KnightDisciple

Cobalt Templar turns back to the policeman. "Is there a rooftop with a clear line of sight to the hostages? I can get us up on the rooftop quickly, but I'd like to have some cover while I move. I'm rather obvious, when all is said and done. I'd rather go for protecting the hostages than taking down the criminals. Mostly because I can't do both, and I know my chances of the former are better than the latter. Actually...did you note any metahumans or large-caliber weaponry among the gunmen? Or is it all small arms carried by regular guys?""

Right, so. I'm pretty sure I can manage to get the 12 posts to get Gabriel Bronze, so hey, I might as well get cracking on this. Due to the need for PP, he'll start off at PL8/120PP. He's going to be a Battlesuit user, inspired (mechanically) by a mix of AA's Teleporting Speedster, his Armored Ruler, and Ecal's PL7 Battlesuit. Note: This is very much a "work-in-progress" character sheet. If there are large gaps of stuff not filled out...it's because I haven't gotten there yet. Player Name: KnightDisciple Character Name: Fenris Power Level: 8 (120/120PP) Trade-Offs: -0 Attack / +0 Damage, -3 Defense / +3 Toughness Unspent PP: 0 Progress to Bronze Status: 0/30 In Brief: As Fenris, Magnus Katastrof uses the incredible abilities of his armored suit to defend those who cannot defend themselves, and to howl his defiance at gods, monsters, and mortals alike who would oppress the helpless! Alternate Identities: Baron Magnus Vilhelm Katastrof Identity: Secret Birthplace: Gothenburg, Sweden Occupation: Swedish Baron, Primary Shareholder for Katastrof & Sorenson Technologies Affiliations: Tech Titans Family: Gostav Jarle Katastrof (father); Sonja Malena Katastrof (mother) Age: 24 (DoB: April 23, 1986) Gender: Male Ethnicity: Swedish Height: 5'10"/6'6" (Armored) Weight: 145 lbs./250 lbs. (Armored) Eyes: Blue Hair: Blonde Description: At first glance, Magnus Katastrof doesn't live up to his name very well. He's of only average height, and he's certainly not particularly large and muscular. His blonde hair is kept in a short, simple cut. He tends to wear subdued business casual (slacks and polo/collared shirts), going for darker blues, greens, and grays. When he dresses in one of his finely-tailored suits, he cuts a somewhat more noticeable figure. That said, the way he carries himself is a strong indicator of his noble birth and upbringing; there's a grace in his motions, and a sense of confidence in any motion he makes. As Fenris, he cuts a radically different figure. Standing at six and a half feet tall and cutting a very broad figure, Fenris would be imposing just by sheer stature. That his head is modeled after a robotic wolf just makes it worse. His overall color scheme is a dark gray, almost black in spots. His eyes shine an unearthly blue, and his teeth are shining white fangs in a mouth that moves almost like an normal human's. The ears on his head actually move around, sometimes pointing in different directions, sometimes seemingly focusing on a particular spot. There are dark blue lines visible in intricate patterns on his hands and forearms, as well as his feet; these patterns fade somewhat as they head up his limbs and onto his torso and head. The patterns converge on his back, culminating in a blue glowing circle near the top of his shoulder blades; said circle seems flush with the rest of his armor, meaning it's not a true weak point or anything similar. When firing his energy weapons, the lines on his forearms and hands light up very brightly; when in close-combat mode, the blue lines glow a bright blue all over his body. When using the Vacuum Flux Capacitor, his legs shine brightly, while the torso and arms display a duller glow. Power Descriptions: The Fenris combat power armor is Magnus's crowning invention thus far. Incorporating a variety of cutting edge technologies, it transforms him from a slightly above-average human to a person capable of fighting many metahumans on even ground. Its power source relies first and foremost on vacuum energy, drawing energy from the space between all matter. Secondary collectors embedded in the suit allow it to absorb various other forms of radiation to supplement power, though at this time Magnus has not managed to give himself total protection from such effects. As well, large, sudden bursts of energy (such as from energy weapons) are far more than the absorption systems could ever handle, and thus affect him as normal. All energy that's collected is fed into special capacitors and energy processors, in a special quadruple-helix form, which further feeds into the hyper-efficient batteries. He has yet to encounter a situation that fully depletes his systems. Besides basic protective, sensory, and environmental systems, the Fenris armor has a few unique bits to it. First, there's the Enhanced Reflexive Motive Systems; these actually allow Magnus to move with a greater degree of grace, agility, and reaction speed than when he's out of the armor. Second, his suit utilizes cutting-edge Electroactive Polymer Muscles to enhance his strength; by default, he's pushing the upper end of human strength levels. Next, there's his offensive systems. At the moment, they're still in the initial phases, and the suit's power systems can only power one mode or the other. His first option for offense are his Particle Projection Cannons, which use ionized plasma particles to fire bolts similar to lightning out to rather astounding ranges. Alternatively, he can pump up the output to his E.P.M.s (Electroactive Polymer Muscles) to completely superhuman levels. By itself, this would be a formidable asset in combat. However, this increased strength is actually meant to complement his primary close-combat weapon: his Electro-Claws. These claws on his fingertips channel the same sort of plasma/electricity that his PPCs fire, helping greatly augment their cutting power. When active, they glow bright blue, with small electrical sparks dancing off of them at times. Supplementing the effectiveness of the claws and his enormous strength is a series of specialized CQB Targeting Protocols that cover for his comparatively basic knowledge of the fighting arts. Finally, there is his second-greatest creation, next to the Vacuum Energy System itself: the Vacuum Flux Capacitor. This system allows Fenris to move between the matter of the universe, including dark matter. He has absolutely no resistance to his movement; combine that with the system that creates an attracting charge at a destination point, and Fenris can go from one point to another in an eyeblink, with