DOPPLERALYPSE PART TWO skylerfrank feturing john

Skyler was last seen a small distance away from Sleepyhead, yelling at him to stop being asleep
Reverb quickly dodges the giant's attempts at flinging her off, climbing up his head.

<DopplerDM>: Sleepyhead stirs a tiny bit, but he's a heavy sleeper, even with a severed foot. There's gotta be another way to wake a man up.
<DopplerDM>: The giant stumbles around, trying to hit itself to knock off reverb

Reverb throws several sharp shards at the giant's hands as the swing by, reaching the top of the beast's head.
Skyler drops the sword for a second and tries throwing a snowball at Sleepyhead

<DopplerDM>: Sleepyhead winces, letting out an unconscious gasp as the snow hits his face. The arms crack and even have the tips break apart at the ends.
<DopplerDM>: The giant is mostly helpless to stop Reverb, covered in small crystals from her attacks

Skyler decides this is new strategy, and continues pelting him with snowballs
Reverb leaps off of the giant's head, throwing a far larger shard direct into the giant's eye.

<DopplerDM>: The arms try to flail to stop the snowballs, but enough hit Sleepy that he blinks awake for a moment, the arms dissipating entirely back into him.
<DopplerDM>: The giant lets out a pained screech, unable to see anything around him

Skyler takes the sword back and runs over to slap Sleepyhead in the face
Reverb runs over and jumps up, stabbing the giant's foot repeatedly.

<DopplerDM>: Sleepy blinks awake, having already healed back his foot that he lost a moment ago. "wh-what.... who...."
<DopplerDM>: The giant, without an eye and now crippled at the foot, falls over onto its back, creating a huge THUMP as it crashes into the ground

Skyler continues slapping sleepyhead to make sure the poor guy's as awake as he can get

<DopplerDM>: The giant groans, evidently still alive. Sleepy tries to move his arms in the way of the slaps, they friggen hurt man

Skyler kicks sleepyhead over so he's lying o his stomach, face in the snow

<DopplerDM>: "What the fuck?! where am I?!" he struggles, not particularly that strong

<Skyler>: "You're in the forest just outside of Buck Belringer's Academy for yaddah yaddah yaddah. You had 2 giant bone...ish, arms, which were controlling you while you were unconscious."
Reverb climbs up to the giant's chest, raising up a blade.
<Reverb>: "Now, let's finish this off."
<Skyler>: "I woke you up and they went away, so for my own safety I'm keeping you awake until figure out what the hell is going on."

<DopplerDM>: sleepyhead certainly still looks sleepy, its almost like he was too tired to even comprehend what you said and already looks like he's ready to doze off "wh-wha..."
<DopplerDM>: The giant is unable to move to stop Reverb.

Reverb extends the blade in length and width, stabbing it down firmly.
Skyler stuffs Sleepyhead's face into more snow

<DopplerDM>: Sleepyhead grumbles, unhappy with this discomfort.
Skyler hoists him up and forcibly squeezes his face, leaning in

<DopplerDM>: The giant stops moving, she can notice that unlike the monster that took doppler and sleepy head this large one doesn't regenerate.
<Skyler>: "If you fall asleep, I'm going to kill you."

<DopplerDM>: "pleahs no...." sleepy says halfheartedly
<DopplerDM>: From the corner of her eye Reverb can notice that the second of the fleshy meteors is no longer in its crater

<Reverb>: "...Skyler! On guard!"
<Skyler>: "FRANCESCA TELL ME HOW TO KEEP SOMEONE AWAKE"
<Reverb>: "Coffee?! Uh, energy drinks?! Spicy food?!"
<Skyler>: "I have NONE of those things."
<Skyler>: "..."
<Reverb>: "Cold shower?! Uh, cold stuff in general?! Water?!"
<Skyler>: "Wait."
Skyler reaches for his thermos. Glorious, delicious expresso...
Skyler whispers "I'm sorry..." as he forces sleepyhead to drink

<DopplerDM>: The second giant is nowhere to be seen, she can't even hear it for miles around.
<DopplerDM>: the third flesh ball stays in its hole, the smallest of the three.

