A New Chance

[ChronicLunacy]

Kid Zeus

When the Reaper suddenly showed up, Kid Zeus exclaimed, "Jesus Christ!" and brought both of his hands up. He didn't attack, but his hands were suddenly wreathed in a corona of popping, crackling lightning that threw the entire scene into relief from the light it produced, like a strobe in a dance club

"Are you kidding me, man?! There's no way I'm going to trust you! You're a murderer! You think that's something we'll just look past?" he growled, balling his hands into fists as the energy buzzed around them, a couple of bolts striking the floor with an angry zzzzpok!.

[geez3r]

The Fire/ meeting

Gust - Stuff goes as planned, when you enter the room on the 8th floor, nothing really looks amiss. Everything looks like a normal bed room, and nothing appears to be out of place, except for the fact that it is deathly quiet. You don't need to inspect the bodies, you just know that they are dead.

Paragon - Even as your own posture changes, so does the other man's. He uncrosses his arms, stops leaning on the wall in favor of his own two legs, and the smirk on his face becomes even more pronounced. The change is pronounced. The man simply reeks of horrible, devastating power, the will to use it to crush all of the insignificant pests that infest this world, and above all, he would delight in inflicting that carnage on the world. He reaches out with his own hand and grasps it firmly... it feels as if you have just taken hold of the left hand of God. "Tell me Professor Dark, why must it be only one of those choices?"

Alex

{Interesting... very interesting...}

Judith

Results of your research:

Jene Co. - Has the most revenue of the 3 companies. It is mostly a whole sale company, producing chemicals that other companies then use to create their products. Their biggest consumers are businesses that make cleaning supplies. Based in the mid-West.

Lerrick's - Gets many government grants, on average it's products are the cheapest of the 3. It specializes in the production of acids and bases mostly. They are also known however, to have frequent problems with unions due to unsafe conditions and/or pay issues. Based in the south-west.

Wellside - The largest product line out of the three. It's sales and profits are erratic because of that. Many of the CEO's quit within a year. It basically tries to do too much. Based in the south east.

Joe

{She can be kind of useful, but not overly so. Like anything over a DC 15, she can't do}

Legion

The guards are a calm as ever and turn off the silent alarms and all that mess. However, as you are ferrying loot up to the hallway, you notice a SUV pull into the bank parking lot, and 3 people get out. They appear to be joking and conversing with one another, and they are wearing guard uniforms.

The Man

When you enter the office building, you get a great many odd looks. People aren't exactly sure why you're here. The office rooms are well furnished and decorated though, giving off the impression of sophistication. When you declare your purpose to visiting the main receptionist informs you that you need to go to the top floor where Ms. Yamashima's office is. Ms. Yamashima's secretary says "You will need to wait out here for a moment, Ms. Yamashima is with another client and will see you shortly."

[Wiz]

Pulse

Pulse throws up his cape, blocking out the harsh light of Kid Zeus' corona. "Wait!" He glances over to see if Reaper has fled or not, regardless, he will spare a glance at Kid Zeus. "If we can settle the matter of this man's troubled spirit, murderer or not... should... we... not... try!?!"

[PlasticSoldier]

Drill Clone turns the drill off. and turns to the guards "What would you guards normally do in this situation?". Meanwhile Orig. thinks
Guard Clone go stall the guards I'll be there in a sec. Guard Clone holsters his pistol and walks out to the main lobby casually nodding to the new guards. Orig. runs down the stairs and gets the .22 from Drill, leaaving behind his pistol and walks to the top of the staircase, before crouching and sneaking into the office they drilled through.

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Disguise - (1d20+16)[34]<- I'm including the ten from the alter form thing.
MoveSilent - (1d20+2)[21]Hide - (1d20+2)[14]

[evisiron]

Nosferatu

Nosferatu's eyes widen at the appearance of the Reaper. Instinctively his senses are empowered and he 'tastes' the smoothering darkness of the Reaper. It reeks of fear, and the burning acidic sweat that stings a preys eyes as it flees a predator.

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Detect power: 2 rounds.

