Realistic or Modern Culmination Then Ruin

[Ozmic]

[Redacted] - Alias: Subject Two

A Home in the Middle of Nowhere
​

Two stopped and raised a brow at Robin as he quipped about the beer, then questioned the mental link. "Eh... it's hard to explain. You just kinda' have to PUSH your thoughts forward. Like you're talking to someone in your own head, just with more concentration," he explained hurriedly. "It takes some getting used to, so don't test the waters with anything embarrassing."


Laughing a bit at this, he moved toward the door again, Robin asking him when they were leaving. "Looks like as soon as possible, man. I just don't know how we're both gonna' get there witho--GAH!" he reacted, words cut off by a flurry of mental images from Kat, causing him stagger on his feet and take a lean on the nearby wall. There was a picture of her and her sister as children, then cutting to someone he suddenly know as Zak. There was that huge cat again, then she was saving someone from an Unclassified. Then, in just another moment, came so much pain and desperation that the augmented male let out a pained groan.


Everything stopped. Everything was quiet, or almost. One last message came across the link before it went dark. Numbers. Cell numbers. Raking unexpected wetness from his eyes with the back of a hand, Two growled and pushed back from the wall. "We're leaving now. We should call Zak and tell him we're heading for Kat. Or I am," he stated, voice like ice. "I don't know what happened, but whatever it was sure didn't seem good."

 

[Sol]

"Push my thoughts? I d--Whoa! You alright there, Two?"


Two just cried out like he was in pain for no good reason at all. The big man was staggered and promptly propped himself against a wall. Being able to listen in on the mental conversations should be enough for now. Robin would just have to build off on what Two had said, though "pushing" one's thoughts was easier said than done to be honest. "Gah" didn't seem like a proper follow up answer either, so all this mental talking business was an issue for another time.


Before Robin could even think of tapping into Two's systems to see what the hub-bub was all about. Two immediately stood upright and demanded that they leave now. It didn't look like the problem was the system after all. The problem could have been those images that invaded his consciousness while Two was having his fit of pain. Apparently, it even struck Two on a psychological level if it could elicit a tear or two from someone who looks like the very definition of badass. His neural limiters must have dampened the trauma that Katriane no doubt sent across to everyone.


"You go on ahead Two. I'll catch up sooner or later. It'll take some time for me to go through this forest and I'd rather not slow you down."

 

[Killigrew]

Katherine


It would be inaccurate to describe the sisters as close. Not presently. Katherine wanted to be close; she wanted to love her sister, to know her, to be known by her. That intimacy brought on by absolute trust as family ought to be was all Kath desired from her sister. But this was no goal so easily accomplished. Familiarity breeds self-deceit. The experiences they’d shared from the day of their birth to the place the now stood got in the way of that. The observations Katherine had made of Katriane had blinded the hero to the truth of her sister. They were not lies consciously believed, but it was a subtle deceit years in the making, a gradual, assumed interpretation that was rather off the mark. But because Katherine believed it so truly, so devoutly, and because she loved Katriane so much, so completely, any contradictions to this false image were swiftly, immediately, out of subconscious fear, denied access into Katherine’s perceptions.


For this reason, Katherine’s observing of Katriane drew inaccurate conclusions. The pressing look in Kat’s eyes was seen as askance to speak in private. The wrenching sorrow in her twin’s voice was believed to be an invitation for further discussion. And combined with the subject matter -- two friends she’s made? -- Kath became irreconcilably certain that Katriane needed to speak with her, that the younger twin was in need of her help, whether she wanted it or not. Before Katherine could act on this, she was caught back by Gaspard’s hand on her shoulder, the slight pressure drawing her head around. She nodded in exchange to the expression on his face, yet a determination had overcome her overall demeanor. Whatever was going on with her sister -- the psychic link in Madam’s office, the strangers on the other end, this attitude that was striking in its melancholy -- needed Katherine to barrel a hole through it.


“Kat, Kat, don’t talk like that.” Katherine said hurriedly. She took her sister’s arm almost forcibly and set into a quick pace as the elevator door slid open, the Academy’s marble halls pristine and white as they exitted. She did not spare a backwards glance for Gaspard, and gave him no parting word but the sight of her back as she hauled her sister into the Academy’s outside. The pathway was long, and it was time aplenty for Kath to iterate her sister’s need for a cup of coffee, for the calming, intellectual feel of the corner cafe down the block. Katherine watched her sister’s face carefully as they walked, seeking telling signs of a sustained telepathic field that could lead to her collapse.


Katriane was out of practice, Kath was certain. Her seclusion must have lead to a diluted capability, and unused skills turned dull, weak. The current behavior Kat had been prone to exhibit had shaken Kath’s trust in her; that which Kat was able to handle before was now put into a shadow of doubt. This loss of confidence had in Katherine’s heart diverted into a need to protect. Katherine wanted to shoulder whatever was troubling her sister, to take on the cares and worries and send them all spinning down into the pit of death.


While she maintained a brave front -- smiling at the starstruck passerby, offering brief words of encouragement to the interrupting students -- Kath’s distracted focus was on her sister, and she would do all she could to get to the bottom of this strangeness. It was this determination that barred notice of Kat's true condition until it was too late. The strain made its mark.


Katherine was alerted when Kat started to fall. As her sister’s arm turned limp and the weight went dead, sending Kath stumbling back a few steps, the realization hit her. The sudden lurch had Katriane falling through the hook of Kath’s arm, a sound impact against the concrete to follow. Katherine hadn't been quick enough to catch her, the scrambling grasp of Kat's two arms pulled on in imperfect timing, and Katriane's head snapped down and snapped up in impact with the solid concrete.


Katherine's face went taut and her mouth stretched wide as she raised her sister up by the shoulder and head. For a long moment she stayed there, cradling that blonde head until the she was certain the injuries had not pierced the skin, that the blood still ran warm through her.


This fainting spell, a syncope, the ebbing of blood to the brain, further signalled the vulnerable state of Katriane, and Katherine's shielding instinct.


With a quick and sudden raise, Katherine was on her feet, and sending away the clustering passerby. "Move on! Give us room!" Was called out before Katherine turned back, and gathered her twin sister in her arms again, and pulled her up swiftly. She was half-tempted to turn her upside down, too, but for now she carried her counterpart to the nearest bench, laying her in a seated position there and watching for signs of consciousness.

 

[Erica]

Zak Muir

By the University, coming from the North side of the City
​

Zak kept his head down and the throttle wide open as he wove through traffic toward the location he had seen in Kat's last message. Not far from the University and with her sister with her, she should be cared for. Zak didn't focus on that, though. He couldn't focus on that. At the moment, he was cosumed by the thought of Kat in trouble. She had implied someone was tracking her and been mentally linked with two Unclassifieds.


He didn't have enough information to trust that she would be all right in the hands of the authorities. He swore as he dodged a delivery truck that pulled out in front of him and turned the corner. "What the hell have you gotten yourself into?" he asked into the space of his helmet.


Despite her providing his cell number to the others, there was no call. He had no way to contact them, so he had to hope they weren't stupid enough to come running to the center of the University.


The ride had taken just over two minutes. Zak pulled up to the curb and spotted Kath moving through a small crowd carrying her sister. The kickstand was down before he even came to a stop. Leaving his helmet on top of the bike, he headed directly for the twins. They were so different in so many ways, but at the moment if it weren't for their distinct uniforms, the look of concern on Kath's face might have made him think she was her sister.


He came up quickly, looking at the unconscious Kat before nodding to Katherine and Gaspard in a hasty greeting. He wanted to ask if she was all right, but that was a damn stupid question. "Any injury when she passed out?" Kat looked a little scraped up, but it was difficult to tell.