practically zero effort expended. Even longer-distance running doesn't risk exhausting him. Rather than one long sprinting move, he often makes short "hops", stopping for just a split second to recalculate his next "jump" before moving on. It manifests in a flash of light at the beginning and end points, but those with sharp enough eyes can spot the incredibly blurred figure of Fenris slipping between space itself. Its only limitation at this time is that Fenris needs a fairly unrestricted view of his target area. Beyond that, he can dive through the space between space, and reach his destination in a flash. History: Baron Magnus Vilhelm Katastrof was born into a loving, privileged family. Whenever he recounts his early years, he uses those exact words with a wistful smile on his face. Gostav Jarle Katastrof and Sonja Malena Katastrof welcomed their only child into the world with smiles, laughter, and a comparatively modest party for family and close friends. Of course, said party had guests that included the Crown Prince of Sweden, and some of the nobility from other countries, especially England. The party had only the finest, most expensive foods and table settings. Such was the life Magnus was born into. Of course, his life was defined by more than just his family's wealth and status. Magnus proved himself to be an extraordinary young man, testing as one of the top percentile in intelligence at the earliest age they begin such measurements. He went on to complete high school at the age of 16. He had two bachelor's degrees (Engineering Technology and Theoretical Physics) by age 19; his Ph.D. in Engineering came at age 21. At that point, he returned from his studies abroad (Germany, Switzerland, England, France, Russian, even Norway) to begin working in his family's company. He had a whole host of exciting ideas he wanted to see implemented, both to make a touch of money, and to change the world. Because if you can do one, why not do both? Unfortunately, Fate is a fickle mistress. For it was perhaps a month after returning that Magnus discovered his father's darkest secret. Gostav was part of a small group of nobles who had been seeking to call upon the powers of the ancient Norse pantheon and its various and sundry attendants. They had managed to bind a couple of willing participants to minor fallen heroes, but the results were fairly standard "flying brick" metahumans. Certainly more powerful than a mere mortal, but nothing that truly shook the world. But it was the result of decades of work and study, referencing texts from all time periods, and even a few scraps of notes from the Second World War. What was even worse than the "simple" use of magic, was their goal. They wished to take over the country, and perhaps all of Scandinavia! They claimed their hope was to quietly take control, working with a plan that spanned decades, and more than one generation. Gostav had hoped to bring Magnus into the fold, putting his brilliant mind to work on the project. After all, the boy's inventions would be just the boost their project needed! Then they could show these upstart proles, with their lazy living off the dole and their drunken rants against their betters! They would know their betters, and be made to work. But oh, the greatness they could achieve! It was for the good of the country, after all. Scandinavia could be so much more; Gostav painted a picture of a paradise on earth, one running on a seamless combination of magic and technology, a shining beacon for the rest of the world. And Scandinavia was as far as they wished to extend control; the whole world would prove too much hassle! The flaw in their plan was Magnus. He was horrified by the very thought, and went first to his mother. She'd known of her husband's plans, but had wanted no part of it, one way or another. She'd immersed herself in the social scene, doing her best to utterly ignore Gostav's doings. Maybe if she ignored it, it would go away? But that wasn't good enough for Magnus; much as a few specific things his father brought up were valid points, this wasn't the way to correct the issue. They were above this! So he went to the authorities, and Gostav and the others were arrested, one by one or in small groups. They were ultimately found guilty of conspiracy to overthrow the government; none of their efforts thus far had been truly illegal. However, things were severe enough that any and all of them involved were immediately stripped of title and holdings; never again could they be considered nobility of Sweden. Even when released from prison in about 10 years, they would be watched closely, to ensure they didn't attempt a more covert repeat. Gostav and Sonja's relationship was strained, but genuine love pulled them through. His view didn't dramatically change once he was imprisoned, but he did at least give up on ever actually achieving his goals. It took 2 years (age 23) before Magnus would talk to his father again. After six months, they had mostly reconciled, with Magnus even telling his father of how the family company was running, whether he was dating a nice girl yet, and so on. Only the presence of bulletproof glass marred these meetings. Of course, Magnus had not been idle for the last two years, even putting aside his work as majority shareholder of Katastrof & Sorenson Technologies and his duties as Baron Katastrof. Having seen the potential results of his father's work, and knowing that some of the information and technology involved had slipped through the cracks, and was even now out in the greater world, poised to cause havoc, he knew something had to be done. Something that required first-hand knowledge of the situation. The news made it seem fairly simple to be a superhero these days; even teenagers were doing it! So he began work on his finest piece of engineering yet. He made several astounding breakthroughs in those two years. Power systems, alloy mixes, motive systems, and more. All of it focused on the goal of building him an armor devoid of any magical influence. One born of pure science, pure human effort and ingenuity. He succeeded, and the immediate results left him feeling satisfied. The potential for the future left him anticipating more. But what name to call himself? What "theme" to take up. He spent many days trying to think of something, until it came to him. The Norse pantheon, it had caused so much trouble. The Nazies themselves had called upon its power; the mere temptation of that same power is what landed his father in jail! So be it; he would name himself for one of the creatures that would one day tear down those same