<DopplerDM>: Sleepy despises expresso, only swallowing it because he's being forced. This is the worst punishment
<DopplerDM>: He grumbles as he's forced to drink it. He's definitely awake now

Skyler even drinks the bitterest kind of black you can imagine. This drink is only for keeping him awake.
<Skyler>: "Okay, so, you're in the middle of the forest and we're being hunted by flesh golems. You were one of them and then I woke you up."

<DopplerDM>: Reverb feels a rumbling on the giant's chest far too late to do anything, the second giant with two eyes stacked over one another bursts out and claws her into a tree with its massive talons.
<DopplerDM>: middle one http://s23.postimg.org/75h5deehn/HUBRIS_SPAWN.png]
<DopplerDM>: "I.... what day is it?" sleepy asks

<Skyler>: "It's... *coughdatecough*"

<DopplerDM>: ".....that'sfourmonthsohshitohshit" sleepy panics on the spot.

<Skyler>: "What!? Jesus, oh man..."
<Skyler>: "Just, uh, stay here for a bit..."
Skyler runs over to get his coat, and looks for Doppler's phone
Reverb groans, falling to the ground. Instantly she's up again, running toward the new giant.

<DopplerDM>: The new giant, smaller than the one before but still an intimidating 15 feet high, gains a few more feet as its chest breaks open at the torso, creating a toothy maw right on its stomach.
<DopplerDM>: The phone lies in the snow not that far off
Skyler runs over to get the phone and pocket it
<DopplerDM>: sleepy trembles in the snow, holding the expresso close to himself

<JohnQuint>: A galloping is heard in the distance, as a horse burst forth from a bramble of trees. It be Nazgul, ridden by JohnQuint, as he uses his whip to lasso the leg of the new giant

<Skyler>: "...What?"

<DopplerDM>: The giant is grabbed by its legs by surprise, falling over onto its chest

<JohnQuint>: What the heck are you guys doing!?
<Skyler>: "Investigative journalism."
Skyler goes back to Sleepyhead and helps him to his feet
<JohnQuint>: Come on, we need to get out of here!
JohnQuint turns Nazgul around, and pats behind him

<DopplerDM>: The giant claws towards Reverb feverishly, much faster than the larger giant
<DopplerDM>: Sleepyhead trembles but comes along with him
<Skyler>: "John! Get this schmuck to safety and in an ICE room, he's in shock. Also, don't let him fall asleep, because he turns into a monster."

<JohnQuint>: WHAT?!
<Skyler>: "ASK QUESTIONS LATER, JOHN"
JohnQuint grabs the thing with his whip, and pops him on the horse
<JohnQuint>: YOU COMING?!

<DopplerDM>: Sleepy has given up on trying, pulled onto his horse
Reverb runs toward the creature, propelling herself upwards with successively taller crystal pillars.
Skyler looks at Reverb and the giant fighting. He considers his usefulness in this situation.
<JohnQuint>: Get on!
<Skyler>: "...Naaaaah."
JohnQuint frowns, and spurs Nazgul, as they ride off
Skyler has a sword. He can totally do this.

<DopplerDM>: As soon as Skyler looks back to the horse he feels himself swept off his feet. The third flesh golem, only 4 feet tall, picks him up and hoists him over his shoulders and begins to sprint in the same direction as John
<DopplerDM>: The giant puffs out its chest, trying to catch her in its stomach mouth

<Skyler>: "WooOOOOAAAaakay."
Reverb hops to the side, grabbing onto the giant's arm.
Skyler leans over to look at the little demon carrying him, and tries to stab at it's head area
<JohnQuint>: Dammit....

