EternalPhoenix
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Maybelle actually laughed at that. “Rest your mind, I can see the steam coming out of your ears. I don’t even have a uniform. Biggest names I’ve met are Fast Forward and Grimalkin, and it took that whole…invasion thing for that to happen. We looked after the psychics a bit.†The little girl statue disappeared. “Go by Queenie when I’m doing the hero stuff. Tradition and all that. That said, I’m Maybelle. Maybelle McQueen.†There was a momentary pause. “And no, my father’s not named Steve. He’s no relation at all.†She took another bite. Chewed. Swallowed. “Though…he might have been a distant cousin or something. I dunno.â€
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Maybelle blinked, briefly surprised. “You know, I don’t know if it’s magic or not. But it’s not a fork. It’s a ring with power to make things. Not real things, but…I’ll just show you.†A reasonably broad silvery duplicate of the little girl was suddenly sitting next to her. “See? It’d look more like you, but I’m a chef. Not an artist.†She took another bite, chewed, swallowed. Clara dropped off the entrees and left. “Chicken nuggets, eh? That’s real chicken breast, you know.†Maybelle eyed them. “Yep, I made these myself. Delicately breaded and spiced just right for the young palate. But the browning…yep, Chris cooked them. It’s not a bad thing, he’s almost up to my standards.†One more flash of that grin. “Almost.â€
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As the soup’s remains were devoured, Maybelle came back out of the kitchen. Which would have been weird, except a glance down the wall would reveal a Employees Only door which waitstaff was currently cycling through. She was carrying a heaped plate of tonight’s special beef stroganoff, “Hope you don’t mind if I sit with you. This is usually my seat, but tonight’s busier than usual.†She glanced over the restaurant. “Man, this place is packed. I must be doing something right, huh?†She flashed a dazzling grin before plopping down with her plate. “What? Chef’s gotta eat, too. And I think there’s worse dinner companions than a member of the Freedom League.†A silvery fork appeared in her hand as if by magic. She used it to take a bite. She chewed, and swallowed. “Green hair’s a dead giveaway, but you know that by now. Oh, spoiler alert. The nightly specials are what I want for dinner.†Another flash of that smile as she tucked into her meal.
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Vonnie watched Casey go and shut his eyes. He took a breath. Then another. And another. Wrenching back control of his disordered and chaotic emotions. He knew what the right thing to do was. He knew it. He knew it, and would do it. He walked forward, but stopped just when he’d have gone back past Endeavour. “Arguments aren’t your thing, huh? I can dig it. I’m just saying I’m going back in there, after all that. And…I do want you as a friend. So…uh…I don’t even know where I was going with that, heh.†He smiles wryly, and resumed walking back into the training room. His expression was a mix between awkward embarrassment and barely contained fear. “Look, I…I’m not mad at any of you, all right? You didn’t say anything wrong. I just…I don’t know. Maybe I’m not as okay as I thought I was.†He didn’t elaborate, and looked for all the world like the most awkwardly teenage boy of all time. “Let’s just do this thing already. Before I lose my-I mean change my mind.â€
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Faster than anyone but Casey herself could have reacted, a wire wrapped around the bottle and yoinked in from her hand. Vonnie flashed her an impish grin. Just because he wasn’t a team guy didn’t mean he wasn’t a people person. He was wearing his grapples, even now. “Thanks, Case.†He attacked the remaining trash, flicking things here and there into his bag. He was perhaps a bit faster about it than a normal human should be, but whatever. He did go to Claremont, after all. He was a hard worker. Maybe a little too hard.
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“It wasn’t my idea. The Headmaster or somebody he knows is my legal guardian. Orphan, remember?†Vonnie turned around. He had the look of someone who was furious, miserable, and partly failing to hide both of those things. His tone of voice was savage. “Along with my sister and the girl I love. What was I going to do, abandon the last two people I have in the world?†Vonnie sighed and eased off the throttle. “Look, I’m not mad at you, all right? I’ve just…never had anyone to help me as a hero. I had to do it all by myself. I had to walk though the closest thing on earth to hell, all by myself. So yeah, I’m not a “team†guy.â€
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Terrifica was all over it. She began tapping at her wrist computer…only for the screen to freeze. She wanted to bang on it, but suddenly she couldn’t move. A grayish film had slid over her battlesuit. Well. At least I know Citizen wasn’t exaggerating. “I’d be delighted to assist, but it seems my suit is beginning to be compromised. Perhaps if I wasn’t, I don’t know, right next to the source of the danger, this wouldn’t be a problem.†That came out harsher than she intended, but the faint edge of fear underlying her statement justified it some.
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Clara took careful notes and informed that yes, that was the chef. The Head Chef, in fact, as they had a few back there. Then she stepped into the kitchen, got their drinks, and returned. With the Head Chef on her heels, carrying a plate with bread bowl full of soup on it. “Shush, Clara. It’s already made and still warm. So what if I said Matt could eat it? Customers come first.†She placed it on the table. “Here you are, still fresh.†She flashed a amiable smile. “The broth is a liquid form of swiss cheese. Suspended inside? Ham chunks, shredded lettuce, and sliced tomato. It’s like a sandwich, except it’s soup! Bon appétit. Let Clara know if you need anything else, okay?†Maybelle wandered back out into the dining room, stopping and talking with a few people here and there.
