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Gunni looked at the signature and squealed, letting her inner fangirl out just a bit, before tugging on Sam's hand as if dragging him back towards the bar. Hopefully the Badger would figure her for just another girl meeting her idol. Once she got him back at the bar, she spoke softly to Sam. "You're in luck. They've already got good hearing protection. So you can use these." She passed over the earplugs. "Anything inside 'normal' human hearing gets through, up to about 75 decibels, anything more than that gets dampened a bit, and anything lower or higher frequency gets dampened a lot."
Foradain, Mage of Phoenix Rising.
[url=https://cityoftitans.com/forum/foradains-character-conclave]Foradain's Character Conclave[/url]
.
Avatar courtesy of [s]Satellite9[/s] [url=https://www.instagram.com/irezoomie/]Irezoomie[/url]
Julius finished his burrito and stood up.
"Where you goin'?" Danny growled.
"I'm gonna wash my hands and see if I can get an autograph. Duh." He shook his head. "You are one obsessed stress-puppy, Danny. I hope you know what you're doing."
The Badger just grunted and returned his glare to the singer up on stage. He was ignoring everything but the object of his anger.
Julius shrugged and made his way to a restroom, washing up as he had said. He looked at his face in the mirror, ignoring the curious stares of a few others going in and out of the restroom. [i]I should just go now, before he starts anything,[/i] he thought.
A Wing and a Prayer, A Strong, Strong Wind, All Forests are One, Power Struggles - Venture City metahuman novels in the spirit of City of Heroes and other comic book superhero fiction. (http://bit.ly/sdpbooks)
"Sam go after Julius, and don't make it obvious. When you're in tha restroom try to talk him out of helping Badger, inform him that this Cardinal fellow just using his so called friend. He might have even been manipulated, not sure I leave that for later. Tha kid on the edge and getting involved with this will start a downward spiral into worst things. Offer a hand, help, teaching, anything to get him to just not fall into that trap."
He motions for the bartender to refill his glass "Once the Cardinal does his thing anyone affected can use that. But when Badger starts something there no excuse just stupidity. That's a good kid he has doubts, fears. A helping hand offered now would save the kid a lot of hardships. I do it myself but, well my smiling face would scare him where yars won't."
-------------------------------------------
Personal rules of good roleplay
1.) Nothing goes as planned.
2.) If it goes as planned it's not good RP
Sam took the earplugs and slipped them into his shirt pocket. He finished his drink and got up, looking around until he spotted the bright Restroom signs. He ambled off in that direction slowly.
Once in the bathroom, he did his business and stepped up next to Julius at the sinks. "How ya doing?"
[color=#FF7F50]Putting yourself in another persons shoes emotionally is something that everyone has to experience eventually. It's part of learning to be a human being. Roleplayers do it for fun.[/color]
"Uh...," Julius was startled. "You talkin' to me? Okay, I guess. Just feeling a little... green."
He tried to smile. At least the scales didn't mess up his face too much. "Just a joke."
A Wing and a Prayer, A Strong, Strong Wind, All Forests are One, Power Struggles - Venture City metahuman novels in the spirit of City of Heroes and other comic book superhero fiction. (http://bit.ly/sdpbooks)
Gunni sat at the bar, listening to Gayle's songs, drinking her root beer, occasionally glancing at Probably-Badger, occasionally glancing at the restroom doors, and occasionally trying to find things whose health she could sense but weren't visible to her eyes...
Foradain, Mage of Phoenix Rising.
[url=https://cityoftitans.com/forum/foradains-character-conclave]Foradain's Character Conclave[/url]
.
Avatar courtesy of [s]Satellite9[/s] [url=https://www.instagram.com/irezoomie/]Irezoomie[/url]
"Being green is understandable when you're planning on attacking a well-known celebrity like Gayle Force." Sam stated nonchalantly. If it was possible, Julius went even greener and bolted for the door.
But Sam's psionic strand beat him to it, covering the handle so that Julius couldn't grab it. It was quickly followed by several more which thudded into the jamb, sealing the door closed.
The lizard boy whirled on Sam, baring his teeth and hissing nervously. Sam raised both arms in a placating gesture. "Easy now, Julius. I'm not here to hurt you or even arrest you. I'm here to stop you from making a huge mistake. The type of mistake that WILL affect the rest of your life. And not in a good way."
Seeing that he might be getting through to Julius, he continued. "Now, you can listen to what I have to say or I can hit you so hard that you won't wake up until sometime tomorrow. Your choice."
[color=#FF7F50]Putting yourself in another persons shoes emotionally is something that everyone has to experience eventually. It's part of learning to be a human being. Roleplayers do it for fun.[/color]
"I wasn't even going to help him, anyway, really!" the green-scaled teenager protested. His mouth opened and closed a few times. Finally, he settled on some words. "Can you do something? Danny's gonna make a mess, and I think the Cardinal's gonna use that to do something bad. We oughta at least warn Gayle!"
A Wing and a Prayer, A Strong, Strong Wind, All Forests are One, Power Struggles - Venture City metahuman novels in the spirit of City of Heroes and other comic book superhero fiction. (http://bit.ly/sdpbooks)
Sam played dumb, looking surprised at the name drop. "The Cardinal, huh? Well, that explains why a thug like your friend Danny would want to go after Gayle. The Cardinal is probably controlling him. Thanks kid, that info will help."
Sam moved closer, his hands dropping slowly to his side. "Now, Julius, this is a watershed moment for you. You can continue hanging out with jerks like Danny-boy and end up on a one-way road to Hardlock. Or you can try to turn your life around and make something good of yourself. I'll leave you to decide for yourself. Turn right out of the bathroom to get to the back exit. Use it if you're planning on leaving. If you come back and sit down with Danny, I'm going to assume you mean to help him, so you will be taken down and arrested. Make the right choice."
As Sam moved towards the door, the psionic seals dissipated and he exited, heading back towards the bar.
[color=#FF7F50]Putting yourself in another persons shoes emotionally is something that everyone has to experience eventually. It's part of learning to be a human being. Roleplayers do it for fun.[/color]
Julius stared at Sam's receding back until the door shut behind him and several other men had entered the restroom. He shook his head. "Whatever it is, this ain't the right way to do it. Danny, you're on your own."
He took his phone out and carefully turned it off before slipping it back into his pocket. Then, he took a breath and left the restroom, turning right.
A Wing and a Prayer, A Strong, Strong Wind, All Forests are One, Power Struggles - Venture City metahuman novels in the spirit of City of Heroes and other comic book superhero fiction. (http://bit.ly/sdpbooks)
Just catching a glimpse of Jules as he turned toward the exit, Gunni smiled. Now she could concentrate a bit more on other things, like spotting Cardinal, and seeing what Badger's move would be. And listening to Gayle Force's music.
Foradain, Mage of Phoenix Rising.
[url=https://cityoftitans.com/forum/foradains-character-conclave]Foradain's Character Conclave[/url]
.
Avatar courtesy of [s]Satellite9[/s] [url=https://www.instagram.com/irezoomie/]Irezoomie[/url]
Ron watched Jules head for the exit. "Well Sam seems you were tactful enough to get to him. Kids still confused a little you can see it how he glancing around."
