Issue #01 - C-Day Celebrations

[Khakhan]

<Making friends. You should try it.> The mental message didn't any physicality to it, but the implication of a stuck out tongue was so strong it may as well have.

Nellie bows back to Zhou, and then extends a hand. "I'm Nellie. Ramirez." She looks around and takes a step forward, closing the gap in the line. "First, I'm getting sugar." She tosses a thumb over her shoulder at the stand. "But I'm also meeting someone here as well. But after that, I'm definitely not missing out on seeing Halogen in person."

Halogen was a very popular heroine, somewhat new to the hero scene, but had taken to the role with passion. In a few very short years, she had made her name enough to become the youngest member inducted to the official ranks of the Centurions, as well as an absolute staple of the Cape City community in particular.

[Rayth]

Mikaela Garrett - Psion

DODGE: +8 | PARRY: +8 | TOU: +12 | FORT: +8 | WILL: +12

HERO POINTS: 1

ACTIVE EFFECTS: Personal Force Field

CONDITIONS: None

Mikaela's response carried it's own implication of a pair of eyes rolling.

<With a friend like you, why would I need any others?>

It takes all of Mikaela's considerable self control to hand Nellie her churro, rather than lobbing it at her. But she heroically restrains herself.

With a practiced smile, Mikaela looks toward Zhou and Edward; the former seemed nice, though maybe a little formal. Nellie seemed to know him, which spoke fairly well for him in Mikaela's eyes.

The other man, though, was giving Mikaela some vibes that were off. The envy he felt for his friend when Nellie came to talk to him was an emotion that Mikaela was used to picking up; she'd provoked it herself from time to time, sometimes for fun and other times for profit. But what he felt was mostly harmless, and not out of any malice or ill will.

It was afterwards, though, that the hairs on Mikaela's neck stood up. She suddenly felt like she was under a microscope. Not that she was being scanned psychically; that was something she was intimately familiar with. But this was through intense mundane focus, and it radiated off the man palpably to her empathy. It's almost like he was able to pick up that she'd sent a telepathic message, or intuit that there was hidden communication happening.

---

Edward is first able to see that her deference to Nellie and Zhou is mostly for appearances. She isn't particularly demure, though she's maybe well-practiced at being seen rather than heard around figures of authority. Edward isn't sure if Nellie counts as such an authority, but maybe the young woman wants to give that impression.

Her clothing is expensive and chosen with an eye for fashion, though not neglecting comfort. Her hair seems professionally done; if she did it herself, it likely took hours, and probably needed at least two extra pairs of hands. She is wearing a perfume, but it's subtle; a light, pleasant scent, worn for herself rather than others. She's wearing jewelry; nice, but not lavish or gaudy. A couple thin bracelets, a pair of earrings.

Her body language was restrained, but subtly so. As though she was keeping herself very tightly wound, but was used to doing so. She stood next to Nellie almost expectantly.

---

The feeling of being under intense scrutiny persists; Mikaela reflexively raises her shield, invisible force insulating her. She was unsure of the man's intentions, and had been taught that when in doubt, to protect herself. He seems very curious, but not aggressive or hostile. Maybe he was another meta; maybe he just had weird vibes. It made her uncomfortable, but others had made her more uncomfortable on purpose. She wasn't about to start a fight over it, yet.

She looks toward Nellie, willing to take her cue for the moment. If she knew this Zhou guy, and he knew this other guy, then by the transitive property maybe he was alright. But if he wasn't, Mikaela was confident in her ability to handle the situation.

With a nudge and a hooked thumb toward the growing crowd, Mikaela says, "We should probably go get seats before all the good ones are taken." She leaves whether the two men accompany them up to Nellie.

[Streetrat]

         Edward - Harbinger

---

"Master Tsu Yang, you have taught me humility in the Dojo enough to earn the affection," Edward said in response to his friend's plea. Though Zhou was not a master, he has undoubtedly taught Edward, that even with his ability to observe and predict a foe, such an advantage does not always result in a match being won. It was humbling and was a surprising impetus for having Edward grow fonder of his friend. And it was as close as he could get to teasing his friend.

This was said as Edward learned more than he perhaps should have, though the young woman seemed to have put up some mental barriers, Edward realized that he had done it again, but even as he thought this, he also took in...her. If the two were communicating then he would need to respect that. He had only met them, and being Meta is not an incrimination. So he did as he often did and filed it away for later.

