ic Rock 'em, Sock 'em

[Brown Dynamite]

GM

Café Quantique,
Bayview, Freedom City, New Jersey
Saturday, January 11, 2014
6:30 PM
 
Café Quantique is  fairly small and compact. Operating as a combination bookstore and coffee shop, the floor is decked out with all manner of horror, supernatural, romance, and thriller novels stocked in the shelves.  The floors are a dark, heavy oak, with matching wood tiling to give the place an archaic feel to it.  An aged marble counter extends through part of the back, where the coffee is served up.  The shop's ambience is tied together with lighthearted music playing throughout the establishment and a beautiful view of the waterfront.  
 
The Cafe was one that often found itself the home of a many a teen visitor being so near to the prestigious Claremont Academy.  It's affluent location also brought in the occasional college student or would be writer.  And right now it had two of those very same Claremont teens sitting inside.  One would be hard pressed to tell the two teens had only hours ago finished a knockdown drag down brawl.  A brawl that was originally supposed to be a capture the flag training exercise.  An exercise in which their simmering tension came to a boil.  Luckily aside from the staff there the cafe was unusually empty at the moment.  Which meant as long as they didn't shout their conversation could be an open dialogue.
 
After enough time had passed Thaelia had seen to it to invite Cho Paige Lee out.  Seeking to mend fences seeing as it wasn't a school night.  With the muscular girls hitting up the french styled cafe at the Atlantean royal's insistence.  

Edited January 19, 2014 by HG Morrison

[RobRX]

“Okay, I’m...I’m uh…†mumble Cho, one palm on her face. “I mean, sh**. I lost my cool, I wasn’t supposed to slug you in the face like that.†Wincing and cringing internally, she felt really horrible being in that coffee shop when she previously was busy trying her hardest to pummel Thaelia into submission, having the edge in term of raw physical power but overall lagging behind in all other respects. Tempers had flared, there had been some name-calling which resulted in a few painful punches and people flying.

“Well, not that it matters much! See? It all worked out pretty well!†Immediately, her enthusiasm died out once more. Well it was clear she had enjoyed a good brawl, the part where she had completely lost her cool was nothing for her to be proud of. “I-I mean, what got said in that room stays in that room, right?â€

[Brown Dynamite]

Thaelia had helped herself to a scone during the emotional roller coaster that was Cho's apology.  She could appreciate the openness of such bluntness.  But the lack of confidence during the explanation was alarming.  "You are quite the worrier.  No one is seriously injured and we managed to avoid being sent to Mr. Summers office."  A shiver ran down the superhumanly strong teen's back.  Pausing to take in what could have been a frightening way to start out the weekend.  "So, yes it all worked out fine.  I too was in the wrong, and I apologize for my actions."

 

The fact that Thaelia did not have the largest sweet tooth made her appreciate the lightly sweetened treats of the cafe.  A scone lacking the sugary punch of say cake.  "Besides it was all fun.  Now, please do order something so that we may sit."  She took care to remember to toss in a please with her request.  Coming from royalty Thaelia did of course have the bad habit of making her requests come off like orders forgetting to actually make it sound as if she was asking.  But the intention was never something quite so selfish.  She did, however, know to try and walk on eggshells during their current situation so as to not have things turn hostile anew. 

[RobRX]

"Hey! I'll order something when I decide!" she barks out. "Anyway, it's more that I was worried I'd start a war with Atlantis because I called you a stinking fish or something. I don't really remember what I said. It was a spur of the moment taunt!" One followed by a fortunately-dodged bolt of entropy. Cho had no idea what exactly it would do to a living being, having only use it on objects or robots.

 

The girl crack her neck. "Well, at least it was um, something. I didn't really had much of a chance to actually test what I can do without risking breaking everything around me. It's not as fun as it sound." Pausing, she looks around the place once more. "Don't worry, I'm not going to ramble only about me. So, anything they serve here that's good?"

[Brown Dynamite]

A spur of the moment taunt that Cho happened to repeat right now.  Yeah sure.  Thaelia wasn't a girl of very many regrets.  She acted first and the consequences went as they came.  Right now her instinct was very much to act.  An instinct she was tearing at the seams to fight against as she crushed her scone helplessly.  Luckily the change in topic came as quickly as her anger wanted to surface.  "I usually order some black tea with lemon and milk light on the sugar accompanied by a set of madeleine.  Those are a sort of sponge cake.  But there are plenty of sweet pastries and beverages if you would prefer."

