ic Beware the Night, O Child of Light

[horngeek]

GM

 

Kingston, October 12, 2014, 10:30 P.M.

 

The case was only a day old, and already it had achieved a certain level of notoriety- partially due to the bureaucratic tangle that had piled up in the past 24 hours.  The FCPD had called in the Federal Bureau of Investigation fairly quickly... and then, unfortunately, once the media had gotten a hold of the story, information that the police had only just found out- that the girl had recently developed superpowers- got onto the media.  And her name, Haruko Miyamoto.  

 

That, and new facts being discovered, necessitated bringing in AEGIS.  And, after further investigation, the three agencies managed to determine that they needed even further outside assistance.  Namely, some sort of mystical assistance, but that would take time.  

 

And time, quite often, was in short supply during cases like this.  Which lead to the Miyamoto residence, late at night, with two cars parked outside, and a fairly-heavily build man standing outside, waiting to see if any heroes would investigate the story.  It wasn't ideal, but...

 

Well.  In cases like this, any competent help would be appreciated.  

[souffle_girl]

Since first hearing the news of Haruko Miyamoto's kidnapping, Emily had taken the case as a personal interest. Her father had business dealings with the Miyamoto family, and she vaguely remembered a brief meeting with Haruko years before, when she was still her old self and Haruko was just a child.

When the police had required her help as a "consultant", as they sometimes did, she was more than happy to oblige. She'd even turned down the money: the idea of a young teenager being kidnapped just made her cringe.

 

After reviewing the available information on the case, she went to the Miyamoto residence. The security guy at the door made a funny face when she "parked" her suit in front of the house, before slipping out of it in a simple jumpsuit.

 

"Hello, I'm Emily Stenford, also known as Mechanized. I'm here to see Mr. Miyamoto about his daughter," she told the man.

Edited October 12, 2014 by souffle_girl

[EternalPhoenix]

Terrifica parked the Terrifi-cycle a short distance away from the two cars. She was using the longcoat more and more often these days. She got off, noting the large mecha on the lawn. To review…Wealthy foreign girl just developed superpowers and was immediately kidnapped. FCPD-not that they have the most…stellar of records, stymied. The FBI’s cluelessness is also to be expected, considering the short list of who would take a girl with newly discovered powers in this town. Yet even AEGIS requires assistance. That is…slightly unusual, but not entirely out of the norm. See the FBI’s troubles. However, the mystical element is concerning. I am in no way a spellslinger. How did she find that little tidbit out? By being terrific at everything, of course…is what she’d say. The truth involved some hacking and some stealthy listening and perhaps a touch of breaking and entering. You know, the usual. Government security is, for the most part, a bad joke. However, if anyone on earth can find her, it is me. She walked right up to the big man, noting the girl. That suit could not be any more obviously hers. “Terrifica. I’m told you need…competent help. I make the competent look like blithering idiots.†Which, in retrospect, is actually true. “Could you show me to the meeting room, please?â€

[Brown Dynamite]

Thaelia had been awoken from her dorm room by AEGIS agents whom had broken in.  Having moved to a single room since becoming a senior, there was no risk of waking a roommate.  However, the Atlantean demigoddess was less than pleased by being awakened in the heat of night after she had just fallen asleep.  Before she could lunge at them the agents were quick to make their request known.

 

Not one to leave someone in need, the Glamazon took to the streets.  Her body cut through the night air with a quickness as her blurred form cut through the streets.  The cool fall air having no effect on her stride.  If anything it was a comforting sensation for the Atlantean.

 

Upon arriving the wealthy looking estate did nothing to impress the castle dwelling teen. At least not as much as the armored being standing next to the short woman did.  Wasting little time Thaelia began to enthusiastically shout across from the distance.  Potentially ruining any semblance of clandestine that the meeting could have.   "Fear not.  The Glamazon has come to bring the fiends whom have committed this wrongdoing to justice.  The daughter of the house of Miyamoto shall be recovered."

[horngeek]

The 'security guy', a large Hawaiian man who more than towered over Mechanized now that the mutant was outside of her battlesuit, set his coffee aside, before extending a hand.  "Emily... Emily... Ah.  While we're hoping for someone with at least some training in mystical arts more than scientific, any help that could be extended would be appreciated.  At the very least, it'll be help in taking this kidnapper down."

