Realistic or Modern Culmination Then Ruin

[Erica]

Zak Muir

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

God bless Kat. She not only proved perfectly succinct in summarizing his good standing, but also in settting up a perfect reason for Gaspard to leave. Even after knocking herself out, she was quick on her feet. And, as always, she carried with her this air of profound sadness and resignation. If Gaspard weren't there, he might have offered her a shoulder.


Maybe it was best that Gaspard was here, after all.


He didn't hear all of Gaspard's answer, for his phone started buzzing in his pocket. He caught enough, though. "My loyalties hardly lie with the league..."


There it was. A glimmer of hope that today wouldn't end up with blood over his apartment and Madam sending the whole Hero League after his suddenly Unclassified ass. He held up a hand apologetically to step toward the front room as he answered the phone.


A glance at the screen told him it was Two. Figured. The guy had to be efficient getting here. Zak glanced at Kat and Gaspard as he answered with irritation in his voice, "Zak's house of big cats and megalomaniacs." Realizing his dark humor was probably lost on Two and only likely to make Gaspard even more suspicious of him, he followed that up with a short laugh devoid of humor. "Sorry. Bad joke based on this cartoon I saw..." he said, mostly for Gaspard's sake, if the man was listening. "Anyway, what's up?"


A moment of silence followed before he heard Two's voice in reply in a dry teasing tone. "Sounds like you're having fun in our absence." A chuckle followed, making Zak think that under different circumstances he might enjoy having a drink with this man. "We're outside, or at least I'm pretty sure. Black car, luxury as hell, not mine." Another small laugh. "What's the status on Kat?"


Zak glanced out the front windows, spotting a black car that might be the one in question. He nodded, although Two couldn't see him inside. He tried to walk the line and make this sound like an everyday conversation to Gaspard's ears. "Good." He glanced toward Kat, and took a small breath.


He could swear he heard a sigh of relief. He only hoped it was not unfounded. "Well, that's a relie--"


"Hold on a sec."


By all things holy, please don't let me fuck this up for Kat. He held the phone to his shoulder and called out to Kat, "I know this might not be the best time, but are you up for visitors?" With a small glance to Gaspard, behind the other man's back, he added, "Our mutual friends are in the neighborhood."


Kat eyed Gaspard and said, "Sure, what the hell."


It wasn't as if they had a choice.


Meeting Kat's gaze, he nodded and brought the phone to his ear again. "Sure, you can pop by. She's still recovering, but okay. And a fellow member of the League is visiting, too. But I have enough beer for us all to get along." He took a beat, adding with as much warning as humor, "I think."


This time his dry humor was met with a short laugh. Zak found himself smiling despite himself and the shitty situation. "Alright, good. We'll be in after a minute. And a beer sounds great... though I sure hope this 'other' isn't too unhappy about being caught up in all this..." He trailed off.


Zak paused, not wanting to misrepresent the situation. If his instinct was right about the two men Kat had mind melded him with, they were far from clear. At least he had done his best to give Two all the relevant information. "We'll see … you in a few." The pause was minuscule but meaningful. "I'll have the brews waiting for you." He disconnected the call and walked back toward Kat and Gaspard - and the kitchen. He paused a moment to glance at Kat's wrist and the new ornament decorating it, but the questions in his eyes remained unspoken as he moved on to the kitchen and the fridge.


[Two & Kat dialogue from collaboration with @Grin and @Syrenrei]

 

[Syrenrei]

Katriane Claire Alexandrie- "Dreamless"

Zak Muir's Apartment

​

Katriane was honestly surprised when Gaspard professed that his loyalties did not lay with the league. Did that mean they lay entirely with Katherine or perhaps a moral code of his own? It was a dangerous thread of hope that was being dangled in her face and for a moment stopped the careening car of despair. Perhaps, just perhaps, she was insulated enough that she wouldn't need to flee the city immediately. If Katherine could be swayed to understand how some Unclassifieds were victims of the system perhaps they need not say estranged. No matter how despondent and sarcastic she acted, Katriane desperately wished to help follow the spirit and true meaning of what it meant to be a hero- a veritable manifestation of virtue unblemished by the evils of the world. It was not as clean and neat as that but it was an ideal to strive for. How could she in good conscience pat herself on the back while being a part of flawed system that caused harm to innocents? True, they saved most of the populace from threats that they barely knew existed... but at what cost? Was Gaspard of like mind? Could such a beautiful similarity have aligned itself during this trying period in her life?


In the middle of her contemplations, Zak interrupted with a pertinent question about her visitors- presumably Two and Robin. There was little choice in whether or not to let them be 'exposed' to Gaspard. She could not let them stay adrift in the middle of nowhere after scaring and traumatizing them with her complete psychic breakdown. The bracelet she wore still needed to be removed. Gaspard was not inclined to leave and she was both unwilling and unable to force him. Invite in two Unclassifieds they ought to immediately turn in, as three relatively disloyal members of the league? "Sure, what the hell."


As she rubbed the back of her head she finally took several long gulps of beer and rubbed the huge egg that had swollen up on the back of her head. Good gods, had they really just let her impact on the ground? What a fantastic day this was, truly. "I'm not going to command you," she assured quietly. "My power only allows me to communicate telepathically with people that want to speak with me; I can't force them to and I don't try. That's true even for my animal friends here like Mittens. I ask them to do things, and we 'speak' in a way, but I don't force them into any actions. Don't get me wrong- plenty have called it a waste that I don't try to expand my ability that way. I can control basic, barely intelligent creatures like bugs if I want to but... it feels wrong to command. Katherine has far more courage than me like that," she admitted with a fond smile and a shake of the head. With a sigh she leaned back and downed some more of the alcohol, desperately wishing it would wash away the throbbing at the back of her skull.