He pauses for a moment. Most people seem to be ready to attack, but have held themselves back. This is a delicate situation. While the Reaper has not moved to attack anyone, he has already shown his hand regarding his motives. Attacking the Mayor was pretty public. That isnt so bad, and he-WAIT! Did he say murderer?!

"'Murderer No Longer'? You mean you have killed people? Requesting a chance to redeem yourself is all well and good, but we are not the ones who should be making such a judgement. Hand yourself into the authorities, and go though the process of fair trial. If you are found innocent, or cured of whatever insanity held you at the time, society can accept you and welcome your attempts to right any wrongs. Serve your time if need be. However, until then, your are a criminal who has the potential to be danger to others, and must be stopped.

Hand yourself over, and eventually be free again, or spend the rest of your life hunted in the shadows. The choice is yours."

Nosferatu stares at the shadow crouching in the small area of shade. A blast of lightning from this kid Zeus or a road flare from Pulse would rob the Reaper of the darkness he seems to cling to. Nosferatu tenses, ready to spring into action if one of them tries it.

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Readying action to attack the Reaper (non lethal) if anyone else either attacks or illuminates him, or he springs to attack someone else

[harmonictempest]

Gust

((Can I get a check of some sort to see how possible it is that this (the gas) is from the fire, or what it might be?))

Dead. All of them. Weren't fast enough this time. I'd be more worried, but that last guy who was in here looked better already by the time he flew off, so I don't think it could be that deadly. Still...was this the fault of the fire, or is there some other reason?

Fully alert now, Gust continues out of the room into the rest of the apartment, looking for...something that will make this make sense. First the crazy old pyromaniac, now this - how could they be related? I don't have any ideas right now, but I'll know it if I see it. He continues the wind effect he brought into the room with him, making sure he won't accidentally run into any more pockets of gas.

It's gotten quieter out there - wonder if I'm the last one in the building? Gust pauses for a moment to listen more carefully before continuing.

((He'll search the rest of the apartment, then the rest of the floor, eyes peeled and looking for anything else that doesn't seem to belong. Here's hoping he doesn't miss the meeting.))

Listen check to see if I hear Nosferatu's announcement/the meeting/anything else outside, and how much I hear:

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Listen - (1d20+19)[29], plus whatever ad hoc bonuses Super Hearing gives.

[DaftSkunk]

Nathaniel aka Tim for this...meeting

At the Reapers arrival, Nath steps back, preparing to fly off, but as the Reaper doesn´t attack them head on, Nath listens to what he, then Pulse, then Kid Zeus, then Pulse, and then Nosferatu have to say.

Looking to Nosferatu Nathaniel nods approvingly.
You are right, very right. And you He slightly raises his right hand to indicate Kid Zeus.
should come down. Then with a little nod to Reaper he goes on.
Reaper, you should follow Nosferatus...advice and turn yourselve in. Right now would be a good time.
There is nothing we can do for you, or where we can use youre help.

Shifting a little in unease because of the reapers aura (you have a fear aura or?) Nath carefully watches Reaper, and with a few sideglances, Kid Zeus.

[ChronicLunacy]

Kid Zeus

Pulse

Pulse throws up his cape, blocking out the harsh light of Kid Zeus' corona. "Wait!" He glances over to see if Reaper has fled or not, regardless, he will spare a glance at Kid Zeus. "If we can settle the matter of this man's troubled spirit, murderer or not... should... we... not... try!?!"

"He can settle his troubled spirit all he wants when he's locked up with the other crazies, but right now all I see is a murderer who needs to be brought to justice before he can hurt any more people! I saw stuff about him on the news, man! Do you have any idea what kind of body count this monster's racked up?! I don't care if he's gone straight or not. He needs to be put on trial for what he's done!" Kid Zeus exclaimed, still looking straight at Reaper unless Pulse's cape blocked the way. "If he wants to turn himself in that's fine, but if not it's our responsibility to do it for him."

[Raven T.]

Alex

Flashback: February 16, 2005

A cold winter's chill tore through his coat and Alex shivered stoically. He always carried his head high, even in the worst circumstances. It gave the image of a man who's too high and mighty to care about the rest of the world...or the image of a man who cuts his path through life, by force, if necessary. He had already put his books aside and was heading to a late lunch with some friends at this new cafe that had just gone in about half a mile off campus.