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“Sure thing. Clara, oblige the lady if you would?†The waitress nearby, obviously Clara, sighed and got moving. Maybelle led the way into the restaurant proper. She sniffed a bit at the air. “Oh, yeah. That’s part of it, but there’s a dozen things in that aroma. Like the ham and cheese soup, served in a fresh baked bread bowl. That’s a special order, by the way. Not on the regular menu. There’s a couple over yonder that has it every week. There’s also the sweet potato biscuits, the bacon mac and cheese, the Angus beef meatloaf. Oh, I could go on all night.†She found the two a seat. Unfortunately, it was the corner near the kitchen doors. “Sorry, looks like we’re pretty full up tonight. Wouldn’t worry though. Being near the kitchen means you get your food as soon as it’s done.†Clara arrived with a pair of menus (one adult, one kiddie) and a booster seat for the young one. “Great timing, Clara. She’s the one with the notepad. Tell her what you’d like tonight, and she’ll write it down. Then she’ll give it to me and I’ll whip it up special, just for you. And of course, as first time customers you need to be told. We here at the Southern Queen do take requests. If what you want isn’t on the menu, don’t be afraid to ask about it. Pardon me a minute, just gotta check on some stuff.†Maybelle stepped through the kitchen doors and immediately started firing off questions as Clara started to do the proper waitress thing.
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Maybelle had wandered close to the door itself, and when the two entered the Queen she gave a subtle wave off to the waitress at the front and addressed them herself. “Hello, and welcome to the Southern Queen! How many in your party?†For things like this Maybelle played up her Southern accent just a touch. She was dressed as she often was, in a long sleeve button down, vest, and blue jeans. The shirt was as blue as the jeans, but the vest was khaki. Her only visible jewelry was a silver ring on her right ring finger. “Tonight’s special is the beef stroganoff with potatoes and green beans mixed into it. Sounds busy, I know, but it works mighty well if I do say so myself.†She gestured the two forward. The waitress nearby looked slightly exasperated, but stayed where she was.
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The Southern Queen was somewhat ideally situated (near 76th & Wading), or so thought one Maybelle McQueen. Though technically in the North End of Downtown Freedom, it was just as close to Parkside and Lantern Hill. Meaning even people from the West End or Midtown came in sometimes. But, mostly it was the college crowd mixed with the odd person who actually lived in the North End. The people who ate there more than once swore by it. The food wasn’t of any particularly style. In fact, the menu itself was more of a list of suggestions than a hard list. The Head Chef was known to produce virtually any dish on request, provided the Queen (or the customer) had the ingredients on hand. That said, the menu itself was full of generic fare. The kind of thing you could find in almost any home kitchen in America. There wasn’t a drop of fussiness or fancification about it. It was the dinner rush, but Maybelle was prepared. Honestly, the cooking was finished for everyone currently seated. So, she was doing her “pretend to be a waitress†thing. Most of her customers had no idea what the Head Chef looked like, or even what her name was. Not that either thing was a secret, but really, how many people going out to eat really care about that sort of thing? The Queen was the draw, not Maybelle herself, and she liked that just fine. She wandered around the dining room, quietly making sure everyone was currently satisfied with their meals. Like every night, there were some dissatisfied customers. Can’t please everyone, after all. But that was all right. Maybelle smiled and smoothed things over. The staff swooped in. The problem got solved. A normal, everyday night.
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Samaritan's got a good bonus, he should get a decent- http://orokos.com/roll/258979 8. Or, you know, not. Whatever.
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http://orokos.com/roll/258775 Reflex save 16. Good, halfsies. http://orokos.com/roll/258776 Fort save 12. Right on the nose. http://orokos.com/roll/258777 Toughness save 12 also. Sigh. So...nevermind that whole plan, then.
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Queenie and Fleur could be interesting. They're both very friendly and gregarious, but split on the whole "friends" issue. And I've been craving a Terrifica/Miss A thread since the last one.
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“Brazil?†Vonnie looked baffled momentarily. “Didn’t we get out of that? We are alive and back in Freedom, right?†He gave Nevermore a look. “In my book that’s a success. Anything else is just icing on the cake.†He sighed. “Look, I’m not saying I’m perfect, or that I will never, ever screw up. I’m saying I’ve been through some ridiculously dangerous situations, and I’m still here, alive and free. Bad guys? Less so. Results speak for themselves. I don’t need teammates to get the job done. I don’t mind the help. It’s less I have to do. But I don’t need them. Whatever happens, I’ll get through it one way or another.†The comment about life being funny seemed to…touch a nerve. Vonnie didn’t raise his voice, though a bitter edge seeped into his voice. “Yeah, life is funny, all right. Three years ago I was a stupid kid planning to show off his first science experiment to his mom, all his friends, and the neighbor girl he had a crush on. Today I’m an orphan, and virtually everyone I’ve ever cared about is either dead or wishes I was never born. All because a stupid kid wanted to show off. So yeah. Life’s real funny. Forget this. I’m out of here.†He turn and stalked out. His pace slowed as he passed Endeavour, and he stopped after a few more steps. Great work, Vonnie. Nicely done. Alienate half the heroes in school and bring up all those scenes you don’t want to remember in one fell swoop. Just a fantastic job. He slammed his fist into the wall as hard as he could and swore viciously in both English and Spanish.
