Fathom is continuing to run away from the conflict.   There were noises. Scary!  That was crazy!  And they attacked her.  Without provocation!

She didn't owe anything to the others there.  She didn't know any of them.  And, hell, one of them turned into fire!

Who does that?

No.  Don't stop.  Don't think.  Just run!   Put it behind you.


--

Start of third round. Condition: Normal
Free Action: rolled 19 using 1d20+12:  Athletics(+12) vs DC15 to run faster
Move action: run! (60ft)
Standard Action: run! (60ft)

Fathom moves at Base Speed +1.  She's also using her standard action to run.   So... She puts 120 more feet between her and the center of the fight.   She should be somewhere about 150 feet away by now.

She's not stopping until she's out of the park, where Suki will pick her up in Suki's car, and they will  get the hell out of there!  Yeah, I know, not very heroic of her. 

GM: How far is the rendezvous?

The battle was turning against the assailants, Reaper was still blinded from Phoenix’s blast and while Medved managed to score a hit on Shadow the powers of his target was weakening him.

Ignoring the battle, Fathom was running toward the edge of the park she could see in the distance.

[OOC: Shadow, you score a hit and Medved had a 17 on his toughness check, so first degree of affliction: Vulnerable and Dazed.
Fathom, 50 feet before the edge of the park.
Since Reaper is blinded he will not do anything.
Following: Phoenix, Anathema, Psyche Medved.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:56, Mon 28 Mar 2022.

Star Phoenix lowered his flight to a 25'ft altitude and paused...

"Alright, are we done with this foolishness now?  Can we talk?  I did not come here for violence or to harm or threaten anyone.  So big bear and scythe bearer.. can we just talk now?  Why attack us..?!? We were threatening no one... or did you also receive a anonymous invite to come here and you thought were were waiting in ambush?  You loose nothing from just conversation, I'm not angry at you an will just as likely leave as continue a pointless fight where innocent bystanders could be hurt. So please talk to us...!  How did you two meet?"

Actions -
Skill: Persuasion - Diplomacy to try to deescalate the fight to dialogue
Move action: Change altitude 25'ft, Shift Defensive Attack to full defense Dodge [+5 {23}]
06:29, Today: Star Phoenix rolled 17 using 1d20+4.  Star Phoenix - Persuasion [+4 '+6 if attracted to males']. – 17
- I'm assuming neither of them find a fiery Attractive Black American male appealing currently.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:26, Thu 31 Mar 2022.

Anathema continues to spectate. These guys and gals seem to have the situation well in hand. Fire boy is trying again to open a dialogue, which she thinks is a good idea. The air around Star Phoenix ripples nearly-imperceptibly as Anna extends her protections over him, ready to punish the bad men if they continue to fight instead of attack.

Anathema extends her Reflective Defense over Star Phoenix.

Psych attempts to probe the bear's mind to assess his reaction to Justy's words. Why is she calling him Justy, anyway?

OOC: Psyche is going to try and Mind Read Medved as well and see if he knows anythign different. On the next round, she'll try to get Reaper to grab Medved (since Reaper can teleport (?) but Medved can't) and pin Medved down so the others can subdue them more easily.

The bear growled when Phoenix descended and tried to defuse the battle. His head turned toward the flying man while keeping Shadow in sight. But the curse inflicted by him was clearly making him a little unsteady.

-You are naïve kid, he said with a tick Slavic accent. We are the ambush. Someone wants to kill you and your merry band. Me, I am just doing business.

While he was talking, he didn’t knew that Psyche was infiltrating his mind. She found that the bear was telling the truth, he was simply paid to kill the people in the park at this time. He didn’t even knew the other person, save that he was paid like him.

Police sirens were starting to sound in the distance.

-Sranje, growled the bear.

[OOC: No attack from him this turn. Psyche you win the Mind Reading with 28 vs 20, two degrees of success.
Following turn: Shadow, Fathom, Reaper.]

I'm going to assume that my action here does not conflict with Shadows.  Since Fathom is booking it out of there as fast as she can, she's just continuing in that vein...

Move action: Run!
Standard Action: Run!

That should be enough to get her to the curb, anyway...   Hopefully Suki's going to be somewhere nearby.

As the police sirens were approaching, the cloaked man, who had recovered from his temporary blindness landed near his companion and raised his scythe without a word. Space distorted and the two attackers vanished from view and every other senses.

The group was left alone in the park, Phoenix and Shadow were the only visible near the wall of water, while Psyche and Anathema were hidden by their powers. Fathom was finally at the edge of the park where Suki was waiting for her in a car.

