Pink> The second day of school goes smoothly- about the same as the first for Avery, and significantly better for Aileen. Nobody seems to have picked up on their having been bustled out so hurriedly at the end of their last period, even though quite a few people are talking about the news- either about the fight, or about how it will affect the Tigers- this late in the season, it isn't likely to make a huge difference in the standings. With no extant emergency, the girls are picked up separately in nondescript vehicles for the drive back to headquarters. They are taken into the aboveground garage now that they are set up for the biometrics, and have easy entrance to either the public areas, the PRT offices, or their own quarters. And other places too, if they don't mind a lack of air ... <•Pink> ... conditioning in the large unused portions of the building.|| Teruzi|Omen> Omen is glad that school is going well. Now, if she could adapt one of the unused rooms in the building as something like a painting room she would be set|| Avery is also happy that school is going well, but is even happier to be back at the base. She makes her way up to her quarters, anticipating some quick internet time. || <•Pink> One nice thing about Detroit- HQ might not have very good air conditioning upstairs, but the internet is very fast. They get an hour or so of free time before the text comes, bidding them head down to the Director's office in fifteen minutes.|| Teruzi|Omen> Omen was reading on the state of her family's religion when she got the message. There were no good news to be found, but she still checked from time to time. Putting on her mask she heads down to meet Director Tarde.|| Avery spends 8 of those 15 minutes finishing a forum post before heading down to the meeting with Tarde. Her mask, which she ditches every opportunity she gets, is left behind. || <•Pink> Indeed, the world still hasn't ended, much to her family's surprise. They haven't even had a proper s-class threat in their state for a few years. The secretary chats with Omen for a couple of minutes until Avery arrives, then buzzes them in. The director hasn't visibly changed other than the color of her blouse- salmon, today. Doesn't go with her very tired looking washed-out blue eyes. "Wards," she greets them, slowly sliding one piece of paper on her desk aside to reveal another one. "Thank you for coming. There are just a few things to go over..." Her smile is extremely perfunctory. Avery can tell that the woman has done something her power dislikes, but cannot adequately describe to her.|| "Good afternoon Director Tarde" Omen is always polite to her, if only because she always seems to be tired. Better not annoy her much.|| Teller|Verdict> "Hello Director, Aileen," Avery says. She glances briefly at the other Ward before lowering herself into a chair. || <•Pink> Renata Tarde definitely seems tired, despite the large, ancient, and slightly misshapen mug with 'MOM' on the side, filled with tepid looking coffee. "First of all, I apologize for the brevity of the debriefing, yesterday. I wanted to reiterate to both of you that you did a good job- even if there is room for tactical improvement." Presumably referring to letting several squad members get their ... <•Pink> ... guts churned up. Adonis had taken the brunt of that particular lapse, as he'd be the one briefed on Macha's abilities. Before we move on, was there anything either of you wanted to add- or ask?"|| "No Ma'am." Omen turned to look at Avery and waved at her "Hey Avery."|| "No, ma'am," Avery echoes, but doesn't respond to Omen with anything more than another glance and slight tightening of her jaw. Her attention remains on the director - where it should be at the moment, she thinks to herself. || <•Pink> The director watches the two of them mildly for several seconds, before straightening slightly. "All right," she says without further comment. "I would like the two of you to visit St. Johns Hospital this afternoon. There are... certain patients of particular interest." She slides the uncovered papers across the desktop towards Aileen. "You already know about the baseball player who was ... <•Pink> ... admitted. He seems to have been Macha's primary target, yesterday. What the press has not yet released is that there were two other people in Mr. Aozora's... social circle... who were also assaulted." The papers include a larger version of the hospital photo of the pitcher that had been featured on the Free Press, while the others are hospital admission forms. "That social circle being one with ... <•Pink> ... possible links to the Old Irish Gentlemen's Club, it would seem." Commonly called the Irish, and a significant mover of drugs, among other things.