He looked at Katherine, clearly concerned and knowing that the twin would want answers about why Zak was here. It was pretty obvious, but in his limited experience it didn't hurt to offer at least part of the truth. It made others - especially those like Kath who needed their order - feel in control. So he spoke to both Katherine and her sidekick. "I was ... on the line when she reached out earlier." He trusted that Kat would know he was referring to her mental communication. "She said you have a mission." He paused briefly to look at Kat, then looked back to hold Katherine's gaze. "I know how Madam can get. Kat probably just pushed herself too hard and needs some rest. She said she was worried for you, wanted my help." Okay, so that was stretching the truth, but he had felt Kat's worry for his sister, and she had asked for his help. Just not like this.


"My place isn't far. Help me get her there, then let me watch over her. You can focus on the mission, and you know how to reach me when you're done." That created a whole host of other issues, but at least it would solve the immediate problem of the possible incoming Unclassifieds.

 

[Ozmic]

[Redacted] - Alias: Subject Two

A Home in the Middle of Nowhere
​

Two had began to pace, trying to think his way through the panic that gripped him. When Robin spoke, the augmented male didn't answer at first, finally snapping away from his thoughts. "Nah, you're going to have to come with me. In case Kat needs your assistance still," he said, referencing the earlier conversation. "If I have to heft you over a shoulder and run you there, so be it."


The larger male chuckled a little at this, but it was humorless and quick to fade as he began going through things in his head. If they went to Kat's location now, and as quick as he planned, they'd surely be picked up somewhere along the way. A superhuman run through the forest and then city didn't exactly scream 'stealthy approach'. "Sonovabitch," he snapped, going back to pacing around again as his mind whirred.


"The cell phone, that's it," he said suddenly, stopping in his tracks. "I'm going to call this Zak guy - maybe he's got a better plan that doesn't involve one or both of us running into a firefight or our death." Reaching down, he searched around for his own phone and... came up empty. "Shit!"


He began walking around the living room area frantically, searching for the piece of technology that he'd managed to part ways with at some point during all of this. Looking this way and that, he finally wandered into the kitchen and found it on the counter, facing him as if almost taunting him. Grabbing it up, he tapped the numbers Kat had projected to them into the device and pressed his thumb down on SEND. "Here's hoping this Zak guy doesn't have his phone off..."

 

[Sol]

"Yeah sure, use me as a practice dummy for when you go around carrying Katriane why don't yand he's not even listening anymore. I applaud your ability to filter bullshit, well played."


It seemed as Two was in a world of his own.


First of all Robin assumed he'd actually get to know what it feels like to be racing against the wind or at least rib fractures because some small part of him objectively thought about the situation. Sure he'd get to race against the wind without having the exert effort or use his legs but the downside probably involves him bouncing on the synthetic shoulder. It was clear enough that the synthetic material used in place of skin was too thin to actually cushion any of the impact. By Robin's estimate he'd have broken around 3 or so ribs depending on how fast Two would run and how Two would even carry him.


Still all that was thrown out the window for some reason. Sonuvabitch seemed to be a key indicator that the joyride just got canned in favor of a cellphone. So what? They were going to hunker down in the cabin and chill with the bear until Katriane came back? It didn't seem like something Two would do. Funny enough, he's going to such lengths just for someone he met for less than a day. Just how much had the future changed or did the human race simply grow a better genetic stock of people?


It was disappointing that Two didn't want to run straight into gunfire. Robin was totally convinced they'd survive...probably. I mean what's more badass than riding a cyborg into a firefight? Riding a cyborg into a firefight while bringing the joy and good news of a bountiful harvest from the lead farm. Still, it was highly probable that bullets are no longer made from lead at this point. Then again, it was entirely possible that bullets aren't even standard here anymore. Which meant that he'd have to open up Two's eyes so they could shoot lasers.


"So we're just gonna sit here until that Zack guy picks up his phone? Yeah, I get the feeling you don't really want to do that but who am I if not a time traveler?"

 

[Erica]

Zak Muir

By the University
​

Katherine wasn’t pleased. She was understandably worried about her sister, and Zak’s arrival only made her more suspicious. He could see her wanting to ask why Kat had been talking to him at all, but they both knew better than to have that conversation in the open so close to the University. It took some convincing, but he finally managed to get her to agree that Kat needed rest and that it was better not to piss Madam off.


The logistics were tricky. He certainly couldn’t take Kat on his motorcycle; not in this state. They eventually settled on Katherine and Gaspard taking Kat to Zak’s place in Katherine’s car. Zak proposed that he and Gaspard carry Kat to the car, but Gaspard became incredibly defensive. It made little sense to Zak; he was a friend and a member of the Hero League besides, but Gaspard seemed to have a chip on his shoulder about it and Zak was trying not to make waves after getting Katherine's agreement to his plan. They compromised: Gaspard would carry Kat with Zak available to help - but only if they pulled the car closer. As they were debating the particulars, Zak felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. It might be Two and Robin; in fact, he was fairly certain it was, but he couldn’t exactly have that conversation right now. He let it go to voicemail. He’d have to call them back once Katherine and Gaspard had left.


While Gaspard pulled the car around, Katherine eyed Zak down as if he were a suspected criminal. Zak tried to ignore it and focus on Kat. In the back of his mind, Zak wondered why Katherine didn’t press for taking Kat to the University infirmary, but he didn’t press the issue. She must have had her reasons. Maybe whatever Kat was concerned about also involved her twin sister. Eventually, Gaspard carried the unconscious Kat carefully to the car with Katherine hovering nearby and a little help from the sidekick's telekenetic abilities to manage the awkward process of getting her into the back seat. Eventually the crowd started to disperse as Katherine and Gapsard drove off, leaving Zak to follow.


He would be faster on his bike so he should beat them there, even with the call he had to make. After slipping on his helmet, he synched with his phone and pulled up the list of recent calls. Sure enough, he didn’t recognize the last number, but caller ID didn’t display on his helmet interface. He assumed it was one of the two people Kat had linked to earlier and used voice controls to initiate a callback as he pulled into traffic and headed north.


[Lots of bunnying to move us forward. please speak up if you want any adjustments, @Prizzy Kriyze ]

 

[Prizzy Kriyze]

Gaspard John Iscariot


3773 Radio Park Drive

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

​

Gaspard pursed his lips as he got in the car. He was pretty tall, and had to lean his knees on the glove compartment. He didn't exactly like being in cars. He much prefered benches in open areas. That reminded him of his bench. His pursed lips feel into a deep frown as he realized he was not only leaving comfortable leg space behind, he was also leaving the one object he liked more than people there. Well, most people.


3773 Radio Park Drive. Gaspard stretched and jawned as he left the car. Was better to be out of that box than in it. He opened up the back door, and carefully picked Kat up. Normally, he'd sling her over his shoulder or something, but something told him that Kath would have something to say against that. He stood on the sidewalk with Kat in his arms, waiting for Kath to come out, when something peculiar happened. Kath ordered him, even though she probably didn't exactly have the authority to do so, to stay and keep an eye on Kat. Not that he could disobey anyway, because shortly afterwards he was left in the street with no car.


He blinked a couple times. He didn't exactly expect her to abandon her sister like this. Either she had something really important to do he didn't know about, or she had more trust in him than he'd anticipated. Either way, he didn't really know what to do. He looked down the street, then at Kat, then up the street, then back at Kat, and then resigningly across the street. "... Well, shit."


@someonegoaheadandrailroadmenow

 

[Syrenrei]

Katriane Claire Alexandrie-


Unconscious @ 3773 Radio Park Drive and in the arms of a very unhappy Gaspard

Note

The below is a dream sequence and nothing more. Please feel free to continue in the world of the waking!