<DopplerDM>: The small one is nearly as fast as Nazgul, quickly trailing after him and swerving around trees to get closer. The blade goes right in... and it just sorta stays there. It doesn't react, just keeps running and Skyler hears a deep voice in his head "silence"
<JohnQuint>: Here, can ya hold this?
JohnQuint hands Sleepyguy his head

<DopplerDM>: Sleepy grabs onto it, scared.
<DopplerDM>: The middle giant flips and elbows onto its side, attempting to crush her against the ground
Skyler yanks the sword out, and decides the new approach is to slice the creature's leg(s) right off
JohnQuint truns around, and tosses blood into the chasing demon's eyes

<DopplerDM>: These two golems seem far more intelligent than the 30 foot one. The small one is tripped up by the sword but flips forward, instead having skyler get hit by the blood as they tumble at high speed into a snow bank

Skyler quickly stands up with a growl, regaining his bearings
JohnQuint turns around, and hugs Nazgul's neck, freeing up the spine whip/reins, and latching onto the golem's leg, pulling him away
Reverb jumps off of the giant's arm, landing back on the ground. She spins around and throws a rapidly expanding sphere of crystal, which bursts in midair.

<DopplerDM>: The giant rolls back, knowing to dodge and put up its arms to take the brunt of the hit. The small demon is latched but it quickly looks back and severs the tie with its near vorpal claws

Reverb uses the opportunity to run in, swerving between rapidly forming pillars to cover for her.
<JohnQuint>: OKAY!
<JohnQuint>: THIS IS NEW....
JohnQuint brings back in the spine, and pops it into his pocket
Skyler runs after the small one and swipes his sword at it

<DopplerDM>: The middle giant sweeps its claw in the direction Reverb is going, trying to catch her before she makes a pillar
Reverb kicks herself off of a pillar, landing on the giant's arm. While it's close, she forces the pillars to burst, the shards flying in all directions.

<DopplerDM>: the small one spins back around, blocking with one of its claws and having it cut at the base of the finger

Skyler takes no time to continue his attack with a backhand swing, lunching forward again

<DopplerDM>: The middle giant winces back, shrapnel of crystal impacting him allover
<DopplerDM>: the small demon ducks unnaturally, its back twisting backward and flipping to kick him to the side

JohnQuint draws out the spine, freshly reformed, and tries to choke a bitch again
Skyler is kicks to the side and rolls over, using the same momentum to stand himself back up

<DopplerDM>: The spine catches him by one of the claws, getting him off balance
Reverb stabs in her blade, running along the giant's arm, dragging her sword with it.
Skyler whips his sword at the small one, sending it spinning at him

<DopplerDM>: the sword slices its other arm clean off, leaving its only arm the one that is bound by john. skyler can see evidence of it slowly regrowing, though. gotta be quick!
<DopplerDM>: Reverb cuts through the arm of the giant, completely disabling it as a large gash nearly goes all the way through

Skyler runs over with the same momentum from his throw and attempts to TEAR THE THE BEAST'S HEAD OFF
Reverb stops at the shoulder, stabbing the sword in as deep as she could, then stomping on it for good measure.

<DopplerDM>: He struggles with the head, its a tough one. Sleepy has a grey vein shoot up his face for a second and looks up at John "Its name is gamma 6". He doesn't know why he would know or why he'd tell him, obviously some psychic work at play.
Skyler decides to try twisting it off, getting a bit of a wild look in his eyes

<DopplerDM>: the three eyes of the demon look back up at him, sending messages into skylers mind that he can barely comprehend and hurt to think
Skyler smashes his forehead into the beasts eyes as he continues wrangling it's head

<DopplerDM>: The giant throttles around, spinning around to throw her off

Reverb grabs onto the side of the demon's head, using some sharpened shards to keep herself grounded.
<JohnQuint>: This isn't doing much, is it, buddy?
<JohnQuint>: Here, take this too, alright?
<DopplerDM>: The head comes off.... and it doesn't die.
JohnQuint hands Sleepy the spine whip, converting it into Nazgul's reins
<JohnQuint>: She's on autopilot

<DopplerDM>: Sleepy holds on for dear life

Skyler growls and smashes the head into the ground, and begins looking for some way to kill this thing
JohnQuint stands up on his horse, as he draws closer to the golem fighting Skyler, and leaps at it, removing his gloves for a flying punch

<DopplerDM>: The giant slaps its head as it tries to get at Reverb
Reverb leaves the shards lodged in the giant's head, quickly scaling up the creature's head.