gods. The Wolf of Ragnarok, Son of Loki: Fenris! In the last year, Magnus has moved for a time to Freedom City. He wants to "whet his teeth" on the whole superhero business for a while; Sweden has a few local supers who handle local villain activity with little trouble. He opened a branch of his company here, hoping to work with other local technology firms to better produce some of his more complicated prototype-level devices. After all, some of the breakthroughs that went into his armor could benefit all of mankind one day! Personality & Motivation: Magnus Katastrof is an intense, driven young man. He strives to make up for the blemish on his family's name due to his father's actions, and the large amount of charitable work his company does is a testament to that. He has few friends, mostly due to his general policy of keeping people at an arm's length. Those friends he does have, however, he displays a fierce loyalty towards. While not a man of great anger, he does have a few things that tend to task him more greatly than others. For one, those who speak too strongly against the very concept of nobility (he and his peers are positive, contributing members of society, thank you very much); connected to that, those who rail against any accumulation of wealth or status. Those who speak down to him as a Swedish man (a rare occurrence in America, but somewhat common in his earlier studies abroad Europe) earn even more ire. He has a strong distrust for those who delve deeply into magic, willing as he may be to judge them on a case-by-case basis; those whose traditions call upon the Norse pantheon have an even stronger uphill battle. Finally, those who speak too harshly of his father face a cold anger that nonetheless runs the risk of burning them (metaphorically speaking). As Fenris, he tends to project a sense of bravado and calm in the face of danger. He doesn't resort to calling for single combat, however; he's more than willing to dash from hiding spot to hiding spot, sniping his enemies with impunity. He tends to drift towards attempting to take charge of any group he's in, but is generally willing to follow the lead of others if there's a clear chain of command with a competent head. Powers & Tactics: Ideally, Fenris would be mobility-focused, using mainly his Teleport and Blast to harry his foe, perhaps while fellow heroes work to finish them. He only switches to his close-combat mode when absolutely necessary. The name of the game is "run and gun", really, especially with his extended range (200 feet for a single range increment). Complications: Don't Talk About My Father: Magnus is very sensitive about the subject of his father; anyone who brings Gostav up for anything but the vaguest of references is risking his temper. Magic? Really?: Magnus distrusts magic as an overall concept. He doesn't reject its existence, or try to explain it away with pseudo-science. He simply doesn't like how "easy" it is. He views it as humanity taking a shortcut, and relying too strongly on something beyond themselves. Thor? I Hate That Guy!: While magic is merely at the level of "distaste", most anything to do with the Norse pantheon is guaranteed to have Fenris's ire. He doesn't trust them or their servants one bit, mortal or otherwise. While he's not a huge fan of deities on general principle, no other pantheon raises his hackles like the Norse do. Tarnished Name: Even putting aside the rather unfortunate implications of "Katastrof", Magnus now has to deal with the cloud of suspicion his father's activities have caused. Not only is he viewed with caution, his company has experienced a drop in sales as people sometimes distance themselves from the company once owned by a "Viking-obsessed madman). Ah! Robot Wolf!: Heroic or no, Fenris's appearance is more than a bit intimidating. A big, metallic wolf-man who talks tends to set people on edge. Wait, What's Your Name?: Anyone who knows about Norse mythology at all is incredibly suspicious of Fenris until he explains the rough outline of why he took the name. Sense of Chivalry: Fenris has a strong desire to protect the "defenseless" while meeting the enemy in battle. On occasion, this makes him impulsive. It certainly means he goes to great lengths to help civilians in need. Abilities: 2 + 2 + 2 + 8 + 2 + 2 = 18PP Strength: 12/16/24 (+1/+3/+7) Dexterity: 12/16 (+1/+3) Constitution: 12 (+1) Intelligence: 18 (+4) Wisdom: 12 (+1) Charisma: 12 (+1) Combat: 6 + 4 = 10PP Initiative: +1/+3 Attack: +3 (+8 Armored) Grapple: +4/+9/+15 Defense: +5 (+2 Base, +3 Dodge Focus), +1 Flat-Footed Knockback: -0/-5 Saving Throws: 4 + 5 + 6 = 15PP Toughness: +1/+11 (+1 Con, +10 Protection [Armor]) Fortitude: +5 (+1 Con, +4) Reflex: +6/+8 (+1/+3 Dex, +5) Will: +7 (+1 Wis, +6) Skills: 68R = 17PP Computers 8 (+12) Craft [Electronic] 8 (+12) Craft [Mechanical] 8 (+12) Diplomacy 6 (+7, +9 with Wealth) Disable Device 6 (+10) Knowledge [business] 4 (+8) Knowledge [Life Sciences] 4 (+8) Knowledge [Physical Sciences] 2 (+6) Knowledge [Technology] 8 (+12) Languages 4 (English, German, French, Russian) (Native: Swedish) Notice 4 (+5) Sense Motive 6 (+7) Feats: 8PP Benefit (3) (Status (Swedish Nobility: Baron, Wealth 2) Dodge Focus (3) Eidetic Memory Jack of All Trades Powers: 56 = 56PP Device 14 (70PP, Flaws: Hard-To-Lose) (Fenris Armor) [56PP] Base Power: Blast 8(Descriptors: Lightning; PFs: Accurate, 1 Alternate Power, Increase Range 1; Range: 200ft increments, 2000ft maximum) (Particle Projection Cannons) [19PP] Alternate Power: Strike 1(Extras: Penetrating 7; PFs:Accurate, Mighty) Enhanced Strength 8 (Electro-Claws, E.P.M. (Stage Two), and CQB Targeting Protocols) [18PP] Enhanced Attack 3 (Targeting Computers) [6PP] Enhanced Dexterity 4 (Enhanced Reflexive Motive Systems) [4PP] Enhanced Strength 4 (Electroactive Polymer Muscle) [4PP] Immunity 5(Suffocation (all), disease poison, vacuum) (Airtight Seals) [5PP] Protection 10 (Composite Armor Plating) [10PP] Super-Senses 4(Darkvision, Direction Sense, Ultra-Hearing) (Sensory Enhancement Package) [4PP] Teleport 7(700 feet/200 miles; PFs: Change Direction, Change Velocity, Easy, Turnaround) (Vacuum Flux Capacitor ) [18PP] Drawbacks: (-4) = -4PP Drawback (Normal Identity: Full-Round to don suit, Frequency: [Common], Intensity: [Major]) [-4PP] DC Block: ATTACK RANGE SAVE EFFECT Unarmed Touch DC16 Toughness (Staged) Damage Unarmed Touch DC18 Toughness (Staged) Damage Blast Ranged DC23 Toughness (Staged) Damage Strike Touch DC23 Toughness (Staged) Damage Abilities (18) + Combat (10) + Saving Throws (15) + Skills (17) + Feats (8) + Powers (56) - Drawbacks (-4) = 120 Power Points