A couple years ago Katriane had met another telepath named Nancy- or at least that was her alias. It was a curious thing when telepaths met for they were able to have completely private conversations frequently over long distances with no oversight. That was not to say that they were an altogether common power, but it took only one chance meeting for their minds for them to be able to forever stay in contact. Sometimes affiliations and boundaries were crossed- hero, unclassified, villain. The companionship of identical powers oft trumped allegiances to causes when solitude or disappointment came knocking on the senses.


It's like the Bible, Katriane had whispered over the telepathic link to Nancy. Confusion was returned over the connection before Nancy sent her back a response. Pardon? Nancy was an older, patient European lady who had three grown children and five grandchildren. Katriane enjoyed her company because she was polite and thoughtful, but also blunt- and Nancy enjoyed that Katriane took such an interest in her life and person so frequently. Elders had quiet lives and sometimes were lost in the frenzy of the independence of younger adults.


Maybe I meant the Christian mythos, Katriane admitted as she ate a sandwich on her porch. She licked some sauce off of her fingers as she balanced the messy sandwich in her left hand. The sky was as overcast as her heart this day, but a few errant beams of sunlight managed to peek through ominous grey clouds. We're like angels and demons, aren't we? If the angels fall from grace they are killed by their righteous god for disobedience, or at least driven away. But the demons... they can never redeem themselves, can they? Everyone always sees them as the bad guys, the ones you can't trust, the ones that can never rise above their station. A villain can never become a hero, can they?


Nancy projected the equivalent of a shrug of the shoulders. Changing the ways of the world was the responsibility and burden of youth she had said frequently. I never really thought of it that way, dear. What do you think? You are a hero, aren't you? Do you believe that the league does more good than it does wrong by sorting those with powers into the two leagues? Have you met a villain you believe ought to be a hero instead?


Katriane sighed and gave the rest of her soggy bread and meet to Mittens. She dusted her hands and rose to her feet, surveying the vast expanse of trees and scenery before her. Most of the denizens of the woods had retreated towards shelter with the impending storm and more than a few had 'sneaked' into her cabin. With a hesitant smile she turned her gaze upwards and replied, No, but I think there's probably a demon out there that can become an angel. I'm a pessimist, but even I'm not so depressing to think everyone is that stagnant. There are great people out there, Nance, but they aren't just heroes. I'm sure. With my luck, they're probably all gay men and lesbians, though. Nancy quietly chuckled as Katriane headed back into the house.


Nancy passed away less than six months later.

 

[Ozmic]

Subject Two

A Home in the Middle of Nowhere
​

When the phone went to voicemail, Two cursed abruptly and pulled his hand back, ready to slam the phone down in frustration. Reason got the better of him (and the realization that he would have broken the phone AND the counter he'd slammed it onto), and he instead put it to his face again. "Call back," he commanded and hung up with a simple press to the touchscreen.


Turning back to Robin, he shook his head. "Still listening, and not bullshit. Sorry... just got caught up in the moment there. If you've not noticed, I might be a little panicked," he said, but there was a smile in his voice despite all the madness happening. "I was hoping to find a way not to murder you and still get where we're going at a good pace."


A beat passed in silence and then Robin spoke again, prompting another reply from him. "For the time being? Yeah. As much as I'd love to run in there and start clubbing people to make sure Kat's okay, I know it's stupid and would probably get all of us killed off. Plus... I don't know if I trust myself just yet to be punching people without potentially makin' them rely on a feeding tube for the remainder of their days."


Before he could continue with his rambling, though, Two's phone began to buzz. The number he'd dialed earlier. Zak. "Hold on, Robin," he said with urgency, holding the phone up and pressing the screen to answer, his tone holding a hint of panic. "Is this Zak? What the hell's going on?"


The person on the other end paused for a second that felt like minutes, then finally spoke in a calm and controlled tone. "Yes," came the reply, "And she's okay. Unconscious, but okay." A car horn and rev of an engine broke through the connection, but Two ignored it, silent in case the other continued. "She pushed herself too hard and needs to rest. We're going to have to change the meet to my place."


A sigh left the augmented man's lungs and he relaxed, voice going much more calm. "Alright. Okay, good. Good," he said plainly, relief obvious in his voice. "Well, that's a much better situation than the paranoid ramblings I'd been creating in my head since the eh 'connection' was cut. And that'll work, if you don't mind a couple of guests. What's the address? I can start heading there as soon as possible."


The reply on the other end was immediate and Two furrowed a brow. "Might want to give it 30," spoke the other. "She was with her sister and a sidekick. I've talked her sister down, I think... just take your time. It's 3773 Radio Park Drive, Unit B. Call when you get here and I'll let you know if it's clear."


Two quietly grunted in frustration, but didn't give his two cents on the matter just yet. "Alright, probably a good idea," he started with a sigh. "Cripes, I didn't even know she had a sister or a sidekick."


Going quiet for a minute, he continued. "Okay, I'll call you back once I find out if I can make it to my car without making a damned scene. I'm a ways out from my apartment, still in the fuckin' woods." Sighing and giving a humorless laugh, he trailed off with, "Damn it, why'd I decide a run was a good idea this morning instead of a drive..."


The other end of the line went silent at this. Finally came a short reply. "Is there anything I need to know?" the voice questioned.


"Look, man, I'm not sure how much Kat told you and I'm not sure how much to talk about over the phone. Let's just say that I'm not exactly normal anymore and just realized the real extent of it today," he explained, trying not to let much bitterness creep into his voice. "It's not a control issue if that's what you're wondering. I just don't want someone seeing me and getting any number of people on our ass. I'd like to avoid putting any of you guys into danger 'cause of... well, me."


There was a grunt on the other end of the line and the voice that followed was just a tick more hesitant. "Got it. Then definitely call first," he explained with a dry chuckle. "Kath can be... well, you heard."


Two mirrored the dry laughter and nodded despite himself. "Yeah, I heard alright. And it's not just her or her affiliates I'm worried about. Whoever the hell did this to me isn't exactly keen on me being up and walkin' around," he said with a sarcastic tone. "Anyway, I'll explain more when we finally meet. See ya' when I see ya'."


Hanging up, Two rubbed his brow and looked to Robin. "Well! New set of issues. We've got to get to another location without me drawing too much attention and giving it away," he said dejectedly. "If you want to trust me to carry to to the edge of the woods, we can jog to my apartment and get my car to head over. That way we'll hopefully avoid some unwanted eyes on us or any concerned citizens deciding they need to call someone and report an Unclassified or two..."





@Erica

 

[Sol]

Before Robin could continue their line of debate, Two's phone rang which prompted the cyberman to pick it up and bring the handset over to his ear. You'd think that a hundred years into the future someone would have thought to make a hands-free way of communicating with people. It wasn't like bluetooth earpieces weren't norms back in 2014, which was nigh a hundred years ago or even more. It wasn't mind boggling to think that smartphones would have been replaced by a more discreet gadget, like an earpiece that projects a holographic display. Now that would have been completely hands-free.


Two had already calmed down but then quickly resumed a panicked stance after getting a call from Zack. Just what were they talking about that would make this walking hunk of man metal worry so much. Bullets would probably bounce off him unless the arms race normalized Armor Piercing rounds but even then the stuff that makes Two cybernetics must be some reinforced allow that renders AP rounds useless anyway. They could get killed or only Robin would get killed? He didn't need any special skill to pick up what Two was implying.


In any case, Robin could only pick up bits and pieces of the conversation but it all boiled down to one thing. Katriane was in trouble somewhere and that just seemed to agitate Two. She was just someone he met and now he's like this. It wasn't a stretch to say that the cyberbro had a human heart in there somewhere which mean that whoever made him cybernetic were a bunch of amateurs because everyone knows the heart is the delicious part of the body filled with tasty tasty courage or so Professor Hubert Farnsworth one said. Honestly, people in this time have no idea just what they were doing wrong. Then again, flying space cars were supposed to be commonplace around the time he died or so the 1960's people thought.


