Cyroa

James looked at her a long moment, mouth half quirked up in a wry smile. He'd just been mentioning demons and whatnot, and some vague references to dealing with them, and she thought the Fens was a problem? Even if she had no clue who he was, possible since they had yet to be introduced, he'd have thought that was a sign. He gave a mental shrug. "Doesn't bother me any. So, you want some food on the way? In the mood for anything in particular?"

Takes a bruise. Make an IC post Giz

James raised an eyebrow at the grouchy young lady. "Stuck here? If you need a lift, I'll drop you off someplace. I think the buses in town still run for a while longer but that's not exactly the most pleasant way to travel," he said with a shrug. Not like he was an expert or anything. He'd been on a bus maybe 2 or 3 times in his entire life. He shrugged, standing up as he noted her search. "Hate to say this lady, but everything's pretty much closed. If you want, we'll stop and grab something on the way. If you want that lift of course."

for when Giz get's his attack roll up here... bird/lizard guy toughness (1d20+10=25)

And there it was, the last spike (way beyond puny nails here) in coffin for this story. Lying would be so tempting right about now. And a certainty if it had been anyone else but one of his friends. He frowned a little, feeling conflicted and not exactly happy about what had happened. He stared back a second before speaking. "It was before." He could have left it there, not explained it any more than necessary but he'd come this far. "You really want to hear this? Ok, well what Zoe said was true. We were both having a horrifically bad day. Between being lonely as hell, swamped and stressed and run ragged, I wasn't exactly in the best frame of mind. I'd taken the day off. But instead of going out like I would have before the last few months, I stayed in. I'd brought in a couple cases of some rather potent spirits, shut the door, turned the phone off and was determined to drink it all and see if I could even be affected by it. Zoe...hadn't listened to me and she got caught by Summers and got hammered by him pretty hard, not that she was doing great in general anyway. She showed up and joined in. She was hurting and not in the mood to talk or be helped. We watched some movies, I think. Got really fuzzy at some point, not sure exactly when. My next clear thoughts were the next morning." He frowned a little more, shaking his head a bit before continuing. "Which is about when I pulled my head out of my ass and got back to living, despite possibly wrecking everything up with one colossal screw up."

James chuckled, perching himself on the top edge of a bench. "Nah, not really. It wasn't a real demon. Just an imp. They're like the suckup toadies of demons. Not real powers either though a bunch can be a serious pain. He didn't think anything of you most likely. You were more...an random attack of opportunity and mischief. I dealt with the summoner first but that meant the little buggers got to run free when I knocked him out. Most stayed to cause me trouble. You just happened to be lucky enough to draw its notice. Made my just easier though," he said with a smile. "It's all good though. All wrapped up. You can get back to whatever it is you were doing before I showed up. Sans purse snatching imps of course!"

James gave a wry chuckle, shaking his head a little bit. "Sorry Erin. It isn't that easy; it's not like that at all. I know what the timing looks like. It doesn't affect how I feel. I remember very little from that timeline. There's not much left from Hell-Ion in me. I've watched tons of videos and listened to tons of logs though so I know quite a bit about it. But it isn't me at all. And for the record, the other you from there? I thought she was annoying as all heck. I couldn't stand her," he said honestly, if somewhat amused. "I'm not Hell-Ion. And you're not that Wander, for which I am very thankful." He shook his head and shrugged. "My past is...colorful. Who I dated and slept with didn't exactly have anything in common with true feelings. Quite the opposite really. Could I still keep up with that lifestyle and those actions? Probably. But that's not all I am anymore. That isn't what I really want anymore," he said a little quieter.