[OOC: End of the fight. You have the equivalent of 3 turns before the cops arrive.
Next post: 14/04.]

This message was last edited by the GM at 20:33, Mon 11 Apr 2022.

Anathema decides to step back onto the field, emerging from a puddle further away that hadn't been evaporated by the Star Phoenix's heat. She wipes her dirtied, bare feet on the grass before looking at the would-be assassins.

"We do not know what is going on but our statistical analysis suggests this is not going to end well for you two," she informs them. "Do with that information what you will!"

Hopefully they'll perform the cost-benefit analysis themselves. One of them looks like he already has done and didn't like the answer. Good! Maybe they'll surrender.

Psyche quickly sends a psychic message to everyone.

They were paid to kill us. They don't know each other. They didn't know anyone here or have instructions to keep anyone alive either, so I think we're all trustworthy. You can contact me at 555-6463 if you want. I think we should leave before the cops show up.

With that, Psyche hops off the tree and lands on her skateboard before activating her Mental Invisibility Technique once again and rapidly making an exit.

In reply to The Narrator (msg # 54):

{I did not post as I was awaiting my turn ...but Star Phoenix has some 'choice' words for the assailants}

Star Phoenix scowled at the slavik accented bear metahuman, "...Then YOU are the BIGGER FOOL here!  Attacking us for pay was the only thing your pea-sized brains could come up with to do with your amazing abilities?!? You're Morons ~ both of you!  Did  Whoever 'contracted' you to attack us pay you in advance?  Likely Not!  What makes you think that when you go to get 'paid' there will not just be a bomb waiting for you?  And even IF it's supposed to be some 'secret bank account' ~ Your a Double moron.. as your employers clearly know who you are and where you live! Go home to a bomb or a hit team waiting for you!  Did it ever pass through those EMPTY HEADS of yours that the Only reason you were being sent to attack us was in hopes we'd wipe each other out and Save your employers the hardship of doing with conventional forces?  YOU'RE IDIOTS!  They found you.. they Know who you are just like us!!! We are not a 'merry  band', we all just met, we don't know each other either you FOOLS!  You were sent here just so someone else could either see how YOU died or how WE ALL DIED fighting for no damned good reason ~ just for THEIR own private schemes!!  Go away and grow a brain before you end up dead doing stupid crap for the sake of someone else LAUGHING AT YOUR IDIOCY!!!"

When they vanished Star Phoenix shook his head in disgust...

Then he noticed Anathema coalesce out of a reflective surface.  He flew over lowering down to about 5 feet up and then stopped flying and shut off his protective aura both his fiery plasma sheaths dissipated as he drops to the ground without searing the concrete or her to stand before her.  However, but his fiery bird aura remained but was purely a light effect only a slightly warming the air around him like a constant summer breeze.



He smiled and spoke, "Hey.. I noticed your defensive field you used on me Thanks you didn't have to do that, I appreciate the help.  Look I know right now is a crappy way for us to meet and I understand any sentiment you might have to leave quietly.  But clearly whoever set this up know at least how to find us... I doubt the will be their last attempt at.. well whatever it was they sent those idiotic killers after us."

He gestures with his hand like snapping his fingers and light appeared in his hand and coalesced into a flat rectangular shape... like business card? It was made of solidified light that was semi-transparent... and broke many laws of physics with it's mere solid existence!  Neatly typed upon the solidified light construct was a cell-phone number.  Which he handed to her.

Use - ”{Create} Plasma Constructs”: 7 (Bludgeoning, Cosmic, Elemental, Force, Life Force, Light; Range 175/350/700’ft; Volume: 125 cuft., DC 17; Innate [1rk], Movable [+1rk/Lvl], Stationary [1rk]; Tether [+1rk])

"That is a cell number to a burner phone I use.. its turned off most of the time battery out.. but I turn it on everyday 8 times for 2 minutes at 12, 3, 6, and 9, Respectively. If those jerks show up again and you need help or you just want to talk.. call me."

Again he smiles, and closes his eyes briefly and his costume and appearance return to normal like a dissipating mist the fiery bird aura fading out of existence the warmth in the air vanishing with it.

He turns and waves, "Nice to meet you ~ ma'am.. take care."

He then walks away without hurry heading for the edge of the park...

He pauses looking up as he listened to Psyche's mental voice and reflexively nods, thinking 'Cool, thanks.  Perhaps we should met and talk on our own choice in a few days after this has cooled down a bit.. you take care too.'