Corbin simply mulled over Sa-Ur's first comments. His next words were spoken slowly, thoughtfully. "I see where you're going with your argument, and while it has merits, I think I have to point back to human nature for why it's not an ideal solution. Then again, I could probably write a doctoral thesis on the whole subject." He gave a half-smile at the idea. He stayed silent as mother and daughter exchanged tense words, words that he didn't fully understand. Or rather, didn't know the history behind. He smiled as Sa-Ur complimented them, and gave her a polite incline of the head at her compliment. "Thank you for your kind words. Hopefully, my attempts bear fruit." He laughed at her first question. "It's not that bad, there are worse-" And then she asked about what he and Quo-Dis had been up to, physically. He froze in mid-sentence. his whole body going almost unnaturally still. A slight twitch developed at the corner of his left eye for a few moments, before he finally gained control of himself, settling back into a neutral posture for several long moments. Finally, he spoke, looking Sa-Ur directly in the eye. "No. We have not. And I would appreciate if such a subject were not brought up in public. It is not something we discuss in a venue like this, even if, as a parent, you have grounds to ask us such a thing. If we were in a more private setting, it would be more appropriate." Suddenly, he turned and gave all of the patrons and workers who were sitting nearby (and thus quite possibly heard the question) a hard look, one that all but swore them to silence on the matter. Coming from an intimidating boy like Corbin, such a look carried a fair amount of weight.