 

He sighed.  "And it's a pleasure to meet you too, Terrifica, although I wish it were under better circumstances.  The 'meeting room', such as it is, it at the FBI offices in Downtown, but if you've got skill at investigation, we'd like you to take a look at Haruko's room before you get any of our information, so you can draw your own conclusions.  We've tried to touch the scene as little as possible, mostly for reasons of... well.  You'll see."

 

The agent looked across the street as Glamazon spoke- well, shouted, really.  "And welcome to you as well, Princess.  I apologize if the agents we sent to ask your assistance disturbed your sleep, but we're finding ourselves with not many options here."

 

The man paused for a moment.  "Anyway, I'm Mikala Kawena.  AEGIS.  I'm going to be your point of contact if you need anything.  The Miyamotos are inside if you need to talk to them- as for other eyewitness reports, interviews of the people living around here turned up that there were some flashes of light coming from Miss Miyamoto's room late last night, around 11:30.  There's a..."

 

The AEGIS Agent stopped for a moment.  "You'll see why we went for mystical help when you see her room, anyway.  I've never seen anything quite like this, I'll tell you that now.  Do you want to speak to the Miyamotos now, or do you want to see her room?"

[souffle_girl]

"I know nothing of magic, but I figured you could use some extra muscle and brain. Also, my family has dealt with the Miyamotos before, and I couldn't forgive myself if I didn't lend my help." Emily explained, before turning at the arrival of the other two women.

 

She rolled her eyes at the sight of her collegues, especially at the Glamazon's dramatic entry. So typical of these flying cape types.

 

Well, I hope they can do their job.

 

She nodded a greeting at the two women. "As I was telling Mr Kawena, I'm Mechanized, nice to meet you. Since I don't have specific skills with magic, I think I should talk with the girl's parents. I know the Police already interrogated them, but there's always the chance a clue shows up."

[EternalPhoenix]

Terrifica gripped the bridge of her nose with her thumb and forefinger. Oh, lovely. A loudmouthed, musclebound idiot. My day is complete. Why are there so many heroes who seem to have left their brains in their other pants, along with their senses of propriety and indoor voices? There are rules. There is a proper way for people to behave. Why am I the only one who sees it? “Ah. Mr. Kawena, I do have some skill in investigation. As Mechanized has chosen to speak with parents, I will take the room first. If you would not mind leading the way?†The AEGIS agent seemed a decent, cooperative sort. Excellent. Another Divens would just be the icing on the bad day cake. She had had to teach a substitute class over at HIT today, after a special guest professor had pulled out at the last minute. Without notice. The students didn’t want her there. She didn’t want to be there. Etcetera. And now, a missing girl and Glamazon on top of all of it. So much yay.

Edited October 14, 2014 by EternalPhoenix

[Brown Dynamite]

Upon hearing his name there was a twinge of realization.  "Oh!  It is an honor to make the acquaintance of the paterfamilias of the house of Kawena. Your daughter is most studios.  It is also a pleasure to meet you two.  Let us combine our strengths with honor!"  She wanted to compliment him on his daughter's role as a fine warrior and fellow Next Gen member.  But she honored the secret identities.  And seeing that Thaelia wasn't a capable liar, she simply held her tongue.  If there was a call for deception Sam, otherwise known as Kit in the right circles, was a much better choice.

 

"My studies in the arcane are all but that of a neophyte.  Still you have the word of the Glamazon, I shall not rest until the missing girl is found."  Funnily enough, in her own way Thaelia was an expert at kidnappings.  Not so much in the technical sense.  Her best friend, Tsunami, was frequently the active receiver of many an attempt by the forces of Dr. Sin.  She, herself, was targeted occasionally in her younger days by Atlantean Warlors.  Now the Atlantean warlords settle for assassination attempts.  And then there was that whole business with Errant.

 

The situation felt natural.  Not so much, that she could direct traffic by any means.  But such that the demigoddess felt right at home.  So much so that she eagerly took off to see what was so mystical.

[horngeek]

Upstairs

 

Glamazon and Terrifica rapidly saw what Mikala meant- the room was glowing, arcane sigils almost floating through the air, and a heavy scent on the air that seemed... almost familiar, like the smell of rotted fish- although mixed with a smell that almost brought a car backfiring to mind.  The way the spell was layered, the precise placing of the arcane sigils, and the smell made something quite clear.  

 

Whoever enacted this kidnapping was an idiot.  A complete amateur.  Probably hadn't cast more than two or three spells before in his (or her) life.  

