April

The other white-haired girl's words stung, but the sting faded when Fusion spoke up and was completely gone by the time the telepath took her seat at the table. From a logical viewpoint Sage could understand why the comment was made, people are often leery around telepaths, but knowing that didn't make it hurt any less; especially against the backdrop of the agony she inflicted on so many people when her abilities manifested and ran amok. As it is, her smile faltered just slightly but reestablished itself. --Perhaps it's just as well,-- Sage said as she settled into her chair, --Playing without cash. Without Edge here to back me up I might have tossed the keys to the Veyron into the pot. Not that Paladin let me have the keys tonight.-- The psychic suddenly looked thoughtful. --I never knew my brother was a precog.-- Partially opening the seal on her costume and peeling the clinging material away from her cheeks and neck so that it lay open like a flared collar, Sage quirked an eyebrow at her hostess. --Perhaps you can explain this game to me?--

"No," the dryad said with a shake of her head, "There is little point to it." Willow opened her mouth as if to continue, but then closed it with a shrug. Instead she just watched Mad Dog eat, silent and still. "I have sisters," she said after a long period of silence. "I have not seen them in a while, and they could very well be dead. But I do have family, so I'm not completely alone. I think."

Midnight is credit to team

As she followed in the wake of Fusion, Sage felt her blush return at woman's compliment, clearly unused to hearing such things. Normally she tried to escape mention or notice but lately she's found that considerably more difficult when in the company of Young Freedom. Cheeks still flush with a bit of color upon reaching the base of the stairs she shook her head at Fusion and angled her head at the teen couple, --No, no sign. But there was an expressed interest in seeing those two again, on their own turf.-- The teen telepath flashed a smile at the tentacled titan, --I had them over for brunch this Sunday past,-- she explained. Sage reached for Silhouette's offered hand, subtly hesitating just before completing the handshake and inclining her head in greeting. --You are correct, we have not met,-- Sage responded to Silhouette, --but your psychic signature is familiar to me. I have sensed your presence in Freedom City for some time now. To meet you now is a pleasure.-- Releasing the hand she was holding, Sage waved a gloved hand at those present. --Sorry I'm late.--

Willow shook her head. "You did not offend; sometimes the past attacks the present through pain of memory." She offered the masked hero a brief, sad, smile. "Every little bit makes a difference," she said, "though you could say that my true purpose is to strike a balance between Nature and Man." "Sometimes it is the natural world that must be culled," Willow said with a shrug. "As for food; I do not require it and to partake would be wasteful. But I will accompany you while you find sustenance."

Looking a little uncomfortable, Eve shifted her gaze down and away from Jill, as though she found her plate and the food on it intensely interesting. --I learned otherwise,-- she thought to Jill, cutting the others out of the telepathic link as Eve shared brief images of her brutal capture and interrogation at the hands of SHADOW, and her subsequent rescue. She didn't share everything with the medic; she left absent the emotional sub-channel and some of the worst moments, but it was enough. When it was over, she looked back at Jill with an apology in her eyes. With a faint sigh she reconnected with the other minds present and shook her head at Mark. --Now would not be an appropriate time Mark. Trips of this nature require planning and there are protocols to follow.--

The copper-hued woman shrugged. "I have been into town on occasion; generally I see little need to visit the places of Man unless needs must. However one could make the argument that right now I am in town due to the location of this place of Nature." Willow lapsed into silence again, turning her gaze away from the masked hero and looking up at the stars. "My Sisters and I were Guardians," she paused, frowning at something. "We are Guardians. We performed this task before the Olympians… interfered." She cut her gaze back to Mad Dog, amber eyes narrowing. "Dryad? That is a term THEY gave us when they shackled us to their whims; they and others like them."

