm like this lame old guy who's obsessed with his weird hobby but I do get what it's like to be angry and sarcastic with everybody because if you fight with everybody at least you can actually win something, when you really need a win." He shrugged as moved over to his own section of the training mat and raised his foil. "And I get not wanting to actually talk about any of that because it feels like showing weakness so you make a joke or do something crazy to deflect it. And I get that it doesn't ever really all go away, not totally. So sometimes I still have days where I need to punch a bag for half an hour. But y'know. That's me." He adopted the first stance he'd shown her again.

"Sword," Erik reminded her, catching two tennis balls in each hand. "And the dragon bees wouldn't eat you! They're great! My friend grows giant flowers for them and they mostly just chill, doing bee stuff. And their names are all bee puns! The guy who bred the first ones was, y'know, committed to theme. He built some robot ones, too but they're not as big. And meeting them totally helped me bury the hatchet with this other hero." He waved a hand dismissively as he realized he was getting off topic. "She decapitated my buddy and I yelled at her, he was fine, I was totally the jerk on that one. We don't have to go see the bees. What do you want to do? Is this a buy you ice cream situation?"

Erik considered that for a moment, still juggling. "That's actually a pretty good point. But I want you to practice keeping the sword 'solid' while focusing on other stuff and the alternative is sparring which would mean I'd have to let you stab me and I haven't shown you how to do that without roasting my internal organs yet." The chances of her being able to get a solid hit on him with her sword under normal circumstance were pretty low but there was only so much she'd learn from failing to hit him for an extended period of time. Even so he was apparently weighing the options seriously. "How about if we try this out I will introduce you to a bunch of talking bees the size of semi trucks. Who breathe fire. And who consider me a folk hero. Because I taught them the art of romance." He shrugged. "Or we could do more drills."

He grinned infuriatingly. "The moral of this story should probably be that I've been set on fire a lot and failed to learn anything from it." He began to juggle four of the tennis balls idly. Of course he juggled. "But yeah, Huang's mom and some other folks turned back time, saved the day, it was fine. The point is we were a pretty crappy team at first. We didn't didn't trust each other, we were always arguing, everybody was trying to sleep with everybody." It occurred to him belatedly who he was talking to and he frowned. "Forget you heard that last part. Anyway, we got better. Some folks peaced out, some turned bad, some new people signed up but the ones who stuck around, they were family. We were all living together in this brownstone that we called 'the Brownstone' because I lost a vote and we had each others' backs. Bounty hunters and giant monsters and drug zombies, we could take on anybody. Now, I can throw these at you or we can do more drills. Your call!"

Erik actually burst out with a short laugh at that and had to stop what he was doing to compose himself. "Ha! No, young me hated the idea of a team. The way I figured it, first off I could handle anything just fine on my own - you can ask Ellie some time how that went, she was the one who had to tape up my ribs every time - and second anybody I trust was either going to let me down or get hurt because I let them down. Keep in mind this was a point where I was only sleeping every other night so I could fit in more training and patrolling while holding down multiple jobs." He shook his head ruefully. With four kids he didn't get a lot of sleep these days either but at least he shared the workload. Noting Raina's waning patience he held up a hand to tell her to wait a moment while he jogged over the one of the equipment bins. "No, I joined up with a team because this real smart guy, super genius right, made a pretty good sales pitch. Got a bunch of us together, a cowboy, a fairy princess, bunch of other jerks and said he'd set us up with equipment, cover our costs, show us where we could do the most good. I figured I could keep doing what I was doing and pay for mi hermanita's school at the same time." He produced a handful of tennis balls and started tossing one in the air casually. "I got killed by a giant demon like a month into it."

"Good. Keep your elbow a little tighter. She knew he had a past he didn't talk about but y'know, blond Europeans," he explained with a dry smirk. Knowing Talya and having met his sister's girlfriend in passing there was more to unpack there than Raina thought she wanted. Erik repeated the first step he's shown her again, stopping with each motion so that she could follow along. "Turns out he'd faked his death to get out of the House of Swords and the way he tells it he was trying to make a go of being 'normal' and left to keep us safe but we didn't hear any of this until a small army of wizards showed up to kill Ellie so really I think he just got bored." His voice was dispassionate, those emotional wounds having long since scarred over. He motioned for her to keep cycling through the steps as he walked over and began gently correcting he stance. "Honestly, @#$% the guy. Mi mama did fine on her own with us. I was the big man in high school, lined up some athletic scholarships... and then she got hurt so I started working." By contrast that seemed a bit harder to talk about for him as he stepped back again and let Raina go through the steps without assistance, nodding in approval and moving to stand parallel to her again. "And then I started making magic swords without an instruction manual and I maybe had some anger to work out about assholes with guns, so..."