"I'll just have to trust you." She flashed a wistful smile regardless of whether or not he was glancing her way to see it. Mittens let out a loud yawn, stretched, and then made herself comfortable on the floor next to Katriane. Despite the lack of communication currently between the pair, the cougar trusted Zak and seemed to realize that Gaspard had been approved by her charge.

 

[Ozmic]

Subject Two

3773 Radio Park Drive, Unit B
​

After he hung up, Two looked at the phone for a second. Zak had seemed more chipper this time, which put the augmented male more at ease, but remembering all that had happened twisted a knot of concern in his stomach that he was having one helluva time ignoring. Sure, Kat was alright for now, but what happened next? What would happen when it got around that she was harboring a couple of Unclassifieds?


"Fuuuuck," Two sighed with a rub of his temples, opening the car door and standing to the side of it for a moment, looking in at Robin. "Time to face the music, I s'pose." He smiled as if joking, but his eyes were serious and dull as he worried about what was to come.


Shutting the door, unsurprised to see it stop close to closing and hiss shut softly, he began up toward the place. Looking around this way and that, he checked at first glace to make sure this wasn't some kind've trap, paranoid thoughts joining the fray. 'Knock it off,' he thought to himself as he reached the door, giving a few quick and light raps on the surface and waiting for an answer.


Short and low quality post, but wanted to give @Sol a chance to get out of the car and head up as well behind Two. If it's TOO short, lemme know and I'll add somethin'.

 

[Sol]

"If we caused some sort of mess, I'm pretty sure we can clean it up or I can use my superpower called 'money' to make it go away, Two. Relax aaand he's not listening again."


The silence of the trip was deafening, to be honest. Robin had been thrust into a whole new world he only glimpsed in movies, now he was probably living one. It was as though, once you get tagged by the big hand in the sky your life becomes anything but normal. It begged the question, who was part of the main cast and who would be those who'd die in a very badass fashion? All these and more he pondered as Two went on with his call. Eventually it ended and obviously Robin had heard nothing significant either.


"Fuuuuck," Two sighed with a rub of his temples, opening the car door and standing to the side of it for a moment, looking in at him. "Time to face the music, I s'pose."


"Why do you sound like you're about to meet Katriane's parents? You're not staring down your in-laws just yet, Two. Don't be making this heavier than it already is, just chill."


Robin stepped out of the car after Two had. Together, they made their way to the apartment door where two began knocking on it, though it was clear he was holding back significantly. After all, he did have more than enough strength to blow it off its hinges, though Robin doubted that anyone would hear it. The cyberman was doing it wrong, he was the cyberman, he should go all Kool Aid Guy and kick the wall down with an "OH YEAH." Speaking of the Kool Aid Guy, does he still even exist a hundred years into the future? Robin made his way to the door and knocked on it too, you know, like a normal human being. Well relatively human.

 

[Erica]

Zak Muir

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

Zak kept himself busy retrieving the beers from the fridge while Kat tried to lay the groundwork for the elephant that was about to enter the room. That didn’t mean he didn’t listen to her statement, but he tried to be subtle about it.


"I'll just have to trust you."


Well, didn’t that sum it up nicely? He didn’t know what to think about Gaspard, except that the man was obviously protective of Kat for Katherine’s sake. That could be an advantage, but there were also a dozen ways that could play out poorly. Zak noticed Kat rubbing the back of her head and frowned. Setting the beers down on the tv tray serving as a kitchen table, he motioned toward the kitchen again. “Do you need some ice or something? I might have a package of frozen --"


His question was interrupted by a knock at the door. He froze, looked at his three visitors (including Mitttens, who had perked her head up at the sound) and sighed as he headed for the door. “I’ll get it,” he added unnecessarily. Who the hell else was going to get it? It was his place, after all. He just wished he’d had a chance to ask Kat more about the watch on her wrist before this conversation. Or, better yet, that her powers were available so they could talk privately about what the hell was going on. As it was, he was prepared to toss this Two and Robin out on their ears if necessary.


When he opened the door, he found himself staring at the chest of a very large man. With one hand lingering on the door, he took a step back and looked upward to the man’s face. Behind him was another person of average height; but Zak couldn’t really make that guy out through the wall of muscle and flesh that was standing on his doorstep.


Maybe the idea of tossing them out on their ear was a bit premature...


After closing his mouth, Zak offered his hand. Oddly, he still wore his leather gloves. “Zak Muir. You must be Two.” Still processing this development, Zak stood in the doorway until Two either took his hand or pushed his way inside. One thing was certain: this guy would literally stand out in a crowd. Hopefully that’s all he had meant by his earlier statement about causing a scene.

 

[Prizzy Kriyze]

Gaspard John Iscariot


3773 Radio Park Drive

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

​

Gaspard had resigned at this point. He wasn't sure whether he was going to be cast away or not, but it seemed to be leaning towards him leaving. Therefore, he got sincerely surprised when she went "Sure, what the hell.", and even more so when she told him he wouldn't command him. Explaining her powers to him gave him a little ease of mind, but his paranoia still reminded him that it seemed ominously like she'd read his thoughts to find out about his irrational fear of her power. He knew why he was afraid though. He didn't want the story of his childhood to come out. He was embarrassed about it.