Cobalt Templar nodded, and turned to Warlock. His expression was thoughtful, and gears were clearly turning in his head. "How much do you need to see for your shoes to get you somewhere? I'm thinking if you could teleport us both in, I could put up a mobile barrier around us and the hostages. We hunker down while SWAT moves in and does their thing. Not perfect, but gives us the best chance for unhurt hostages."

Cobalt Templar crosses his arms with a frown as he eyes the building. "Any ideas on numbers and placement of both the hostages and the hostage-takers? Any demands or whatnot yet? We might well be able to do something, but for what I'm thinking, I need to know where everyone is."

Gabriel Baby Baby: 1 IC Posts Carson Finbar and the Deathly Fellow: 2 IC Posts I Need a Mage's Opinion: 5 IC Posts Sound Off: 4 IC Posts Somewhere That's Green: 4 IC Posts When Did They Get Robots?: 10 IC Posts Witch Hunt: 25 IC Posts Current Total: 51 IC Posts Cobalt Templar Champagne Shenanigans: 1 IC Post Catching Up On New Times: 23 IC Posts The Odd Couples: 13 IC Posts Worlds Enough and Time: 12 IC Posts January 31, 2011 News Post: 1 IC post Current Total: 50 IC Posts Cobalt Templar Wiki Page As of 10:25pm CST January 31th, 2011

Gabriel winced a bit at the man's comparisons. "The preferred term is "sound controller". Anyways, we're not done here. Let's go." With that, Gabriel briefly lifted off and rushed ahead in flight, landing just in front of the door leading onwards. He turned back to wait patiently for Powerhouse to catch up.