"The more the merrier" Edward offered as Zhou invited them and Nellie expressed interest. "I am Edward," he offered as the newcomer joined them then turned to address the whole group, "Most of the crowds will be entering from the carnival side, though it may take a bit more walking, the entrance from Justice Hodgins Boulevard will avoid the bottlenecked rush and should get us into the Amphitheatre faster and closer to the stage." It flowed from him too quickly. He had already assessed the sizes of the crowds throughout the day, their position, and the entrances to Cascadia Park Amphitheatre likely crowds outside of the carnival, and that they should manage to get somewhere between the fifth and fifteenth rows unless they got very lucky or unlucky.

Trying to seem less awkward Edward took a bite out of his churros.

---

Passive Insight 24 - Passive Perception 24 - Passive Investigation 27

Edited September 28, 2023 by Streetrat (see edit history)

[Ganurath]

Jordan / Relentless

DODGE: +8 | PARRY: +8 | TOU: +12 | FORT: +10 | WILL: +10

HERO POINTS: 1

ACTIVE EFFECTS: Never Slow Down

CONDITIONS: None

---

"They really don't-? Huh." Jordan blinked a few times at that. To hear the previous generation tell it, the greater difficulty of college came from the material being more advanced. Thinking on it, though, it made sense that the lack of support network was what stood out. No parents, teachers get paid no matter the grade- Jordan shook his head to clear his thoughts. "I'll keep that in mind when I'm looking at colleges for next year."

As the line progressed, Jordan's brain caught up with that was said, specifically Nick's name. Had the bat wings made him give up on having a secret identity, or was there something less obvious that might wind up being a factor for him down the road? By the time his turn to order came up, Jordan hadn't been able to come up with a way to ask that'd both be sufficiently subtle and polite.

After getting his churro, Jordan found himself feeling optimistic about the new confection. Seeing that Nick had decided to wait for him, Jordan hustled over at a mundane pace. He nodded at the question, since he was curious, but he held up a finger with his free hand. "Sounds like a plan, but first! A learning experience."

With that said, Jordan bit into his churro. His eyes widened, he chewed a couple times... then his eyes rolled back a bit as he turned on his enhanced speed, so he could have a couple minutes of savoring the flavor. Yes. Cinnamon success.

[LeonineWolf]

Nick - Ruckus

---

Nick hastened to add to his commentary on college as he saw how it affected Jordan. “Not to say it’s a bad experience overall. You still have teachers who care, they’re some of the good ones. Just a little harder to find.” His grin broadened at the news that Jordan was a senior. “Enjoy your senior year though. It’s a nice break before it gets too hectic.”

In the lull in the conversation, he could hear the murmurs of other conversations around him. But one conversation talking about crowds made him focus on it, a quick glance revealing a small group headed by someone in a suit. If he had been by himself, he probably would have just flown over the crowd, but with his new friend in tow, this shortcut he just learned of could be useful. “C’mon,” he whispered to Jordan, “Just heard a little tidbit that can get us in front of these crowds.”

[Rayth]

Mikaela Garrett - Psion

DODGE: +8 | PARRY: +8 | TOU: +12 | FORT: +8 | WILL: +12

HERO POINTS: 1

ACTIVE EFFECTS: Personal Force Field

CONDITIONS: None

As conversation continued, Mikaela relaxed a little. The sense of being under observation eased, which certainly helped. This guy, Edward, seemed a little... intense, but not hostile or threatening. As he rattles off the directions around the park, the ease and speed with which he does so would've implied that he'd studied ahead of time, had she not felt that scrutiny a moment ago. Mikaela gets the impression that Edward is just like that, probably all the time.

It sounds exhausting, honestly. Giving that degree of attention to everything around you, all the time? Hard pass. But it also told Mikaela that he didn't mean anything by the sudden analysis; it's just how he is. Accordingly, her guard drops a little. Her barrier remains, but more out of a general sense of caution than anything else. Plus, it kept the sun off her, which was nice.

Her fingers now nicely insulated from her iced coffee, and the crumbs from her churro bouncing harmlessly off her barrier, Mikaela shrugged, falling into step beside Nellie.

"Works for me." She gently elbowed Nellie in the side. "Let's see if we can get you an autograph."