<DopplerDM>: The punch connects, turning the body into a charred mess.
<DopplerDM>: The head stares at Skyler and vows that it will be back as it decays in his hand

JohnQuint lies on the ground, shaking
Skyler grumbles loudly as he wipes his hands off in the snow
<Skyler>: "...The worst headache right now..."
<JohnQuint>: C-c-c-can s-someone g-get my g-g-gloves?

<DopplerDM>: The small demon is dead, finally. The giant tries to headbutt into the ground as a last resort

Skyler cradles his own head as he walks over to give John his gloves back

<DopplerDM>: The psychic hell that Skyler got fades soon enough as the body does.

JohnQuint slips them back on, as his horse circles back to him. He jumps on, and grabs back his head from Sleepy
Skyler tries to think through whether or not he can make any more sense of what went through his head, other than "silence" and vows of vengeance
Reverb kicks herself off of the giant, sighing. This guy was a lot tougher, it seems.
<JohnQuint>: So what was that about?!
<JohnQuint>: Who is this guy?!
<JohnQuint>: What is going on?!

<DopplerDM>: The giant gets up, tries to body slam her

Reverb surrounds herself in a crystal dome, surrounding the dome in a layer of inch-long spikes.
<Skyler>: "We were tracking Tony's phone. These guys had it. Your friend there did, specifically. And then meat meteors [meateors, if you will. I'll be here all week] fell from the sky with these flesh monster things."

<DopplerDM>: The giant impales itself atop the spikes, not having a mouth to scream from but keeping down trying to crush her even if it hurts himself
<DopplerDM>: Sleepy lies on top of the horse, jittering from the coffee

Skyler decides he's not getting information from what he heard during his little psychic torment session, and gives himself some mental rest
JohnQuint pokes Sleepy
<JohnQuint>: Why ya got my friend's phone?

<DopplerDM>: "pleaseleavemealoneIdon'tknowwhereIamhelpme"
<DopplerDM>: "damnthat'sgoodcoffee"

<JohnQuint>: ....
<JohnQuint>: Is this what I sound like sometimes?
<Skyler>: "He's in /shock/, John. He was asleep for 4... months, I think. A /while/."
<Skyler>: "Just keep him comfortable and awake until we can get him ICEd."
Reverb puts her hands against the dome, the spikes extending further, their edges becoming serrated.
<JohnQuint>: Jesus, four months?
<JohnQuint>: Sorry, I'll let ya rest, buddy
<JohnQuint>: Guys need a ride?

<DopplerDM>: The giant convulses, the spikes reaching far too deep for comfort as it tries to take itself off. There's a massive set of holes allover its chest as it falls back and bleeds some

<Skyler>: "AWAKE, John. I told you to keep him *AWAKE*."
<JohnQuint>: I am!
<Skyler>: "Then don't tell him to rest."
<JohnQuint>: I'm just not gonna bug him!
Reverb removes the dome, running toward the giant once more.
Skyler walks over to get his sword, looking back to the gorey mess Reverb is fighting

<DopplerDM>: The giant makes one final leap, its chest opening into the giant mouth to bite down on her with only a thin layer of flesh connecting his top from his bottom

Reverb forms a long, sharpened piece of crystal, throwing it like a boomerang direct at the piece of flesh connecting the two halves.
<JohnQuint>: Should....we be helping her?

<DopplerDM>: The giant is split in half at the torso, falling into two pieces. The top part begins to claw at her through the snow immediately
<Skyler>: "...She looks like she's doing fine."
Reverb forms a long, needle-like piece of crystal in her hands, extending it to around 6 feet, maybe more. She charges at the giant, throwing the shard like a javelin.

