09[22:47] <~tubes|GM> ...
03[22:49] * Nonagon (Nonagon@net-84u.kg5.218.47.IP) has joined #WDCayo
09[22:58] <~tubes|GM> You shove your way out of a back-alley manhole, the most concealed of the entrances you'd discovered to your new secret lair. You'd probably been in town for a week or so at this point, and though you'd originally been planning to make your debut immediately, that plan when straight out the window when Shortstop got murdered. It'd been a week though, and with no sign of the investigation turning up anything useful, you figure it's best to just hit the pavement running.
09[22:58] <~tubes|GM> Navigating through the sewers in mail wasn't the easiest, but you'd managed it. you brush off a few bits of gunk and dirt from your costume. Time to make a splash. ||
[22:59] <iri|Derek> ...
[22:59] <iri|Derek> All right. All *right*.
[23:01] <iri|Derek> Derek draws a deep breath. He's in full costume, at last - He's spent the past few weeks carefully, *carefully* restoring the antique armor and museum pieces he's found. And now...Now, Derek can't seem himself - His breath echoing hollowly within his helmet - but he hopes (really, really hopes) that he looks like a badass.
[23:02] <iri|Derek> He's not much to look like, outside it - He's lifted weights and done push-ups until the muscles have stood out in his arm, but he has a perpetually weak chin he's never quite been able to fix, with a look that people have described as 'weaselly'. He's glad he's wearing a helmet.
[23:03] <iri|Derek> He's done his research, the past few days - Interspersed with bouts of reading through books of Arthurian myth. His goal is simple: to find one of the Duke's Knights, and challenge them to a duel. One-on-one, mano-a-mano, in front of a crowd.
[23:03] <iri|Derek> That's how you do it. That's how you make a splash. ||
03[23:06] * [ATM] (ATM@localhost) has joined #WDCayo
03[23:06] * tubes|GM sets mode: +v [ATM]
09[23:06] <~tubes|GM> ((roll social, charm applies))
[23:06] <iri|Derek> $2h6-1 Charm
[23:06] <iri|Derek> $roll 2h6-1 Charm
[23:06] <+[ATM]> iri|Derek "Charm" [6] (4) -1 = 5
03[23:06] * Fossil (uid191092@hathersage.irccloud.com) has joined #WDCayo
09[23:16] <~tubes|GM> You step out on the street, and you can tell, you draw some eyes. Your costume made an impression - even in a world of costumes, it's not every day that someone literally dresses up as a knight in shining armor. Or not shining, in your case; You /did/ model yourself "The Black Knight". Either way, you can tell there's going to be some posts on PHO about you tonight.
09[23:16] <~tubes|GM> People on the sidewalk give you a bearth, but not as big as you might expect, given the weapons hanging at your side - this was Cayo, after all.
09[23:16] <~tubes|GM> As far as finding a Knight goes, it was fairly difficult to figure out where they might be at any given  moment, but it was pretty easy to figure out where The Duke could be found, because he was there every day - a historical waterfront cafe called "Las Novedades". ||
[23:17] <iri|Derek> ...
[23:19] <iri|Derek> And there's where Derek has to go, then. He does not walk - He strides. He has his sword sheathed at his hip, his mace on the other side - And his shield riding high on his arm. It's hard not to be exultant in this - He's really doing it! People are giving him a wide berth - He says little, but he nods to them...Maybe raises a hand in acknowledgeme
[23:19] <iri|Derek> nt. He's decided to play it cool - Well, as cool as he can, while he's suffering from a severe case of flop-sweat.
[23:19] <iri|Derek> It's time to see the man himself, then - He'll make for the cafe. "Los Novedades" - This should be his chance to show off. ||
09[23:35] <~tubes|GM> ((wits, awareness applies))
03[23:35] * Antioch (uid112475@netadmin.parahumans.net) has joined #WDCayo
[23:36] <iri|Derek> $roll 2h6-1 Awareness
[23:36] <+[ATM]> iri|Derek "Awareness" (3) [6] -1 = 5
09[23:37] <~tubes|GM> Luckily, you couldn't sweat through chainmail, though, you were definitely going to need to get one of those fancy sports shirts or something - May in Florida was already hot as hell.
09[23:37] <~tubes|GM> Still, you carry yourself well, and you definitely notice a couple of people snapping pictures. It was mid-morning on a Sunday, and it was beginning to approach tourist season, so there were plenty of people to see you strut as you make your way down to the boardwalk - a new cape was always exciting. Still, part of the excitement was also the danger, and people keep their distance until you get closer to the boardwalk and closer to the cafe, about 10 or 15 minutes later.
09[23:37] <~tubes|GM> You spot what you figure to be a local reporter. He's not /right/ next to the cafe, and might be trying to pretend he's doing something else (maybe to avoid irritating The Duke?) but he's pretty clearly scoping it out to see what might transpire on a beautiful sunday. It's just him and a camera-man, so he's probably not too important. ||
[23:38] <iri|Derek> ...
[23:39] <iri|Derek> That's exactly what Derek needs - An audience. He's glad - Really, really glad - that he didn't go with plate mail: Strong or not, he'd be completely supine in the rising heat of the day. (Well, he's already sweating bullets, but he's just nervous.)
[23:39] <iri|Derek> The steady *clank* of Derek's combat boots against the ground reassure him, though. He's strong - He's relentless - he's loaded for bear. He's the Black Knight, a stranger in a strange land.
[23:40] <iri|Derek> It only makes sense for him to approach the reporter, first - Long strides taking him closer to the man.
[23:41] <iri|Derek> "You. Troubadour," Derek says, doing his best to put an impressive bass rumble into his voice, as he draws himself to his full height.
[23:42] <iri|Derek> He's not unfriendly, though he's aware that his armor is intimidating. "-Keep the camera rolling. Bear witness to what comes next."
[23:42] <iri|Derek> He's going to make for the cafe's front door... ||
09[23:46] <~tubes|GM> The reporter isn't facing your way at first, but his camera-man must have given some kind of signal, because he turns to face you. He performs some kind of pass over his head, apparently fixing his hair, microphone, and earbud all in one swoop. It was pretty deft, if you were being honest.
09[23:46] <~tubes|GM> He doesn't say anything as you approach, and you cut off any opportunity he might've had.
09[23:46] <~tubes|GM> He looks at his cameraman, but you don't see their reaction as you head towards the front of the cafe.
09[23:46] <~tubes|GM> People pick up on your purposeful stride, and the crowd parts. Cape fights were cool to watch, not fun to be in the middle of. ||
[23:47] <iri|Derek> ...
[23:47] <iri|Derek> Oh God everyone's watching him. Remember, strong, confident.
[23:48] <iri|Derek> Derek lengthens his stride. He feels a little light-headed, fights down the urge to jog. He focuses on striding, letting false confidence swell within him - He can do this.