"I'll just have to trust you."


He contemplated the words for a moment, then nodded. "Very well. It's mutual then." He felt quite relieved things had turned out like they did. He'd have something to do for a while longer, and didn't have to betray his morals. His train of thought was interrupted by a knock on the door however, and he turned to look as Zak opened the door.


Well, at this point he just hoped the enormous man in the doorway didn't have a power affected by physical prowess like his own, because if that was the case he'd finally met his match. He surpressed a "What the fuck?" from jumping out of his mouth, and he just sighed loudly instead.


(short, sorreh)


@all the people. Too late to think.

 

[Ozmic]

Subject Two

3773 Radio Park Drive, Unit B
​

Though he shrugged off Robin's statement to 'chill', Two did try to calm his nerves. It was just... after everything that happened today, he was having one helluva time expecting everything to be great and dandy when he walked in and had to explain that, yes, they were two Unclassifieds that were probably partially to blame for whatever the hell mess this was. "Argh," he stated calmly, then shut up when the door opened.


He was greeted by a brown haired male that looked up at him and seemed a little surprised at his height. The other stepped back and extended his gloved hand with an introduction to follow. "I suppose I am. Takes a bit of getting used to, far as names go, but it grows on ya'," he stated with a half smile, taking the others hand and shaking it. The shake might have seemed strong, but the augmented male was trying his best to shake lightly, still afraid of crushing someones hand or some other silly thing. Robin's fix had helped, but it didn't help Two's paranoia that much.


The sigh from behind the other caused Two to look back and catch the eye of another gent with longer hair. Two gave a nod that he hoped seemed friendly and not completely threatening, before noticing Mittens and, not far off, Kat. "By god," he said with a relieved sigh and another smile. "Yer' looking quite alive, 'kiddo'." He smirked at this, then started forward and stopped quickly.


Drawing in a breath, he stepped back to his standing position and rubbed his head. "Sorry, Zak. Feet got ahead of me. Would ya' mind if we come in? Maybe then we can explain some of this madness over a beer or... 12?" He smiled warmly, but it was clear he was nervous. Whether it was about seeing Kat again or about having to explain what all was happening to strangers none but him would know.

 

[Sol]

What was there to do? Robin had agreed to this wild goose chase that led him to the door of someone supposedly from this "Hero League." No one back at the lab mentioned much about them other than them replacing any semblance of a police force. Which was very much something that didn't sit well with those employed in the law enforcement business. As good as one's resume was, the fact that the other guy is a super hero pretty much means yours gets the shredder.


Zack and Two were surely in their own world at least. It's like Robin didn't even register in the other guy's field of view, you'd think he'd say something after Two let his feet carry him forward but that didn't seem to be the case either. Then again, travelling with Two meant that all eyes were on that guy. Even with the fixes placed on him, there was no denying the fact that he had "presence." Of course, a guy like him would probably draw everyone's attention. He was cybernetically altered so in a sense, he's like Miranda Lawson from a game that no one would probably even know if Robin brought it up. Everything was designed to give Two an edge, including his looks.


Robin cleared his throat.


"Oh no, don't mind me. I'm just a sidekick tagging along, setting the car up and everything."

 

[Erica]

Zak Muir

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

Once upon a time, a man’s handshake was considered a good litmus test of a man’s character: firm or limp, aggressive or compliant, it was a common measure of a man. Of course, times had changed. Zak hated shaking hands, mostly because it meant either removing or explaining his gloves. Luckily, Two didn’t blink at the gloves. He did, however, have a strong grip; strong enough to match his appearance. He was the one Kat wanted him to help. What could the cause be?


As he recovered from the handshake, Two was busy looking to Kat. From the look on his face, it was pretty evident that he was concerned for Kat. Who wouldn’t be, after the way their mental connection was severed? Zak glanced between Two and Kat, wondering at the play of emotions on the large man’s face. Was he a boyfriend? Wouldn’t Kat have introduced Two as such if so?


His arm fell to his side as Two started to step inside, then corrected himself. "Sorry, Zak. Feet got ahead of me. Would ya' mind if we come in? Maybe then we can explain some of this madness over a beer or... 12?"


Zak nodded and motioned inside. “Yeah, sure... Of course.” Turning to look at the man who had been obscured behind Two’s considerable frame in the doorway, Zak started to offer his hand again. The man cleared his throat and spoke up before he could say a word in greeting.


"Oh no, don't mind me. I'm just a sidekick tagging along, setting the car up and everything."


Zak paused with his hand out, eyebrows lifting in a silent question. Great. First Gaspard, now this guy. What we really needed was more tension. He kept his hand out, however, for the man to shake or not as he saw fit. “And you must be Robin. Come on in.”


After both men were inside, he glanced out the door to ensure that his neighbors weren’t filming the little parade of arrivals at his place - or calling the cops. It seemed relatively quiet, so he shut the door and led his newest guests inside, starting with a gesture toward the TV tray and the beers upon it. “Help yourself. You know Kat. This is Gaspard,” he said with a nod toward the other Hero in the room. “I was just offering Kat a bag of frozen veggies... For her head,” he clarified. “What do you say, Kat? I can offer peas or... a medley of some sort, I think.”


While he smiled as he delivered the (admittedly lame) joke, he looked over the group of people and one cougar crowding his small apartment. This day was definitely getting complicated.