{GAH! Got ninja'd by Psyche she posted before mine was done.}

BY the time she'd made it to the edge of the park, Sarah was nearly frantic.  None of what happened made any sense.   Some stalker type found out who she was--already--and he was trying to kill her?  Them.  All of them?  She regretted having run away so quickly, but she wasn't going to be any help for a guy who turns into living fire.    It wasn't like they needed her there.

Sarah looked up and down the road, hoping that Sukanna was going to pull up and get her the hell out of there.  She pulled out her cell-phone and opened up the app that had been recording the entire time...

"So, yeah." She said, trying to marshal her voice. So... now there are people trying to kill me?  I don't know.  One guy with a scythe.  The other like a big bear...   I mean, I hadn't told my family yet.  Now, I think the only way to be safe is to blow this shit wide open. "

Of course, they'd have to edit the audio to give the others a choice about their personal identities.  Coming out had to be their choice, not hers.  But at least her course was clear.  She'd set up a press conference in the next couple of days...

So much for dreams of a second Olympics. Whatever followed next, she'd have to work her ass off.  She wasn't going to be caught unaware like that again...

With their two aggressors vanishing, the group was left alone with the cops coming their way. Not wanting to be involved with law enforcement, the five of them quickly evacuated the park, each going in a different direction.

One hour later, every TV programs were cancelled for a presidential allocution. The first two minutes were a classic politician speech where the President reminded of everyone the value of the United States and the need to sticks together in face of adversity. But the rest was of a particular interest for anyone who developed powers in the last days.

-If we need to be reminded of that is because we will face difficult time, said the President. You all heard of rumors talking about people with incredible powers, something we all thought to be confined to the realm of fiction. But I can tell you today that these rumors have some truth in them. In the recent days, super-powered individuals have appeared all over the globe, this includes in this country. From the testimony of several of them and our own investigation, we are confident that these people were and are humans who lived along side us until the last days where they began to manifest powers for still unknow reasons, even for them.

He paused to let his word sink in the mind of everyone, before continuing.

-This represents a crisis we never planned for. Already, several incidents involving superpowered individuals, that were dubbed Async by some scientists, have showed beyond doubt that some of them will use their powers for criminal purposes. But others showed a willingness to help others and use their powers selflessly. And this represents an opportunity.

A new pause

-I declare the creation of an agency called Async Response Team, or ART, to coordinate our response to the situation. I call anyone gifted with superpowers to seek out governmental officials, the more of you who help, the more this crisis could be controlled. For now, and until further development, any crimes committed by Asyncs will be judged as such, this includes of course thief, assault, manslaughter, and any forms of coercion on others. I urge you to respect the laws in places for the safety of everyone and the stability of our entire world. For anyone else, I call for patience and prudence, heated reactions will not help anyone, and we must keep our heads clear. I am fully convinced that with the help of citizen and the grace of God we will emerge even stronger. Thank you.

As soon as the speech ended, commentators of every channel, with the help of ‘expert’, began immediately analyzing the allocution and the consequences of it. The reception varied wildly between scientists trying to explain the cause of the powers, political experts guessing the structure and duties of the ART or even religious figures proclaiming the end of time. But one thing was certain, the world was changing.

[OOC: I let you react to the speech and decide what you want to do for now. Will you try to kept low profil, search for your agressors, contact the governement? It's up to you.
Next post: 17/04.]

After reaching home, Naomi finds herself so drained from the day's events that she just curls up on the sofa and faces into the back of the seat. The mind-voices she heard echo in her head, as well as the more physical voices of the others who were caught in the ambush with her. Justy, so idealistic it hurts. Eiffel 65, obviously sensitive about her appearance. Metal woman, obviously not. That weird... Shadow guy? And then, the ambush from the other two, that edgy scythe guy, that bear guy... And the knowledge that they were paid by someone.

It all swirls together and she flees from it into the darkness of sleep. The next thing she knows, the lights in the living room are on and she hears a familiar voice complaining about power bills, gas prices, her... but that last is tinged with a hint of affection, and concern.

Yeah, I could just chase her out, but I've come this far already so what's a month or two more? Not like I'm low on money anyway, and if paying for shit is this expensive already, how much worse is it going to be if I throw her out on the street? Fine then, it's just an extra room, not like she's bringing guys home every night or anything. World's a messed up place and I should probably do a little to make it better.

David jumps a little when he feels something close around his neck, but he instantly relaxes as Naomi pulls him into a strange perpendicular hug.

"What did you even do anyway?" he asks. "You only went out for a bit but you're all tired out."

Naomi can tell David's not really worried about her. Concerned yes, but he trusts her to take care of herself. After all, she came back, right?

"Stuff," she says.

"Want to talk about it?"