[23:48] <iri|Derek> He's push the doors open like an Old West gunfighter, to scan the confines of the cafe within. He better hope his man is here, or he's going to be very, very embarrassed indeed. ||
09[23:59] <~tubes|GM> The cafe is small, the kind of buildings people built when nobody had any more than their feet, and every square foot mattered. To your left is a small little counter, cashier, and coffee bar deal. As your vision passes over it, the mousy-looking guy behind it shrinks back and dissapears into what's presumably the kitchen.
09[23:59] <~tubes|GM> To the right is a dining area, with long shutters pulled back, opening the area to the sea breeze. There's a few people sitting there, but they keep to the edges, clearly avoiding the area at the center. There's a space cleared around the center table, guarded by two people in professional wear. The guy sitting at it, facing the harbor, is an older man, probably pushing 40, at least with what you can see from this side. His hair is slicked back, and he wears no mask, though the most notable aspect of his outfit is his clothes by far - he's wearing a tunic that looks more appropriate to the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, complete with gigantic frill.
09[23:59] <~tubes|GM> The guards notice you, but they don't move. ||
Session Time: Thu Feb 02 00:00:00 2017
[00:00] <iri|Derek> ...
[00:02] <iri|Derek> This is it. Derek pauses, focusing his mind - He's a striking figure, silhouetted against the light issuing from the door...This is his chance to make a spiel, and to make it good.
[00:02] <iri|Derek> (Using his power to 'think through' his problem.)
[00:03] <iri|Derek> It's eerily quiet - to himself! - as he paces forward...Then drops to one knee, with a clatter of articulating armor, one gauntleted fist pressed to the ground.
[00:03] <iri|Derek> "My Lord," he says, more hoarsely than he intended - "This one humbly requests an audience." ||
09[00:07] <~tubes|GM> This actually seems to startle the guards, but they hide it well. They glance at each other, then back at who must be The Duke. There's no way he couldn't have heard you in the small area of the cafe.
09[00:07] <~tubes|GM> The doors don't swing back behind you - the reporter must have ended up following you.
09[00:07] <~tubes|GM> There's a suitably dramatic delay, before The Duke responds: "Granted," he says in an even tone. "You may approach." This must serve as some kind of cue to his guards, because they step to the side. The tables are arranged in such a way that there's now a straight path from you to The Duke. ||
[00:08] <iri|Derek> ...
[00:08] <iri|Derek> Derek rises, slowly. Really, he's turning this over and over again in his head. His mouth is dry - It's one thing to think about it...Even think through it...It's another to really do it.
[00:09] <iri|Derek> He approaches, slowly. Fighting down his instinctive urge to rush forward or to hold back.
[00:09] <iri|Derek> He puts one armored fist over his heart, and bows once he's appropriately close enough. ||
09[00:16] <~tubes|GM> The Duke had turned as you approached, and you could get a better look at him now. He wasn't as old as he seemed to be on first impression, closer to mid-30s, but his face was still drawn, possessed of a certain gravitas befiting his title/name.
09[00:16] <~tubes|GM> He nods, acknowledging your salute, and speaks again. "At ease, man. What brings you to my court?" His voice has a faint spanish accent, but there's something off about it that you can't place. ||
[00:16] <iri|Derek> ...
[00:17] <iri|Derek> He can't place the accent - No surprise. That's the last thing Derek would notice, at this point. (He's surprised he hasn't filled his boots with sweat. He's holding up admirably well, all things considered.)
03[00:18] * Lurks|HW (uid195947@brockwell.irccloud.com) Quit (Quit: Connection closed for inactivity)
[00:20] <iri|Derek> "My Lord," he begins - "I am a landless knight - Rootless, with no liege or hearth to call my own. I crave a boon, my Lord - A chance to prove my worth by valor and by strength of arms, to perhaps find a place in your court."
[00:20] <iri|Derek> It's the longest sentence he's said at once, and he hopes it comes off as well as it sounds in his head. ||
09[00:20] <~tubes|GM> ((soc, charm applies))
[00:21] <iri|Derek> $roll 2h6-1 Charm
[00:21] <+[ATM]> iri|Derek "Charm" [5] (2) -1 = 4
09[00:25] <~tubes|GM> Anyone who had looked up some history online once would be able to tell that your costume and his costume didn't add up to the same era, but The Duke responds as though it was perfectly natural.
09[00:25] <~tubes|GM> "I see," he responds, after a moment. After another moment, apparently thinking, he responds again. "How would you prove your valor to me?" ||
[00:26] <iri|Derek> ...
[00:27] <iri|Derek> "Task me, my Lord," Derek says, in that bass rumble of his - Hoping that his voice doesn't crack. It's been holding so far.
[00:28] <iri|Derek> "-I will gladly stand against any two of your finest knights: to meet them blow for blow on the field of honor."
[00:29] <iri|Derek> It's all he can think of, at the moment - But he can't help but wonder, to himself...There's the shadow of Shortstop's murder, hanging over everything... |
[00:29] <iri|Derek> ||
09[00:33] <~tubes|GM> "Hm, a worthy task for you, unproven, to be sure." He rubs his chin - he's got a short goatee. "...but all of my Knights have proven their valor to me many times over. They stand naught but to lose facing you." He sip from his cup on the table, some kind of tea, you'd guess, thinking.
09[00:33] <~tubes|GM> "...Tell me, are you aware of recent events?" ||
[00:34] <iri|Derek> ...
[00:35] <iri|Derek> "...the murder of Shortstop?" Derek echoes - It's hard not to hear about it. It's the biggest news in town, after all.
[00:36] <iri|Derek> He places his hand against his heart - "If it is your will, my Lord - I will gladly search for the fiend that laid him low, and bring him to justice." ||
09[00:53] <~tubes|GM> "Excellent. I have skill at arms aplenty, and such is easily trained or proven. This will be your task." He turns back towards the bay. "Adeliada." he says. The woman of the two guards snaps to attention. "This Black Knight will be your charge." He turns back towards the sea, apparently deeming any further instruction uncessary.
09[00:53] <~tubes|GM> "Sir." She says in response. She doesn't really look like an 'Adeliada', you think - she's a bit too short, and she's got that vague shade of brown and combination of features that suggests a multi-racial background.
09[00:53] <~tubes|GM> She starts striding towards a backroom, glancing back once. Presumably that means you're supposed to follow. ||
[00:54] <iri|Derek> ...
03[00:55] * CaptNameless is now known as CaptNasleep
[00:55] <iri|Derek> And Derek feels a great weight lift from his shoulders. It's like finally - finally - not being the last person picked for the team.
03[00:56] * CaptNasleep (CaptNameles@net-20l.dga.141.174.IP) Quit (Quit: http://www.kiwiirc.com/ - A hand crafted IRC client)
[00:57] <iri|Derek> He rises - A little shakily, though he does his best to hide it - and follows Adeliada. She's one of the Duke's knights? He's immediately aware that he's very, very much the newcomer here - His power might give him parahuman skill at arms, but he's never been in a real fight before.
