EviscerusNox

Max turned his attention to Spike. It was evident now that Spike did know things, but probably wasn't willing to talk about it, at least not with Meathead here around. Max came up with an idea and pulled the trigger without thinking. Pulling a pack of cigarettes from his riding jacket, Max nodded his head to Meathead. "Hey, you headed outside fer a smoke break? If so could I borrow a light? Left mine at home, I'll give ya a cigarette for your trouble." Max shook out the pack so that a cigarette stood up in easy pickings out of the pack and extended it to Meathead. "I'll meet ya out there in a sec, gotta talk to Spike here about some money I owe him." Max put on his most disarming smile as he offerend the cigarette, hoping to look as nonchalant as possible.

Max scowled. "Howling? Sounds like yer sayin' their what, werewolves or somesuch? Or a bunch of animal themed super thugs?" This was starting to sound even worse. At first he thought the gang names were just really terrible names given by people with no imagination. Now he was worried they were given by terrible wolf men with no imaginations. "What's a bunch of suped up thugs need high tech weapons fer if they got wicked claws and teeth?" Max saw and heard the firmness in Spike's demeanor. Max knew Spike was only worried about his well being and was trying to warn him off for his own safety, but it was of course no use. Max felt his fingers twitching and heat rising in his lungs. It was just like when he was getting ready to perform. The nervous energy, the adrenaline kicking in. He reeled it in though, wouldn't do to start breathing smoke or steam in someone's ink shop. Plus he wasn't sure if he actually wanted to go about burning their operation to the ground just yet, maybe he could get information from them on the rest of the gangs? Max toyed with the idea of trying to get jumped in to the gang but that was probably out of the question. He wasn't the best liar or spy, plus he wasn't exactly quiet about the fact that he was Spitfire either. No secret identity brought with it a whole mess of problems that are uniquely different to the ones having a secret identity brought. Damned if ya do and damned if ya don't, Max thought.

Max raised an eyebrow, new guns in town worried him. New guns that were more serious than missile launchers really bothered him. "You know me, Spike. I'm great at keeping out of trouble," Max said with a smirk. "Just so I know where to steer clear of, any idea where these gangs operate out of? Wouldn't want to accidentally set foot in the wrong alley ya know." Which of course, was exactly Max's intention. He wasn't even close to the biggest name among supers in town, and he knew others were probably on it, but he wasn't about to let this one go. He had basically sat by the wayside for years when he closed up shop and went back to doing the carnie thing. He had red in his ledger, good he should have been doing instead of running carnival rides. Maybe he could make up for lost time with this and clear an uneasy conscience.

Max raised an eyebrow watching the woman go and said with his eyes still on her, "I don't know, Spike, doesn't look like that bad a news." He threw the woman a wink and blew her a kiss that trailed a smoke ring even though he clearly wasn't smoking. He laughed as Spike gestured at the broom and mop. "You know me, I don't do well with bosses, I kinda blew up my last one's human furnace trick remember? Besides if I looked at places here in the district it'd be like I'm tryin' to muscle you out. I ain't about that, and that's another reason I'm here. I know you always stood up for me with the other artists round here when I got started. I wanted to make sure I showed you the courtesy of letting you know i'm picking up for real again. Didn't want you to think I was going to hide it from ya and steal your regulars." Almost all jocularity had left him as he became earnest with Spike. He looked up to the man, and wanted to show him the respect he deserved in the community. It wasn't everyone that would show any amount of geniality to a young red eyes fanged carnival freak when they show up out of nowhere. "Come to think of it, I'd love to have you at the opening when it happens. You could plug your store, do some tatts in my place to drum up business for me, and we could generally have a good time inking people and then tie one on good and proper after a spell." Max laid on his southern accent a little thicker at the end for Spike, because he knew how much it grated on his ears. Seeing him wince made Max have to stifle a laugh.

