[IC] Halcyon Chronicles-Masks

[CoreBrute23]

Issue 1 of Halcyon Chronicles

“Hey there viewers, this is Halcyon Chronicles reporter Chand Panda, that’s Paan like the food, not like the cooking implement. I’m talking to you via my cellphone,” the image of the rotund Indian man in the camera shakes slightly. “Live from Hōgyokujū Gems, a specialty jewellery store at the Halcyon strip mall where I was going to get a certain…well that’s not important. What’s important is-“ there is a loud crash out of sight and the man winces.

“It’s just been attacked by a man made of bronze.” The camera moves and shows a large bronze man towering over the cashier. There’s shattered glass and tossed jewellery from where the bronze man has shattered two display counters.

“Chalco will not ask again.” The statue speaks in a low grating voice, as if each word requires immense effort. “Give me the gem.”

“I’m telling you, I don’t know which gem you mean!” The cashier, a young dark skinned teen with bright green hair and a nose ring says nervously. The camera shifts back to the reporter Chand’s face.

“As you can see, we’re both trapped in here with the bronze man. I can only hope a group of heroes are on their way.” There’s another loud crash behind him. “Quickly on their way. Very quickly.”

Thankfully a group of heroes did just happen to be near the robbery. What were you doing at or near the strip mall on a Saturday afternoon? And what are you doing now?

[Mr. E]

Fenris, the Janus
Conditions: None
Potential: 0/5

Halfway down the mall, Liz sighs, then knocks back the last of the Starbucks she was nursing. After all, it wasn't like her friends would be coming any more. In her experience, people tended to avoid sites of supervillain attacks. Dropping the disposable cup in a rubbish bin, she slides off her seat and scurries across the floor, slipping into a nearby bathroom. Rooting around in the bottom of her backpack, Liz extracts the leather jacket and a few odd and ends.

Slipping off her own, butter-cup yellow down jacket, and sliding on the dour brown replacement, Liz zips it up to cover her sky-blue shirt, and pulls on what appear to be heavily modified gardening gloves. An elastic tie is extracted from one pocket, and her hair done up in a messy bun, which is promptly covered with a hood and mask. She grimaces, rolls her shoulders back, and lets the change flow. The world twists, curling over into itself, and Liz snarls as a wave of smells hit her nose. Silently cursing her decision to change in a toilet, Fenris stalks out, sneakers moving silently across the tiles.

She hunkers down beside a pillar, watching the scene through squinty eyes. Chalco is metallic, and thoroughly uninteresting, but the retail assistant - well, she can smell the fear from here. A wave of anger, hunger, rip-cut-tear-eat, comes rolling over her, and she forces the change down with a grunt. Tearing her eyes away, she looks around the mall, looking for the rest of the team.

[The_Specialist]

Justicar, the Protégé
Conditions: None
Potential: 0/5

One part of him was suddenly relieved that he had allowed himself to be talked into paying a visit to the mall with the troublemaker, having not been particularly enthused originally about the idea of shopping, with or without Answer. His team mate had insisted they find something to make the base less austere, as the minimalism was apparently unbearable to the taste of some. One part of him however, remained annoyed with the entire situation. Now Answer would likely hold it over his head, on how this had been such a great idea, look how it now meant they were nearby to help!

"You’ve got to be kidding me..." Max let out an irritated sigh when he heard the first crash, glancing towards Answer with a hint of exasperation already apparent. "Let’s see what’s what..." With a jerk of his head, he beckoned his team mate along as he made haste towards the origin of the sound.

Reaching under the collar of his jacket, he pulled the hood of his hoodie beneath up and over his head, before sliding out a thin mask over his face. It had a similar appearance to the faceplate of his helmet, but could more easily be stashed in his jacket. The next item to be pulled free from inside the front of his jacket this time was a short metal staff, waiting to expand into his warhammer with the right gesture.

"...Text the others, looks like trouble..." Justicar whispered towards Answer (almost certainly the faster typer) as they grew closer and glimpsed a strange bronzed figure inside the jewelry store. Two fingers lifted towards the side of his head and then sharply outwards in the semblance of a salute, should Fenris catch his gaze.

[Sahe]

Goblin Girl, the Transformed
Conditions: None
Potential: 0/5

Riley left the changing booth with some hesitation. The black dress with the low cut back was reasonably elegant and something she would've worn to a movie premiere before her transformation. Well with difference that it would've been some exquisite designer designer dress for an outrageous price and not something ready-made like this. She turned to Answer slowly span around so he could see her from all sides. "How do I look?", she asked, knowing full well she looked ridiculous and felt very exposed. It was like she her new body straight up refused to look elegant in just about anything and stuff that had looked great on her before now was just...terrible, even if you didn't account for the ugly spots on her skin, the messy hair she had attempted to tame by getting dreads or the tusks. "Ghaaaa! This is stupid!", Riley exclaimed and was about to storm back into the changing booth, but stopped when she picked up strange sounds from afar, making her ears twitch. "Something's going on out there...an attack on a jewelry store...I guess we should help."

