Fox

"Prototype driver coil," the engineer supplied, gesturing at the transparent spiral. "Testing nonlethal beam weaponry for another project. Real thing will be more compact, but easier to work above scale. Mostly just toy with it sometimes. Not likely to be built into personal armament, so not a priority. And armor...." Mara shrugged. "Too broad a category. Useful and practical, so it's popular. Methods and quality far more important. Good to be unique, of course. But can find many ways to do that."

Blushing, Mara ducked her head down, pulling a little hair back behind one ear. "Not...that groundbreaking. I mean it is, sort of, but...can't commercialize most of it. Safe with personal oversight, but not for public use. Unskilled hands. Risks bad things with names like 'event horizon'. Unfortunate. Teleportation alone would be very useful to...mmh. Hospitals, for instance." She gestured at Ellie, but shrugged helplessly. "But...just not safe. Working on that. Hard to predict people. Phrase...'Nothing is idiot proof, because idiots are ingenious.' Add in criminals, supervillains...." She took another bite of tamale before realizing she'd been asked a question, albeit one Ellie had gotten to first. "Mmh," she nodded, finishing her mouthful before talking. "Yes. The Lab. It's...simple. Descriptive. Was unintentional, though. The name, I mean: everyone called it 'the lab' while planning. Lower case 'l'. By the time we needed a real title, it had stuck, nothing else seemed...right."

Dragonfly nodded. "Fair. Waiting on data, then. Important but not exciting requirement of scien--mmh." She put a hand up to her mouth, stifling the small yawn that had bullied its way into her sentence. Or, at least, her sentence fragment. "Sorry," she apologized, looking a little chagrined. "Should...probably get actual sleep. Trying to be better about that. Crises amplify already bad habits." She shook her head, and adjusted one gauntlet. going to be glad to have these off - going to be glad to have an environmentally-regulated suit "Imagine you'll be in touch? When you have more information, I mean, concrete plans to discuss. Looking forward to it. Should be...interesting."

Mara "Mmh?"'d distractedly at Erik - partly from the forkful of tamale that was just popping into her mouth, and partly from watching Gina threatening Ellie with servingware. Watching the family interact was apparently absolutely fascinating, and she was having a terrible time not taking pleasure in watching someone else get chewed out for poor health habits, for once. And the food was delicious. "Right," she responded to her girlfriend's sibling once she'd swallowed. "Get material, build things, fight crime. Works...fairly well. Not perfect. Large project in the works to...upgrade. I guess. But will be a while until it's done. Always other things to do."

Mara relaxed a little, sighing. She had to admit she'd been worried about that - being fine with your daughter's orientation was one thing, but finding out she was sleeping with someone (sleeping with someone who lived alone in a warehouse!) was probably something else, and it had occurred to her that it might be a source of tension. Having it come out in the open, even accidentally, was one more thing on a rapidly-shrinking list of things to worry about. "Not that skinny. Trying to take care of myself," she insisted as she reached out for a couple tamales, her empty stomach reminding her that that was fairly close to a bald-faced lie. "Better care of myself, at least. Still miss a meal or two, but usually make up for it."

Mara shot Ellie a grateful look, though she was reminded that she still needed to share the events of the 15th with her. "Not that cooped up," she said, fairly brightly - her home was a source of no small pride and satisfaction and she still got a warm and happy thought at having it, as atypical as she knew it was. "Renovated warehouse. Plenty of room for just one person. And...wouldn't want to impose. Suspect I'm not easy to live with. Keep odd hours, strange habits. Tend to spread my personal projects all over available space. Admit I'm considering getting something closer to the center of the city, though."

Mara glanced carefully between Erik and Gina, blinking. "....noted," she said, carefully. "About me. Mmh." She tilted her head and just kind of...unfocused for a moment, fidgeting a little and apparently not very used the question. "Not...that interesting," she admitted, biting her lip. "Born in 1991, dual citizen. France - French mother. American father. Didn't live in France long...childhood was.....isolated. That's why I talk the way I do. Sorry, again." She frowned, but shook her head to clear the thought. "Currently live alone. I...build things. Try to keep myself busy."

