Ari

Subito looked surprised at Serge's knowledge of languages "Yeah, that's my name/ It does mean 'quick' and stuff in Latin, but my parents called me that because in Spanish it means 'sudden'. Mom wasn't expecting that I'd be born a a month and two weeks before I was supposed to. My dad wanted to call me 'Brusco', but my mom didn't think that would be a nice name to say, it's why my sister's name is 'Galanta' and not 'Galan'" he shrugged awkwardly "A lot of my family is really into the aesthetics of things" seeming to abruptly recall the earlier parts of Serge's questions, he answered cheerfully "Been here since mid September, I know my way around here pretty well but there's a lot of places I just keep finding. Hidden rooms and secret passages, stuff like that" he scowled abruptly and his eyes lowered "Only problem is I can't seem to find the really interesting ones more than once or maybe twice" he looked back up at Serge, brightening up greatly "What's your name mean Serge? Is it Russian or something?" he asked with interest.

For Subito, the first few hectic weeks of life at his new and bizarre school had faded into a worrying routine. While still relatively clumsy he had managed to make the acquaintance of several other students without much in the way of incident, and that was precisely the problem for the earnest young man. He loved it when things happened, when every day was unusual and was shaken up before it became an exercise in boredom. Instead he found increasingly that most of the other students had powers that left him rather..problematic as a sparring comrade, not to mention most of them being better fighters than he. As a result of this he had taken to wandering the school after class hoping vaguely that something would happen. Today something had. Who's that guy? Don't think I've seen him be-oh he might be new he thought as he walked through the quad, shifting course to meet the blonde teen. At the greeting his previously dulled eyes lit up, and he smiled(toothlessly, as he had been taught)at the next new acquaintance. Grasping the proffered hand, he declared eagerly "An' I'm pleased to meet you, Serge! Subito Sondo's my name" regarding the other youth he added "How new are we talking, do you need to find the administrations building or have you been here a day or two?"

The distant approach of Fulcrum as she sped through the night air quickly made its way to Subito's enhanced hearing, the dull roar of displaced gas even discernible by the normal humans piloting the disguised fishing craft apparently, as they raced to various positions about the ship, throwing off tarps and fiddling with tapering cylinders. As they still seemed in a great hurry, El Heraldo slid out from his hiding place once a man he dimly recognized as Mike came dashing past towards a large bulge on the port side of the ship's hull. Turning to the closest cr-no, to the closest coffin, he raised a fist and slammed it into the lock mechanism with all his might, feeling the jarring shudder of his bones meeting metal. As the accompanying dull clang resounded about the vessel, Subito realized a very real problem with his plan: he had failed to take into account the possibility that he might be caught and forced to flee without the chance to rescue a single kidnapped super! A single glance revealed to him the truth, he had dented the thing, and badly at that, but still the lock held. At the same time, he heard shouts around him, ten voices shouting at once at each other to go catch whoever had done that, and all of them moving at the rests' commands. With a sick feeling in his gut, he dove into the water under the ship, hoping against hope he could make a second attempt...

No problems I can see! Post will be up shortly.

OOC for this thread.

GM 2.40 P.M., Late October, 2011 The gloomy autumn sky above the Claremont Academy was a mess of gray and white far above, the chill winds blowing in from the sea sending most of the students and faculty indoors to enjoy or endure the various tasks or leisure they had before them. Two students had chosen to wander the campus for the same reason it was abandoned, so as to keep the discovery of the vaguely-imagined secrets of the bizarre school from being spoiled by the presence of others. One of them was a stocky and powerfully-built Hispanic boy with a markedly intense expression, given to brooding on things entirely fictional; the other a leaner fair-haired youth with a much firmer interest in the real world and the physical sciences. They happened to meet by the old tree in the quad that had been the frequent nemesis of fellow student Morgan(also known as the superhero Crow)and his attempts at teleportation on campus. Neither had had much luck finding anything all that interesting, and they were total strangers to each other.