Max had spent much of the day checking out empty lots in strip malls, looking for a place that would house Fire Eater Ink, his tattoo parlor. It had been quite a few years since it'd been open but he still knew some contacts in the trade, and one in particular still operated in the same place. Spike had been a household name among artists and tattoo junkies alike even when Max had first started, and unlike some had welcomed the competition from a young upstart like himself, they had made fast friends back when Fire Eater Ink first opened, and Max was relying on that friendship for some information. Max smiled a fang tipped smile at Spike, "See how what's done, Spike? Gouging your customers with rusty needles and outrageous prices? I actually came for some advice. Been back in town for a while and I'm gonna re-open Fire Eater Ink. Problem is I'm having trouble finding a place for it. The old shop is now a dry cleaner of all things and every other place I've seen has zero curb appeal. Was wondering if you knew anyone looking to sell their shop, or were planning on moving out soon, or maybe just a good spot that's vacant now. See, I got a place lined up in West End, it's right across the street from a pretty nice bar, but I don't know, I just wanted to make sure I did the due diligence ya know?" Max scowled and frowned, lowering his head. It was technically true, but there's also other reasons he was looking at other places. Max and Moira had had... history, and she worked across the street at Morley's. True, he was kind of using the back room there now for work, and any hard feelings he had about the way things shook out with Moira were long gone, they still were friends, and worked together doing the hero thing. If he was being honest with himself he loved her, and she loved him, but it wasn't a traiditional sort of thing. He had figured that out the hard way and there had been some harsh words and fire involved. Still, even though it was the past, he wasn't sure if what he needed was space or to not seem like he was stuck to her. He shook his head and brought his attention back to Spike and put back on his disarming smile. "And don't you worry none, Spike. I'm only going to steal about half your customers and staff, you'll still be able to afford that three story shack you call home."

"My design? Nah, I just bout it cuz it has fire on it. I may with my next bike but I got this one for a steal." The streets were all but deserted to begin the morning and so the time they made was good. Maxie liked having the road to himself, and Moira. He felt her arms around him as they hugged corners and sped down empty streets. Even with the ride blowing the wind away from him, he could smell her. It was a heady mix to him, he couldn't pinpoint it, the soap from the shower, the smell of the morning sunshine, in essence, she smelled like joy. He didn't let his thoughts linger too long on it. He wanted to pay attention to the road. If you start daydreaming on a motorcycle you could get dead fast. When they pulled up Max had to hurry to keep up with her. Her exuberance made him chuckle and he jogged after her. He let her lead him and as she did he watched her intently, now off the bike he could take all the time to daydream that he wanted. A crooked smile played across his lips as he followed her into Morley's. He was curious about what she was going to show him, sure. But he was just happy to see her this excited.

Akkar did something that he was told most races do to acknowledge another. Akkar nodded his head. It was a lilted thing, not at all natural to him and it was obvious it was not his custom but the message was received. "Thanks are not necessary, you and your fellow passengers have paid, that is sufficient. As for the questions I had they are few. Mostly I wish to know more about this, Zem, and what they did to drive you and yours from your homes. I understand this is a difficult request. Know that my home too was taken from me and my people. The Grue have done much the same to my world as the Zem have done to yours. This is temporary, however, as the Grue will face justice one day for their crimes against Illthus. I pray it is the same for the Zem. You may wonder why I need this information. Suffice to say that this crisis has in the short term supplied me and those like me with a significant business opportunity. However prolonged conflict can prove to be detrimental to me. Knowledge is the best defense against profit loss and loss of life. It may be that I can help more of your kind, and in other ways than transport. It may be I can give vital information to certain interested security forces to prevent this from happening to other worlds. It all depends on what information you can provide. The loss of your home may or may not be permanent. I know as a concerned aggreeable citizen that you would not see the same fate befall others if in your power." Ak'kar paused to ladle the protein paste that was his customary meal into his mouth. He had become much better at navigating the cybernetic tentacles over the years. At times they seemed to have a mind of their own and had spilled much in the way of nutrients onto his uniform in the past. "This information however is voluntary. If you do not wish to recount this story I would understand."

GM "Let go of me, you freak!" Toes yelled, his voice breaking in panic as he futilely tried to escape Brigandine's bonds. After a few seconds, he realized he was going nowhere and just slumped, defeated with a glower of indignation in his eyes. For the masked mercenaries' part, he did not attempt to break his hold. In a deep even voice he said, "I am but the first line of defense here. More are coming. You may have beaten me, but the Corinthian is crawling with Scarpias' men. I suggest you get what you came for and flee. Bugbear Declan rubbed the stars from his eyes as he heard the man's words. He knew them not to be a lie. When the lights faded to a manageable level, he got his first look at the small woman in the monstrous psychic armor before him. He reflexively sucked in a breath to lungs that no longer required air but quickly steadied himself. She was holding both Toes and this merc. She was clearly not on their side. "I don't know who you are, lady. But... thank you for the assistance. However the goon is right and we need to leave. You can drop the masked one, he is of no use to me, but Fingers here," Declan pointed a ghostly finger to the the scrawny man out cold on the broken poker table, "And Toes, who you have in your hand, have information I need. I suggest we leave with the prize. I don't know what you're here for and you may stay if you wish to hash that out with the thugs that own this ship, but I am leaving." Declan's hands glowed as he picked up Fingers and glided to the door. "You coming?" The bloody tattered spirit said over his shoulder before entering the hallway.