He looks to the stage and yells just enough to be heard "Hey Gayle! How about a little bit of Justice!" He smiled having enjoyed that song and wondered if the fellow Hal ever returned from deep space. Then a thought hit him "Or that Sewer to the Sky one. The one about anyone can be a hero!"
Smirking he takes another drink and softer "Let that melody enter our young lizard's head."
-------------------------------------------
Personal rules of good roleplay
1.) Nothing goes as planned.
2.) If it goes as planned it's not good RP
Gayle perked up at the voice that rose above the crowd. "Sure! There's time for one more before we get set for the official concert! Both are in tonight's line-up, but let's do 'Sewer to Sky.' We don't play that one quite as often as Justice." She looked back at the band for confirmation. She got nods and thumbs-up signs.
"So, you know how this one goes, right? You don't need any special powers or skills or anything to be a hero. Just keep your eyes open and your heart in the right place, and reach out your hand when someone needs it."
With that intro, she nodded to Josie and the keyboardist started the song.
At the table mid-center of the room, Danny's glower deepened, if that was even possible. Other people began to notice. The little bubble of space that people had been unconsciously giving him expanded and became noticeable. The Badger wasn't aware of it, but it did catch the attention of others.
A Wing and a Prayer, A Strong, Strong Wind, All Forests are One, Power Struggles - Venture City metahuman novels in the spirit of City of Heroes and other comic book superhero fiction. (http://bit.ly/sdpbooks)
As Gayle sang, Gunni's mind drifted back to when she'd first heard the song, before she learned why her Mom was so strong and her Dad so good at fixing and making stuff... That was when she had decided that whatever else she did with her life, and however long it turned out to be, she would always try to be a hero...
Something brought her attention back to the present, and she noticed the empty space around The Badger. This was almost certainly the person Scavenger had warned her about. She checked once more to see if there where any living beings around that she couldn't see...
Foradain, Mage of Phoenix Rising.
[url=https://cityoftitans.com/forum/foradains-character-conclave]Foradain's Character Conclave[/url]
.
Avatar courtesy of [s]Satellite9[/s] [url=https://www.instagram.com/irezoomie/]Irezoomie[/url]
Gayle finished the song on a long, powerful note, her left arm reaching high above her, hand grasping for the sky. The band finished up in a harmonious crash of guitar, keyboards, bass and drums. She held the pose for a four-count after the last note as the applause swirled in on a wave of sound. Then, with a mighty smile for the audience, "Yes! Reach for the sky! ... Time to recharge your drinks, or whatever, and we'll be back in ten to start the main event!"
She glanced around the room again before huddling with her band. The empty space around one guy mid-center of the room caught her attention. And she could see why. "Geez! What a wet blanket vibe that guy's putting out! Creeeeeper!" she muttered. he seemed vaguely familiar. She shrugged and attended to the playlist.
"Okay, Gayle, where do you want it?" Slash asked.
"Which?"
"'God Bless the USA.' Lee Greenwood's number."
"Oh, duh. Didn't we already put that as a finisher?"
"Nope. We never agreed on it." The drummer grinned. "It's still between 'Justice,' 'USA,' and 'Nature Lover.'"
She shook her head. "Not doing 'Nature Lover' tonight. Something's not right for that one."
"At all?" Stevie asked. "Seriously?"
"Nope. I just have a feeling." They had learned to trust it when Gayle had those feelings.
"Scorpions, 'Hurricane?'" Josie asked?
"Hell, yeah! Open with it!"
"Thought so!" She held out her hand to Kevin, the bassist. He reluctantly slipped her a $5.
"Here we go...," Gayle murmured as she keyed in the lineup to their monitor channel. "Any switches or swaps to this one?"
"So... finisher, then," Slash nodded. "Naw, this is good."
"Awesome!" Gayle looked around. Everyone was good with it. "Drink time!" She slipped off through the backstage passage to the kitchen, just ahead of the others.
A Wing and a Prayer, A Strong, Strong Wind, All Forests are One, Power Struggles - Venture City metahuman novels in the spirit of City of Heroes and other comic book superhero fiction. (http://bit.ly/sdpbooks)
"Okay Sam, Gunni, he looks like he's ready to take action. When it dawns on him his friend not going to show he do something. He fuming so I really doubt it be let it go and leave, so here what I'm thinkin'" He looks at the two "I can take a lot of damage even when I'm using my powers as a lich. Just not as much, I'm be balancing tha netherworld energies between me and six summoned undead, I could even do seven, eight, or maybe even nine, thought those are a stretch. Safer to just do six. If I do go as tha primary block I be drawing energy from my summoned followers, so if they start dropping I'm in trouble. However if one of ya two can take major damage, then I can feed more power into them increasing their combat strength and speed."
"Sam ya are our fastest player on the field I want ya focused on interception. We know that Badger fellow a pawn in tha Cardinal's plan. What tha birdman's goal is we don't know. It could be kidnapping, assassination, or to discredit Gayle Force. No matter what tha situation I want ya prepared to move fast. With those energy whips ya can get over head and to where ya needed. That would mean Gunni tha fightin' with badgerboy be with ya and me. So how are ya at absorbing damage? And yes I'm thinkin' of Gayle Force as well she's not going to be standing in the back, she's a fighter. However like I said Badger is a distraction, she's the target. She might have her hands full when the shit hits the fans. I can do some healing, but I would have to draw life force from something else. That target would be Badger I prefer not to have to draw on life form someone even a blockhead."
"Am I leaving anythin' out or ya got comments, or question best to voice it now."
-------------------------------------------
Personal rules of good roleplay
1.) Nothing goes as planned.
2.) If it goes as planned it's not good RP
Energy whips? "Whipcrack, right? I've registered myself as Crux." Gunni indicated the constellation on her jacket. "Half Vanir, so I've got some strength and durability. And I've made some gadgets, weapons, and armour, and I can macgyver pretty fast. But most of my gear is about ten seconds away out that door, disguised as a motorcycle. I could bring it in, save a few seconds later..."
Foradain, Mage of Phoenix Rising.
[url=https://cityoftitans.com/forum/foradains-character-conclave]Foradain's Character Conclave[/url]
.
Avatar courtesy of [s]Satellite9[/s] [url=https://www.instagram.com/irezoomie/]Irezoomie[/url]
If the anticipation and tension in the air was bothering her, Gayle didn’t show it, and neither did her band. Taking cues from their lead singer, they just had fun with the show—joyfully making music that carried the audience along with them on a rushing river of sound.
The heroes kept their eyes and other senses open, but the show kept rolling on without incident. The Badger just sat and glowered, periodically taking a swig from his beer, waiting. He had noticed when Julius failed to return from the restroom. After several attempts to contact him, Danny had given up with a muttered oath. There continued to be no sign or hint of The Cardinal.
Up on stage, Gayle smiled at the crowd. “Okay, folks, you’ve been great! We have just one final song for you tonight. Let’s wrap up with a reminder of what we’ve lost, what we have, and the men and women who have given everything that others might live.”
