[hr][i][h1][color=Blueviolet]Malik Jakane[/color].[/h1][/i][sub]([@TheWizardLizard])[/sub][hr]
[i][u]Courtbridge, Prince Ed-Field.[/u][/i]


Right when he came to the edge of the rooftop, he came to a stop as he realized that the next jump was just a little too far. Even for him. He could shift into a storm, but that'd be a bit too noisy... and he heard that Metahumans aren't too tolerated here in America. It's different from the way it is in France, unfortunately. Maybe he should come down, and get unpacked. He didn't come here to fool around, he came here to get work done. Though, he heard someone speak to him,

"... Howdy," she said, waving with one hand without rising, "Were you using this roof too?"

It was so sudden that it made Malik jump a little. Because he didn't expect a thing. It seems like Malik wasn't the only one on these rooftops. He turned around, and saw a rather tall Caucasian girl who was dressed like a cowboy. Pretty muscular, too. Malik was a little curious as to what she was doing, but the man wasn't going to bother. Everyone should be free to do what they please (Long as they don't do anything crazy like kill someone, or steal stuff).

"Heeeeeeeeey, how are you doing?" Malik said in his thick African accent. "Yeah, kind of was... I'm new here in Baybridge, and I wanted to get the best view!" He said as he looked down at the people underneath. It wasn't particularly active this morning. "Nice city, can't wait to try the food."

He was trying his best to disarm her, because he kind of had an idea of why she's up here. 

"Personally was wondering if I could get a better idea of what the city's like from the locals - you know, the stuff they don't put in the pamplets."




[hr][i][h1][color=springgreen]Cindy Gabrielle Keagan[/color].[/h1][/i][hr][hider=Oceans - Breathe][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAVj4QX1LDc[/youtube][/hider][hr]
[i][u]RAVEN/DOVE West Coast Joint Headquarters.[/u][/i]


After her secret phone call with Meifeng, Cindy quickly went back to headquarters with a coffee.

That was technically her break, but she had to talk with Meifeng before that girl did something. She was hoping that no one gets found out, because right now they're still in a phase where they can't afford to. At the same time, they still haven't found any solid leads, or any substantial information. Which is something they're going have to change soon as they can.

Or else they may be too late.

Cindy stepped through the doors of the RAVEN/DOVE Headquarters and showed her badge to be let in. She had a steaming cup of coffee in hand as she moved towards her office. She still has plenty of work to do, she has to handle some things for her cases, process some claims, et cetera, et cetera. For now, Cindy wasn't going to waste too much time dwelling on the Founding Family, and the Black Hound... though, she can't say that she wasn't a little worried about him, and what the bastards he's working for are planning. Because, as they demonstrated in Britain, they can appear at any time, and smash up anywhere. 

Everyone's a target after off.

Making it to her office, Cindy plopped her behind down on the chair, and quickly got to work. She had a pile of paperwork, the usual. Honestly, while this is pretty boring, she would rather take a boring day at work to fighting for her life. Though, she knew that time was going to come soon, so the girl was ready for anything to go down. Especially in the war against the Founding Family, and their army.

Someone knocked at her door, and Cindy raised her head as her pen came to a stop.

"Come in."

On cue, an averaged, redhaired woman stepped into the room wearing a DOVE uniform, and having mousy looks that Cindy immediately attributed to her longtime friend Scarlet Obott. "Oh, hey Scarlet." Cindy said as she leaned up on the table. "What can I do for you today?"

"Um, Deborah wants to talk to you," Scarlet awkwardly said, like she had something on her mind. "She wanted to pass this along to you."

"Oh?" Cindy said, raising an eyebrow. "Yeah, I'll be right there."

Cindy wanted to get her work done, but duty calls.

[hr]

It was a quick walk from Cindy's office to Deborah's.

Since she's the [i]Chairwoman[/i] of DOVE, she gets to have a big fancy office that she makes all the decisions for DOVE - which may change the face of Metahumans globally. Of course she has an office like this. With nice big, wooden doors that made Cindy feel like she was going to step into a mansion. Before Cindy could so much as enter the place, she had to get the approval from her secretary. A small, rather effeminate man with straight black hair who reminded her of a close and personal friend that Cindy hasn't seen in years.

"Hey," Cindy said. "I'm Cindy Keagan, Deborah asked me to meet her."

"Oh yeah, I know, just walk right on in." 

Nodding her head, Cindy walked through the doors, and remembered that the room was soundproofed. She was immediately pelted with the voice of Deborah's lovely red haired assistant, Shannon Balore. Who was a bit tall (at least had two inches over Cindy) and a flowing mane of red hair and wore a red suit.

"... This is a bad idea." Shannon said, making it clear to Cindy that she was trying to plead with her. "You know what happened in Britain? We don't know what the Black Hound is after - but we do know that he's a problem."

Once Deborah stopped and turned her head towards Cindy, they both stopped and Cindy looked a little nervous for a second.

"Sorry to interrupt," Cindy said.

"Oh, no, you're not interrupting at all." Deborah said with a friendly smile. Oddly enough, Deborah was one of the nicest people that Cindy ever knew... or that was her power telling her what everyone wanted to hear. Deborah was always a good looking person - Cindy was a little jealous of her body. They were both African-American (Well, Deborah was more African than her), but Deborah was much taller, and much more well-built. She had brown hair in a pony-tail.