Naomi doesn't reply right away. Should she tell him all about her powers and the conflict surrounding them? Or would it just worry him needlessly? She knows David is the reclusive sort and knows how to keep his mouth shut when asked to, but maybe this is one secret she can't burden him with. You know, along with her being a triad princess and all. She suddenly feels tired all over again.

She glances at the TV screen, which is on and playing something from David's computer. It seems he's watching a music video from a game, starring a one-eyed Yakuza singing a weird idol song while dressed up as some 80s performer. Man, this is some weird stuff, she chuckles, and then she hugs him tighter. He makes no attempt to free himself.

"Can you put on the local news? There's something I want to check out," she says.

"Hm? Sure." David pauses the video and changes to the local news stream. As expected, the local news is all over the disturbance in the park and the news camera is showing the tree she was hanging from, as well as the bench and the lake she remembers.

And then, it is interrupted by the President's announcement. She senses David going "what is this bullshit" in his head before falling silent. Both of them watch the broadcast without saying anything else until it's over.

Naomi withdraws inside herself, wondering what she should do next. Should she register for this task force thing? What about the others? Should she tell anyone, like David, for instance?

"Man, flying would be handy. That, and X-ray vision. In fact, pretty much the entire flying brick powerset would help a lot," David muses.

"Say what?" Naomi asks.

"I mean, the President's going on and on about superpowers and stuff. And now he's making a call for people to join him. That tells me a few things. For instance, he's known about superpowers for a long time now, but things have gone out of control recently. That's why he's making this appeal, see. "

"I don't get it," Naomi replies.

"Consider, the government wants to keep itself in power. That means it wants to keep all the power under its control. In the case of superpowers, they either recruit everyone with superpowers and put them under government supervision, or they eliminate them. In this case, it seems to me like there are too many people with superpowers running around, which is why the government is launching this program. If there are too many to secretly recruit or bump off, then make it open, and make everyone who doesn't cooperate the enemy. They say, "joining us is good, staying independent is evil", and everyone just goes along with it, because most people would be frightened by and jealous of someone close to them suddenly developing superpowers. Either you have concerned relatives urging this new powered guy to turn himself in where he can be labelled, monitored and controlled, possibly used as supercops, or you have people snitching on them, at which point the cops and possibly the supercops get involved."

"You sound like you know a lot about this stuff," Naomi says.

"Hardly. This is my first time hearing about this too. I'm just saying, that's one way a government would play it if they learned about superbeings popping up willy-nilly. Appeal to the people's fear of the unknown and the desire for stability and peace. It also got me thinking about what powers would be nice. I like flight. Flying is fun. Would also help me work inside false ceilings and searching for hidden routers and all that."

"But you'd have to register if you wanted to be a legal superhero, right? Would you?"

"Hmm. Well, it depends on a couple of things. Some people might have easily hidden powers. Others might have super obvious ones. And then there's the risk of being spotted and turned in by some busybody or clueless person. Like, if I were living alone, I wouldn't bother. But with you around..."

David turns to Naomi. There's a tender look in his eyes.

"I'd tell you about it first. And then we could decide together."

She knows he means it too.

"I don't have superpowers though, so it's just idle speculation. Anyway, time to make dinner. I bought a big batch of half-price sliced beef just now and it just so happens that there's a recipe for Yoshinoya beef bowls I want to try out."

David carefully untangles himself from Naomi and then heads to the kitchen, leaving her alone with her thoughts on the couch.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:37, Fri 15 Apr 2022.

Justin walked away form the arriving police cruisers and at the very edge of the park watched with the rest of the rubber necking inevitable crowd.  He was just mostly interested in who else showed up looking for any who might be detectives or FBI.  Also he was interested in finding out if anyone had been injured or ambulance medics called in.  He took out his cell phone and took pictures of anyone that stood out and any pictures he could get of the detectives or 'men-in-suits' that showed up... if any.

He only stayed an hour or so then walked to the parking lot of the Grocery store some 4 blocks away to return to his motorcycle and drive home.

He had much to ponder.

Dinner, a movie or two... then the news.

He watched the President's Address and considered just how bad an on the surface progressive and accepting policy could go so badly or be terribly abused.  Questions needed answering in the public about how this 'policy' would be implemented and enforced.  How much of the superbeing's private lives would be infiltrated how would they be monitored?  Such information could be used to try coerce them to doing all manner of despicable Human Trafficking.

They needed to know these answers before any super powered beings stepped forward to reveal themselves for any scrutiny.

But how could the Government be forced to voice those policies in open forum for the world to know of its policies and hold them in the public eye to be accountable for such?

He pondered again.. someone must confront them openly to force them to make public declaration of their intentions.