Dear freaking lord! toughness for alien! (1d20+8=12) Look, up in the sky! Leaving the Mists...What's that? A bird? A plane? No, it's a blasted alien..... *grumbles*

Well, at least she isn't heading for the transporter at Mach 10. That's something. He waited, unmoving as she processed what he'd said... for a bit longer than expected. He gave a little shrug with one shoulder. "Pretty recently. I've been doing a lot more introspection and 'soul searching' lately. I was so busy, not seeing anyone, being pretty run down... it was all I had time to do I guess. Even then, it took a while for me to truly figure it out. To realize what I'd been missing." James didn't include the specifics of 'when'. That really wouldn't help matters any. He looked at her, watching her face, her eyes. "And I don't honestly expect you to say anything. I needed to tell you how I felt. Would I like something to happen between us? Yes. I would. But...I'm not going to push it though because..." He sighed. The next few words were hard. Almost painful even. "You're seeing Trevor. And you're happier and more relaxed than you've ever been, than I've ever seen you, for as long as I've known you. He's a great guy. Solid, dependable and pretty cool. I don't want to ruin that for you. So, after this, today, I won't mention it again until you do. Because in the end, no matter what else, I just want you to be happy. To keep you as my friend. Even if part of me would like more," he said.

Behold my mighty awesome rolling! reflex save + inspire (1d20+15=16) will spend my free HP on that one I think... reflex save + inspire w/ HP to reroll (1d20+15=21) Well, with the +10 and evasion, James is fine...

Inits: for the "minions" (1d20+5=7, 1d20+5=25, 1d20+5=17) the non-minion inits (1d20+9=20, 1d20+9=14, 1d20+9=13) SO... Wander (SHOCK) Minions (in a 10 person group; 50' away) Wolfman Midnight the other groups are all after Midnight...

Chaos erupted instantly. Black mist blinded the first group, causing the raiders to panic and jabber in surprise. Of course they weren't talking too long as Wander decimated the small group before they could blink. Not that anyone could see but soon only two remained standing, a large Wolfman-like fellow and a 5' slug with arms and a ray gun. Thanks to Midnights chemical grenades however, the sluggy creature was reeling, doing its best to stay conscious!

James didn't really have a particular destination in mind. Maybe the bridge or one of the lounges with the great views. Mainly he just needed to move around a little. He gave a little shrug. What was he going to say? 'Since I had crazy, drunk sex with a friend, who happens to be the child of two other friends, AND who happened to have been the girlfriend of one of my best friends all because I got weak one night due to realizing I might be in love with you and wasn't likely to be with you and ended up feeling sorry for myself? Not much. You?' "Not too much at all. Well, I've been busy but not much is new. Oh, I met that Lady Winter a few weeks back. She happened to be on hand while I was fighting off this minor incursion. Helped me out of a little pickle there. The whole guardian thing has eased up nicely though. I'm not swamped anymore. But still keeping busy. I've been working on something else too," he said with a shrug. "I haven't been out and social much at all really. I think I've had like 3 dates in the last three months. And only went to a few parties beyond that too. Just...while enjoyable, it's not quite the same anymore. I'm not the same guy I used to be. Other things seem a bit more important. Part of that whole 'growing up and finding oneself' thing I suppose," he said with a half-grin as they walked into on of the lounges. He wanted to ask her about her own activities, though he already knew some, but mainly he need to tell her the truth. "But that does bring up something that I wanted to tell you. I seriously debated saying anything at all but I've always tried to be honest with you guys, especially you." He sighed, looking out the window at Earth. "I haven't gotten to hang out with you much at all over the last few months. And while it was necessary, I still missed it and you. Quite a bit. It took me a bit to realize how much." He turned back to meet Erin's eyes. "I figured out that my feelings for you were quite a bit deeper than I realized. And they are more than caring for you as just a friend. A lot more." There it was out there. "I know you're with Trevor and I don't want to get in the way of that. I just...I needed to tell you, instead of trying to hide it. No matter what else I am, and always will be, your friend. That comes first." That last part stung like hell, but he didn't want to loose her friendship no matter what happened.

Sluggy alien fellow...toughness (1d20+12=15)

James wasted no time. He summoned the Blade to his hand even as the Hiroshima Shadow staggered and reeled from Psyche's assault. Having little concerned with fighting fair or nice, James simply stabbed the villain in the back. He didn't waste time, seeing if the villain dropped. He spun, bringing his blade slashing into one of the Centurions. He doubted he'd seriously injure it, but it might help distract or slow the thing down for a bit.

