KnightDisciple

I think is probably best. I'll throw more tags in for Corbin if I feel like it.

"Is est teres. Illic eram haud offensus donatus." is translated from Latin to "It is fine. There was no offense given." in English. For the curious.

Corbin raised an eye. Someone around his age who knew Latin? A rare thing. He gave a slight smile to the girl. "Is est teres. Illic eram haud offensus donatus. Glad to meet you, Etain. Are you new around here as well?" He looked towards the entrance building. "I suppose it would make sense for some sort of "visitor's guide" to be there. You seem a bit lost yourself. Perhaps we can both get some assistance?" He started to walk back into the entrance building, looking back to see if Etain would follow.

Gabriel's expression morphed from disappointment, to shock, to anger, and finally to sadness. He uncrossed his arms and held them, palm forward, in front of himself in a sort of warding gesture. "Jermaine, come on. It's me, Gabriel. We talked just last week. Remember? You and some other guys were playing basketball at the Youth Center a few blocks away, and I swung by to say "hello" and check in on everyone? I chatted with the other guys for a bit, but we ended up talking for over an hour. You asked me all sorts of questions. I answered them. Remember that? How is your sister doing? I know she had a mild case of the flu when we chatted; is she doing any better?" He paused, weighing the situation carefully. "Jermaine. You know you don't really want to do this. You're not the sort of person who shoots people. Especially people who aren't trying to hurt you. That's not what your mother taught you. Not what your teachers taught you. And it's not what I taught you. You're better than this, Jermaine. You're a smart kid. You have a bright future ahead of you. Don't make this sort of mistake. You're supposed to make normal teenager mistakes. You know, pick the wrong answer on a test; mess up the words when you're signing a song with your buddies; stutter when you ask a pretty girl out; mismatch your socks. All the things that make you feel mortified now, but that you'll look back and laugh about in 5 years. Please, Jermaine. Don't make this mistake."

Corbin was looking the other direction, still trying to spot anything that looked helpful, when someone collided with him. He let out a grunt of surprise, but didn't actually move any. He turned his 6'4" frame around to face whoever had bumped into him, and saw...a girl in an oddly old-fashioned dress. "Sorry about that. I wasn't paying attention, or I'd have warned you or stepped out of the way." He offered one hand out for her to shake. "Name's Corbin, Corbin Hughes. I'm new around here, and kind of lost. Could you help me find the...I guess schoolmaster's office? I'm not even totally sure where I'm supposed to go at all."

Gabriel listened carefully to the young woman's words, narrowing his eyes slightly as he felt something off in her delivery. His eyes widened a bit as something else struck home; she was changing in front of his eyes. "Lend your services, hm? Looks more like a petty protection racket. See, what looks to be going on here is you're leading all these impressionable kids around, and attempting to intimidate shop owners into giving you money, or else you cause property damage, and likely eventually threaten their health. That's not heroic. At all." Gabriel crossed his arms and placed a stern expression on his face, dropping his voice about an octave. "And only moral cowards resort to such measures. I'm disappointed in all of you kids, but especially you, miss. I think you should all disperse and head home, before people make decisions they regret tonight."

For Gabriel's response...Intimidate Roll: 12+20=32.

IC thread here. OOC thread here, if needed. Remember, all Claremonters are welcome, but I would like at least a few people close to his PL to meet and greet, so that he (hopefully) has some adventuring buddies right from the start.

Corbin Alphonse Hughes walked through the front gate of Claremont Academy with a single duffel bag in hand. His parents had, of course, insisted that the rest of his belongings be brought over by a discrete moving firm. They didn't want to see him try to carry things on his own; after all, he might use his powers. 'Typical of them, I suppose. Out of sight, out of mind, maybe it'll stop existing.' he thought with a mental snort. He looked around at the almost imposing entry foyer, walking slowly as he took in all the sights. He nodded greeting to the sparse staff; he'd have thought there might be a few more people around, but apparently not. He continued on, eventually exiting into the Main Quad, looking around at the grassy square, trying to figure out where he should go now. Anyone from the school could see the tall boy, but he was very clearly new, and maybe just a bit lost...

Just in case. This is the OOC thread for Corbin Alphonse Hughes/Cobalt Templar's first day or two at Claremont Academy.

Physically speaking, Gabriel's "ideal woman" is about the same height (between 5'10" and 6'2", with him square at 6') and body mass/type (fit, lean without being skinny); she'd have more of a "girl next door" and less of a "super-model" type face and figure, with dark auburn hair around shoulder length, blue eyes, and about the same skin tone as him (fairly light/not quite "pale", with perhaps a very light dusting of freckles). Irish accent optional. Counter Bluff Check: 20+24=44. Critical! :o

Will Save: 5+7= 12.