[00:58] <iri|Derek> One thing's for sure, now - This is serious. And he's right in the thick of it. ||
09[01:09] <~tubes|GM> You follow Adeliada to the back room. You see the cameraman and reporter cataloguing the whole thing out of the corner of your eye, though they make no move to follow. They'd definitely seen the whole exchange.
09[01:09] <~tubes|GM> The back room is much more lived-in, though it's definitely got the formal air and arrangement you'd expect from someone who called themselves 'The Duke.' It's got a sort of lodge/mancave atmosphere to it, with couches, a fairly nice TV, and a pool table. The most notable feature, however, is large table with what looks to be a war-map of the city, weighted down at the corners. It's got an array of tacks and figures scattered across it.
09[01:09] <~tubes|GM> Now that you're no longer staring at the floor, you can get a better look at Adeliada. She's wearing a jacket and tie, similar to her male compatriot, but unlike him, she's wearing a long skirt with a slit up the side, instead of pants. Her hair is pulled back into a strict bun, though it's kind of small - you'd guess she just barely has enough for it.
09[01:09] <~tubes|GM> Once you're inside, she makes a beeline for a small fridge and pulls out a Gatorade, guzzling a bit out of it before collapsing on a couch.
09[01:09] <~tubes|GM> "Well?" She asks. "What can I do for you, Mr. Knight?" ||
[01:14] <iri|Derek> ...
[01:16] <iri|Derek> Wow. Just - Wow. This is more expansive than he'd expected - He'd have thought that it would be more thematic, but this...And the map of the city? It's certainly impressive.
[01:16] <iri|Derek> For a moment, Derek hesitates - But hell, it's hot in here. His helmet's fairly lightweight, but it's hardly a cool day.
[01:17] <iri|Derek> Carefully, he reaches up, and unclasps his intimidating helm, tucking it under his arm.
[01:17] <iri|Derek> He tries not to stare - His Adam's apple bulges a little, though.
[01:17] <iri|Derek> Business. Focus on business.
[01:18] <iri|Derek> "The Duke has tasked me with finding Shortstop's killer," he says - His gaze taking in the room around him.
[01:18] <iri|Derek> "-I'm a newcomer to Cayo Huso. If there's anything you can tell me, about what happened...I'll be in your debt." ||
03[01:18] * Kastor (uid207500@stonehaven.irccloud.com) Quit (Quit: Connection closed for inactivity)
03[01:24] * Turncoat (uid185268@tooting.irccloud.com) Quit (Quit: Connection closed for inactivity)
09[01:25] <~tubes|GM> "Well, everyone's running around like a chicken with their head cut off about it, but i'm sure you already knew that. He's had us all searching on it since it happened, honestly." She shrugs.
09[01:25] <~tubes|GM> "They kind of gloss over it on the news, but it was ugly. Like, really ugly. Like, ugh, someone took a spoon to her brains ugly. Literally. Someone opened up her head and took bits out. Along with a couple of other places."
09[01:25] <~tubes|GM> She tries to act nonchalant, but she's obviously still sort of affected - it's unpleasant enough that she doesn't even want to remember.
09[01:25] <~tubes|GM> "Anna, by the way." She says, apparently changing the subject. "You'll probably get a fancy spanish name, too, unless he deems your name fancy enough. First time we've had someone with powers." She shrugs. "Wait, you do have powers, right?" ||
[01:26] <iri|Derek> ...
[01:27] <iri|Derek> Jesus, what has he gotten himself into? It's a good thing Derek didn't eat a large breakfast - And he's already quite pale - so she doesn't have to see him blanch.
[01:28] <iri|Derek> Maybe he picked the wrong time to roll into town...But no, that's the boy who always got picked last speaking.
[01:29] <iri|Derek> "Derek," he says, and dips his head in a nod. "And yes."
[01:29] <iri|Derek> He closes his eyes for a moment. Focuses. A demonstration would probably be best, here... ||
[01:29] <iri|Derek> (Going to use that 'think through' power for a brief, flashy sword drill thing.)
[01:31] <iri|Derek> $roll 1d2 Think Through
[01:31] <+[ATM]> iri|Derek "Think Through" [1]  = 1
03[01:34] * Fossil (uid191092@hathersage.irccloud.com) Quit (Quit: Connection closed for inactivity)
09[01:37] <~tubes|GM> ((give me twop dex rolls, finnese applies))
[01:37] <iri|Derek> $roll 3h6+1 Finesse 1
[01:37] <+[ATM]> iri|Derek "Finesse 1" [4] (2) (3) +1 = 5
[01:37] <iri|Derek> $roll 3h6+1 Finesse 2
[01:37] <+[ATM]> iri|Derek "Finesse 2" (1) [5] (1) +1 = 6
09[01:39] <~tubes|GM> You close your eyes and focus, planning it out. Your heartbeat thunders in your ears, as time slows to a crawl, and you tap your power, envisioning every move, every step you might make. You knew a bit about swordplay normally, but now you can /feel it/, feel your muscles tense - it's not so much in your head as it is in your body, as if you'd practiced it a thousand times, ten thousand times, every day since you were born. You snap your eyes open and grab your sword from it's scabbard, flinging it forward, sending it tumbling through the air. Quarter turn, Half turn, one step, two steps, three steps - You grab an apple from it's spot in a basket near a side door and toss it back behind you, only to turn and grab your blade high, exactly where you knew it'd be, carving left, then up, neatly quartering the apple on it's way down. ||
[01:40] <iri|Derek> ...
[01:40] <iri|Derek> He *moves* - Thought becomes action becomes deed. It is the high one can only feel when you're at the very top of your game - Even as the apple begins it's tumbling descent, Derek knows exactly where it is. Where it *will* be.
[01:41] <iri|Derek> His sword carves the air. It's a sturdy blade, not the sharpest one - But he's angled it *just so*, swung with *just enough* force at the right speed, that it goes through the apple like a hot knife through butter.
[01:42] <iri|Derek> That perfect clarity only lasts for a few moments, as he catches the quartered fruit in his gauntlet - clasping the slices like a trophy.
[01:42] <iri|Derek> Inside, he's exulting.
[01:42] <iri|Derek> "Apple?" Derek asks, doing his best to play it cool. ||
09[01:53] <~tubes|GM> Anna reaches out, wide-eyed, taking one of them, and taking a tiny nibble. It's more of taste-test than anything else - maybe she thinks it might be fake?
09[01:53] <~tubes|GM> "Okay then." ||
[01:53] <iri|Derek> ...
[01:54] <iri|Derek> The moment lingers, as - carefully - Derek sets the others down. He's conscientious that way - He doesn't want to make a mess. But his pulse is taking a while to slow down.
[01:55] <iri|Derek> He smiles, slightly - Even as the conversation turns to a less pleasant subject.
