KnightDisciple

When the horn sounded, Thoughtspeed was a blur of black and green, racing forward and leaving a trail of fuzzy green dots behind in his wake. The air currents he left swirled the barely-there dots about in frantic patterns... "The only thing I'm getting wet is my feet, but if you feel like eating my dust when we go over the water, feel free!" Thoughtspeed's voice is joyous, the young man losing himself in the undiluted excitement of just cutting loose. He wasn't at his top speed, not yet. He did, however, pour on a bit more speed, seeking to make sure he didn't drop behind "dead even" with his father, his whole body having fallen into a hyper-efficient rhythm of movement that allowed him to keep this pace up for a good long while.

The Headmistress simply nods at Riley's firm agreement, apparently expecting a simple, straightforward declaration from the rough-around-the-edges young man. At Matt's remark about community service, she smiled softly. "In a way this is a community service, Mister Rivera. Aiding in the resolution of criminal cases is a net benefit to the community. Even if none of you end up pursuing law enforcement, traditional or non-traditional-"meaning superhero work"-this will still be valuable experience." She regarded Raina with a slightly raised brow, but more of curiosity. "You will be graded on your efforts and the thought you put into them, not the absolute results. I will be expecting 2-4 pages or so from each of you on what skills you brought to bear during your investigations, and why, but so long as you don't deliberately try to fail, which I don't expect any of you to do, or deliberately seek to destroy evidence or the like, which I also don't expect, you should be fine. This is not a 'free' grade, but I don't anticipate any of you failing, or getting particularly low marks. As for database access, the folders contain logins that will last for three days, to allow you to do follow-up notes once you've finished the on-site portion of the investigation. This will not give you complete access to the database; it will give you free access to materials that might relate to the investigation. CSI-related information, profiles on known super-villains, super-gangs, and regular gangs, and other such information. You will not have access to student files, medical records, anything confidential here that is not relevant to this assignment. I'm sure Mister Merlin will find it an excellent research tool to assist all of you." There was no sarcasm in her voice, just honest assessment of what Merlin could do. "I'll inform the staff that you all will potentially be missing morning classes. If the investigation keeps you such that you miss everything, there are provisions for that, and the Raven will sign off on such. I would ask that you all not abuse this privilege over-much. Though, it is the end of semester, and I do recall my own teenage years. Just, please remember you represent the school in this endeavor. The authorities have been alerted you all will be aiding the Raven, and while you may need to answer questions, you have temporary ID badges in your folders that will prove you are legitimate investigators. You will also shortly be given communicators that will allow you to talk to each other on a private comm channel, contact the Raven, contact the Freedom League's emergency line, contact the on-call staff member here at the Academy, and/or contact emergency services. I'm sure if necessary Mister Merlin could have them contact other channels and numbers, but ideally you could simply use your phones for that purpose; we'd rather he not modify the headsets outside of an emergency situation. You will also be provided a set of email addresses to send pictures and other electronic evidence to as you feel the need; what you send and when is up to your discretion." Callie Summers pauses, considering the four students in front of her carefully. Her next words are a bit less business-like. "This sort of assignment is atypical but not unknown. I am placing a fair bit of trust in you all, but I expect that trust to be rewarded, with interest. I firmly believe you all are capable of excellent work." She looks over them once again. "Are there any final questions before you go prepare for this evening?"

Paige and Richard both heard a series of *thumps* from one of the upstairs bedrooms. The first sounded like someone falling out of bed, followed by that someone hitting a couple of walls, as if stumbling around. Just...at slightly higher-than-normal speed. ~Not ****ing again!~ she heard from Will, the tightly-controlled anger an unusual emotion from the young adult. He clearly was recollecting the last time the home had been invaded. Richard, the intruder, would suddenly hear something rushing down the stairs, before a young man wearing naught but pajama pants, ones decorated with luxury cars, standing a few feet away from him. He was breathing heavily, his eyes a bit wide; he looked a man awoken in a panic, but also focused and full of adrenaline. He was also holding two glowing green gladii, assuming a fairly classical twin-sword stance as he glared at the newcomer. "Who the hell are you?" ~Mom it looks like Dad, but not. Some kind of helmet. Looks angry.~

"I'd like to try leading the effort to talk to them. If they communicate with spoken word, it should be possible for us to understand each other." Gabriel thoughtfully tapped the fingers of his right hand on his knee, the ring on that hand catching the light just a bit. A simple silver band, on his middle finger... "I've yet to not be able to do so with any language I've encountered, but obviously we never say never. If that somehow fails, I can fall back on simpler communication first. As for calling you all in, when I'm focusing my powers on being able to speak with people, I'll have not only the ability to speak to most any language, but range out to 20 miles, as inclusive or exclusive as I like. I can talk with you all without them noticing, and hear your responses without you yelling." The white-clad hero seemed unconcerned giving this level of detail, though admittedly, any listeners wouldn't be finding out that much useful information.