She indicated her lead guitarist with a gracious sweep of her arm. “Stevie Carlson’s gonna take this one. It’s a little tough for me to get all the way through it in one piece. Most of you probably know that I lost my mom, the heroine called Aspen, in Milwaukee on Memorial Day eleven years ago when the aliens attacked. This was one of my mom’s favorite songs, and–”
“What? You’re not doing ‘Nature Lover?’” the sour-faced guy in the center of the crowd—the Badger—stood up and yelled.
“Umm, no?” the singer responded.
“Bull crap!” he protested. “You’re usually such an Earth-friendly poster child! What’s the matter? Losing your faith?”
“No, but this is Memorial Day.” The house security members were already on their way over to the disruptive young man. “You know, when we honor the sacrifices of fallen patriots?”
That must have given him the cue he was looking for. “Yeah, fallen patriots! I’m sure they’re all really happy with the way you’ve let the corporations off the hook recently! What would your mom think about the way you’ve been selling out to big business? Ha!” He ignored the attempts of the security team to lead him away. In fact, he wasn’t being budged in the slightest. “You’ve betrayed her memory, just like you betrayed your cause! The Earth is getting sicker because you let the bloodsuckers win!”
“What’s my mom have to do with this?” Gayle seemed a little at a loss. “Anyway, folks, give the guy some room. He’s a little–”
“No, Gayle, you’re not wiggling out of this with a few slick words!” the Badger shouted. He pivoted and planted an elbow in the gut of one security guard. The guard doubled over despite the fibermesh and padding he was wearing. The Badger was already turning to hit the other guard with a backfist strike to the cheekbone. “You can reject me, sure, but you can’t reject the ghosts of everyone you’ve betrayed!”
There was a fraction of a second between one blink and the next when the colors of everything inverted, like a photographic negative stuck in the eye. Then, the sensation was gone, but there were ghosts everywhere. The Green Line was suddenly packed beyond capacity. There were hundreds of ghosts floating in and among the guests. Each and every one bore a look of profound disappointment. Each member of the audience, the performers, or the staff had a personal specter—each ghost was someone they had lost. Some portion of the audience was “ghost-less,” but that didn’t protect them from the chill disapproval of the spirits. Screams, shrieks, and exclamations filled the club. They seemed to solidify, still transparent, still hovering, still dead… but very, very real.
The Badger had already eluded the house security guards and was making his way toward the stage with grim determination. The heroes who had been expecting some trouble like this had their own ghosts to deal with, but they were still able to notice a man in crimson robes straightening up to his full height. He was tucked at the back of the main room in the shadows. Observers could have sworn that he had not been there a moment before.
Gayle gasped, wide-eyed at the gaunt, green-costumed spirit with a tattered cape and disappointment glowing in her hollow eyes hovering before her on the stage. “M-mom?”
A Wing and a Prayer, A Strong, Strong Wind, All Forests are One, Power Struggles - Venture City metahuman novels in the spirit of City of Heroes and other comic book superhero fiction. (http://bit.ly/sdpbooks)
"Show time. Gunni get yar gear I play tha meat shield." He set down his glass and turned standing up he starts over to Badger as he does darkness seemed to flow around him. “You can reject me, sure, but you can’t reject the ghosts of everyone you’ve betrayed!” Ron shook his head hearing that and not just seeing but feeling the spirits arrived. It gave him evidence that indeed Badger knew of Cardnal's plans. "EVERYONE, They aren't Illusions! But they aren't ..." "PRIVATE BOLTON! Is this how the Reaper of Afghanistan lives now? A thrall, a plaything for a so called God? What happen to you you pathetic excuse of a soldier."
Okay that distracted him and he turned to see a spirit in an Army Sergeant uniform. "Sergeant Jones. I'm kind of surprised they let ya out of Hell. Hows the weather down there." "You Pathetic, wasted everything this nation gave you. Look at you, a rotting corpse, a Slave." That when the rune marks glowed this time with the green hew of the Hellfire. "I'm no slave, I'm an AVATAR!" Then he stomped his foot on the ground and darkness swarmed around him. It appeared he was standing in the center of a black pool. Out of that pool rose Zombies, three more standard undead, two armored death knights, and one rose flowing on ghostly air a Lich. "And as such I send you back to where ya belong." Snapping his fingers tentacles rose out of the pool of shadows and grab the ghost of Sergeant Jones and dragged him down into the pits of hel, or Hell, or wherever. "Never did like ya, ya son of a bitch."
He looked around then at Badger "This is how ya fight for nature? Using Unnatural forces? Ya think tha Earth needs ya? That only those like ya can save it? News flash she don't need anyone, she already rebuilding. There now new life thriving on what we consider poison. Worms that eat heavy Metals. Bacteria that thrive on the toxic waste, and even fish that are now immune to the poisons in the Hudson river and use that advantage to lay eggs. Earth don't need protection she will wipe us all off her surface with a blink of an eye and rebuild. Like she done many times, long before man."
He rose up the shadows flowed around him making it hard to clearly see where he was but his Zombies charged after Badger the Lich blasting it's own ghostly blasts at the man. Okay maybe Sergeant Jones got him a little angry.
-------------------------------------------
Personal rules of good roleplay
1.) Nothing goes as planned.
2.) If it goes as planned it's not good RP
Gunni had just reached the door when they started calling out to her. She had never known them, but she had seen their photos, met their families, attended their funerals... She fought to hold back the tears. "I could not help you then." It was a lesson she'd had to learn, her mother had said, that sometimes you will be too late to help.
She reached her bike, activated it, and put her helmet on, then grabbed the handlebars. "Carmen Panzer mode." The bike unfolded and reformed as powered armor, the wheels against her back like a pack, two scabbards at her waist. As she reentered the club, she drew the blades that had been consecrated by a [I]gydhja[/I] of Freya. "I could not help you then. But by Freya I shall help you now!" She looked around and saw the man in red, and sensed his power. She leapt over the heads of the audience, bringing her longsword down, not through Cardinal's head, but through the bonds tying the spirits to his will...
[edit: removed erroneous reference]
Foradain, Mage of Phoenix Rising.
[url=https://cityoftitans.com/forum/foradains-character-conclave]Foradain's Character Conclave[/url]
.
Avatar courtesy of [s]Satellite9[/s] [url=https://www.instagram.com/irezoomie/]Irezoomie[/url]
"There are real people to help, soldier! Whatever you got, it ain't just for the gods!" were the last words Ron heard from Sergeant Jones. It sounded like the ghost was satisfied; strange for a spirit dragged off to the pit. The tentacled pool of shadow closed behind the ghost as it finished the job.
The lich's ghostly blasts rocked the Badger, but the musclebound dupe just gritted his teeth and staggered forward. The zombies shuffled quickly after him, too, but it was going to take something heavy to restrain him. He powered his way through the crowd toward the stage.
As Gunni re-entered the Green Line, The Cardinal noticed her and backed himself up against the wall nervously. He ducked against the stroke he was sure was for him and chirped a loud blast at the sword--intensely focused sound in a pitch set to shatter metal. "Be at peace, my child!" he managed to add in a nervous squeak. It took him a moment to realize that he wasn't the target of the warrior-maiden's blade. The [i]gydhja[/i]-consecrated blades did what Gunni had intended--the control bonds were severed. Whether this turned the mood of the ghosts remained to be seen.