The explosion sent the rocky creature back on its heels and through the flames the Alkahest surged, completely undaunted by Woodsman's attack now that it had focused on its true target. Spittle flying from its misshapen mouth and scorch marks visible sealing shut across its face the alchemical monster roared with boneshaking volume. "GRAAARGH!" With reckless abandon the Alkahest pummelled the Auran with both fists, forcing it to first stagger forward then collapse to one knee before an uppercut powered by pure unthinking aggression crashed into the larger mass and sent it tumbling end over end in a mess of limbs to crack with sickening force against one of the old rusted out vehicles abandoned in the quarry. Pallid grey knuckles cracked as even the brief contact attempted to transmute flesh to stone but the Alkahest simply clenched and unclenched its fists until black ichor oozed through the quickly healing wounds.

"That's where all the good stuff comes from, yeah." He looked over her flickering construct with a nod, forming a hardboard of curving filigree around his own hand that extended out into finely tapered blade. "Don't worry about making a cutting edge for now. Giving it enough 'weight' for that to work takes practice so just focus on making the tip. My old man, on the other hand, left just before mi hermanita was born." He pulled himself into an en garde position and waited for Raina to follow suit. "Grew up thinking he was just a deadbeat. Which he was but it turned out he was also the extra special best boy of a secret society cult deal of mercenaries and assassins. Dunno if they're into blood magic specifically but they're definitely big on killing people for power so seems like a safe bet." The swordsman shifted his footwork and clapped his free hand against one knee until the teenager bent hers a little more accordingly. "They've got all these rules about succession and breeding because they're creepy @#$%s, going back generations. That's why I'm built for this." He abruptly uncoiled like a striking viper, fiery blade thrusting forward before snapping back into a defensive position almost too quickly to see. "I was serious about only being good for one thing. It's in me. And me being the Jack is a real problem for them 'cause I won't play ball." He repeated the strike much more slowly, breaking it into several separate motions so that Raina could observe each step. "They tried to kidnap Eden when she was born, tried to kill us all when Talya was giving birth to the twins." His expression was stoney as he related the facts but not so much that she couldn't see a scowl pulling at his lips in the reflection of the mirrored wall.

THE ALKAHEST Fortitude Save vs DC 20: 1d20+18 25 Toughness Save vs DC 25: 1d20+20 39

THE ALKAHEST Move Action: Startle Gold Monster: 1d20+22 42 Standard Action: Attack Gold Monster; Power Attack 5: 1d20+5 7 Surge: Attack Gold Monster; Power Attack 5: 1d20+5 17 If either of those hit it's a DC 40 Toughness Save and the Alkahest will be fatigued next round.

THE ALKAHEST Reflex Save vs DC 20: 1d20+6 13 Toughness Save vs DC 25: 1d20+20 27

The curt confidence drew an approving smirk from Erik, along with a rueful shake of his head. "Tell you what, humour me for a bit and then we can at least say we gave it a shot." Turning so that he was facing the mirrors on the wall he dropped into a basic stance he knew Talya had drilled into her pupil, pulling out his lighter once again, this time without a flourish. "You should be prepared," he agreed while waiting for Raina to follow suit, "but you oughta be able to take a night to hang out, do teenager stuff. Flirt with pretty boys. Or girls, whatever." She seemed to recall his sister saying something about coming out at about her age while chatting with Cathy. "Just because I can't switch it off--" He paused and glanced over to the young woman. "Talya probably hasn't told you a whole lot about what I come from, I guess?"

"That's not what I said," Erik rebutted flatly, mirroring Raina's body language and glaring back. "You kept your head, you thought it through and you got your people home safe. You know you did I good job and you know we're proud of you." The young witch didn't have a monopoly on kind words that sounded more like a rebuke. "But you weren't there to save the day, you weren't on patrol. You were supposed to be having fun with your friends. Instead a nutcase with some genuinely disturbing capabilities knows who you are, knows what you look like and where to find the people you care about and admittedly Raina I am maybe not taking the thought of that very well, alright?" He took a series of long breaths, visibly willing himself to resist the urge to get into a shouting match with a teenager. Instead he admitted, "The sword probably wouldn't have helped. It would have been flashy and stupid and probably made things worse but it is the only thing I am good at and the only thing I can think to do to help keep you safe." He exhaled and looked away, deflating very slightly. "Which is a 'me problem'. I get it." After a beat he added, "I know you didn't screw up. Don't think that."

