Nerdzul

Luke ruffled the hair on the back of his neck as Charlie mentioned the whole collateral damages issue. How the hell did he know though? Well wasn’t that hard probably he had just heard some rumors, subtlety didn’t exactly suit his super-hero persona. “Yeah definitely, I mean if this superhero thing doesn’t work I’m sure I’m gonna be able to make big bucks in the pro league.” Luke smiled playfully at Leon. It was wishful thinking though wasn’t it? Yeah definitely, still… “Any of you guys are ballplayers too?” He grinned. “I mean, would be fun being able to play a game with you all, no worries of things being too unfair due to the whole ‘superpowers’ thingie.” “You did? Save a whole class? That’s awesome man. You are gonna tell me everything one day ok?” He gave Leon another strong pat on the back. “I mean, best thing I have done is like, rough up some gangsters and find some stolen crap.” Indeed, Nightscale track record wasn’t exactly stellar, but then again that was why he was there right? “Another mindreader? You know man, it’s pretty creepy when you get into someone’s mind.” Luke shook his head and gave Charlie a disapproving look. “And saying that you just did research on us ain't much better I’m afraid.” “By the way... A+ for deftly changing subject, very smooth. You haven't told us what you can do yet.” He grinned as he gaze shifted to meet Charlie’s. “Come on, be a good sport. I mean, you know everything about us, it’s fair if you do some sharin’ too.” “Don’t sell yourself short man.” Luke grinned at Felix. “Come on, it would be just a game and my ego can take it if you beat me.” He chuckled.

Luke smiled when he saw Lulu join him. “Hey…" “Yeah, there is a stench or something I can’t exact-” Then he stopped in his tracks. ‘I guess it’s enough if I think about it right? You’re reading my thoughts now?’ Or maybe not? There was no way to tell right? Whatever, if she wasn’t things were going to get awkward pretty soon, so yeah... “Exactly figure out, it’s coming from up there...” He pointed with his eyes toward what he roughly believed to be direction of whatever was generating that unknown scent. “Crap it’s running away.” Maybe whatever it was had realized that it had been found out, no way he would let that thing go tough. He looked around, for any way he could get to the floor above, stairs, or even a walkway, anything really, he could always jump after all… He was about to leave when Lulu suddenly collapsed. ‘Wha-’ He stopped on his track, catching his friend before she could hit the ground and holding her gently his arms. “Hey… what?” He had no idea about what to do didn’t him? Great. “How? Everything is going to be alright. What can I... can I do?” He asked, there was a hint of panic in his voice.

“Extraterrestrial, like an Alien?” Luke frowned looking thoughtful for a moment. “Could be, I mean the myth could have been inspired by aliens right?” Yeah, outlandish perhaps, but then again, he was in no position to call anything outlandish and besides, alien invasions weren’t exactly uncommon in Freedom City. “And that sounds like a story worth telling man.” He chuckled and gave Felix a pat on the back. “I mean freakin’ nazi tanks.” “ ‘nks man.” “And yeah, we already got the ‘boring' tour.” Although he had to admit that the school was awesome and the dorm rooms were way more luxurious than his bunk at home. “But I mean, there must be more to it than dorms and classes, we are in a freakin’ superhero school. Can you show us something cool?” “And who knows, maybe I’m gonna end up being the one doing the eating. Yeah, makin’ T-rex burgers with my fire… I wonder how would that taste… My bet… chicken it is always chicken.” He chuckled. “Drago… Feels like a Pixar bad guy you know?”