Aspen faced her daughter, obviously struggling against whatever compulsion the spell had put her under. Her whole body trembled with effort.
"Mom? Fight it, Mom!" Gayle cried out with tears in her eyes. "You're a hero! I love you, whatever happens!"
A Wing and a Prayer, A Strong, Strong Wind, All Forests are One, Power Struggles - Venture City metahuman novels in the spirit of City of Heroes and other comic book superhero fiction. (http://bit.ly/sdpbooks)
"I know Serg, that's why I'm called a Hero." Rotten luck moved in front of Badger hovering about half a foot off the ground shrouded in black smokey shadows. He did kind of look like a grim reaper "Back down boy. Ya can't win." He raised his hands ans the shadows once again respond this time growing thicker clinging to badger like tar. It would feel like Badger was trying to run under water.
"Ya look like tha type that might know a thing or two about underground fights, ever heard of tha Ironport Reaper. Ya are looking at him. I never lost a match and that was when I was just a normal human." The Zombies being Ron's own summons had no trouble with the tar patch like shadows and started punching Badger. "Submit, and I will go easy on ya."
-------------------------------------------
Personal rules of good roleplay
1.) Nothing goes as planned.
2.) If it goes as planned it's not good RP
"Come on, Nature Girl," muttered the Cardinal, his eyes on stage. "Let it go! Shake these people into action!"
To the armored warrior before him, he said, "No offense, my child, but you don't understand what's really going on here."
A Wing and a Prayer, A Strong, Strong Wind, All Forests are One, Power Struggles - Venture City metahuman novels in the spirit of City of Heroes and other comic book superhero fiction. (http://bit.ly/sdpbooks)
Gunni laid the flat of her blades together to dampen the vibrations of the longsword. not quite catching what Cardinal had said towards the stage. But what he said to her, she heard.
"Of course not. This is your scheme, and until you've finished it, or at least given us a nice monologue, all we can go by is what you've done. Like ripping these spirits from their rest, forcing them to do your bidding, trying to lay the guilt trip on everyone... I really think it's unlikely you'll convince me to let you finish your scheme, but I suppose you can try."
Gunni wasn't sure if giving him time to monologue was the best idea, but if he did talk more, she might be able to figure out what the end goal was.
Foradain, Mage of Phoenix Rising.
[url=https://cityoftitans.com/forum/foradains-character-conclave]Foradain's Character Conclave[/url]
.
Avatar courtesy of [s]Satellite9[/s] [url=https://www.instagram.com/irezoomie/]Irezoomie[/url]
"Publicity, warrior! And to convince these people to act, instead of just pretending to 'go green' in little, insignificant ways!" He gestured at the terrified crowd and spoke in measured tones. "Change will come when we honor the sacrifices of the dead and make this world sustainable. Shift the laws so there is no profit that harms the environment. Make your representatives act, instead of protecting the interests that funded their bloated campaigns. Do it. That is all."
He drew something small and red from his robes. "And honor the dead, lest ye disappoint their memories."
A Wing and a Prayer, A Strong, Strong Wind, All Forests are One, Power Struggles - Venture City metahuman novels in the spirit of City of Heroes and other comic book superhero fiction. (http://bit.ly/sdpbooks)
The Badger snarled at Rotten Luck and continued shuffling forward through the restraining shadows. "Submit, nothing! Badger don't care! Badger's gonna keep going!" The zombies and even the dark energy attacks were doing almost nothing to hurt him. The more stubborn the Badger grew, the more unstoppable he became. He grabbed a table, hurling it at the undead avatar's face.
A Wing and a Prayer, A Strong, Strong Wind, All Forests are One, Power Struggles - Venture City metahuman novels in the spirit of City of Heroes and other comic book superhero fiction. (http://bit.ly/sdpbooks)
When the spirit of his sister appeared, Sam was paralyzed by indecision. At first, she looked at him with a scorn that seemed foreign to Violet's yes, but then a pulse of energy rippled through her when Gunni's attack severed the Cardinal's control.
Violet smiled and floated closer, reaching out to stroke his face with an ethereal hand. "I am so proud of you, Sama." she said, using her childhood nickname for him. Her words snapped him out of his stupor and his hand rose up to cover hers, tears sliding down his cheeks.
"I miss you so much, Vi." he said, his voice catching.
She nodded. "I know, but we both need to go. You have to help these people and I need to return to where I belong. Go on now, Sama." she said as she started to fade. Sam reached out for her, but then he saw past her to where the Badger was fighting his way towards Gayle. He looked back to Vi, then towards the fight again.
With one last look at his fading sister, Sam summoned his armor and shot a strand towards the ceiling. He kicked off, swinging in a great arc around the audience. As he approached, he reached back with a glowing fist and railed a haymaker directly into the raging juggernaut's face.
[color=#FF7F50]Putting yourself in another persons shoes emotionally is something that everyone has to experience eventually. It's part of learning to be a human being. Roleplayers do it for fun.[/color]
"No doubt I missed most of the REALLY good music, damn thing ran out of food before they could even set up proper." That was Demrius talking to himself, filled up with sandwiches and assorted drinks from various food places outside of the club, not even wearing hero clothes but a massive T-Shirt and black cargo pants,noticing something a bit, off, hearing the commotion from outside. "Please be a drunken scuffle, please be a drunken scuffle."
The massive 800+ pound near 9 foot hero shoved the doors open, people trying there best to get out, fleeing from the spirits that attempted to fill them with guilt, Dropping his arms as he looked around in dissbelief. "Not, a drunken scuffle..."
He didn't even wait for any real instructions before charging in, giving people time to get out of the way, running as fast as he could, to dive in front of Rotten, taking the full brunt of the table, sliding backward, on his feet, just in front of his undead friend.
" Woah, got some heat there aye big guy?" He stood there beside Rotten, still holding the table in hand, as he watched Whipcrack, was flying toward Badger, turning his attention back to Rotten...."Just tell me who to hit."
--Formerly Jorortis--
Note: Jorortis is still a character of mine and is still going to be in the super group, not Demirus, at least not yet...
"You treat the souls of the dead like toys - no, like tools! - and then talk about honoring them? Even Richelieu was a better Cardinal than that! " Gunni reached for his wrist that had withdrawn the red object. She was much faster than most humans, but she had not yet seen the Cardinal move when really pressed...
Foradain, Mage of Phoenix Rising.
[url=https://cityoftitans.com/forum/foradains-character-conclave]Foradain's Character Conclave[/url]
.
Avatar courtesy of [s]Satellite9[/s] [url=https://www.instagram.com/irezoomie/]Irezoomie[/url]
The Badger spun almost a quarter turn to his left from the impact of Whipcrack's haymaker. The blow raised his anger even more. When he turned back toward the stage, his eyes glowed like cheap Halloween LEDs. He coughed and spat, "Badger don't care. Badger's gonna keep going." He took a few more labored steps toward the stage, still struggling through the clinging shadows. His beady-eyed glare took in Rotten Luck and now Demrius and dismissed them both. He fixed his gaze on Gayle, his jaw thrust forward as if his teeth were fastened on his target. He pushed forward, determined to stubborn it out until he got to the singer who had spurned him.