Glad for the distraction and hopefully someone she could vent her frustration at she took off running towards the trouble...or more like attempted to, because the dress really wasn't made for that. She managed to take a total of two steps before she ungracefully faceplanted. "You'll go on ahead, I'll catch up once I'm out of this stupid thing", she said to the others and didn't waste time by first going back to the changing booth before changing out of it. Once she was done, she didn't waste time either getting back into her sweatpants and hoodie and instead ran after the others. While she ran her legs morphed and changed, elongating and resembling the hind legs of many quadruped creatures giving her more power and speed making it easy to catch up to Answer and Justicar.

[Razade]

Answer
Conditions: None
Potential: None

Varian was, for what it was worth, having the time of his life. One had to take pleasure in the simple things and while juggling a grumpy Max and a frustrated Goblin Girl was probably not the most fun he could be having on a given day at the mall, he was among friends...a friend...maybe...and that was all that mattered. "You look extraordinary. Why, looking back to your old self one might argue. Not me, I wouldn't argue that but someone might." he comments, taking the moment to appraise Goblin Girl's most recent choice from the limited selection of the no doubt plebeian wares. No doubt he'd spun some half baked excuse to Max on the importance of team moral to get them in the clothing store in the first place.

Of course he couldn't soak in their displeasure for long as both seemed to catch some trouble brewing and the day which had been so promising before was suddenly taking a turn. With a sigh he whipped out his phone and shot a quick message to the other three.

Seems we've a spot of trouble at the mall. Probably won't miss it. Princess and The Boss are likely to make a scene.

He only gives a nod back to Goblin Girl as he strides out into the mall proper. "Oi! Tall, dim and looking like a cheap dime store display! Over here!" With a flourish of his hands, Answer dug deep. Using the Rune and his own mana was like taking a drink from a cold fountain, crisp and refreshing. With another draw several large boulders rose from the ground, breaking the tile floor and causing a few pipes beneath the floors to burst. They sailed at the bronze man, Varian not taking too much care for how damaged the store front got. The point was to distract and, hopefully, do some damage to the villain.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Time for the first roll. Going to roll a Directly Engage with our good friend here.

(2d6+2)[10]


Welp! Going to take Resist/Avoid blows since I am at range and Create an Opportunity for my Allies.

[Awful]

Forgeheart
Conditions: None
Potential: 0/5

Clothes shopping.

It wasn't normally what Tabitha Fawkesbury, more commonly known these days as Forgeheart, did. Of course, she hadn't really had the chance over the past few years, being hospitalised and then... yeah.

Not really any chances.

Tabitha didn't quite fit in in her scuffed hoody and bulky cargo trousers. She wasn't overly sure why she tried to hide the glow through the skin of her arms and legs, considering how Riley was somewhat distinguishable from the common girl, but hell. Nothing wrong with being different, right? As Riley left the changing room, Forgeheart gave her a thumbs up, only to look around as crashing was heard.

She paused only to pull out a scarf and tug it on over her face. Who'd ever be able to work it was her now?! No one, surely. Heh.

"Right, see you there," she called in response to Gobbers and jogged out to meet the foe.

Within her, molten metal began to beat.

Oh, it was him. She glanced around for █████, but Answer had already begun the fight, really. There was an opportunity, there, while the bronze-skinned man was focused on her rather irritating companion. She grinned.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Will give an actual action once I learn how made opportunities as above by Answer affect things.

[rooster707]

Fadeout
Conditions: None

Julia was in a bookstore, half-heartedly picking through the clearance shelf, when she got Varian’s message. Finally. She’d bought everything she needed more than an hour ago; since then she had just been wandering around waiting for the others to finish. Still, that was better than sitting around at the base all day.

She hid her bags behind the bookshelf and stepped outside, activating her suit as she searched for the source of the disturbance. The nanites in the air nearby began to coalesce, merging with the ones making up her clothes and forming into armor plates that clicked into place around her as she took off towards the others.

[CoreBrute23]

Several rocks crash through the front of the store, causing incredible damage before breaking into rubble on Chalco's back. The bronze man turned around to face the man who had assaulted him.

"Chalco not cheap looking." Chalco started to charge out the store, leaving cracks in the ground with every step. "Chalco beautiful!" He roared as he charged at Answer.

[Chalco marked Angry. The opportunity is that Chalco is no longer in the store, so the team has the opportunity to attack without worrying about damaging the store or endangering the civilians.]