<DopplerDM>: The javelin goes right through its head. The giant finally keels over and dies on the spot, its body beginning to rot away immediately along with the bodies of the other two.
<DopplerDM>: The battle has been won. Three of the fleshy soldiers have been dispatched by the s-men and one of the lieutenants in their grasp.

<Reverb>: "Well... this is progress."
<Skyler>: "One step closer."

<DopplerDM>: The phone rings.

<Skyler>: "..."
Skyler picks up the phone and motions for Reverb to trace/listen in/do anything
<Skyler>: "Skyler Gibson speaking."
Reverb is already listening in.

<DopplerDM>: "Congratulations on the victory, Sky. I honestly expected you to be the only one to die down there tonight. What with your power situation and all" Tony's voice comes in casually, almost like its some kind of normal phonecall.

<Skyler>: "Tony. What game are you playing?" Skyler's voice drops low and serious
Skyler looks over and mouths to Reverb "trace his location"

<DopplerDM>: "Whatever game I'm playing I definitely know I'm winning it. A bit unexpected first turn but its all good. The first deployed men of mine and captured that useless lackey slug. I like it, evens the odds." he says rather gleefully
<DopplerDM>: "Makes a future victory much more satisfying, y'know. Better fight that way."

<Skyler>: "C'mon Tony, it's not like you to play the secrecy game. It shows weakness of character."
Reverb is already trying to figure out Doppler's position.

<DopplerDM>: "Well, I'll be blunt. I got a new job! My own place where I can do all those things I used to talk about. By the end of the year my name will be up in lights, baby." he goes on
<DopplerDM>: "And the baby isn't for you, Sky. I know you are listening, Frankie. As if Sky would have won on his own or even tracked on his own."
<DopplerDM>: "BUT I digress. I'm my own man now. Going to change things around here. Feels fucking amazing, y'know. If you weren't as thick headed as most of the s-men are I'd invite you to join me"

<JohnQuint>: ....
JohnQuint taps on the horse's skull, waiting to figure out what is going on
Reverb growls, stamping her foot in anger.

<DopplerDM>: "It'll take a show of power to convince you. And boy do I have one. You know that one song. Its raining men~. Yeah"
<DopplerDM>: "Worldwide. Just imagine it"

<Skyler>: "Oh, c'mon? We have like, nightly jam sessions and I'm /still/ not allowed to join in on your fun?"
<Skyler>: "If your party gets too exclusive, you won't have any guests."

<DopplerDM>: "Well, not to be a drag or anything but you're a stickler sometimes. Kinda paranoid. You need to let loose a little, lose some inhibitions"
<Skyler>: "I'm having a whole character arc about that, man. Being nice to people and shit, it's all working out well. 'Sides, it's the reason I even found out how to get a hold of you to begin with."

<DopplerDM>: "Anyway, tell you what. Next time you two see my buddies coming around town I'll tell them that you might just come along to Babylon with me. I'd love to have you there while I make the presidents round the world bow. Party a little, let loose"
<DopplerDM>: "I'm feeling like a billion dollars. Love every single minute of it. Try not to die with the others, will ya?"
<DopplerDM>: "Oh, and give me back my Slug. He needs his /rest/"

<Skyler>: "I'll tell your buddies I know you when I see them next time. Just make sure they know to bring me to your shindig."

<DopplerDM>: "Attaboy. How about you Frankie? Sound like a fair deal? I know we kinda had a falling out last time but we can make things up. Didn't kill ya too much! Pfeeheheheh"
<DopplerDM>: Doppler is a crude cocky fuck by the sounds of it, vastly different from his reserved nature.

Skyler looks over to Reverb

<DopplerDM>: Reverb can trace the signal. Its.... all the way in Iraq.

<Reverb>: "...The second I get my hands on you, I'm pulling that red shit out of you."
<Reverb>: "I'm talking a living fucking autopsy."
JohnQuint is still not fully in the know right now

<DopplerDM>: "No fun~ You had a chance I guess."