Someone with the power to if not make them reveal the scope of their policies at least be able to evade their control.

He was not sure he wanted this task, but he did have power.  But he needed a back up plan as well assuming things went worse case ~ and he needed someone to bounce his options off.

So, he left home went for a walks several blocks away before powering up in some isolated ally.

Star Phoenix wrapped his phone in solid light to protect it from his fiery aura before taking flight... he did not see the need to go as fast as he could but he kept the trip to about 30 minutes regardless of how many Mach velocity was required at an altitude no higher then 1,000 feet.  Certainly the fiery phoenix blazing across the sky was seen for miles but with his speed he doubted any could follow or track him he'd not need to be there longer then 10 to 15 minutes he was certain.

He felt it prudent to make contact from a distant location... another location 250 miles away seemed prudent.  He followed his GPS and found a Interstate Rest stop the appropriate distance away and landed some half mile away, and powered down to walk to the stop.  Finding a payphone there... he called the voice in his head had offered...

555-6463 - +"This is Star Phoenix, I saw the President's Speech.  Is now a good time to talk?"+

The sound of cutting onions comes from the kitchen as Naomi covers her face with her arm. Tell him, don't tell him, join, don't join... And then her cell phone rings.

She looks at the number and doesn't recognize it. She's about to just hit "decline" (too many phone scams these days) when she remembers that she gave it out just now. With a sigh, she answers the phone, and as she expects, it's Justy.

"Hey, uh, Justy. Yeah, I can talk. Sounds like they want us to join or else, huh?"

Justin turns in the phone booth just to survey his surroundings as he keeps his voice down in answer.

"Yeah that's this issue here...we don't know.  We don't know just what joining up would entail, how much of our private lives would be monitored.  It could be great and all but it more than likely even if it was initially good could be turned into something REALLY BAD.  But we don't know.  I think we need to find out and we need to make the 'Government' publicly declare Exactly what it would entail.. no behind closed doors crap.. full transparency."

"I... have an idea to just confront them, fly to DC hover outside the White House and ask for details... PUBLIC Details and demand/request they state publicly just what their 'program' would involve... for all America and the World to see!  Make it SO public that if they start to backslide everyone knows and the court of public opinion hopefully can be kept on 'our' side.  I think this is the best possible defense.  Also we should ponder suggesting we Supers, with some government supervision, police ourselves.. cause for every two like perhaps you and me who want to use our powers responsibly there are I'm sure two more like Reaper and Slavic Bear.  And honestly, how can any Normal cop contend with a Super without using lethal force?  We would be ideal for making sure other Supers don't abuse or take advantage of Normals.  And I mean Supers like us trained in law enforcement... not necessarily you and I specifically."

"I think, I'm ideal to do this cause if things turn bad... I can fly at mach speeds, fly through space faster than light and regenerate from almost any injury even death... so good luck trying to 'silence me' or hurt me."

"But I don't want to go off half-cocked. Do you have a better idea or serious reservations about me risking myself?  I just think someone needs to force them to make this ALL Very public.  We don't want a war between Supers and Normals, and this could turn REAL Ugly!"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:37, Sat 16 Apr 2022.

Non-linear, so sorry.   But it wouldn't make sense for this to come together that same night...

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank-you for coming on such short notice."  Joanna Zeiger, head coach of the US Olympic swim team  addressed the small room of reporters and journalists. The zoom call would be streamed to many news outlets, but Sarah had insisted that there needed to be people physically present for their announcement to carry any weight.

"Two nights ago, swimmer Sarah Swath underwent a radical--even life-changing-- experience that has profoundly altered her life outlook and her relationship with the Olympic games and the sport she has dedicated her life to.  It is my duty to announce that distance swimmer Sarah Swath will no longer be considered for competition in the Olympic games."

They'd convened the press conference in one of the small conference rooms at the downtown Marriott.  It had allowed Sarah to stay removed from Zeiger and her handling of the press until it was time to take center-stage.  But Sarah was nervous.  She'd dealt with the press before, been both lauded and raked over the coals for her performances.  But that was about what she had done, not who she was.

"I'm going to ask you to remain seated and remain calm." Zeiger spoke in a stern tone, "This is a difficult time for Sarah.  We'll take questions after she's issued her statement."  And that's when Sarah entered the room.

The reporters went silent.

Sarah wore black athletic pants and a white tank-top under a simple white cotton cardigan-style hoodie.  She'd pulled her hair back from her face, the way she'd always done it, but felt that her new cheekbones were a little too pronounced, her new nose a little too severe.  So, she wore her hair down, for a change. Yeah, like anybody would notice the difference in hair-style.