Inside the store, the cashier and the reporter are hiding, as they narrowly avoided being struck by Answer's flurry of rocks. However, Chalco's heavy footsteps and the structural damage causes the roof to start to creak. If nothing is done, the two civilians (that you can see) are going to be crushed by the collapsing roof.

What do you do?

[Awful]

Forgeheart
Conditions: None
Potential: 0/5

"Rescue the civvies! I'm going in!" Forgeheart called to her teammates before tensing her legs.

A single bound cratered the ground under her as she propelled herself towards the bronze colossus. Air whistled past and her mouth stretched into a grin.
"Hey, Chalcoooo!" she roared as she hurled through the air, colliding with the metal man like two mountains crashing. Her leg flared white hot as she used his face as a springboard to flip backwards, landing with an impact that cracked the tiles. She unleashed a flurry of blows, the anvil-crashes of her fists impacting echoing through the mall even as he swung back, sparks rising as she deflected each blow or simply took it without flinching. She landed a kick to his chest that sent him staggering back a step.

"You couldn't beat me before, tinheap! Not gonna happen now, either! Come on!"

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Roll to directly engage a threat in OOC got 12:
So the options to choose are to avoid enemy blows and frighten the opposition

[Mr. E]

Fenris, the Janus
Conditions: None
Potential: 1/5

The inherent problem with sharing a team with a geokinetic, Fenris realises as she crosses the floor, is that it makes it rather hard to run. The ground shifts and grumbles underfoot, making each step a difficult balancing game. Rapidly circling around Chalco, she moves in, claws sliding out from underneath her gloves, only to see, and, more importantly, hear Forgeheart slam into him.

Shaking her head to dislodge the thunderous ringing in her ears, and regretting her advanced hearing, Fenris turns, scurrying behind Chalco and towards the cashier. Who still, quite frankly, looks edible, the reporter even more so, even as Fenris vaults the counter-top, claws crunching into the soft wood. Suddenly realising that her hands are basically just a set of razor sharp steak knives, she crouches down behind the counter, revising her plan to grab them and go.

Looking up at the teetering beams and creaking metalwork of the ceiling, Fenris lets the first thought that springs to mind drop from her mouth, sounding faintly surprised by how mind-bogglingly bad this idea even was.

"Oh crap..."

Coming back to herself slightly, she seizes the wooden countertop, tearing it free from its housings with a loud screech, and braces it against the oncoming collapse. Looking around, she yells at the civilians, trying to get them to move.

"Don't just stand there - run!"

Spoiler: OOC

Show

This is a terrible idea, but I'm going to do it anyway. Fenris will try and defend someone, by holding up the roof long enough for them to escape.

(2d6)[4]

Let's get hit by a ceiling! Yay...

[CoreBrute23]

As you strike Chalco repeatedly he just stares at you awestruck, not striking you once. When you kick him hard, you cause him to wince as he steps back, before keeling over. He then looks up at you.

"Forgeheart!" He says with wonder. "Chalco missed you so much! █████ missed you too!" He then glances around and yells. "What do I do █████? Do I fight Forgeheart? She's our friend!"

Spoiler: Forgeheart

Show

You don't get to pick afraid. I get to decide if he's impressed, frightened or surprised. I pick surprised. He's also marked Insecure from your attack.

Fenris, you try to hold the ceiling up, and you do so long enough for the two civilians to escape, unfortunately, the ceiling gives out and collapses on you, crushing you under it's weight.

Spoiler: Fenris

Show

Roll to take a terrible blow.

[rooster707]

Fadeout
Conditions: None

Fadeout felt a momentary surge of panic as Fenris disappeared beneath the rubble, which she quickly suppressed. She’ll be fine, you idiot. Help the others. She stepped up beside Forgeheart and reached out across the multiverse, searching for something to use as a weapon. What appeared to be an automatic rifle dropped into her hands, and she flicked the safety off and leveled it at the bronze man’s head. “Stay down.”

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Trying to provoke Chalco into surrendering. (2d6-1)[6]

Edit: Ooh, so close. Shoulda just shot him, I guess.

[The_Specialist]

Justicar
Conditions: None
Potential: 0/5

Some part of him winced at the overly destructive first volley, but there was no time to waste on annoyance, things unfolding far too rapidly. In just a few short moments already the store was on the brink of collapse, with civilians and a team mate at risk. At the least, the showy attack had drawn Chalco out of the store and away from the two bystanders, while Forgeheart’s appearance was definitely keeping him busy.

"Keep him busy! And away from civilians!” Justicar shouted to Answer as he began to bolt towards the store entrance. "Riley! Can you restrain this a**hole or something?” He still wasn’t entirely sure the full capabilities the once movie star had at her disposal, but he knew she could shift in some fairly crazy ways and trusted her creativity. Fade- ..well, Fadeout had a gun. That was probably good enough.