<Reverb>: "Hmph. So did you."
<Skyler>: "For the record, I'm not associated with her. I still want in on this."
<Reverb>: "You and your 'lieutenants' are all fucking dead."

<DopplerDM>: "I'll see you all next time. Tell John to keep my flute polished! I-" he stutters when Reverb starts to get aggressive
<DopplerDM>: "I-I... the pl-plan and... sorr-NO! BE QUIET!"

<Reverb>: "Losing control, I see."

<DopplerDM>: There's some groaning heard through the phone, some thrashing about. The phonecall drops.

<Reverb>: "...got him."
<Reverb>: "Iraq."
<Skyler>: "Goddamn. Iraq? Also, props on getting him to flip a shit."
Skyler closes his phone

<JohnQuint>: ...
<JohnQuint>: Can I know what's going on here?

<Skyler>: "Tony's possessed, has become a megalomaniac bent on world domination, and is in Iraq."
<Reverb>: "Tony's become a cocky asshole because that is what keeps the parasite alive."

<Reverb>: "...Slug... I think I have an idea of how it works."
<Reverb>: "Just like our little friend's sleepy tendencies."
<Skyler>: "Ah. Of course."
<JohnQuint>: So...if we make fun of him, he'll be back to normal?
Skyler shrugs

<Reverb>: "I think we can weaken the creature by making him less confident. Make him less sure of himself. But, that's for another time."
<Reverb>: "We've still got his other lieutenants to deal with."

<JohnQuint>: That's sort of....a lame weakness....
<Reverb>: "I'd rather a lame weakness we can actually take advantage of."

<Skyler>: "So, for the record, my current plan is to play Double O Skyler and get in close to him to try and fuck something up. So try to let me do that."
<Reverb>: "Fine, I can let you do that."

<JohnQuint>: Well, for starters, ya may not wanna be talking about it in front of the sleeper agent over here
<Skyler>: "Francesca, you, uh... keep killing things and being generally terrifying. John... that's a good point."

<DopplerDM>: Sleepy trembles on the horse

<Skyler>: "...Yooouuu, didn't hear any of that, coffee guy. We were talking about... videogames."
<DopplerDM>: "p-p-pc or console"
<JohnQuint>: Hmmm
<Skyler>: "...Console."

Skyler forces a grin
<Reverb>: "Both. The new Elder Scrolls game was dreadful."
<DopplerDM>: "Girl h-has the right idea. Blonde h-has poor taste"

<JohnQuint>: Hey, ya guys know what the difference between being asleep, and being unconscious is?

<DopplerDM>: "pleaseletmegohome"

<Skyler>: "We need to get you in an ICE room before you fall asleep again, dude."
<Reverb>: "It's for your safety."
<JohnQuint>: Right

<JohnQuint>: Ya guys need a ride back then, or you want time to chat alone?
Skyler looks back to Reverb
<Reverb>: "Pfeh, up to Sky."

Skyler contemplates
<Skyler>: "We'll take the long way home."

<JohnQuint>: Alright then, be careful, alright?
<Reverb>: "We'll be fine."
JohnQuint rides off, carrying Sleepy back to school

Skyler begins walking
Reverb walks beside Skyler, sighing.
<Reverb>: "...you worried?"
<Skyler>: "About everything? Yes."
<Skyler>: "If he could get to Iraq in a week and still send enormous flesh monsters at us back here, there's no telling what he can do."
<Reverb>: "We still have to try and fight him."
<Skyler>: "Obviously. And get whatever's making him like that out."
<Reverb>: "Yeah."
<Reverb>: "And, I think we can do it."

<Reverb>: "Now, what about your powers?"
<Skyler>: "...What about yours?"
<Reverb>: "Mine work fine. Nothing changed with mine. I'm wondering how you feel... without them."
<Skyler>: "I'm making due. I managed to take out an already unconscious man and barely survived dealing with a 4 foot goblin, thanks to having deadly weaponry and assistance from John, respectively."
<Reverb>: "True enough. You're pretty good, Sky."