 

Both heroes could identify that this was probably the residual of two spells, a teleportation spell and some kind of spell to animate an object, but the way the sigils were wavering unsteadily and the smell- this had to be one of the most sloppy pairs of spells cast with so much power.  That was why the spells were so easy to identify, in fact.  Of course... the issue was that someone so unskilled at magic should not be able to actually call up so much power.  It was a minor miracle the teleportation spell hadn't done something nasty.  

 

Terrifica, furthermore, could see traces of energy from the spell seeming to move in a certain direction- almost as if the tail end of the spell was still trying to move to the destination.  If the heroes could work out where it was pointing, it could lead to, at least, the approximate destination of the spell.  And it was entirely possible that there was a similar... marker... at the destination, as well.  In fact, it would not be surprising at all.

 

Downstairs

 

As Emily walked into the living room, the Miyamotos looked up, their hands clutched together as they waited for news.  Daisuke stood, bowing formally to Emily.  "You are one of the superheroes who have come to help find out daughter?  Thank you..."

 

Ah.  It didn't seem as if the Miyamotos actually recognised Emily.  Which was slightly to be expected, given how long it had been since she last saw them.  And the changes she had undergone since then.  

Edited October 18, 2014 by horngeek

[souffle_girl]

Emily took in the surroundings, exactly the kind of dignified place she'd expected from its owners. Not being accustomed to bowing as a formal greeting, she hesitated a moment before replying with an awkward nod.

 

"Greetings. I'm known as Mechanized in the superhero community, but please call me Emily. There's no need to be formal. I'm not here just because the Police asked me to; I'm Edgar Stenford's daughter, and all my family is deeply saddened by what happened to Haruko. I will do all I can to provide assistance.

 

I know you probably already went through this with the authorities, but can you please tell me all you can about what happened? Going over the facts once more could help finding out a small clue that we might have been missing so far."

 

It pained her to ask these people to once again talk about such a terrible moment, but it had to be done if she wanted to help.

[EternalPhoenix]

I’m surrounded by idiots. Terrifica once again gripped the bridge of her nose with her thumb and forefinger. Magic so sloppy the texts should use it as a perfect example of what NOT to do. Magic does not require intelligence, the texts are clear on that. Meaning this fool is both stupid and bad at magic. So bad, a child could do better. I, with my utter lack of anything even resembling magical power, could do better. She sighed. Hard. At least the idiot left a marker to trace him with. She removed her hand from her face and strode out of the room looking for Agent Kawena. Having paid precisely zero attention to Thaelia, alias Glamazon.

[Brown Dynamite]

Thaelia examined the sigils.  The manner in which they were hastily assembled was nothing short of an insult to all scholars of the arcane.  Her grandmother would roll over in her grave, if not for the fact that the original woman known as Siren was still alive and kicking.  "Such a hastily scribbled jest.  Our foe is but an amateur.  Albeit one with enough power to excite the Daughter of the Seas!"   Thaelia stated only afterwards realizing the room was now empty.

 

She had seen first hand what happened when mortals played with power beyond their reach before.  Last time, it was only on account of Sam's quick wit that they were able to free a pair of frat boys that had fallen under the thrall of a fear demon.  Pranksters turned servant to a malevolent entity.  It was a slippery slope.  And at the end of the day, they had to be prepared that a similar outcome could await.  The kidnapped girl might not be the only one in need of saving.

[horngeek]

Downstairs

 

"Emily... Stamford... ah.  Edgar's..."

 

Daisuke paused for a long, awkward moment.  Then continued as if nothing had happened.  "I remember you were good friends with Haruko when you were... younger."  He cleared his throat, before continuing.  "In any case... we were both woken up by a loud noise in the middle of the night.  We... did not know where it came from, until the second noise.  Like a car backfiring, and it came from Haruko's room."

 

He paused, and Hinata took up the tale.  "We called the police as soon as we realised that our daughter was gone.  She had just developed her powers, and..."

 

The woman sighed.  "I don't know why this happened."

 

Upstairs

 

Mikala stood at the top of the stairs.  "Terrifica.  The Princess saw what she needed to see, I assume?"

 

He looked at the door.  "I assume she's just finishing up in there.  Does she have any idea where the kidnapper- or kidnappers- might be?"

[souffle_girl]

Emily nodded.

 

"You said your daughter had just come into her powers. How much do you know about them? I also assume someone of your wealth and status might have powerful enemies. Can you think of someone who would want to attack you through Haruko? Or that could be interested in someone with her powers?"