 

Turning back to the counter Thaelia went about ordering her example beverage.  "They also have a decent selection of literature.  But I personally enjoy moving to the outer deck above all else.  Taking in the view and smell of the water."

[RobRX]

"Um." Cho eventually order something that's more to her tastes. "So, I take it you like water a lot! Right?" She says, trying to (poorly) engage in the conversation. "Bleh, that was a terrible thing to say." Shaking her head, she deep down knew how horrible and utterly silly that all sounded. Not exactly the best way to have a conversation and hopefully patch things up.

 

"My mother doesn't really want me to do the whole 'superhero' thing." she finally admit, while drinking some of the tea, which she would find too hot if not for the fact heat doesn't really bother her all that much anymore. ."That's why I wasn't sure if I fitted in at Claremont. You got your responsabilities and, well, I got mines."

[Brown Dynamite]

"Yes I do like water."  Thaelia responded humoring the question.  Chalking it up to nerves.  It could have gone insensitive, asking her whether she ate fish.  As if there was an abundance of flavor options under the sea.  Or a reference to something the teen could have heard about the Atlantis casino.  Actually the casino would have been fighting words no question about that.  That was a stereotype she did not care to pander for.

 

"I see.  In my culture such work would be considered perfectly acceptable and honourable.  Fear of death is of course cause for trepidation.  Only a fool charges to their doom if they can help it.  So of course parents worried for their loved ones."  Thaelia paused for a moment to take a drink. If Cho was expecting something silly like the teen extending her finger while she drank, she'd be disappointed as the Atlantean's etiquette lessons did not include the pop culture version of the act.   "At least that is what I was taught to believe.  I know how my mom was but I never met her, I think she died during childbirth it is a strange matter.  And I have never met or seen my father for complicated reasons.  But do not misunderstand I am not complaining the king my uncle, is a perfect role model.  I just think even if it a complete culture divide, it is a wonderful thing to have a parent worry over you.  Some of us do not have that connection."

[RobRX]

"Mine got shot. At random it...well, it just hapenned like that. It wasn't some mad supercriminal out for revenge, it wasn't some ancient evil there to bend the world to it's will. Just some random punks while he was out to get milk or something. Just like that." She gesture and imitate a gun with her hand, making a 'bang' noise, before sadly looking down at the tea. "At least, that's what I got told."

 

She didn't seem to mind discussing it but it was clear it was rather painful. "I wish I could say my life was something impressive. Nope, just a single mom remarrying, having another kid and me constantly arguing with a stepfather. And then, you know, superpowers happen so the first thing someone like me think is 'well, gotta put them to use because that's what the real heroes would do, right?'" Another sigh, followed by a sip.

 

"It's not really all that wonderful. It's not that they hate people flying around in suits that looks like pajama, heck, my mother's a Terminus invasion survivor. I don't think she's in any position to complain about superheroes. Look I don't know, maybe where you come from it's expected for people to bravely charge and risk their lives but I guess that's not the mindset my mother and stepfather have." With that out of the way, she exhale, relieved.

 

"I'd feel terrible for disobeying but I really WANT to. I know I wouldn't be able to sit and watch people getting hurt. Beside what do you want me to do? I don't really have abilities that are, um, well useful for a desk job. I mean, if I was super fast at least it would make me good at filing paperwork!" With that, she smiled a bit and began chuckling, half amused, half sad.

Edited January 15, 2014 by RobRX

[Brown Dynamite]

To Thaelia there was nothing macabre about the whole gun and bang motion.  Death was a reality.  As such the Atlantean teen did hope when she went out the story was of more heroic proportions.  But it was a reminder that sometimes death was just a messy random occurrence.  "I am sorry for your loss."  A legitimately sorrowful look on her face as she nodded in affirmation.

 

"I actually had a conversation about the different mindset in purpose between the surface and Atlantis.  Atlanteans are more of a warrior people and have an ultimately entirely different perspective on the world.  Then Giang and I were attacked by pirates.  They shall never see the light of the surface again."  She took a sip of her tea smiling.  "But, each individual can define their purpose.  If you want to become a pajama wearer it will ultimately be your choice. You also do not have to come to a decision in a single day."

 

Had she an actual idea of what a desk job entailed, perhaps Thaelia could have added more perspective on the non combat applications of the girl's powers.  Instead, she just shrugged and let Cho enjoy her own humor.

