Heritage

Notice via ESP: 1d20+15=34

Yowza! Note that Lulu's ESP is limited to the visual spectrum and human perceivable audio frequencies.

Any rolls Lulu has to make?

Crystal-Gazer

"Let's try a lil' aerial recon, whatcha think?"

Lulu held her arms out to her sides and gracefully took to the air, being mindful to keep her elevation well below two hundred feet. Her bright green rain slick made her look a bit like a kite or a Tinker Bell toy, dipping and bobbing in the light rain.

It sure is beautiful up here, she sent with a mental sigh. She sent her visual senses no more than fifty yards ahead, scanning the area starting at the foot of the falls, looking for any trace of Rex, both hoping to and dreading to find him.

Crystal-Gazer

I never should have let you watch Annihilation.

Lulu Beaumont's mental message was humorously grave but accentless, like all her mental messages; it was always somewhat disconcerting, since her Deep South accent was part of her charm. But her telepathy was so darn useful something as simple as a missing accent was irrelevant.

Like many redheads, Lulu was very fair-skinned, so she had to dress carefully if she didn't want to get a bad burn. In this case. It meant high socks to go with her cargo shorts, leaving little more than her pale knees exposed. She also had on a hooded rain slick to keep out most of the rain.

"Man, this would've been so much easier if ah could've used mah ESP to scan out here; we'd have found Rex in no time. But ah guess ah should be happy the People's Republic let in a telepath at all, all things considerin'."

She fiddled with the limiter collar around her pale neck for the umpteenth time; it wasn't particularly heavy or bulky, but in a high humidity environment like this, sweat was bound to build up underneath it.

Okay, I'm here, baby!

"Hey there, Pru! How've you been?" Lulu greeted her with a warm smile. Once upon a time, the Alabama native would have been intimidated waling to this vast space that smelled top to bottom of money, but not anymore. Since coming to Freedom City to live with the Harrows, she'd trained with the best at Claremont and traveled the world. Nowadays, she felt confident just about everywhere.

"Please tell me Ronnie is here." She never called her friend that to her face. "She promised me she'd be in town today! Ah swear, she's the hardest girl in the world to pin down."

Even though this wasn't exactly a business visit, the redheaded telepath always dressed up when she visited Veronica; it just felt right, plus she really enjoyed expressing herself with fashion now that she could. The bright green outfit she wore today suited her coloring perfectly.

Crystal-Gazer

"Yeah, sure, go ahead," Lulu said as she nodded with enthusiasm. "Ah haven't seen her in forever, so it'll be great to see her regardless."

She had a sip of coffee, then paused to put her hand on top of his.

"Hey. You'll get your chance to shine as you; ah know you will. DNN has no idea how lucky they are to have a guy like you on their team."

The redhead gave Dayvd a smile and a firm hand squeeze.

Crystal-Gazer (0)

Is Potato (Pancakes) (0)

Make No Small Plans (0)

Grimalkin [MAXED] (0)

Harsh Words (0)

The Hades Gala, departure (0)

Miracle Girl (0)

One In A Million (0)

The Return of Ku Tu! (0)

Extra/rollover points go to The Shrike

Crystal-Gazer 

Lulu laughed and covered her mouth when Davyd showed her his interview footage. "Oh wow; 'Cousin Olivia' returns! She looks amazin', by the way!" Then she got a bit more serious, and put her hand in top of Davyd's. "That's so great! You're doin' a job that let's you use all your skills and abilities. And that's just what ah want to do, too."

Lulu slowly nodded to herself. "Megan...y'know, mah foster mom...she suggested talkin' with Veronica for some help with this whole 'comin' out' scenario. Do you think that's somethin' she'd be okay with workin' on?"

Crystal-Gazer (1)

Is Potato (Pancakes) (1)

Make No Small Plans (0)

Grimalkin [MAXED] (0)

Harsh Words (0)

The Hades Gala, departure (0)

Miracle Girl (0)

One In A Million (0)

The Return of Ku Tu! (0)

Extra/rollover points go to The Shrike

Holy crap, that's a nasty bear! Does that mean it's grappled me?