"Survived another day at the grindstone, eh?" It was Greg, one of the guys he was going to meet. Greg was the most carefree of the group, though he was no slouch when it came to his schoolwork.

"No worse than any other day, I suppose. The professors have yet to give me an opportunity to shine the way I know I can. Alex smiled and patted Greg on the back firmly.

"Maybe they just are not aware that you have talent. You know the old saying, 'you gotta spend money to make money.'" Rachel had snuck up behind them. She had known Alex from some events back in high school...at one point, he had wanted to date her, but she had been seeing some moron (isn't that always the way?) They hadn't kept in touch much after that, but were reconnecting now in college.

"I can appreciate that, but I'm not going to show off. It will cause me to become singled out to my 'enemies.' I know there are those out there who would like to discredit me and ruin my life right now; I made the mistake of tipping my hand already." This was only a half-truth. He didn't know for certain if there was anyone out there plotting his downfall, but it certainly made him sound more impressive than he was.

"You shouldn't be so concerned with what might happen. Life is about the here and now. Tomorrow may never come for any of us. Relax; the day's work is over and now it is time for play.

The trio smiled and laughed as another blast of cold air whipped around them. Francine would already be there; she got out of classes earlier than they did. These were the moments Alex relished the most: good friends, good talk, and potential good food.

Two years later, Greg was shot and killed walking home from his internship. The killer got away scot free, having never been found.

[Nelphine]

Murky

Ignoring the other people in the art gallery, Murky stalks around the gallery. He reaches out and touches art objects carefully, not disturbing them, just enough to see the grey start to spread from his touch.

As each item flashes grey, he growls and moves on.

"Nothing retains colour! Why?! I must have some way of bringing joy back to my life. I must have something. I'm not going back to work; too many missing friends, for too many unexplained reasons. Too much grey! The world is black and white! Cool dark and terrifying brightness! Why is there so much grey??!!" He screams the last words at the other people in the gallery, and vanishes back into the shadows. Trying to stay a normal person just won't work for him.

Flitting back across the street, he returns to his car to see what the police have been doing in his absence.

[/Spoiler] 3 pp to meld back into the invisibility of shadow. Jump checks are d20+30 if you want to roll to ensure I can get back to my car in the safety and concealment of shadows. [/Spoiler]

[Tar Palantir]

The Reaper

The Reaper begins to tense at Kid Zeus's actions, but forces himself to calm down. These people were not his enemies. He spoke first to Nosferatu, "Yes, I have killed people. I killed many in my former life, but I cannot remember anything beyond that fact. Since my transformation, I have begun losing memories of my past life, and now all that I have left are the faces of the dead. I cannot even remember how I killed them, only that I did. It is difficult to say how many, but I know it was enough to be hundreds, but not enough to be thousands. Three, four hundred? I am not sure. After my mutation, it becomes more clear. Counting two thieves, I have killed forty five people since I transformed, forty two of them the first night. As for turning myself in, what would happen if I turned myself in today? I would either be found sane and executed, or found insane and locked up in an institution, where I would have nothing left to me but the memories of the dead slowly eating away at my sanity. I have been given a chance many do not get, a chance to redeem myself, and I will not so lightly toss it aside. If I had not escaped from the hospital last night, there would be one more little girl in the icy grip of death this day. How many lives could I yet save if I was imprisoned? At the very least, if I turn myself in in the future when I have proven my change of character, I might have my time lessened for services rendered, or at least have done some good before my incarceration."

"As for you," he says, looking at Kid Zeus, "If I was the animal I was before you would already be dead, but now I pity you for the anger in your heart. I tell you now with perfect sincerity that I will never harm an innocent being for the rest of my life. If you do not believe me, then strike me down. I will not defend myself. Know what it feels like to kill one defenseless person, and imagine the agony of having killed hundreds. My life is an endless abyss of grief. If you find yourself a fitting judge, then send me to the hell where I have sent so many others. Hell is nothing next to this." He stands still his hands at his sides, torn between a desire for redemption and a longing for the sweet release of death.