Dragonfly unabashedly watched Miss Americana repair herself, her visor quietly gathering as much data as it could from her admittedly limited vantage point. interesting "Not that optimistic," she admitted, shifting on her feet a bit as she put her hands back in her jacket pockets. "Don't wish suspicion and fear on him, of course. But suspect it's the...common reaction to new or strange things. Which is its own concern, actually." She tilted her head, biting her lip. "Posing as citizens will need...care. Very large city, granted, but only a city. Assuming outside contact is simulated or non-existent, latter with some excuse. And in former case, may need some reason why no one knows us. Preferably a way that's hard to check or easy to fake records for on short notice. Simple is best. You're...socially talented, but I am a very bad liar."

"Five," she automatically corrected, and then frowned. "Well. Not quite as good at Spanish as I'd like. Accent. Small conventions. Time and practice...never enough hours." She raised an eyebrow at her friend's half-armored dance, looking fairly amused. "Congratulations. And yes, actual accomplishments probably outweigh degrees at some point. Certainly hope so, anyway. Only have a G.E.D., myself, remember. Other ways to measure success. Could always go get a better degree later if you wanted to...armor alone would be worth consideration to good schools. Not attending school probably gave me extra hours needed to bend reality, really. Don't think I'd have done as well as you there. Would lack...patience."

best avoid caffeine and alcohol "Water. Please." Mara carefully took a seat next to Ellie, trying to keep an eye on both the food and the Espadas family's social cues; those tamales were starting to win out, though, as her stomach reminded her that she'd been too flustered to remember lunch. "Secrets are...unfortunate. But usually necessary. Can try to answer any questions you have, though. Some things are more complicated than others, but...well. Ellie's family. Worth trusting." with most things - answer carefully - approval...oddly important - mmh - odd feeling

That one took some thought. Mara unfocused a bit, furrowing her brow and tilting her head while she turned the idea over. "....no. Not that weird. If," she emphasized, raising a finger, "and only if Dawes was treated like every other company. Might give them small priority or personal attention, better consideration, but pay and work would be largely under same contract, terms, and fees as any other. Pure business. Wouldn't expect you to need the help too often, though," she pointed out. "You're very good. Company seems to have a good reputation, as well."

Mara snorted. "Unsolvable for the client. Not for anyone I'd hire. Certainly not for me." She waved a hand, brushing the thought away. "Not saying I can solve everything. Not...realistic. For now. But unlikely to get problems I cannot handle. Idea wouldn't have gone to planning or engineering then. Hopefully. Even then, can always work around it...or just tell them the problem is insurmountable given resources." She shrugged. "It's something I've had experience with. Brain does it automatically, anyway. Might as well make money. Steady income. May be able to structure company for adjustable personal involvement unless a difficult or interesting problem comes."

"Mmh." Mara shook her head, holding up a hand. "No. Not releasing that. And not planning to sell my...original work. Often not safe, and generally...uncomfortable with the idea. Even for things that are...word. Benign." She hefted herself up onto her workbench, sitting on the edge and tapping a finger against the smooth, stained surface. "But need money, more general resources. Personal money won't last forever, especially at this rate. Am generally...fairly economical - scrap metal, reclaimed parts - but need to plan further ahead. Consulting. The plan, I mean - basically what I do at the Lab already. Other peoples' inventions, I - and anyone I hire - would...help. Unsolvable problems, design issues. General improvement. Support. Whatever a client needs to make products work, work better. Maybe in-house projects if someone has a good idea. In theory. Should be viable, just...red tape."

Now she really did duck her head down, self-consciously pulling a lock of hair back behind one ear with her free hand. "Almost five," she corrected, though she looked pleased at the compliment. "Still...polishing my Spanish. Different accent...takes time. Need more practice. Always other things to do, though." She gave Ellie's hand another little squeeze at her girlfriend's explanation. "Certainly worse things you could have told them about me," she reassured her, the corner of her mouth tugging into the ghost of a wry and nervous grin. "But...phrase. So far, so good."

She nodded. "Mmh. Important to be able to talk things out sometimes. Organize thoughts. Second opinions. Catharsis." She stretched a little, brightening at the mention of her girlfriend. "Well. Going well, I mean. Asked that already, too," she pointed out, raising an eyebrow. "Must be something else to talk about besides my love life. ....probably." She frowned a bit, thinking on that and realizing that the list of topics wasn't as long as it probably should be. for some value of 'should' - arbitrary - mmh - work? - no - friends social projects - few friends - poor social life outside Jill - projects too early to discuss - non-technology projects? - ah "Starting paperwork for a company," she offered, gesturing idly with one hand.