At the talk of history, Corbin had a thoughtful, but interested, look come over his face. "Well, we have seen them used in past wars. It's only after the conflict we refer to as World War 2 that you see such things decline. I mean, this country's Civil War saw two groups of supers on both sides, just as an example. I think the issue is that there's always at least one side that wouldn't submit just because a single champion won. Going back to World War 2. That conflict wasn't just about territories and political power. It was about ideas and principles. There's now way the average American citizen would have submitted to German rule if some sort of mock-combat occurred. Or vice versa. The American Civil War, much of the Cold War...really, any conflict in the last few centuries. If you stop and look at it from a different angle, you see that there's the underlying idea that while metahumans may have more physical power, that doesn't mean people want them running the country. I mean, let's take...Captain Thunder, for example. I hear he's a great guy, and a good leader...for the Freedom League. That's, what, a few dozen heroes in active and reserves? Doesn't mean he's a good fit for president. And our whole culture here in America means we don't like the actions of one person deciding whether we shift governments radically..." He shakes his head. "I'm rambling, sorry. The point is, while some sort of "fight between champions" would be nice, it would never stick. Because so far as we're concerned, the normal human beings are just as important as the ones with powers." He raised an eyebrow at her second comment. "Honestly, I don't have a full picture of "your people". That's not a bad thing, that's just how it is. Quo-Dis speaks little on it, and I don't press her. But, I thank you for not disapproving as strongly as you first seemed to. As for "whatever time I have available"..." He shrugs. "Science marches on, I'm young, and who knows how things may develop in the future? I could end up living a few centuries. But one way or another..." A distant look appears on his face, a faint smile crossing it. "Ultimately, I believe in quality over quantity. Though, I do suppose Quo-Dis and I need to sit down soon and talk over a few things. Make sure we're both on the same page of the book and all. I appreciate your candor, one way or another."

Carson had a thoughtful look for a moment, then gave a nod. "Have you worked with soundboards much? I want to run a quick couple of tests while we have a chance. We've got about an hour." He looked at everyone else with a smile. "Feel free to stay out here, come in, and so forth. If you need help finding a restroom or something, just ask one of the ushers or other workers." With that, Carson heads back inside, making his way towards the musician section, nodding to one of the members of the string quartet who was currently tuning their instrument.

Hokay. Cobalt Templar will be saving his points, so... Edits for Gabriel. Now, per the final line on his sheet, he's actually at 172/177, so only 5 points to spend. -First, I'm going to purchase: Attack Focus (Ranged) 2 This changes his Attack to: Attack: +10/+12 ranged -Next, I purchase another rank of Luck, so that it's now: Luck 4 -Finally, my last 2 PP go into my Sonic Control Array, thus: Sonic Control 12 (24PP Array; Feats: Alternate Power 10) [34PP] (Mutation, Sonic) Base Power: Dazzle 12 (Audio Senses; Extras: Area [General, Burst, 55ft radius]) [24PP] Alternate Power: Blast 12 [24/24PP] (Sonic) Alternate Power: Communication 9 (Audio, 20,000 miles ["Anywhere On Earth"]; Extras: Area; Feats: Selective, Subtle) [20/22PP] (Ventriliquism) Alternate Power: Confuse 12 (Feats: Reversible) [13/24PP] Alternate Power: Drain Toughness 12 (Extras: Range [Ranged]) [24/24PP] Alternate Power: Drain Toughness 12 (Extras: Range [Ranged], Affects Objects [Alternate Save: Reflex]; Flaws: Affects Objects Only) [24/24PP] Alternate Power: Emotion Control 12 [24PP] Alternate Power: Flight 11 (Rank 12; 50,000MPH / 500,000ft per Move Action) [22PP] Alternate Power: Nauseate 12 [24PP] Alternate Power: Paralyze 12 [24PP] Alternate Power: Paralyze 12 (Extras: Range [Ranged]; Flaws: Action [Full]) [24PP] DCs become: ATTACK RANGE SAVE EFFECT Unarmed Touch DC16 Toughness (Staged) Damage Weighted Gloves Touch DC18 Toughness (Staged) Damage Blast Ranged DC27 Toughness (Staged) Damage Confuse Ranged DC22 Will Confused Dazzle Ranged/Area DC22 Reflex 1/2 Effect DC22 Reflex Deafened DC22 Fortitude Deafened Drain Toughness Ranged DC22 Fort or Ref Toughness Drained Emotion Control Perception DC22 Will (Staged) Emotion Control Nauseate Touch DC22 Fortitude (Staged) Sickened/Nauseated/Helpless Paralyze Ranged DC22 Will (Staged) Slowed/Paralyzed Paralyze Touch DC22 Will (Staged) Slowed/Paralyzed Also, the following changes: Power Level: 12 (177/177PP) Unspent PP: 0 Doktor'd