That misses, sorry to say. Anyway, Heraldo's up next: he will attempt to break open one of the hidden crates upon seeing Fulcrum swooping towards the boat, using Power Attack to shift +3 to his Unarmed DC. The crate's TOU save(+10 due to the attack being directed against the lock. Otherwise would be +20 as the thing is made of impervium) DC27. 22, fails by 5, Injured. Stealth check DC20 to avoid being heard by the now much less distracted crew: 17, he's heard. he hears them coming, and makes a Move Action to the underside of the boat to escape notice. Okay, now the kidnappers shall roll Initiative: 18, 16, 21, 4, 19, 7, 10, 5, 5, 20. Tie-breaker for #8 and 9: 12, 7. Ink Iron will shoot off into the night to get away from the coming battle, Sable Steel quits the fight and follows suit. EDIT: Tie-breaker for #6 and #9: 9, 13. So it's 18, 16, 21, 4, 19, 13, 10, 12, 9, 20.

Subito nearly dropped the weight bar in surprise. An offer to train with a real super team wasn't the sort of thing you thought was likely to happen even at Claremont. After a moment to calm himself down, he replied as casually as he could "That would be great! I can't wait to meet the others on your team, is it true that there's a Fae on it? Glowstar was pretty awesome, it'll be great to see what he can do! I wonder if Mr. Smith will be there?" he rambled gleefully, going back to the bicep curls with vigor. He practically hummed with excitement, and a definite glow was building around him, vaguely resembling a flag of golden smoke.

Subito deflated noticeably at Serge's concise counterpoint"'Just like that'? Eh, I guess you're right. I'm assuming it'll be less painful than it probably will be" he muttered glumly. At the comment about billiards his ears all but pricked up, and a similar smile appeared to complement Serge's "If not, it won't get us in any more trouble than we probably already are! You're on!" putting his(non-injured)arm around the shoulders of the other Claremonter, Subito propelled him into the arcade towards their recently-vacated table, to resume the hurriedly departed game.

Subito looked at him quietly, his friend's sobering words having all the effect Serge might have expected. He frowned and lookes glumly at his shoes, until Serge said "complete failure", whereupon his aggressively curly head whipped up and he fixed the blond boy with a firey brown eye "Serge, what happened was not a failure on any level. We haven't ever fought a single supervillain between us before, nobody died because of somthing we did wrong, that G-Stunt guy is okay and doesn't seem to think we failed, and Johnny Rocket didn't zip out of nowhere and beat her in a second. More to the point, none of that would have mattered if it had happened for one simple reason: this isn't a "who's more powerful?" contest. Headmaster Summers will probably flip out, but do you think he'd have been happier if we had kept our heads down and let G-Stunt get shot a whole bunch of times? My hand hurts like you wouldn't believe, but I'd feel way worse if I hadn't even tried to fight. Our training will get more complex, we'll get more powerful and become better fighters, and a time will come when people like Looking Glass surrender just because we showed up. I said 'awesome' because we fought against a real supervillain and won, saving people from being hurt by them" "But I know what you mean" he added a bit more softly, his voice having become almost above a whisper during his speech "I've been in fights like that before, where it seems like nothing you can do matters to whoever you're fighting, and when you win it's like ash in your mouth because you didn't deserve it. You were lucky you say, or you had help, but what matters is that we didn't fail anyone, and now that we know we can do this we can do it again as many times as we have too!" it would have been patently obvious to anyone even casually looking at the two that Subito was almost transported with enthusiasm, gripping as he was Serge's shoulders with his hands, his face about a foot away from the other boy's(though he had to tilt it a little upwards due to the height difference).

Subito nodded and flew off, thundering "Until next time, citizens, El Heraldo away!" zipping behind a kiosk selling watches, the owner and salespeople of which had gone off to see what the commotion was about deeper into the mall, he thought It's done, thank you. I no longer have need of your power, and at the answer of It is taken, the strange costume evaporated from his body into the flag, which then absorbed the flagstaff and returned to its place between his shirt. It didn't take long to sneak back to the arcade, where he waited eagerly for Serge, his heart thudding with the excitement of the past few minutes that had so explosively unfolded. When his friend got back he whispered eagerly "Man, that was awesome!"

The sight of something he could actually work with was deeply welcomed by the costumed adventurer, and his eyes gleamed as he took the documents and began rapidly examining them. The gruesome deaths that they recorded did a great deal to dampen his lifted spirits, and he read gloomily over the records of internal and external injuries that tied a knot in his stomach. As he read over the list of misery, he suddenly realized something deeply important that the report had shown no interest in: both of the first two recovered victims had been killed from above, judging by the broken drainage pipe in the picture of the murdered prostitute and the broken pieces of what he discerned to be roof tiles nearby the body of the businessman. Something quick and heavy had attacked them from above, most likely a monster judging by the damage they had taken. This was obviously something the two magicians would be ideally suited to answering. Looking back up at Marcel he asked curiously "<Marcel, what does this 'Gallu' look like?>"

Marcy rolls to see what he can glean from the police report that isn't stated: Investigate: 24. Life Sciences: 6.

