April

You know, I need to start posting again. And this seems reasonable enough for the psychic bloodhound. Sage is in.

Sage Never Fear Shadows [3] No Man's Land [9] Songs in Silence [1] Worlds Enough and Time [9] Worst New Years Ever [2] +NPC Paladin, never received credit.

Eve smiled, projecting an aura of amusement as she reflected on Jill's comment. She found herself agreeing, thinking it would be good for the older teen to get out a bit more. And, she thought to herself, it wouldn't be so bad and idea for me to do the same. The petite telepath rolled a shoulder in a slight shrug, --Euh, I don't really have an opinion one way or another on the game itself but I can admire the athleticism.--

Sage - No Man's Land

--Oh,-- Eve started, offering Jill a weak smile. --I'm quite happy just talking but if you have a suggestion, I have nothing planned this afternoon.-- She shrugged. --If it gets me off campus for a few hours, that'd be fine. Well, that is if you'll have me along.--

--Gymnastics.-- Eve brushed a hand through her short, snow white hair. --I am, or rather was, Junior International Elite gymnast. Multiple wins in national and international venues, and already being prepared for the 2012 Games. It was my life.-- The younger girl made a sour face. --I trained so hard and now I'm banned from competition, all because I can hear everyone's stupid little thoughts. It's been two years but it still bothers me, especially around the time of competitions.--

Chuckling, Eve shook her head, --No thanks; I have some of that makeup back in my room. Thanks though, for the compliment. I'm sorry for my melancholy attitude there a moment ago, it's just a couple of days unto the 2010 World Championships, and I'm once again reminded that I can't compete.-- Shrugging, the telepath added, --It is what it is though, right? No sense fighting who you are, or what your genetics made you to be.--

Eve waved her hand dismissively, --Oh please, cute? Nobody would ever make that mistake. Best I get is odd, even those precious few that I would consider friends keep me at arm's length, most of the time people just think I'm creepy and avoid me almost as much as I avoid them. It sucks.-- The petite French girl smiled faintly at Jill, --Sorry, I get a little melancholy when I start to think about that stuff. If you don't mind, I'd prefer to think of you as a healer first. You strike me as having a delightfully wicked bedside manner.--

--Oh how I envy those centimeters, Wears Flats To Events With Dancing Girl. Do you need a sidekick? I could be Wears Heels To Everything No Matter How Inappropriate Lass. The criminal element would never know what hit them.-- Eve grinned at Jill, fishing a bottle of water from her knapsack and taking a quick sip. --Healing is nice, wonderful even. So few have a non-destructive ability, which makes you rather special.-- Screwing the cap back onto the bottle, the telepath raised a snowy white eyebrow at Jill. --Sorry, how rude of me. Drink?--

Sage No Man's Land

--Wonderful!-- Eve exclaimed, beaming a smile at Jill. --If you prefer we can send a driver to pick you up, unless you would rather drive yourself.-- A thoughtful look crossed the telepaths face. --I hope you don't mind my asking but what gift, as it where, made Claremont the right school for you?--

--Well that's kind of surprising to hear, coming from someone like you. Tell you what, if you're not too busy over the weekend I'd like to invite you to our home in North Bay for brunch.-- Eve smiled at the older girl, --You can invite someone to come with you, if you want, we've plenty of space.--

Eve waved her hand dismissively. --It's no big deal, only part of the family was monarchy. The rest of us were concerned with more important things.-- She shrugged, --Not like the monarchy is still relevant. Times changed and we changed with them.-- The telepath's posture had changed during the course of the conversation, appearing just a little bit more relaxed and open. The young Martel couldn't put her finger on it, but there was just something about Jill's attitude that she liked. --Getting back to your question, Jill, there's a lot to do around here, but I don't know what you like to do. So what is it you do for fun?--

--Princess, huh?-- Eve leaned back in her chair, musing. Flashing a wry grin at Jill, the white haired telepath practically purred. --I like that. My family did establish both the French and German monarchies, after all.-- Eve's grin transformed into a wide smile, a bubble of laughter escaping from her lips as she considering how to answer Jill's last question. After a brief pause she simply nodded. --You can almost set a watch by it.--

Eve shrugged. --I spend most of my time running, working out in the gymnasium or relaxing in some quiet out of the way spot so I can avoid some of the obnoxious 'mouth talkers' that attend this school.-- She leaned back in her chair and cast a sidelong glance at Jill. -- You would not believe some of the things they think. This is a place where most of us are learning not only how to get our powers under control, and become functional members of society, but how to be heroes. But some of the thoughts that just leak out are the most petty and juvenile things I have ever heard.-- Eve made a sour face. --Not to mention all that hormonal stuff.-- --Besides, I'm fairly new here myself. I only arrived in country a month or so before school ended.--