“Fair…” Luke chuckled at Leon’s response. “Yeah I figured it out a few weeks after you left.” He paused looking thoughtful for a moment.”Hey? Are you sayin’ that there wasn’t much to me when we met?” He frowned, giving him an angry stare… One that he could manage to keep up for just a few seconds however. “Come on I’m just bullshitting you. I know what you meant mate.” He laughed playfully this time, giving Leon a strong pat on the back. “And that was definitely awesome, I mean, you being ‘picked up’ I was jealous of that for like a month… Gave me time to figure out what I could do though.” And who knew, maybe he never would have if he had got back to his family that soon. “Nice to meet you two guys.” He enthusiastically offered to shake hands with Tremayne and Charlie. He listened to Felix explaining his powers. “How strong? Hey, we should try arms wrestling some time.” He grinned,curious to find out how he measured up against another super. “And what can you do Chaz?” He tossed back, casually, a friendly smile on his lips. ‘Come on Luke he is just trying to break the ice.’ Yet, being at least slightly suspicious was in his nature (well, assuming that the other party wasn’t a sexy red-head psychic, but whatever). “Myself, I’m also pretty strong, bullets don’t work on me, I mean I haven’t been hit by a tank yet though.” He threw Felix a glance and a smirk. “I can breath fire and turn into a freakin' dragon. I’m one actually, but that’s a long story.” He chuckled.”Oh and I’m a world class soccer player.”

That day Luke was, not unexpectedly, late, having spent most of the past hour to reassure his mom and dad for the upteenth time that everything was going to be fine, before dashing to the school. Thanks god for the superpowers that made carrying all his stuff for miles as easy as a walk in the park. Once he got in the common room he was still carrying a large faded gym bag on a shoulder, his backpack, so full that it looked like it could explode at any minute, on the other and a battered soccer ball under one arm (because why not bring it?). He was clad in an old Blind Guardians t-shirt with no sleeves (with a couple of battling dragons on it) and a pair faded jeans and battered sneakers. “Sup people?” He grinned cheerfully when he surveyed the room, dropping his bag on the floor for the time being. “So what are you guys all in for?” He teased. There were at least a couple of familiar faces though. Great. At least it would make things less weird. “Hey man… Thanks, but no need. So you’re here with us this year?” He threw Legatus a high-five, it was not like they were exactly friends, but whatever, the flying guy had made a good impression on him during the tour anyway. “And they did get you for good this time.” He chuckled as he addressed Leon. “Luke by the way…” He bowed his head slightly as he introduced himself to the other two kids in the room.

“Cool…” Luke nodded. “Nice to know, I mean it’s not like I have that many secrets left, but it’s weird knowing that you don’t have privacy in your own head.” Yep, definitely a bit creepy too, but truth was, Lulu seemed nice. “Sorry, I imagine that I’m not the first one to point that out… How is it? I mean… knowing that you could peer any guy’s thoughts? I guess that you must have seen some sick stuff...” “Awesome. And how are your new parents? I got super lucky with mine.” He smiled again, fondly this time. “I mean, they are the most forgiving parents ever and knowing their son it's definitely needed… Plus my little bro is great, a pain in the ass sometimes, but sweet kid.” “Well at the moment I got none actually, which means I am on the market.” He grinned as he got out of the car himself, carrying the bag with their meals. “If you meant why the devouring though, well, like me, they are probably dragons.” He looked thoughtful for a moment. “Hey… can you, like cover me up or something with your mind tricks? I can show you how I look, but I don’t wanna scare half the neighborhood shitless.”

“Was it that easy to guess or are you still in my head?” The young man smiled, but it didn’t fully reach his eyes. “Both… one led to the other.” He ruffled the hair on the back of his neck. “Not exactly son of the year...” Yeah to put it lightly, truth was though, his parents were still immensely supportive, it was Luke that made things worse once he got out. “Theft, if you wanna know.” He lowered his eyes, now it was a confession that he was not exactly willing to make, but then again, lying to a telepath was kinda of pointless, plus, she had just pretty much called him friend and even if they had just met, it still felt dirty to deceive her. “Found out what I really was at FJH.” “Woah, you didn’t have it easy either. Sorry.” This time his smile softened. “I… I’m adopted myself. Never met my biological parents.” He shrugged. “And for the best or today I’d be around terrorizing villages and devouring fair maidens.” The playful grin returned to his lips. “And that would definitely be a waste if you ask me.” “Yeah guess you have to really be somethin’ if you wanna be a superhero.” He chuckled, yep, it didn’t take a genius to imagine that, despite the posh boarding school facade, most Claremonter didn’t exactly have the happiest upbringings. The scent of onions, greasy burgers and bread reached his nostrils well before they got to the fast food, prompting the young man to lick his lips (after all there was nothing in the world that tasted better than burgers). "Sorry..." "Where do we wanna go and eat them? Beachside maybe?" “Don't mind if I do then.” He grinned. “I will go for a sack, five beacon, five cheese, plus coke and why not, toss in some onion rings.”