 

[Syrenrei]

Katriane Claire Alexandrie- "Dreamless"

Zak Muir's Apartment

​

Katriane relaxed slightly once Gaspard said that he would trust her as well. Part of her wanted to urge him to reconsider his faith in her person, but it was better at least for the short-term that he wasn't frustrated with her. Even if she had a hard time being cheerful, she enjoyed socializing and friendship. It was only when they ended in rampant disappointment that she filled herself with regret and became bitter, shying away from society and their loud thoughts. Perhaps all the promotional gadgets at home purchased through infomercials was a reflection of herself. She was seized by the desire to be happy, productive, and to fix the issues of the world- but was often let down and unfulfilled because of unrealistic expectations. Regardless of failure and turmoil she always found herself hoping and reaching out... even after she had decided to leave the league and flee. What a damn hot mess.


Her attention was diverted as her charismatic peer answered his front door. Sometimes she thought the world had erred in giving Zak a power that made it difficult for him to deal with others. In his own way he was charming and honest, devoid of the narcissistic pretenses that took over many superheroes and villains alike. Admittedly she was incredibly biased; after all, they were both 'afflicted' by mental powers that kept them apprehensive of others. How could she not favor such a kindred spirit? Yet Katriane would not wish the chains that bound them on anyone. It was one thing to know others were flawed and another to see it so frequently and brutally.


Placing her hands on the cushions beside her, she leaned forward slightly as if to get up. It was only polite, after all, to greet her new friends at the threshold of the apartment. Reason stayed her from shifting her weight further and rising. Although she'd like to be gracious and strong (especially with four strapping men around) she didn't want to tempt fate. Falling unconscious from a veritable mental explosion and then suffering a concussion from hitting the concrete meant her balance was likely compromised. Yeah, there was no way she was going to make herself into more of a damsel in distress. If she stood and was wobbly at all, she'd have all four of them rushing forward with concern and making her feel even more weak and useless. They might not all be heroes in name but they were in action.


She laughed lightly at Zak's offer and waved her hand. "I'm sure it'll be fine. My ego is bruised more than anything and it's pretty dubious that any frozen delight can help with that. Sorry to have given everyone such a scare," she apologized. It was unlikely Gaspard was really invested enough to be deeply troubled by her state at least. His solemn presence might temper the fretting of her friends, both old and new. Mittens started snoring at her feet.


Turning her thoughts to Robin and Two, she managed a somewhat pensive smile. Hopefully neither Zak nor Gaspard would discover her new comrades were Unclassifieds worthy of being reported to the League. "Of course I'm alive- just decided to take a rather dramatic concrete nap, that's all," she joked. "And by gods am I glad to see you two kiddos. I got a piece of jewelry here I'm hoping Robin can help fine-tune with his... expertise."

 

[Ozmic]

Subject Two

3773 Radio Park Drive, Unit B
​

As he walked in, Two took a look around, admiring the place. It was quite a bit nicer than his near-empty apartment, but then again, that didn't take much. With everything that had happened, the augmented man had a sudden tinge of hope. Once this was all over, maybe he'd eventually be able to find a place and stay for awhile longer. Being chased from apartment to apartment got pretty old, pretty quick.


Shaking the thought away, he gave a nod to Gaspard along with a quick hello, then smirked at Zak's quip about the veggies. "I'd go with the medley," he joked, looking to Kat with a wink. "Always works better for the swellin'... that's just science."


When Kat spoke up and apologized, then greeted him and Two, the larger male felt his throat catch. For a second, he couldn't respond. Instead, he leaned over toward the girl and gave her a quick and ginger hug. "'Concrete nap' or not... I'm glad yer' okay. To say that abrupt goodbye was panic-inducing might be an understatement," he said and awkwardly shuffled back to his feet, hoping the sudden closeness wouldn't shock Kat... or the others in the room that were undoubtedly watching them.


Gesturing to Robin, he moved back. "Hey, if anybody can, I'm bettin' it's him," he said, clapping the other on the back lightly as he passed to grab at one of the beers Zak had placed on the TV tray. The top wouldn't twist off at first and he frowned, crimping it on one side with his finger and thumb before tugging it off anyhow. Looking over the others, he wasn't sure whether or not to thank them for the help, or start trying to explain what the hell was going on. Going quiet, he hoped Kat would be able to give some insight much better than he could...


@Erica @Sol @Syrenrei @Prizzy Kriyze

 

[Sol]

"Thank you for your hospitality, sir Zack. Yes, I am Robin."


Robin took the man's hand and gave it a firm shake before heading inside. The apartment itself wasn't really any different from most of the apartments he had been to. Well not different if one were to dial the technology level back a few decades or more. All the units in this complex probably looked the similar to mister Zack's pad. Uniformity and all that.


Zaq, The French Fellow, Mister Robotto, and Miss Concussion-To-The-Face were all in discussion on how best to treat the swelling from her fall. Robin wasn't a medical expert and only knew that ice usually did the job for swelling but he couldn't exactly say anything. Perhaps the veggies in this day and age have healing properties when frozen or exposed to certain temperatures. If so, there wasn't anything natural in this world anymore, no matter how much evidence is shown. GMOs have won the war and all. Not that GMOs are bad, they just taste like shit after awhile.


"A piece of jewelry that needs fine tuning? I suppose I can fine tune some jewelry if it had something electronic in it. I'm no jeweler but I'm pretty sure I can program some nice surprise for your boyfriend or something along those lines."


He flashed another shit eating grin at Two.


"You know, Two here was just about ready to shit his pants when he heard what had happened. He couldn't wait to get out of the cabin. Even on the car ride here, he was worrying TONNES. Anyway, let's get down to business...to defeat the huns...sorry, I just..yeah. So what kind of work do you need done on what piece of jewelry?"

