Ari

That does splendidly! Pitch knows that Celeste Beaudrie is one of the extended family related to the founder of the Opera House, and has taken up much of the production of the operas. She's a quasi-famous supporter of the arts, unmarried and a beloved philanthropist with no dirt that anyone's been able to uncover. The Opera House is detailed on page 41 of the Freedom City setting book: It's recently undergone a renaissance of attendance. 'Marguerite' is the heroine of the ridiculously famous and popular Gounod opera Faust.

OOC for

GM May 14th, Monday, 2013, 5.00PM Martel Enterprises(American Branch Main Office), Wading Way, Freedom City Eve Martel had been paying a brief, albeit incisive, visit to her family's local holdings in the city, catching up on the sometimes quick, sometimes slow but always continuing advancement of human knowledge that Martel Enterprises assisted. In the main lobby she and the three research leads were making their final polite goodbyes as the day shift began making way for the night, when a noise of somebody frantically running downstairs interrupted them, the four turning to see Dr. Florence Bridges practically leap the last staircase and come racing up to them, eyes wide, graying brown hair nearly shaken out of its bun. Nearly colliding with the quartet, she caught herself a few feet from them and stood for a few seconds, gulping in air before she managed to gasp out "M-Miss Martel! It's Garamond, h-he's vanished! I was in the r-r-room with him, talking about that new species of bact-anyway, I looked away for a second to get a book from his shelf, and when I looked back he had just...just disappeared!" The research leads glanced at each other, one of them deftly slipping the radio from her belt and calling security sotto voce, one of the others moving to calm Dr. Bridges while the third turned quickly to Eve "It might be best to evacuate the building, with your leave I'll start sending word to the employees" Meanwhile, the dignified-looking man attempting to lead Dr. Bridges to a chair suddenly asked sharply "Doctor, where's your radio?" Florence looked dazedly at the empty spot on her belt, then stiffened. "I...I had it when I went to his office, maybe I dropped it...no. It was gone when I turned around too!"

OOC thread for

GM May 20th, Monday, 2013 Beaudrie Opera House, Theatrical District, Freedom City "...And that, more or less, is why we invited you two rockers to our fine institution" explained Celeste Beaudrie, the pale middle-aged woman looking trim and crisp in her austere blue suit and skirt, standing beside the door leading into the backstage. Through the walls thrilled the voice of Marguerite, singing desolately of lost love. The dark hallway buzzed with activity, busy people marching, jogging or dashing past on the jobs that ran the opera. "You go on in half an hour. Everything has been made prepared for your performance and we have some of the best musical equipment in the city if you need more. Any questions?" She asked briskly, checking her watch for a flickering moment.

With a surprised growl, the fishman slid his depthless eyes towards Jennifer. "It..it is nothing" he muttered sourly, glancing around at the shimmering spires and flowering domes, the throngs of people "I am merely unused to being around so many...new people in a place I remember so well. The faces are different, even if only a little. The clothes are different" he added after a gloomy moment, gesturing to a passing Atlantean woman who looked like she was wearing a toga made from a coral reef, trailing gold streamers floating behind her in the air. She practically exuded wealth. "Those towers to the Red-to the east, they must have been built in the last eight centuries, I have never seen such spirals..." pausing to take in the view he frowned abruptly and grated "The old columns were far better. They have a purity about them that is unequaled." Looking around at the underwater metropolis gleaming with lights and thrumming with industry, he admitted bitterly "All this newness...and I am an archaism. That is the matter. You understand?" he asked, the hulking, sinisiter-looking triton turning again to face the young scientist "I see the world changing, and know the time for such as me is past."

:toot: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HERR DOKTOR ARCHEVILLE!! May the next time this part of our grand journey through space returns be a joyful and wondrous occasion! Thanks for all you've done to make this site what it is, and I hope you get to jump back into the swing of things soon!