Dragonfly shook her head. "No. Considered that. But generally dislike having that much power over people. Plus, godhood isn't invulnerability. Both skilled enough to wield...impressive abilities, but doesn't make us invulnerable. Risk of feedback, incidental or direct harm to us or civilians, discovery." She gestured for that last bit, indicating the point Miss Americana'd already made. "Will be useful, might be fun, but still needs...care. Admit it might have appeal for a more stable system, however. Potential. Sharl...mmh." She frowned. "Too hard to predict. Freedom City appreciates its heroes. Tradition, like you said. First real superhero...too dependent on culture. Given Sharl? Would assume wonder, curiosity, then fear."

Mara squeezed Ellie's hand as the family introduced themselves; the urge to duck her head down was awfully strong and she was only partially successful in fighting it back. "Ah. Hello. Mara." She winced a bit. need to try not to sound completely crazy - always awkward - try harder "I am, I mean. It's...nice to meet you both. Have heard good things. Mostly." That last bit she just couldn't resist, and was apparently directed at Erik as a still shy but definitely impish jab. "And...sorry for the...mmh. Speech patterns. Not as crazy as I sound, promise. Can always focus on talking normally if it bothers you."

Dragonfly nodded, but inwardly winced. going to have such a headache afterwards "Yes. Not...casually, but capable. Don't have much reason to most of the time. Easier to edit from the outside. Still, good plan. Projection should keep weight off the simulation, as well. Will have to deal with interacting with us but not supporting us whole." She paused, something oddly amusing springing to mind. The corner of her mouth tugged a little and she added, "Will be interesting to be an alien. Strange women from higher levels of reality."

Quite a bit under cost, here. Taking Strength from 10 to 14 costs 4pp, not 2; you pay for the strength itself, not the bonus you get from it. So that's (4+6+2+0+6+4=) 22pp total for abilities. Your Attack bonus should account for your Attack Focuses and Specializations and whatnot. Here, it should read something like: Attack: +5 (+9 Melee) Your grapple bonus is your attack bonus plus your strength modifier. Here, that's (5 (base attack) + 4 (melee bonus) + 2 (str bonus) =) +11. Don't forget to tally the costs. 7+5+5= 17pp. It's listed correctly down at the end tally, but have to make sure it's here, too! You're currently only listing 13pp worth of skills. You'll also want to note which of your Languages (I'm assuming English?) is native. You actually listed them in alphabetical order, though, which should make Shaen a happy, happy man. Not a big deal, but you don't have to say 'Ranks' each time - just the number'll do. Per the house rules on feats, Defensive Roll gives you 2 toughness per rank. To get your +4 Toughness up above, you only need Defensive Roll 2. I'll...let the refs weigh in on this one, but I'm not entirely sure they're going to allow a reaction (EDIT: Woop! See below: you were right, free action, not reaction. My bad, tired brain jumped over an action type when I was running it back in my head. Same problem, though....) area attack power, like you have for Nauseate 4. Now's as good a time as any to note that the character's a decent distance under offensive caps for anything they do. Melee attacks would be done with a +9 attack bonus but only +2 Damage - that's PL5.5. All the actual powers are rank 7 or lower; that's a +7 'damage' bonus, but only a +5 attack when you use them. PL6. Offensive caps don't tend to be as important as defensive caps, but they're still important, especially at the low power levels. I'd recommend either buying a Strike power (with Mighty) to bring up melee (as a straight power or as equipment), or putting Accurate on every power in the array to take you up to a PL7 +0 Attack/+0 Damage cap on (most of) your non-melee abilities. Maybe both. Or just find a way to bump them up to Perception range, which is reasonably common for mental attacks. DC Block's unfinished, of course, but presumably you're saving that for last, when the sheet's all finished up. I don't blame you. Editing those things is kind of a pain. They're worth the pain, mind, but I usually save them for last too. Total expense tally: you're not paying enough for your abilities, you're paying for more feats and skills than you actually need. Assuming I haven't botched the math (which is possible! It's a thing I do.), you have: Abilities (22) + Combat (18) + Saving Throws (17) + Skills (13) + Feats (21) + Powers (25) - Drawbacks (4) = 112/105 Power Points A little overbudget, but not too bad. Certainly better than most first drafts for PL7s and 8s I've built.

