Dariusprime

Mona nodded and replied to Vicky, "Thank you. I won't downplay this position. We're all in for a lot of long hours until we're up-and-running. If you're ready to commit, then you have your choice of working space." With that Mona did a sweeping gesture around the room. "Obviously remodeling is in order. You're welcome to do that if you choose. Although our budget is a bit tight. Especially with the window tinting. I'm thinking keep the two offices in back and re-frame their walls into two additional offices. Maybe one of those for your studio?" "WoW must be fun considering the number of subscribers and years of service," Mona replied with a chuckle. "Want to talk with Cannonade then, partner?"

Mona nodded, "Okay, Edge and Cannonade to start. I know Edge is working in Africa right now. Cannonade will have to first. Any of you know him? I've only met him in passing." She considered the other names before adding, "Gabriel may have some possibility if we pitched the idea correctly." "You're right, Carrie. We have to ask each one directly, and ask each of them in a narrow window. Good at keeping secrets or not, we must assume the word will get out within a few days or weeks of this meeting. Any volunteers for this endeavor?" Fulcrum smiled and glanced at the gathered company. "Not overly familiar with World of Warcraft beyond the television commercials. Are they really that bad? Are we talking Bulky Power Armor and Chainmail Bikini bad?" "Sorry, Vicky," replied Fulcrum after realizing her 'gentle' tap wasn't quite that. "Graphical elevator pitch or not, it is a good example of multiple elements of artistic construction. I'm glad to have you on board." "By which I mean, yes, but all means, you're hired. You'll be one of the founding members of this little band." She offered Vicky a handshake.

"Ha! I can pop a back like no one's business," joked Mona. Picking up her tablet, she began furiously making notes. Her memory was good but not that good. Can't have good ideas go to waste! "Good point about the interviews. If my projections are accurate, we won't be financially competitive for up to five years. That's a conservative estimate," she continued, walking around the room with the little computer, "Castle Comics isn't above throwing ridiculous amounts of money at a project if it will eventually turn a profit. Right, Lou?" The ill-fated digital distribution program from a few years ago came to mind, and she was sure Lou remembered that stress. "Any suggestions on who to ask first? Several of the best-known local heroes are also reserve Freedom League members. I'd rather avoid any legal entanglements at this stage." She stopped and looked out the window. An elderly lady and her small dog walked by the window, the owner's eyes as big as saucers at the sight of Lou and Mona. Mona gave her a small wave and turned to the group, "Right. Tinting will be done this week." "Inspiration strikes from all corners, Vicky. As you well know." Leaning against the wall, she continued, "Also keeps the designs looking pseudo-realistic. Helps the suspension of disbelief. I wondered how Sauron didn't poke his eyes out with his pauldrons." "The poses really are wonderful. Lots going on, yes, but you positioned them for perspective and prevented clutter. At this rate you'll own this company before I get it off the ground." She punch-tapped Vicky gently on the arm.

Could this possibly be true!? Our Commander is 35? We all know comic characters don't age! Happy Birthday, Dok! :parrot:

Threads posted! For all my four IC posts. My apologies for the delay. Dok: Congrats on Orichalcum!

Fulcrum: 4 Interceptors: Eden (2) Interceptors: From the Ground Floor (1) Meet the Irregulars (1)

"You're right, Erik. The right name will arrive the first time you look into her eyes," replied Mona after checking her phone. She didn't try to hide her smile this time. "At least that is the story my Mom gave me about 'Mona'." She turned to look at Vince as he replied. Something about the A.I. complementing her felt off, not bad off, just different, but she didn't let the feeling show on her face. Instead she took the complement at face value and patted the side of the laptop's monitor. Much in the same way she cupped a friend's head when they need reassuring. "Thank you too, Vince. We wouldn't be the Interceptors without you." "Actually, Vince, I have a nice little server that may interest you. Maybe as a vacation home? ArchiMedia is looking for a full-time IT director. Small start up, lots of potential. Generous server with multiple multimedia projects in the pipe. Sound interesting?" Yes, she was offering the technology director job at her publishing company to an A.I. "No, thanks, Mrs...," catching herself just in time, she added, "Gina." Gina was still a giant to her after all these years. At the mention of an 'unholy handful' of a daughter, Mona didn't say anything. Nope. Absolutely not. She just took a big drink of her coffee and said nothing. Nothing.

I'm in the same boat. I had a great time in Wormholes, but I won't be able to post regularly until the end of the month. Enjoy!