[Wiz]

Pulse

Pulse looks at the Reaper, "You have vowed never to kill again... the man who I fought before, who gutted that cop wouldn't do that. By the way, Larry's fine, you didn't succeed in killing him." He steps toward Reaper, holding up his empty hands, "If you don't think the standard courts would deal fairly with you will you submit yourself to the Mayor's examination and summary judgement? If you're willing to try that, I'll be your escort."

[Glawackus]

Andrew/Vox Populi

"Now hold on just a minute here." Sellars leans back in his chair and makes a steeple with his fingers.

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Sorry about the lack of posting, I missed that anything else had gone on in the meeting.
Can I make a Profession(lawyer) check on what Forthwind just said? Something does seem fishy.
if so
(1d20+8)[10]

[Tar Palantir]

The Reaper nods, relieved that someone, it seems, trusts him. He answers, "That seems fair enough. Before we leave, there is a small girl on one of the nearby roofs who needs to be rescued. I got her out of the fire but couldn't get her to the street. If one of the fliers will go and make sure she is alright, then I am willing to leave immediately. We would have to stay to the back alleys, out of the sunlight, for obvious reasons."

[ChronicLunacy]

Kid Zeus

"RrrrAgh! You think that excuses you?!" the teenager growled, swiping his hand through the air and leaving a trail of energy behind it. "You say you've changed yet you keep killing people! You said you killed two thieves. What makes you judge, jury, and executioner, huh?" he forced himself to stand up straight and bring his hands down to his sides, the energy slowly dissipating. "I should fry you right now for what you've done but I'm not like you. I don't kill people for any reason."

Kid Zeus took a step closer to Reaper, obviously fighting between fear and anger of the shrouded monster he saw before him. "You just stay away from me, Reaper. Stay away from me or I'll light you up like a Christmas tree, you understand?" Then he was suddenly surrounded by a nimbus of energy and he floated off the roof towards the one the Reaper had indicated in order to get the little girl to her parents.

[Wiz]

Pulse

Pulse raises his cloak, "Here's a shadow to join with... that should be enough trust even for you, you may ride under my cloak til we get where we are going. And we'll be walking." He pulls a strange looking device from his belt, points it at the glider and with a couple of beeps and flashing lights the glider folds itself up into a compact case. He looks over at Nosferatu, "Could you check on the girl he spoke of? And we can all meet again tomorrow where you and I were going to do some sparring."

[Tar Palantir]

The Reaper ducks under Pulse's cloak, melding into the shadows. He does his best to ignore Kid Zeus's words, but still they echo in his mind. He was becoming more skilled with his powers now, he could pull his punches against ordinary people like the old man or those thugs, but what if he had to stop another super, like Fritz or the one who had killed Bolt's sister? If he tried to pull his punches they would easily kill him. What would he do? He shook his head. He would cross that bridge when he got to it. For now, he would worry about the mayor and his ad hoc trial.

[evisiron]

Nosferatu

Nosferatu's forehead creases with thought as the words from Reaper draw a different reaction from the people present.

"Pulse: You agree to escort him to the mayor in the belief we will render a fair verdict. But if this is not the case, and the mayor decides the Reaper should die for his crimes, will you put one of your bullets through his head?
However, if the mayor does believe the Reaper should live, he could prove valuable to protecting the city. Criminals may smile while they are dragged away by police if they have a network in place that can get them out scot free. The Reaper could illict a much more fearful reputation from his past alone. He need not kill again, but may save others through the fear he can create.

If he is willing, he could join us, although due to his reputation it would have to be within a somewhat secretive capacity. At a later date, people may accept that he is with us, as long as they believe we are holding the leash.

But know this Reaper: If this is all a ploy, and you use the opportunity to harm an innocent, I doubt that there is a single person here who will rest until you are held up to the sunlight to burn.

And Pulse, I do not believe anyone should be travelling with the Reaper alone. I shall accompany you to the Mayors office. Kid Zeus, would you be able to help the girl on the rooftop?