 

[Prizzy Kriyze]

Gaspard John Iscariot


3773 Radio Park Drive

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

​

Gaspard sat with his arms crossed on the couch's armrest. He leaned back on it, and looked up when the large fellow nodded at him. He kept his face semi-blank, with a hint of receding disappointment, and nodded back at him. He followed the guy with his eyes as he entered the apartment and looked around. Out of all the people in this room, his evaluation was that he'd be in most trouble if this guy decided to start thrashing around. He did little more than listen to the conversation in the room, but he did raise an eyebrow when they referred to the big guy as "Two". A number for a name? Just a little too revolutionary for poor old Gassie.


The guy who followed Two seemed pretty shady as well. Probably because he didn't do much. Gaspard wasn't going to act out on a whim, but the guy bothered him in general. He had some bad experiences with small fellows hiding behind big fellows, that suddenly appeared out of nowhere and stabbed him in the gut. Four - No, wait.. Six times. He felt a lot more comfortable with the man as soon as he introduced himself, and opened up a little. He talked as if he wasn't much more than a technician, which didn't bother Gaspard at all.


He'd pretty much settled on Kat and Zak now though, regarding them as his objective. They were supposed to be fine, and that was that. Gaspard was prone to simplifying things, and this is the extent that came to.

 

[Erica]

Zak Muir

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

One more person - or animal - in his apartment, and Zak was fairly confident he would need to order a pizza or something to make it look like a party to the neighbors. Robin seemed like a mild-mannered guy, but looks could be deceiving. For all he knew, Robin turned into a robot when angered. Figuring there was no use worrying, he drank his beer and watched the scene unfold. Two had a sense of humor, which was a plus. He also seemed friendly with Kat, and Zak didn’t know how he felt about that.


Gaspard was silently observing. Hopefully he was content for now and not making mental notes on all the transgressions they were committing to report back to Kath or (worse) Madam. By the way Robin grinned at Two and then mentioned Two’s concern for Kat, he figured Two had a thing for Kat. Was it reciprocated?


None of his business.


Unless, of course, Kat was in danger.


Which brought things full circle to one of his earlier questions. He leaned against the wall by the kitchen, motioning with his beer toward her wrist. “I think she means the watch,” he offered before looking at Kat. “That’s new. Was it mandatory?” The question was carefully worded, designed to allow her to dodge speaking ill of Madam or the League in front of Gaspard if that was an issue. Of course, if she was about to have Robin tamper with the watch, that might make subtlety a moot point, but he was trying.

 

[Syrenrei]

Katriane Claire Alexandrie- "Dreamless"

Zak Muir's Apartment

​

As Two and Robin entered the small apartment in apparent jovial moods, she suddenly felt a little guilty for imposing on Zak. He was (like her) a relatively solitary sort that she imagined enjoyed his privacy. Now he was hosting a veritable impromptu soiree with three other dudes and one chick. Probably the not the ratio that most men would like for such a social gathering. What would the neighbors say? Hell, would Madam somehow find out about this gathering and assume she had an amazing, lewd dating life or suspect its true nature? She allowed herself to laugh at Two's joke about the vegetable medley's superior healing properties as she considered the consequences to even being here right now.


And then Two hugged her. Kat wasn't an overtly physically affectionate person- partially due to not being social anymore. The times she had hugged or been hugged since her days at the academy were in the single digits after omitting her sister. While she was startled, she was surprised to discover it was suspiciously comforting. Her cheeks took on a slight blush that she struggled to hide from the perceptive bystanders in close proximity. Hopefully Two didn't notice the pounding of the heart in her chest. Perhaps Zak, Robin, and Gaspard wouldn't notice her hand lift behind Two's back during the quick gesture as if to reciprocate. If only she was not so hesitant, awkward, afraid of being hurt or disappointed, or more importantly, causing pain to another person.


He withdrew before she could react in any meaningful way and she tried to pretend the errant arm had never moved towards Two's back. It was at that moment that Robin spoke up, offering his assistance as well as some well-placed teasing about the blossoming emotions on the part of Two. Her typical dry, witty retort died somewhere in her throat as she avoided the watchful gazes of Zak and Gaspard with increasing embarrassment. Neither had seen her flustered over a man and she didn't exactly want today to be breaking new ground in that department.


Eyes drifted to the watch as Zak now spoke and she slowly nodded as she offered up her wrist and its adornment for Robin's inspection. "Madam put this watch on me and I'm not certain about all of the features. What I can tell you is that it won't come off- and the more you tug at it, the tighter it clasps." She sighed in obvious frustration and the pink that had touched her cheeks finally faded with the new irritating topic at hand. She raised her gaze towards Gaspard for a moment, trying to decide how much she should offer in explanation. Would he turn her into Madam immediately?


Oh, fuck it. She was doomed anyway and it wasn't like these four were going to let her run off into the sunset to avoid this dilemma. She'd be lucky to make out the front door without concerned looks and at least one escort.


"I want it off, Robin if you can. She gave me a mission, one that I am not allowed to refuse, but I have no intentions of doing it. I know what it means to not follow her orders but..." Blue orbs drifted towards the window as if she was recalling more pleasant times. In truth, her recollection of happy memories were hazy at best with all that had been placed on her shoulders. "My sister and I used to both believe in the Hero's League ideals with every fiber of our being. I wanted to make the world a better place and we were willing to sacrifice everything for that goal. But I can't pretend to be blind and ignorant. I sure as hell can't be complicit. I refuse to believe everyone that's a hero is noble, and the people who aren't declared one at 22 can never become one." Realizing that she was rambling and that it was treasonous at that, she abruptly stopped. "So, if I can get this watch off, that'd be super. I can't be sure, but I bet Madam has a way to track me that involves this damn thing."