I find myself interested.

Corbin kept a polite smile plastered on his face, and a firm control on his thoughts and emotions. He'd given other patrons at the diner a look that said "bother us at your own risk"; coming from a boy his size, it pretty much did the job. "You mentioned earlier an interest in our culture. While I'm not as thorough on all aspects of modern culture, I consider myself a strong student of human history, with a dabbling in the visual arts. Are there any particular items that intrigue you? I know there have been things here and there that Quo-Dis enjoyed speaking on." He managed to only slightly wince at the mental shout. He thought back towards Quo-Dis, his response more measured. 'I imagine she wanted to protect you, or something similar. I have a feeling your mother isn't so different from, say, my own. Mothers tend to be universally over-protective. And at this point, I don't mind too much. I'm just sorry our date got thrown off-kilter like this. Is there anything I should know? Any topics to avoid, or some such?'

Fare thee well, Moira. Also, a note on my end: I will likely be around spottily this weekend. Looks to be a lot of hanging out with buds around here this weekend, gaming, movies, and so forth. I'll be on here and there, posting where I can.

"Not only do I bathe daily, sometimes more than once if the situation calls for it, I wash my hands very regularly, as well as utilizing antiperspirants. I also practice careful dental hygiene. Blake and Jessica engage in the same level of cleanliness, though I can't fully speak to the unique necessities of feminine life." He quickly modified the hand he had offered for a shake into a salute, before bowing very slightly at the waist. "Sa-Ur, it is my honor and pleasure. I can see where Quo-Dis gets her beauty and grace. As for language, I thank you. Though I know a few beyond what we call English, I am not as well-versed as some." 'Unless she means...Oh. Crap.' His face pales just slightly, and his smile slips a tad. "Yes, please, do come with us. Though I daresay "mating ritual" is a bit of a simplification. I can try to explain things as best I can, though. And of course, if you'd like something to eat or drink there, it would be my treat. If not, that's fine. Hopefully they haven't gotten rid of our food yet. Blake, maybe you and Jessica could dash back and make sure of that?" He gives Blake a significant glance, one with at least a little bit of a plea mixed in. "Sa-Ur, Quo-Dis, and myself will follow shortly, as I seek to clarify and explain any questions they may have to the best of my ability."

Corbin frowns at the scene before him. Part of him says he should just stay out of it. Family matters, and all that. That part of him is beaten mercilessly into silence when the tone the woman is using fully registers. Instead, he stalks forward, his hands clenched into fists, and the ring on his hand spitting blue sparks. He stops a couple feet away, takes a couple of shallow breaths to relax a bit, then steps up next to Quo-Dis. Clear heads were needed. "Pardon me, ma'am? I'm not sure what's going on here, exactly, but your words seem to indicate there might be a misunderstanding here." He offers his right hand (the ring having finally stopped sparking), a polite smile (which doesn't reach his eyes) on his face. "My name is Corbin Alphonse Hughes. I am the one who was escorting your daughter this evening. I can assure you, at no point in our activities were we standing in an alley." The phrase "until now" was left unspoken. "Do you perhaps have concerns about specific events tonight? Surely we can put those fears to rest. Maybe you'd like to come back to our previous location with us? Or at least relocate to somewhere other than this alley?" His eyes were watching this woman carefully, trying to spot...well, anything helpful. 'Treat this like those aggressive negotiations Dad taught me about. Open up nice, and get more direct later on if the situation escalates to that point.'