El Heraldo nodded to him, announcing "Citizens! It seems that our comrade is enduring, and will not require medical attention so urgently as I anticipated! Be assured, we will be close by to step in should your tormentor attempt an escape from police custody!" With that, he floated neatly back to the jewelry store, saying to Net Fly "Alright, let's get this sorted out. The cops will probably want to ask us a few questions, you want to stick around or should we just hand her over" he he nodded to the immobilized Looking Glass "and leave?"

The cowled man looked deeply embarrassed at Young Britannia's question "Well..I have no idea where he is, where to start looking for him, what kind of clues to look for or what strategy to take in hunting him. Besides, I have a lot on my plate already with street crime in the Fens, I rarely have enough time to fight actual supervillains" he shrugged awkwardly "So in short he's both hiding and I haven't had the time to find any proof of whatever he's done" With a sudden gleam of pearly white hi grinned from ear to ear, and striding briskly forward he happily offered the two fellow vigilantes a handshake in turn "But that's a subject for later. For now, I'm very pleased to make your acquaintances. Now I'm sure you have many questions, so please ask them!" that said, he turned and jumped lightly onto a nearby long-corroded and forgotten statue of a woman raising a hand as if in diction. Taking off his cape as an afterthought, he tossed it carelessly onto the roof.

Seeing as Omen had dealt with the only current source of danger he knew of, the King of Suits raced after the two underbosses, calling back cheerfully "Great work Omen, I'll deal with those two fine fellows who just so rudely left!" and grabbing the convenient railing, he jumped down at least a dozen steps, well within range of the two fleeing Family agents, their balding heads gleaming in the harsh light from the warehouse electric bulbs. Whipping his gloved left hand back, his fist clutching the bolas just taken from his belt, he sent it whirling at the legs of the Driogano underboss, but the balding man managed to sidestep them with much less effort than Marceau had hoped. Calling up to Omen, he shouted "Come on down Omen! We don't want them escaping our archer friend!"

Marceau stared at Marcel for several seconds, his jaw slightly ajar. After a time, he realized this and quickly closed it, muttering "<You pardon, sirs>". That accomplished, he settled in for a close examination of what he could understand about the case: a Babylonian spirit from the underworld was involved in people being killed in horribly bloody ways. The victims seemed to have no instantly obvious connection being of vastly differing social and economic strata, and this had been going on for a long while, perhaps for the last month or so. He failed to see how he could possibly do a thing about it, but decided he might as well try to do something. Raising his head from where he had rested it on his folded knuckles he asked quietly "<Monsieur Marcel, would you be kind enough to show me the bodies of the victims? As well as the place where they were found?>" he looked over at Rene "<If that's impossible, I would at least like to look over any police records of the case>" He wondered glumly if there were any clues left after such a gap of time.

I'd say at least one more from each of us should do to close it, sound good?

The rustily-clothed man smiled awkwardly at Rene's praise, but kept quiet until the other man had addressed him pointedly "<Well aside from how it is the most beautiful city on this or any other planet, he has informed me that there has been murderous attacks lately by some unknown force from what he described as simply 'Beyond', which is to say nothing is known except that we don't know what it is. I doubt it will leave much evidence that you haven't already found, but I hope I can at least help decipher it>" he glanced around the room "<I confess to having had little but the most immediate and practical experience with the arcane mysteries mister Marcel, and I dare say your understanding of its subtleties will be of immeasurable help to me>"

Marceau was well-used to living in places of sub-optimal repair, construction and aroma. Nonetheless the heavy, ever-present scent of sewage was still enough to send thrills of slight nausea down his throat whenever the sight of the decaying buildings reminded him all too often of his current home in the Fens. He listened closely to Rene's exposition of this Marcel character, nodding grimly at the closing sentence "<I've known a lot of people like that, I met some street cleaners in India who those around gave a wide berth to on the roads, and I've shared quarters with people who smelled far worse than a sewer, difficult as that is to imagine. I don't think it'll be unbearable>" Getting out of the taxi, he thanked the driver profusely, and surveyed the slowly crumbling apartments, dingy diners and gleaming streets..Wait what? Oh right, very strict public cleanliness policies he reminded himself sheepishly. Glancing up at the neon signs littering the perceivable sky, he commented idly "<Not precisely tourism-friendly around here. I wonder how many people live here just for that reason alone?>"