 

[Ozmic]

Subject Two

3773 Radio Park Drive, Unit B
​

Taking a couple of long pulls from the beer, Two found himself thinking. He was trying to stick to the subject at hand, trying to ignore the flush on Kat's cheeks or the pound of her heart. Trying to ignore Robin's teasing words. The latter brought him back to the present and he glared at the other male. "Why don't you tell the whole g'damned block that I was worried sick?" he jested, shaking his head, but smirking a little.


The smirk faded when Kat opened up about the task at hand and made note of the watch. Frowning, Two looked it over as well, but it were her words that shocked him. 'I refuse to believe everyone that's a hero is noble, and the people who aren't declared one at 22 can never become one.' she'd said. It hit him harder than it should, but his expression didn't change outside from a squint of his eyes.


He hated it. Not that he was ever set out to be a hero, but the words and Kat's tone seemed to imply that anyone that wasn't might as well have a target on their backs. He exhaled out've his nose and looked to the watch again. "I'd say we could just snap it off, but I'd rather trust Robin tinkerin' with it. Don't wanna' accidentally pull your arm off or somethin', 'kiddo'," he teased toward Kat and tipped her a bit of a wink to try and bring a bit of admittedly dark humor to the whole ordeal.

 

[Sol]

REDUX!


"For something like that, I think snapping it off would be the easiest method too. But nanomachines probably do a better job at snapping the thing off...without taking the whole arm or severing the wrist."


Robin took hold of Kat's wrist and placed a finger on the watch attached to her. He concentrated on the point where his finger touched the cold metal of the watch and spread his awareness to discern just what exactly was the problem with the thing. Except there wasn't any problem. The watch did seem to contain a bunch of encrypted files but there wasn't anything else wrong with it. The internal electronics seem to be in line with the most basic schematics he studied in his short time here.


"I have no idea what the hell is wrong with the watch. I see encrypted files somewhere in there but I suppose that's your life journal or whatever. But I do think you might need to get that watch exorcised or something, does Christianity even exist in this day and age? If not, then you're all out of luck unless you have some mystic to turn to. I honestly don't know what you expect me to do with this thing, I mean I already calibrated the time and date."

 

[Erica]

Zak Muir

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

If the blush on Kat’s cheeks was surprising, then her explanation about the watch floored him. Many people thought the rules regulating Aberrants draconian and asinine. Few said so aloud, though. The consequences were too dire. Kat not only admitted she wouldn’t complete an assigned mission, but she essentially declared herself unclassified. In his apartment. With a watch she thought was tracking her.


In the aftershock, he listened for the hum of helicopters or the sound of booted feet outside the door.


When neither didn’t immediately came, he glanced at Gaspard, then focused on Robin’s actions with narrowed eyes and heightened awareness. Just because a team hadn’t come crashing instantly through the door did not mean one wasn’t on the way. The man’s gifts remained a mystery, but apparently it had something to do with electronics. He touched the watch and seemed to go into a short trance. Zak stepped a little closer, curious.


Then came the man’s response. “She didn’t say anything was wrong with it. She wants it off,” he growled, displeased by the man’s flippant tone after Kat had just declared herself unclassified. Did Robin not realize the danger Kat had just put herself in? He looked at Two, wondering if either of the men she had invited into his home had a sense of the danger her statement alone could bring down on their heads. It was one thing to be Unclassified due to life circumstances. Then you kept your head down and avoided getting caught using your abilities. To go from Hero to Unclassified meant that she would be hunted by law as a threat, and any who even spoke to her would be similarly treated. There were several people in both Leagues who took particular glee in hunting down those who had “turned”, partly because it happened so infrequently.

 

[Sol]

"Well then if she desperately wants it off, then hand me a sharp knife and some anesthesia, because there is no release mechanism whatsoever on the goddamned watch. Whoever gave the watch to her in the first place is thorough and I'm pretty sure he's the only one who could take it off her without resorting to amputation. I mean if you have bright ideas I'm all ears, being put in cryostasis for a hundred plus years probably demoted me from average teenager to complete idiot. Well?"


It seemed Two had a rival for Kat in the form of Zack, it'd be interesting to see how it plays out. Although if Zack wanted to growl like a wild animal who couldn't take a joke, much less have a sense of humor, then it would be prudent to simply lay down the facts in front of their faces. However, that tends to make things worse than it should as animals like that can't seem to handle the word 'truth' or 'fact.'


He turned to face Zack, maintaining a lax posture. What would the animal do now?

 

[Prizzy Kriyze]

Gaspard John Iscariot


3773 Radio Park Drive

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

​

Gaspard shivered. He'd already set his mind on what he wanted to do here, but some of the things the few gathered were saying sounded so bizarrely treacherous. So much that he might even have given apprehending everyone at the scene a shot, if it hadn't been for what Kat said. His mouth formed a very small "o", and his eyes were wider open than they had for probably around the last year or so. "... You're not entirely unlike your sister after all..." Escaped his mouth as he watched her awkwardly standing by the enormous man. It was obvious Kat and her sister were far from the same person, but the words she spoke wasn't something Gaspard couldn't ever see Kath saying.