“Third year? Not bad, sophomore myself.” He lowered his eyes for a moment. “Yeah I know what you’re thinkin’ I'm too old for that, but well... Last year, got into a bit of a mess.” Yep, like being thrown in Juvie and all. God, hopefully Lulu wasn’t reading his thoughts right now, after all she had already caught him sneaking around, there was no need for her to also know about his criminal past, not tonight at least. “Demonic Possession? That’s crazy dude.” He chuckled. “Worst thing that happened at my school was…” well, not as fun as getting turned into a little kid, that was for sure, as most school in a depressed neighbourhood, Luke’s had its shares of troubles. Whatever. “When I blow up the science lab during chemistry class” He joked. “And I mean, it wasn’t even explosive stuff. And no that’s not why I was held back.” “Awesome. I feel like I’m already on a good path for that.” He smirked as his gaze sought to meet Lulu’s. “Yeah, definitely, same for you.” He laughed with her.

“Don’t worry… I try to be good all the time.” He shrugged and gave her another playful smirk. “Just, well a boy needs a bit of privacy, you know…” He chuckled. “Anyway, yeah I was trying to sneak in, I mean, no reason to lie now. Gonna get to school too in a couple of weeks and well wanted to see the place with my own eyes.” He admitted. “I know. I know. Not super trusting of me, but you know how people say that not all that glitters is gold... and Claremont, is very shiny.” No way he was gonna get in tonight though. He hesitated for a few moments, then his expression brightened, there was an easier solution to his problem after all. “Hey, maybe you can tell me more about the place?” “Cool…” He smiled. “Although, your current outfit worked for me already.” “And that’s a f*cking shame if you ask me. But I mean nobody is perfect.” He teased, the smirk still on his lips. “Maybe I can, just this time.” He chuckled again as he turned around the car to get to the passenger seat. “And you do know how to bribe a guy.” He grinned. “Although be warned, I can eat like a dozen of those burgers. So yeah, I’ll accept only if you let me offer you an ice-cream one of these days.”

Hehe he probably doesn't know much about it with 12 streetwise.

21 at search if needed to track the source of the scent. Meanwhile Is there a chance that Luke has noticed Lulu in the crowd?

Ok great, there were spots in his neighborhood where those kind of conversations meant troubles, but this time it seemed mostly innocent. ‘Perhaps I’m just being paranoid…’ Besides, he could not exactly make out the words, but they were talking about the freedom league getting involved like it was a positive thing (although they considered it ineffective) so yeah, they were probably harmless. Sad, of course, but still nothing that required him to keep tailing them. ‘Maybe I can like… offer to help…’ He was sort of a superhero after all, not exactly an investigator though. He tried to follow them, but something caught his attention. A scent of… something. He couldn’t exactly say what. Weird. Still it stood out among the myriad of different ones that inundated his nostrils in the crowded mall. It came, from above or maybe? Well, now, he he probably had better things to do, but then again, it wouldn’t cost him much time to just check its source and anyway and it had managed to pique his curiosity.