|| •Pink|Clarity> After a moment to let them digest that, she continues. "There are no official theories, yet, as to why these people were targeted." She gives Avery a long look. "There is also another patient- unconnected, but of interest for other reasons. She manifested parahuman powers three days ago, after a car accident, and has ended up in Detroit through an interesting series of circumstances. While she ... <•Pink|Clarity> ... is here, I would like you two to meet with her. Informally." Unspoken is the obvious, 'recruit her,' but something tells Verdict that that isn't the WHOLE story. What else it could be is a mystery, though.|| "Um, of course Director. But what is the name of the new parahuman? And why is she in the hospital" Omen can tell there's more to this.|| "Can you tell us what her powers are, ma'am? And why, other than recruitment, you want us to meet with her?" Avery asks. || <•Pink> "I cannot," the director says. And I never said anything about recruitment," she adds. Officially. "She is Canadian, and only regained consciousness a few hours ago. She is anxious, and I think that the two of you would make a good public face to meet her."|| 3:31 PM Omen looks at the director silently for a bit. She could just wink at them as she says it. "I would be glad to go Director, if only to make sure she's ok" She looks at Avery making a face.|| "Yes, ma'am," Avery says. Verdict, a good public face? She could almost laugh; someone else probably would have. || <•Pink> The older woman lets out a long, low sigh. "Miss Hodge, the insight granted by your power will not be taken as indication to escalate- particularly with Mr. Aozora. That said, I excpect a full report. Are there any further questions?"|| "Should we meet Mr. Aozora first? I think we should probably meet the accidented lady first, have an informal chat with her" Omen puts stress on the word informal. She finds it funny that they are not supposed to admit what they want to do|| <•Pink> "I am going to suggest meeting with him first," she says. "I suspect that if you approach him in costume the meeting will not last long."|| Avery sits up a little bit straighter at the director's comment about escalation; bristling slightly. "No questions. Ma'am." || "Well, then will talk with him first. If Avery is ok with that?" Lately Avery has been acting more cold towards Omen and that confuses her. She doesn't know exactly what did she do wrong.|| <•Pink> "Officially, you are not there to ask him questions, or to interrogate him. It will simply be a social visit considering the events yesterday." A long pause. "Normally, with an ability like yours, we would avoid introducing you in costume at all."|| "Yes, that's okay with me," Avery says. She stays seated, but she clearly looks ready to leave. || Omen stands up, getting ready to leave. No point in waiting around. "Just the 2 of us are going?"|| <•Pink> "Backlash will be joining you in a backup capacity," she tells them. She adds, "Oh, and I have been informed by Mr. Veeks that the new promotional photo shoot will be on Saturday. Information will be forwarded to you both tonight. That is all."|| "Thank you," Avery says, and stands up to leave the office with Omen. || Omen nods at the Director and follows Avery.|| <•Pink> Backlash is cleared with branding, cleared with psych at least tentatively. And his new costume is... interesting. The jacket was a compromise, but the simple fact that even with strategic folds and slits he was liable to rip the hell out of his costume made a strong argument for keeping it. The mask... is a bit awkward perhaps. But on the other hand it will probably survive the usual tentaface ... <•Pink> ... situations. He's been given a much more succinct version of the briefing, as he'll be there in a more backup role.|| ((Where is he?)) <•Pink> (Ready room probably, or they can text each other.) Backlash is in a PRT issued vehicle, fully costumed. He doesn't particularly -like- this assignment, but it at least sounds interesting. Hopefully Verdict is in less of a mood than last time. She was beyond annoying, from what he had experienced so far. He waits for her and Omen to arrive. || "Aileen," Avery says, stopping the other girl a ways down the hallway. She'd prefer to have this conversation without Greg present. "Can we talk for a moment?" || Omen gets a feeling in her chest. Avery has a way of making everything sound like it's of the utmost importance. "Yeah, of course. Is, uh, everything ok?"