[RobRX]

"Yeah well maybe it's easier for you. It isn't for me. Anyway sorry the whole plebeian ramble when I said it wouldn't be entirely about me. Hm, guess I just don't really have much people to talk about it. I mean, it's a whole other world out there full of aliens, monsters...um...mutants and demons. Right?"

 

The only thing Cho could do after letting all that out was a big sigh. However, things didn't exactly go as planned or intended as the exhaling of air proved far stronger than intended as it blew the table and the teacups away. It seems that was either something new she could do or that she accidentally stumbled on another use of her powers.

 

"Oops. Oh, sorry I'm...sorry!" Then said the girl, covering her mouth while looking at the scene with oversized eyes of shock and surprise. "That never hapenned before!"

Edited January 19, 2014 by RobRX

[Brown Dynamite]

GM

 

BOOM

 

The sound of a nearby explosion filled the area.  Which was soon followed by the echo of gunfire and a chorus of screams.  People were visibly running by the window of the shop.  Trying to get as far away as they could from the source of the danger.  Various cries for help could be heard as shaken citizens tried their hardest to escape before they could be harmed.

 

Traffic came to a complete halt as the cars outside had to cede the road to the sprinting pedestrians.  Some people actually abandoning their cars on the spot.  There were some people whom continued to carry on with their day as if nothing was occurring.  But they were few and far in between.  The most resilient of Freedom's citizens could be counted on being keen enough to not form a crowd until heroes actually arrived.  But curiosity was human nature.  Leaving a few teens without a proper sense of self preservation to instead head toward the sound of the explosion and gunfire.

 

Even the waterfront view was soon invaded by billowing smoke.  Taking away what was a serene view momentarily.

[Brown Dynamite]

Thaelia had never been on the bystander end of a mess caused by not paying attention.  She had caused enough of a mess in her time on the surface to have her approved response memorized when such events occurred.  Pulling out a business card so that the shop would have somewhere to send their billing issues after the assorted the damage.  "Please send any questions and inquiries to the Atlantean Emb-" Then came the explosion.

Thaelia dropped the card without giving it a second thought and ran to poke her head out the door. "Gods what in Tartarus was that?"  That sound in her voice was not concern.  No it was pure unmistakable excitement.  As Thaelia had to stop herself from practically barreling out of the establishment.  The look that followed as she turned her head to Cho was a clear urging that they go and explore where the source of all the fun was coming from.

[RobRX]

"Yeah, I know!" She said, on a guess that Thaelia would obviously go out and check what was hapenning. Beside, heading toward it was what she SHOULD do. Or at least what she wanted to do, despite her family wanting her to stay out of harm's way. Of course, that would imply Cho would actually follow along with that plan.

 

Heading outside with Thaelia, she ran toward the source of the explosion at full speed, leaping over any obstacle, possibly causing some collateral damage along the way.

[Brown Dynamite]

GM

 

Following the trail the teens happened upon the sight of seven men in full suits of powered armor.  They were separated into three pairs with two pairs guarding the outside of a jewelry store and one set remaining inside smashing glass and taking as many of then contents as they could manage.  Two of the guards posted outside fanned the street with energy rifles. The only armored thief not partnered up with anyone was floating, using his rocket boots, with a screaming woman clutched in front of him.  A blaster pistol held to her head.  "No one has to get hurt today.  Just be good, and don't even think about playing hero.  Or else the lady gets it!."

It was clear the thief wasn't addressing anyone in particular. Trying to demoralize the crowd from so much as reaching for their phones during the conflict. Smoke began to billow forth from the store as it became apparent that somewhere during the smash and grab furniture had been set ablaze.

[RobRX]

Pulling back to get a running start, Cho dashes forward at full speed, her foosteps shattering the ground and forming a trailing cloudf of dust behind her as she then leaps forward into the air, screaming, using the momentum of her charge to tackle the man holding the hostage at full speed and force, swatting him aside in midair. Ramming into the armored man, Cho knocks him out of the sky, causing him to drop the hostage.

 

Using a valid arm, she grabs the woman in mid-air before making a dangerous landing, using herself to cushion the blow so the hostage won't be hurt. With a crashing loud noise, Cho impact the ground, shattering the pavement underneath her.