Sarah could feel all eyes on her.  A sort of stunned hesitance.  Someone near the back muttered a stifled laugh, then, as if that were the permission they'd been waiting for, the press erupted in a clamor of noise. Strobe after strobe went off, and the small group of reporters crowded forward.  Thankfully Zeiger and a couple of the hotel security people stepped in between them.

"Hello."  Sarah said, leaning into Zeiger's microphone.  At least her voice was still the same. "You heard the presidential address.   I... I woke up like this.  There was no warning, no illness.  It appears that my affinity with water has grown beyond anything I could ever have imagined.  And out of respect for the International Olympic Committee and the United States Olympic Team, I am withdrawing my involvement, both as a spokes-person and an athlete.  My resignation has already been accepted by Mr Bach.

"Last night, I was attacked in public, by two people who appeared to have learned of my change--despite my having taken precautions to isolate myself.  Their actions and demeanor left no doubt in my mind that they wished me and others harm.  It is for that reasons that I will be contacting the Asynch Response Team program.   Any threat to our constitutionally-protected freedoms should be identified and addressed.  It is my hope that, as Fathom, I will continue to stand for empathy, communication and cooperation.

Joanna stepped forward and placed a hand on Sarah's shoulder.  Hey, it was progress.  Three hours ago, Joanna couldn't even look at her. "We'll take questions now..."

And then it got weird...

Naomi sighs. She'd figured Justy for a (literal) hothead, but to actually go up and call out the entire government right after an announcement like that?

She closes her eyes and shakes her head, then continues speaking.

"I think confronting the White House in public by yourself would be a very bad idea. Among other things, they could simply call you one of the Asyncs they were talking about and then everyone would go after you. Maybe try contacting the others? Or making yourself really visible so others see you, and possibly want to talk to you? I don't think you're the only one who feels this way too. Plus, the President's pretty much done the introduction for you - you can just introduce yourself as your friendly neighborhood Phoenixman and help people out. That way you'll at least have a supportive community to help you out - don't underestimate that."
This message was last edited by the player at 09:03, Sat 16 Apr 2022.

Naomi glances over to the dining tabel and sees that David is bringing a big, steaming pot out of the kitchen. The electric rice cooker is waiting on the table, the READY light glowing orange.

"Anyway, I'm having dinner now, so I'll talk to you later. Don't be rash, okay?"

And with that, she hangs up before heading over to the table.

"Wow, smells great," she smiles as David lays the pot of sliced beef and broth on the table. However, her smile is just a mask as she reads his mind - and to her surprise she finds the answer to her queries waiting there, as though he were the mind-reader instead of her.

On the off-chance you ARE psychic, then you probably know how I feel about you... as well as the, uh, stuff I try not to mention. Sorry, I'm trying to not be a creep here. Anyway, I don't want this power thing to change the comfy life we have, though I have the feeling it will anyway. Just know that I'm always on your side, no matter what.

She looks up to meet David's eyes.

Wait, you really are telepathic?

Yup.

Since when?

Since a few days ago, I guess. When that comet flew past.

Wow. Mind telling me about it?

He's already scooped a bowl of beef and rice for her. Naomi takes advantage of the fact that she doesn't need to use her mouth for mental communication to eat it as she telepathically narrates the events at the park to him, though she doesn't go into detail about Justy and the others. It takes a while for David to get used to the mental link, but eventually they're having a lively conversation entirely within their own heads, and then Naomi decides to go one step further and demonstrate her telekinesis too.

Whoa. That's pretty damn impressive too.

Why do I have the feeling you're more in awe of the telepathy than the telekinesis part?

Oh, don't get me wrong, being able to kill a yak from 200 feet away with mind bullets is pretty neat, but I could do the same thing with a gun, and as Thulsa Doom says, "what is steel compared to the hand that wields it?" That's where your real power lies, if you ask me. Mind control stuff is so horrifically overpowered in games and so on that they have to put in all sorts of limits to it and people who are flat out immune to it just to make sure the other powers have a level playing field. I can tell you right now that the people who'll only be wary of someone who can toss a truck with their mind or set a city block on fire will be downright terrified of someone who can play with their thoughts like putty.

Wow. You make me sound like some kind of supervillain.

Well, you could be one if you wanted. Easily. The media already has billions of people agreeing with them with nothing more than half-baked lies. You don't even have to bother with that. Of course, I'd rather you not be one. While I'm on your side regardless, I'd feel better knowing that you were one of the good guys.

And who IS a good guy to you, anyway? Because you seemed pretty dismissive about that ART thing on the news just now.