|| Avery takes Omen to the side, and places a hand on her shoulder. The words come out in a rush. Some parts sound rehearsed, and other times she pauses as she searches for the right word. "You...shouldn't interrupt the director when she's talking, with idle talk or faces. I understand that what she has to say isn't always relevant or necessary, but...it's how meetings between superiors and subordinates should go. Also, your banter the other day - when we fought Macha - was unbecoming. You should improve it, if you insist on bantering, or ideally drop it altogether." "I'd also appreciate if you didn't say things to the press - or anyone, really - like me 'putting on a brave face'. If they ask, of course, you should be honest, but-" here she really struggles as she searches for the right words. "They don't deserve to know. I know I don't come off very well to the press, and PR is important, and most of all I know that you mean well. They don't have a right to judge me, or identify with me, an d for my part I don't particularly care what they think of me." With each sentence, she looked like some great weight had been taken off her shoulders, but now she actually looks a little nervous. She looks at Omen, waiting for a reaction. || Omen smiles before answering. Was this all that was bothering Avery? Whenever her parents wanted to 'have a talk' it always ended up with her feeling guilty and crying. She feared someone that could actually react to her guilt would want to talk about things she didn't want to listen. Relief washed over Omen, her fear gone. "I ... of course Avery, you're right. I wasn't even thinking. I promise I won't do banter until I think it's fine. I didn't know it was causing you distress. And I won't talk to the press about things they don't ask. I'm sorry I did." Omen is openly smiling now. "I'm going to try to change. I can't even imagine how much your power impacts your daily life. I'm sorry I didn't think about it". She remains quiet for a bit before spekaing again "But ... you *were* putting up a face. You were hurting. I could tell"|| Avery is relieved as well, and her demeanor is friendly again. "Thanks for caring. You're right - I was hurting - yes, but I wasn't putting on a face. Not exactly. It's just...how I hold myself. It's hard to explain." "And thanks for understanding," she adds. "I know that I can nag, but only nag because you're worth it. You're one of the few people I've ever met who are..." She pauses, realizing that there's really no word to get across her point without sounding at least slightly creepy. Pure? Perfect? '...truly good. Heroic." || <•Pink> At the end of the hallway and hopefully out of earshot, a guard shuffles nervously, turning away from them.|| Omen clears her throath awkardly. "Ok, good. We sorted that out." She feels a little embarrassad about the ... praise? Avery is giving her. Her face turns completely red when she sees the guard. "We, uh, should get going." She nods at the guard when she pases by.|| "Right," Avery says. She's all smiles right now. "I should get my mask - I'll meet you and Greg in the garage." She hurries up the hallway. || <•Pink> That goes pretty quickly- in short order, they arrive downstairs. Greg is waiting in an unmarked black SUV, and the girls get their first look at his new costume. Seriously... tentacle mask? How gauche.|| "Ready to go, girls?, " Backlash asks. "If you're good I'll get you ice cream after!," He jokes. || "Hello Backlash. That's a very ... interesting costume you have" Omen was about to lie politely but considered instead to go with things what were technically true. "It certainly suits you."|| "Hello, Backlash," Verdict says. She's doesn't sound as pleasant as she did a few moments ago, but she is still in a far better mood than she was the last time Backlash met her. The lack of cheesburger crumbs probably help. "Your costume does suit you." || <•Pink> Ouch.|| "Ugh. I know it's bad, but for some reason branding insisted on putting me in spandex. I'm hoping I get negative ratings so I can bring back something more like my old look. Can we go? I kind of want to get this over with..." || <•Pink> His own fault for having a moderately toned ass, one supposes. The vehicle is nice, if not TOO nice- it doesn't stand out, but there is little to complain about. Backlash presumably can find his way to the hospital, but even if not the location is easy to find on the GPS.|| Backlash drives out of the garage and heads towards the hospital, eschewing the use of the GPS. He didn't need it, Alexa was in the same hospital, after all. He speeds a bit, anxious to get there so that he can maybe sneak a visit to her. || "The speed limit is 50 in this area, and you're approaching 60. Slow down." Verdict orders, her good mood vanishing. || Omen decides that maybe she shouldn't intervene. Might annoy them both.