"Hm. Alright then." Subito shrugged, obviously Elias had a lot in common with Cerys, both liked to keep their secrets, riding the strange coils of mystery. 'It makes them all the more attractive, does it not Herald? 'I'm not even gonna say anything to that. This sandwich is too good for me to get mad' Wiping his hands clean of the grease seeping through the porous bread, he took a long swig of water and closed his eyes, savoring the sensation. Opening one a crack he commented "How do you do that? Pack like three sentences into a word I mean."

GM Glancing up sullenly at Blodeuwedd, the lean Jungle Princess gave the question some thought before shrugging and replying carelessly "I s'pose if they already think they've beaten us in the Mountains of the Sun that's probably where their king is." Her dark eyes darted viciously to the nonchalant Serpent passing out of sight "They don't seem clever enough to make stuff like us, but smart enough to want it, and the palace of the Incas is made of gold, I hear" she added with a quiet note of awe, turning back to the passageway before them and falling into her loose-limbed stride. Coming into the dark prison courtyard, the Frumentarii captain nodded shortly to them and signaled for the doors to be opened <"That spy won't escape, I promise you outlanders!"> he said with a grin <"Go find us the others and we can give him some company too."> He passed laughing into the dark halls of the prison. "I don't like that man" Kazra said crisply as they emerged into the blazing light of the Lost World's sun, shading her face and squinting into the dazzling city "So, where's that temple of Saturn we have to watch?" she asked curiously, adjusting the straps of her weapons.

Apologies Thevshi, the disconnect between Headcase and Derwen's personalities somehow did not occur to me. I will be much more careful in future. Champion being from Smallville UK is a little TOO close to Supes, but it works with the character archetype and I've no real objection to it. Lucy Diamond kind of depends on being from Liverpool to hit all the buttons she does. and Liverpool isn't in Scotland. I am pretty sure about that. The rest seems like a great way to spread them out!

The explosion of Agnes' handgun sent a jolt of horror through Roi's gut, and he stared at the singer for a few seconds, struggling to reconcile the fact that she had made absolutely clear she wanted revenge with the smoking gun and spreading blood on Hatchet's shirt. 'That man was going to kill her!' the young tailor told himself desperately, scrabbling for a new card in the terrible deck until his fingers closed on one that chilled them 'No matter what they are besides, they are in the Mob!' he thought with a furious glint in his eyes. Whipping the Queen of Diamonds from the deck, he twirled it between his fingers almost automatically as he drew his arm back. A circle of sparkling, discordant color flaring to life around the hand that gripped it lashed out at Brains, the magic of the card trying to turn the thug's mind into a kaleidoscope, but Roi's inexperience at at controlling the dark power meant it hissed right past his ear with a wail of anguish! Wincing at his failure, the young man dashed between Hatchet's minions and Agnes "You'll have to go through me to get to her!" he shouted as he dropped into a loose boxing stance, visibly trembling with fear.

You forgot to adjust Roi's position from last round SC! Switching to the Confuse power in the Array, using it on Brains. Attack roll: 10. Which misses! He moves between Brains and Agnes.

Wave-Eye's expressions were sometimes just outside what humans could recognize, but his sideways-flicking eyes, fumbling claws and slightly bowed head at the guard captain's question conveyed the same message it would on anyone else. He was profoundly relieved when Temperance took the lead in explaining things, though he rankled just a little that his words hadn't been enough to convince the Atlantean of the importance of their mission. Following close behind the slighter humans with armor-shod and scaled feet rustling and clicking on the hard floor(he had enough practice from parades to do that much), the hulking creature gritted his fangs a little at the word 'theology', but the matter of the Deep Ones was an important point and he ground more or less pleasantly "They wished to make the surface world their own, they sought to flood it with the power of Dread Leviathan and consecrate it to their vile God Dagon, may his flesh rot from his bones. I have rarely seen such...initiative amongst those corrupted wretches, which lends credence to their claim they are backed by your watersingers. Or it could be an empty boast." the triton acknowledged "The vile things have a history of making castles with no base, I hear". Glancing around the vast domes and glittering towers of Atlantis, the ancient soldier felt more than a little ridiculous in his antique armor and tattooed hide, walking beside the sleek moderns.