As for everyone else, if you are able we will try to meet again in the abandonned quarry over on the West side of town, at noon. If you meet others who are likely to want to help, make sure they know where to go. Until then, be careful. Anyone else who wants to accompany the Reaper to the Mayors office is welcome to join us."

Nosferatu looks around the group again. Within this group there is such a potential for good or evil in the world. Suddenly his manner becomes much more relaxed.

"Oh, and a golden banana sticker for anyone who comes up with a good name for this new group. I think Justice League might already be taken..."

"Ok Pulse, lets go. Hmm, wouldn't it have been better to snap down your glider at street level instead of the rooftop?"

[Wiz]

Pulse

Pulse listens to Nosferatu, then nods. "All right, check on the girl please, then join me down below. I'll be finding some police officers to convey us to they mayor." He goes over to pick up his case. He turns and tips his hat to the others. "Til tomorrow, my friends." He walks over to the fire door and pulls out the same device (which for all the world looks like Dr. Who's sonic screwdriver) and points it at the lock. He triggers another button, and there is a clicking noise from the lock and the door swings open.

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Taking 10 on disable device for 25, if for some reason the lock would be higher DC than that... then where's the rest of the roof security. :)

Pulse walks down the stairs til he gets to ground level and walks out among the fire brigade still here, looking around for police he spots a couple who are keeping the crowds back. He walks over to them, "Excuse me, officer, I'm Pulse, and I need someone to convey me to the mayor and call ahead. I have the escaped and self-proclaimed former supervillain Reaper with me. Reaper has placed himself in my custody, and he is willing to turn himself in and accept they mayor's judgement of his crimes and whatever punishment his honor lays forth. I suggest we call ahead so that the mayor can provide whatever security he feels will make him the most comfortable."

[evisiron]

Nosferatu

Nosferatu nods to pulse. In retrospect, perhaps having the guy seething with electricity may not be the safest, even if his intentions are good.

Kicking off into the air, and glides over to the building across the gap. There is still the stench of smoke hanging in the air. Watching the Pulse until he goes into the door, Nosferatu then looks for the girl. After a few seconds, a small girl can be seen lazily chasing some pigeons on the roof.
Kid Zeus has already set down, but Nosferatu calls out to him.

"Hey, just to check, can you carry people without electrocuting them? This would be a terrible time to find out one way or another."
(If 'no':)

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"Come on. Time to get you back to the ground. I am sure these pigeons will relish their predator leaving the area too."

Nosferatu grins, and gently scoops the girl up. With extreme care, he hops off the building and drifts back to ground level. During the slow flight, he asks

"How did you get up there anyway?"

Reaching the ground, he sets the girl down beside a police officer. A quick scan around reveals Pulse also standing in the area, and so Nosferatu strides over to him. It looks like he has been talking to the police, making arrangements no doubt.

(if 'yes':)

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Nosferatu listens to Kid Zeus. He watches as he picks up the child, and brings her safetly to the ground. Kid Zeus seems pretty young. Hopefully he can face whatever trials lay ahead.

Realissing he should be ground-side, Nosferatu flicks into the air, and drops beside Pulse. It looks like he has been talking to the police, making arrangements no doubt.

"Come on Pulse. I am sure they can keep us outside if they need to get anything else sorted. Hey, why the sudden compulsion to walk anyway?"

[ChronicLunacy]

Nosferatu nods to pulse. In retrospect, perhaps having the guy seething with electricity may not be the safest, even if his intentions are good.

Kicking off into the air, and glides over to the building across the gap. There is still the stench of smoke hanging in the air. Watching the Pulse until he goes into the door, Nosferatu then looks for the girl. After a few seconds, a small girl can be seen lazily chasing some pigeons on the roof.
Kid Zeus has already set down, but Nosferatu calls out to him.

"Hey, just to check, can you carry people without electrocuting them? This would be a terrible time to find out one way or another."

Kid Zeus looked up as Nosferatu joined him on the roof. He had the little girl in his arms and she was watching as the lightning bolts zapped around her, completely unharmed. "It's mostly just for effect when I'm flying. I have to put some effort into it if I want to actually hurt anyone. The light show's sort of a side effect, like my eyes." he explained as he began to levitate again. With the girl's low weight he could carry her easily while retaining control over his flight. He grinned at her when she found out she was flying. He'd had the same reaction.