Blushing a light shade of apricot as Fusion addressed her by name, Sage nodded at Fusion in greeting, eyes cast downward a little longer than necessary until her face didn't feel as warm. --Fusion,-- the telepath respectfully said, recalling the heroines description, --You are an unexpected, but not unwelcome or unpleasant surprise. As in your French.-- Favoring tall woman with a smile Sage lifted a snow-white eyebrow. --May I enter?--

As one the Sage's made straight for the high-tech cables linking the two worlds that still crashed together. As the entwined words pulled apart the telepaths leaped and in a single motion severed the cables with blades of telekinetic force allowing the entangling cables to fall away and the now free spheres to resume their original movements; a tiny white-haired gymnast crouched on either one. Hair whipping behind her as the sphere flew through the chamber Sage could make out the Casement of Tomorrow, a bizarre and bewildering array of clockwork surrounding what appeared to be an ordinary--and closed!--window. <<Makes sense,>> she thought to her counterpart as she dropped from her World-sphere toward the Casement. As Sage dropped onto a large sideways rotating gear the gymnast wished she had a grappling hook as she waited for her target to come into view. The Not Into Trevor Sage was similarly busy, the speed and trajectory of her World-sphere sending her hurtling straight at the Pendulum though her direct line of flight was littered with numerous gears and springs! Twisting in the air a gloved hand snapped out and caught hold of a protruding rod, whipping around and using it to alter to path; sliding across the surface of one gear on her back and catching an upward moving chain. Each Sage hit their mark perfectly, one severing the same high-tech cables pinning the Pendulum while the other found the trigger to reset the Casement. Finding their way back to the main platform the twinned telekinetics regarded each other with silent respect.

Prime Acrobatics: (1d20+20=37) +5 (Inspire) = 42 Acrobatics: (1d20+20=31) HP (reroll): Acrobatics: (1d20+20=37) +5 (Inspire) = 42 Paragon Acrobatics: (1d20+20=38) +5 (Inspire) = 43

Soaring through the air on ethereal wings of orange-hearted gold flame--the visible manifestation of her flight--Sage exulted in the sense of freedom evoked from this form of travel. "It took me eight months to figure this out," Sage reflected as she spotted the Brownstone below and started her descent, "but it was so worth it." The orange hue leached out of the telekinetic wings, replaced with a light yellow-green color as the telepath alighted on the ground behind the Brownstone. There were a two people she was really looking forward to seeing again and the night was also an opportunity to network; something Paladin told her she should never pass up. With an appropriate Sorry-I'm-late smile on her face the white-haired psychic knocked on the door.

Willow shook her head. “No,” she admitted with a sigh, “I'm afraid I don't get in much.” She turned from Mad Dog then, long white hair flaring out behind her at the sudden movement, and settled herself onto the bench the masked man vacated. She was quiet for a moment, still, amber eyes watching. “It is a good cause,” she finally said with a nod, gesturing for Mad Dog to sit beside her.

The blue clad Sage struggled against the shadowy chains but was unable to slip from her bonds. She cast wide eyed, desperate look around her as she realized how hideously vulnerable she was. Green eyes narrowed as the dark suited telepath regarded her trapped counterpart. --Patience,-- she implored her duplicate as she slipped into hiding.

Sage-Paragon attempts to slip out of the ensnaring chains! Escape Artist v. DC35 Snare (1d20+15=33) ... clearly she needs more practice! Sage-Prime is going to Hide in Plain Sight (auto-31 Stealth w/ Skill Mastery) and approach Overshadow. Hopefully next turn she can put the hurt on.

Take care Doc.

Willow regarded the proffered hand with a tilt of her head, a thoughtful expression on her face. With a small, nearly imperceptible shrug of her shoulders she reached forward and clasped the hero around the forearm. "Well met." Amber eyes narrowed as the dryad studied Mad Dog before alighting upon the button pinned to his duster. "What is SPCA?"

"Mm, they've called me and mine many things; sidhe, wood sprites, nymphs, dryad. A name for each tongue of Man." The woman stood as she spoke in her soft melodic soprano, amber eyes regarding Mad Dog from the lifeless branches of the oak. And then she melded into the tree, only to reappear a heartbeat later leaning against the mighty oak at ground level, a ghost of a smile on her lips. "But that is not the question you meant to ask, is it?" she said, raising an eyebrow. "You wish to know my name, yes? That, my angry canine, is Willow."

"It's nice this time of day, isn't it?" a voice called out, originating somewhere above and to the left of the black-clad hero. There, high up in the branches, lounged a young woman with her back against the truck. She was looking away from Mad Dog, her eyes fixed on the sky. "People are either home or on their way there so the roads are quieter. And the stars are coming out soon."