[01:55] <iri|Derek> "About Shortstop...Do you know where I should start to ask questions? I should probably take a look at the site, too - It's been a while, but perhaps I'll be able to find something..." ||
09[02:01] <~tubes|GM> "What? No. No, wait, I mean, sorry, No, you don't need to just sprint out there and start looking. The rest of us, I mean the Knights, have been digging for the past week. I can fill you in, at least as best as I can," She swallows the rest of the apple and stands up, motioning for you to follow as she walks over to the war map. ||
[02:05] <iri|Derek> ...
[02:06] <iri|Derek> Derek paces over to the table. He stands - a little rigidly - with his hands at his sides, his attention focused on the map, now - It reminds me, somehow, of one of those complicated tactical wargames he's played before. The thought is a bittersweet one.
[02:07] <iri|Derek> So he's not the only one on the case. And they can't have found anything substantial, yet...But they'd have a much better idea of what's going on than he does. ||
03[02:10] * Lid (uid200825@192.184.10.9) Quit (Quit: Connection closed for inactivity)
09[02:22] <~tubes|GM> Anna stands over the map. It wasn't really much like a wargame, especially since it was lacking in the 'war' part, but she points out which figures (they're more like colored blocks) represent which cape, how the tacks represent points of interest or fights. Shortstop's murder warranted drawing on the map itself, marked out in red ink.
09[02:22] <~tubes|GM> "Well, I say we've been scoping it out, but we've got nothing. You're the only new element to the case, and well, unless you've got some deep dark secrets, I don't think you could have done it."
09[02:22] <~tubes|GM> She stares at you for a moment, maybe trying to glean something from your unmasked face, but relents after a few seconds.
09[02:22] <~tubes|GM> "Yeah, nah. Anyway, someone cut up Shortstop in a bizzare way, and made off with bits and pieces of her. And, uh, we can't figure out why. That about sums it up, really. Well, actually, there is something we haven't explored - Skedaddle. You know who she is? ||
[02:27] <iri|Derek> ...
[02:28] <iri|Derek> "I've never actually *been* in a fight," Derek almost says - But that wouldn't inspire confidence. Instead, he merely nods - "I appreciate your faith in me," he says, a little dryly, but not without humor. As a matter of fact, going up against a murderous parahuman? Chills. Especially the one who did Shortstop to death, and did her *bad*.
[02:29] <iri|Derek> He shakes his head, to banish *that* disturbing line of thought - His brow furrowing, ever-so-slightly, as he rubs his chin.
[02:30] <iri|Derek> "She's...the one who has that feud with Spike, is it?" he says - "That's about all I've heard about her - You think she knows something?" ||
09[02:35] <~tubes|GM> "Not so much she knows something..." She trails off, thinking for a moment. "She's been...erratic, is the only thing i can say for it. And, well, we wanted to talk to her, but she's a cape, and has been kinda...punchy, so...getting into a cape fight without a cape fight isn't such a great time." ||
[02:36] <iri|Derek> ...
[02:36] <iri|Derek> "Ah." Derek considers this, for a moment. Well, he's a big guy. Solidly built, too - And he's wearing armor. He'll make for a good punching bag.
[02:37] <iri|Derek> It strikes him, at the same moment - like a cold shiver, up his spine - he's really doing this. He really *is* a cape. Hot damn - How many people were watching him walk into that cafe, kneel before the Duke? It's hard *not* to get amped about that.
[02:38] <iri|Derek> He replaces his helmet, drawing a deep breath - His voice echoing a little hollowly within the confines of his helm. "-Let's go and have a chat with her, shall we?" he says, with probably more confidence than he actually feels!
[02:38] <iri|Derek> "Let's hope she's not the jumpy type..." ||
09[02:39] <~tubes|GM> |||
09[20:15] <~tubes|GM> ...
09[20:28] <~tubes|GM> $roll 1d6 AW
04[20:28] <[ATM]> tubes|GM "AW" [4]  = 4
09[20:30] <~tubes|GM> You and Anna take a back door out of the cafe. She takes you through a meandering route through back-alleys and back road, presumably to avoid attention, before you emerge further down the beach, near the boardwalk. Being a Sunday, it's pretty crowded, and you immediately draw attention, people snapping pictures. "It'll be easier to take the trolley further inland, and if anything, the  attention will hopefully bring Skedaddle to us faster," Anna comments to you as you both walk.
09[20:30] <~tubes|GM> You stride along next to her, trying to keep your bearings. There's significantly more people over here  than there were over near the cafe, and, there's a little bubble of space around you as people get out of the way of you both. Anna manages it because she's known, and black, glowing, rune-scrawled armor is generally a thing people want to get out of the way of. Still, now that you know you're in, it's a little nervewracking, and the people around you seem to pick up on your demeanor - your pace a little uneven, your moves a little too twitchy, and the end result is that while people further away are snapping pictures, the people near you quiet down (if only marginally) and stare a bit, intimidated.
09[20:30] <~tubes|GM> Anna glances at you, but she doesn't say anything until you step onto the trolley (where the people onboard immediately compact themselves further back to make sufficent room).
09[20:30] <~tubes|GM> "You alright?" She asks, "You were looking a little twitchy back there." ||
[20:30] <iri|Derek> ...
[20:32] <iri|Derek> "I'm-" Derek swallows, hard. Dry-swallows, really. How does he describe it? He's been nervous around people. It's something he can't shake. Never mind that he's worked out until the muscles in his arms and legs bulge, never mind that he's a parahuman now. Old habits die hard. He can't help being twitchy, fighting down the urge to flinch at each fla
[20:32] <iri|Derek> sh of light, each murmur...No, no - He has to get his head in the game. He's on a mission. He can't screw this up.
[20:32] <iri|Derek> He shakes his head, to clear it - He has to distract himself.
[20:32] <iri|Derek> "...I'm fine," he lies. "Just - I was just wondering."
[20:33] <iri|Derek> "Skedaddle - What do you know about her? All I know is the local news, and the PHO boards. You said she's been acting odd, recently, after Shortstop...What's she normally like?" ||
09[20:42] <~tubes|GM> "Hmmmm," She muses for a moment, "well, if Matrix has the 'goody-two-shoes' and camp on lock, then Skedaddle is more 'rebel without a cause', or 'streets of fire'. Maybe with some Clint eastwood thrown in. She tries to play up the air of danger, you know? 'This town ain't big enough for both of us', 'you feelin' lucky, punk?', type of stuff. So with her it's all about the stare-downs, quick-draws, stuff like that. It's why she got along so well with Spike - they played off each other perfectly. Except now she's not doing anything like that - it's all shoot first and ask questions later. She hasn't really hurt anyone yet, but it's only a matter of time, I think," Anna finishes. You both sway as the trolley thunks over a track change. ||
[20:43] <iri|Derek> ...