[EternalPhoenix]

“There weren’t any clues to the location, I’m afraid. The girl was teleported away.†Terrifica frowned slightly. “However, it was a magical working and a sloppy one at that. Someone with that much power and that little skill is…worrisome.†Yes, let’s not mention the potential casualities if someone like that lost what little control they have…or summoned something they could not then deal with. She suppressed a shudder. “Fortunately, who it could be is a short, short list. Which Ms. Stenford is hopefully narrowing down at this very moment. Could you show me to that room, please? I may have some questions of my own.†She slid past him and started down the stairs. “Oh, yes. Confirming her location won’t be difficult. The perpetrator left a very clear trace, which will also exist at the teleport’s end point. It’s essentially a arrow pointing in a certain direction. Shall we?â€

Edited October 26, 2014 by EternalPhoenix

[Brown Dynamite]

Thaelia walked up behind the two discussing their next course of action.  Having caught merely the tail end of the conversation.  She was satisfied with the knowledge that was all she needed.  Knowing full well that they would pursue the fiends who kidnaped the girl immediately.  "We shall."

The Atlantean princess had nothing to add to the examination of the room. While she hadn't, heard what Terrifica had said in full. The knowledge that she was actually able to track the path of movement was more than enough to know when to differ the course of action. Thaelia preferred straightforward courses of action. And the most straightforward thing to do in this case was let the person with a plan lead the charge.

[horngeek]

Upstairs

 

 

Mikala smiled for the first time since the heroes had arrived- a grim smile, to be sure, but still a smile.  "Finally.  Some good news.  Come on down, we can catch up with the family before you head off."

 

He lead the two heroes downstairs, where they heard...

 

Downstairs

 

Daisuke Miyamoto thought for a long time.  "There may be those who are unhappy with me, but... no.  I can think of three people who might be angry with me for whatever reason, but all three are in Japan, and more importantly, despite our differences, all three are honorable men- not the sort to strike at a man through his family- or by illegal means.  I will provide names, just in case, but... I do not think it likely."

 

Hinata spoke up.  "Light.  She can make light.  Harsh enough to burn or glare... and gentle enough to heal."

 

The middle-aged woman sat, thinking with her hands on her lap.  "I do not know who might be interested, we have only told a very limited set of people.  My brother- his son is living in the city, and got the news as well in case he knew of someone here who could help- he said he did not..."

 

Mikala walked down the stairs, interrupting the slightly rambling sentence.  "We've tried contacting him using the number you gave, but he's out of contact."  He looked at the superheroes.  "There is some good news, these two fine young women have found a track."

Edited November 2, 2014 by horngeek

[souffle_girl]

Emily nodded, and turned at the three people that had just come into the room. A little theory was starting to form in her mind, but she'd need more info to see if it could be viable.

 

"Good. Because we're still in the dark down here. We have no sensible hypothesis as to who kidnapped the girl..." she said, "How's the situation upstairs? And what kind of track are we talking about?"

[EternalPhoenix]

Terrifica sighed heavily. “We’re dealing with an idiot who has more magic power than intelligence. He left what might as well have been a flashing neon sign saying ‘I’ve taken the girl to the Waterfront. Come and punch me.’ Really, I’ve solved harder mysteries after two nights without sleep. Barring any acts of actual intelligence and forethought on the kidnapper’s part, your daughter should be home before sunrise.†And with the description of her powers, this is likely the most naked of power grabs. Honestly. I am completely surrounded by idiots. Still. This one. Mechanized. Building that suit of hers shows she has some brainpower. The mention of the brother’s son…. “Mrs. Miyamoto, tell me about your nephew. You may think of him as a good man, but I have found that people tend to hide the uglier parts of their lives from those they care about.†And that is the charitable way of putting it.

Edited November 6, 2014 by EternalPhoenix

[horngeek]

Hinata paused for a moment at Terrifica's question, staring at the heroine.  "Takuma?  I..."

 

She trailed off for a moment, as Daisuke held her hand, speaking softly in Japanese.  Her reply in return was slightly unsteady, before she returned to English.  "I... do not believe so, but... he has been under... some stress."

 

The middle-aged woman closed her eyes, before fixing Terrifica with a steady gaze.  "He is a medical student here at Freedom City.  On an exchange trip from Tokyo University.  He... is not an idiot, but I know he has behaved rashly at times.  That he might... do so again if he found some power is entirely possible, but I find it difficult to believe he would kidnap Haruko.  They've always gotten along well, that's why we let him know in the first place."