Sage Prime Reflex Save vs. Explosion: (1d20+5=19) Toughness Save vs. Explosion: (1d20+11=31) Sage Paragon Reflex vs Explosion: (1d20+5=17) Toughness vs. Explosion: (1d20+11=12) That didn't go so well. Spending HP to reroll: Toughness vs Explosion: (1d20+11=14) +10 = 24. Reflex Save vs. Snare: (1d20+5=23) Toughness save vs. Snare (Constricting): (1d20+11=23)

--So was that a yes to visiting France, Mark?-- Eve asked with eyebrow raised. --We liaise with the Legion from time to time; their interests are mostly national after all while the family has a more global outlook. It never hurts to have more contacts in the community.-- --And let me know if you need a hand in Africa, Mark.--

I wouldn't mind if people don't mind playing poker with a mind reader :D

Eve's sheet has not been edited! It was always like this! OOOoooOOOoooOOO There were several large revisions to the Sage character sheet as a whole. @ 9 PP Skills Remove: Concentration 10, Climb 8, Search 12 Change: Languages 4 -> 2 (Removed BSL, LSF), Acrobatics 16 -> 15, Stealth 16 -> 15 Add: Knowledge (Business) 5, Knowledge (Life Sciences) 5 @ 15 PP Feats Removed: Attack Focus (Melee), Connected, Dodge Focus (5) @ 22 PP Saves Increase: Fortitude 5 -> 7, Reflex 5 -> 10 @ 15 PP Powers Remove: Protection 7 @ 22 PP Change: Array 12 -> Array 14, Accurate 3 (Array 14) -> Accurate 4 (Array 14) Change: Drain 11 + Mind Reading 11 -> Drain 12 + Mind Reading 12, Drain 11 + Strike 5 -> Drain 12 + Strike 6, Enhanced Search 4 + Telelocation 11 -> Enhanced Search 17 + Telelocation 12, Strike 11 -> Strike 12 @ 17 PP Add: Flight 1, Enhanced Trait 12 (Dodge Focus 11, Defensive Roll 1) + Protection 1 Enhanced Feats 11 (Defensive Roll, Dodge Focus 11) + Protection 1 [13PP] (Preternatural Agility; mutant) Flight 1 (10 mph, 100 ft./rnd) [2PP] (Telekinetic Flight; mutant, mental) @ 2 PP Remove: Array 14 AP: Mind Reading 11 @ 3 PP Add: Array 14 AP: Flight 14, Concealment 10, Mental Transform 12 Alternate Power: Flight 14 (500,000 mph, 5,000,000 ft./rnd) [28PP] (Telekinetic Flight; mutant, mental) Alternate Power: Concealment 10 (All Senses, Feats: Close Range, Progression 2 [subjects, 5 Others], Progression 2 [save DC], Extras: Affects Others, Flaws: Phantasm) [25PP) (Telepathic Suggestion: Forget; mutant, mental) Alternate Power: Mental Transform 12 (Affects: Memories, Feats: Subtle, Extras: Duration [Continuous], Flaws: Range [Touch]) [25PP] (Memory Modification; mutant, mental) @ 0 PP [b][size=200]Sage[/size][/b] [b][u]Power Level:[/u][/b] 12 (176/176PP) [b][u]Trade-Offs:[/u][/b] +5 Defense / -5 Toughness [b][u]Unspent PP:[/u][/b] 0 [b][u]Progress to Bronze:[/u][/b] 26/30 [floatr][img=http://files.error-403.net/img/fc/sage-final.png][/floatr] [b][u]In Brief:[/u][/b] Eve Martel is a mute, teenage, psychic bloodhound from an exceptionally wealthy but completely altruistic family whose psychic members have been fighting the good fight for hundreds of years. [b][u]Alternate Identities[/u][/b]: Eve Alexis Martel [b][u]Identity[/u][/b]: Secret [b][u]Birthplace[/u][/b]: Orléans, France [b][u]Occupation[/u][/b]: Student, Gymnast (former) [b][u]Affiliations[/u][/b]: Claremont Academy (Student), Martel Enterprises (Family Company) [b][u]Family[/u][/b]: Leon Martel (Father), Josephine Martel (Mother), Nicholas Marius Martel (Brother), Isabel Jade Martel (Sister), Faith Martel (Cousin), many others. [b][u]Age[/u][/b]: 16, Born 11 April (1994) [b][u]Gender[/u][/b]: Female [b][u]Ethnicity[/u][/b]: French [b][u]Height[/u][/b]: 5'0'' [b][u]Weight[/u][/b]: 110 lb. [b][u]Eyes[/u][/b]: Green [b][u]Hair[/u][/b]: White [b][u]Description:[/u][/b] Small in stature but possessing a powerful, toned, athletic frame, Eve Martel views the world through striking green eyes. Chin-length soft white hair frames a pretty, if otherwise unremarkable, heart-shaped