Justicar made it to the door in time to find the civilians escaping, pushing the reporter and clerk both in the opposite direction of trouble "Go! That way! Evacuate anyone else you find! Oh sh--! Fen!!” His blood ran cold as the ceiling began to collapse on top of his team mate in front of his eyes, a string of more colourful language muted by the clatter.

"Hold on, man!” Leaping into action, he stowed the haft of his hammer in favour of simply ripping through the rubble with his hands, taking advantage of his strength to try and help throw away the pieces and dig Fenris back out. "Come on...”

Spoiler: OOC

Show

(2d6)[5] to Comfort or Support and help ol' Fenris out of the rubble...

[Sahe]

Riley was a bit overwhelmed unsure what to do? Help Forgeheart whose hits onto Chalco rang painfully in her ears or Fenris who had just been buried under rubble? She would be fine...right? She was tough and Justicar was already on her way to help her out of it and also calling her to action. Frankly, Riley had been a bit reluctant. She looked like a freak already, but when she used her powers, things just got progressively worse. But she couldn't hold back on super heroics because she was embarrassed and ashamed, people where in danger!

So she took a few steps towards Chalko and let a set of four tentacles grow forth from her back, letting them snake their way towards the attacker and wrapping around him like constrictor snakes, all the while her feet shifted into claws that dug into the ground to give her better stance.

Spoiler: Roll

Show

I rolled an 8 on my engage.
And I'm trying to take his movement away.

[Razade]

Answer
Conditions: Angry
Potential:

Answer watched from the safe distance he tries to keep with all giant men made out of metal. The team...well. They were the team. Buildings seemed more of a threat than the bronze man however and for no small reason his fault on that. He'd apologize but it wasn't his fault a city filled with superheroes couldn't build a mall to withstand the occasional bit of combat. With another flourish he drew a web of earthen spires around Chalco and with another movement of his hands drew them close to keep the terrain as rough and difficult to pass as possible. The thing couldn't hit anyone if he was busy clearing a forest of rock out of his way.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Think that should count as an Unleash as I'm trying to reshape the terrain and make it more difficult for him to move. If that counts more as a Directly Engage I'd have hit as well and I'd take "Take their movement". I marked Angry to keep the terrain shaping permanent.

[Mr. E]

Fenris, the Janus
Conditions: Afraid, Hopeless
Potential: 1/5

It takes an unpleasantly long time for a building to collapse. The weight of the ceiling bends the ply countertop inwards, bowing it for just long enough that terror starts to seep into her bones, then smashing it too pieces with almost casual force. The weight of the steel and concrete comes rolling over like a wave, and she struggles to stay upright, clawing wildly towards the light. The debris sweeps over her anyway, and for one terrifying moment she can't move.

The changes comes a second later, the undertow to the current, and Liz snarls as steel bends, tearing herself free. Her body flexes and twists and for a moment she is more scared of going all the way, even as Justicar's face appears in front of her. Half-stepping, half falling forward, Fenris curls over on the floor, shaking uncontrollably. A volley of short, pained grunts emerge as she rolls over front, painfully rising from the floor.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

I'm going to mark two conditions, afraid and hopeless. I remember Earthquakes being kinda scary when I was a teen, and I wasn't in a building that fell down.

[CoreBrute23]

Spoiler: Team moves

Show

Alright it seems Justicar has been nominated Team leader.

So starting total is 2.
Justicar does not have influence over all the PCs, so no extra point is given.
Does everyone has the same purpose in the fight...seems no. Some purpose is rescuing civilians, others are fighting Chalco, and given at least one person endangered civilians engaging Chalco, they do not have equal priority. So no extra point is given.

Now for the subtractions.

Does anyone mistrust Justicar? From the initial opinions, it seems at least Answer and Fenris don't completely trust him. So it seems 1 point will be subtracted. *

Is the team ill-prepared and off balanced? I'm gonna say yeah, no one expected this. So another -1.*

*Just a reminder, the leader 'Justicar' can choose to take a condition instead of substracting a point from the team pool. He could take 2 conditions and preserve 2 points, or 1 condition to save one, or none and have a pool of zero. It's up to him.

EDIT: Because of the captain move, Justicar adds 1 to the teampool for free. So there is 1 in the pool already.

Fadeout

As you hold the weapon, Chalco turns to look at the weapon head on.

"I like your doggy." He says, looking at your weapon. Then you realise your weapon isn't a normal automatic rifle. It's bio-organic and looks very evil.

Spoiler: The weapon

Show

Then it starts to shift in your hand. Twisting and jutting, before it leaps out of your hands, hissing at you, as it rears on four legs. The creature's mouth has more teeth than a shark, and it's tail has the end of the rifle pointing at you. It's about the size of a Great Dane.