Nosferatu listens to Kid Zeus. He watches as he picks up the child, and brings her safetly to the ground. Kid Zeus seems pretty young. Hopefully he can face whatever trials lay ahead.

Realizing he should be ground-side, Nosferatu flicks into the air, and drops beside Pulse. It looks like he has been talking to the police, making arrangements no doubt.

"Come on Pulse. I am sure they can keep us outside if they need to get anything else sorted. Hey, why the sudden compulsion to walk anyway?"

Kid Zeus brought himself and the little girl holding onto his neck safely down to the pavement, smiling for the cameras if any of the news vans no doubt on the scene started shoving microphones and such in his face, but refused to answer any questions. Instead, he politely excused himself and took right back off. He regained the roof where everyone was meeting just long enough to make sure of where they were meeting later, then said his goodbyes and set off yet again.

His destination was the police department, mostly to register his superhero identity so it was legal for him to do what he'd been doing and also to check up on other matters the police might want the mutants to handle.

[Wiz]

Pulse

Pulse is standing there when Nosferatu lands beside him. "Come on Pulse. I am sure they can keep us outside if they need to get anything else sorted. Hey, why the sudden compulsion to walk anyway?" Pulse raises an eyebrow in confusion, then shakes his head. "I'm sorry, I thought it would have been obvious... when I fly, my cloak splays out all over the place, and since the fire trucks are shining lights up this way it might have made things tenuous for our tenebrous acquaintance."

[evisiron]

Nosferatu

"Ah, one of the many costs paid in order to look dramatic by having a billowing cloak. Just be careful not to fly near jet engines or moving machinery with that thing, ok? I can already see the headlines: "Hero sucked into own glider by cape". Still, it has proven kind of useful this time. Hmm. Would it be worth catching a cab or something? Walking the streets may be an invitation for some vengeful murder victum family member to try and take Reaper themselves."

Nosferatu pauses for a minute, before looking into the shadowed alcove below the cloak.

"Hey Reap, just so we don't accidently remove you from existence or something, how does your power work? Do you blend with the shadows or just hide in them?"

Nosferatu looks around, making sure there is a fair distance between themselves and seeing if any of the other supers decided to tag along.

"By the way, the little girl was there as promised. Maybe there is hope for the Reaper. Hmm, it does not look like the Kid Zeus is going to try anything either. Perhaps the streets are safe to walk once again!"

Nosferatu walks easily. Since meeting the other heroes, even with the interruption from Reaper, it feels as if a great lift has been lifted. He is not alone.

[The_Lonely_d12]

Davan

Sighing lightly as events unfold and superheroes leave, Davan thinks to himself

This is certainly turning sour, isn't it? The way this is going, it's going to tear apart before anything useful ever gets done. Oh well, it can't be helped...So that's this Reaper that was in the news, eh? I don't know if he's just crazy, or if he actually is trying to repent, though the two certainly aren't mutually exclusive, are they? It's a good thing he left though...that kid is too hotheaded to trust, probably can't see the big picture.

Walking away from the diminishing crowd, Davan walks to the lip of the building, and lightly steps off, tumbling in mid-air and landing without any apparent injury.

A few of them look like they can handle themselves, but it's not something you can easily tell by looking at someone, 'less they're showing off for the world to see. I wonder if it will be a waste of time meeting up with them again...the way they're talking, it'll lead to forcing us all to register and kowtow to the powers that be. I'll not be a pawn. Ah, I've got nothing better to do yet, something might turn up before then.

He looks around at the various persons milling about, and sets off further into the city, humming quietly as he strolls along.

What time is it anyways? It'd almost be nice if one of those classic "comic book villains" would come along soon, this is turning out to be a bit less than entertaining. I can't improve if I have nothing to work against.

[dfpiii]

The Fire/ meeting

Paragon - Even as your own posture changes, so does the other man's. He uncrosses his arms, stops leaning on the wall in favor of his own two legs, and the smirk on his face becomes even more pronounced. The change is pronounced. The man simply reeks of horrible, devastating power, the will to use it to crush all of the insignificant pests that infest this world, and above all, he would delight in inflicting that carnage on the world. He reaches out with his own hand and grasps it firmly... it feels as if you have just taken hold of the left hand of God. "Tell me Professor Dark, why must it be only one of those choices?"