Okay, having reassessed the scene described, Miracle Girl wants to take on the Nightmare Bear and keep it occupied. 

Unarmed Attack Roll: 1d20+10=12

Unacceptable! Burning Extra Effort and an HP for a reroll.

Rerolled Unarmed Attack: 1d20+10=12+10 for the reroll = 22 (I think I did that right) 

Grapple roll: 1d20+20=37

Grimalkin

"I can actually speak any human language, and that includes made-up ones, like Esperanto, Klingon and Dothraki," Grim responded to Ghost with a grin. She was however less than enthused when the French hero kissed her hand; she didn't quite yank it back, but she did discreetly wipe it on her thigh.

"Okay, so a moment ago, you said en francais that you 'go where you're orders tell you to go and fight who you're told to fight'." The changeling crossed her arms and shrugged. "So....what are you doing in Jersey? Just curious, is all."

Did she have any good reason to be suspicious? Not really, although perhaps the Hood's manners unfortunately reminded her of her old Belgian nemesis, the Duke.

Grimalkin

"You know, I used to put more faith into the rules of hospitality, but ever since the 'Red Wedding', I don't trust anyone anymore," Grim said with a shake of her head. 

"Hey, how about we agree to signal each other if we see something fi-" She caught Aquaria out of the corner of her eye. "Uh, suspicious? Like if the Yanni cover band are all packin' heat, or a doorway to the Underworld opens in the ladies' room? Does that sound reasonable?"

Grimalkin

At the mention of the fae, Grim made a face of mild disgust. 

"Yeah, this whole thing is probably going to have a pretty strong 'faerie tale' vibe, so be careful of acccepting gifts or giving your word, and I say this as a fae myself: faeries suck."

She laughed before continuing.

"I'm hoping the food's going to be safe, but who knows; at the very least, I'm not eating any f###in' pomegranate!"

Grimalkin 

"Oh, thank you!" The changeling laughed as she glanced down at her décolletage. "It's been a while since I showed the girls off, so I will happily take the compliment. And feel free to call me 'Grim'. You look fantastic, too!"

With a casual wave of her hand, Grim conjured up a wicker deck chair, which she artfully draped herself across. 

"Well to be honest, I'm not looking right now, but you never know," she offered in response to Aquaria's query.

"I do think you're both right to be suspicious, though; I was tempted not to show, but then I thought if it was a trap, I'd feel bad if I wasn't there to help out."

Grimalkin

Normally Lynn was a bit of an attention hog, at least when she was in costume, but tonight she opted skip the paparazzi and reach the dock discretely. This whole scenario made her nervous, and if things turned out to be sinister, she'd rather the public didn't know she was involved. 

Wouldn't it be nice if your paranoia was totally unfounded?

She floated onto the deck and gracefully alighted, her iridescent outfit spun from glamour catching the harbor lights in greens, blues and blacks as her wide collar of smoke trailed behind her. Her glamourweave left little to the imagination as it hugged lithe form perfectly; it left even less to the imagination on the front, as the deep plunge reached all the way to her navel. A mask inspired by cat's eye glasses, with points swept up to either side that echoed her elfin ears, and an cascade of curls down to her shoulders completed her look. Not bad for a Jewish grandmother!

"Good evening! Nice to see some new faces; well, new to me at least. It's Sea Devil, isn't it? And...Ghost Girl?"

The changeling grinned as she curtsied.

"Grimalkin, Mistress of Mystery! Nice to meet you both." There was more than a little South Jersey in her accent.

Grimalkin

Once upon a time, she could have reached out to her with but a thought. But that was before everything changed. However 'tailor to the supers' notwithstanding, there was only one person who's opinion she could trust with something like this. So a text was sent, and then a few hours later Lynn Epstein was standing in front of the Mirror of Al-Kazar in the secret room behind her office. Talking to her ex, Gretchen McDaniels.