Meanwhile, Mara was not too far away challenging Ellie's monopoly on fretting. She kept catching herself fidgeting with her hands (and could only seem to stop for as long as she could keep herself from being distracted by some new worry), and if she bit her lip any harder she'd break the skin and wouldn't that be a good first impression showing up with a bloody mouth and-- no She set her face, straightening her shoulders and heading for the door, one hand on her worn cloth messenger bag and one desperately kept from playing with the edge of her black slacks. calm - focus - met Jack already - just have to meet her mother and oh god She faltered at the door, just for a moment, before she swallowed to calm her stomach and quietly knocked.

Dragonfly frowned, but nodded. "Makes sense," she admitted, tilting her head. "Very complicated system to try to manage. Oversight AI would be difficult to properly engineer but...very useful. Advanced and dynamic simulation adjustment-....mmmh." Her frown deepened by quite a lot as something occurred to her - even her finger stopped its tapping. "That's...mmh. Possibly a problem. Or an aid. Not usually that lucky. AI intelligence could help or hinder by...a lot. Weak AI may simply make use of new memory. Strong AI may do the same, or be communicated with. Or respond badly to interference. Relatively limited reaction to errors and restrictive world is...concerning." She bit her lip. "Don't suppose Sharl's people have recent-sounding superstitions or mythology. Would be useful insight into, from their view, unexplained phenomenon and patterns."

"Stabilized first," Dragonfly noted, though she had to admit to herself that she was having a hard time keeping her brain from running away from her again. "Not sure how it was designed, but know how I'd design it, and if city's been bounded to discourage physical spread the simulation is probably suffering, too. System would be...mmh." She stared off into space again, tapping a finger as she spun ideas. "....best guess, well-designed system would either limit use of free memory - birth rates, space simulated - or begin simplifying simulation as a whole to save cycles and drive space. Poorly-designed system would create memory errors, glitches, read and write exceptions. Likely affects quality of life. May want to restore that first. Then add new space...offer choices on how it could be used. Won't have to live there ourselves, after all. Would be interesting to visit, though."

Mara sat in silence, picking at the fraying edge of a burn hole in her overalls and quietly fretting over something as Jessica talked. Some of the conversation was hitting a little too close to home, feeding into her own concerns about exposure of her history; but, she reminded herself, dwelling on that wouldn't be fair to her best friend. plenty of time for that later "....think," she slowly replied, "that...you have to decide how much it matters. To you. The past, I mean." She frowned, lightly shaking her head. "Can't always control your...history. And think that five minutes, no context...maybe not worth throwing away your hero. Think that who he was around you, raising you, teaching you...more important than who he was before that. Would try to remember him as you knew him. Not be too swayed by brief visions until you have more information. Which is probably somewhere," she pointed out, raising an eyebrow. "Public or easy-access records, no. But some report has to exist. You're very good with computers. And can talk to them directly, now. Have...faith...you'll find something."

The engineer darkened a little, turning her already-churning mind toward the implications of that. "That's...yes. Would gladly help. And can see the concern. Already-stressed system could react badly to sudden reintroduction of...mmh." Tap-tap-tap went the finger against the side of her leg as she built sketchy, abstract system models in her head for a moment. "....even just overloaded memory system risks rejection at best. Cascading system failure or hardware burnout at worst. Sharl displaces a bird, bird gets written to building data, displaced building data gets written to physical constants...." She gestured vaguely. "Caution is best. If frustrating. Imagine you've already considered that. Thinking aloud."

Mara was quiet for a while, leaning back against a workbench as she frowned, listened, and thought. "....why?" she asked, finally, looking up at Jessica with sympathy and a hint of concern. "The military base, I mean. Why was he attacking it? Context is important. The first Ironclad is on record as a hero. Different times, yes, but...even with government... - term - ...backing, indiscriminate killing would be notable and on record." She sighed, but shook her head. "Not...don't approve of killing. Obviously. Own reasons. But don't know what to think without knowing the reasons."