Professor Dark aka Paragon

"It does not have to be any of them," Dark replies. He appreciates the aura of this stranger. What potent malevolence. Of course if he can sense it then anyone can - is this why you're watching from the alley? And why just watch? Was this fire your doing or did you - like me - come simply to observe?

Curiosity and the instinct for self-preservation compete. This man is a perfect definition of dangerous... and powerful. But perhaps not risky. With clearly aligned motivation comes clear behaviour. Dark has a grasp of physics which must surely be peerless and he knows that even apparent chaos is predictable, that all matter and energy obey discrete laws; laws which do not simply describe forces, but enable their being.

A passage comes unbidden to his mind from Salman Rushdie's The Satanic Verses:

How does newness come into the world? How is it born?
Of what fusions, translations, conjoinings is it made?
How does it survive, extreme and dangerous as it is? What compromises, what deals, what betrayals of its secret nature most it make to stave off the wrecking crew, the exterminating angel, the guillotine?

Dark stays, but not by virtue of his intellectual curiosity. That same feeling which came to him for the first time only a few days ago, like an old lover who knew all his ways and means. Like creeping death and chemical addiction. Beneath the guilt and fear of his ordinary and inconsequential existence, beneath that mammalian brain enticing his race to eat itself fat and bloated, beneath even the reptilian instinct-ancestry that drives men to murder and to screw.

In the deep primal pit of his mind was the grasping darkness of boundless ambition: perfect greed: the brotherless devourer of stars.

Oh, stare far into me and find your reflection! If I could sup your power but by your heart's blood, I should smash the world to find that one unbreakable shard to cut life from you.

Professor Dark pulls back his hand and gives an involuntary gasp, staggered as much by power lust within himself as the power flowing out of this wicked deity.

"...It does not have to be," he repeats shakily, but continues with a growing restoration of confidence and resolve. "Mutants - and having no other basis I would presume you are such - have hitherto displayed powers which are individual and distinct. Fire, shadow, gigantism and so forth. Two or more distinct powers manifesting in an individual I have not yet observed. Further, of those who were present at the explosion - and here I make no assumptions about you - those closest to the blast were extensively mutated and possibly, had any of them survived, they would display multiple powers".

"So, if you'll allow me to make an attempt at a most cursory classification; if you are capable of more than one of those things I mentioned, you would have to fall into one of four categories. 1) You are not a mutant. 2) You are not a mutant who was exposed to the chemical in the same way I was. 3) You are a mutant who has received a higher dosage, or were otherwise more receptive to the chemical, than most of those mutants who have been observed and you thus display multiple powers. 4) You have a single power which allows you to duplicate the functions of other powers - being able to manipulate energy in general, for example, or the ability to duplicate or absorb the powers of others".

"But you can tell me more than I can guess, if you are so inclined. Such as... what are you going to do now?"

[blennus]

“The Man”

As he sat down to wait his cell phone rang.
“Boss, one of the investors called about an appointment at 5 this evening. I told him you’ll be there. K?”
“That will be fine. Which one?”
“Umm, let me see… Mr. Alexander Catham.”
“Sounds great. Call me if anything else comes up.”