Spoiler: What the weapon becomes

Show

The creature snarls at you, before it runs off, chasing after the civilians-it's new prey.

Justicar

You eventually manage to pull the rocks aside, freeing Fenris, who cowers on the floor. He seems to have gone into shock, perhaps traumatised from being trapped under the falling roof. Seeing your friend hurt like that, when you could have done something-it hurts you.

Spoiler: Justicar

Show

Mark the Guilty condition.

Goblin Girl

You manage to constrict Chalco, but as you do, it pulls hard on your restraints. And it hurts! Chalco is strong, and despite you spreading yourself among 4 tentacles, it feels like he's going to rip you apart. You're barely able to hold him steady, until finally his grip weakens.

Spoiler: Goblin Girl

Show

He takes a third condition and is taken out of the conflict. You also need to mark a condition though for trading blows.

Answer
You're able to surround Chalco with stone, making sure he can't get out of there, but it looks like the fight has left him. However, the alien dog Fadeout summoned was not captured by the rocks, easily leaping to freedom, and heading straight for civilians.


The civilians scream in panic, scattering, but the creature is fast.

What do you all do?

[The_Specialist]

Justicar
Conditions: Guilty, Angry
Potential: 1/5

"Fen!” As soon as he saw the familiar albeit now dust-caked mask of Fenris, he felt at least some modicum of relief. Not nearly enough to assuage the feeling of intense guilt at not being fast enough to have got the other out in the first place of course. A gloved hand caught at Fenris’ shoulder, helping pull the other teen a little further from the pile. "Sh*t... are you alright...?” His chest tightened with deepening guilt hearing the pain and feeling the shock in the way that Fenris began shaking.

Awkwardly tearing his jacket off, the haft of his hammer clattered to the floor as he threw his own garment around Fenris’ (admittedly now much broader) shoulders. Something in the back of his mind about shock victims needing to be kept warm. "I got you... We got you... s’ok.”

Glancing over his shoulder quickly it seemed as though the team had Chalco under wraps, somewhat literally. That moment of relief and faint pride was fleeting at best, shattered by the sudden screams of civilians, as... something leapt over the rocks and bolted after the easy meals.

"What the h*ll is that?! Fade, Answer, don’t let that thing escape! Forge, is that brick down for the count? Riley, you good?” He struggled to try and wrap his head around the situation as it rapidly seemed to be getting out of control.

[Mr. E]

Fenris, the Janus
Conditions: Afraid, Hopeless
Potential: 1/5

"Don't touch me!"

Deep down Fenris knows that this is freaking Justicar out, and, if this the wolf was slightly less hungry-angry-sad-rip-kill-eat-run something would probably be done about it, but now is not the time for people to be touching. Skin pulses and twist against the heat of the other's hands, rolling and curling. Fenris feels hairs stand up, twisting around and forming into a thick mat of fur.

Standing bent over, arms shaking and spine curling of its own accord, breath catching raggedly for a moment, the wolf rises, before, painfully slowly, fading. Straightening up, Fenris coughs heavily into the mask, feeling plaster dust coat the inside of the leather. Turning with an unpleasant sinking feeling to Justicar, not really wishing to see whatever he might be thinking, the young hero hands the jacket back, seeming to shrink into themselves. As the aftershock fades Fenris collapses into themself, going from much taller than the male hero to a few inches shorter.

"Sorry - I was worried I was going to you know..." The hero trails off, wondering how to politely say 'hulk out and try and murder you'.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

No move this time, this is just for fluff. I'll drop a real move soon, probably, depending on what other chars do.

Also, remembering to switch from female to gender neutral pronouns as she puts on the mask is hard. Net time I'll hopefully remember slightly earlier

[Razade]

Answer
Conditions: Angry
Potential:

Answer didn't have much time to comment on why he was totally not down with pulling things from the ether, a rabid dog like thing seeming a pretty good foundation for a point none the less, before said good foundation went and started terrorizing yet more civilians. Dropping a building here or there was certainly on the docket but a rabid monster beast would probably do a lot more damage and a lot more lasting damage if left to run free. Which was why he thanked his lucky stars he was still at range. "Can we not add to the problems for a change please? I'm on the monster puppy." Came Answer's only real plea. Was it so hard not to pervert a perfectly good timeline with random time travel shennanigans. Soon enough he'd be his own grandpa. Dashing after the beast, Answer lifted some rubble from the collapsed floor and began hurling it at the monster, the large boulders breaking apart and firing like a machine gun at the creature's legs.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Rolled a 13. So going to take

Avoid/Resist their Blows since again...not in range to really get hurt.
Going to take something from the monster: It's movement as I aim to break its legs.