"Yeah, how about you just drop me somewhere I can get a reliable enough signal and I'll just tell my people to go deposit us a car nearby? There's considerably less risk of being detected. In any case, I'm sure I can still pull some strings. Going to your apartment sounds like a nice idea and all but I'm not Katriane."

 

[PicaPirate]

Spoiler

"Mr. Judd and Ms. Davi, you will be a pair. You will be playing hero during the challenge,"


Senna jumped slightly when she heard her name and looked up at the fairly intimidating man with a clip board. The name he had called to go alongside her was unfamiliar which could be a good or bad thing. The anxious teen waited patiently as the course was set up and the 'victim'. It wasn't the first simulation. It was something that happened every year at different points. Almost like a test to see how the students were progressing. She looked over the course noting the different parts she had done numerous times before one or two of them new to her but overall it wouldn't be too difficult. It was the Villain students who were the wild cards and the deciding factor most times on who won and who failed.


Slowly Sennas anxiety settled as she shifted her mind to focus more on the coarse taking note of the structures and materials she had to work with. Hardest part was going to be the climb up she resolved, running and balance wasn't much of an issue at all but the wall was always a problem. Hopefully whoever I am paired with can scale it much easier than I can.


Jojo on the other hand was very calm, looking the course over. While he hasn't done such an obstacle course, running and hiking were not new to him from when he lived in forest. Apparently his mentor taught it as good endurance training. As such climbing and the sort were just part of his training. Joseph thanked his rather harsh teacher for putting him through strict endurance and combat training.


"Next"


Senna snapped out of her thoughts realizing she was up next and she stepped out of the crowd making her way towards the starting line for the heroes. She glanced over her shoulder noting the pair of villains they were up again only recognizing one of them. Oh... joy... she thought to herself. A Bodyshifter and overall troublemaker.


Judd walked beside to the girl who he was paired with. She was noticeably a bit older than him, so hoped she knew anything about them so hoped she was more informed on their opponents.


"So what kind of people are we dealing with here? With more information we can devise a good way to beat them."


Judd realised he was getting ahead of himself and backtracked.


"I'm Joseph, usually called Jojo. Freshman. I can for myself slow time, so I appear to move faster, but only in small bursts. Pleasure to become of acquaintance."


Sen stared at her temporary teammate for a second analysing him a moment. He definitely looked more fit than some of the others so she was more hopeful about getting through the coarse. She forced a small smile and nodded “I’m Senna, a junior here.” She introduced her tone still soft and a bit shaky. “I can control vibrations…” she added. She looked across the course “I don’t know the younger one but the older one is a body shifter, he’s also a junior. Not exactly the most restrained in these exercises. He can change one of his arms into anything basically.”


Joseph thought as he heard one of their abilities, though not exactly in large detail seeing as that would require some high-class interrogation to establish from the men themselves. The other could only be guessed. He decided to take a risk using what he knew.


“Well the one with the morphing arm will definitely be combat capable, so I’ll let you use your vibrations to throw him off the course. That way it doesn't matter what he can morph, seeing as he will never reach us through being thrown off course, no pun intended, from the vibrations. The other I will engage in combat and just see what happens in terms of their ability. Seeing as I can slow time for myself, my reaction time to them is enhanced.”


He paused to take a breath and think for a bit. Then he inquired.


“Is it possible for you to throw these vibrations at the aforementioned target while going for the victim?”


Sen nodded slightly happy that her partner could at least plan properly, much better than her last partner who just wanted to show off. “Sounds good. He’ll probably be expecting me to throw him off if he remembers what my powers are. If he does I’ll figure something out…” she muttered softly. “I can use my powers on the run, just takes a little more concentration.” She explained glancing up at the clock to see half of their planning time had already passed. “I will warn that I'm not very good at climbing… everything else I more or less have some experience in so its easy.”


“In that case that is that established. Which means both villains are taken care of as we go for the victim. I’ll probably end up ahead of you using my speed and experience in scaling.”


He was glad he meditated a good amount recently to give him plenty of dilation time to work with. Even so he would have to gauge his use to avoid effectively melting his brain. It appeared as though the woman trusted him, which was of a great benefit and also rather complementary in a sense. It looked as though a plan had been established and agreed upon, so the coming of their end of planning time needn't had been dwelled upon.


Senna nodded "Sounds good to me." She smiled slightly before turning her attention to the challenge before them she could see the other two students already ready to go. She closed her eyes a moment taking a few deep breaths to calm her nerves. She needed to be calm and controlled. The last thing she wanted to do was start the year with a failure in the first challenge. The second ticked down to 0 and a buzzer went off starting the round. Senna started crossing the beam before her with ease absorbing the vibrations that would otherwise shake the bar as she crossed making the task easier.


Jojo didn't hesitate to start. He almost moved forward in a blur to outside observers. He counted in his head as he went at a reasonable pace to travel forward without being utterly reckless. His martial training which gave him a good sense of balance and gave him a low centre of balance while walking was of great benefit here.


After 5 seconds, he moved back to a normal speed. His head was giving him a minor dull headache, but that was ignored. His body also was a bit pressured at the time. This was because as to the outside world he travelled at a faster speed, which meant the air around was beginning to compress like they do when aircraft travel at a higher speed. As such it requires greater effort to do the same movement as time is slowed.


Okay, 105 seconds left.


He gave himself 10 seconds to mentally recover the burden of manipulating time.


He noticed from his peripheral vision that Senna seemed to have no issue either, which was accounted for. However any comment about a successful plan was flat on the floor until the were done.


Senna reached the second platform before glancing over to the plank that ran parallel to hers seeing Jojo dash across the plank extremely quick and already move to the next obstacle. He wasn't kidding about appearing extremely fast. It was a very interesting use of the power. If he was able to use it further in the course the challenge should be a win. Still there was no discounting the villain students. She glanced across the obstacle still to cross and saw the other two ploughing through their side of the course as well. “Okay… let’s see if they can stay on now.” She muttered focusing her attention on the platform beneath her feeling a familiar tingling sensation of the vibrations which already existed; feeling out the frequency through the connected materials then giving it a jolt to amplify the vibration.


For a first attempt, it wasn’t so shabby. The villains went unbalanced, waving their arms about in a rather comic manner to establish balance.


Jojo took this opportunity to speed forward. Rushing through the first part and already on the second section of the course, Jojo went across in an agile manner. From all the forest climbing, this was easy mode for him.


Senna could not only unbalance though. She stopped vibrating and concentrated on moving forward, clearing the first part of the course. The climb of the second challenge was slightly more difficult. Senna had never been the strongest but training over the years had helped her out quite a bit. The villains on the other hand were slower, still only half way.


Jojo spoke to his comrade as he was close to finishing the second of the three hurdles of the challenge.


"How are you holding up? We keep going like this and the objective will be within reach."


Senn looked over to the other student as she caught up. “I’m good.” She replied softly looking over to see how their opponents were doing. “If we hurry we might be able to reach the victim without having to engage them.”


Jojo was not so optimistic. Apparently that was sound judgement, as while busy navigating the third and last section of the course (involving balancing on trunks), he noticed one of the villains flying in their air towards him. It was rather comic in a flying kick fashion. He assumed they used that arm of his to launch himself over like a catapult.


Their optimism of a kick was all he needed.


Time slowed again at the point before he was kicked. The man travelled slowly feet first towards his face. Joseph ducked under and pulled them to his behind but slightly to the side, where the floor was past a trunk. When time resumed, the kid went to suffer the grand powers of gravity, looking rather confused as to how he got there.


Okay, 95 seconds left. Which I won’t need.


Senna noticed the upperclassmen launch himself into the air directed at them and cursed under her breath half expecting there to be some kind of fight. Just as he was about to land though JoJo vanished from his spot once more moving out of harms way in the blink of an eye and the villain was sent crashing into the ground with a solid THUD. The whole thing happened with in a second, a very confusing second but it could be pondered later. There was still the matter of the underclassmen.