[Streetrat]

         Edward - Harbinger

---

Edward sensed that the new girl, he would need to get her name here sooner or later, was not as tense with him. He knew that he would be analyzing why for too long, but it would happen. He noticed that the bat-winged guy and the guy he may recognize, puberty, who seems to be kind to some folk headed off in another direction not following the crowd.

They were heading where he was...did the bat-winged guy...With bat wings may come bat hearing...Edward whispered something softly testing a theory for himself.

---

Passive Insight 24 - Passive Perception 24 - Passive Investigation 27

[Zen Gypsy]

Phoenix Fist, aka Tsu Yang Zhou

DODGE: 8 | PARRY: 8 | TOUGHNESS: 6 (12) | FORTITUDE: 8 | WILL: 12

PERCEPTION: +12 | INSIGHT: +12 | HERO POINTS: 1 | CURRENT: 1

ACTIVE EFFECTS: None.

CONDITIONS: None.

---

Zhou walked behind the small group of friends and acquaintances, Edward took the lead guiding his companions through the growing crowds. However, it appeared that the bat-winged youth Zhou had seen earlier, had slipped ahead and judging from Edward's furrowed brow, he had failed to account for that, given his normally, accurate observations. He regarded Ms. Ramirez, and her ebon haired companion, he was unfamiliar with the woman, having never met Mikaela prior to the festivities, however, she seemed somewhat anxious, rigid even, so he followed behind, not wishing to add to her anxiety by further introductions. Given his position at the rear of the group, he noticed something unusual about Ramirez' friend, there was a shimmer in her aura, one that would seem to indicate a deep reserve of conviction, inner strength and willpower. Her energy though, was projected outwards, then held in reserve, he walked beside her curiously observing the shimmering field of her aura, the rhythm of her breathing, he nodded as she walked beside Ramirez.

A soft smile touched his lips, as he spoke to Ramirez and her friend, "You will, of course, forgive Edward, he seems to have noted that another has moved to take the path that he intended. He will, of course, now focus on trying to arrive at our intended location first, if only to prove to himself that his initial calculations were correct." He kept pace with the group, watching as Edward tried to discern how the other group had slipped ahead of them, the other group having devised Edward's directions. This, he thought to himself, may prove to be amusing, as he slowly chewed on the delicious churro.

[Ganurath]

Jordan / Relentless

DODGE: +8 | PARRY: +8 | TOU: +12 | FORT: +10 | WILL: +10

HERO POINTS: 1

ACTIVE EFFECTS: Never Slow Down

CONDITIONS: None

---

"Sounds good to me." Jordan had already had a plan to beat the crowd, but if Nick had a plan that didn't involve using powers out of costume, that'd be better. Plus, following after someone as conspicuous as a guy with bat wings meant that he'd have an easy time of navigating the crowd while giving his churro the attention it deserved. He didn't know how much cooling off too much would impact the quality, and he didn't plan to find out. Jordan punctuated that thought by taking another bite. "Aw boff gounce. Eed da way."

With that said, Jordan would follow after Nick.

[LeonineWolf]

Nick - Ruckus

---

Nick’s focus was mostly on navigating through the crowds, so he was taken by surprise when he heard that whisper. He’d had gotten used to picking up conversations with his enhanced hearing, since most people around him didn’t realize that he could hear them. But what caught him off guard about the whisper was the inflection. It wasn’t being spoken around him, meant for someone else’s ears. It was spoken at him. He even knew without looking that it was the same guy in the suit that he’d just been eavesdropping on. He wondered how observant the guy was, to figure his conversation had been listened to.
 

Nick at least had the good sense to look embarrassed as he turned to look back at the group following him, an awkward smile on his face in unspoken apology. He thought about the request, looking at the group, then decided to reply. Though he didn’t want to shout over the crowd, he cleared his throat of crumbs and used a little trick with his mutant vocal cords.
 

“Saving four seats might be hard with this crowd. I’ll try, but don’t wait too long.” The trick wasn’t what he said but how he said it, throwing his voice so it sounded like he was standing right beside the man in the suit, whispering in his ear. He ended his little talk with another apologetic smile and a little wave, before turning his attention back to the path.

[Streetrat]

         Edward - Harbinger

---

Edward seemingly whispers to himself as he looks through the crowd as Zhou prods him. A Child running and turning at seemingly random, but was following the seams in the newly set grass, a heavyset man lumbering along, a group of teenagers moving forward in the way but there was a scantily clad woman about to enter their field of view...the stream of information flowed and Edward saw a path forward.