Spitfire watched the attack land and cringed at the weight of the blow. He hoped this onyx woman was tougher than she looked because if that blow had hit him he'd be two smaller versions of himself. The onyx woman seemed to weather the blows thanks to magic and Max breathed a sigh of relief. There was no time for a reprieve though, and using his fire breath to make short work of these folks was completely out of the question. So he relied on the strength of his arm and putting all his weight behind it to strike at the Dragon person Moira had called out. It, did not go as planned. His swing went wide despite the glassed over look in the draconic man's eyes and he ended up cracking his knuckles on the wood of the cart. Max jerked his hand back sucking in a breath and shaking his now numb fingers "Sunova beech nut that hurt!" Things were just not going Max's way today.

ok so going to power attack with my weak little fist against the Dragon person Str damage attack power attack: 1d20+6 15 Ooh, not great, but not spending an HP to reroll cuz I might need it to not die

Spitfire climbed off stage to some sparse adulation, to see him one would think he'd just got a 15 minute standing ovation, but that was just another part of playing it up for the crowd. Maxie returned to his seat at the bar and found another scotch waiting for him. He sipped it happily and listened to the conversations of the heroes and civilians around him. He was genuinely starting to wind down and have a good time. It was nice being in the company of heroes, even if most of them were more well known and didn't know him. He'd never really expected fame and fortune from being a hero, just some fun, and to help folks that needed helping. He was remembering all the times he did the hero thing when it clicked and he yelled, out of nowhere at Amir. "Parkside, right?! You were there for that scuffle during the fair. I think I still got yer card somewhere! Mighta burnt up though, never can tell."

Max's mouth gaped open as he stared at the archway that just appeared in his tiny living room. He'd seen Moira do pretty incredible things, and they at once scared him, and filled him with awe. But this was something he'd been completely unprepared for. Her demeanor, her actions, they all were very human and it was easy for Max to forget, at least in the specific sense, that she was the offspring of gods. The stark reminder was humbling, and he felt that feeling normal humans get when faced with real Power. Then he felt a sort of pride all over again that a being, a woman like Moira would confide in him, trust in him, feel for him. Having no frame of reference he imagined it's what the very religious felt when they said that their god loved them, and they loved their god. Max shut his mouth and shook his head a bit before laughing, astonishment evident in every breath. "That. Was. Awesome! I had no idea you could do that! Makes my hog and my little running on fire trick look like, hell I don't even know what. You really are amazing, Moira." Max then smiled and handed Moira a helmet on instinct before realizing how ridiculous it was to do so. Still he made her take it. Rules is rules, and nigh invulnerable or not, he wouldn't be the reason she gets hurt. "You are right though, never can have too much time on a bike. It's freedom incarnate, at least that's the way it feels to me. Now let's go have some fun!"

Max laughed and looked up at her with probably the largest toothiest grin that ever graced his face and put his hands on her waist. "How could I ever say no to you?" Max pulled himself up out of the bed, lifting Moira in his arms as he did and carried her to the shower, not once taking his eyes off hers. He couldn't remember a time in his life he felt this... alive, or felt this much electricity when around another person. Max noted that the mirror had fogged up and the shower head hadn't even been turned on yet, and only dimly realized that his skin must feel like he had a temperature of 110. Moira didn't seem to notice or mind and so he just used his finger to draw a smiley face in the condensation on the mirror, then kissed Moira deeply, sucking in a breath and letting out a thin plume of steam from his nostrils. "But after the shower, I'm drivin', hope you brought a hair tie."

Alright that man is grappled. No way he can beat it so I won't roll. Post it up sir!

Yeah she has a chance before he bolts out the door to grab him

Ak'kar leaned back in his chair, digesting the information he had obtained. He was not sure, but this looked to be just the beginning of something both a whole lot larger, and a lot more dangerous. This "Zem" mentioned felt ominous to Ak'kar and reminded him of the stories he was told of the days just before the Grue Unity came to Illthus. A vague, ominous force from outside whose shadow encroaches and threatens the status quo of the galaxy at large. However, worrying about what might be on the horizon had done his people no good, they should have acted. He was not going to do the same and just wring his tentacles. Abruptly Ak'kar stood and hit the communicator on the wall to speak to his first officer. "Mr. Skree! For the duration of this journey increase the security around the guest quarters and all areas of the ship the civilians will have access to. Keep especially close watch on the Oog'ol passengers. They are known for their combative nature. Do not, however, treat our guests unkindly. This is merely a precautionary measure, understood?" "Aye!" came the monosyllabic response of his first officer. Mr. Skree rarely spoke two words when one would do. Ak'kar released the button on the communicator and stared out the porthole of his quarters into the shining lights and bustling activity of the Tethron Commercial Hub. Being alone he did nothing to hide his broiling emotions and so his color shifted from pale blue to a deeper purple. He spent much time staring out that window remembering the battles of his youth, the pain of defeat, and the fear and helplessness of being cast to the stars, utterly alone and unwanted. It was a fate that too many in this system were currently sharing.