|| "I would, if the guy behind me wasn't attempting to examine my colon.", Backlash points out. || "You're in front of them. They go only as fast as you allow them to," Verdict says, tightening her grip on her armrest. A few moments later, she points. "There, an opening in the other lane. Plenty of room to slow down safely." || Maybe get headphones next time? get something to distract Avery? or would that count as something her power would detect? hm, things to consider. || <•Pink> Oh look, there's the turnoff.|| Backlash turns left. "I would have happily gotten into the other lane, if I didn't have to turn here..." || Verdict exhales slowly and looks out of the window, not releasing her grip on the armrest until they reach the hospital. || <•Pink> Well, if that was bad, Verdict coulda brought along a bingo sheet of low level horrible to the hospital. Even passing around the massive building towards the staff parking tucked away off the main lot gives her a lot to catalogue, her power flowing into her mind, her muscles. They are met inside by a PRT officer named Andrews, who greets them... And looks over BAcklash curiously; this is ... <•Pink> ... effectively his public debut after all.|| || Omen nods at the officer "We're here paying a ... courtesy call to Mr. Aozora." She gets a flash of inspiration and turns around to speak with Verdict "I think it would be best if only the 2 of us went in. Backlash could do a round in the hospital maybe? say hi to some people? No need for all of us to crowd up the same room"|| "That sounds like a good plan," Verdict nods. "I believe Director Tarde wanted Omen and me to be the ones to talk with Mr. Aozora, anyway. Is that okay with you, Backlash?" || "I should still be in the room. If one of you gets hurt Tarde will have my ass. I'll leave you two alone only if I'm sure nothing bad is going to happen." || <•Pink> The officer hands Omen a hospital map, with rooms marked. "When you're ready for your... second appointment, the Director wanted to to bring this along." He reaches down, picks up a small animal carrier. "I can hold onto it if you like, or..." <•Pink> || "Oh a kitty!" Omen bites her lip. She likes cats. "I think it would be best if you hold on to that for a bit. It wouldn't be ... right if we take it to our first thing." She says as she glances at Verdict. "I'm totally coming back for it, though. For our second visit of course. Anyways, we should get going"|| <•Pink> "Right. Right now, he's awake, and they've been wheeling him around to sign autographs for the kids. Nicer guy than he seemed like on TV." He shrugs, reaching over to tap the marked room on the map. "There's the nurse station, they'll tell you where to find him if he's not back in his room."|| "Thank you," Verdict says to the officer, and follows Omen towards Aozora's room. The sins that she's detected since entering the hospital are making her stand up straighter, walk with more poise. She's also feeling more irritable than she'd like to for this meeting. || Backlash hates hospitals. The smell of them, the idea that people behind those doors were dying, or maybe already dead. Knowing that there are dead bodies underneath his very feet, somewhere. He puts his feelings aside and walks with the Wards, watching the hospital for anything peculiar. || <•Pink> The hospital is nice, well maintained, and while it is busy everyone seems to have a moment to greet the new heroes in town- it probably takes way longer than it should to get up to their destination. Doctors, nurses, at least six people who are still under observation since Macha's attack due to heart irregularities, and possibly the ugliest man any of them have met in person, who makes a point ... <•Pink> ... of greeting them all- he seems pleasant enough, though his flesh is variegated almost impressively, his eyes not matching- nor do his eyebrows, for that matter, or even his teeth which though in good shape are of a subtly uneven color. Finally though, they find the wheelchair bound athlete signing the cast of a ten year old boy who looks like he's going to need to call for a bedpan if he gets ... <•Pink> ... any more excited- and the sight of a bunch of capes seems liable to push him over.|| Omen decides to take point. If only because Verdict can sound harsh to those that don't know her and Backlash doesn't really what you would call tact. "Mr. Aozora?" She also smiles at the little kid, giving him a little wave "Hey there"|| <•Pink> The kid practically vibrates in place, turning the last 'a' of 'Aozora' into more of a 'g.' The athlets glances over, but with the cervical collar he's wearing he can't seem to turn his head very far. The guy looks... well, he looks pretty much like anyone who'd fought Macha might expect a baseline human to look after she worked him over. One eye is a mass of blood vessels, surrounded by dark ... <•Pink> ... bruised flesh, and his left arm and both legs are in casts. "Hi there," he croaks. "You must be... Hey, can you turn me 'round a bit?" The nurse complies, wheeling him backwards slightly and turning him around so he can see them. "Let's see, you're Omen, and you're... Verdict? The ladies who caught that crazy..." He glances towards the boy, who's leaning over excitedly to catch every word. ... <•Pink> ... "...woman." He glances up at Backlash, too. "...And...?"