"As much faith as you have in me Zhou," Darnit, he broke the joke, he would need to re-evaluate, "Two people can navigate a crowd faster than four, but I do not think that it will be an issue so long as we do not dally." He then began to lead them through the crowd, walking directly at the heavyset man, who moved forward after the child zig zagging clipped his shins opening a space for the four to move through right in front of the group of teens now gaping at the sight of the underdressed woman right into a small corridor of open space between people trying to provide some sense of personal space in which Edward had to apologize more than once as they crossed paths, turning here right into the crowd, skipping across, following a flow for twenty feet or so always seeming to find an opening that moved them through the crowd at a steady pace until they were moving down a road connecting to Justice Hodgins Boulevard only modestly behind the bat-winged kid and his friend.

---

Passive Insight 24 - Passive Perception 24 - Passive Investigation 27

Edited October 5, 2023 by Streetrat (see edit history)

[Khakhan]

Halogen's appearance was heralded by a series of bright explosions of colors, followed quickly by a humming, coruscating field of energy of that swooped through the sky before pausing above the amphitheater stage. Music swells and crescendos as the field of energy coalesces into a humanoid shape, and the ambient glow fades away, revealing a young woman sporting a beaming smile. Her hair is bound up and bounces gently in the breeze stirring through her locks.

"Hey folks!"

A scintillating tesseract of brilliant citrine energy unfolds into being in the air above the stage and the panels shift and fold outward, and a man walked out waving a hand. Tall and powerfully built, his alien heritage only becomes apparent as he nears the edge of the stage. Four lambent eyes gaze out over the crowd, and the surface of his skin seems to ripple and waver with energy. He pauses at the very edge of the stage, his feet not actually touching the stage, but hovering gently above the platform. A hand lifts and he nods slightly, his voice resonant and carrying with very little effort.

"Greetings, Cape City."

Halogen steps forward and the duo address the crowd together. "We're Halogen and Orion!"

The sheer force of volume that erupted from the crowd was almost a physical entity, crashing through the open space and filling it. After letting it continue for a little while, Halogen steps forward and pats the air with her hands, her image broadcast on a massive display above the stage. A small smile on her face shows her own restrained delight as she calms the crowd.

"Wow. Thank you, folks, for the incredibly warm reception. It is a massive honor to be here in Cape City, home of the Centurions and the Ultramarine, may he rest in peace."

A small hush rustles through the crowd as they remember their fallen hero, before Halogen continues.

"But we're here to celebrate folks, not mourn, and Ultramarine would not want us sad during a celebration. So let's make some noise and have some fun! We'll be here all day, announcing a few more fun and interesting things throughout the day..."

Halogen goes on for a little while more, detailing some of the events throughout the area, with Orion chiming in occasionally.

 

GM BOX

I'm gonna do a cutaway to the crowd a little bit as she talks this huge speech thingy.

[Streetrat]

         Edward - Harbinger

---

Edward managed to get into the amphitheater with the others not too far behind the Bat...guy and his friend. Eighth row, not too bad, and to find the guy with four seats next to him. Edward made his way through the crowd, past those who chose to sit next to the isle and sat down next to...a guy who he needs to ask a name.

"Thank you for the courtesy of saving our seats. I'm Edward...again" he says as he extends his hand to the Winged young man as he sat down before everything began.

---

Passive Insight 24 - Passive Perception 24 - Passive Investigation 27

Edited October 24, 2023 by Streetrat (see edit history)

[Rayth]

Mikaela Garrett - Psion

DODGE: +8 | PARRY: +8 | TOU: +12 | FORT: +8 | WILL: +12

HERO POINTS: 1

ACTIVE EFFECTS: Personal Force Field, Mental Shields

CONDITIONS: None

Mikaela raised an eyebrow as Edward's attention focused on the teen with bat wings, though Zhou's explanation sated her curiosity. Now taking the chance to properly appraise the young man, she saw that he was maybe only a couple years older than she was, but was built like a freight train. Muscle upon muscle, built on a strong foundation. But his mind was quiet; almost abnormally so. The crowd around them was practically cacophonous with their ambient emotion, but Zhou was like the eye of a storm, placid and calm, lacking much of the general background noise most people have going on in their heads.