Erik didn't bother to hide a brief wince at being called out. He unfolded his arms so that he could rub the back of his neck with one hand. "We should have been ready," he answered finally. Heaving a sigh he continued, "We should have seen it coming somehow and Talya's old boss should have never gotten near you and your friends. He shouldn't have even had enough to make you a target to begin with." The fencer's eyes unfocused as he looked off into the distance. "I used to be so careful. The old team never even knew my real name for years. When Ace tracked down my family's house... Dios, I was so mad." He scrubbed his eyes with the heel of his palm. "There were problems with that, too. It was harder to call for help. I dunno. The point is I let you down and I'm not planning on letting it happen again."

Erik produced his own lighter from somewhere on his person with a flick of his wrist; he definitely seemed like the sort of father to learn a little slight of hand to amuse his kids. "Unless somebody gets close to you before you notice. Or you can't risk the collateral damage of a fireball. Or you're fighting someone who's been watching and is ready for your signature move and--" He stopped himself there with a grunt and rubbed the bridge of his nose, lighter tucked back away. Maybe it was just the workout suddenly catching up with him but for a moment he looked profoundly tired. He shook it away and folded her arms. "It's just good to have options. I can't help you with most of your magic but this is something I could show you how to do. To help make sure you can protect yourself."

Erik snorted in amusement but annoying kept right at it, sending the bag into a shuddering spiral with pair of blows. "Looked at me funny," he replied just before meeting the bag's backswing with a haymaker and abruptly pulling short as the meaty sound of impact was accompanied that of tearing canvas. He stopped its arc with both hands and examined the hole, tilting the bag at an angle before too much of its contents could spill onto the practice mats. With an irritated grumble he hefted the bag off of its hook and carried it over to a corner of the room, setting it down out of the way. Straightening back up with a stretch he looked about and tried to remember where he'd put the brush and dust pan before settling his gaze on Raina. He paused for a beat before saying, seemingly apropos of nothing, "Let me teach you how to use a fire sword." It wasn't the first time he'd suggested that particular use for her pyromancy and at this point it was practically a running joke. Usually he pleaded his case with exaggerated enthusiasm before getting out of Talya's way and letting her get on with whatever Raina's actual lesson was for the day. This time however the offer was made with the same intensity he'd been applying to his workout, hands on his hips and looking her straight in the eyes. "I'm being serious. You should know how to do this."

The Espadas School of Self-Defense and Swordsmanship! September 29, 2017 Whump. Whump. Whump. Erik Espadas' fists impacted the punching bag suspended from the dojo's ceiling over and over, hard enough to rattle the chain and give him time to switch up his footwork between strikes as the bag swung back toward him. It wasn't rhythmic exactly, as his attacks varied staccato triplets of quick jabs to single heavy swings with the entire weight of his body behind them. Even so their was a somewhat hypnotic quality to the overall pattern, his steady breathing framing the train of percussion while a light sheen of sweats showed on the skin exposed by his light tank top. He'd been at it when Raina had decided to set up in one of the stackable chairs lying against the back wall and he'd kept at it for at least ten straight minutes since, gradually picking up speed and punishing the bag more and more severely. He'd definitely seen her come in but hadn't said anything, expression focused and uncharacteristically severe. While the teenager knew the swordsman wasn't baseline human she was pretty sure he didn't have any measure of super strength and wouldn't be punching the bag clean off of its securely fastened chain. He certainly seemed to be making a go of it nonetheless. Whump. Whump. Whump.

"For my many faults failing to make the attempt has infrequently been among them," Winifred hummed while adjusting the strap of her instrument's case over her shoulder. Taking her cue from Matthew's fashion sense she'd also picked out a pair of black slacks and a white dress shirt, though her narrow neck tie was framed by a snug black vest rather than a jacket. What had become semi-regular outings to the local second-hand shops had turned up a pair of black riding boots as well. Her jet black pixie cut and dark cosmetics lent her a slightly more imperious version of his rakish aesthetic, which suited her just fine. "Crowds of strangers don't worry me overmuch. So long as no one begins throwing things at the stage I imagine I'll be perfectly alright." She gave Matthew a prim deadpan look but tossed a wink in Fang's direction when he turned back to look where they were walking.

A low growl reverberated through the Alkahest's barrel chest as its fingers clenched around the gold creature's captured fist. Flakes of transmuted flesh fell to the muddy earth as the jagged veins of unnatural ore closed up, knotted muscle growing in unsettling spurts to effectively heal the injury. The Alkahest looked up at its towering attacker with narrowed eyes and flaring nostrils, sizing up the threat... and apparently finding it wanting. Tossing the attempted attack away it threw its arms back and bellowed in enraged defiance, loud enough for its breath to be felt across the thing's stoney maw. "HHHRAAAAGH!"