Gabriel confidently strode into the store, his coat flapping a bit in the air as he did so. He strode up to a point about 8 feet away from the girl who had just spoken. "Accidents are indeed tragic. But what's more tragic is when someone thinks intimidation is the only way to earn money." He gives an exaggerated squinting expression as he examines the various gang members present. "How many of you actually shave regularly yet? Shouldn't tomorrow's homework and which girl you're taking to the school dance be a bigger concern than the theoretical accident rates at a small, family-owned grocer? Unless you're all looking to be statisticians. Which still doesn't call for non-accidentally breaking something. It ruins the test parameters."

So. Cobalt Templar has been approved, and I'd like to get him a bit of "action". Specifically, I'm hoping to get several people willing to do a social thread at Claremont. Corbin (CT's civvie name) is a fresh transfer, so we could even make the thread his "first day". "Starting late in the school year!" you say? No worries! The circumstances around why he's coming to Claremont mean that it's easily explained away. At any rate, I don't want to levy restrictions on this beyond "other Claremont students, or maybe people who would reasonably be at Claremont on a Monday". That said, I'd like him to meet and greet with people closer to his PL, at least partly. So while Young Freedom's heavy hitters are more than welcome, I'd especially like to see people like Kid Cthulu and Ironclad involved. Several PL7-9-ish people would be cool. I'll post a thread after a bit, once I've got some feedback.

Gabriel 3PP to spend. 1PP in Base Reflex Save: becomes 2PP spent on Sonic Control Array: Revised entry should look like this: Revised DC Block: ATTACK RANGE SAVE EFFECT Unarmed Touch 15 7Toughness (Staged) Damage Weighted Gloves Touch 17 Toughness (Staged) Damage Blast Ranged 26 Toughness (Staged) Damage Confuse Perception 21 Will Confused Dazzle Ranged/Area 21 Reflex 1/2 Effect 21 Reflex 21 Fortitude Deafened Emotion Control Perception 21 Will (Staged) Emotion Control Nauseate Touch 21 Fortitude (Staged) Sickened/Nauseated/Helpless Paralyze Touch 21 Will (Staged) Slowed/Paralyzed Also, change the in-profile picture to this picture. Doktor'd

Gabriel listened carefully to the man. This was...this was something different. The style of the language, some of the vague concepts, resembled more common religions. But everything else...He had to proceed carefully. "I've only heard of this Shepard in passing, and just now. You say he's going to...clean the earth. Does he say why? And...what is he like? You've told us what he will do, but I'd like to hear why; motivation speaks volumes. And...how long ago was his book written? Who wrote it?" Gabriel tries not to ask his questions too quickly, and to keep a gentle tone with the man. Sounding interested...which he was. He'd never heard of this "Shepard" before, but what he was hearing worried him a bit.

Added civilian picture (actor Daniel Cudmore, a bit of Dawson Casting, but eh). Changed height from 6'3" to 6'4".

Gabriel turns and listens at the new line of conversation. He nods as Momentum talks about machine guns and such. "That's why I try to play it careful around here; well-armed criminals can be a real threat if you're not careful." He frowns as Wander reacts to the name. "Have you heard the name "Faretti" before, Wander? I don't recognize it offhand myself..."

"Mercy is often meaningless without justice. I never said I didn't believe in people undergoing the consequences for their actions. I merely advocate that we work to help them reform themselves, so that they don't end up back in the prison. I believe in free will, but I also believe in vicious cycles. We have laws, we have law enforcement. But they are not perfect. Where applicable, we should make our voices heard in our civilian guises, so that we can urge the system to be better. When in costume, I try to ask for mixed sentences, rather than locking them up and throwing away the key. And while these people may be blessed in some senses, in others, it's very rough. And before you say 'not as rough as it could be', that doesn't devalue what they have to endure." He points ahead, as they draw near to old "abandoned" buildings. "This area is a 'hotspot' because it provides prime grounds for gatherings, storage, and the like. These buildings aren't legally inhabited, and aren't regularly checked by the police. Both the gangs and the mob use them. Typically for selling...whatever they feel like. We're close enough to Boardwalk we get plenty of mob activity up here." Distaste creeps into his voice. "This is the area where those who knowingly choose to commit evil gather. These are the ones who peddle weapons, drugs, and lifestyles of violence gather. I've busted a few minor ones, but I'm noticeable enough they scatter before I get here. The ones that don't scatter...are likely numerous enough to put me in peril. Now that I have contact information for the Freedom League, I've occasionally called things in when I find out there's a notable gathering. But they're like cockroaches. You remove some, and more scuttle out of the darkness to take their place." He looks towards Dyne for a moment, before looking forwards again, hovering in the air about a half-block down from the small industrial park. "People are flawed beings. We're capable of incredible good, incredible beauty. But also incredible evil, cruelty, and ugly things. We should work to make it easier for people to make the right choices, but never forget that at least some people will truly, sincerely choose evil. They're the ones that run the gangs and mobs, sell the drugs, and so on. The rotten apples in the bunch."