<JohnQuint>: oh]
<JohnQuint>: no one gives john compliments for knocking down a giant, or exploding a man]
<JohnQuint>: harumph]

<Skyler>: "I semi-regularly get beaten up by your roommate. It helps."
<Reverb>: "Shit man, you spar with Alina?"
<Skyler>: "I didn't know that was a big deal."

<Reverb>: "Man, no one ever spars with her. She's fucking rough."
<Reverb>: "I can safely say that from experience."
<Skyler>: "Heh, really? I mean, my powers used to give me a natural physical edge, so I guess that's the explanation. Besides, she never once, uh... magicked, at me."
<Reverb>: "Probably. She's one hell of a fighter."
<Reverb>: "She'll probably be itching for a spar when you get the powers back."

<Skyler>: "Er, right... A-anyways that's besides the point."
<Skyler>: "What I was trying to segue into previously, is that I saw you fighting those giants. You're clearly above normal human limits on athleticism."
<Reverb>: "Oh, that. Right, that's... a long story."
<Reverb>: "Well, not really. A vampire bit me."

<Skyler>: "...Right. And this is unrelated to that 'stained glass demon' event I heard about through the grapevine?"
<Reverb>: "Yup. Not tied in any way."

<Skyler>: "See, it's this sort of thing that make me feel uncomfortable complaining about not having wings anymore."
<Reverb>: "How'sat?"
<Skyler>: "Because I'm assuming what you go through isn't anything close to the portrayal of Edward or Inuyasha. And then of course, my roommates are John - which should be enough already - /and/ the guy who's currently being mindfucked into world domination."
<Skyler>: "So having a couple of neat patches of discoloration on my torso doesn't quite compare on the relative unpleasantness scale."

<Reverb>: "Hey, everyone's got troubles man."
<Reverb>: "My vamp stuff doesn't really bother me. And sure, John and Tony have it bad, but you're allowed to feel bad about stuff too."
<Skyler>: "Ugh... you're right, but it still feels like it's not my place to talk about. Maybe if I get a therapist or something."
<Reverb>: "Maybe. We'll all likely be in therapy when we come out of this."

<Skyler>: "...Speaking of that, I'm probably gonna have to drop out of the S-Men when this particular adventure is all said and done."
<Reverb>: "You completely certain of that decision?"
<Skyler>: "Even if I have a special talent and passion for violence, it doesn't mean much with no powers and minimal training."
<Reverb>: "You can train. I'm not attempting to keep you in, but we are going to get your powers back. I'd rather you didn't do anything rash because of a temporary situation."

<Skyler>: "I mean, I'm just saying. The main reason I joined the S-Men to begin with was - to be honest- because my powers made it convenient. I still have folks back at home."
<Reverb>: "You don't necessarily need to be engaged in the 'fighting organized crime' element of it."
<Skyler>: "It's the only part I'm good at. You'd know how well 'detective Skyler' has ever worked."

<Reverb>: "Look, I get it. It's hard without your powers, you've got a family you want to keep safe, which is something I admittedly envy, but either way..."
<Reverb>: "One - we are getting your powers back. Two - don't assume you've only got the one thing going for you."
<Reverb>: "You're a pretty solid guy Sky. So, shut up and let's go have burgers."
<Reverb>: "Some food might get your mind off this bad vibe."
<Skyler>: "Uh... Sure. Yeah, that sounds nice."
<Reverb>: "And it's all on me. So, chin up, kay?"

Reverb smiles at Skyler.
<Skyler>: "Alright, fine."
Skyler says with a bit of sass and a smile of his own
<Reverb>: "I knew you'd give in. Alina says as much."

Reverb chuckles, prodding Skyler in the shoulder playfully.
<Skyler>: "Eeeey, you were acting all surprised I even talked to her a minute ago!"
Skyler prods back and lets out a laugh
<Reverb>: "More surprised you tried more than once, but that's beside the point."
Reverb smirks.