With the incredible burden of The Cardinal's spell lifted from her, Aspen sagged with relief. Her voice was a little thin, a little hollow, but Gayle recognized it as her mother's. "Gayle, honey, I am [i]so[/i] proud of you! You've done so much! You have made a difference, and you can keep on doing whatever you want to do! Just don't do anything because you think you have to because of me. I only want you to be happy. Use your gifts, yes, but just be happy. Give your father my love, and Zephyr and Kenny, too. I love you all! If there was any unfinished business for me here, you've taken care of it for me, already."
Gayle had the presence of mind to re-bubble herself, but she wasn't seeing much else clearly through her joyful tears. "Oh, mom! Thank you, for everything! I just wish we could have done this together for a while!"
"Who says we can't?" Aspen asked with a dangerous grin. "There is a magician here somewhere who needs to be taught a lesson, I think! Let's take care of that, and then I can go. Being here hurts me, but I think I can take a little pain for a while."
"You got it, mom!" The singer quickly wiped her tears away and glanced to the melee in front of the stage. "You got this, guys? We'll take The Cardinal in back!" She floated up into the air, and the cyclone began to spin, mirrored by another at her side as her mother joined her.
At the back of the room, Gunni could see the sudden worry in the eyes behind the black mask. The Cardinal breathed, "Uh-oh!"
A Wing and a Prayer, A Strong, Strong Wind, All Forests are One, Power Struggles - Venture City metahuman novels in the spirit of City of Heroes and other comic book superhero fiction. (http://bit.ly/sdpbooks)
The Cardinal's eyes twitched back to the tech-armored battle maiden in front of him. He would have very much liked to have activated that little relic, but Gunni had a hold on his wrist. He tried anyway, his faith the only chance to make it work and recover some shred of success from this debacle.
[i]"Heavenly Father, grant thy servant the blessing of thy holy shield, that he might resist the slings and arrows of the heathens!"[/i]
A Wing and a Prayer, A Strong, Strong Wind, All Forests are One, Power Struggles - Venture City metahuman novels in the spirit of City of Heroes and other comic book superhero fiction. (http://bit.ly/sdpbooks)
The Cardinal's prayer was answered, firmly and unambiguously, in a voice that seemed to ring out behind the peals of celestial chimes, audible to anyone with senses to hear the spiritual realm. [i]"Your faith is true, your cause just. But your methods are wanting in My sight."[/i]
"No!" the red-cloaked vigilante shouted. The relic dropped from his numb fingers and the panic rose in his eyes. "This is right! This is what must be!" His wail rose to an unbearable level; this time focused not at Gunni's weapons, but the warrior herself. The shrieking pulse of sound was meant to hurt her and knock her back, stunned, the grip on his wrist broken so that he could escape.
A Wing and a Prayer, A Strong, Strong Wind, All Forests are One, Power Struggles - Venture City metahuman novels in the spirit of City of Heroes and other comic book superhero fiction. (http://bit.ly/sdpbooks)
"Oh no big boy." Demrius tossed the table to the side, the bone encaseing his hand from the finger tips to his forearm, before darting toward Badger not as fast whipcrack could but, it was still impressive given his size and all, bringing both his massive fists into the air before bringing them both down onto the top of badgers head, the force great enough to crater other floor under them.
--Formerly Jorortis--
Note: Jorortis is still a character of mine and is still going to be in the super group, not Demirus, at least not yet...
The Badger crashed to the floor in a heap, some of the force absorbed by the flooring, but most crumpling his body. And then he pushed himself up again. A wispy red nimbus swirled about him now. "That hurt. But Badger don't care." He lashed out and slugged Demrius almost as hard as the blow he had received. He shuffled forward and threw another right hook. "Badger don't care, but Badger is getting pissed off, now!"
A Wing and a Prayer, A Strong, Strong Wind, All Forests are One, Power Struggles - Venture City metahuman novels in the spirit of City of Heroes and other comic book superhero fiction. (http://bit.ly/sdpbooks)
Gunni smiled behind her visor as she caught the edge of the Presence which spoke to the Cardinal, but the smile faded as the Cardinal attacked her. The hard plastic visor cracked, and she closed her eyes as it shattered. The force of the sound was enough to overload the microphones in her earpieces, but not to penetrate the insulation behind microphone and speaker, at least not at damaging levels. She opened her eyes, and jabbed at the Cardinal just below the solar plexus, with strength held down to a level comparable to that of a heavyweight boxer in his prime...
Foradain, Mage of Phoenix Rising.
[url=https://cityoftitans.com/forum/foradains-character-conclave]Foradain's Character Conclave[/url]
.
Avatar courtesy of [s]Satellite9[/s] [url=https://www.instagram.com/irezoomie/]Irezoomie[/url]
Without the divine shield he had craved, Gunni's jab hit The Cardinal like a hammer. The air wooshed out him in an incoherent squeak and he doubled over and back against the wall.
Gayle spotted Gunni and winced at the damage the vigilante dealt to her helmet. She reached out and bubbled the warrior maiden in one of her own air shields, then spread her hands apart at shoulder level. With a swooping gesture, the singer brought her hands together and up. A whirlwind scooped up the distraught Cardinal and began swirling and spinning him about. "Hey, mom, would you mind holding this up for me for a sec?"
"I think I can do that, kiddo," the ghost replied. Aspen had filled out, no longer a gaunt and horrifying image, but the glowing, transparent spirit of a heroine in the prime of life. She reached out and took over control of the whirlwind for her daughter.
"Gunni, are you okay?" Gayle called out, pitching the air current to take the message directly to her new friend.
A Wing and a Prayer, A Strong, Strong Wind, All Forests are One, Power Struggles - Venture City metahuman novels in the spirit of City of Heroes and other comic book superhero fiction. (http://bit.ly/sdpbooks)
"...ni,...........ay?"
Gunni kept her eyes on the Cardinal as she removed first her helmet, then the earplugs, just in case he broke loose from Aspen's hold. Seeing that he was secure, she shook the remains of the visor from her hair into the helmet, then pinched her nose to restore the pressure in her middle ear. She threw Aspen a salute, and smiled at Gayle. There were only a couple of scratches on her face. "Sorry, I didn't quite catch that, he blew out the mikes in my earpieces." Her voice was only a little bit loud.
Foradain, Mage of Phoenix Rising.
[url=https://cityoftitans.com/forum/foradains-character-conclave]Foradain's Character Conclave[/url]
.
Avatar courtesy of [s]Satellite9[/s] [url=https://www.instagram.com/irezoomie/]Irezoomie[/url]
Whipcrack flipped away from the small crater that Demrius created with his thunderous blow. His feet stuck to the wall and he sat on his haunches, trying to figure Badger out. He seemed to have the ability to absorb any blow and keep going. As he thought, a small voice whispered in his ear and he grinned. "Thanks, sis!"
He jumped to the ceiling so that he was positioned over Badger. With a flick of his wrists, he shot strands out that attached to the ceiling. Grasping the strands, he dropped off the ceiling and landed behind Badger, the elastic strands stretched taut.
"Here, hang onto these for me!" Whipcrack hollered, slapping the strands onto Badger's wrists just after he hit Demrius. If things went as planned, the strands would yank Badger off his feet, depriving him of the ability to move towards Gayle.