[20:44] <iri|Derek> "...I see," Derek says. His voice is all gravelly and masculine, which hides the fact that he's sweating bullets. It's going to be a fight, for sure - And this would be an inopportune time to mention that he's never *actually* got into a brawl before. Something he should probably get used to, all things considered...
[20:45] <iri|Derek> He injects some levity into his voice - "Sounds like a troublemaker." His shoulders lift in a shrug. "...Though I'm sure everyone's been on edge recently."
[20:45] <iri|Derek> Derek resists the urge to fidget, his hands at his sides - his sword knocking against his hip, a familiar and reassuring weight.
[20:46] <iri|Derek> (To be fair, his treacherous, sweat-palmed consciousness whispers, she sounds like quite the girl.)
[20:46] <iri|Derek> "Hopefully, she knows something. Either way, though...This is going to get *interesting*." ||
03[20:56] * CaptNameless (CaptNameles@net-8e819m.buckeyecom.net) has joined #WDCayo
09[20:59] <~tubes|GM> "I sure hope not," Anna says candidly, "I've never watched a show or read a book where things got 'interesting' and everyone got out intact. Oh, we're here." She takes the lead and hops off the trolley, gesturing for you to follow.  ||
[21:00] <iri|Derek> ...
[21:00] <iri|Derek> He really should say something chivalrous at this point. But really, that would just be embarrassing - And he's dry-swallowing, hard, which is not the best time for it.
[21:01] <iri|Derek> "So I see," Derek rumbles, as he steps off. His palms are sweating, which makes him glad he's wearing gauntlets.
[21:01] <iri|Derek> As he walks, he keeps an eye out - Jumpy, he knows. But still, who knows? ||
09[21:12] <~tubes|GM> It's quieter in this part of town, but still fairly active, given the day and time of day. Still people walking around here are generally going somewhere, and while they might give you a glance or two, capes are common enough and wherever they're going important enough that they don't spend more than a second or two checking out what's going on.
09[21:12] <~tubes|GM> "Alright, this is usually her 'turf'. Whenever she and Spike fought in the past, they tended to do it over here - the crowds are smaller and generally smarter about getting in the way of cape fights. Obviously, we don't know where she is, so we're gonna have to wander around and hope we find her basically...try to act suspicious, I guess?" ||
[21:14] <iri|Derek> ...
[21:14] <iri|Derek> Try to act suspicious...?
[21:15] <iri|Derek> That's a new one, for Derek. It's a little strange to be here...But he squares his shoulders, draws a deep breath. This should be *easy*.
[21:16] <iri|Derek> "Very well," he says - Not without a kind of dry humor. "I'll do by best."
[21:17] <iri|Derek> He shapes his plan in his mind, as he strides forward - It shouldn't be hard to stand out like this. He injects a stagger into his stride, purposefully pausing before nearby stores as if scoping out the place...His hand dropping down to his sword, as he fingers the hilt meaningfully. This should take no time at all - His armor's pretty intimidating
[21:17] <iri|Derek> , and a guy walking around with a distinctly archaic outfit? If he was anyone else, they'd be calling the cops by now. ||
[21:26] <iri|Derek> $roll 1d6-1 Wits
[21:26] <[ATM]> iri|Derek "Wits" [4] -1 = 3
[21:31] <iri|Derek> $roll 2h6+1 Withstand
[21:31] <[ATM]> iri|Derek "Withstand" [6] (4) +1 = 7
09[21:35] <~tubes|GM> $roll 1d6+1 SB
04[21:35] <[ATM]> tubes|GM "SB" [4] +1 = 5
09[21:35] <~tubes|GM> $roll 1d6 SA
04[21:35] <[ATM]> tubes|GM "SA" [6]  = 6
09[21:37] <~tubes|GM> There's a bit of a pop or a whump behind you, like a baseball hitting a mat, and a similarly felt impact on your back. You've been focusingm with the help of your powerm over the past couple of days on various defensive techniques, however, and when combined with your armor, what was presumably an attack doesn't even manage to move you. ||
[21:38] <iri|Derek> ...
[21:38] <iri|Derek> Something slams into Derek, from behind. Instinctively, he sets his feet to absorb the impact - He didn't see it coming, but between his armor and his innate toughness, he's pretty glad he's shrugged it off.
[21:39] <iri|Derek> He turns. He doesn't draw his weapon, not yet - Maybe there's still a chance it isn't going to end in a brawl. Instead, he focuses on seeing *exactly* who attacked him-
[21:40] <iri|Derek> "...Skedaddle?" he says, out loud - Just in case. "Well struck - But I would have words with you."
[21:40] <iri|Derek> Be cool. Be *cool*, damnit. ||
09[21:52] <~tubes|GM> You're pretty sure it's Skeaddle, as you turn around. She's wearing a striped racing suit, festooned with sponsors, but instead of something like an actual stock-car racer might wear, it's closer cut to her figure, and more evocative of a leather jacket and jeans - padding in the shoulders and knees makes her cut a more imposing figure. She wears a full face helmet, but it's more like something from a BMX competition than one with cars, with googles, but without the usual visor. The general. Her goggle aren't mirrored, and you can see the suprise in her eyes, though she's apparently managed to stick a landing. She slowly starts to shuffle back, looking for another opening.
09[21:52] <~tubes|GM> "What words? I don't have words with criminals," she bites out. It sounds like she only barely forced herself to say it. You can see Anna circling out of the corner of your eye, walking down the street behind Skeaddle an dcrossing it. ||
[21:53] <iri|Derek> ...
[21:54] <iri|Derek> Well, shit. This might be harder than he thought.
[21:55] <iri|Derek> Derek - The Black Knight - raises his empty hand. "-I'm no criminal," he says - It's the truth. "And I'm not in the habit of fighting women."
[21:55] <iri|Derek> Oh God, did he just *say* that?
[21:55] <iri|Derek> He can feel the distinct skin-crawling sensation he's always got when he's had to speak in public - Stronger than ever, though he does all he can to push it down.
[21:56] <iri|Derek> "...I just wanted to ask a few questions about Shortstop." ||
09[22:00] <~tubes|GM> "I bet, huh?" She's back up standing by this point, but she's guarded, ready to attack or defend at any moment. "Want to ask some questions about where you can find someone better to eat, maybe?" Man, she is just not having any of it. Anna is almost behind her, though.
09[22:00] <~tubes|GM> Some people are watching on the other side of the street, though they're keeping to a safe and respectable distance. ||
[22:01] <iri|Derek> ...
[22:01] <iri|Derek> Shit, what's Anna going to do? He's wearing a helmet - He can't give her a signal. He just shakes his head, hoping to signal to her to back off. If she attacks Skeaddle, this is going to get violent *fast*...
[22:02] <iri|Derek> And besides, with a kind of shock, Derek realizes - He can handle it. He can handle a fight, if he gets into one. That buoys him up, fills him with a kind of giddy confidence. It's not just that - It's that someone's finally...*finally*...taking him seriously.