"We cannot be too quick to pass judgment on the quality of the choices of an individual, without knowing all of the factors in that choice. Just saying "they committed a crime" does not absolve us of the necessity of human empathy. You mention how Freedom City is such a wonderful place. After all, we have so many heroes, yes?" He waved an arm at the crumbling building around them as they moved on. "And yet, we have places like this. The people that live her scrape by on little, and their homes crumble around them. Superheroes help people. But we can't help everyone at the same time. People slip through the cracks. So while these people may, in totality, have choices beyond crime, it is not inconceivable that they perceive crime as their only choice." He is silent for moments. "It is why I try to encourage at least some of the punishment of young people to end up as community service. I think such a thing gives young people perspective. As for someone your age risking your life..." He turns to look back at Wander, giving her a wan smile. "A part of me would rather see you not doing so. But I cannot fully speak out against those who feel the burning desire to aid their fellow man, when they've been blessed, one way or another, with powers and skills. And does it not make sense that we should rejoice in the positive choices of teenagers, even as we mourn the negative choices? I feel it only proper to do so."

Gabriel floated there, silent, for several long moments. "It is there choice. And I believe they have to pay the consequences. Doesn't mean I have to like it when I see a kid who should be excited about his brand new driver's license and his first date with that pretty girl in the second row in class waving a knife and gun at someone for spare change." He scanned around, trying to spot any tell-tales. He quickly saw a few, though no crimes in progress. "Groups of people of similar age moving as one. Sometimes, like those guys down there, they split to two sides of the street. Gives them better coverage. They never go solo if they're gang members. Always at least two, typically three. The gangs seem to keep shifting, but if you notice uniformity of dress, or an armband or hat or some such all of the same color, that's a sign. Body language is another sign; predators tend to stick out, even unsure, amateur ones. This area is one of the "hot spots". Most major roads will have at least a few shops and such, which means prime robbery attempts. 4 blocks further west are a few old warehouses and industrial-type buildings; none of them are inhabited, officially. Unofficially, they're prime real estate. I try to scope them out every so often, but I have to be careful." He turns and gives her a humorless smile. "I'm not bulletproof, so I try not to take large groups on solo. I can typically pick them off when they're in groups of 6 or less, though. As for supervillains, none that I know of. I tend to focus on more mundane crime, though. I have had a couple more...unique...encounters, but those have been a kind of "one-off" event. I haven't graduated to "weekly supervillain fights" quite yet." He slowly starts moving again. "Come on, I'll show you the "hangouts" I was talking about."

"Yes and no. There are programs. Probably enough programs, and strong enough programs, to help them all. The problem is, it's still hard to get that help. Paperwork. Red tape. Bureaucracy. And of course, pressure from peers to instead join gangs and turn to crime. That especially applies to the younger criminals. They have a friend in a gang, so they join. It can often end up being a cycle. The older ones that are desperate might have addictions that make it harder to get legitimate help. Or maybe the system just lets them down. Humans are flawed, temporal creatures. We mess up. A lot." Gabriel shrugs his shoulders as he flies. "Add the shadow of the mob and things like protection rackets, and you get this area." They turned west on the street that was just a block south of the "border" between Southside and Boardwalk. Gabriel stopped the tour for a moment on the roof of an old apartment building that had seen better years. "I think things are starting to turn around here and there. Efforts from all over are improving the area. But it takes time. And some of the people here don't feel like they have that time."

The group hit the street where Gabriel had said they would turn, and went north. "We're going to hit the nastiest part of town first. This part of Southside eventually runs into the Boardwalk. It has all the criminals and none of the class, unfortunately. I probably see the most work in this part of the area." Indeed, the further north they went, the worse things seemed to get. Further to the north, they could see the glow of the various casinos and nightclubs hosted on Boardwalk. The worst part is, half the people pulling off crimes in this area are either kids, or desperate. Often both." The others can easily hear the sorrow that leaks into the white-clad hero's voice.

Gabriel nodded as each person affirmed their desire for a "tour". He rose a bit higher into the air, and began to move fairly slowly towards the next building. "This is actually one of the more active streets in Southside; we're currently on Shelly Street. Plenty of shops up and down this street. We'll go for a few blocks before we take any turns. Keep your eyes open for anything suspicious, and take note of some of the side streets." With that, he increased his speed a bit, still making sure the others can keep up.

Gabriel eyed the floating cell phone. "Seems you're quicker on the draw, so you can make the call. There will likely be a couple of cars at the grocer he tried to rob, so he ought to be picked up rather quickly." Still looking at all of his fellows, his attention nonetheless shifts somewhat to Wander. "I'd be happy to give you a "tour" of this place. Even if I've only been operating for less than half a year, I have a pretty good mental map of the place. Do you want a street level tour, or a rooftop tour? As for route, I think I'll show you areas that tend to get more active, the major connecting roads, and any other places that come to mind." He started to hover into the air, clearly waiting for the response of the rest of the group. "Does that sound alright to everyone?"