I'm a cynic, I admit, but I think the stated intentions which the ART was founded with are noble enough. Working together with like-minded individuals to protect innocents and bystanders from disaster and malicious superpowered beings is a worthy cause. People might try to twist it or make it into something it isn't, but that's their fault, not yours. It's also why I said I'm always on your side. If you know what you're getting into and join them for the purposes of doing the right thing, then I have no reason not to support you. Spiderman needs his Mary Jane and all that.

He winks, and she giggles.

Kind of fat for a Mary Jane, don't you think?

Hey, that way your version of the Green Goblin won't be able to get away so quickly when he tries to kidnap me. And besides, I really am trying to lose weight.

Naomi's only reply is the bowl in front of him, which they both know has been refilled three times already.

I said I'm trying! Some hero you are, fat-shaming me...

A hero, huh. You think I could be a hero?

Naomi, you can be anything you want to be.

In that case...

Naomi projects an image of herself into David's mind that she found during her brief exploration of his psyche. To that, she adds I'llsee you upstairs once you're done with the dishes.

After he sets what must be the fastest record for washing up in the history of the household, the two of them proceed to have a very enjoyable evening together.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:20, Thu 21 Apr 2022.

Anathema tuts at the Star Phoenix's thanks, holding up a palm and smiling beatifically. "Think nothing of it," she says serenely. "I wanted to help." After all, it seemed like fun.

She commits all the numbers she is being given from all angles to her flawless (if alarmingly blank) memory, humming tunelessly to herself. "Alrighty, it's been fun! Take care ya'll! Taaaaaaa~!"

And with one more perfunctory shattering, she is in a million pieces and a million places and yet nowhere physical all at once...

---

Anathema goes on a wild ride. She considers, briefly, trying to determine where she came from; all indications suggested that the so-called superhumans appearing all over the world were all once ordinary people. But she dismisses that line of action quickly. Her biology has clearly been radically altered and it was longer possible to perceive her as being anything other than a freak. It didn't matter who or what she once was; what mattered now was that she was a goddess and what lay ahead on that route.

She thinks back. She cannot get that meteor out of her head. It is... important to her, somehow. Acquiring it is her highest priority now. But to do that, she needs followers.

And so, the goddess watches the lost people of this tarnished world as she had been before the little diversion at the park. To those that she deems worthy she reveals herself. Those suffering under a system bowed and broken under a wealthy, amoral few; the anarchists, the disenfranchised, the radicals; those looking to smash the system and make a better, more egalitarian world. She needs a submarine and a salvage ship most of all, and she needs them right now before anyone else gets any ideas to snatch her meteor away.

Anathema sees the government announcement. She hears the discussions. The desperate flailing of the old guard trying to protect itself from a threat to the status quo. She has no doubts that this ARC group will do some good, but shes not trust government thralls. Ultimately they are just but corporate puppets. She will cut their strings someday. As their goddess she owes them that much. But; priorities.

She does her best to move fast, but she knows that others will be doing the same. This salvage mission could benefit from a little muscle in case things goes bad. That Justy man seemed very interested in cosmic matters. He would understand the value of rescuing the meteor.

Anathema seeks out the Star Phoenix. She has his "phone number," but such things give her the willies. Instead she comes to him in a mirror when she is least expected, as she is wont to do, appearing behind him in mirrorspace rather than the physical one.

"Hi!" she greets him. "Wanna to go on a holy quest?"

It was after the press conference, with all it's inane questions, that Sarah finally retired to Sukanna's place.

She couldn't go back home quite yet.   Now that she'd gone public, there were people waiting for her outside her place.  Fans possibly.  More likely, reporters and journalists.  Even possibly, whoever had tried to ambush her in the park.

Living in Sukanna''s family's guest-house wasn't exactly terrible.  But it wouldn't be for long. Sarah had more than enough wealth.  She just... well, things had changed for her so much in the span of a couple of days.  She appreciated Suki's support and generosity, but also worried that she might be putting her friend in the crosshairs, too.

Dithering about, an making tea, Sarah sighed and leaned back on the couch.  She'd been putting off this part, the part where she actually did the thing where she talked to someone else about what happened.

It was late.  Probably too late.  And she was half cut on a fifth of Bushmills.  Courage for the cowards.  But the girl had given Sarah her number.  And Sarah didn't know if the girl had even survived the thing in the park... or whether she was strapped down on some table somewhere being operated on to see what makes her tick...

She dialed, and though she wasn't quite aware of it, she held her breath...

Tag to Psyche...    I figure it's late.  So, possibly after your fun-sexy-times?  Or the next night?  I'm not clear, but I don't think it matters.