Gabriel's face went entirely blank. But it wasn't because he was succumbing to the demon's control. No, it was such righteous fury that his face could no longer properly express it. Before speaking a single word, he raised his right hand and sent a pulse of sound screaming at the lead demon's chest. "In the name of the Lord, I command you to leave! In the name of the Song of God, begone! You shall not shed more innocent blood this day! You shall not have the child! The Lord is with me, and I shall neither fear nor obey you! Begone, twisted fallen angel! Begone, pathetic shadow of your former self!" He dashed over to the table where the poor child had almost been consumed by a horrible ritual. "BEGONE!"

Hokay! These demons be killin' heroes and threatening babies. This will not be allowed to continue. Attack Roll: 24 Blasting the Lead Demon, DC 26 Toughness. Moving to stand next to where the child is.

Cobalt Templar just shakes his head. "Never mind. Let's just go kick some criminal butts, shall we?" He flew on, easily keeping pace with Blake's motorcycle, mystical enhancements or no.

Gabriel spent several long moments blinking in confusion. Then, he burst into laughter. "A self-mailing zombie? That is priceless. And a good lesson on why you shouldn't rely on djinni." He looked thoughtful for several moments, before nodding with a smile. "Weirdest villain: A clown. No, seriously, a circus clown. Multicolored clothes, wig, paint, red nose, the works. He had a little sprayer that sprayed laughing gas. You know, nitrous oxide. Except there was so little of it, and it wasn't dense enough, that it didn't do anything. He was trying to hold up a convenience store, and couldn't understand the clerk was laughing at him, instead of because of the gas. He was rather sad-looking when the police hauled him off. Honestly, I hope he got some mental help; no way he was firing all cylinders."

Corbin couldn't help but laugh as Blake's lack of planning. Good to know some things didn't change. At his suggestion of hitting the Fens, Cobalt Templar's face went from "uncertain" to "wary" to "determined and excited". "I got a full charge on my ring, you've got a bag full of magical gadgets, and we're about to head into the ugliest part of town wearing superhero duds." A grin on his face means he hopes Blake will catch the reference he just tossed out, and "seal the deal".

Corbin had simply stood by with a smile as Quo-Dis ordered, getting himself a fairly simple ice-cream sundae. He'd just placed his food on the table when she stood up and ran from the room. He blinked for several long moments, concern growing on his face. Without a word to the others, he stands and dashes after his date, casting his gaze about as soon as he's outside. 'Something's wrong, I just know it. I just hope I can help her...' he thought desperately to himself. As soon as he caught trace of her, Corbin followed in Quo-Dis's wake, trying to catch up and see if there was something wrong.

Gabriel nodded occasionally, paying close attention to Robin's explanation. A contemplative look was on his face as she finished. "Interesting. Very interesting. I think you have something of a point about science; even in the church, we look more to science than magic. Maybe one day we can find a balance? Have both disciplines equally respected, as they are just different systems dealing with different forces? I mean, it's clear that using magic isn't tied to a single belief structure, just like science isn't. I only hope we can work to avoid conflict..." He shakes his head, a rueful smile crossing his face. "Sorry, that's a bit off-topic. How about this: What's your oddest story regarding magical work?" He sipped at his water as he waited for her answer.

Corbin-no, Cobatl Templar-quickly dove down until he was flying just above and to the right of Blake's motorcycle. "Any particular hot-spots you're aiming for, cowboy? Or just cruising around for a bit?"

Gabriel blinked at the suddenly-visible dog. "Um..thank you?" He seems slightly nervous, but not truly panicky. He turns back to Dead Head himself, shaking the offered hand. "I appreciate it. More just a head's up people around here can be jittery. Thanks for cluing me in on these organleggers. I'll have to keep my eyes open for them from now on."

Tech Titans: 3 Steel Cavaliers: 2 Gear Guard: 1