He shook his head and looked back down at his hands as he sat on the corner of the couch. He didn't want to show potential targets weakness in form of confusion, and on top of that, it was rather awkward. He only looked up again when the amputation of Kat's arm was suggested. He was about to oppose it, but then realized he wasn't in a group that would heed the supposed bodyguard's warnings/threats without doubt. "... Let's just try every other possibility before resorting to that, alright?" He suggested. Maybe they were more radical than he'd have expected, and were honestly considering to cut her hand off. Couldn't hurt trying to expand their horizons.


He kept quiet for another few moments, and then opened his mouth a final time: "We don't happen to be in the company of someone with an incredibly convenient power regarding watch-removal?"

 

[Syrenrei]

Katriane Claire Alexandrie- "Dreamless"

Zak Muir's Apartment
​

Just as quickly as she had been inflated with the hope that maybe, just maybe, she'd rid herself of this damn watch and be able to slip into relative anonymity (or just hiding) Robin revealed his inability to remove the device. The heated exchange that resulted from Zak and Robin made her wince as if it caused her physical injury and her eyes drifted downward. Quiet blue gaze fixated on the smooth metallic jewelry as Gaspard commented. At first she did not realize the depth of his words or those preceding it, but it did no good to bury her head in the sand and hide from their speech and queries contained therein. The range of emotions, from anger to defiance and empathy to concern, were all manifestations of their frustration.


Here they were, four amazingly capable people gifted with powers beyond a mundane person's ability, and yet none could remove one small watch. A finger rubbed against the flawless shine of its underside and she considered carefully what she should say or do to help bring them together cohesively. How could she assuage their doubts and worry when she was the pessimist? Her name was an assertion of how she had changed from bubbly social creature to that of creeping to dreamlessness. "I'm sorry. I asked too much. Of course Madam would safeguard her ball and chain." Her voice was soft and plaintive, a veritable pleading for them to no longer throw words of agitation towards each other.


"I know someone capable, but I am not sure she'd be willing to help... and I am unsure if could endanger her by asking for such a favor." Obviously said person wasn't in their company as Gaspard as she was the only female. Even imparting the name died on her lips as she wasn't sure who would disapprove more quickly. Would it be Zak questioning her reliance on someone she had no real reason to trust except some coinciding agendas? Or would Gaspard yell bloody murder at involving a villain, their closest thing to a true nemesis, and bringing them into the fold? If she was Two or Robin she'd run away from this whole mess as fast as they could while they still could.


"As tempting as it is to stay here and have a slumber party," she remarked with a wry smile, "I think we'd be rather crowded and I'd feel uncomfortable waking up to you all groping each other in your sleep." Her joke fell slightly more flat than she intended but she felt as if the mood in the room might slightly shift- even a teensy tiny step. "I'm going to find somewhere to sleep the rest of this off," she added. Her smile was strong yet melancholy. It was the sort of look and accompanying gaze that one might expect from someone to go on a very long, very distant trip. Katriane was careful not to say anything that would out her true intentions as she slowly rose from the sofa with minimal wobbling. Mittens let out a loud yawning huff and scrambled to her feet, less than enthusiastic to give up her cozy slice of Zak's floor.

 

[Ozmic]

Subject Two

3773 Radio Park Drive, Unit B
​

Watching Robin, Two hoped for the best, but the other male's words after he'd looked it over didn't bring much in the way of hope at all. Exhaling from his nostrils, he went to say something when Zak spoke up, growling a rebuttal that didn't hold the same tone as Robin's words had. The other shot back a reply quicker than Two could and, after draining his beer, the large man gave a sigh. "Well, if you two think taking shots back and forth at each other is gonna' help the situation, by all means, don't let the rest of us stop you," he snapped, fist clenching despite himself as he found himself desperately wanting to put it through something.


Untightening the appendage, Two turned to Gaspard and gave a light chuckle. "That'd be the thing, eh? Some poor bastard with the power of watchromancy," he said offhandedly, then turned as Kat spoke, her voice quiet and obvious that the snapping back and forth wasn't helping. When she mentioned someone that might be able to help, the augmented man's brow raised. "Might be worth a shot, unless we want MORE folks involved in all this."


Going quiet for a minute, he just took everything in and tried to think. Admittedly, the beer he'd been consuming throughout the day probably wasn't helping, but he ignored the fuzzy feeling as best he could. When Kat spoke again, the buzz pulled away completely and he came back to reality. "You mind if I come with ya'?" he asked, then blinked as he realized how that sounded. "Not for sleepin', but so we can talk. Might be the best chance we get under the circumstances."


He smiled, but his words were serious as a heart-attack and his eyes showed it. "Won't be long, and then you can get to restin' off the headache from your date with the ground, hm?"

 

[Erica]

Zak Muir

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

Tensions were high. Robin’s reaction to Zak’s frustration was quick and visceral, and Zak took a step forward before he took a slow breath and made himself stop. It wasn’t Robin’s fault, of course. Yet Kat’s declaration that she would not follow Madam’s orders, coupled with the two men who were assuredly Unclassified in his apartment? It all added up to major trouble. And there was only one person in the room he knew and trusted.


Maybe two, if you counted Mittens.


He smirked at Robin’s challenging “Well?” As he opened his mouth to speak, Gaspard cracked a joke and Two spoke up about being reasonable.


Score one for the Unclassifieds.