Naomi's cell phone rings and she imperiously holds up her hand to summon it to her from the next room over... only to her a quiet thud as it clips the doorframe on its way to her, leading to a brief burst of panic as she fusses over the device while David chuckles to himself, having witnessed the whole thing.

Fortunately it's made of fairly sturdy stuff, and as she picks up, David quietly excuses himself to give her some privacy.

"Hello?" she ventures. She's not quite sure who this is - there were four other people and Justy had called her from a payphone, so the fact that this number was different didn't exactly rule him out either.

In reply to Psyche (msg # 67):

He chuckles, "I think 'confront' is too strong a word for what I had in mind, I'm not talking about busting into the White House or threatening anyone.  Just going to DC and right where everyone one who is a law-abiding tourist can legally be... powering up and patiently waiting for the many press folks to come and start asking questions ~ to start the dialogue of questioning openly exactly what the Presidents ART plan has as specific policies.  However, I do see you point of view people react many times with fear and reactionary actions to the unknown or new.  I like the idea of first building up some 'clout' with public good deeds.  I some ideas on how to do that.  I'll keep in tough thanks for the Advice ~ er 'Saturn Girl'!"

{OOC: Tut-tut, Psyche...bad form posting back to back posts not allowing replies! :) }

Justy walks back about a half-a mile from the rest stop then powers back up again and flies he way back home but not directly or immediately as he begins to plan how he will start his 'good deeds'... he was pondering if he should try to hide his identity or just not bother... as what he had planned going to various hospitals around the world healing the sick and raising the recently deceased... that would certainly be a provocative and hopefully seen as good.  He'd have to be careful how he chose to approach as his flight could cause unintentional fires... plus he needed to consider the language barrier in non-English speaking nations.

He was considering lowering his target goals by initially sticking to the US for ease at first before expanding so people would know when they see him Exactly what he was there for and language might not be such an issue... when his Solid Plasma Encased - wrist-watch {so encased to keep it from being slagged by his fiery aura in flight} went off with its alarm at 9PM.

He paused and found a secluded place to land, pulled out his solid-plasma encased 'burner-cell phone' and he turned it on at the scheduled time to find he'd received no messages.  He turned it off and was about to put it away when he noticed the reflection in the surface changed and spoke to him!!

It was the ... 'Naked Circuitry Girl' {Anathema} who tried to help.

He smiled, "That's a VERY cool trick, is there a limit on how far away you can be to do that? Wait before we go any further.. What should I call you? You know I'm Star Phoenix.. but what name do you wish to be known by?"

He pondered her question, wondering if she was being just eccentric or literal. In either way his curiosity was peaked so he replied, "Sure! Never been on one before ~ I ...do consider myself a man of faith but I've never done a pilgrimage to any Holy site or locale Patroned by any existing Religious organizations. I've always believed Holy to mean keeping to ones worship of God without hypocrisy to one's professed beliefs. Or maybe that's a better definition of the words 'Sacred'?  But if you would like my help seeking a spiritual goal I'm willing to listen and help where I can. Where would you like to meet?"

Star Phoenix remembered that clothing seemed optional to her... but he did not want to seem judgemental or make her feel uncomfortable, so he made up his mind to just focus on her eyes.  He had no idea how her powers had manifested that might have made her feel the USA norms of clothing no longer applied to her and who was he to judge her choice as bad?  Though there were laws of public indecency ~ whatever that means!  So he'd just try not to be startled with however she decided to appear... and be polite.

She wasn't hard on the eyes... but he did not wish to be rude by gawking at her either.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:06, Fri 22 Apr 2022.

"Hello?" [Naomi] ventures. She's not quite sure who this is...

The voice was the same, Sarah thought.  She felt a wave of relief.  At least this girl, Psyche, had survived.  Sarah could put the visions of her being tortured to rest.

"I was afraid to call."  She said.  She didn't say her name, didn't think to.  "The news all focused on the pyrotechnics of the phoenix-guy."

She took a moment, then let out a solid breath.   "So... it's Sarah Swath.  I'm sorry to call so late.  But you were the only one there who seemed kinda half-way normal, you know?  And I don't know what happened, after.  Can you tell me?"  She didn't add After I ran.  She didn't feel she needed to.

She wasn't embarrassed or ashamed for her instinct for self-preservation.  Nobody was calling on her to be a hero.  yet.   But if she joined this government thing, they would be looking to her for just that.  No pressure.


And, hey Star! Psyche's post wasn't disallowing anyone from responding.   She gave it five days!  Hardly bad form, that.