Using: Strike 12 (Extras: Penetrating x3; PFs: Accurate x3, Affects Insubstantial 2) [20PP] link with Drain Toughness 8 (Extra: Affects Objects) [16PP] attacking stunned shadow (1d20+10=17) Surging (w/ my free HP ) w/ same attack (hopefully it'll work) stabbing Centuribot! (1d20+10=22) EDITED BY AA: Cy, don't forget to note that your attack inflicts a Toughness save of 27 and Fort save of 18. Don't make me chase down your sheet, plz. ;)

big 4 armed, grey skinned alien toughness (1d20+12=15)

James looked her, over, double checking to make sure she was alright. "Glad to hear it." He looked around, seeing if anyone else was around to notice but things were mostly closed up apparently. The mall was practically deserted. "Oh, it was a pesky little thing. They get summoned now and again by some fool who doesn't know better. Nothing to worry about," he said with a grin. Most folks didn't want to hear the word 'demon' so he kept the explanation vague. He half paid attention to her and the surroundings as he concentrating, letting his mental senses do one final sweep of the building.

_Which_ sharkman? the minion sharkmen or Medalodon?

"Excellent," he said with a smile. It had never been in doubt. If Wander couldn't handle a pair a tigers with easy, those were some damn freaky tigers. "Star Trek? Like they go anything on this ship! 'Sides, 'Septh can handle this better than any cranky Scotsman," he said with a laugh. "Everything should be up and running pretty soon, no worries." He gestured and started walking to the exit, planning on heading towards the lounge or observatory or something. "Come on, we've got some time."

The others complied with Midnight's 'suggestion' to one degree or another. It was obvious that some certainly didn't think much of the idea but they were too intimidated to not follow through. For now. (Squall wanted to protest and Halo was eager to help. Geode was the only one who seemed perfectly happy with the concept.) The lot of them quickly moved through the illusion though, fading from sight. The other 3 students were still no where in sight however... Farther above, Erin and Trevor looked for signs of trouble coming from above. But neither of the ever alert teens missed the faint metallic ringing that moved up and down the register briefly. Looking down below them, neither could miss dozens of being appearing in swirls of light. There were spread out all over the village platforms (it was hard to tell but some might have been on the ground as well) and none were human. Most were humanoid at least, despite their 'alienness'. All were armed however and looked rather disreputable. The immediately moved about, talking in strange tongues, searching for something.

James sent the little imp back to it's home plane with a burst of hellfire. With the summoner dealt with now, this problems was done. Dusting his hands off, he looked down at the girl on the ground, trying to smother her purse apparently. He grinned and spoke up. "You can stop now. I think you got it." When she peeled her jacket away, the purse lay there completely untouched by the fire. It still smelled of fire and brimestone for now; nothing he could do about that one. "Are you alright? You're not hurt or anything?"

James muttered to himself a little more as he detect an a stray imp running amok. They really weren't dangerous, to him anyway, but they were a royal pain. He only had this last one to go. He strode forward a few steps and jumped over the railing, coat flapping out behind him. Before he fell more than a foot, he vanished in mid-air. A moment later he appeared father down the concourse, crouched down. He looked up as he stood, staring down as the little demonic creature flew towards him, purse clutched in one little claw. Behind it, charged a young woman. James was a bit surprised at that; most people ran _away_ from creatures and monsters and what not. Not chased them down for the contents of a purse. He quirked a smile and brought fire to his hands. "Time to go home," he said, half to himself and half to the imp.

James muttered to himself as he stepped out through the door from the back areas into the mall proper, looking around the food court. Who knew that imps had a thing for cheap taco mix? There was a minor mess in the back of that particular cheap eatery but that couldn't be helped. Fighting and banishing demons, even little ones, was not the cleanest activity. He'd left a few bill to pay for it with a note apologizing for the mess and had wiped his hands of it. Literally. At least he hadn't wrecked his clothes this time (from being burned or coated in salsa mix). He looked around the mostly closed mall with a shrug. Thankfully most people were long gone. He checked the area with his senses, making sure there were no residual magical or dimensional issues he needed to be aware of. Maybe the rest night would go nice and slow for a change.

James nodded, taking the rig of his head and hanging it back up. He turned and started heading towards the menagerie. "My pleasure. So we're on minimal power till then? No sensors or transporter or anything, right?" He took two steps and vanished, reappearing outside of the menagerie. He opened the door and walked inside. "Hey there. How's everything going up here? No problems I hope," he said with smile.