Anchoring her self in a stable location Senna touched the course once more sending more violent direct fibrations to the log beneath the other students feet. The log rattled and shook making it very difficult to balance on.


JoJo looked past their goal to the other villain, who was far too busy being too unbalanced to finish the third part, only just finishing the second. Senna looked to be busy keeping him from moving, which was just perfect.


With the last burst of speed required, he was confident no more time dilation was required. With it, he hopped from the trunk athletically to the doll that was the ‘victim’ and grabbed them.


A resounding DING could be heard to signify the end of the course. The one which Senna and Joseph managed to complete. They sure made quite the heck of a team, fending off two villains, their powers very suitable for this scenario. He wasn’t quite sure of the fate of the kid who was sent to meet the ground, but paid more attention in helping Sen travel the last part of the course while holding the doll he rescued.


“Looks like we’re done here.”


Senna sighed heavily as she stood up straight with a slight smile. A great start to the new year all things considered. Having a good partner made a world of a difference when it came to this course and she had been really lucky to get Jojo. She nodded over to the younger student. “Nicely done.” She replied her tone softer now that they were done with the challenge.


@Shura @Auren

 

[Erica]

Zak Muir

Zak’s apartment: 3773 Radio Park Drive, Unit B
​

Zak had talked to Two on short drive here, and was currently mulling over a few of the phrases uttered by the man whose mind he had visited but whose face remained a mystery.


A couple of phrases kept kicking around in his head.


“I just don't want someone seeing me and getting any number of people on our ass. I'd like to avoid putting any of you guys into danger 'cause of... well, me."


“Whoever the hell did this to me isn't exactly keen on me being up and walkin' around."


What the hell had Kat gotten involved in?


It wasn’t unusual for Aberrant to have physical signs of their powers. Some people had prehensile tails, and Alana’s father was an example of those who stood out in visual ways. Yet Two had implied someone had done something to him. That was supposed to be illegal. Of course, so was his helping out Unclassifieds who were using their powers.


Up ahead, Zak spotted Gaspard standing on the sidewalk with Kat in his arms. He muttered into his helmet, “What the $#^%!?” as he pulled up to the curb. The duplex he currently called home sat on the border between a quiet northern neighborhood and an area that remained under construction due to city renewal projects. It wasn’t the best part of town, but it was far from the worst, and generally the neighbors looked out for each other.


Which was precisely why having Gaspard stand on the street with an unconscious girl in his arms was not a bright idea. Luckily it was the middle of the afternoon and most people would be at work. He removed his helmet and stepped onto the curb, looking at Gaspard incredulously. As he led the other man to the front door and worked the key in the lock, he asked in an annoyed tone, “Where the hell is Katherine?” More importantly, why was she gone and Gaspard still here?


@Prizzy Kriyze

 

[Prizzy Kriyze]

Gaspard John Iscariot


3773 Radio Park Drive

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​

John's eyes wandered down the road when he heard the sound of a motorbike, and spotted the fellow from earlier arriving. He still had little to no idea of who this was, but assumed it was one of Kat's friends. As the man pulled up on the curb, Gaspard briefly closed his eyes and considered the situation. Moral justification was Kath's area of work, John just followed orders and did what he thought the academy thought was proper. Since he had no clue what his orders would be in this situation, he had to go off of what he had. Kath had told him to stay, and he was loyal to her. In extension, he was loyal to her sister, and in extension whoever she told him to trust. At least for now. He didn't like the situation at all, as he felt endangered by those his ethics bound him to, but he wasn't about to give up the only thing offering order to his chaotic mind. He was going to do what he could for these people.


He opened his eyes again, and looked at the man. He followed behind him as he went to his apartment.


Where the hell is Katherine?


He frowned, and responded "No clue. She left me here with Katriane." he looked down at Kat, which didn't exactly help with his uneasy mind. "... Don't think she'll be back anytime soon."


@Erica

 

[Erica]

Zak Muir

Zak’s apartment: 3773 Radio Park Drive, Unit B
​

The deadbolt unlocked with a distinct chunk, followed quickly by the more subtle tumblers of the basic lock on the door. Zak looked over his shoulder at Gaspard with no attempt to keep the irritation from his face. Great. He’d have to thank Katherine later for this particular pain in his ass.


As if things weren’t complicated enough, Zak started as he saw a large feline head come from around the corner, just as he was waving Gaspard inside his place. Instinct caused him to tense, but in short order he remembered Kat’s “friend” Mittens. The cougar had been pacing anxiously as Katherine, Gaspard and Zak argued over what to do with its unconscious mistress. It seemed impossible to ignore such a wild beast in the middle of the city, but somehow they had managed it - and Mittens, in turn, had managed to track them the short distance to Zak’s apartment.


The great cat, spotting Kat in Gaspard’s arms, hurried up the steps to Zak’s front door. Absolutely positive now that neighbors were watching this unusual scene unfold, Zak sighed and waved the cat in, too. “Come on in, I guess...” He followed, shaking his head. “Just don’t chew on the furniture, okay?”


The place wasn’t much to look at. The building had once been a cozy home. At some point in the past, it had been renovated into a duplex with two smaller apartments. His particular half of the house featured one bedroom, one bath, a fair sized kitchen, a living room, and a formal dining room that was currently cluttered with rock climbing gear and a guitar on a stand in the corner. Cardboard and Styrofoam containers (at least half of which were pizza boxes) strewn about the living room and kitchen testified to a lack of culinary skills, motivation, or both. Bills and a stack of ads for local restaurants and pizza joints decorated the TV tray and folding chairs that served as a kitchen table. The floors were relatively clean, though, and there were only a couple of shirts tossed over the back of the living room couch and the two corresponding chairs.


Zak pointed in that direction as he closed the door. “You can put her on the couch.” The thought of Kat waking up in his rumpled bed might be tantalizing under ordinary circumstances, but this particular case was about as far from it as one could get.


Mittens stalked into his home and started sniffing everything, causing Zak to wonder momentarily what the feline’s bathroom habits were. He hurried to snatch a soft grey and blue softball cap off the coffee table, setting it on the TV tray before moving to help Gaspard. Not that he would allow it.

 

[Prizzy Kriyze]

Gaspard John Iscariot


3773 Radio Park Drive

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​

The man looked at John with an annoyed look, but he was too cold to care at the moment. He chose to shut his emotions out, as he was incredibly split about the situation, and instead just listen to orders. He was waved into the apartment, but froze just outside it. In the corner of his eye, Gaspard noticed the man tensing up. He threw a look at him, and realized he wasn't getting ready to attack him or anything, but was looking behind him. Gaspard looked over his shoulder, and had the same reaction when he realized there was a MOTHEREFFING COUGAR behind him.


His initial reaction was to crush it, but he held back, as this might be one of those times where an immediate violent act wasn't the best of choices. Instead he backed into the apartment, glaring at the cougar as it approached him, seemingly interested in Kat. As the other man didn't seem to care about the cat, and actually invited it into his home, John relaxed a little. He supposed it couldn't be there as a danger then, but still kept his distance.


Gassie looked around the apartment from where he stood. It didn't look unlike his own home, though he liked to think he was cleaner than this. Those early years of living in a home infested with cockroaches, flies, and god-knows-what really scared him from keeping things dirty.


He'd almost forgotten about Kat when he was painfully reminded of the weight in his arms. He was offered to put her down on the couch, and he couldn't really resist that at this point. As the stranger tried to help him, he neutrally said "Back off. She is higher than you in my current chain of command, and I will therefore not allow anything that might risk her safety, and as I don't know you..."