[Sahe]

Goblin Girl, the Transformed
Conditions: Afraid
Potential: 1/5


Chalco fought back against her grip and how he did! For a short moment Riley thought he would rip the tentacles straight from her back and she panicked, almost releasing him. But she kept going and pushing against him until the bronze man gave up and went limp. Answer sealed the deal by trapping him in a stone prison and Goblin Girl let her sore tentacles slither away from him, resting and twitching behind her back like snakes.

Taking a deep breath, Riley thought it was over but then a beast that she could only describe as a space dog for lack of a better term, darted past her, going after some civilians. For a moment Riley just stood there, dumbfounded, not really believing what she had just seen, then she sprang into action, chasing after the weird thing before it could do any harm. Using her tentacles and her transformed legs, she managed to close the distance between them. Suddenly a flurry of rocks flew past her smashing into the legs of the extradimensional breaking it's legs with a crack and causing it to tumble several feet while it winced and howled in pain.

Riley stopped her wild chase a short distance away from the hurt beast and felt sympathy for it. Sure it was ugly, but so was she. To her it looked scared and in pain. Riley sat down, trying to appear non threatening to the little monster that was now hissing at her and reached out with a tentacle to an overturned Thai food cart not too far from her grabbing some meat and slowly moving it towards the alien, carefully dropping the food half a feet away from it while humming, what she hoped was a soothing melody.

Spoiler: Crunchy stuff

Show

I'm marking Afraid from Chalco

Also rolling to determine if I can calm down and befriend the space doggie. Not sure if that is a Comfort/Support, Provoke or Defend. I'll just roll my worst of the 3 to be on the safe side for now.

Normal Comfort/Support, because Goblin Girl doesn't envy little space doggie with the broken legs.

(2d6-1)[4]

[CoreBrute23]

Answer's attack brings down the dog, there's an audible shatter of bone being hit by stone that seems to cripple it. It winced and howled in pain, much like a real dog, as it collapses on the floor.

Spoiler: Answer

Show

The alien dog is not a threat to anyone anymore.

As Goblin Girl goes up to the creature, it's head turns to face her, seemingly able to gauge her position despite it's lack of eyes. As you drop the food near it, it drags it's body towards the thai food, and devours it. Then it stops and turns it's head back to Goblin Girl. It then struggles towards you, it's movements clearly in pain. Unconciously, one of your tentacles reach out to the creature.

It stops, stares at the tentacle with it's teeth...and then starts nuzzling your tentacle with it's bulbous head.

Spoiler: Goblin Girl

Show

This alien dog loves you, and you can't stop your self from caring about it. The alien dog now has influence over you. Feel free to name it.

Combat appears to be over.

Everyone

Chand Panda, the reporter who narrowly escaped the collapsing jewlery store approaches those of you who are outside, still with his camera recording.

"Hey, thanks for saving me back there...sort of. In your own way." He offers his hand to Forgeheart. "Chand Panda, reporter the Halcyon Chronicles." He also shakes hands with anyone else whose nearby.

"So, uh, what are you gonna do about the Bronze guy? And the...gun dog?" He asks.

Spoiler: Goblin Girl

Show

Goblin Girl, is Halcyon Chronicles one of the media outlets owned by your parents? or is it independent?

[rooster707]

Fadeout
Conditions: None
Potential: 1/5

“S***!” Julia blurted out, spinning to watch the “gun” as it runs away. She hesitated for a brief moment - if she summoned something else she could hit it from here - was it worth the risk? But before she could decide, Answer had already sprung into action, taking the thing down with another hail of debris. The others seemed to have that handled, so instead she stayed behind to keep an eye on Chalco.

[CoreBrute23]

Fadeout

Chalco just stares off in the distance, his head tilted to the side as if he's trying to hear something. Or is listening to something. But you can't hear anything and you're right next to him.

[Awful]

Forgeheart
Conditions: None
Potential: 0/5

Forgeheart accepted the handshake, carefully moderating her strength to avoid pulping the man's hand.
"All in a day's work, citizen!" She grinned as she said the cheesy line. "That said... I have no idea what's going on with the gun... dog... thing.

We've got Chalco pretty well trapped, so he can stick around until the authorities come grab 'im. I have a feeling someone else is snooping around, though. I'd recommend you clear out, yeah?"
She walked over to Chalco, looking down on him with a scowl before looking around. The invincible teenager crossed her arms.
"Heads up, everyone. Likely there's still another one about." She raised her voice. "...You skulking about, █████?" she spoke into the air, waiting for a reply. God, she'd look dumb if he-she-it wasn't about or wanting to talk.