Fulcrum stood just inside the kitchen, leaning against the door frame. Gently. She occasionally sipped her ubiquitous coffee but otherwise looked like a statue. Oh, becoming an aunt excited her greatly, even if she wasn't Espadas blood. She just preferred to keep things cool like Gina. Speaking of Gina, she glanced into the living room and added, "You'll be changing diapers in no time, Erik." Smirking to herself, she asked, "Did you two finally settle on a name?" The baby would arrive in her own time. She was a teenager when Fatima was born and witnessed first hand how the whole 'miracle-of-birth' thing played out. Erik and Willow would be proud parents very soon. The new Espadas was in good hands. Erik wasn't the daring little boy living out his own personal Calvin and Hobbes childhood. He was grown, responsible and would make a wonderful father. Like any good, big sister, she reminded him of that on a daily basis. "Thanks for taking the calls, Chris. Looks like we have a long night ahead of us," she said to Geckoman as Vince came online. "Looking good there, Doc V. We really need to find you a permanent home." Okay, Erik was still daring, but he certainly wasn't a boy any longer.

On the home stretch for my MCAT studies. I'll catch up whenever possible. May 19th is M-Day. I'm feeling good, but the more reviewing the better. Thanks for your patience. I'll be back!

"Excellent. Let's go for it!" replied Fulcrum, clapping her hands together. Which in a small room and given her hands, was quite a sound. "That set up is perfect. You can really lay into the beast without fear of collateral damage, and everyone has a hand in the challenge. From what I remember, the thing's mind is primeval but cunning. This should be quite an exercise." She nodded and smiled. The enthusiasm was contagious. Looking at the team, she asked, "Questions? Concerns? Modifications?"

"I know...I know...," she replied softly, wrapping them both in her arms and holding them. Her throat tightened, and she couldn't speak. Instead she just held them close, crying softly. Eventually, as they all slowly regained their composure, she sniffed and said, "Takes more than an Elder Evil to kill me." She gazed off into the distance. Visions of her final battle flashed through her mind's eye. The flying horror boiling, mutating, ever warping the very existence around it. Herself, roaring as Entropy pooled within her yet did not destroy her. She remembered the sickly red light of the Terminus Stream in the distance, and the maddening idea that this god only feared one thing: oblivion. Erik's movement brought her back to reality. She couldn't help but grin as his question. "For you, anytime." She hefted Ellie up in one arm, like she carried her years earlier, and looked around at the group, "What else have I missed?"

Fulcrum: 22 Artistic License (3) Burdens of a Legacy (13) Interceptors: From the Ground Floor (1) Meet the Irregulars (1) There's No Equation for This (4)

Been quiet for a while anyway, but the next few days will be very busy. I will probably have time to catch up on Thursday. Sorry for the delays.

"One of my all-time favorite speeches," admired Fulcrum as silence descended again. "You deliver it quite well you know." "Duncan Summers is a stern man, but a very wise one too. He cares deeply about every student that walks through his doors." She sighed and nodded to no one in particular. "The conflict will not end. Call it suffering, war, or sin, but the conflict will not end," she said, glancing at the contemplative face next to her, "That's why we are here. But you already know that." After enjoyable minutes of silence, she added, "Ultimately, we are responsible for ourselves."

"I should hope not," replied Fulcrum. Lifting up, she hovered to John's other side and landed. "And good. Who are you and what you are capable of should not be a burden. That is a very positive outlook on life. I'd punch you in the shoulder, like I do my sister, but I don't want to invade your personal space." She smiled. "One day at a time, eh?" she added while looking out over the ocean. "Carl Jung once stated that, quote, 'knowing your own darkness is the best method for dealing with the darknesses of other people'. What do you make of that?"

"You're right. Most costumes aren't too bad really. You have seen my first excuse for a design though," replied Fulcrum, shivering. Accepting the check, she glanced at the total and nodded, "Reasonable as ever, thank you. I should be able to pay you today. Maybe." She was flipping through her account book when Carrie asked the most wonderful question. Her eyes lit up, and she grinned, "That's brilliant! I should ask...well...everyone! Yes, that could work well! I already know several who would enjoy starring in a book. I'm sure we could work out something for secret identities...yes, that would work nicely." Stalking around as she wrote, she tore off a check with a flourish. And at one point she winked at Vicky. All before turning to Carrie and presenting her the check, plus tip. "I'd bear hug you, but I know you're much too quick."