Kat started speaking in a resigned tone about asking too much and going off on her own. Zak was already shaking his head. The mention of another person who might help piqued his interest. He couldn’t think of anyone - then again, she had brought two men he didn’t know to his apartment. Maybe she had more connections than he thought.


Her joke was horrible but quintessential Kat, and he was surprised to see Two jump at the chance to help her. In retrospect, he shouldn’t have been. Clearly sparks were flying between the two of them. He couldn’t remember the last time he had seen Kat blush. (Had he ever seen her blush?) At least the guy seemed capable of protecting her - and Mittens would take care of him if he tried anything she didn’t like.


Tempting as it might be to have everyone out of his hair - and his apartment - he didn’t like the idea of Kat going off on her own. But it wasn’t his call. Folding his arms across his chest, he waited to see what she would say to Two. It wasn’t his place to answer for her. But before she left, he intended to make sure she knew how to get a hold of him - and vice versa - and to somehow impress upon her that he didn’t give a shit if she was deemed Unclassified; she could always reach out to him.

 

[Prizzy Kriyze]

Gaspard John Iscariot


3773 Radio Park Drive

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

​

A low chuckle was heard from the bored man as he noted that the large man referred to as "Two" also had humor, and suddenly he didn't feel so lonely in the group anymore... all the way until Kat decided to drop that bombshell of a joke, which left Gaspard feelin rather uncomfortable again. He raised an eyebrow at her about that person she was talking about, but didn't ask when she dismissed it herself. No reason to inquire about something he might not like. More people could hurt, and he was already self-appointedly responsible for at least Kat, so that wasn't a risk he wanted to get in on. He stretched in his seat and shot a glance at everyone in the room again. Zak wasn't doing much, Two was starting to look a bit inebriated, and Robin was glancing at Zak. Nothing too interesting. It's almost as if everyone is 3rd, 4th, 5th wheeling the Two and Kat date, He thought to himself and smirked.


He quickly pulled his head up from looking back down at the floor again when Kat stated that she was planning to leave, and his eyes widened when Two wanted to follow. This was going to be troublesome, no matter how he dealt with it. "Oi, wait. You're putting me in a tough position here. Whether you like it or not, the only clear orders I have are to protect Katriane, which I can't much do if I leave you two alone, can I?" He paused and looked at the two. They were probably going to dislike that, the way they've been acting. "... But if you feel you need a moment alone, I'll acquiesce to staying only within view, and out of hearing."

 

[Syrenrei]

Katriane Claire Alexandrie- "Dreamless"

Zak Muir's Apartment
​

"Actually, more like some poor woman who openly harbors a grudge against the Academy's sorting system." Katriane had met Luna exactly twice. Once they had met in one of their classes and worked on an assignment together very briefly before either was sorted into hero or villain. Even then the latter had a rather sharp tongue and explosive temper though she was not necessarily what one would consider malicious. The second time they met was after graduation and Luna was 'reading the riot act' to a hero that apparently made passes at her and then changed his mind about a romantic entanglement once he learned she was a villain. Two would be unnerved if he heard Luna possessed the ability to manipulate metal. After all, hadn't he discovered he was composed of copious amounts of the substance? There was no need to concern him yet.


She had expected Zak to pensively fold his arms and for Gaspard to voice some manner of disapproval of her leaving on her own. They were not so green and naive to not understand the implications of her words. She even expected that Two would try to find some way to attach himself in a misguided notion that she was worth pursuing. Katriane had not anticipated, however, that'd he'd want to 'join her' after she declared she was going to bed. He recovered swiftly and explained he wanted to talk but she was already in a coughing fit of flustered embarrassment and slightly reddened cheeks.


"Seeing as I accidentally 'abandoned' my junker car back near headquarters, I was considering staying at a hotel." With a shrug she struggled to be casual despite how damned awkward this entire situation was becoming. "That way for at least tonight Madam might think I'm taking my assignment seriously staying in the city and I can see about this watch in the morning. Unless Gaspard here has an incorrigible sense of modesty we can share a room with doubles or something, but I can spring for a suite if no one's got anywhere better to stay. I think Robin's loaded though, so you're probably better off with him."


This personal talk business gave her the jitters. What exactly could he want to discuss? Would it be some ill-advised attempt to lift her spirits with a false assessment things 'aren't that bad?' Her life expectancy was going to decline drastically in the next week (if not sooner) and she was starting to come to terms with her own mortality. If she heard someone say, "Awww, I'm sure you'll be okay," and pander to her emotions she might just take up fisticuffs in her final hours. Would he profess a crush and damn himself to difficulty and possible loss in his future? Katriane was unsurprisingly pessimistic but she liked Two too much to decline. He was adorable in that sort of wandering handsome hopelessly hopeful vagrant sort of way. Basically he was the opposite of her.


Fidgeting a little she glanced around nervously before gaining her composure enough to speak again. "Well, we can either go outside and draw all sorts of attention or... talk in Zak's bathroom or bedroom. No offense Zak, but after seeing your living room and kitchen I'm a little worried what might be further in the bat cave. Don't suppose you start have obsessive cleaning habits behind those doors? And I think if we use either Gaspard is going to hear everything you say even if he tries desperately not to. I'd suggest going somewhere for a snack but I'm afraid I'm not exactly dressed for the occasion and I don't have a change of clothes." Kat motioned to the tight bodice, snug black pants, and knee-high boots with a platform heel she was still supporting. Yeah, this couldn't get anymore awkward unless Zak mentioned he happened to wear a size 4 dress on the weekend that he could spare. If that shit happened she was leaving with or without escorts.