face. Eve tends to dress in intense, rich colors accented with jewel tones, or contrasted with brighter white or icy pastels as these colors tend to compliment her cool complexion. Regardless of the color choices, her clothing is comfortable and well-made, though it tends to be rather understated in design. [b][u]History:[/u][/b] The youngest of three children, Eve Martel was born in France one year after the Terminus Invasion. Though Eve had been separated from her oldest brother Nicholas, she grew up with plenty of cousins her age. On occasion she would visit the extended family in the United States, where she would see her brother Nicholas or her cousin Faith, but she would always return home to France eventually. Enjoying every privilege the Martel family had to offer, Eve was encouraged, and provided the means, to set her own goals and pursue her dreams. As early as the age of seven, Eve took an interest in gymnastics bordering on obsession. That she had a natural talent for it only seemed to make her more determined to see just how far that natural talent could take her. Eve withdrew from school at the age of nine so she could focus on gymnastics, receiving tutoring while she was not working out in the gym. Soon she started to compete at a national and international level, doing well enough over the years that speculated she would earn a spot in the 2012 Olympics, even if she would be nearly two years older than most competitors. The day she turned fourteen was also a day of competition. The beginning of the day had already started on a high note with Eve scoring rather well in both the vault and the uneven bars. Then it all went pear-shaped. Twisting through the air on the balance beam the thoughts of everyone around her, from the spectators to the judges to the other competitors slammed into her mind. In one heartbeat she went from intensely focused to disoriented and confused and the results were tragic. Eve fell, the tip of her shoulder slamming into the balance beam, dislocating the collarbone. Eve screamed as the agony tore through her body and a pulse of mental energy slammed into everyone present in the area. The entire arena was brought to its knees, those present linked with Eve in her moment of suffering, a problem compounded as the link fed back in itself. Mercifully the event was short-lived, as Eve eventually passed out. Eve never fully recovered from that day, the awakening of her psychic voice robbing her of her physical one. While she continued to have the warmth and support of her family, she was officially barred from competition on the grounds that she wasn’t a “normal” human. Not one to sit idle, Eve shifted her focus to more martial pursuits and over the next two years under the tutelage of her father and other Martel family members, learned to refine her control over her mental abilities. Still, Eve doesn’t have complete control over her psychic ability, to those that have the ability to sense it she is like a beacon of psychic energy and those near her tend to pick up on her emotions. In the hope of somehow helping his daughter recover, Leon Martel decided to send Eve to live with her brother Nicholas, to put her as far away from the memories of what she lost and yet still near family. She is expected to attend Claremont Academy, a school her cousin Faith attends. [b][u]Personality & Motivation:[/u][/b] Eve possesses an athlete’s mentality, tackling obstacles before her with a single-minded ferocity. From a young age she has refused to accept limits and failure, and trained her mind and body to push through doubt, pain and fatigue. Eve tends to keep to herself because she is frustrated with her inability to speak and being around others just serves to remind her of her disability, as well as dredge up the memories of the day