"If you think my faith is simply about 'letting go', or that it somehow is not, in fact, part of how I deal with such things, then you don't understand it sufficiently, and any answer I give will be discarded as incorrect by you. But for the record, I have not met the worst possible version of myself face-to-face. I've simply heard of him, and what he's done." He wasn't irritated with Terrifica, but the dismissiveness with which she treated his faith did not give him much motivation to dance around how much it was a part of his life. The mention of this 'worst possible' version of himself carried some dark implications, however.

Stepping around who did or didn't vote for him, if you stop and think, it's kind of understandable that we'd get a POTUS who looks more seriously at a government-run super-team. I mean, consider that in the last 10-15 years, Earth has been assaulted by/under threat by: -The Terminus, several times -The Grue, at least once probably a couple of times -Hell -ArchEvil -Gorgon -Curator -Communion And every time, supers won the day by the skin of their teeth. Seems reasonable to want to try and leverage that more proactively, right? Point is, there's room for saying "I'm not sure about this but it's not completely bonkers", which means threads that feature this story point are more interesting!

"Out in Cali there's not as many speedsters, though! I'm more unique. Or is this actually about the ninja thing again?" He didn't quite have a scoffing tone in his voice at that, but it wasn't far off. "I mean, come on! You know I know all the Ninja Watch Signs. Besides, I can totally come back here for weekends and stuff. After all, if I can smoke you today, just means I can get out here even faster than you and mom run to the studio, yeah?" Thoughtspeed beamed and gave a thumbs-up. "I'm always up for pictures!

GM The Headmistress was entirely unmoved by the various attitudes on display. Instead, a slight smile crossed her face; not one of mockery, but of a teacher actually pleased with their students. "I did not wish to waste time with explanations if there were compelling reasons on the part of any of you not to take part in the assignment tonight, Miss Wei. I don't claim to know everything about your social plans, and so I started with broad strokes." She reached over to one side of her desk and picked up four slim folders, which she then spread out on the side of the desk close to the students. All four looked to be identical, at least on the surface. "This work study is taking place this evening. It has two primary goals; testing your group's ability to conduct investigations, and testing your abilities to do so subtly. To answer your questions Miss Sanderson, this exercise is specifically aimed at you four working as a group, as well as focusing less on general "hero skills" and more specifically on crime scene investigation. It may take a few hours; depending on how late it is when you four finish, we can prepare some notes for your morning classes. Only the morning ones, mind." Her expression is less "I expect trouble from you lot" and more "I know how teenagers are". "And yes, you will be going off-campus. These folders contain basic information on several crime scenes that the Raven has been investigating. She placed a discrete request to us for assistance from students; she feels that having added perspectives would be helpful, and that giving students a chance to go through an investigation with loose oversight would be extremely beneficial. Each of you brings something helpful to this situation. Miss Sanderson, you have both magical knowledge and ability, as well as, by way of Mister Merlin, no small amount of ability to access electronic systems. Miss Wei, your experience in chemistry and alchemy provides a skill-set that's always in demand for investigative work. Mister Rivera, your companions-" she nodded her head toward the dog by his side, apparently unperturbed by its presence "-combined with your own knowledge and skills may help bridge some gaps, not to mention your ability to track things and people with their aide. And Mister Smith, your own tracking skills, combined with your insights into terrain and tactics, may be the final piece of the puzzle that this impromptu team needs. I should clarify that you are not expected to miraculously solve every crime scene, simply provide additional insight. Whatever you determine and discover will be given to Raven, who can in turn finish prosecuting the investigation. Your heroic nom de guerres will be the ones recorded in any official communications that are not between her and I. There will be some homework after the field work is completed, but it will be just a couple of pages, and not due for a couple of days. I have faith in all of you that you'll be able to provide insight and information, likely faster than the Raven could on her own. She does not anticipate combat to occur, but she won't guarantee it won't happen." She paused, regarding each of the students. "I won't force you to take this assignment, and I certainly won't force you to the next available work-study program. If you need a few minutes to discuss the issue among yourselves, or to simply think it over, that's fine. And not all of you have to take the assignment. This is, ultimately, an opportunity. It's your decision."