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Tch, it would be Casey. “You expecting someone else?†Vonnie stepped out from behind the pillar, looking slightly annoyed. “Look, I get why you guys think you need training. You have to plan, to have tactics ready to go in case of emergency. That’s a perfectly valid method of doing things. I just don’t do it that way. I improvise. Always worked for me. Always will.†He folded his arms. “That, and practice dulls you for the real thing, I think. Don’t get me wrong. You want to spar or something like that, fine. I’ll light you up. Whatever. But the hero stuff? No, thank you. I can handle anything.†He didn’t necessarily look arrogant when he said that, just like someone who had a bit of justification when he said it.
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Well, whenever you're ready, HGM.
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I will take the moving all out option, assuming that's not the one with the excessive amount of fall damage.
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Honestly? Vonnie would have preferred being in the classroom to this. His idea of social responsibility involved pulling people out of burning buildings and/or punching thugs unconscious, not picking up after those too lazy to pick up after themselves. He wasn’t their father, or even their guardian. Also…he was a New Yorker. Trash on the street or in the park was a fact of life, just like how visiting ATMs in certain neighborhoods after midnight was a piss poor idea. That said, Vonnie Murray was many things, but lazy wasn’t one of them. Usually. So he worked. Even if he thought it was pointless and the time of three legitimate superheroes could be better spent.
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Samaritan was just hanging around in the back, behind a pillar. He'd been there before anyone, but didn't feel like speaking up. He wasn’t necessarily as good at stealth as Nevermore, but he could disappear when he wanted to. He really, really didn’t believe in training anywhere but on the streets. It had taken substantial prodding by Endeavour, Miracle Girl, and the Headmaster himself to even get him to show up today. He wasn’t even wearing the school uniform, sticking with his usual heroic attire. And of course, somebody screwed up and double booked the room. I could be saving someone’s life right now, but nooooo. I could be stopping a thief. Getting a cat out of a tree. But instead, I’m doing this. Hooray.
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I will be involved in this, yes.
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Charger stepped forward aggressively. “It’s nothing you gotta worry about. We can handle this.†Lightning held up a hand, then put it up against the wall and leaned on it. His head dropped. He seemed…confused. No. Utterly exhausted. Erased quickly stepped forward and gave him what seemed like a stabilizing hand to the back. He shot a bland look at Charger. “Jason, could you wake Phoenix? I imagine the last stand will come soon enough.†As Charge strode over the girl and began to shake her awake, Erased looked at the girls without removing his hand. “To be honest? That is a voltivore cage, and not a very good one. Well. It is the only one, so I suppose that’s not much of a standard. Oh. You…wouldn’t know what a voltivore even is, would you? Well, it’s more or less exactly what it seems like. A creature that subsists on voltage. An electricity eater.†Lightning perked up suddenly. “Sorry to make you do that again.†Erased shrugged. “Better than the alternative, isn’t it? Ah, sorry. A little adrenal massage. Can’t let a man whose will alone keeps the over ten power plants’ worth of electricity in his veins from spilling out all at once falling asleep, can we? I think that would be bad for the entire neighborhood.†Lightning grunted affirmation. “And with Erased telling half our secrets to people we don’t know, you probably understand the situation.†On a closer look, Lightning’s uniform was scorched and burned, but the man himself was not. Unlike Erased, who had a similar amount of battle damage as Charger.
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Before Queenie even knew what was happening, Net Fly had been flung into a pillar and Grim’s attack had failed. She wasn’t nearly fast enough. She didn’t get angry. Sometimes you were a step slow to start with. That was okay. Prep time was key in the kitchen, and rushing it could ruin a dish before fire even got involved. What mattered was your timing. And hers seemed absolutely perfect. She stepped in front of the rest of the group. “Hey there, bright eyes. Welcome to Earth. You’ve got here just in time for supper. Allow me to serve the first course.†Her words were sweetness and light. However, the foot thick beam that lance out from her outstretched hand and smashed one of the robots to splinters was anything but. Her voice hardened, not quite defiant but decidedly determined. Her initial awkwardness had vanished, as if it never was. Her force field caught the light just so. “I don’t know who y’all think you are, but if you want this planet you go through me.â€
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I'mma spend my move action, too. Step in front of everyone who isn't Grim, for obvious reasons.
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I'd like to Blast a minion, please. Is taking 10 for 20 enough, or do I need to roll? DC 25 And Interpose for the first person the boss attacks, if it does do so.