|| "Backlash." || Verdict's gaze sweeps over everyone in the area with an offputting intensity, but it softens as it settles on the little boy. She gives him a smile before turning her attention to Rick. || <•Pink> "Right, right, cool. Hey, it is great to hear she's caught- I mean," He glances towards the door suddenly. "Yeah, it's good. I... ow. Yeah, guess she must be pi..." Another glance at the kid. "Unhappy we're not going to the series this year." A feeble laugh. The kid pipes up, "I bet you still could!"|| Omen makes a face when she sees how badly beaten the athlete actually is. "Well, I don't think she's going anywhere anytime soon." She glances briefly to the kid "I'm really sorry this happened to you."|| <•Pink> "You're the angel girl, right?" the kid asks, nearly falling out of bed as he attempts to climb up on the side rail- the nurse lets go of the wheelchair to gently push him back into place. "I'm Nick!"|| "I'm Omen. Nice to meet you Nick"|| || <•Pink> "Wanna sign my cast too?!" He waggles his big flaster foot at her.|| "uh, sure." She smiles sheepishly at the kid "this is my first time doing this". Odd how all those times her family made her practice her handwriting would actually serve her for something. Then again, God works in mysterious ways.|| <•Pink> The athlete grins- or tries to, before his torn up lower lip starts pulling apart and he stops with a hiss. He awkwardly lifts the pen for Omen in his good hand.|| <•Pink> *plaster foot Omen takes it and signs the cast. An stylized "Omen" signature. She should probably practice that more.|| A part of Verdict is jealous - the boy registers as clean on her power, and she'd like to be asked to sign his cast. She internally chastises herself, stamps the jealousy down, and grinds it beneath her boot. "Angel girl - well put," she says shortly to Nick, and then focuses on the athlete. "Mr. Aozora, I'm glad that you're doing okay, all things considered. Would you mind if we spoke with you privately?" || <•Pink> The kid BLINKS at Verdict, like she'd smacked him. The baseball player glances between the two of them and shrugs. "Yeah, I guess. Hey Jean, can you...? Yeah, thanks." The woman starts wheeling him away. "Hey Nick buddy, get well soon!" he says as he is wheeled out into the corridor. As Omen finishes writing, the kid tugs at her sleeve and whispers. "Heeeey, did I make her mad?"|| "I don't think you did, no. But we have important things to discuss with Mr. Aozora" Omen gives a pointed look at Verdict "In fact, I'm sure my partners will be happy to sign your cast before you" She then looks at Backlash "Right?"|| Backlash nods. "Sorry, I'm a bit new to the public appearances thing. I hope you get better soon, Nick. " Backlash signs the cast. || <•Pink> "It's okay, candycane man!" The boy's face goes a bit red. "Um." He glances around nervously, his smile turning a bit embarrassed.|| "I'll certainly sign your cast, Nick," Verdict says, kneeling and taking the pen. She traces a careful, practiced signature across the cast - a careful observer might notice that she catches herself before signing 'Avery' by turning the first line of the 'A' into the second line of a 'V'. Undeneath, she writes 'stay golden', and adds a smiley face emoticon. || <•Pink> The boy beams, waving as they head out into the hall. The nurse excuses herself and heads back into the room with Nick for a second to give them privacy. The athlete looks up at them expectantly. "What can I... do for... you?" He glances down the hall past them, where the ugly man is chatting with a couple of doctors by the elevator.|| "Mr. Aozora, we need to know several things," Verdict says, deliberately standing over him and looking down. "Why were you attacked? And in what way do you know that bad man by the elevator?" || Backlash tries really hard not to laugh. Unfortunately, a chuckle does escape him. || "wait, bad man? what?" Omen looks at the mismatched fella before turning her attention back to Verdict, putting her hand on Verdicts' shoulder "and maybe we shouldn't do this here."|| <•Pink> The wheelchair bound man glances towards the end of the hall again, gulps. "I, what, what do you... what are you talking about? I... I don't know anything, I, I mean, she just showed up and ripped the top of my car off!" He squirms, fingers of his restrained hand shaking slightly where they stick out of his cast.