This is the OOC thread for this. In case rolls happen. What madness would that be, I wonder! Feel free to ask questions; I don't intend to dwell over-long in the starting spot, but this gives me a bit more time to try and get ducks in rows.

GM Claremont Academy, Headmistress's Office Approximately 4:30pm, May 18, 2017 Four students had been called into Headmistress Summer's office, by way of notes handed over quietly early in the day (so as not to raise a fuss about the matter): Riley Smith, Winifred Wei, Matthew Rivera, and Raina Sanderson. Miss Summers sat behind her desk, typing away as the students filed in, a couple of quick clicks closing whatever she'd worked on, before she turned and faced the students. She sat back in her chair, folding her hands in her lap as she calmly regarded each of them for several moments. "To begin, understand that none of you are in trouble. Instead, this is me presenting you all with an opportunity for...let's call it something of a work-study program. I believe that, between your individual skills and your friendships with each other, you are well-suited to this task. I can't make you do this particular assignment, but you all do have hours and credits and the like to finish, so if it's not this particular assignment, it will be another. And unfortunately, I can't guarantee another opportunity that's as..." She paused and thought over her words for a moment, apparently quite conscious of some of the strong personalities in the room. "I can't guarantee you won't end up being forced to complete an assignment while working with one or more fellow students you do not get along well with. And don't think your companion's skills would let you bypass this requirement, Miss Sanderson; I'd know if he tried. Still, I have faith you all will be interested in this particular project."

I think some of the reactions we saw in chat lead me to think just not mentioning parties would be better. That said, the world of Freedom City is pretty radically different, so the labels we have in the real world would be less useful anyway.

Gabriel gave Hyperactive a winning smile. "Yeah, I've heard of your work out in Texas, Hyperactive. You and the Warriors are good folks. Now, as for myself?" He shrugs. "I control sound. I've figured out a lot of tricks. Beyond flying around rather quickly, blasting folks, and talking far further than the human voice is capable of, I can, essentially, do all sorts of things to keep someone off-balance in a fight. Out of a fight, they're actually part of what help me talk so well with people."

I'll again say I'm leery of using real-life labels too strongly. Vague generalities about non-hero-related policies/stances is fine. I just don't want to focus on it, especially since I don't want to assume all PCs have all the same political beliefs (same with the Players). I will say again I like the dynamics of a POTUS who's really gung-ho on the whole "superhero" thing. And I like the idea of him subtly pushing for government teams. More heroes is good, my friends! Him being a bit...brash...could prove interesting. I mean, why don't the heroes want the USA's money? Isn't more resources for hero-ing a good thing? Plus, I'm with Heritage, I like having a name and a face for an important character like this.

I actually like the idea overall, I just got leery at the comment about "the PCs sure won't like him", because I'd rather see the focus be on "he's a folksy leader who also strongly supports heroes!" than "oh he's totes a conservative just not the Worst Evil One Ever". There's loads of dynamics available just in someone who's not just pro-hero, but starting to push for state-sponsored heroes, I think. I'd rather mostly keep liberal/conservative dynamics in the background, but I'm also speaking, frankly, as someone who's likely more conservative, at least in degrees, than a decent chunk of the board. I don't really come here for politics. (Or if I do it's for wacky Space Politics with Empress Janeway in the mix!) As for Sooner, maybe they're a recent entrant on the "field", and there's been bits of friction with the Barnstormers, in particular Stormchaser? (STORY SEED!)

I'm confused why heroes would actively dislike him? Beyond "he's a conservative"? I mean, if we're going to start having nitty-gritty "here's non-superhero-related policy the POTUS of our make-believe world is passing", fair enough I guess, but he seems more like the sort of POTUS who some heroes might roll their eyes at a bit but otherwise is a decent guy, and who's genuinely friendly and helpful. Unless the angle is more about the US government-led super-team, playing off of past discussions bandied about where such a team serves as a sort of "antagonistic heroes" sort of group (aka different methods and attitudes, but ultimately actually on the side of good)? Or maybe, maybe something playing off the "less interested in non-American heroes" (which I presume to mean more those who don't regularly operate in the USA? I'm not trying to diss this, I'm just trying to figure out why "heroes" won't like him specifically? Also, who or what is "Oklahoma's Sooner", beyond an amazing college athletics program? :-p