Ok computers roll Computers: 1d20+13 18 Terri-bad

Max awoke when he felt her kiss and smiled without opening his eyes for a long minute. He couldn't remember a time he'd been this happy and this tired at the same time. It was that sort of delirious happiness you get when everything is right in the world and you feel like tomorrow could only be better. Max felt that way because of Moira. A part of him wondered if he was getting ahead of himself here, but he pushed it to the back of his mind. He was tired of being scared, of taking things slow, of guarding his heart like it was some fragile thing. He had been worried that what had passed between them in Hell would taint this, make it feel wrong, or worse yet, make it not ever happen. He felt a fool for worrying now. Max reached up a hand and lightly brushed Moira's back smiling up at her. "Hey you, goin somewhere?" Max looked down at her side and bust out laughing a deep belly laugh that Moira had never heard before. "Looks like I'm gonna have to redraw that," he said pointing to the now unrecognizable black smudge mark that covered the side of her waist like she'd rolled in ink.

Ak'kar nodded a small acknowledgement. "This is satisfactory. Give my crew an hour to prepare the quarters. Have a list of your dietary requirements made and give them to my first officer, Mr Skree. Until then you may all avail yourselves of the cargo bay and mess hall. I request that you do your utmost to give my crew a wide berth as they work, however as this will expedite the process of unloading our salvage and preparing your quarters. If you have any grievances, or requests to make, please inform Mr. Skree and he will see to it, or report to me if necessary. Due to the time restraints you will have to stow your own belongings, I'm afraid." Noticing their reaction to his color change, Ak'kar chided himself and returned to his normal pale blue color. They may have been impressed and not understood what the color change implied, but that was no excuse for such a blatant display of emotion. Their request for immediate lodgings did not surprised him, as they had a look he was familiar with. A look of people with nowhere else to go. He remembered well that look upon himself when he first was dropped off after escaping the Grue. His cybernetic tentacles twitched at the remembered nightmares of that time. These people made him uncomfortable. Their openness, their need. They are vulnerable. As you were. You made yourself like coridium. They will do the same. "If you will excuse me, I have a ship to tend to. Good day and have a pleasant stay about The Leviathan." With that, Ak'kar turned on his heel and headed back into the ship to his quarters. He needed some time for introspection, to compose himself once again. When arriving at his quarters Ak'kar decided that his time was better spent gathering information on the crisis. Self pity would have to wait. Accessing the computer terminal in his quarters with his interface tentacle Ak'kar set about accessing all the information he could find on the crisis at hand.

Max greeted the young man before noticing the vision that had just entered. Deciding he would forego the second scotch until after his turn on the mic, he slammed back the remainder of his current glass and stood. He walked directly to the young lady, took her hand, kissed it with a smile and wink, then pointed to Asad. "That guy's payin'. Better get yer order in love. I'll be back in a minute to beg forgiveness for my rudeness, but right now I got a song to sing." Without another word or waiting for reply, Max walked up to the stage and told the young lady manning the karaoke machine what his pick was. He waited patiently for her to cue it up and said in the mic before the song started, "Let's get ironic." Max was no professional singer, but he knew how to work a crowd, how to perform, and being on stage was always more about what you did than how you sounded. Still he had a good voice and had picked a song that complimented it well enough, in his key range and everything. He moved about the stage during the song, slightly dancing, making hand gestures, playing to the crowd. He would have provided pyrotechnics but the song didn't really call for it, so he figured his next time up would be more that speed. When the song ended he took a small bow. "Thank you all!"

Spitfire saw the big man lay into Moira and had to bite back a scream. When he saw she was still on her feet he breathed out a sigh of relief. He had to get in there, had to help someway. But they were still in this stupid forest! The bad guys might be willing to burn this place to the ground, but Max sure wasn't. So he had an idea when the woman touched the big guy to make him even bigger. Max sprinted out of the bushes and into the fight, screaming to make his presence known before doing what amounted to a double front flip directly in front of the big man, putting him between himself and the spell casting lady. He struck up his best Bruce Lee pose and exhaled a small plume of fire. "You wanna dance big'un? I've burned down bigger balls of meat than you. Let's see what you got!" With that Max used all his training with the circus acrobats to feint a twirling flip that would leave his right side open, the side with the spell caster on it. He wasn't actually vulnerable there, but he hoped it sure looked that way!