The smaller teen shook her head at Jill's Sherlock comment, a wave of amusement washing out from her. --Oh please,-- she demurred, --Holmes was British.-- The telepath shrugged and glanced away from Jill for several long moments. --Being able to roll with the punches is good, being able to punch back is better. Letting other people in, allowing them to get close to you, just gives them more power to hurt you. It's better, and easier, to just keep people at an arm's length, not only can they not hurt you where it's hardest to heal, but you won't inadvertently hurt them either, which would make you feel terrible, knowing that your words or actions caused someone you cared about some measure of unhappiness. Why bother trying to make friends when you don't need them?--

Eve tilted her head to the side as she regarded Jill. She had a feeling that the taller girl was holding back a bit, as a telepath you learn how to read people regardless of whether you're using your talent or not, but Eve wasn't going to pry. That'd be rude. --You're new here, and to what "qualified" you to attend Claremont,-- Eve started. --And unless my observational ability, and memory, has completely failed me, a senior here.-- The white hair telepath paused for a moment, considering her next words, --You also don't live on campus, and you were nervous entering the common room. From all that I imagine you haven't really had much time to get to know the other students.-- Eve smiled at Jill, a faint aura of understanding and sympathy radiating from her. --It is a lot to get used to. So let's take it one step at a time. What's the hardest part, in your opinon?--

Sage's Hide in Plain Sight is her effectively reaching into your mind and making you forget she is there. What descriptor you chose for HiPS matters.

Eve nodded, turning her attention away from Jill as she settled back into her chair. --It was, it is, as you say, balls.-- Eve shrugged as a thoughtful look crossed her face. --In any event, it helps to have family capable of pulling a few strings.-- --How are you adjusting?--

Sage Spending 5 PP to enhance Sage's super-senses. Adding Normal Mental Sense [Accurate, Acute, Radius, Ranged] so now the power reads like this: [power]Super-Senses 6 (Danger Sense [Mental], Uncanny Dodge [Mental], Normal Mental Sense [Accurate, Acute, Radius, Ranged]) [7PP][/power] Done by AA Code Block below: [b][size=200]Sage[/size][/b] [b][u]Power Level:[/u][/b] 11 (167/167PP) [b][u]Trade-Offs:[/u][/b] None [b][u]Unspent PP:[/u][/b] 0 [b][u]Gold Status:[/u][/b] 17/30 [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]Radiates Emotion:[/b] Those near Eve are able to sense her emotions, though the intensity and range of that detection varies with just how strong the emotion is. [b]Semi-Public Identity:[/b] There are several hundred people that know Eve Martel has some sort of ability, as her initial manifestation was pretty public. This was, however, two years ago and on another continent, as well as prior to adopting the Sage persona. Still it is only a matter of time before the connection is made. [b]"She burns so bright":[/b] Eve's psychic abilities are always active and she is unable to hide her nature from other psychics. Her powers are automatically considered Noticeable to anyone with Mental Awareness. [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, +5 Melee, +10 Psionic Assault Powers, +11 TK Blade, +11 Mental Corrosion Grapple: +10 Defense: +11 (+6 Base, +5 Dodge Focus), +3 Flat-Footed Knockback: -5 [b][u]Saving Throws:[/u][/b] 1 + 0 + 7 = 8PP Toughness: +11 (+4 Con, +7 TK Shield) Fortitude: +5 (+4 Con, +1) Reflex: +5 (+5 Dex, +0) Will: +10 (+3 Wis, +7) [b][u]Skills:[/u][/b] 100R = 25PP Acrobatics 16 (+21, Skill Mastery) Climb 8 (+9) Concentration 10 (+13) Escape Artist 10 (+15, Skill Mastery) Languages 4 (ASL, BSL, English, French [Native], LSF) Notice 12 (+15) Search 12 (+12, +16 Telelocation) Sense Motive 12 (+15, Skill Mastery) Stealth 16 (+21, Skill Mastery) [b][u]Feats:[/u][/b] 19PP Acrobatic Bluff Attack Focus (Melee) Benefit 4 (Status, Wealth 3) Connected Dodge Focus 5 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] 21 + 4 + 7 + 31 + 7 = 70PP [b]Communication 6[/b] (Mental, 20 miles, [i]Feats:[/i] Rapid [x10], Selective, Subtle, [i]Extras:[/i] Area (Extended), Two-Way) (Telepathy, Networked Telepathy) [21PP] [b]Comprehend 2[/b] (Languages 2 [Speak/Understand Any][b])[/b] [4PP] (Reflexive Language Center Scanning) [b]Protection 7[/b] [7PP] (Telekinetic Shield) [b]Psionic Assault 12[/b] (24PP Array, [i]Feats[/i]: Accurate 3, Alternate Power 4) [31PP] [list] [b][u]Base Power:[/u] Mind Reading 11[/b] ([i]Feats:[/i] Subtle, [i]Extras[/i]: Action 2 [Free], [i]Flaws[/i]: Limited [Surface Thoughts]) [23PP] [b][u]Alternate Power:[/u] Drain Will 11 ([/b][i]Feats[/i]: Slow Fade, Subtle, [i]Extras:[/i] Alternate Save [Will][b]) + Strike 5 ([/b][i]Feats:[/i] Mighty, [i]Extras[/i]: Alternate Save [Will]) [24PP] (Mind Spike) [b][u]Alternate Power:[/u] Drain Wisdom 11[/b] ([i]Feats[/i]: Slow Fade, Subtle, [i]Extras:[/i] Alternate Save [Will]) + [b]Mind Reading 11[/b] ([i]Extras[/i]: Action [Move/Standard], Penetrating, [i]Flaws:[/i]: Range 2 [Touch][b])[/b] [24PP] (Mental Corrosion) [b][u]Alternate Power:[/u] Strike 11[/b] ([i]Feats:[/i] Affects Insubstantial 2, Improved Critical 2, Subtle, [i]Extras[/i]: Penetrating 8) [24PP] (Telekinetic Blade) [b][u]Alternate Power:[/u] Enhanced Skills 4[/b] (Search 4) + [b]Telelocation 11[/b] (2,000,000 miles, [i]Feats:[/i] Subtle, [i]Extras:[/i] Duration [Sustained]) [24PP] [/list] [b]Super-Senses 6[/b] (Danger Sense [Mental], Uncanny Dodge [Mental], Normal Mental Sense [Accurate, 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 21/Will Telelocation Mind Read (Surface) Perception 21/Will Mind Reading Mental Corrosion (Mind Read) Touch 21/Will Mind Reading Mental Corrosion (Drain Wisdom) Touch 21/Will Drain Wisdom Mind Spike (Strike 5) Touch 21/Will Damage (Staged) Mind Spike (Drain Will) Touch 21/Will Drain Willpower TK Blade (Strike 11) Touch 26/Toughness Damage (Staged) Unarmed Touch 16/Toughness Damage (Staged) Abilities (26) + Combat (20) + Saving Throws (8) + Skills (25) + Feats (19) + Powers (70) - Drawbacks (1) = 167/167 Power Points