That is a very good point, Tiff. For national points they would need Welsh and Scottish members. Champion could be a Scot, with Guy Green as a Welsh, uh...person.

Well it does tie into a beloved(I think) national trait, doesn't it? I mean, that's why Gizmo suggested it! In that case I think it's quite appropriate for a British Superman to be called that. Anyway, if it seriously does jibe that badly no reason not to change it! Aoiroo suggested Crossguard, which I'll keep on the side if the other candidate doesn't work, which is Champion. Nice and simple and descriptive. Supercape, for the plant man hows about the Steward of Soil, or Richard Root? So then, other relationship map details need to be worked out. Osprey/Alden has actually very few friends. Even at work he mostly keeps to himself and is standoffish to people, and in his course as a vigilante he rarely does much talking. The only exception is his fellow test subject and current member of the SAS Eileen Rose, who he trusts implicitly as a confidant despite her high-ranking position and placement within the Ministry, of whom he is deeply suspicious. Dawn Farrington is only known to him as 'that rich girl who's in the news sometimes', and is unaware of her superpowered other life. The old Taskforce UK is what he grew up seeing on TV and hearing about, and holds a place of honor in his heart as a symbol of(not really) normal people rising up and joining together to safeguard the world, with a strong admiration for Champion, who several times helped out near his neighborhood in Southwark.

The revelation that Elias and his mom had almost gone to Korea got a shocked look, and Subito was almost glad that the other boy hadn't quite caught his meaning. Folding his arms and leaning them on the table with a grin, he explained as he took another massive bite out of the gently steaming, aromatic sandwich "What they teach us at Claremont, El! About good citizenship and altruism and stuff, and the world we live in n'how we can do good in it" he offered carefully, catching several curious and interested looks from the nearby diners when the word 'Claremont' was heard, and the rattle of cutlery paused ever so slightly in case they could glean a few crumbs about the mysterious and prestigious private academy. Studiously ignoring them he went on breezily "See, I like the stuff they teach us there 'cause that's really all I've ever wanted t'do. I Like learnin' how to be useful, to do good in the world and help people, but I get the feelin' you wanna do somethin' else with all that trainin'. That about right?"

Apologies, that was a case of staggering ignorance on my part. Editing post.

"Macau?" Subito echoed with a ham and Gouda sandwich paused in front of his mouth, looking quizzically over it at Elias for a few seconds before his eyes brightened "Oh yeah! That's in China, right? I've heard about that place, read about it for civics." He smiled a little "it isn't the kinda place everyone would like, but it sounds kinda like home to me." Taking a firm bite he chewed thoughtfully for a minute before swallowing "Well, now you're in Freedom City! Land of opportunity and stuff. Hopefully you'll find what you came here for El. If you ever need help, just ask and we'll be there for ya ina second." Relaxing against his seat he scanned the diner for a moment, savoring the sandwich held delicately between his powerful fingers. "What do you think about bein' a-what we learn at school, El?"

....So it is. Edited the offenders. Sorry about that.

As per our discussion in Chat, SC, I'm revising Defiant's origin and so forth including them having a more active role in getting their powers. Keeping them as a Superman-esque idealist, however, it makes for a more interesting dynamic than if he's a faker. As for Mr. Oak or Oak Kin as Gizmo punnily suggested, I'd say that's a pretty good character idea. For other relationships, how about he: distrusts Defiant because of the alien technology and minerals within him, enjoys Headcase's company due to considerable commonalities(keeping the long view, a measured and pragmatic approach to words and actions, etc etc...), gets along with Lucy Diamond similar to a calmly benevolent uncle and his visiting hyper niece and is very uneasy about the Powers Project both because of pollution caused by it and the dangers of giving people superpowers.