[Sahe]

Goblin Girl, the Transformed
Conditions: Afraid
Potential: 1/5

That didn't went exactly as Riley had planned but at least it didn't end up with the little monster biting down on her face either. In fact when Riley saw the little thing struggle and nuzzle up against her one tentacle it her heart warmed. Her other tentacles reached out carefully picking up the poor thing and cradling it. It was ugly, possibly dangerous, but also sort of really cute...kinda like her. Now she only had to find a name and a way to heal the broken legs.

When suddenly the reporter addressed her, she was a bit startled giving the man a confused look before answering, "Her name's not gun dog...it's...uuuuhm...Gobbet...yeah...Gobbet and I'm gonna keep her", then she noticed that she was still running around in her undies. Not that there was much to see anymore, at least in her mind, but she got up anyway and went back to the shop with the dress to retrieve her clothes, still cradling Gobbet.

[The_Specialist]

Justicar
Conditions: Guilty, Angry
Potential: 1/5

Don’t touch me!

The logical part of his brain knew what was really happening, that it wasn't personal, that it was just a fear response. But the already guilty conscience twisted tighter as Justicar was quick to pull his hand away and take a step back. He didn’t smell like fear, at the least, perhaps a small comfort for Fenris. He struggled with the sense of futility and being unable to help, and it kept him near at hand even if obligingly unmoving.

Though his eyes could be seen through his own mask, they weren’t lifted to meet Fenris’ 'gaze' when his team mate finally turned towards him. It didn't seem to be intentionally evasive, rather that he'd become distracted with his own thoughts, perhaps, or was trying to give Fenris that tiny bit of privacy by not outright staring. He did look when the jacket was offered back to him, and there was still visible concern and a hint of guilt in his gaze, for some reason amplified as he found himself now looking down at Fenris rather than up. Awkwardly, he pulled the garment back over his own shoulders.

"I know..." He confirmed, so that Fenris wouldn't be stuck finding a more pleasant way of phrasing the danger he had potentially been in. "Sorry, I... wasn’t thinking." He added, but it still didn’t feel enough. A bit stiffly, he bent down to pick up the haft of his hammer, wishing for better words to miraculously form in those brief seconds as he did, but alas, Max was perhaps doomed to always be ineloquent. "I’m sorry I wasn’t... quicker, I was going to-..."

He was alerted by the sound of the reporter's voice just outside, unable to quell a swell of anger bubbling up as he glanced over to see the civilian moving closer to the only-just-restrained danger once more, still recording. Justicar shifted, placing himself between Chand and Fenris as he took a step through the doorway, just in case the reporter wanted to get too nosy and obnoxious. At least it seemed that Answer and Riley had made quick work of subduing the.... whatever that gun dog was, though he'd have to ask later about the fact that it was now being cradled like a baby by the latter.

Something about the way Chalco was spacing out rubbed Justicar the wrong way, and left him prickling with suspicion. Forgeheart's reaction seemed to confirm that feeling of unease was justified.

"Excuse me, sir...? Mister Panda?" His tone was just a little terse, but he was trying to be polite despite feeling tense and just a little annoyed. Stepping in, he reached to take Chand's hand, giving it a firm shake. "I need you to get to safety, I’m not sure the danger is done yet. Please continue to evacuate the area, and why don’t you use your phone to call the authorities for us? Thanks." His tone was firm, but as polite as he could manage, using the grip on the reporter’s hand to try and help gently guide the man in a direction away from Chalco and Gun Dog, using his other hand with the haft of his hammer to point away as well. He did pause to glance back over his shoulder at Fenris, however, his tone a bit softer as he managed to filter the annoyance out of it for his team mate. "Are you alright? I mean... will you be ok, till we can get you to the med bay...?"

Next he focused on Chalco, stepping up on the rocks so he could tap the bronzed figure’s head with the haft of his hammer. "Hey. What are you doing? Are you talking with someone? Who are you communicating with?" He demanded, no longer filtering the edge of irritation from his voice. "You know him, Forge? Who are we expecting?"

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Following up on the ‘Assess the Situation’ roll I’m using my second question in regards to Chalco, with ‘What here is the biggest threat?’

[Razade]

Answer
Conditions: Angry
Potential:

Alien dogs and reporters were good distractions and while the fight seemed to have fizzled...and the concern that someone or something was still lurking about...Answer took the time to pad over to what was once a jewelry store. Not just to inspect the damage he'd done, it was always prudent to look at that sort of thing and make adjustments for the next fight, but because when no one was looking well...no one was going to miss a few sensible pieces of jewelry now were they? The Court should have called him Magpie honestly, even as he bent down to pick a necklace or two to stash in his pants, he couldn't help but eye the few more expensive pieces with envy. Shiny things were always a distraction. Justifying it was simple enough. Goblin Girl was going to need something to wear with that dress she was trying on earlier and it'd make a nice present to surprise her with. Everyone should have a little black dress, never know when you're going to have the social occasion to use it.