He ended his sentence there and carefully laid Kat down on the couch, before sitting down on the end of it and yawning loudly. This uncertainty was mentally straining. He looked at the man who'd he'd gotten stuck with, and made a half-frowny sort of face.


"It's seems we're going to be stuck in the same mess for a while. We might as well pass time. Name's Gaspard. Might I ask who you are?"

 

[Erica]

Zak Muir

Zak’s apartment: 3773 Radio Park Drive, Unit B
​

Zak put his hands up in a gesture of annoyed compliance as Gaspard effectively told him to fuck off. He knew the other man had been in his class at the University, although they hadn’t run in the same social circles. Zak had made his own circle of solitude, really, and didn’t regret it. Still, it would have been useful about now to remember more about his fellow Alumni and League member and what his abilities were. Zak knew the man was a sidekick and attached to Katherine, but beyond that, he was rather ignorant.


Apparently, the man remembered even less about Zak.


Letting his hands fall to his sides once Kat was comfortably on the couch, Zak grabbed a fleece throw draped over one of the chairs. He paused as Gaspard stood over Kat’s body as if guarding her from him and introduced himself. Meanwhile, Mittens had prowled behind the couch and began to circle around it and her mistress, still sniffing everything in sight.


Gaspard didn’t remember him, nor did he offer a hand. “Huh,” Zak replied dryly, pausing with the blanket in hand. “And here I thought you remembered me. I’m Zak Muir. We went to the University together. Same class, even, so we joined the League at the same time.” It didn’t mean much: the League was large enough that two members might never work together. Perhaps the information that Zak was part of the League would help Gaspard take that protective stick out of his ass, but it didn't seem likely: the posturing alone was enough to make him tired. Zak shifted the blanket to his left hand and offered his right. Regardless of whether Gaspard shook it, his answer would be the same. “Keep in mind that Katherine knows me and trusted me - which is why she agreed to my watching over Kat at my place, which you’re standing in, by the way. So you can stand down, soldier.” Mittens started edging her way between Gaspard and the couch to sniff and nudge Kat. Zak smiled at the sight. Would Gaspard get all defensive around the cat, too? Or was it just another guy being in the mix that set him on edge? “Besides, I don’t think you have to worry about her safety. Mittens here is rather protective.”

 

[Prizzy Kriyze]

Gaspard John Iscariot


3773 Radio Park Drive

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​

At least the guy gave up when he told him off. He didn't want to have to subdue someone he technically wasn't supposed to subdue. Well, at least not yet. He raised an eyebrow when the guy claimed to have went to the same class as him. "Zak... Muir? I don't remember you." It wasn't strange. Classes were pretty big, and on top of that he wasn't good with faces. Besides, he probably hadn't been involved in the same social circles as this guy. After all, his social circles mostly consisted of a bench. Possibly a croissant from time to time, but mainly the bench. Damn, he missed that bench already.


He was surprised when Zak offered him his hand though, but nontheless he stood up from the end of the couch, and returned the shake.


“Keep in mind that Katherine knows me and trusted me - which is why she agreed to my watching over Kat at my place, which you’re standing in, by the way. So you can stand down, soldier.”


He contemplated his words for a moment, and then responded "I can't say I remember seeing you and Kath together throughout my years of hanging with her though. I'm just going to stick to protocols. You just have to wait until Kat wakes up and approves of your presence, and if you truly are an ally, then that shouldn't be a problem, yes?"


He sat back down on the end of the couch, and leaned forward onto his knees. He noticed the cougar sneaking about out of the corner of his eye, and automatically pushed it away. Telekinetically, of course. It must've looked pretty amusing, really. It was like the cougar simply slid over the floor, in the same position, away from Kat. He would've laughed, but looking like a madman laughing at his own trick wasn't his thing.

 

[Erica]

Zak Muir

Zak’s apartment: 3773 Radio Park Drive, Unit B
​

"I can't say I remember seeing you and Kath together throughout my years of hanging with her though. I'm just going to stick to protocols. You just have to wait until Kat wakes up and approves of your presence, and if you truly are an ally, then that shouldn't be a problem, yes?"


The words didn’t surprise him. This guy seemed like a by-the-book ass, which was probably why he was paired with Katherine. They probably made a fantastically inflexible team.


He shrugged at Gaspard’s mostly rhetorical question. Gaspard hadn't been part of the mental conversation before Kat passed out. If Katherine hadn't clued him in about it, Zak certainly wasn't going to. “Fine by me.” He didn’t say it aloud, but his tone clearly implied the unsaid “jackass” at the end.


Kat had reached out to him and he wouldn’t abandon her, but until she woke up and told him what the hell she had gotten herself into and why she needed help, there wasn’t much he could do for her except keep her unconscious body safe and pray that she recovered quickly. As in before Two and Robin - whoever they were - showed up at his door. This day was turning out rather shitacular, and he still didn’t know what to do about Alana. The girl’s case would have to be put on hold for now, which was yet another irritation. He could feel her getting further away by the hour.


Feeling the start of a headache coming on, Zak stepped carefully around Mittens to hand Gaspard the blanket as a peace offering. Well, more like an if-you’re-going-to-be-a-dick-about-it offering. Then Mittens slid across the floor. Zak’s eyebrows rose as he saw it. So... telekinesis then. Great. The cougar hissed and swatted at the empty air, its massive head swiveling in search for its invisible attacker, then tried to move back toward the couch.


“Do me a favor and don’t piss her off too badly. Hmm? The furniture might not be much, but I like it free of claw and teeth marks. Same goes for me - and Kat.” He didn’t bother waiting for Gaspard to answer, but instead walked around the back of the couch (all the better to put the couch - and Gaspard - between him and Mittens) toward the kitchen. “I’m going to have a beer. You want one?”

 

[Syrenrei]

Katriane Claire Alexandrie- "Dreamless"

Zak Muir's Apartment
​

It was rather hilarious in an absurd sort of way. Through the dark, encompassing silence of mental exhaustion she suddenly felt the minds of a thriving city murmuring quietly around her. It was a strange sensation that she often felt difficulty describing to others- like being in a large crowd of unintelligible whispers and barely congealed thoughts. Pulling her through the void and then the ambiguously assembled populace the certainty and urgency she felt that she must awake. The converging willpower of others felt as if it was bleeding into her psyche and shaking it violently. Dreamless laughed and cried inwardly as consciousness blossomed slowly over her being. If only she could dream of beautiful, wonderful, hopeful things instead of being thrust into reality and nightmare perpetually.


Where was she? Her head throbbed with such potency that her sight was blotchy and the masculine voices were loud and cacophonous to her ears. Groaning quietly to herself she covered her face with her hand as if might bring her some relief. It did not. She was becoming aware of a soft surface beneath her as she struggled to coherent thought. In the city, on some plush furniture, with men speaking? What had happened last? Wincing she recalled that she had dramatically collapsed in an embarrassing heap near a cafe. Katherine. But Katherine was not here now or she'd sense the unmistakable comfort of her presence. A mess. Everything was a horrible, wretched mess and she was now perfectly matching her situation. It would be morning before she'd be rested and composed enough to use her abilities anymore.


The hand not laying on her features draped off the edge of whatever-she-was-on and found Mittens nearby. The cougar nuzzled her hand affectionately as if she was nothing more than a docile pet. Even without their telepathic connection, the wild creature would not abandon this human that she viewed as sister, mother, best friend, and child all at once. Katriane patted Mittens as a sigh escaped her lips. She was relieved that there was one thing, however simple and stable, that would not budge with the currents of change that pressed upon them. "I'd have a beer, but I'm watching my girly figure," Katriane mumbled. Even in this wretched moment she retained her sense of humor. There hadn't been one damn day in her entire lifetime she had cared an ounce about her physique- especially when it came to sweets and red meat.