Subtio looked utterly furious "Seriously? You make this big deal about how you're a crime genius and we can't stop ya from gettin' the diamond, and this is your awesome plan?" 'It certainly fooled you, Herald, if your anger is any sign She fooled Lockwood too! He had a great deal more distracting him, though that Agent seems to have a similar effect on you ...Fine, whatever. Think I have a chance wi-? AHEM Alright! Clean thoughts, clear mind, keep your shirt on Dama' Turning to Blodeuwedd he said very quietly "Blodeu, please punch her in the face. I'll deal with the robots." As he spoke he tossed his hat onto the Aether gun and rolled up his sleeves, dropping into a boxing stance and getting ready to fight!

This wasn't what he had expected. Marceau had been ready for surliness, deception or even hostility, and Louis' quiet acceptance had all but the taken the wind out of his sails. It was a pleasant surprise though, and the Frenchman smiled kindly at the young vampire, letting the curiosity show in his accented voice "Oh indeed monsieur Lovell?" he asked politely, gesturing to the nearby chair, inviting him to sit "I had no idea the Ministry was so thorough, when did-? I beg your pardon, that is hardly the point of our visit. Louis, I and my friend need to know if you have done anything against the terms of your visit. Have you drunk anyone's blood against their will here? Or used your powers to do anything else illegal? Tell us what has happened since you arrived, we shall confirm your memory and you will get no more trouble from us." Squaring his narrows shoulders he looked apologetic "I'm afraid the Ministry of Powers wishes to impress upon you how seriously they take this Louis. The lives and blood of people here for the Goth event have been under threat from vampires in the past, and nobody can risk any laxity."

I am sorry for the delay. Initiative: 13.

Subito nodded along to the short pantheon lesson. At the mention of Isis he looked simply baffled "Really? But...okay. Gotcha, so they borrowed from all over, like just about everythin' else." he grinned "Man, those Romans were big ol' copycats, huh?" catching sight of the others he hastily cleared his throat and adopted a more serious expression. "Thanks Mr. Cim-Nick! Sorry. Anyway, that's a good point. She probably won't get too mad if I take some people along just to make sure I don't get mugged in Spiritland, but it is kinda my job to face these sorts of challenges on my own." he frowned deeply, glancing at the floor for a moment "I'll...think it over, talk with my folks and people I know at school, they can help me see the best way to do this. I have some time before the trip, so that's good!" he looked back up grinning. He smiled brightly at each of the mages of Parkhurst "Thanks a bunch you guys! This really does help me a lot, even if it doesn't seem like much. I was pretty nervous about it just 'cause I had no idea what it would be like. Now i know it's got all kinds of metaphors and monsters and I can get ready for that! And La Dama just likes sheep 'cause they're soft and fuzzy," he added with a much more cheeky smile to Nick, a faint tone of still-present awe tempering his joviality just a little "she'll talk about how they're a symbol of innocence in the world 'cause of Jesus the Christ and how a good ram doesn't need to be as tough as the whole flock and stuff, but she just likes to pet 'em. Got some big ones though, big as horses and covered in armor..." Realizing he was beginning to ramble, the boy shut his jaws with a faint *click* and cleared his throat "So um...you magic people got any books about this kind of thing I could borrow? I can read Latin, if that helps." he said with a note of pardonable pride.

GM With a dull roar and a searing flash of light the shots impacted the extending arms of the superweapon's tractor beam, leaving a dull haze in space for just a moment, long enough for it to be a little surprising when the rays of colorless energy shot through it and groped for the Ages Lost! All around the ship a faint aura shimmered into place, and the feeling of movement stopped very suddenly. The haze cleared to reveal the archaic docking clamps were barely singed, and over the communications the Arcane Grue sneered "Bold words are no substitute for real power, pirate! I shall leave you to fiddle with this minor inconvenience, and attend to the two who are obviously meant to actually defeat me. As if any could manage such a thing, when faced with the mystic might of Phantasmagore! In but a few minutes you shall be sent back to Earth as symbols of what happens to the weak when they face the strong, and I shall leave that crystal city in peace, per our agreement" the smile was audible "I shall be pleased if you do not try to slip away without being properly recompensed for your sacrifice." The blocky clamps began to surge with power "Of course, the Grievance Heart doesn't let go easily."