|| Backlash grabs a piece of paper and a pen, and writes down: "Has someone besides my overeager teammate threatened you? Blink three times for yes." He makes sure to show it to only the wheelchair bound man. || <•Pink> He glances down at the paper. Back up at Backlash. His eyes flick to the wards. "Would you mind calling my nurse?" he asks.|| "Backlash, don't scare him with those silly jokes. Gosh. Now's not the time" Omen sighs exasperated. "I'm sorry Mr. Aozora, we're here to talk to you only, this is not an interrogation. Of course we can call your nurse." Omen looks at ther partners with her hands in her hips "We're here to talk. We're gonna do that."|| Backlash laughs. "Sorry, my teammate made me a bit paranoid. Thinkers tend to do that. Call your nurse, if you must. Verdict, please do me a favor by NOT accusing him of things without proof, for the time being? He's been through a lot." ((Backlash is partially putting on a front, and is making sure to watch for any trouble from the 'nurse'. He doesn't really believe anything is going on, but he is worried because Verdict is, and alert because of it)) <•Pink> The man chuckles, though it turns into a raspy cough. "Owwwugh. Yeah, it's... fine. Heh."|| "I'm not accusing Mr. Aozora of anything," Verdict says pointedly. She is annoyed at Backlash, Aozora, and the situation in general. "If you're here to protect us, Backlash, you should be just as concerned as I am with the bad man by the elevator. I can tell he's done many things wrong, and I can tell that you, Mr. Aozora, haven't. I need to keep something like this from happening again, and whatever you can tell us will help. Like Omen said, we're here to talk." || "How recently has he done something wrong, Verdict?" || <•Pink> Aozora glances back towards the room. "Hey," he calls out, "Jean? I'm, uh, ready?" He glances back to the heroes. "It was great meeting you all."|| Omen sighs "Nice to meet you too Mr. Aozora. I hope you get better. Sorry if my eager companions made you uncomfortable"|| "Within the last hour, something moderate" Verdict says to Backlash. She glances regretfully at Aozora, and then at Omen. "Within the past few days, a few major things." || Backlash nods. "Sorry we were uncouth, have a speedy recovery." || <•Pink> He seems awfully jumpy indeed as Verdict keeps talking. The nurse peeks her head out.|| Backlash walks over to 'bad man'. He tells him to his face: "It's over, Aozora told us everything. The benefits of having a thinker on staff." || ... <•Pink> Backlash can make a reasonable guess that it is the ugly man she was talking about and not one of the doctors, who back away slightly. "...Excuse me?" he asks, mildly.|| Omen looks at Verdict and then at Backlash. An exasperated sigh escapes her lips. If Verdict says he's bad then he's bad. But they couldn't confront him there. That was crazy. Little time to think what to do, she knew she couldn't let Backlash start something now. So she went and slapped him in the head. "Backlash, I swear there are a limit to jokes. This is tasteless" She then went over to the mismatched man "I'm sorry about that. Extremely sorry about that. He thinks he's funny" Thinking quickly she comes to a solution. "Verdict and I are going to visit another patient, but Backlash here doesn't have to come with us. Sir, I would like it if you could have a coffe with Backlash. So he can say sorry properly. I'm sure he didn't mean to make fun of your ... condition like that" She makes a gesture to Backlash. "And we need to have a talk. Over there."|| Backlash laughs. "Coffee works." || <•Pink> "Told you what?" comes faintly from down the hall as the baseball player seems to realize what happened. The man looks at them half incredulously, half in amusement. "..." Backlash's scalp feels slightly odd where Omen slapped him. Not bad, just odd for a moment- hopefully his head isn't about to erupt into tentacles over THAT. "I appreciate the... gesture, Omen," the man finally says, seeming ... <•Pink> ... to recover his composure- though it can be hard to tell with his strange looks. "I get it all the time," he assures her. He glances down at his expensive watch. "I should be going, though." He offers a smile that would be very bland if it wasn't so odd looking.|| "Yeah, after what you did less than 2 hours ago, I can't blame you for wanting to leave. Tsk tsk. Thinkers, am I right?..If you want to run, the time is now." Backlash is grinning underneath his mask. || <•Pink> One of the doctors is repeatedly pushing the elevator call button. The other is glancing about as if trying to judge how easy it would be to get around the group to flee down the hall.