Luke frowned, this was weird wasn’t it, what the hell was going on. “Uh… yeah sure.” “What? Are you two twins or something?” Yeah very likely wasn’t it? He turned to face his new friend, but she was gone, messed up, if you asked him. Oh well, was he thinking about having grown accustomed to a new normal just a few moments before wasn’t him? “That was weird.” He shrugged. “It’s not exactly polite getting into someone’s head, I’d call it more of a third date thing, you know?” He teased again as he stepped closer to her side of the car, so that their gazes could meet. “Name is Luke… Nice to meet you Lulu.” He smiled as he offered to shake hands. “And I’m all for a ride, but I mean, before I get in your car perhaps you can tell me what is going on?” She must have been from the school. Yeah it made sense, roughly his same age, superpowers. And she was hot, but that didn’t have anything to do with the situation at hand didn’t it?

"Or maybe I just have guts” He smirked confidently. “Besides, yeah I had heard those, more reasons to take a peek.” He leaned closer and whispered back, if he had any objection to her proximity he certainly didn’t show it. “Whoohooo scary… I can make tricks too you know? Can tie a cherry stem in my mouth in less than twenty.” He teased, grinning playfully. Truth was, just a year or so ago, talking so casually about mind reading or shooting laser from the eyes would have weirded him out, but then again, it was great how much your life could change. “To anyone their talents. Oh and I can also breathe fire, but I mean... which one 'd be more useful at a party?” He made it sound like he was joking though, just in case, she certainly looked like a fun type, but that didn’t mean that he had to show all of his cards that soon. “My bet, though, you do have some aces up your sleeves too.” “Really?” Could as well be, awesome… Yep he really was a master infiltrator right? “Hey…” He sighed as the newcomer headed toward the car, his eyes following her slender figure before the young man finally decided to chase after her. “For someone dressed as a ninja I’d have expected a bit more… well, discretion, you know?” He teased again. Whatever time to confront whoever was in that car it seemed.

Heya And happy to be here and start with this new adventure hehe. Just in case it's needed I rolled stealth for Luke to blend with the crowd (28 Yey) and Luke has Skill Mastery on both Notice and Sense Motive if needed to keep track of the people that are talking with both at +10.

Bayview Mall… A great place to find some easy marks, people that were almost eager to be liberated from the content of their pockets. In fact, Luke had already spotted a few as his eyes navigated the legion of distracted shoppers, teenagers and families that crowded the mall. That was another chapter of his life though, that day he wasn’t there to score some ill gotten gains (and if things went his way, that wasn’t gonna happen ever again). Actually he had a very important 'mission': find for himself something nice to wear on his first day at the new school, investing the money that his parents had saved from that exact purpose. Now the truth was, the young man wasn’t planning to actually buy anything here, the overpriced designer crap that he could see behind the windows of Bayview posh shops wasn’t exactly his style (and besides he could find the same stuff off-brand or counterfeited for much cheaper in his neighborhood anyway), but whatever right? Taking a look would certainly not hurt and he had an afternoon to kill. Still a leopard cannot change his spots and Luke could do nothing, but instinctively keep his attention on the crowd, besides, why not? Being aware of his surroundings had saved his life in the past and was and an useful habit to have in his new career of choice anyway. Not that there was much that caught his interest though, at first. ‘Wait what?’ Now it wasn't his business and yet… The short exchange he had just listened to had a somewhat shady vibe didn’t it? 'Yeah right...' Sure he could just keep walking, but then again, if he was gonna be a superhero he had to learn to care right? And besides, if it was nothing, it would only take a few minutes to check the situation and then he could go back to his 'mission' with his conscience at ease. It didn't take much, for the young man to blend with the crowd, pretending to stroll around idly minding his own business, while keeping his ears and eyes well open. Hopefully it would be enough to buy him time to figure out what was actually going on.