"Hey." Gretch looked as lovely as ever in a red flannel shirt open over an Ozzy Osborne tee, tight black jeans and scuffed Doc Martin's, a wristwatch with studded leather strap on her right wrist. Her black plastic framed glasses made her look like a sexy, irritated owl.

"Hey." Lynn stood in what appeared to be a vintage Muppets Show t-shirt, loose cut jeans and light hiking boots. For several seconds they both stood there framed by their respective full length mirrors, arms crossed self-consciously across their chests, trying to avoid each other's gaze. 

"Thank God this isn't at all awkward."

Bless Gretch for breaking the ice! Lynn laughed out loud and was finally able to look at her ex-partner and ex-lover, who wore a wry and crooked grin.

"I'm sorry, I just...I didn't know who else to ask for advice, y'know? I mean, part of me doesn't even want to go, but-"

"You should go and you should slay. Show them what a badass bitch you really are."

"Okay, okay, I will. So, any suggestions?"

Gretch cocked her head to one side, the way she did when she was deep in thought. Oh how Lynn missed that look!

"You have an amazing body, especially in the ass department. Not to knock your tots, which are also exceptional."

"Oh God, uh...thanks."

"So you want to wrap all that sweetness in something fine. It should catch the light and hide as little as possible. How are you in heels?"

"I mean, you know I'm ridiculously agile, but anything over three inches just feels a bit much, y'know?"

"That's fine." Again with the head tilt. "I'm thinking...tell me you've seen Legend."

"The 80s movie with Tom Cruise? Yeah, but not in a long time."

"Lily's black dress, after Tim Curry corrupts her. Google it."

The shapeshifter pulled out her Android and deftly typed in a search.

"Okay, yeah I kinda remember that. Lemme see...oh...oh! Oh, that's a lot!"

Gretch sighed and showed her famous half-smile.

"Part of my queer awakening, I assure you. Mom wondered why I wore out two VHS tapes."

"I mean, I love it, but the collar looks like...like, I think I'd be knocking s### over all the time. Or put someone's eye out."

The former barista shrugged. "So make it out of something less dangerous."

"Like what, tissue paper? I'd think that would just be a fire hazard if there's any torches, and if this party is in Hell, you know there's going to be torches, so-"

Lynn froze, eyes wide with an ever-growing grin on her face.

"What. What do you have?"

"Smoke. I'll make the collar out of smoke."

"Hell. Yes."

- - -

Grimalkin stood before her mirror, which no longer showed her ex within its surface, and took in her own reflection. Her outfit of fine-spun glamour was like no material which existed anyhere in the natural world, borrowing as it did elements of spider silk and beetle shells. Depending on where the light was coming from, it appeared to be dark green, midnight blue or black. The three inch heels blended seamlessly into the gleaming material wrapped around her legs, torso and arms. There was also a dramatic plunge down the front, revealing everything from collarbone to navel, but impossibly everything was held in place through sheer force of will. Her mask evoked classic cat's eye glasses from the 50s, and her curly hair cascaded artfully down one side of her face. Finally the wide collar of black smoke billowed up from her shoulders, and trailed along behind her on as she moved.

"Hell yes, indeed."

Crystal-Gazer (2)

Is Potato (Pancakes) (1)

Make No Small Plans (1)

Grimalkin [MAXED] ()

Harsh Words ()

The Hades Gala, departure ()

Miracle Girl ()

One In A Million ()

The Return of Ku Tu! ()

Extra/rollover points go to The Shrike

Crystal-Gazer

Lulu got quite pink in the face at Davyd's reaction to her reaction. "Ah mean...ah didn't-" What had she meant by it? Did she think Davyd was pining away for her in some lonely tower? At last, she shook her head and laughed self-consciously.

"Ah'm sorry, ah- " She covered her face with her hands and made an odd groan before flashing an embarrassed grin. "Hoo whee; how 'bout this weather we're havin', huh?"

She focused on her pancakes for a bit as she waited for the blood to leave her ears.