@Erica @Prizzy Kriyze

 

[Ozmic]

Subject Two & Robin

In-Transit
​

Before Two could even react to Robin's earlier statement about his apartment, the smaller male stopped him with quick words. "Hold that thought and my beer. I have an idea," he said, handing Two his beer and heading out of the cabin.


If signal was his only problem then going higher was the solution for it right? He looked around the forest and examined the trees. One of these must be tall enough to get him some signal after all. This was a hundred years into the future, one would think that the entire globe was saturated with wifi already but that didn't seem to be the case at all.


Before long, he'd found a sturdy oak whose boughs and branches disappeared up into the canopy of trees. It was dark but how hard was it to climb a large tree without perfect viability? It wouldn't be that dangerous, right? It took him a few minutes to get up on the tree and a few more to get some semblance of reception.


Two was quite dumbfounded as he stood inside, holding the other male's beer. Shaking his head at the shock of the quick departure, he set the beer down and headed out of the cabin and looked up to one of the trees, noticing Robin... climbing up it?


"Either you're drunker than I thought or trying to get yerself killed," Two called up with a frown. "What about this idea involves you climbing a damned tree?"


"I wouldn't think of this idea if I wasn't drunk!" Robin responded as he made his way up the tree.


Two normally have protested, but Robin was already in the damned tree and looked like he had his mind set on the task. Frankly, who the hell was he to stop him?


By the time he reached the top, he was somewhat out of breath and sweating but the signal had more or less stabilized. It'd allow him to reach the compound at least, maybe stir one of the three awake to bring him a ride. Convincing them seemed like an easy enough task, it was just mentioning that it was instrumental to bringing Two over to their side.


Robin tuned out the rest of the world and focused on getting his comms unit up and running. It was a complicated process that involved a lot of concepts he only thought he understood, but the gist was always simple. It was like using your voice to tell your phone to call a certain someone except this time it involved intercepting brainwaves or some such.


A little while later, Robin was making his way down the tree to where Two waited. Smirking, the taller male helped him out've it. "I got us a ride at least," he stated matter-of-factly.


"Well, right on," Two replied appreciatively, clapping the other on the back. "I take it that was part of your 'power', huh? That, or you have a really, REALLY, ancient cell phone provider."


Snickering, Two looked through the woods and sighed. "Now, where the heck are we supposed to meet this ride of yours. Unless they plan to drive through some trees, we're still out in the middle of nowhere."





"We're supposed to meet them at edge of the woods. You know the one closer to the city and all. Yeah I'm not sure but I think if we circle the forest long enough, after we reach some road that is. I'm sure we'll come across the vehicle soon enough, right?"


Without waiting for Two to even move from his spot, Robin was already in motion in a random direction. It wasn't a seemingly random direction, because it really was a random direction. Though they'd go faster if Two would just carry him but the G-forces might turn his insides into jelly.


Raising a brow at the other man's words, Two started to follow and shook his head at the random direction. "Robin hang on, man," he said abruptly, stopping the other from wandering off. "I got here on foot, remember? The road isn't too far off from where I was running this morning in the first place - before I knew about just how fast I could run."


Pointing over towards where he'd come in from the cabin, Two nodded. "Let's head this way. Hopefully that's the road they'll be sending the car."


"Possibly. The guys just said that I don't need to worry about where the car would be when I get out. They said it'll just be there when I do. I don't really know what to expect because I'm not exactly sure if you guys developed and perfected the whole "self-driving" shtick a hundred years into the future."


With nothing for, Robin followed Two to where he said he'd gotten into the woods. If the other could possibly jog that distance without his augments, then it wasn't all that unbelievable that he'd come in from the city and that the city limits were probably closer on that side of the forest.


Two just nodded at the other male's words as he kept walking, eyes going back and forth. Yes, he was sure of it - this was the path he'd taken to find himself at Kat's cabin. Smiling to himself, he continued on, walking a little faster now.


"There have been some advancements, but folks still tend to favor manual control for some godawful reason," he responded bluntly after a moment, shaking his head. "Suppose it'd have to be all or nothing for drivers to stop making mistakes based on human error."


Realizing he was rambling about nothing, the cyborg stopped and blinked. "Ech. Sorry for all the blabbin'... I'm just worried about her," he explained with a dry laugh. "Haven't even known the gal for the better part of a day. G'damn."


"Though I don't completely understand it, I kinda understand what you're going through. Okay so that was bullshit, I don't. Still, I think it's admirable, what you're doing that is. Giving it your all for a girl who haven't met for even 24 hours. That takes quite the leap of faith yeah?" Robin replied.


Two nodded and sighed a little. "I guess it is and I s'pose it does. I just don't know," he grumbled. "Maybe I'm just crazy. Or maybe the situation has been."


A few minutes passed in silence and, before they knew it, the edge of the forest was upon them. Following the path to the road, Two looked around. "Okay so... is this car just gonna' appear, get air dropped or what?" he joked.


"Your guess is as good as mine."


It was a complete chore to keep up with Two, though Robin would never ever say it. The complete lack of fatigue must have made the larger male feel like that was just a morning jog, when in fact his companion was struggling to breathe.


Just as Robin said that, a sleek, black sports car rolled up on the road. It stopped right in front of Robin. Curious, he opened the driver's seat. Half expecting someone from the team in it but instead there was no one on the seat. It just happened to drive itself over to him. Well at least that mean that these cars are self driving though, he wondered why there was still a steering wheel present as well as a manual transmission stick shift.


The urgency of the moment must have escaped him as he hopped into the driver's seat and looked at it's equally sharp interior, it kinda screamed luxury. He placed a hand on the steering wheel and another around the stick shift.


"Manual Mode Active."


"Whoawhatthehell," Robin stammered, letting go of what he was holding onto.


"Auto Driver Mode. Where would you like to go Mister Reed?"


Robin glanced over to his companion, expecting some sort of answer on what exactly all this was.


When the sports car had driven up, Two almost made a snide comment about riding in style, but kept it to himself and simply climbed in, thankful his extra weight didn't seem to be doing damage to the interior. Snickering at Robin's reaction and questioning look, the enhanced male simple shrugged.


"The future, man. You'll get the hang of it soon enough," he said with a smirk, then repeated the address Zak had given him to the questioning AI.


"User not recognized. Please try again."


"The future seems to have top notch security at least. Let me try....Uhh...CAR!"


"Good Evening, Mister Reed, where would you like to go?"


"CAR! Take me to uhhh..." Robin began, then repeated what Two had said earlier. He was probably sure he did it right and glancing over to the other, it probably was.


"As you wish, Mister Reed."


Two blinked from the passenger seat, first at the AI and secondly at Robin. "You can just talk to it like normal, 'Mister Reed'," he explained with a dry chuckle. "And thanks for the lift. This makes things MUCH easier than trying to head another few miles to my apartment... 'least without being spotted by somebody."


"Now," he continued, "Let's see how quick this thing can get us to Kat, huh?"


"Yes. Let us see," Robin said almost giddily. "CAR GO THE DESTINATION AS FAST AS YOU CAN!"


There was nothing else to do. Both of them sat in silence as the car moved on, finally slowing as they arrived to their destination.


"Looks like this is it," Two said plainly. "Time to go see just what mess we've gotten ourselves into... or caused."





This post was brought to you as a collaboration between @Sol and @Grin and was made possible in part by viewers like you. Thank you! =]

 

[Prizzy Kriyze]

Gaspard John Iscariot


3773 Radio Park Drive

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​

Gaspard observed the cat as it fought his invisible arms. He wasn't really a cat person -or an animal person at all- but he suppose he could understand why some people regarded them as cute. Although, a cougar didn't really fit his description of cute. Somewhere closer to diabolical demon from within the seven circles of hell.