“Woah…” that was… well unexpected, startling maybe, now he was not easy to scare, but he would have to admit that his heart had skipped a beat or two. She was like, well she had appeared out of thin air. Fooling even his monster senses. Awesome in a way, a bit worrying perhaps, especially for his plan to get into the school unseen… Yeah fat chances he would be able to do that now, he had been spotted even before setting his feet past the walls. ‘Well done Luke… Congrats…’ Assuming that she was from the school though. He turned suddenly to face her, his eyes sinking in the dark pool of her own. She was well, she had good looks didn't she? Even clad in that Ninja attire. It was foolish to focus on that given the situation, but well, then again dragon or not, he was a sixteen years old boy. “Maybe.” He smirked playfully, once he had regained enough of his composure. “Are you? I mean, you look like you’re dressed for some mischief, you know?” Perhaps she could actually help him out? “Trying to figure out a way in myself.” He admitted, sure he could lie about it, but then again, if she could sneak on him so easily she had probably had enough time to figure out what he was doing on her own.

‘God this place looks way creepier after dark.’ Sure Luke could actually see clearly, even with no lights, perks of being a mythological monster in disguise, yet while perhaps it was just his imagination, the young man could not shake the feeling that Claremont did feel a bit like a haunted castle if you looked at the place in the right way. He had been circling the Academy for a while, trying to find a way in, but turns out that a school for heroes valued its privacy and his confidence in being able to get past its walls unnoticed was getting lower with every passing minute. 'This is pointless.' And risky, what if they caught him? That would be an interesting way to start the school year, especially as a scholarship student. And yet, there he was. ‘Maybe I should just get to bed…’ No way though. He wanted to see Claremont on his own terms and it was gonna happen tonight. Sure, the tour a few days before had been very convincing (kinda awesome if you asked him), but that was the whole point right? Show off the place at its best, with all its glitters, glamours and magics. That was not enough for the teenage boy though, he wanted to see past the paint job, check if there was rust underneath. Trust was good, he knew that, in fact kinda of a necessity in his future line of work, but he was still putting his life in the hands of these people and truth was, he didn't know anything about them, or the Academy. It was only fair... Besides it was not like he was there to commit a crime (well technically), just taking a peak. 'Whatever.' So there he was, black sweatpants and sneakers, hands struck in the pocket of his hoodie, darting from one shadow to the next. ‘If anyone sees me they must think I must be the most foolish burglar in the world.’ The thought made him chuckle. Yeah trying to get into an academy for superheroes. ‘Come on! It’s a school, not freaking Fort Knox, there should be a way…’ @Heritage

“That’s why we are here, right?” Luke smiled enthusiastically. “It’s less associated with and more being one.” Yep, that was definitely something you can discuss as a matter of fact right? “I have, like, just found out though.” Which probably wasn’t that bad, after all if he had grown up knowing, much likely he would not even feel human by now, Matt always told that he turned into an arrogant prick whenever he changed, so yeah, it was better that way probably. “How did you? I mean, how did you end up here yourself man?” He tossed. Yeah, it would be nice hearing it from someone who has actually already been a student for a while. “You have one of us? Like another dragon.” The young man’s eyes widened. “For real? I knew I couldn’t be the only one around. Awesome, you definitely have to introduce us.” He chuckled at Kendra’s enthusiasm. “Hey hey…” He ruffled the hair on the back of his neck and smiled at her, his posture relaxing, after all maybe she wasn’t exactly snubbing him and he had just missed some cue. “Let’s see…. Yes… Yes, but I hide them well, you see… Yep definitely…” “Not on the first date. And only if I have to.” He smirked playfully. “Woah, as I said, ambitious. And how are you gonna do it? I mean, you can actually travel in time with your glowy swirly magic stuff?” That did sound impossible, that said, yeah flying, breathing fire… Nothing sounded impossible anymore. “That’s cool, you’re gonna have to show me one day, you know? I mean, I’m not gonna trade home for the middle ages or anything, but you know, just like a visit.” “Besides, I wanna see how I measure up against a T-rex or something.” He chuckled again. That would be awesome. “That would be like… being in the cover of a freaking metal album.” Yeah.