Crystal-Gazer

Lulu's eyes went wide at Megan's suggestion, and she was instantly excited. "Oh my God, do you know her? Ah mean, I've read all about her, of course, and seen her on TV a bunch. Ah know she lives in Freedom, right, 'cause ah...well, we've sensed each other, 'cause telepathy, duh, but we've just sorta waved at each other 'cross the back fence, if you know what ah mean. Ha!"

Her face flushed at the thought of meeting one of the world's most famous psionics, and she slapped the tops of her thighs three times.

"Woo, yeah, let's do it!"

Crystal-Gazer 

Being the sensitive person she is, a good friend and of course a telepath, Lulu instantly picked up on Davyd's sudden discomfort, though she didn't presume to understand the many different feelings he was feeling right now.

"Oh, ah'm so sorry, ah-" 

She reached our a hand to place it on his, hesitated for a moment, but then chose to put it on anyway, giving it a supportive squeeze.

"Look...ah don't-"

She sighed and closed her eyes.

"Ah can't imagine what your feelin' right now, and ah say that as a telepath who is actively blockin' your thoughts out of respect. If you need some time to process that lil' bombshell ah dropped in your lap like it was nothin', ah can vamoose or whatever."

Lulu opened her big brown eyes and smiled, tiny tears in the corners of her eyes.

"Whatever you need right now, okay?"

Crystal-Gazer

Lulu was no stranger to 'patter', the surface conversation one maintains while having the more important conversation telepathically underneath. She wondered if Davyd's Grue heritage was one of the reasons he was so good at it? It was a little strange to hear her normal rural Alabama accent floating over the neutral (though still warm and expressive) mental voice that automatically translated her speech patterns.

I'm sure that there will be lots of legal issues to address; I may even have to wear an inhibitor collar from time to time, like maybe when I take tests? Which would suck a bit, because it gives me headaches, but it would be worth it, right?

But then the redhead's patter shifted into a surprising direction that snapped Davyd back to full awareness.

"It's so weird makin' all these decisions without Adam. Like we still 'talk' all the time, but since we split up, it's just been different, know what ah mean?"

Crystal-Gazer

Lulu was not prepared for the sight of Davyd 'texting' across his forehead. The fact that he was saying something so serious and profound somehow made it even more hilarious; it was like being struck by something funny at a funeral. But out of respect for Davyd and his concern for her, she managed to keep it together. However, a smile did touch her lips when she reached out to him telepathically.

You don't need to use such drastic measures to speak privately to me; you just have to call my name out with your mind.

The food arrived, and she tucked into it with gusto; Lulu had selected the 'Mini Potato Pancake Flavorful Trio', with salmon, two eggs and all kinda of other yummy things. As she tried a little bit of everything, she continued to speak into Davyd's mind with her oddly accent-less 'mind speak'.

I don't know if you can ever be 'ready' for something like this; I'm sure Psyche wasn't. But I think I could be of more value to the world as an open telepath than I would be staying in the shadows.

Lulu nodded along as Megan went into a great deal of detail about the ups and downs of her superhero career, and the complication her secret identity brought along with it. When her foster mother finished, the telepath sighed and smiled.

"Wow. Thank you for sharin' all that." She chuckled ruefully. "Y'know, it never occurred to me that as much as mah life was fu- uh, messed up by mah family knowin' about mah powers, in a weird way it spared me from havin' to keep it a secret from them. 'Course, there was a whole lotta downside to that situation..."

"As much as ah appreciate you tellin' me all that, and believe me, ah am thankful you did, but-" Lulu struggled to pick her next words carefully. "Bein' a speedster is...well, it's kinda cool, know what ah mean? Folks in general ain't so scared of speedsters, although ah think that's just 'cause they never think about the true implications of that power. 'Cause if they did? Whoa!"

She laughed nervously, then frowned and shook her head

"But anyway, what ah mean is...telepathy scares people. And it should, because in the hands of a sick sumbitch, it is downright horrifyin'." The redhead grimaced. "And a cute girl who can run fast ain't nearly as terrifyin' as a white trash telepath from a family of crooks."