Eve shook her head, her serious expression largely replaced with her faint, ever present smile. --It's not rude; chances are you would have found out sooner or later. I'm mute. Not sure how it was with you when your "gifts" manifested themselves but for me, well it stole my voice.-- The white haired telepath leaned forward, lightly resting her hand on Jill's forearm, a subdued aura of friendliness emanating from her. --I didn't think you were snarking. I just... well some people are really nervous around telepaths, and understandably so.-- Eve shifted position in her chair, sliding her legs out from under her and crossing them at the ankles. --So, you're new here.--

--I apologize if I am making you uncomfortable,-- Eve murmured, a faint frown flickering across her face. --That is not my intention, but you looked as though you wanted to talk to someone and this is the only way that I may do so.-- A serious look formed on Eve’s face as she looked into Jill’s eyes. --If you want me to stop speaking to you like this, I will.--

--You have arrived at the moment I call "The Cusp,"-- Eve responded, a faint trace of amusement accompanying her telepathic projection. --Or perhaps "The Eye" is more appropriate? In either case, a moment of quiet and calm surrounded by noise and activity.-- Extending a hand, Eve's faint smile broadened slightly. --I'm Eve.--

Sage No Man's Land

Seated in one of the corner chairs, Eve sat with her legs folded under herself, absorbed with the book in her lap. Eve still found it difficult to open up and be social with the other students, but on advice of her counselor she started to frequent the common room, a suggestion made all the more easier since the weather has started to turn. But even the common room had its moments of quiet and tranquility, and this was one of those moments. Eve glanced up from her reading to take a drink of water from the bottle on the table next to her when she noticed a new face in the common room. The telepath had noticed the tall, dark haired girl on campus and recognized her as an upper classman, though one of the few that lived off campus which made her presence in the dormitory a departure from the routine. The senior's posture and hesitant motion stirred feelings of empathy within Eve, and so setting her book aside she smiled and gestured at the seat next to her.