[color=#FF7F50]Putting yourself in another persons shoes emotionally is something that everyone has to experience eventually. It's part of learning to be a human being. Roleplayers do it for fun.[/color]
Badgers first punch collided into Demrius's face like a miniature car crash, stunning the big man for a moment, just long enough for Demrius to throw up his shielded arms and block the hook that was thrown, a shockwave moving throughout his entire body as he was sent spinning back into a nearby wall, slowly picking himself from the floor as whipcrack was stringing Badger to the ceiling.
--Formerly Jorortis--
Note: Jorortis is still a character of mine and is still going to be in the super group, not Demirus, at least not yet...
"Glad to see ya Demrius. We got two problems tha guy that threw that table and, another fellow in the back the ladies are handling. There also a few loose spirits that I would have to take care of soon."
"Badger here seems resistant to my dark energy attacks and the Zombies aren't doing much either. So it's up to you two."
"Whipcrack, Demrius take care of Honey Badger here. I go help the ladies with tha fellow who disturbed the dead." He then reinforced the patch of shadowy tar slowing down Badger just incase the Spirit Storm didn't take hold.
Then he slipped into one of his shadow portals and then appeared near Cardinal, Gunni, Gayle Force, and Aspin. "Good intentions. I have heard that excuse often by those ya say ya fight against. it's for the common good to build a plant here, it's for the good of the people it creates jobs, it's this, it's that. Ya heard it yarself. They never stop to think of the greater harm they cause. Do ya have any idea how much damage you caused forcing souls from the afterlife to tha living world? Lost souls! Tormented spirits! Ripping of the veil between life and death. It's fools like ya that bring harm. ALL FOR A GOOD CAUSE!"
-------------------------------------------
Personal rules of good roleplay
1.) Nothing goes as planned.
2.) If it goes as planned it's not good RP
"What the heck?" the Badger grumbled, staring at the strands attached to his wrists. He looked even more surly than before. With a struggling shuffle, he turned and re-oriented on Gayle. "You keep trying to slow me down! You can't stop me! Badger don't give up!"
As heartfelt as it was, Rotten Luck's remonstration was lost on the stunned, spinning vigilante. Many of the unbound ghosts were already departing for the afterlife again. A few were staying behind to talk with the people they had been summoned to terrify. Other than Aspen, none were either helping nor hindering the villains.
A Wing and a Prayer, A Strong, Strong Wind, All Forests are One, Power Struggles - Venture City metahuman novels in the spirit of City of Heroes and other comic book superhero fiction. (http://bit.ly/sdpbooks)
Whipcrack flipped away from Badger as he spun around. "That should have worked..." he mumbled to himself. He looked Badger up and down, finally noticing the patch of necrotic magic at his feet and putting it together.
"Rott! Kill the tar!" he yelled, turning his gaze towards the zombie.
[color=#FF7F50]Putting yourself in another persons shoes emotionally is something that everyone has to experience eventually. It's part of learning to be a human being. Roleplayers do it for fun.[/color]
He looked back. "Crap, alright the negative energy of the tar patch must be interfering with your positive energy. Everyone prepare yarselves once that tar gone he's at full speed." His pet Zombies moved to intercept Badger incase he charges for Gayle. "TIE him up fast!"
-------------------------------------------
Personal rules of good roleplay
1.) Nothing goes as planned.
2.) If it goes as planned it's not good RP
Aspen looked long and hard at her daughter. Hesitantly, she asked, "You aren't [i]really[/i] that much of a damsel in distress, are you, Gayle?"
"Hell, no, Mom! They're just being heroic!" She saluted the guys and giggled. Her amusement evaporated as The Cardinal started a loud, warbling noise. "Enough of this! I'm going to kill the whirlwind, Mom, just to let you know."
"Okay." The dead heroine watched intently to see what her daughter was going to do.
Gayle intently stretched a hand straight out before her and then pulled her arm back with a twist, clenching her hand into a fist as she did so. The sound died and the whirlwind vanished, snuffed out like a candle in a wind tunnel. The Cardinal spun to the floor, splayed painfully against the wall and floor, but as noiselessly as a wisp of cotton hitting a pillow. He made a scrabbling attempt to crawl away, but slumped unconscious the rest of the way to the floor before he could move two steps.
"What did you do to him?" Aspen asked with wide eyes.
"I took his air. Literally." Gayle sniffed. "He'll have one heck of a headache, but he'll be okay."
Her mother shook her head, impressed. "I never learned how to do anything like that!"
"Eh, I just have a knack!" the singer replied.
A Wing and a Prayer, A Strong, Strong Wind, All Forests are One, Power Struggles - Venture City metahuman novels in the spirit of City of Heroes and other comic book superhero fiction. (http://bit.ly/sdpbooks)
Demrius walked toward the stage , standing there arms out and spread as he waited for whipcrack to work his own magic with stringing Badger up, a standing alongside Rottens Zombies.
"Let's see what happens when theirresistible force meets the immovable object." Demrius moved his bone armor from his hands, to his chest, head, neck, back and his biceps up.
--Formerly Jorortis--
Note: Jorortis is still a character of mine and is still going to be in the super group, not Demirus, at least not yet...
Gunni took up a position to the right side of the line of Demrius and Rotten Luck's Wight Guard. She watched Badger, to see if he got tangled up in the line or if he'd try to go around (or over) it...
Foradain, Mage of Phoenix Rising.
[url=https://cityoftitans.com/forum/foradains-character-conclave]Foradain's Character Conclave[/url]
.
Avatar courtesy of [s]Satellite9[/s] [url=https://www.instagram.com/irezoomie/]Irezoomie[/url]
A few more steps, and the elastic grew so taut that it sang. "You're all against me, but I don't care! You're too good for me, huh? I'll show you!"
Even facing a line of heroes and without The Cardinal for support, the Badger moved toward them, a step at a time. When Rotten Luck released the tar patch, he lurched forward, and the elastic strands snapped back and up. The Badger swung a meter and a half off the floor, seething like an infernal pinata.
A Wing and a Prayer, A Strong, Strong Wind, All Forests are One, Power Struggles - Venture City metahuman novels in the spirit of City of Heroes and other comic book superhero fiction. (http://bit.ly/sdpbooks)
"Truth Aspin I'm here because of ya, well not ya in particular. Being an avatar of a death god it's my duty to make sure the veil between life and death is protected. So hearing that this fellow" motions to Cardinal " Enthralls spirits brings them forth. I was duty bound to come. So ya kind of the damsel in distress in this story."
"Aside that Gayle how about you bubble the living folks in a pocket of air and then sing Badger boy there a lullaby. Show yar mother ya other ability. A nice soothing relaxing song to put a grumpy boy to sleep. With some pheromones to ease it along." Winks "heck might as well let Cardial get some of it too. Make sure he has a good rest.
-------------------------------------------
Personal rules of good roleplay
1.) Nothing goes as planned.
2.) If it goes as planned it's not good RP
Demrius looked over at the dangling Badger, smiling to himself as he grabbed ahold of one of the long metal bars that held the lights bending and shaping it so it wasn't so long and akward and he could hold it more comfortably, holding it much like a baseball bat as he looked over to Rotten.