Gabriel hummed thoughtfully. Which of course sounded way better than a guy humming thoughtfully had any right to sound, but what are you going to do? "Well, a few reasons. One, I was asked to do the job by a literal archangel. Two, the Seals weren't broken; the Horses never left Heaven, and it's not the End Of Days yet. Three, the ones attempting to claim the Horses, the former Horsemen...They were twisted wrecks of their former selves. They would have ushered in the Apocalypse solely to spread destruction and suffering, not because it was Time. Because, ultimately, Four....they weren't acting on orders. They weren't playing their appointed part, they weren't doing what was a necessary step in a greater Plan. The Lord had not said it was time. So, it wasn't time." He leans in a bit closer, a sad smile on his face, as if sharing a secret with a friend. "Frankly, I don't think it'll be Time until the world's gotten a lot worse. And if that takes longer than many of us think, well, that's fine by me. More time to do the Lord's work." He leans back, giving the teen his space again, the conspiratorial air of that tidbit fading. "As for how, beyond all that, I myself knew I was doing the right thing? Because I wasn't doing it for myself. I was doing it for others. And not to force them to do anything. I was just protecting them. The closest I came to forcing people to do anything was when I was utilizing the Horse's power...and that was less like mind control, and more like...influencing how a creek flows. If that makes sense? I was primarily trying to guide what sorts of 'conquests' were going on. I was shooting for the peaceful ones." He shrugs at that.

Gabriel stood there and crossed his arms over his chest. He seemed rather unimpressed. "I appreciate that you feel your duty is to your Empress. But I refuse to believe that the best path forward is Hard Decisions. Besides, there is prejudice; it's just against 'stupid' people. People who don't conform. You know what else is gone? Freedom. Free Will. Creativity. Independence. What happens to this great, shining society when your Empress passes on?" He waves a hand to forestall a response. "And don't tell me she won't. Death comes for all, in time." He watches her walk away, shaking his head in frustration. He heads to the bathroom ones guided there, before rejoining the others. "Correction: You believe you are the smartest person in the building. Even with the Empress gone, there may perhaps be someone here as smart. Or rather, as capable as you are with the sciences and the like. Always remember, Terrifica." He gave her a piercing look. "Pride goeth before the fall." He looked out the window. "I can...to a degree...relate with bad days, though. It's...it's so easy for me to talk to people. Not just my powers, at this point. My experience, my intuition. All of it together. It's so easy. It's not for nothing they consider me the League's Diplomat. When I see people struggling to negotiate, to come to amicable terms, it's frustrating. I could make them talk nicely, you know. I could make...almost anyone talk nicely. Be peaceful. Agree with me. It's so, so, so easy. I'd barely have to think about it. I could march about the world and bring at least a form of peace...but I don't. Because ultimately, it would be me doing it, not them. So...I don't." He shrugs. "This world...the thin veneer of shining civilization hides a pile of rotten garbage. It disgusts and horrifies me. The Empress hasn't saved humanity, she's maimed and mutilated it. It's alive but on life support." As Terrifica walked away, Gabriel was silent for a moment, before softly speaking up, his volume just so such that Terrifica would hear him, but no one else ought to. "Just remember. Our opinions may not always encompass the entirety of truth." Gabriel was riding along quietly, his eyes closed, his lips faintly moving as he ticked through the beads of his well-worn rosary. When Captain Howard asked a question, he opened his eyes and spoke up, softly (for an aircraft passenger). "I am ready to talk to these people and help resolve this peacefully, yes." Gabriel turned to Chrome and smiled reassuringly. "Hm." His gaze moved to the opposite wall, not quite focused on anything. "Then I saw when the Lamb broke one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, “Come.” I looked, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer." He turns back to Chrome. "Revelation of Saint John, chapter six, verses one and two. From the Christian Bible, that is." He gives a slight wink at that, before sobering up. "Now, that passage speaks of the End Of Days. The Final Judgement. The White Horseman is said to be the first of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Conquest, War, Famine, and Death. Great and terrible duties. Once, those duties were held by angelic beings, though of course some scholars debate the symbolic meanings of the Horsemen. But those Four...they fell. But not quite straight down, if you catch my drift. They fell at...an odd angle. They became twisted. They were locked out of Heaven, though, and the walls of Paradise stood strong. Until." Back to staring into the far distance, his face...expressionless. "Occasionally, things...line up...such that the walls of reality weaken, just a bit, and it's easier for bad things to happen. In particular for these...Former Horsemen to come calling, and try to claim their Horses. Which represent large stores of power and influence. So. They chose temporary Horsemen, to saddle the Horses, guide them, and protect both the Horses, and Heaven itself. Nick Cimitiere was Death. Comrade Frost was Famine. Wander was War." He looked at the cybernetic teen with thoughtful eyes that held hints of sorrow. "I was Conquest."