[22:03] <iri|Derek> He places his empty hand to his chest, instead - His mouth is completely dry, and he feels a bit light-headed, but he keeps going. This is what he wanted - He's in a larger, stranger world now.
[22:04] <iri|Derek> He's oh-so-aware of the crowd - It's probably best not to say anything that'd make them *too* jumpy.
[22:05] <iri|Derek> "...I'm aiding the Duke's Knights with their investigation," he says. He takes a step forward, before he catches himself. "We're missing pieces of the puzzle. Anything you might know...Any help you could give...That's all I want."
[22:06] <iri|Derek> He can feel the tension in the air - It's OK Corral. It's high noon. It's that last eye-narrowing moment before everything starts to happen really quickly. ||
[22:07] <iri|Derek> $roll 2h6-1 Social (Charm)
[22:07] <[ATM]> iri|Derek "Social (Charm)" (1) [5] -1 = 4
09[22:16] <~tubes|GM> Anna stops while you talk, and you notice a weird, scintillating shimmer appear around here, edges and shapes visible in the corners of your vision. Something to ask about later.
09[22:16] <~tubes|GM> Skeaddle narrows her eyes at you, but she backs down. Just a little bit. At the very least, it doesn't look like her next move is going to involve a can-opener and putting her foot down your throat.
09[22:16] <~tubes|GM> "...Ask," She finally says. ||
[22:17] <iri|Derek> ...
[22:17] <iri|Derek> What *is* that? A trick of the light? Some kind of-
[22:17] <iri|Derek> But before Derek can give it his full attention, Skeaddle speaks. He does not quite sigh in chest-unclenching relief, but that's a step up.
03[22:18] * Lurks|GM is now known as JustLurking
03[22:18] * Divock|Loogie is now known as Divock
[22:19] <iri|Derek> He lets his shoulders lift in a slight shrug. "Did you know Shortstop?" he says, simply. Best to start with a wide scope, and narrow it down. "...Do you know anyone - anyone at all - who'd want her out of the way?"
[22:19] <iri|Derek> Jesus, that euphemism. But even with his ability, Derek's still figuring out how to talk well without getting tongue-tied.
[22:19] <iri|Derek> He doesn't ask the real question, one that Anna probably could phrase better: Why are you so jumpy? What's wrong with *you*? ||
09[22:23] <~tubes|GM> She clenches her fist, not answering for a moment, but she finally unclenches it, and the fight seems to go out of her.
09[22:23] <~tubes|GM> "Better than anyone. And no...who would even do something like this?"
09[22:23] <~tubes|GM> It's a good point. Even if your standard mugger took down a Brute, would he stop to eat her brains afterwards? ||
[22:25] <iri|Derek> ...
[22:25] <iri|Derek> He lets his hands drop to his sides.
[22:26] <iri|Derek> That explains a lot - Why she's been acting so strangely, given that she's lost a friend and all. It's the most obvious explanation - Isn't it? But he'd probably not press her too hard on that front.
[22:27] <iri|Derek> "...I see," Derek says, resisting the urge to add - That's what we're trying to find out. And she's right - Who could've done something like that? Someone new, or...?
09[22:27] <~tubes|GM> $roll 1d6 SW
04[22:27] <[ATM]> tubes|GM "SW" [1]  = 1
[22:27] <iri|Derek> "-Did she say anything, before? Anything...strange or unusual?" ||
[22:29] <iri|Derek> $roll 2h6-1 Social
[22:29] <[ATM]> iri|Derek "Social" (3) [6] -1 = 5
[22:29] <iri|Derek> $roll 1d6-1 Wits
[22:29] <[ATM]> iri|Derek "Wits" [3] -1 = 2
09[22:35] <~tubes|GM> "No. Nothing. She spits out. She's still standing there, waiting for more questions, but you're not sure how to reconcile her willingness to answer questions, with her terse answers. It doesn't seem like she's noticed Anna -  who's a decent distance away - still combat ready. ||
[22:36] <iri|Derek> ...
[22:37] <iri|Derek> He can't tell. Derek's *bad* at reading people...And her costume makes her just that little bit more inscrutable. He hesitates, torn between pressing the issue and drawing back...
[22:37] <iri|Derek> -But what the hell. It can't hurt.
03[22:38] * Druza (uid209687@hathersage.irccloud.com) Quit (Quit: Connection closed for inactivity)
[22:38] <iri|Derek> He holds out his hand, doing his best to make it a calming gesture.
[22:39] <iri|Derek> "Will you come with me? I'd like to be able to sort this through...There's a lot I *still* don't know, and I'm new to the city." ||
[22:42] <iri|Derek> $roll 2h6-1 Charm
[22:42] <[ATM]> iri|Derek "Charm" (1) [5] -1 = 4
09[22:47] <~tubes|GM> "No." She says. She stands there for a moment, and crosses her arms, brow furrowed. She glances around, to her right and left.
09[22:47] <~tubes|GM> "...I was there. That night." She finally volunteers. ||
[22:48] <iri|Derek> ...
[22:48] <iri|Derek> He lowers his hand, even his eyes widen beneath his helmet. Now this is it. This is something *important*, something he nearly missed.
[22:48] <iri|Derek> "Go on." ||
09[22:53] <~tubes|GM> She glances at the crowd. A number of them dispersed, presumably when they figured out there wasn't going to be a fight or anything like that, but there's still a couple of people watching. It'd probably get a mention online, at the very least.
09[22:53] <~tubes|GM> "...I'm not going to say here.  It might still be around." It? ||
03[22:53] * soulpelt| is now known as soulpelt|sleep
[22:54] <iri|Derek> ...
[22:54] <iri|Derek> -It? Derek mouths silently, beneath his helmet. It?
[22:54] <iri|Derek> He nods - They're too exposed, here. One thing's for sure - He can feel a cold chill run down his spine. *It might still be around*? What the hell are they dealing with?
[22:55] <iri|Derek> He's not going to let Skeaddle out of his field of vision, until he hears it from her. "All right," he says - "-It's your turf. Lead, and I'll follow."
[22:55] <iri|Derek> Jesus. What has he gotten himself into? ||
09[23:02] <~tubes|GM> She gets a sort of speed-line blur, and there's that whumping noise, and she vanishes.
09[23:02] <~tubes|GM> "Hey." You get, from behind you. She's standing at the entrance to a back alley. You think you see her glance at Anna behind you, but she doesn't say anything about it.
09[23:02] <~tubes|GM> "This way," she says. ||
[23:03] <iri|Derek> ...
03[23:04] * FD|GM is now known as FossilDuke
[23:04] <iri|Derek> Well, he's hoping she's not about to murder him in a back-alley. He doesn't like the look of this - It's small, cramped, hard to swing a sword or wield a mace in these quarters. But - If it's his only choice...
[23:04] <iri|Derek> Derek squares his shoulders. Remember - Cool. Unshakeable. One thing's for sure...He's going to be as careful as he can be.