Ok so, moving all out up between the big fighter dude and this Raisa, then surging to use Acrobatic Bluff to trick the big guy into attacking me, hopefully he misses and hits the wizard Acrobatics check (Acrobatic Bluff): 1d20+15 18 that is straight awful let's try again Acrobatics check (Acrobatic Bluff): 1d20+15 31 That is much better! Posting IC now!

Max wrapped his arms around Moira and kissed her on the top of her head. She was wrong, he didn't hear thank you all the time. Mostly when doing the hero thing the civvies were too preoccupied with being in shock they were still alive to thank him, that and he was used to being looked down upon for having been a carnie most of his life. No matter how many he saved he was still that freak from the circus. But not to Moira, and that's what mattered to him. He tried to hold onto that feeling. The feeling of her gratitude, her care, her trust. He felt that if he could do that, if he could remember that he was that hero for her, then he could be a hero for everyone that needed him for a long time to come. All his nervous energy seemed to ebb out of him as he held her, because this felt right to him, and he was no longer worried about what he was doing wrong, or what was going to happen, he was just happy. "Thanks, Moira. You have no idea how much it means to me to even know you, much less feel your gratitude. And, of course, you're welcome. Any time you need me, I'm here for you." With that, he lifted her face to his by her chin and kissed her softly on the lips, lingering there for a long moment before breaking away, opening his eyes, and looking into hers with a smile.

Ak'kar listened carefully, taking in the Asshui's words. As was his custom Ak'kar stood with hands clasped behind his back, his long claws clicking together idly. Ak'kar was not concerned by the numbers, The Leviathan could hold them with room to spare. He could convert portions of the cargo hold into sleeping areas if need be. What did concern him was the root cause of the mass egress. On a pragmatic level, if prolonged, this upheaval could have a significant effect on the galactic market, which would in turn affect his earnings. Under the pragmatism he felt for these people. Dispossessed and cast from their homes, he looked at each of their hopeful faces. It was not within him to deny them their need. And it was also not within him to charge the normal rate for passage. He knew of a system he could drop them. Two of the planets had agreeable populations and it was a trade center at that. He could pick up some supplies and some goods, sell them there and drop off his passengers. What he had to do, was think of a way to offer them the discounted passage without hurting either their pride, or his reputation. If it got out he offered discounts it would affect profits. "I am told that if one wishes to be an effective captain, that one should be in the habit of gathering useful information. As such let me offer you a deal. I shall provide a sizeable discount to you and your compatriots fares, if you share with me the events that led up to your egress. You shall dine with me, in the captain's mess and tell me your tale. As far as our departure, please allow a solar day for my men to offload our cargo, bring on new goods, and allow them what they call "shore leave." We will leave this time on the morrow. Is that aggreable to you and yours?" Without waiting for an answer Ak'kar turned to his left and shouted, "Mr. Skree! We are to have passengers. Please prepare sleeping quarters and collect fees in advance of our departure this time tomorrow." "Aye!" came the report from the gristeld first mate. "Do not fret. Whilst aboard my ship you're safety will be guaranteed. And the Phenoxi system where we are headed will fulfill the requirements you have stated. Our journey will not be overly long, and if any of yours wish gainful employment of a more uncertain nature, I would be glad to take them on."

Ak'kar's interface tentacle twitched and let out a soft pop as it formed a transducer on it's tip. The Illthusian prince took a second to look over the crowd of people before him. He did not attempt to hide the ripple of color change on his rubbery skin from pale blue to light green when the promise of money was made to him, but any other outward shows of emotion were not present. Ak'kar had undertaken this arduous journey for this exact purpose, to profit from a crisis. Inside he felt a twinge of guilt, but stifled it with pragmatism. You shall need funds to build your army. You shall need funds to pay your crew. You shall need funds to purchase your weapons. Do not become overly sentimental now, especially for those that are not of Illthus. At length, Ak'kar addressed the alien in front of him, his voice coming out with a deep and distinctly metallic and digital tone. "You need not speak Galstandard. This communicator will translate your tongue. I can offer you travel wherever you wish to go. Of course payment must be received before departure as is standard. However, I would inquire why you wish to leave this system, and where it is you wish to go. I can ascertain that you are honest folk, but I would know the possible dangers to my crew and ship before putting their lives in jeopardy."