GM Omen's staff smashed into the guard's head, the hard edge indenting the flesh and bone beneath with its cold metal. The man staggered under the assault, his gun dropping from his stunned hands to misfire on the floor and send a bullet rocketing into the hardened steel layering the inside wall of the warehouse. The guard stumbled for a moment, his eyes glazing over as the world wavered and began to blacken. As he crashed heavily to the floor, his eyes captured for one instant that sealed into his memory forever the blue emblem of the eye of Foreshadow on Omen's collar. At the sharp *crack* of Omen's staff, the two underbosses redoubled their efforts to escape, their polished shoes clattering on the hard cement floor as they dashed for the vast double doors that led to the outside world, and their escape.

Subito shrugged, the throbbing of the burn on his palm slowly receding. "I'll be alright Net-Fly, don't worry about me. Focus on keeping your grip strong and make sure she can't kick you, that can be a pain" With that said he floated to the open gap overlooking the sort of 'main square' the mall emulated, declaring to the people below "Citizens of Freedom City and visitors from far-off lands! I am called El Heraldo, emissary of Puerto Rico! The mirror-manipulator known as Looking Glass has been captured, and her accomplices have been rendered..temporarily insensible. Unless you would prefer us to escort them to the police, I, Net-Fly and our valiant ally in gray will transfer this matter to mall security while I take our ally to get medical care for a leg injury he sustained in battle" Maneuvering until he was directly under the skylight, he continued calmly and with a measured voice "Several of you might have seen three young women appear to fall to their deaths from the third floor; rest easy, they were illusions concocted by Looking Glass to distract us" He remained on the air, keeping a close ear on what was going on in the jewelry store.

"Magic is too dangerous to be used, and too dangerous to ignore, a common problem with such weapons I hear" muttered Marceau to himself. As they were transported to the glittering city, the unpowered adventurer blinked as if awakening from a deep sleep, entirely appropriate given the effect the method of travel had on the mind and senses. The cobbles felt quite real to his inquiring boots, the air was heavy with the aroma of burnt petrol and the crisp dryness of night air. "If I didn't think this was real, I'd think it a brilliant copy" he commented lightly. Gazing about his new surroundings he said softly "It's even lovelier than I thought" turning to the artiste he added "If this is the way true magicians travel, I can understand why they would become so comfortable with their power, it's like everything a child wants the world to be like. Anyway, where to mon ecletant amis? The house of the poor soul who was killed?"

GM The thickset officer shrugged her clearly uncomfortable epauleted shoulders at the heroes' words "That is not my place to pass judgement, I'm merely telling you of the Admiral's own opinions. Though I would be careful how you tell him that. He loves an argument, and all that would happen would be endless wrangling that would resolve nothing and leave you both feeling entirely in the right and quite superior in your points and arguing ability" Taking what was apparently a shortcut through a service transport system, she continued "Really, there's not much too it that the captain didn't tell you. So long as you don't let what he says get under your skin, and don't try to pick a fight, there won't be a problem" stepping out of the almost uncannily pristine circular transport pod(clashing oddly with the dull exposed sections of metal and presumed electronics being serviced)she added "Also, even if you don't feel that way, act as if you're relaxed. The Admiral can be a cold man, but even he likes it when people aren't stiff and formal around him all the time, sets him on edge if the rumors are true" By this point the odd gang had gotten at least halfway to the Parade Hall, if the rushing squads of Lor officers in their ornate dress uniforms heavy with red cords were any indication. The hurried soldiers gave the visiting humans a wider berth than the two Lor accompanying them, glancing back on occasion with looks of both curiosity and slight condescension at their attire.

KoS will make a Move Action to get within range of the Driogano Underboss, and shall throw some bolas at him to snare the mobster. Attack roll: 23, hits! Now for the REF save(DC14) for the Crime Lord archetype: 17, fails. One Underboss down, one to go! sheep, your move! EDIT: I can't believe I missed it, but the UB actually succeeded on his save. Altering IC post to correct this.