[Brown Dynamite]

GM

 

The scene erupted into a chaotic hail of blaster fire.  The armored men on the left side of the shop began firing wildly at Cho.  The energy from their blaster pistols doing no visible damage to her skin.  With some shots actually being deflected.  Diving out of harm's way both men would cover up behind a car parked just outside the jewelry store. 

 

The thieves ransacking the place continued about their business.  With one of them filling his haul in jewels up to the point where he would not have a free hand for his blaster.  Barking out orders for his partner to hurry up all the while the two couldn't see the commotion going on outside the establishment.

 

From the other side of the open area, two of the power armored wearing thieves would fire off simultaneous shots.  Hitting Cho at the exact same place on the side of her head.  And rocking the girl into a dizzying daze while still managing to protect the civilian tightly clutched upon her person.

[RobRX]

The initial shots only got Cho to wince ever so slightly, as her indestructibility proved to be not quite as indestructible as it sounded. They didn't really harm her but the shots were still every so slightly felt. They also burned holes in her jacket as said clothing was completely mundane, something you would find in any normal store, not some specialized suit as worn by superheroes. It burned and got damaged as anything else. Still curled over the woman, she used her body as a shield. "Agh! My jacket, you &$!&*!" yelled out the girl, genuinely pissed at the damage.

 

Then the two shots hit the side of her face and these two proved shots proved to be able to harm her, as the blasts burned ever so slightly the side of her face, making her scream in pain. Her ears buzzed and her vision blurred, Cho saw stars.

[Brown Dynamite]

Thaelia moved with dazzling speed as she crossed the distance into the firefight.  Slamming her fist into the nearest armor wearing thief using a car as cover.  His body flew through the window of the car leaving a slumped over body.  "Beware the might of the Glamazon foul fiends!  Today I shall engrave a lesson of pain most grave upon your flesh."  Thaelia shouted enthusiastically into the fray.  Pausing momentarily at the sight of Cho wincing.

 

There wasn't love lost between that much was sure.  But the Atlantean princess still considered the underclassmen an ally due to their shared academic environment.  A fact that brought concern to her face as Cho was sent reeling.   Acknowledging that overall she seemed unharmed at least.  Which allowed the boisterous teen to resume her valiant taunting.

[Brown Dynamite]

GM

 

The armor thief next to the one Thaelia had just knocked clean out.  Hadn't immediately noticed his partner being knocked out.  Planning to concentrate fire on Cho again, he was left with an unpleasant surprise as he found himself firing alone at the teen.  His blasts doing nothing to even phase the teen.  Turning to face Thaelia even the armored helmet could do nothing to hide the shock on his body as he practically jumped back.

 

From across the street one of the armored thiefs had a clear shot of Thaelia.  Blasting away at the side of her head.  Hitting on target leaving a smoldering tuff of smoke evaporating from the warrior teen's head.  But no visible damage.  In fact her gaze didn't even turn in his direction showing little to no acknowledgement of the assault.

 

Another one of the thieves hidden in the vehicle parallel to the one Thaelia was behind lobbed a flash bang grenade for the space in the center of all the commotion.  With Cho turning her head in a timely fashion to avoid directly looking upon it, she grit her way through the auditory blast.  Thaelia for her part was not so fortunate both blinded and deafened by the result.

[RobRX]

"Thaelia!" shouted the girl as the flashbang detonated. Instinctively, she looked away. If Thaelia was temporarily out, then it was all up to her. Reacting immediately, Cho hastily dropped the woman (hopefully, not too harshly, but in the middle of the action, Cho wasn't really concerned with bruises and scrapes on people as long as they would survive). Kneeling down briefly, Cho focused everything on this jump, flying into the air, shattering the ground around her as she lifted off.

 

Briefly, the same glow from her disintegration power illuminated her body, tracing some reddish, glowing veins around her hands, forearms, feet and forelegs, leaving behind a brief trail of light, propelling her against gravity. However, Cho didn't quite notice that, having done so instictively. Coming down from her short leap, she smashed her knee right in the nearest thug's face. The man collapsed to the ground in a second crater. Landing, Cho hadn't noticed she had ever so briefly floated.

[Brown Dynamite]

GM

 

"Fan out you louts.  Are the wee girls proving to be too much?  Lay down suppressive fire and take them out!"   The leader of the gang of thieves called out. Pointing his blaster pistol at Glamazon. The end would glow an effulgent green hue as the girl stumbled around with her senses challenged. Charging up the blast he finally fired a bolt of green energy striking directly against her face with a sizzling puff of smoke leaving her body. "Do I 'ave to do everything myself?"  Thaelia felt the blast strike her face.  Growling out in pain as her head shot back.  Her feet stumbling ever so slightly as she was knocked for a loop.