|| "I'll give you ten seconds." || <•Pink> The man frowns. "Excuse me?" He glances back towards the elevator, which has still not arrived despite the enthusiastic button pushing of the doctor over there. "I'm sorry Mr. Backlash... what, exactly, are you saying?" Mismatched eyes narrow as he brushes off his suit, which while in good condition has a few spots that look like they might be bleached or something- the fabric having turned off ... <•Pink> ... colors slightly in small patches.|| ((May I speak, or does someone else want to go before I do?)) Verdict arrives next to Backlash. "He is referring to blackmail. Threats. Illicitly gained money. What you did to Mr. Aozora down the hall. He is saying, sir, that we will not be letting these crimes stand." || <•Pink> The elevator dings. "Ah. Well, you know where to find me," he says to her, as he turns his back on the heroes and heads for the opening doors. He tries to look casual as he does it, but the back of his jacket is pulled taut around his wide shoulders with tension. The doctor who had been calling the elevator glances at the ugly man, at the heroes... and decides to wait for the next one.|| "oh, I need to use the elevator too" Omen is ... unsure about this. But if Verdict says this man has done this then he has. "Whatever my teammates are acussing you of, I'm sure we can ride the same elevator together." She walks towards him.| Verdict really doesn't like how out of hand this situation has gotten, but she can feel her power swelling her muscles and pushing her to punish this criminal. She steps decisively into the elevator after him. || Backlash follows. || <•Pink> The doctors, perhaps wisely, do not follow. It is a fairly decent sized elevator, clean, though with all of them it it is a bit tighter than strictly comfortable. The man just makes a small and unspecific grunt in reply as he enters and turns around right in the middle, with relatively little regard for the convenience of other passengers. Up close he isn't any prettier.|| "So, are you coming with us peacefully? Or will we have to use force?" || <•Pink> || oh ... OH. Omen has something that she would later consider a religious experience. "Force will do you no good Backlash." it was time to take a gamble. She was pretty sure they would get in trouble anyways. "Kid Gloves doesn't really care about force" She says while looking intently at the suspect|| "Yeah. Corvair has a big mouth. Turned anyone inside-out lately, Kid?" || || <•Pink> "Not even allegedly, lately," he says, brushing off his sleeve.|| "Sadly, Backlash couldn't wait 10 minutes for us to make a plan and had to talk to you right in the open. In a hospital. I suppose it's too much to think you'll come along quietly?" Omen is so frustrated that can she feel herself slipping more into her Omen persona.|| "Hm. You haven't answered my question. Are you coming with us willingly? Or will we have to go balls out until someone gets hurt?" || Verdict glances at each of them in turn, and then stares at the alleged Kid Gloves. "Stop acting like you've done nothing wrong. I can feel your guilt, and the more you deny it the more I want to punish you for it." || <•Pink> "I am sorry. I am not sure who this 'Kid' is, but I am sure that he wouldn't care to turn a hospital into a cape fight." The man stands up straighter, drawing his arms in, but doesn't give up his position at the center of the elevator. His mismatched eyes glance this way and that in the mirrored wall, taking in each of the capes in turn. "And I'm sure that this misunderstanding can be... ... <•Pink> ... forgotten." He doesn't sound particularly eager to forget, but...|| "I assure you, I will not be forgetting it." || Omen doesn't like this. His power means that neither Verdict nor Backlash will be able to do much. And her own power probably won't help right now. Nevermind the fact that he's out of costume. And in a hospital. "I wouldn't fight an unmasked cape, nevertheless. And I'm sure that my teammates wouldn't go against the rules either." Well, not that they have much of an option now "I don't want to. But I also don't want to let you." "how are you related to Macha?"|| "This man is lying," Verdict almost hisses, and grabs him by the collar of his jacket. "He's Kid Gloves." || <•Pink> "She beat the crap out of a member of my social club," he notes dryly. "Less than two miles from my place of business." He lowers his head slightly to stare down at Verdict. "I am not happy with her," he adds.|| Backlash puts his hand over Verdict's, and stares at her. "Bluffing aside, there are still rules we have to follow, Verdict. Not out of costume." He looks at Kid Gloves. "Some other time, maybe. But we aren't going to unmask you over this stupid shit." || "I'm not going to attack you. But I want you to tell Mr. Aozora to talk to us" She makes a point in putting her hand on Verdict's shoulder. "WE are going to follow the rules. Even if it means we have to let you go." Omen is really worried about this now Avery. She looks ready to pounce on him. Literally. "Right, Verdict?"