The Alkahest is going to Regenerate the bruise at no action cost and spend its turn clearing the daze, as represented by catching the monster's fist when it tries to hit it and misses.

THE ALKAHEST Fortitude Save vs DC 25: 1d20+18 28 Toughness Save vs DC 30: 1d20+20 25 Bah! No-sells the Drain but the Alkahest is bruised and dazed.

"I'm just saying there's a difference," Ghost Girl was explaining the Dragonfly, having decided that a long list of reasons that the armoured woman being rude was actually their fault was as close to basic manners as she was going to get. The phantom punctuated her words with sweeping gestures and extreme expressions that might have seemed like exaggeration if not for the undercurrent of earnestness. "They made her go full Doomcoil and what's left is straight-up marmalade-for-brains. Any one of the Hounds would be a serious problem but Doom-- Okay, so magic is different from science because instead of learning how the rules work it's about breaking the rule just enough to do what you want without doing stuff you don't want, 'kay? That's why most magic has a bunch of it's own rules only those rules are kinda sorta mostly made up so it's tricky." She crisscrossed her arms and jabbed her index fingers in opposite directions as though somehow illustrating her point. "But she has a ton of power and she doesn't care about breaking stuff by accident so it's like somebody driving an aircraft carrier through a marina because why not!" She paused to exchange a look with Tarva before giving Dragonfly a shrug. "So it's definitely not great, eh?"

With Steve coming down from the roof and Mara and Ellie up through the dojo to the apartment over it the group soon gathered in the kitchen. The surveillance photos were still arranged across the table, partly in case another set of eyes might provide additional insights and partly because Erik's hands clenched in anger every time he moved to put them away. The swordsman was bending over the counter as they entered, focused on a satellite photos Vince had provided of Lonely Point in the south of the city. He looked up with a relieved sigh as they entered, though his expression remained dark. Erik quickly caught the new arrivals up on what they knew so far. "This guy's got mind whammy powers on top of the regeneration so we have to assume he'll have a decent number of innocent people fighting for him. Hard to say how many 'cause apparently he's been getting stronger the whole time he was stewing in Blackstone. Probably explains how they broke out." Ellie moved closer to Mara's side at that, unconsciously gripping the blonde's elbow. There were still nights where she woke with a start from nightmares about Archeville's turn. "Of the other two one got jacked up and the other's a sniper with some tee-kay, again on top of being able to heal themselves. They also know a bunch of Talya's tricks and even though we're pretty sure they don't know who we are," he continued, pointing to himself and Min, "if they've seen Bombshell working with the Interceptors we have to assume they don't some legwork on us, too." He rubbed the back of his neck and looked up to glance about the room. "Good news: they're going to be expecting Talya to panic and try to move a bunch of defenceless civilians to a safer location so they can ambush her in transit. They shouldn't be expecting an attack on their hideout, this decommissioned SigInt place out on Lonely Point. Talya only knows about it because of a thing with Ace. They're still going to be ready for infiltration which is why I think out best plan is going loud." He gave Steve and Mara each a significant look. "The Major doesn't sound like the sort of guy to mix it up in the actual ambush so I'm betting he'll be at home while his best muscle is out waiting to grab us. That's why I need you here, watching the kids, hermanita. Ace and Dimitri are going to swing by, see if they can spot anything but I'm not taking any chances." Erik looked back down at the photos with enough intensity to nearly bore holes into them. "He doesn't just want to hurt Talya, he wants to hurt anyone she cares about, to make her suffer. He already tried something tonight with Raina Sanderson, the girl Talya trains, babysits for us and helped when Wild Card and Downtime showed up that one time. He does not get to try again on any more of our family."

"Pretty dumb," Lou replied to Alice in an irritated grunt before stooping just enough to get a fistful of Ha Ha's hair. Lifting until the other man was in an awkward position where he could get neither his feet nor his knees under himself Lou shouted in his face, "You were already going to kill them, you stupid weaselly @#$%!" He spiked the head back down to the parking lot concrete like a basketball before delivering a resounding stomp with the full brunt of his increased weight, ending Ha Ha's unhinged laughter for the time being. Taking a step back as the cloud began to dissipate, Lou eyed the unconscious bodies on the ground and idly scratched under one eye where his roughly textured face was coloured with the yellow stripe. He made a vaguely approving grunt when he was the man lying in front of Sofia but his expression turned dour again as he came back to enforcers' leader. He sighed, "Well, $#*&."

Lou Move Action: Demoralize Ha Ha: 1d20+10 15 Standard Action: Attack Ha Ha; Power Attack 5, +4 Prone: 1d20+9 16 That should be a DC 30 Toughness Save.