"Back in the old days you had to churn your butter by hand and wipe with corncobs, blah blah uphill both ways blah blah. We get it, you're ancient, dad. Mom's the one that's, what, 29 and holding?" Thoughtspeed's smile was wicked. He was clearly enjoying teasing his father. The smile faded a bit and he shrugged. "But yeah, GPS sounds fine. I don't know the area well, and if we're going off-road, it's hard for me to follow the roads, isn't it? Besides, this isn't a survival test, it's a race. At least we're not, like, running in circles for three days or something." Some people might enjoy car races but for a speedster like Will, they were just...boring. They didn't have the cool, flashy, stylish cars!

Going to roll my own checks, though my oh my I need to boost Sun's skills soon.... K: Physical Sciences: 27. K: Tech: 9. Welp. That was about as radical of a roll difference as can be managed.

Thoughtspeed gave Hyperactive a flat look when the other speedster brought up the "psychic mom" problem. "You have no idea." He gave an exaggerated shudder. "Having a psychic sister is just icing on the cake." He subtly stuck his tongue out at his sister at super-speed. When the maps came out, he got a bit more serious, poking and prodding at the route to familiarize himself with it. "So, what will we have to keep ourselves on the correct route? GPS headsets or something? And we're not trying to just run on the roads, right?" He quirked his head at Hyperactive's comment. "Master Epidemic?"

Using Ultimate Intimidate for an auto-20, which means (since he is still in Super Charisma Mode) a 60 on that Intimidate check. Even if it doesn't mechanically do anything, I feel compelled to play that out. (This should leave Gabe at 4HP, before Complications kick in, if they ever do.) EDIT: That said, let me know if any of this is Too Much.

Gabriel stands, staring back in the eyes of an angry Empress, a smirk upon his face. "The worst lies are the ones we tell ourselves, Empress. I am intimately familiar with all the possible nuances of Conquest. I have saddled the White Horse, I know the ebbs and flows of power and rulership better than most any mortal this side of Heaven. Just because you used honeyed words, knives in the dark, and twisted this entire world around with benevolence and shining gifts of technology does not make it less of a Conquest." He steps closer, his smile falling away, his face impassive. Everyone in the room suddenly feels...on edge. There is a strange, slight, background hum present as Gabriel speaks his next words, the volume lowered and the cadence carefully measured. "And I swear to you now, if our 'doubles' back home harm so much as a single hair on the heads of any of the loved ones of those you so unceremoniously ripped from their homes, not just mine but any here? I will saddle that Horse once more, I will call upon every favor, every alliance, everything I can short of selling myself to the Morningstar himself, and I will come tear your pretty little house of cards down, Empress. So you tread carefully." He turned, walking back to his seat, leaning back in it with a neutral expression on his face until the Empress leaves, at which point he will turn to Gabrielle, giving her a winning smile. "Would you mind terribly pointing me to the men's room?"

Thoughtspeed My Dearest Angelica: 2 IC Gabriel (All posts to Nevermore) Empire of Emerald and Jade: 6 IC Posts

Sun Walker had seen the fight break out, and while he wasn't going to immediately leap into action, he had prepared himself. He wasn't necessarily prepared to see what looked to be a vampire grab a Grue as a hostage. Curiouser and curiouser. Seeing the Grue falling was actually easier to deal with, by comparison. "Please give me a moment, Red Moon." His tail lashed out seemingly from nowhere, looped around a nearby fire escape, and propelled him through the air. As quickly as it had shot out, it retracted, giving him a fairly aerodynamic profile. His arms reached out to catch the Grue. As soon as he had a halfway-decent grip, Sun Walker shifted so he was holding the shapeshifter close to his body and turning his legs to face the ground (rather than his pseudo-flying orientation before). "Please tuck your chin and don't tense your limbs." The Grue had just enough time to follow that advice before the human-simian hybrid landed, his own legs immediately going into a crouch to bleed off the energy of the landing, his tail shooting down to serve as a makeshift spring just long enough to make it a rough but survivable landing.

I'll post IC with Walker doing something, let me know what if any rolls you need me to make if we do this as more than just fluff.