Mahmoud chuckled at Viktor's reply and waited patiently for Afareen to be seated. Afareen poured Viktor a cup of tea and replied, "This is a simple, local blend, Dr. Archeville. Nothing special by your standards I'm sure." Everyone settled, Afareen took her seat and dinner began in earnest. "Mona mentioned that vampires are very real. What other creatures go bump in the night?" asked Afareen while offering the bread basket to Viktor. "You'd be surprised, Mom," Fulcrum replied. If not for conscious discipline, she would have eaten her flatbread in one bite. Instead she nibbled, enjoying the homemade goodness. Was the cuisine good? Quite, in a very different, cultural way. The spices were especially nice.

"Maybe not, but you're not alone in that aspect," replied Fulcrum after a pause. "I'm surprised more of the highly trained heroes haven't been identified using that method." "I read an article years ago from a U.S. Army veteran with a similar perspective," she continued, looking up at the sky in thought. Her memory had improved over the years, but some items were still a touch fuzzy. "He studied a lot of martial arts styles. I can't recall them, and he was highly ranked in several. Anyway he said pretty much the same thing. That a fighting style, training technique, or just athletic mannerism, was as identifiable as a fingerprint." "I also recall a couple of items this gentlemen mentioned. First, he left the army because he was becoming cynical. He was a military policemen, and found connecting to people without constant suspicion or paranoia was becoming a barrier to his social life. Second, combined with this perspective, he found himself instinctively constructing tactical scenarios wherever he went." Looking back out over the ocean, her brow furrowed as she tried to recall the man's name. The kernel of an idea was forming in her mind.

"A pleasure to meet you, John," replied Mona with a smile and handshake as she too stood. "And you're welcome. I will listen any time you want to talk." She stood silently for a few moments, looking out over the ocean as well. Her expression was more tranquil, contemplative. "Although," she wondered aloud, "is that your real name? What name would you prefer?" "Considering you wear a helmet, you have the secret identity thing down pretty well," she said momentarily, "I'm surprised anyone would recognize you. Myself included to be honest." Beyond that, she just enjoyed the peace and quiet, letting him speak if he so chose.

"Hey, Gecks. Looking good," said Fulcrum before Willow's approach. Fulcrum took surprise at her obvious belly, and replied lightly, "So are you, Willow. Congratulations!" Again her focus shifted, obviously seeing them threw her for a loop as well. Ellie and Erik, their voices, thats what fired her memory. The happy smile widened into a big grin. "I swear, Erik. I'm as real as your Mom's special coffee cake." She reached out one impossibly long arm and offered her hand. One had to be delicate about such things, considering the sword master's disbelief. Despite the look on her face saying she'd rather gather the whole team up in a huge, bear hug.

Mona laughed lightly, "Vicky, we exist under Rule of Cool." "I mean, think about it. Heroes are essentially (generally) well-tolerated vigilantes. Ones that generate a lot of property damage, exist in a gray scale of law and wear some of the most ridiculous costumes outside of the circus." She drifted off, probably considering some of the worst offenders in costume design. "Superheroes are important barometers for society as well as power fantasies given life," she continued before shaking her head. "Sorry, went off on a tangent. What I meant to say is that Rule of Cool can work wonders as long as it is internally consistent." Looking over the war golem and battle scene, she pointed out several areas of each, saying, "The articulation is lovely. The joints look plausible while still retaining a steampunk-ish aesthetic. Nice touch and helps with suspension of disbelief a lot. As the battle, I love it. Each character has a defining pose and placement, but the perspective is still drawn toward the dragon, as it should be. Nice focal point there, and the dragon as well as the people look like they have actual spines, not Slinkies." "You'll put Lyfeld out of business in under a year."

"One day at a time," came the plain reply. "He is two generations removed, but as I'm sure you're aware, he too looks a lot like his grandfather." Leaning on her knees, she continued, "I know the going has been very difficult for him at times. Every decision he made, no matter how well intended, was- or is - scrutinized and over-analyzed. So initially he was very timid and neurotic about making mistakes. Trying to please everyone all the time. Which, I can assure you, is really impossible." "Now? Well, you learn about public relations very fast with that kind of history. Or being a hero in general. Now...now he just focuses on what he was out there for in the first place: helping people. The rest is spin, sad to say." Looking up at the gathering clouds, she said, "It's not easy, having a private side and a very public side, but you compartmentalize and enjoy your solitude. I do."

Happy Birthday! :parrot:

"Sorry, John. Didn't consider how you're feel about being touched," replied Fulcrum a bit sheepishly. She recovered quickly enough, chuckling at mention of being thumped with a rock. "Absolutely, speak freely. That was sort of an assumed condition on my part, and I apologize for that. Say whatever is on your mind." Again she made a sweeping gesture.