He looked around the office, and noted the lavish furniture. It seemed this Ms. Yamashima was doing quite well for herself. He had heard that she was recently divorced, and wondered if her current financial state of affairs was a result of sucking her ex dry. In any case since she was not taken, she could be open to more… persuasive means. While he preferred blonds to Asians women, depending on the rest of Ms. Yamashima’s “assets”, he was willing to give her a chance. He really did prefer voluptuous women and the Asians he had met so far lacked in that department, but there was always the slim chance that she had a generous share of “tracts of land”. Of course if worse came to worst, he could just excuse himself if she tried to throw herself at him. Perhaps even one of his powers might come in handy, though he didn’t know what they might be. Not getting any money for an investment was much more preferable to sleeping with an ugly woman.
As he sat considering his options, an older businessman left Ms Yamashima’s office and he was invited in.
He gracefully strode in and flourish a bow saying “Ms. Yamashima I…” As he looked up he faltered for a second. He saw a very tall, rather plump woman with red hair and green eyes in her mid thirties. Not exactly what he had been expecting. Unfortunately she was a flat as a washboard, and her face wasn’t all that great either. But despite her appearances, she stood in a manner that radiated with confidence of a woman who was very experienced in business. She gave the aura of a person who took no bull, and wasn’t afraid to dish out the pain. This meant a drastic change of plans.
“Umm. Ms. Yamashima I presume? I don’t mean to pry, but you don’t seem very…”
“Japanese? What gave it away, my height or my white pearly teeth? Har. If you must know, my ex was Hawaiian. Anyways, enough small talk. Obviously you didn’t come here for a friendly chat. Let us get down to business. Sit.”
The Man’s mind raced. As she wasn’t trying to jump him, it was entirely possible that she was lesbian, butch by the look of it. But if so why did she marry? Money? Questions tumbled through his mind. But of course none of the answers would really help him at this time. It seemed that he would have to turn to a more straight forward approach.
“Ms. Yamashima, I am sure you know of the new mutant population that is emerging. Now it seems to me that it would be wise to cater to this emerging trend. The financial possibilities are endless. I am sure you know that economic profits are greatest for those that are bold enough to test the new waters of emerging new markets. I propose a bar, a gathering place where these new mutants can feel comfortable. Now why should I be the proprietor of such an establishment you may ask? Some mutants may be paranoid of government monitoring, but since I myself am one of them there is likely to be much more trust. This is why I ask you to invest in this business opportunity of a lifetime!”

Summary: Persuade Ms. Yamashima to invest.

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Diplomacy: (1d20+31)[10](41)

[Tar Palantir]

The Reaper

The Reaper emerges briefly from the shadows, remaining conceaaled under Pulse's cloak. He says, "When simply in the shadows, like now, they simply make me harder to see. When melded like I was a moment ago, I physically join the shadows. I can't affect or be affected by the outside world, but any light will force me out of the shadows. I can't speak while in that form either, or at least you can't hear me, so save any other questions for after we arrive." He then reenters the shadows and vanishes again.

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OOC: I'm assuming that I can see and hear while shadow merged, since the power doesn't say that I can't, only that I "cannot affect the outside world in any way." Otherwise, how would I know where I was going?

[Raven T.]

Alex

Alex entered the library silently, nodding politely at anyone acknowledged him as he walked back into the stacks. News articles, trade magazines, or anything else that might prove to be interesting. He was looking for specifics, not general information. He also grabbed a couple books on organic chemistry, the potential for human evolution, and other such information.

Taking what he can find, he settles down near a window and fires up his laptop again. Since Balchem's site was locked down, he decided to go for other corporation's sites. Mayhapse the secret lay with them.

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Since the forum roller doesn't like me much, I'll be doing all my rolls from Invisible Castle in this order:
Search (for the books)
Investigate (said books)
Computer Use (to find his way around the internet and circumvent security)
Gather Information (books and online)
Knowledge (Business, then Current Events)

14, 17, 23, 17, 18, 21

[evisiron]

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Nathaniel

As Nosferatu and the other Mutants head off, Nathaniel slowly rises into the air and flys at a rather slow speed to the new meetinggrounds, ignoring the world below him completly.

His head heavy with with each other competing thoughts and motives, he eventually arrives at the quarry, where he instinctivly starts to search the area for anything useful to his powers or other mutants who arrived before him.

Then, standing and wating or moving to the other mutants, only two thoughts remain in his mind:
This is not the right way, the world and its people need to be changed.
After this, i am so going to a psychologist, i´m as crazy as the Reaper.

OOC:
Just FYI, we are meeting 'tomorrow' at noon. Of course, you may just want to be early...

[Wiz]

Pulse

Pulse stands there, keeping his cloak down. He looks at Nosferatu, "We won't be taking a cab... these officers are arranging for our transport." He stands waiting while the two officers confer and radio their superiors for instruction.