The two armored thieves from inside the store ran out each taking up a defensive position next to their boss. Dufflebags full of their newfound treasure draped over their shoulders as they prepared to follow orders. Cocking back on a lever to the side of their blaster rifles they would move the weapons into a different setting.  Raising their muzzles to scan around the area so as to have a wide coverage.

Edited March 6, 2014 by HG Morrison

[Brown Dynamite]

GM

 

In an effective display of working as a unit, one of the robbers carrying his bag of loot proceeded to show how well they follow orders.  Laying down a hail of energy blasts at Cho.  Pelting her with blast after blast at a high rate of speed.  The burst improving upon the lack of firepower an individual shot seemed to have against the girls.  To actual effect as Chow was sprayed hard enough to actually hurt her.  

 

While this was going on the two gunmen using the vehicle on the opposite end of the grounds from Thaelia and Cho were taking potshots with their rifles from the distance.  One managing to blast into Thaelia's side.  Only to prove ineffective in doing anything further than tearing into the unarmored parts of her clothing.  The mail and other armored bits combined into the clothing proved to keep her protected.

[RobRX]

A loud detonation fills the air, alongside a very quick, albeit noticeable flash of light. The air ripples as one of the goon shouts from the shock of beign hit by Cho's disintegration. The girl winced as she lowered her hand, still glowing and rippling, the effect as unpleasant as ever, feeling as if her hand was beign torn apart. "Wait, you're still alive? I-I mean that's good!" she asked out loud to the man she had fired at, with a burn mark upon the power armor's chest where the bolt hit. Small tiny pieces of it were in fact completely missing, having been disintegrated while others simply has been chipped off.

 

Had he taken the blow at full force, without his armor, none would have been able to say for sure in what state he would have ended for sure, since the girl had never tried to use her desintegration on anything living before. Attacking Thaelia might have been what pushed Cho to a breaking point, down to the final straw.

 

Clenching her first once more, she raised the hand. "Next time I fire this, someone's going to end up with limbs missing! Back off!"

[Brown Dynamite]

GM

 

The leader of the band of thieves readied his blaster pistol aiming at the Glamazon.  The Atlantean demigoddess braced her arms in front of her body taking the full brunt of the attack without an ounce of concern.  The man's ire became readily apparent as he squeezed his blaster pistol in frustration.  But not intent on giving the teen an ounce of breathing the gunman to the left began blasting away at Thaelia.  Pelting her with shot after shot.  Only for her to defiantly endure the onslaught.

 

Despite Thaelia being blinded the momentum had not seemed to shift away from Cho and Glamazon as the teens continued to power through whatever attacks came their way.  Some of the gunmen began to show a more hesitant posture as the assault continued.  Clearly they were beginning to want no part of the teen heroes.  But the armored thieves preserved.  Not yet willing to surrender their loot.  At least not without more of a fight.

[Brown Dynamite]

Thaelia's vision began to slowly return.  The world was hazy as she continued to adjust with only one eye held partially open.  Barely able to make out were her target was she sped off towards the trio of thieves whom had exited the store whom were in the direction she had just been shot at.  They were barely able to keep up as she appeared directly in front of the nearest thief.  Swinging with a hefty haymaker towards his abdomen.  Not that she the visual acuity to target anywhere in particular as her eyesight slowly returned.

 

The force of the punch was nothing to sneeze at as the armored thief's body actually rose off the ground.  But when the man descended he remained upright with the bag still held near.  Showing that the armor was able to hold as he bared her punch dead on.  His arms were shaky as he readied his firearm back into the firing position.  But at the most it seemed as if he had been momentarily winded with no actual damage occurring.  

 

However, Thaelia's concern lied not with her foes.  Her eye closely watched Cho who threatened to dismember the lowly thieves.  The Atlantean came from a culture that wasn't to be bothered by such consequences.  But it was her understanding that heroes on the surface were not to act in such a manner, and in fact she herself edged away from taking those liberties.  Taking the threat and generally surprised tone of voice as an act of either subterfuge, or a hint that the girl may not have the best control of her power.  From Thaelia's point of view the former was more likely.