[23:05] <iri|Derek> "Very well," Derek says, formally. He walks forward, as if he doesn't have a care in the world. He's going to regret this, isn't he?
[23:05] <iri|Derek> Well...Maybe it's 50-50. ||
09[23:08] <~tubes|GM> When you step forward to follow, Skeaddle points at Anna behind you.
09[23:08] <~tubes|GM> "She stays." She says. ||
[23:08] <iri|Derek> ...
[23:09] <iri|Derek> All right, this is getting more suspicious by the moment.
[23:09] <iri|Derek> Derek nods to Anna - "As she says," he echoes. He's not happy about this. He feels that particular sensation - His palms itching. Still - Sometimes you do need a little trust.
[23:10] <iri|Derek> And besides - *He's* the parahuman. He can take care of himself. Right?
[23:10] <iri|Derek> Besides - In a way, it works out better. If he can't get out of this, at least Anna can call back - If shit *really* goes down.
[23:10] <iri|Derek> He's hoping it won't come to that. He's *really* hoping it doesn't come to that.
[23:11] <iri|Derek> "I'll be right back," Derek says, as reassuringly as he can manage. He doesn't say what to do if he *doesn't*. ||
09[23:14] <~tubes|GM> Anna gives you an indecipherable look - some kind of cross between 'is this guy fucking serious?' and 'your funeral, pal', you think. Either way, she stops and crosses her arms. "Just meet me back at the Cafe, I guess." She says, before turning around and heading out. ||
[23:15] <iri|Derek> ...
[23:16] <iri|Derek> I know, right, Derek doesn't say. He *knows*. He's getting that skin-crawling feeling again. But still-
[23:16] <iri|Derek> If this is his only lead, he's going to have to pursue it as best as he can. He draws a deep, steeling breath - His mind working, cycling through the possibilities.
[23:16] <iri|Derek> "Very well," he says. He takes his first stride forward. "...I'll take you at your word."||
[23:17] <iri|Derek> (Is there time to use his power? Or does that come later?)
[23:30] <iri|Derek> ||
09[23:33] <~tubes|GM> Skeaddle leads you at a brisk pace through another couple of backalleys, stores, and at one point, through the kitchen of a resturant, out through the front door, and back out into the street. Eventually, you end up at a small 'shotgun' house. It's on a back street, near some dunes. It looks like it's just out in the open, but between some nearby dunes and larger hotels and office buildings nearby, it'd probably actually be pretty hard to see from any reasonable vantage point.
09[23:33] <~tubes|GM> Skeaddle gestures for you to stay back. "I have to disable the booby-traps," she says, matter-of-factly. ||
[23:34] <iri|Derek> ...
[23:35] <iri|Derek> Booby-traps? Ha, that's not a million miles away from what *he* did to his base of operations...That old museum he found, all abandoned with all the exhibits still crated up for transport.
[23:35] <iri|Derek> "...I know a place just like this one," he muses aloud - He can't help but smile, beneath his helmet, despite everything. It's such a little thing, but it's...reassuring, somehow.
[23:36] <iri|Derek> The roundabout route is confusing, but perhaps that's the point. He steps back, but he isn't idle - Instead, he focuses his attention on Skeaddle's actions...If he can remember how she did it - Well, that's something worth knowing, isn't it? ||
[23:38] <iri|Derek> $roll 1d6-1 Wits (If relevant)
[23:38] <[ATM]> iri|Derek "Wits (If relevant)" [2] -1 = 1
[23:39] <iri|Derek> $roll 1d6-1 2nd Roll
[23:39] <[ATM]> iri|Derek "2nd Roll" [3] -1 = 2
[23:41] <iri|Derek> $roll 1d2 Power
[23:41] <[ATM]> iri|Derek "Power" [2]  = 2
09[23:53] <~tubes|GM> She gives you a penetrating look at your comment, but otherwise turns her attention to the apparently rather involved process necessary for getting into (what you presume) is her house.
09[23:53] <~tubes|GM> You tap your power, focusing. Normally it took a clear mind and a silent heart, or whatever that zen thing is, but every so often, you could push it and have it kick in immediately. This was one of those times.
09[23:53] <~tubes|GM> Time slows, or your perception of it does. It's not so much that your senses are any better than they are normally, but you've got the time to pour over every detail, examine every nuance, and debate every single fact that enters your mind or field of view.
09[23:53] <~tubes|GM> You're pretty sure you've spotted most, if not all of them, though there's only so many places you can put a booby trap on the front door. The ones you spot are...disconcertingly lethal. Is that a...portable generator wired up to the keyhole? A homemade landmine under the doormat? That could actually just kill an unsuspecting Jehovah's Witness. And that was...yep, that was a shotgun. Pointed at the door. Hooked up with some string. Anyone who didn't know exactly how far they could open it and where to unhook it would have gotten a 12 gauge welcome.
09[23:53] <~tubes|GM> Jesus, and she does this every time she came home? This doesn't match up at all with the stuff you'd seen about her online, nor with how Anna described her. Certainly, Skeaddle was supposed to be a hero, of sorts. Fair play, unless you deserve otherwise. Beatdowns for punks, justice for the common man. Or something like that. Certainly not an explosive welcome for someone who picked the wrong house to ding-dong ditch.
09[23:53] <~tubes|GM> What the hell had she seen? Or was it something to do with Shortstop? ||
09[23:53] <~tubes|GM> --||
09[23:54] <~tubes|GM> Skeaddle finally finishes her ministrations, and steps inside, merely gesturing for  you to follow. ||
[23:54] <iri|Derek> ...
[23:55] <iri|Derek> Now *that* is a power. In that moment of crystal-clear focus, Derek sees...*Everything*. He sees all the traps that she's rigged up, the generator - the landmine - the shotgun...He's never even thought of things like *that*, himself. But these - Are these recent? What did she see, that messed her up so much?
[23:56] <iri|Derek> Except - He's never seen a horrific murder before. If whatever killed Shortstop is every bit as disturbing as it sounds (It *ate* her *brain*, a tiny voice inside Derek gibbers, battering against the walls) he'd be freaked out too, wouldn't he?
[23:56] <iri|Derek> All he can think is - He's glad he didn't try to break in.
[23:57] <iri|Derek> He follows, not without one last careful look at the array of traps in his wake. If this is as bad as he's expected, he might need to rig up something like that, too - He's hoping it won't come to it. ||
Session Time: Sun Feb 12 00:00:00 2017
09[00:03] <~tubes|GM> It's pretty bare-bones inside, though you can see the signs of what might have once been a fairly nice living room. Cute or girly, even. There's still some decorations on the wall, and it looks like someone put some effort into painting some floral designs there as well. The furniture might be cute, but you're not really sure, because most of it has been pushed to the side in order to present (you presume) a clear line of fire from the next room. All that's left is two chairs and a small TV. Skeaddle points to a chair.