|| ((*Omen is really worried about Avery now)) <•Pink> The elevator dings. The doors slowly open behind Verdict.|| Backlash finds himself unable to move Verdict's arm. In response, Verdict lifts Kid Gloves into the air by the collar of his jacket. She is clearly trying to restrain herself, but she looks like she's ready to kill the man. || "Verdict. You are breaking the rules. Right now, you are in the wrong. Knock it the fuck off." || "God damn it. Omen, shift form. Blast us all until we can't move, if you have to. Just stop her." || <•Pink> Verdict easily lifts the collar of the man's jacket. There is a strange ripple of color running along the threads in the direction of the force, but with the loose collar and the man being taller than her he doesn't leave the ground. "Say hi to Adonis for me." The elevator makes a softer ding, preparing to close the doors again.|| "that won't be necessary" At least, Omen hopes so "I'll be sure to pass on your message"|| Verdict releases the man in slow motion, still a barely contained avatar of righteous rage. She stands stiff, still inches from the man, not speaking. || <•Pink> "Have a nice day," he says, stiffly. Glances down at his shirt as he straightens it, sticking out a foot to catch the closing elevator doors. Frowns- the fabric is... altered, in a streaky pattern of stress lines from where Verdict had lifted it.|| "..." Omen quietly watches him go. She's more worried about Avery, to be honest. She feels like she's made of steel. She presses the close button and then presses the button to talk to the doctors about this. Backlash can deal with them. Verdict and her have another visit to do. "Are you ok, Verdict?"|| "No, I am not," Verdict says, her voice tight, still trying to contain herself. She glares at Backlash. "How dare you lecture me on the rules, you petty thug? You started all of this - you wildly accused this man and threaten him, and you have the audacity to blame me?" She is approaching Backlash. || "I just wanted to get him out of the hospital, oh perfect one. He was obviously intimidating Aozara, even from that distance. So I made threats so he would leave. That type knows better than to fight out of costume. You two were the ones following him into the elevator. You forced me to escalate. " || "Oh, and who was the one assaulting the man? Looks like you're the petty thug, to me." || "We forced you to do nothing" Omen steps between Verdict and Backlash "No one forced anyone to do anything. And Verdict even if Backlash opened his mouth you still confronted him. Out of costume. The rules apply to all of us." Omen then turns around to look at Backlash. "And what were you thinking, confronting him IN A HOSPITAL" She catches herself before she raises her voice too loud. "No villain is stupid enough to start a fight in a hospital. Either way, it worked out. Let's get back to work." || "This ... was not good" She breathes deepy. "Verdict, do you want to stop? I can talk to the woman alone. I'll take responsability for it ... just, tell me. Are you alright?"|| "This did not work out," Verdict grasps the hand support in the elevator and squeezes it, not really focused on Omen right now. "You tentacled buffoon." || "I'll be sure to tell Director Tarde about your assault, then. Shall I make the call now? You aren't perfect, no matter how much you correct others. You just fucked up too. Stop holding everyone else to a standard that you are well below. You're a liability, far more than I am, Verdict." || "Enough Backlash." Omen is seriously considering changing into her statue self now. "This is not helping anyone. I think we all need to take a time out."|| <•Pink> The elevator doors ding. Begin to open.|| <•Pink> A couple of people are waiting for the elevator, it seems.|| "Fair enough. Give it half an hour, then we'll meet back up here. Sound good?" "Yes, fine. Whatever. Verdict we get down here." Omen tries to lead the other ward away from Backlash and his ... lack of tact. "We should probably call the director"|| "Of course the Director will be hearing about this," Verdict says icily. Apparently she's not done yet, although she seems to be calming down some - from a 11 to a 9 on the anger scale. "Your performance today was subpar across the board and you endagered several civillians with your recklessness. You don't deserve to be in the PRT, and you certainly don't deserve to call yourself a hero. If you had an ounce of self-awareness, m aybe you'd realize this." || "Might as well do it now then." Backlash pulls his cell phone out and dials the PRT office. ||