 

Daisuke looked as his wife as she rested her face in her hands and spoke softly in Japanese again, this time seemingly to herself.  He spoke up.  "Whoever might be responsible... please, just get our daughter back."

[Brown Dynamite]

"I apologize for her uncouth accusation."  Thaelia piped in.  The atlantean was far from excellent judge of when not to be blunt herself.  She could even appreciate the honesty.  But going so far as to accuse someone's family members of planning the kidnapping without evidence.  Well, it was insulting.  "Until the fiend is caught, we know not who is behind this most grievous indiscretion."

 

"Know that the word of a princess of Atlantis is stronger than shackles of orichalcum most binding.  And I give thee my word.  Your daughter shall be returned."  Even if it was this Takuma fellow responsible, Thaelia didn't care.  Sure she'd relish the opportunity to teach him a lesson.  But the priority remained.  Rescue the girl.

 

Luckily, it seems as if this Terrifica's talents would allow us to do just that.

[souffle_girl]

Gears turned in Emily's head as her theory gained more and more evidence. She cleared her throat and turned to look at her fellow heroes.

 

"If you let me, I'd like to point out another possible explanation for what happened here. Terrifica, you mentioned that whoever used magic upstairs has much power and little refinement.

Based on what we learned here, nobody actually witnessed the kidnapping. What if there was no kidnapping at all?

Think about it: a young woman comes into her powers, it would be only natural for her to try them out. I did, when my mutation hit; except my powers made me good at Sudoku. What if Haruko was experimenting with her powers and she accidentally teleported herself? That would explain the apparently sloppy execution of the magic."

[EternalPhoenix]

Terrifica closed her eyes, thinking. “My apologies. I did not mean to imply your nephew was the idiot in question. I referred to his friends, or people he may owe favors or money to. He himself may be as good a man as you think, but I can guarantee you not everyone in his life is the same. He may even be unaware of this himself. As I said, people tend to hide the uglier parts of their lives from those they care about. I do not believe Takuma is responsible for this. However, that does not rule out someone he may have told about your daughter. Or someone that person may have told.†You yourself just said he has been under some stress. That, with a history of rash behavior? I doubt he’s the kidnapper, but he knows something. She took in a breath, and let it out. “However. That I can find out for myself. Do you have his address?â€

At Mechanized's suggestion, Terrifica blinked. "That isn't...impossible. The problem with that theory is I neglected to mention that two spells were cast in that room. The teleport and something to animate an object. Also, the description of the girl's powers and how the magic actually was...they don't match. Her powers suggest purity and light. This magic was...dirtier, with no real light to it. Still, it's something to keep in mind." Terrifica was impressed. Most people wouldn't have caught that. Her opinion of the girl improved tremendously.

Edited November 6, 2014 by EternalPhoenix

[horngeek]

Mikala spoke up at Mechanized's suggestion.  "The other thing to keep in mind- she's been missing for a day, so if she really teleported herself to the Waterfront, she'd have been able to get herself home by now- it's not very far.  It's not an unknown thing with kids new to their powers, and the Freedom police actually considered it first.  By the time the Bureau got involved, it got moved to the 'unlikely' bin, and what you've been able to tell us rules it out entirely."

 

He frowned.  "I've got Takuma's contact details.  Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Miyamoto, I think that's all.  If I can speak with you three ladies outside?"

 

The Miyamotos nodded, and the AEGIS Agent lead the three heroes outside.  "We actually have tried contacting Takuma already- he lives in the North End, right near FCU, and he's not there.  We couldn't contact him at all.  Didn't want to worry them more.  It looks like you've got a direction already to me, but Takuma's apartment is somewhere you could try having a look at if that turns out to be unfruitful."

[souffle_girl]

"I guess it would have been too much luck. Back to the original plan then, we head to Waterfront and look for the other side of the teleport spell?"

 

When Mikala asked to leave, Emily politely nodded at the Miyamotos. "Don't worry, we'll find Haruko and bring her back safe," she said. She didn't know if they'd make it, but she figured that was what Haruko's parents needed to hear right now.

 

Once outside, Emily glanced at her armor to check it was still there. Not that she really expected anyone to be so dumb to steal the only existing prototype of a ten feet tall combat armor with its owner's name clearly written on the chest. Even assuming they'd find out how to operate it. Still, she wouldn't want to see her baby scratched with a key by some vandal.

 

She listened carefully at the AEGIS agent before speaking.

 

"So, do we want to split up or we're heading straight for Waterfront? If we split, it will have to be in pairs so that each of us can cover the other's back."