"I've invited you here because I wanted to tell you of a quick change of plans my grouchy assistant doesn't approve of," Deborah said. "Since you're helping with the DOVE exhibit in the Harvest Festival tonight."

"Yeah, yeah... I hope it isn't canceled, heh." Cindy scratched the back of her neck.

"I'm going to make an appearance there... and make a big speech." Deborah said.

"... Which is a bad idea," Shannon said as she stepped up and crossed her arms. "This building is armored, and full of heavily trained Metahumans, and she wants to leave the safety of it? To make one speech?" 

"And I'm saying that we don't have anything to worry about," Deborah said, almost passive aggressively (Cindy could tell that she was holding in her irritation). "I'll double the RAVEN and Police presence there."

"And what will that-"

"Do you ever listen to me, Shannon?" Deborah said, raising an eyebrow. "I've been telling you that acting afraid of the Black Hound is a victory for him, he'll get exactly what he wants - whatever it is."

"Yeah, global terror."

"Uhhhh...." Cindy trailed off as she thought about it for a moment. These two were bickering like a couple. Honestly, Cindy was on the fence on this one. On one hand, she believed that being afraid of the Black Hound would only encourage him. On the other, she knows things that they don't, and Deborah could easily make herself a target for the Black Hound. She also has to remember all the enemies that DOVE and RAVEN collectively have (The Pure, the Allegiance, the Order, etc). God, this is not a good confrontation.

"We should do it... but with some precautions." Cindy said. "To make sure that we can lessen the damage in case something [i]does[/i] go wrong... Like, we can maybe make it a surprise visit so nobody has tome."

"That sounds like a good idea, Cindy." Deborah said with a playful smile. "I just wanted to ask the opinion of the best DOVES... I've already got input from Adora, and Marianela.... Actually that reminds me," Deborah said.

"Can you get to Havenfield and help them with the DOVE exhibit?" Deborah asked. "The others must be super busy."

"Yeah."

Cindy said as she got up, but before she left, she had to gloat a little.

"I'm glad that you called me here to ask."

Cindy said, before she walked out the door, and continued on her way. She made it to the garage, and went through the doors.



[hr][i][h1][color=dodgerblue]Lihua Zhao[/color].[/h1][/i][hr][hider=Zhu - Cocaine Model][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThUtI7LB17Y[/youtube][/hider][hr]
[i][u]Greencrest Heights, White Coast.[/u][/i]


Returning home from the Phan household, Lihua quickly opened the door and let Lijuan run in.

Following behind her with slow and deliberate steps was her much taller mother. As Lijuan ran up the stairs, Lihua gave her a quick warning, "Don't hurt yourself, sweetie." Lihua said as she came to a stop, and did some stretches. She wasn't as young and limber as Lijuan, so she had to take some time to stretch. She put her arm in the air and grabbed it with her wrist, before twisting her upper body in that direction. She kept her eyes closed as she focused....

... And she felt a sudden snap on her hips.

The woman felt a brief pain that caught her off guard, but that was nothing to the pain she has experienced in the past. She had to put her hand on her hip, and groan a little bit, however. Possibly all those injuries she has received in the past are catching up to her. Ugh.

The phone that was in the pockets of her sweat pants started ringing, and Lihua reached into her pocket and saw the caller ID.

[i]Jiao-Long Liu.[/i]

[i]Oh boy, this will be a good one...[/i] She thought to herself as she put the phone up to her ear. 

"Lihua Zhao speaking." Lihua said.

"[i]Sister, hello,[/i]" Jiao-Long said in Chinese. "[i]It has been awhile since we talked.[/i]"

[i]For good reason.[/i] Lihua thought to herself again. "[i]That is true, brother. I've been meaning to keep in contact with you and your daughters.[/i]" Lihua answered in Chinese, speaking it nearly perfectly. 

"[i]Yes, they do miss their aunt, dearly, how is Lijuan doing?[/i]"

Lijuan came running back down the stairs, and ran over towards the refrigerator. She got a juice box, and quickly drunk it. That made Lihua smile. Though, the inhibitor collar around her neck made her feel worried.

"[i]... Lijuan is doing great.[/i]" Lihua said.

"[i]Remember,[/i]" Jiao-Long started off. "[i]If she needs something, feel free to give me a call.[/i]"

Lihua rolled her eyes, but had to be formal.

"[i]I will.[/i]" Lihua said.

"[i]Now, I wanted to call you because it's Honghui's birthday in a few weeks... and I've wanted to make it really special for him,[/i]" Jiao-Long said. "[i]So, I have decided to throw him a celebration in the Haley Boulevard.... and the entire Zhao family is invited.[/i]"

"[i]Oh? That's excellent[/i]..." Lihua said. "[i]I'm certain everyone will be there... but, Meifeng is currently abroad and I'm unsure of whether or not she'll be back in time.[/i]"

"[i]I hope she will be there...[/i]" Jiao-Long trailed off. "[i]... I hope all of you will be there. Make arrangements, get the best clothes you can. My sister's family will be getting the VIP treatment.[/i]"

"[i]Even if Meifeng isn't there, me and Lijuan will certainly be,[/i]" Lihua said. "[i]I promise we'll both be in perfect form once we're there.[/i]"

"[i]Alright.[/i]" Jiao-Long said.

They both shared goodbye in their respective language, before hanging up the phone.