Looks interesting. Count me in

Nightscale 23 Posts = 3 PP (with new player boost I think) + 2 HellQ +1 Reputation Threads: Three Hour Tour 6 posts Purchase and Price 3 posts Midnight Tour 9 posts Who's On First ? 5 posts Extra: HellQ Reputation

“Yeah it’s definitely our responsibility.” Lucke chuckled at Felix’s words. “People should know that they are safe when we are around right?” Plus recognition always left him with a pleasant feeling, a bit selfish perhaps, but whatever, he never told he was a saint. “I know the feeling… got a younger bro myself…” He grinned again. “Less fun? I bet, it’s still school ain’t it?” Another chuckle escaped his lips. He frowned a little when he realized that yeah, Kendra hasn’t been listening to a word he had said, nor actually registered his presence until now… ‘Come on…’ Then again, she seemed a bit, well off… Enthusiastic at least and that was a plus. “Nice to meet you too.” He remarked. He had to contain a ‘whoa’ when she so casually showed some of her magic (he was not gonna give someone who had just ignored him the satisfaction), but he would have to admit that it was impressive. ‘Winning over all time…’ Was it even feasible? “Ambitious aren’t we?” Whatever, weird was going to be his new normal. Besides, it was not like his own life was less outlandish. “Myself, I love stories.” He smiled playfully. “As for me, well I woke up one day and found out I’m a - ” ‘Language Luke’ “Well Dragon… Which is crazy, if you ask me. I mean my life has been normal until that.” Perhaps not exactly, given the kind of troubles he had gotten himself into, but still… well those were ordinary problems. “I can show you, but we are gonna need some space.” He smirked as he stretched his arms behind his head. “And I don’t want to be some kind of monster or whatever, especially if I can use well this... to, you know… help people out. And in my place a lot of people need my help ok?” He ruffled the hair on the back of his neck. ‘I definitely need to work on my sales pitch…’ He mentally chuckled. “Hey whatsup man?” He turned to welcome Benny, waving back at him. This new guy seemed more like one of his people at least. Although he probably was some kind of alien in disguise, who knew right?

“Woah…” Luke smiled as his eyes followed the newcomer flying around like he was freaking Centurion. That was gonna be his new normal right? Awesome. Of course he had seen people fly already, they were pretty much in the superheroes capital of America after all, but one thing was just seeing one up above in the sky, another was actually having the guy land in front of you, introduce himself and say he was goona give him a tour of the school. ‘Come on Luke quit with the fanboying…’ Maybe it was too late already, but he didn’t want to give too much of a wide eyed fish out of water vibe, not too much at least. He ruffled the hair on the back of his neck, before doing his best to recover his composure. “You are a show-off, you know?” He teased, grinning enthusiastically. “Good.” He smirked as he saluted Felix with a firm mix between a high-five and a handshake. “Luke.” “And must be the guy that they have sent to babysit us? Cool…” He chuckled. “Drew the shortest straw or something?” He teased again. “Come on I’m bullshitting you… I mean, being welcomed by an actual superhero, that’s awesome.”

“Hey I didn’t know I had to dress in spandex around here to be noticed.” Luke chuckled as he waved at the strange, but definitely hot, blonde with the massive scythe (if she were a boy he would have definitely thought that she was compensating for something), the one whose glance had passed straight through him like he wasn’t there. ‘I must not look like much to you am I right?’ He thought, just a kid from Southside. To be completely honest though, he did feel a bit out of place. Luke Landers at a school that looks like a freaking castle. The kind of place where the staff would be throwing worried glances at him and then count if the silverware was all there when he was gone. Then again, whatever. He was not gonna let himself be intimidated by a freaking school. "You are not from Freedom City aren't you?" Although with superheroes one could never be sure. "I know... I know... I'm very perceptive." He chuckled again. “Name is Luke .” He smirked playfully as he introduced himself. “God this place has a ‘You are a wizard Harry’ kind of vibe don’t you think?”