09[00:03] <~tubes|GM> "Stay here." She says. ||
[00:03] <iri|Derek> ...
[00:04] <iri|Derek> So this is her headquarters. Or is that her house? Well, the line blurs. "I'm in no hurry," Derek says. He eases himself into the chair, carefully - His armor isn't that heavy (In plate, he'll probably crush it though) but it *is* cumbersome. And he's wondering if his armor can stop a shotgun blast is Skeaddle has a sudden change of heart.
[00:05] <iri|Derek> But he doesn't think so - He thinks, from what he can intuit, that's she's rightfully nervous. Paranoid, off her game...But who can blame her?
[00:05] <iri|Derek> "-I appreciate it." ||
03[00:08] * ColdGold is now known as CG|Ptah
09[00:10] <~tubes|GM> She steps into the back and comes back out a minute later. She
09[00:10] <~tubes|GM> drops something in front of you...it's just a soda.  She's moved the goggles into a groove on the forehead of her helmet. It's probably just for comfort, but it means you can get a slightly better read on her expression.
09[00:10] <~tubes|GM> "Adel would have told The Duke and the police." She says, without preamble. "They would have tracked it down, and died." ||
[00:11] <iri|Derek> (Sorry - I need to handle something on my side. I'll be AFK for about 20 - 30 minutes: Let me know if you'll be available after.
03[00:11] * iri|Derek is now known as iriAFK
03[00:50] * iriAFK is now known as iri|Derek
[00:51] <iri|Derek> ...
03[00:51] * JustLurking (uid195947@brockwell.irccloud.com) Quit (Quit: Connection closed for inactivity)
[00:52] <iri|Derek> "...I thank you," Derek says, formally. His gauntleted hand closes around the proffered soda can. Out of instinct, he raises it to his mouth...Oh, right. The helmet. It takes him a moment, but he slides the mouthpiece up, the reassuring *hiss* of carbonated soda filling the room.
[00:53] <iri|Derek> He takes a sip, but really, he's listening.
[00:53] <iri|Derek> "-It's down to us, then," he murmurs, almost to himself - His brow furrowing. "...Can you tell me what we're up against? What could've killed Shortstop like that?"
[00:53] <iri|Derek> The Duke and his knights not being able to handle it - That's not reassuring, at all. But on some level, it doesn't come as a surprise. After all - That's what parahumans are for, right? |
[00:54] <iri|Derek> ||
09[01:01] <~tubes|GM> She uses a straw to drink the soda, slipping it up underneath the mouthguard of her helmet.
09[01:01] <~tubes|GM> "You know anything about Case 53s? Monstrous parahumans?" She asks.
09[01:01] <~tubes|GM> ||
03[01:01] * Turncoat (uid185268@192.184.10.9) Quit (Quit: Connection closed for inactivity)
[01:08] <iri|Derek> ...
[01:09] <iri|Derek> "Not in person," Derek admits. "Just what I've seen on the PHO forums...Never seen one in the flesh."
[01:09] <iri|Derek> He blinks, putting two and two together - "Wait...You're saying a monster like that is *here*, in this town?" ||
03[01:11] * CG|Ptah is now known as ColdGold
03[01:25] * CaptNameless (CaptNameles@net-8e819m.buckeyecom.net) Quit (Quit: http://www.kiwiirc.com/ - A hand crafted IRC client)
09[01:26] <~tubes|GM> She's silent for a few moments, staring at the ground. There's a slurping sound as she drinks some soda through the straw.
09[01:26] <~tubes|GM> "...I saw it." ||
[01:29] <iri|Derek> ...
[01:30] <iri|Derek> Derek dry-swallows. There's a catch in his throat. He puts both hands together around the soda can, and dry-swallows again.
[01:30] <iri|Derek> "...What was it?" he says - His voice is barely above a whisper now. ||
[01:37] <iri|Derek> $roll 1d6-1 Wits
[01:37] <[ATM]> iri|Derek "Wits" [6] -1 = 5
09[01:46] <~tubes|GM> "I didn't get a good look at it."
09[01:46] <~tubes|GM> She's not looking at you, eyes cast down...Her voice is even, but you catch a small glimmer, and realize she's tearing up, crying.
09[01:46] <~tubes|GM> "I was going to meet with Ka-Shorstop, and...I saw it running away. It looked like a person. It wasn't. All the proportions were off, uneven...club feet, club hands, with spindly arms. And it was...pregnant. I tried to chase it down, but when I got too close...my power stopped working right, and it vanished. ||
[01:47] <iri|Derek> ...
[01:48] <iri|Derek> At times like this, Derek is really, really glad he wears a helmet. Really, he is. Because if not, he'd have probably thrown up in his mouth. Just a little.
[01:48] <iri|Derek> *Pregnant* - Dear God. What the *fu-*
[01:49] <iri|Derek> And then his train of thought is interrupted, when Skeaddle begins to cry. He blinks, momentarily startled - Care to set his can down.
03[01:49] * Camtist (uid157531@highgate.irccloud.com) Quit (Quit: Connection closed for inactivity)
[01:50] <iri|Derek> "...I'm so sorry," he says, quietly. He reaches up, unfastens his helmet. It's probably a lot more human than the stylized mask he wears. It's an awkward moment - He just doesn't know what to say, and this sounds painfully, achingly inadequate.
[01:51] <iri|Derek> "I - Hell, it's a bit sudden to be saying this. But I *promise you* - I swear - I'm going to find that thing, and stop it." ||
[01:52] <iri|Derek> (Using the auto-6.)
09[01:57] <~tubes|GM> You sound as noble as you ever have, even if you don't look it (Damn that week chin!), but all she is is silent, clutching the can. "...Yeah, she made a lot of promises, too. You can go. That's all I know. " She doesn't meet your eyes. ||
[01:58] <iri|Derek> ...
[01:58] <iri|Derek> Carefully, Derek eases himself to his feet. What he asks next is breaking kayfabe - He's not asking this as the Black Knight, just as himself. Never mind whatever he knows about interacting with people - It's probably the most honest thing he's said since he's arrived.
[01:58] <iri|Derek> "...Will you be all right?" he asks.
[01:59] <iri|Derek> "If there's anything I can do-" ||
09[02:03] <~tubes|GM> "-Fine." She cuts you off. "I'm fine. Just...Go back to the Duke, or whatever. I'll find you if I need you." She finishes. Not really much room for discussion, there. ||
[02:03] <iri|Derek> ...
[02:04] <iri|Derek> Derek nods. He's terrible at this - But he feels, instinctively, that he's done the best he can. "You know where to find me," he says, somewhat belatedly - As carefully, he fastens his helmet in place, locking it in position.
[02:04] <iri|Derek> Yes, there's a lot for him to do. At last, a clue - He has to report back to his liege-to-be.
[02:04] <iri|Derek> And then they have to prepare to hunt a monster. ||
09[02:10] <~tubes|GM> ||||