she lost her voice. Still, overall Eve has a cheerful disposition and a warm, ready smile for those that she has opened up to. The best way to her heart is a little friendly challenge, as Eve enjoys the spirit of competition. While this often takes the form of sport, she also likes to engage in (harmless) practical jokes. Eve, as a psychically gifted Martel, understands and accepts the charge the family has taken on. But she also knows that she is still quite young and not quite prepared for the task ahead. But she will be, one day. [b][u]Powers & Tactics:[/u][/b] Eve's powers largely involve contacting the minds of others, with some minor telekinesis (in the form of her psi-blade and psi-shield). Where she really shines, however, is her ability to find what she is looking for. She can locate people several thousands of miles away or deeply probe someones mind with her "corrosive" mind reading, breaking down their defenses and laying their secrets out before her. In a straight up fight Eve will use her excellent physical conditioning to approach a target quickly and quietly, flanking and harassing her foe before retreating back into hiding just to repeat the process. [b][u]Complications:[/u][/b] [b]Public Identity:[/b] Eve Martel is a known metahuman with psychic abilities. [b]Legacy:[/b] As a Martel, Eve (and Sage) is held to a high standard. The Martel motto of "I stand between evil and its victims, between darkness and light, between right and wrong. I stand between those I have sworn to defend and death." binds her. It takes only a handful of years to make a Martel, it takes far longer to create a civilzation worth defending. Amelie Dutemps, the Rogue Fox ["[i]la Renard Rogue[/i]"], Eve's late Great Aunt is a prominent example of the Martel commitment to this ideal. [b]Enemies (SHADOW/Overthrow):[/b] Ever since the manifestation of Eve's powers, SHADOW (and as a consequnce Overthrow) have started to keep a dossier on the teen. They've noticed a pattern between a Martel family presence and an impact on successful operations. [b]Age:[/b] Eve is a minor, with all the inherent difficulties thereof. [b]Prejudice (Sexuality):[/b] Not everyone is comfortable with non-heteronormative preferences. [b][u]Abilities:[/u][/b] 2 + 10 + 8 + 0 + 6 + 0 = 26PP Strength: 12 (+1) Dexterity: 20 (+5) Constitution: 18 (+4) Intelligence: 10 (+0) Wisdom: 16 (+3) Charisma: 10 (+0) [b][u]Combat:[/u][/b] 8 + 12 = 20PP Initiative: +5 Attack: +4 Base, +12 Psi Talents Grapple: +10 Defense: +17 (+6 Base, +11 Preternatural Agility), +3 Flat-Footed Knockback: -3 [b][u]Saving Throws:[/u][/b] 3 + 5 + 7 = 15PP Toughness: +7 (+4 Con, +3 Preternatural Agility) Fortitude: +7 (+4 Con, +3) Reflex: +10 (+5 Dex, +5) Will: +10 (+3 Wis, +7) [b][u]Skills:[/u][/b] 76R = 19PP Acrobatics 15 (+20, Skill Mastery) Escape Artist 10 (+15, Skill Mastery) Knowledge (Business) 5 (+5) Knowledge (Life Sciences) 5 (+5) Languages 2 (French [Native], English, ASL) Notice 12 (+15) Search 0 (+17 Telelocation) Sense Motive 12 (+15, Skill Mastery) Stealth 15 (+20, Skill Mastery) [b][u]Feats:[/u][/b] 12PP Acrobatic Bluff Benefit 4 (Status [Martel Heiress], Wealth 3 [Filthy Rich]) Eidetic Memory Evasion 2 Grapple Finesse Hide in Plain Sight Power Attack Skill Mastery (Acrobatics, Escape Artist, Sense Motive, Stealth) [b][u]Powers:[/u][/b] 38 + 21 + 4 + 13 + 2 + 7 = 85PP [b]Psi Talents 14[/b] (28PP Array, [i]Feats[/i]: Accurate 4, Alternate Power 6) [38PP] [list] [b][u]Base Power:[/u] Drain Wisdom 12[/b] ([i]Feats[/i]: Slow Fade, Subtle, [i]Extras:[/i] Alternate Save [Will]) + [b]Mind Reading 12[/b] ([i]Extras[/i]: Action [Move/Standard], Penetrating, [i]Flaws:[/i]: Range 2 [Touch][b])[/b] [26PP] (Mental Corrosion; mutant, mental) [b][u]Alternate Power:[/u] Concealment 10[/b] (All Senses, [i]Feats:[/i] Close Range, Progression 