It was a rather pleasant reprieve, honestly. It reminded her of her time spent practicing meditation to get a handle on her own abilities. She was still thoroughly an amateur, though practiced; Zhou was evidently a master. Regardless, his presence gave her an opportunity to bolster herself before they sat down for the show, which she appreciated, even if he didn't know it.

As Edward lead them through the crowd, she was again rather impressed by his analytical abilities. They bobbed and wove through the cheerful chaos of the crowd, taking advantage of momentary openings and distractions to save time and shorten distance. After a couple of minutes, they were at the correct stage, with a row of four seats being saved by the bat-winged guy. Shout-outs to Bat Guy.

As the speakers played music prior to the heroes' entrance, Mikaela could feel the anticipation building in the crowd as a palpable force against her mind. It felt the way an orchestra tuning sounded; a low babble building to a climax as the source of the anticipation drew closer. She knew the effect would get stronger soon; to avoid being overwhelmed once the show started, Mikaela drew upon her training.

As she'd been taught, she straightened in her seat and planted the soles of her shoes against the ground. This served to ground her, giving her something tactile and steady to focus on so she didn't become lost in the sea of emotion around her. She then took deep, measured breaths, both to further ground herself in her body as well as to give herself something like a metronome to track the passage of time.

If she allowed it, the swell of emotion could make it hard to focus on her actual body's responses; this sense of dissociation made it easier to lose grip on her talents. Mikaela had a rather strange relationship to her body, after all. She had the ability to leave it behind at will, and frequently affected the world around her without using it. Part of gaining control over her talents was learning techniques to remember her connection to her body, as a method of controlling her mind.

Losing control only happened if she allowed it. So, she would not.

As a final measure, she raised her mental defenses. They were primarily intended to stop hostile intrusion into her mind, but the buffer they created served as a surf break against the waves; they'd help prevent inadvertent emotional bleed-through.

It helped that the emotions were positive; things like fear and anger tended to be more infectious, and harder to deflect.

---

As the show begins and Halogen swoops above the stage, Mikaela can practically feel Nellie tense beside her. This was who she'd been waiting to see since her attendance had been announced, and Mikaela was still determined to get her an autograph somehow.

Orion makes his appearance in a suitably alien way, but the warmth of his demeanor did a lot to humanize him. The trick where his feet don't actually touch the stage was a personal favorite of Mikaela's; when she was feeling particularly tired, she was known to drift through the house just like that.

As the pair make their introductions, the crowd erupts, both sonically and emotionally. Mikaela was prepared for both, and eagerly joined in the cheers and applause. She was, personally, more of a Morningstar fan, but Orion was still a legitimate legend, and it was hard not to root for Halogen as she rose in prominence. There wasn't a Centurion she disliked; how could you?

The cheers from the crowd subside at Halogen's direction; the hush at Ultramarine's mention brings the emotional tenor of the area to an almost frosty chill compared to the feverish heights it just was. But Halogen expertly stokes the crowd, and the vibe recovers.

As Halogen continues detailing events in the area, Mikaela listens closely for any mention of autograph signings or meet-and-greets. By hook or by crook, she'd get Nellie an autograph.

[LeonineWolf]

Nick - Ruckus

---

The shortcut proved to be a good idea, since they were able to funnel in and snag some primo seats near the stage. With how the seats were, he had to stoop a little, his wings draped on either side of him. While they could be a hindrance at times, the bat wings certainly helped with deterring a few people into finding other seats before the group who’d been following them came by. A wide smile filled his face as he finally got a proper introduction, giving the offered hand a shake. “No problem, thanks for the shortcut. I’m Nick.”

 

He knew that the guy had to be a young man by his voice, but now that there weren't any crowds between them, he was surprised to find that Edward was probably close to his age, maybe a few years older at most. From how he spoke and carried himself (and honestly, wearing a suit!), he’d expected him to be a lot older. 

 

The arrival of the two Centurions was enough to distract him from the mystery of Edward and given the great acoustics of the amphitheater, he was able to focus on the speeches given. He was suitably impressed by how Orion’s voice carried with such ease, wondering if it was alien biology or practice that made such feats so easy. As Halogen started to hype up the celebration and upcoming events, he leaned to Edward and muttered, “Wonder who the surprise guest is gonna be?”