" And if that doesn't work I could always break the piñata open and see what kind of candy falls out." He said as a joke, kind of.
--Formerly Jorortis--
Note: Jorortis is still a character of mine and is still going to be in the super group, not Demirus, at least not yet...
Whipcrack hopped off the wall and shot out another elastic strand which bound Badger's ankles together, then stretched that strand taut and slapped it against the floor. This made sure that Badger wouldn't be able to start swinging around like a wrecking ball.
He strode over to where the other heroes were gathered and grinned. "I love it when a plan comes together."
At that moment, Violet reappeared next to him. Whipcrack did a double-take. "You're still here!"
She nodded and giggled. Like Aspen, she no longer appeared gaunt, but had filled back out into a ghostly version of how she'd looked the night she died. "I had to make sure you wouldn't be distracted by my presence. I can't go back until he says so." she told him, pointing at Rott. "But it has to be soon. Being here isn't good for us."
[color=#FF7F50]Putting yourself in another persons shoes emotionally is something that everyone has to experience eventually. It's part of learning to be a human being. Roleplayers do it for fun.[/color]
Gayle shook her head briefly. "I'm not that good an actress, Mister Avatar. I have to be feeling what I project really strongly, or it doesn't work. That's why it got a bit out of control a few years ago in Milwaukee." She blushed and ducked her head self-consciously. Then, her head popped up again and she raised a slim eyebrow at the Badger. "This guys looks familiar, though."
"Badger won't give up! Even if you dis the Badger, he doesn't give up!" He twisted his wrists and jerked his arms, but couldn't quite get his fingers around the strands.
"Why are you so mad at me?" the singer asked.
"You betrayed the Earth! You sold out to the media! You think you're so high and mighty, but you're just a sellout!" he barked.
Aspen quirked an eyebrow. "And you're too good for him, I think. Isn't that what you said, somewhere in that rant?" She looked at her daughter. "He's obsessed."
Gayle sighed. "Now I remember, yeah. He did ask me out a while back."
"And you told me to go to hell!" He nearly screamed it. "You're not so good! You've just fooled everyone! But not me! I know what kind of snake you are!"
She blinked in surprise. "I would [i]never[/i] say that!"
A Wing and a Prayer, A Strong, Strong Wind, All Forests are One, Power Struggles - Venture City metahuman novels in the spirit of City of Heroes and other comic book superhero fiction. (http://bit.ly/sdpbooks)
"Ohhh, that's what this is about, getting rejected?" Demrius let out a big hearty laugh, makeshift club in hand.
"I dont see why she would reject you, you have such a nice face, and what a great attitude!" The sarcasm in his voice was even stronger then he was, as he took a seat on the stage.
--Formerly Jorortis--
Note: Jorortis is still a character of mine and is still going to be in the super group, not Demirus, at least not yet...
"Somebody said it, or made him think you said it." Gunni looked at the Cardinal, and wondered. "Anyone know someone who could find out who?"
Foradain, Mage of Phoenix Rising.
[url=https://cityoftitans.com/forum/foradains-character-conclave]Foradain's Character Conclave[/url]
.
Avatar courtesy of [s]Satellite9[/s] [url=https://www.instagram.com/irezoomie/]Irezoomie[/url]
Aspen winced. Her face tightened. "The girl is right, I'm afraid. Staying here is painful. I guess I see why ghosts and spirits are always so cranky." She chuckled.
Gayle reached out and tried to hug her mother. Her face fell as her arms went right through the ghost. "You go when you have to. I think things are under control here. Sorry that there wasn't more drama for us to tackle together, but...." Her eyes shone in the lights of the club. "I guess this was enough."
She turned back to the Badger. "I'm sorry... Danny, was it? ... But someone who could even conceive of doing all this...." She waved her arm at the shambles of the Green Line and shook her head. "That's [i]really[/i] not my type. You're stubborn, and you don't quit. Some day, someone is going to need that from you really badly. Put it to good use and get help to find a better cause."
"Gunni, guys, Avatar...?" She shrugged apologetically. "Sorry, I don't know your names, yet, but I want to. Can you guys clean up these two? The police should be here soon. I need to wrap this concert for everyone who's still here and listening."
A Wing and a Prayer, A Strong, Strong Wind, All Forests are One, Power Struggles - Venture City metahuman novels in the spirit of City of Heroes and other comic book superhero fiction. (http://bit.ly/sdpbooks)
"Officially I'm Rotten Luck on the books. Real name Ron Bolton, and I'm more of a doorman. I'm here to make sure the spirits can return where they suppose to, and if needed force them. Always a chance some spirit don't want to return." He motions to a wall and a new portal opens, unlike before this one seems more welcoming and warm less like a pit. "The door is open," He looked to Whipcrack's sister "You could have left when you wanted the veil is weak here won't be after I'm done. All you had to do is think of returning. Like I said I'm here to make sure the spirits that were brought over return. That and make sure that nothing else comes through."
-------------------------------------------
Personal rules of good roleplay
1.) Nothing goes as planned.
2.) If it goes as planned it's not good RP
Demrius tossed his crude bat to the side, putting his hands into his pockets before looking over to Gayle. "My names Dennis Cain, but my official name is....." He paused for a moment to build a bit of unnecessary suspense
"Bubbles." He attempted to strike a menacing pose as he said this, looking around the club.
--Formerly Jorortis--
Note: Jorortis is still a character of mine and is still going to be in the super group, not Demirus, at least not yet...
Gunni snickered at Dennis' - presumed - joke. "And I'm registered as Crux. If any of your gear is damaged, let me know; I can fix almost anything." She picked up the "bat" and straightened it out, then found the lights that were supposed to be on the end and started repairing it.
Foradain, Mage of Phoenix Rising.
[url=https://cityoftitans.com/forum/foradains-character-conclave]Foradain's Character Conclave[/url]
.
Avatar courtesy of [s]Satellite9[/s] [url=https://www.instagram.com/irezoomie/]Irezoomie[/url]
"Hey, I was gonna sell that on EBay, get my taco stand business off the ground."
He was laughing to himself, as her took a seat on the stage.
--Formerly Jorortis--
Note: Jorortis is still a character of mine and is still going to be in the super group, not Demirus, at least not yet...
Whipcrack waved from where he leaned against a table, Violet standing next to him, both of them looking thick as thieves.
"I'm registered as Whipcrack. Nice to meetcha. Normally I'd turn off my armor to be polite. but I'm in civvies under here as opposed to the costume I'd normally be wearing. And people are paying much closer attention to us now." he said, looking around the club at the heads that were poking up from behind furniture and looking in through the windows or doors.
He levered himself off the table and walked over to where Cardinal was sprawled. With a flick of his wrist, he shot a strand that hit his chest dead-center, then hauled him to his feet. With a few spins, the villain's arms were bound. He shot out another strand that bound his ankles, then one more that covered his mouth like a gag. He threw another strand up to the ceiling, then attached Cardinal to it, so he was hanging suspended at a forty-five degree angle, his feet on the floor. "That oughta do it until the TCPD arrives. Let's see about straightening things up. C'mon folks, it's safe now and the lady wants to finish up. The show must go on, right?" he said, raising his voice and waving to the crowd on the last few sentences.