But there was another reason Answer went shifting and sifting through the rubble, using his powers to lift particularly large parts of concrete and rebar about. Chalco was looking for something. A giant bronze man didn't come to a shopping mall for no reason. Villains rarely did which made having a social life outside of the Court rather difficult. Point was if Chalco was looking for something here...it was bound to be here. Or a lead to where it was. So that was Answer's self appointed mission while Justicar and Forgeheart went to deal with Chalco and Goblin Girl kept the press busy. Where oh where was the lead and just what was this gem in the first place?

Spoiler: OOC

Show

I don't know if that counts enough to clear Angry with Blowing Off Steam, but aiming to do so with it here. There's really no victim and if the pieces are under 500 bucks it's only petty larceny. Which is a misdemeanor.

Got a hit on the Unleash so...coolio

[Mr. E]

Fenris, the Janus
Conditions: Afraid, Hopeless
Potential: 2/5

Fenris nods slowly, feeling the shaking finally shiver to a stand-still. They look about to say something, but instead just watch as Justicar walks away. A minute passes as the adrenalin rush dies, before the young hero shakes themselves and turns back to the action. Patting their ribs cautiously, they shrug in response to the other’s question.

“Don’t think so. Feels like I haven’t broken anything…”

They watch Answer amble past her, casually pilfering some jewellry from an overturned display case. Fenris pauses slowly, then shrugs again. With a stiff walk they stroll behind him, blocking his activities from the rest of the team’s sight.

“Don’t you think you ought to do that slightly less obviously?” Fenris asks quietly, carefully facing the other direction. “I mean, I don’t care, but Justicar just maybe might.” The sarcasm is probably a bit thick, the young hero concludes, attempting to lean back against a surviving pillar. Wincing as they are reminded of her bruises, Fenris bounces back off the concrete, regretting the choices that brought them here. There is a moments silence before they continue, trying to avoid another snippy remark.

“What do you want it all for, anyway? I hadn’t picked you as a necklace wearer.” Fenris shrugs a final time, looking around the scene as they wait for a response. Their head pops up at Forgeheart speaking to empty air, but they says nothing, being more interested in the conversation behind her, at least for the moment.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Not really a lot going on here, but I'm going to make a move for the kicks. Pierce the Mask on Answer:

(2d6+3)[6]

Hah. Poor Fenris, poor, poor Fenris. Failing a move with their top stat...

[CoreBrute23]

Answer

You easily manage to put some low value jewlery in your pockets, and you don't believe your other team mates noticed...besides Fenris. [Clear a condition for blowing off steam]

You however have difficulty figuring out what gem you are looking for because Chalco was very vague about what he was looking for. Suddenly,

Thump. Thump.

It's a beating, and it's coming from your rune tattoo. You raise it and it thumps harder in a certain direction, just behind the wall safe, which has now fallen off because of the collapsed store. You go behind the safe, and your rune leads you to a small ornate box. Inside, you can sense the gem inside. It's not a Rune-or at least, not a true Rune-but it resonates with your True Rune. It's possible, with the help of your criminal connections, you could use whatever gem is in this box to find the other True Runes.

Do you take the box?

Fenris

As you turn to ask Answer a question, you suddenly feel intense pain in your eyes. You start crying instinctively, but as you feel your tears you discover they are metalic-like quicksilver but bronze.

Suddenly your head explodes in pain, as you feel your whole life flash before your eyes...and then suddenly parts of it disappear in front of you. What is your middle name? What kindergarden did you? What's you favorite ice cream? Slowly you feel your human memories vanish.

Spoiler: Fenris

Show

Roll to take a terrible blow.

Justicar
Your battle instincts are still heightened, your years of training and time on the street alerts you that the danger is not over. You glance to the possible causes. Chalco? No he's trapped and docile. The alien dog? No it's crippled and seems to no longer be hostile after being fed. But what's causing you to get so rattled?

Suddenly you turn around and see Fenris, and your heart pumps with fear. They are snarling, holding their head in pain. They seem...almost feral, like a wounded wolf. And for some reason, every instinct in you is screaming, Fenris is the biggest danger to you and the others.

Everyone

Chalco looks up and suddenly speaks.

"█████ has a message for you guys." He notes. "He said that if you do not release Chalco-that's me!- and give Chalco the Rune Gem, he will...." he seems to be struggling with the next words. "Er-ase you friend Fenris' memories of being a human. What does that mean?" Chalco wonders.

At that moment, you all hear Fenris snarling from in front of the jewlery store.

"She looks a bit scary." Chalco notes. "Good thing I'm safe in this rock cage."

Chand is shaking, but the phone is up in his hand as he slowly steps away.

What do you all do?