2 [Subjects, 5 Others], Progression 2 [Save DC], [i]Extras:[/i] Affects Others, [i]Flaws:[/i] Phantasm) [25PP) (Telepathic Suggestion: Forget; mutant, mental) [b][u]Alternate Power:[/u] Enhanced Skills 4.25[/b] (Search 17) + [b]Telelocation 12[/b] (20 million miles, [i]Feats:[/i] Subtle, [i]Extras:[/i] Duration [Sustained], [i]Flaws:[/i] Distracting) [18PP] (Telelocation; mutant, mental) [b][u]Alternate Power:[/u] Flight 14[/b] (500,000 mph, 5,000,000 ft./rnd) [28PP] (Telekinetic Flight; mutant, mental) [b][u]Alternate Power:[/u] Mental Transform 12[/b] (Affects: Memories, [i]Feats:[/i] Subtle, [i]Extras:[/i] Duration [Continuous], [i]Flaws:[/i] Range [Touch]) [25PP] (Memory Modification; mutant, mental) [b][u]Alternate Power:[/u] Strike 12[/b] ([i]Feats:[/i] Affects Insubstantial 2, Improved Critical 2, Subtle, [i]Extras[/i]: Penetrating 6) [23PP] (Telekinetic Blade; mutant, slashing, piercing) [b][u]Alternate Power:[/u] Strike 6[/b] ([i]Feats:[/i] Mighty, [i]Extras[/i]: Alternate Save [Will]) + [b]Drain Will 12[/b] ([i]Feats[/i]: Slow Fade, Subtle, [i]Extras:[/i] Alternate Save [Will]) [27PP] (Mind Spike; mutant, mental) [/list] [b]Communication 6[/b] (Mental, 20 miles, [i]Feats:[/i] Rapid [x10], Selective, Subtle, [i]Extras:[/i] Area (Extended), Two-Way) (Telepathy, Networked Telepathy; mutant, mental) [21PP] [b]Comprehend 2[/b] (Languages 2 [Understood by All/Understand All][b])[/b] [4PP] (Language Center Scanning; mutant, mental) [b]Enhanced Feats 12[/b] (Defensive Roll, Dodge Focus 11) + [b]Protection 1[/b] [13PP] (Preternatural Agility; mutant) [b]Flight 1[/b] (10 mph, 100 ft./rnd) [2PP] (Telekinetic Flight; mutant, mental) [b]Super-Senses 7[/b] (Danger Sense [Mental], Uncanny Dodge [Mental], Normal Mental Sense [Accurate 2, Acute, Radius, Ranged]) [7PP] [b][u]Drawbacks:[/u][/b] -1PP [b]Mute[/b] ([i]Frequency:[/i] Uncommon, [i]Intensity:[/i] Minor) [-1PP] [b][u]DC Block:[/u][/b] [code] ATTACK RANGE DC/SAVE EFFECT Telelocation Extended 22/Will Telelocation Memory Mod. (Mental Transform) Touch 22/Will Transform (Memories, Lasting) Mental Corrosion (Mind Read) Touch 22/Will Mind Reading Mental Corrosion (Drain Wisdom) Touch 22/Will Drain Wisdom (Staged) Mind Spike (Strike 6) Touch 22/Will Damage (Staged) Mind Spike (Drain Will) Touch 22/Will Drain Willpower (Staged) TK Blade (Strike 11) Touch 27/Toughness Damage (Staged) Unarmed Touch 16/Toughness Damage (Staged) Abilities (26) + Skills (19) + Feats (12) + Powers (85) + Combat (20) + Saving Throws (15) - Drawbacks (1) = 176/176 Power Points

Meh, my inability to roll above a 10 continues: Initiative: (1d20+5=12)

As Renard went about filling requests, Eve shook her head at Jill, --Technically no, Nicholas is leasing this property. Of course the company he is leasing it from is one of a dozen real estate firms created to handle non-corporate land acquisitions. It all comes down to one big shell game; there are some people out there that really don't like us. SHADOW especially.-- The telepath shot Mark a warm smile, and though she didn't put it in words she directed a strong feeling of approval at the young man. --But to answer Erin's question,-- Eve said, turning back to her attention back to her strong, auburn haired friend, --I grew up in Orléans. Mm, now there's a thought. Who would like to visit France in the spring? I think my mother and father would love to meet you all.--

Two pairs of green eyes narrowed as they regarded their attackers. Neither Sage needed much prompting as they dashed down the hallway, blades of telekinetic force snapping into existence; the purple-striated crimson blades bathing the area with their glow. The black clad Sage reached the goons first, lashing out at the SHADOW agents; the other Sage a half-step behind and focusing her assault on the terrorists from her world.