[color=#FF7F50]Putting yourself in another persons shoes emotionally is something that everyone has to experience eventually. It's part of learning to be a human being. Roleplayers do it for fun.[/color]
"Definitely, Whipcrack! 'Bubbles?' Any relation to Cobra Bubbles? Imposingly large, strong, and enigmatic?" Gayle giggled. "Anyway, thanks, guys, and nice to meet you Dennis, Ron, and Whipcrack."
"But, he's still super-stubborn and tough...," her mother protested, waving a phantom hand at the Badger.
"Oh, don't worry! I can fix that! But it's gotta be for everyone. That's actually why I saved this song for last in the lineup. Just had a feeling." She looked back at the equipment on stage and then to her band members. They took their places again with sheepish grins. "Right, guys?"
"If you say so, Gayle. 'Just had a feeling!'" Stevie replied with a chuckle. "You want to take vocals on this one, now?"
She nodded and winked. "I think I'd better." The breeze was blowing a crisp watermelon scent throughout the club. She turned back to her mother. "One more hug for you, Mom. I love you!"
Aspen nodded proudly, astral tears turning her own eyes sparkly. "Finish it up, Gayle!"
The singer floated herself back up to the stage. Stevie checked the sound on his acoustic guitar and gave her a thumbs-up. She picked up her own spring green custom Fender and strapped it on. The police arrived in the back, guided by the Green Line's manager. She waved to them and the rest of the audience, which was flowing back into the space of the main room. "Hey, people! Thanks for your patience and courage! We have one more song here to wrap everything up! Please give the boys and girls in blue some space to handle The Cardinal and Mister Badger. I think this song will help soothe everyone's nerves, and maybe help send our ghost friends back on their way with the respect they deserve."
Applause and cheers echoed back from the crowd. She nodded to her band. Slash counted it off, and Josie and Stevie played the opening bars. The scent in the air melted smoothly into something closer to cinnamon and apple pie and Gayle nodded her head in time with the beat.
She looked up and explained over the instrumental introduction, "It's Memorial Day. I am so proud of what the USA does, and what it can be, and of the people everywhere across this great land. At our best, we own up to our mistakes, and we fix them and make it better. We help others without forcing them to be like us. And, we remember our dead, who gave their lives for these ideals."
She sang....
If tomorrow all the things were gone
I worked for all my life
And I'd had to start again
Just my children and my wife
... [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q65KZIqay4E]God Bless the USA[/url] (YouTube)
A Wing and a Prayer, A Strong, Strong Wind, All Forests are One, Power Struggles - Venture City metahuman novels in the spirit of City of Heroes and other comic book superhero fiction. (http://bit.ly/sdpbooks)
Smelling the air Demrius let a smile go across his face, the smell of pie going into his nose, reminding him that he needs to get some food into him soon.
" Ok let's get a move on, before I take a bite out of another chair."
--Formerly Jorortis--
Note: Jorortis is still a character of mine and is still going to be in the super group, not Demirus, at least not yet...
Gunni smiled as she repaired chairs and tables. The song wasn't about her country, but leaving aside geography, most of the things it claimed made the U.S.A. great, could be claimed by New Zealand as well. In fact, a lot of them were claimed in [url=http://www.mch.govt.nz/nz-identity-heritage/national-anthems/god-defend-new-zealandaotearoa]"God Defend New Zealand"[/url]. Although that was more of a prayer...
It all came down to people, doing their best to make this world, or at least their own corners of it, a better place.
Foradain, Mage of Phoenix Rising.
[url=https://cityoftitans.com/forum/foradains-character-conclave]Foradain's Character Conclave[/url]
.
Avatar courtesy of [s]Satellite9[/s] [url=https://www.instagram.com/irezoomie/]Irezoomie[/url]
TWO DAYS LATER
Gayle stood with Irene Hanson, the manager of the Green Line, and looked over the repairs to the club. Both women were in casual clothing; nothing fancy was called for today. The workers were just packing up the last of their tools. Midday light streamed in from the high windows above the main floor. The bustling lunch crowd was beginning to wane in the restaurant, but it was quiet in the club portion.
“The damage to the floor is all patched up, and the tables and fixtures have been repaired,” Irene noted. She nodded once. “All set for Thursday.”
“Not bad, all things considered. We got off pretty easy, as far as villain attacks go,” Gayle observed. Her breeze was blowing soft and slow, with just a hint of warm grass touching their noses.
Irene’s face screwed up into a wry smile. She brushed a strand of straw-blonde hair back off of her forehead and teased Gayle, “Well, all of the real damage was caused by the heroes, you know… but I suppose you all prevented a lot worse from happening.”
“Probably,” Gayle acknowledged. “Sorry about the fuss, Irene.”
“Eh, whatever. Goes with living here in this town. If you want the excitement and the opportunity, you have to deal with these things. Like bad weather, I suppose. It’s a heckuva deal, all things considered.”
Gayle sighed. “As for me, I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”
Irene’s eyes flicked up and studied the singer’s face. “You got to talk to your mom.”
“Yeah.” She glanced absently around the empty club while her thoughts whirled like a cyclone in her head. Then, her face relaxed. “Yeah! Who would’ve ever thought?”
The restauranteur shrugged. “You betcha. At least you got everyone calmed down and under control at the end. Your mom’s ghost sure looked proud before she faded out.”
“Yeah, that’s a memory that’s gonna stick with me forever.” She quickly added, “A good one, this time!”
“That’s a good thing.” Irene patted her shoulder. “Honey, you’re a cool breath of wind on a hot day. And all your friends help spread it around. Sometimes, that’s just what this city needs.”
“Hmm…. A cool breeze in the city…,” Gayle mused. A grin lit her face and the breeze picked up. “Thanks, Irene! I think there’s a song in there somewhere. Maybe I’ll have something new to play for you by this weekend.”
Irene shook her head and chuckled. “No hurry, Gayle. The way I see it, you’ve got all the time in the world.”
A Wing and a Prayer, A Strong, Strong Wind, All Forests are One, Power Struggles - Venture City metahuman novels in the spirit of City of Heroes and other comic book superhero fiction. (http://bit.ly/sdpbooks)
[b][i](( OOC: This finishes up the main story! If there are additional epilogue posts or follow-on conversations, by all means add them on. ))[/i][/b]
(( Thanks to the folks--Foradain, Xselcier, Rotten Luck, Sev, Demrius--who participated in this thread! ))
A Wing and a Prayer, A Strong, Strong Wind, All Forests are One, Power Struggles - Venture City metahuman novels in the spirit of City of Heroes and other comic book superhero fiction. (http://bit.ly/sdpbooks)
[i](( OOC - Edited to give thanks to Rotten Luck, who I just noticed I missed on the original! Oops, my bad. Otherwise, I changed nothing. I just went back to re-read as I prepped for this years' Memorial Day story. ))[/i]
A Wing and a Prayer, A Strong, Strong Wind, All Forests are One, Power Struggles - Venture City metahuman novels in the spirit of City of Heroes and other comic book superhero fiction. (http://bit.ly/sdpbooks)
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