He grabbed the blanket from Zak, and carefully spread it over the unconscious girl. Guard duty was about the easiest thing there was, and he enjoyed it. Don't let anyone approach or attack whatever you're guarding, and you're good to go. Simple stuff. The way he liked it. He couldn't shake the uncomfortable feeling of being in Kat's proximity however, and he found himself shivering at the thought.


When Zak offered him a beer, he had a brief but violent struggle with himself. First of all, he really wanted a beer. Second of all, he was on guard duty. Third of all, he could really use a beer with all that was going on. Fourth of all, he was on guard duty. Fifth of all, his throat was about as dry as death valley. Sixth of all, he was on guard duty... But then again, it was only one.


He almost started his sentence, before freezing up at the sound of a woman behind him. He didn't think her being conscious would bother him that much, but it did. Maybe she'd be able to access his mind easier if he was inebriated? Ugh, don't think like that Gaspard. Either way, that sealed it for him. "No, I have more pride in my work than that." He lied, before facing Kat.


He observed in fear as the cougar had somehow made it's way over to her, and assaulted her. Actually, more like being affectionate, but if that cougar was doing that to John, it would be a pretty mauled cougar within a couple of seconds. Reluctantly, he said "Good to see you're awake, miss."


@Syrenrei


@Erica

 

[Erica]

Zak Muir

Zak’s apartment: 3773 Radio Park Drive, Unit B
​

Zak didn’t get far before Kat stirred on the couch. He leaned over the back of the couch as she spoke, smiling at her joke. It felt like a weight had been lifted from his chest, making it easier to breathe. If she was joking, she couldn’t be hurt too badly. At the very least, her mind was whole. “I’ll get you one anyway,” he said. It was clearer whom he was talking to when he finished the thought, “Besides, you have nothing to worry about on that account, and you know it.”


Gaspard had refused his offer of a beer by claiming pride in his work (therefore implying that Zak didn’t have any), which only confirmed his status as a prick in Zak’s mind. At least he knew where he stood with the guy. He preferred that to those who sucked up to others as a means of getting what they wanted.


As Zak went into the kitchen and opened the fridge, he heard Gaspard addressing Kat and rolled his eyes. Definitely the Dudley Do-Right wanna be type. It was surprising to him, really, that there were still people who believed in the idea of rescuing the girl nowadays. After all, assumptions were dangerous: with the number of Aberrants around, the “damsel in distress” could easily have the power to melt your brain before Ani Difranco could finish singing about not being a pretty girl.


Not that it stopped Zak from trying to do the same thing, mind you, but at least he made sure the people he tried to help needed - and wanted - his assistance. If that put him on the wrong side of the League, he was fine with that. Theoretically. Of course, having a telekinetic ass who towed the League’s line in his apartment made the risk much more than theory.


It was time to thank Gaspard for his help and send him on his way.


While Kat replied to Gaspard’s inquiry, Zak popped the top off two bottles of beer. When he emerged from the kitchen with the beers in hand, he smiled at Kat. “Glad to see you’re okay. You had me worried, and I wasn’t alone in my concern.” He gestured toward Gaspard with one of the bottles before offering it to Kat, hoping that she would pick up on the hint that her friends Two and Robin had been in touch and would likely be here soon. “Will you please tell Gaspard here that I’m a friend, so we can let him stand down from guarding the sleeping princess and go about his day?”

 

[Syrenrei]

Katriane Claire Alexandrie- "Dreamless"

Zak Muir's Apartment



​

Katriane wasn't exactly okay, but she wasn't about to divulge to Zak that her head was still throbbing and she was incredibly dizzy. On one hand it might seem to be a poor choice to accept an alcoholic beverage at this moment; however, it was unlikely she was going anywhere soon and liquor wouldn't make her feel worse. No, the petite superhero felt she had already hit rock bottom. Stranded in Zak's apartment, her sister carrying out a mission she felt was reprehensible at best, without the use of her powers, and feeling like she just got mauled by Roosevelt's big brother in her brain. She had already decided to fix as much as she could, as quickly as she could, and to flee this whole damn place. It was a cop-out she knew, but it came with one wonderful positive: she had exponentially less fucks to give. Speak to Gaspard with a diplomatic voice and soft-pedal her analysis or be brutally honest? Obviously the latter.


"Zak's a friend and so is Mittens here," she noted, leaning forward to stroke the large beast as if it were a domestic feline. No doubt they'd be a little shocked when the damn thing purred and rubbed its head against her exposed palm. A cougar was acting as docile as a kitten- yet Zak would know that it was also a ferocious creature that had also protected 'Dreamless' with ruthless violence on more than one occasion. "Look, Gaspard, I can count on one hand how many people in the League actually like me, so I know you're here as a favor for Katherine or Madam. And yes, I have shorted my powers out for the rest of the day, but with Zak and Mittens I'll be fine. More than fine." Kat took a quick breath and closed her eyes. With each passing moment she felt a little more rational and grounded, though her patience was thinning with the exhausting litany of crap to deal with today.


She slowly pushed herself up to sitting and ran a hand through her tousled hair. How the hell was it so messy already? "If you insist on staying, though," she started, predicting that this rigid jerk would want to keep playing hero, "I will warn you I'm not a champion like my sister. I'm an anti-hero and that means I will do unsavory things in the quest for justice... and I will knowingly jeopardize your standing with the League to suit my sense of morality." Katriane didn't make any threats- not that she thought any hero, much like Gaspard, would respond to them. It was no secret that her combat expertise was completely non-existent; yet her words still conveyed a warning. She would sacrifice everything to accomplish whatever goals she kept concealed from the men in this small apartment: even misleading Katherine to betray Gaspard if she saw it fit.


It was not a violent intent that made her frightening at that moment- but the glimmering desperation in her eyes. She was a cornered animal with little or nothing to lose. What risk what she not take? What opportunity would she not seize? What would she not do in her quest to right the wrongs she perceived? She took the bottle from Gaspard with a smile of gratitude and rolled the chilled glass between her palms quietly for a moment in contemplation. With her blonde hair in disarray, her shoulders slightly hunched, and her expression sombre, she managed to look quite alone in that still moment of thought.

 

[Prizzy Kriyze]

Gaspard John Iscariot


3773 Radio Park Drive

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​

Gaspard discreetly gritted his teeth at Zak's general attitude. As far as he'd known he'd never done anything to anger the man. Currently he was, however, in the man's service through Katriane. Not something he liked, but he had to follow his own rules. At least now, in the midst of this chaos. He turned his head to Kat, and nodded to her statement about Mittens and Zak. He raised an eyebrow at the beast she was petting. How could one ever treat such a vicious creature like that? In a way he was jealous for it's affection, he had very few friends/aquaintances, and even an animal seemed nice.


He felt a lot less threatened when she stated she couldn't use her powers, but was still pretty tense. It was obvious he was unwanted, and it didn't help with the current chaos in his head. He was torn between saying 'Well, fuck it.' and leaving, and sticking to his principles and staying. It wasn't an easy choice, and therefore he simply chocked back the confusion and resignation, and stuck to the only pillars that still stood in this metaphorical war of his mind. He stuck to the few principles he still had left.


He opened his mouth but didn't say anything, so he closed it again. He wasn't used to serious situations such as this one. He opened his mouth again, and actually managed to get words out this time; "My loyalties hardly lie with the league.. I've got my orders, and I'll stick to them." He didn't know what her idea of ethics were, but he himself never had any clue what he wanted. If she was anything like her sister, he'd be alright.


He turned his head to the side, put his hands in his pockets, and stared at nothing in particular. "You are currently in command of me." He said, and then sent her a short accusatorial glare before adding "Feel free to abuse that however you want to."


He just hoped that he wouldn't have to hurt another innocent.


Gah, he needed Katherine for this.


(Whoops, forgot about the RP for a moment there, sorry for the delay. Woah, that turned depressing all of a sudden.)


@Syrenrei


@Erica