[centre][h2]Richmond Building[/h2] [h1]Downtown Boston[/h1] [sub]21st January, 2011[/sub][/centre] The Covenant had long since left you at the foot of a large building. A receptionist had guided you to the top floor, where all that awaited you was a cosy, medium-sized penthouse apartment. A tall man with snow-white hair walked over. “Ah. You must be the cape from earlier. I must thank you for your assistance with matters earlier, and besides which, a little celebration is in order, I believe.” He gestured for you to enter fully and sit down. A roaring fire coated the room in an orange glow, which was basically the only light in the room save for a few lamps dotted around. All the windows were covered with thick blackout curtains. Several pieces of expensive-looking artwork adorned the walls as well as rows of books stacked on shelves. A chessboard took pride of place on a dark wooden coffee table in the center of a three-sided square of couches. Except this one appeared to be designed to play alone, and some of the figures looked custom-made - resembling several important city figures. As he walked over to a cabinet in the corner of the room, he called over. “Allow me to introduce myself. I have a hundred different names across this city alone. To the underworld, I am the Spider. To the media, the Egyptian. To the world of business, I am the Broker.” Taking a bottle and several glasses, he walked over. “And to the Covenant, I am known as Kingmaker.” Placing the items on the table, he furrowed his brow. “Forgive me, are you old enough to drink? I can make something else, if you’d like.” [@knifeman] [hr] [centre][h2]The Zenith - Xoxi’s Repurposed Meeting Room[/h2] [h1]Above Boston[/h1] [sub]21st January, 2011[/sub][/centre] “No idea,” Nola replied. “I think It’s just a metaphor, but I’m not sure. She is [i]amazing[/i].” The conversation was cut short by a burst of orange, as a number of people stumbled through the portal. Kairi was holding a number of bags of assorted food and several bottles of juice, with a teenage boy beside her holding quite a few more. Behind them both was a slightly older girl, who shook her head and comically chuckled at the two. “You are going to get us all shot, you know.” “Hush you,” Kairi retorted, dumping the mountain of spoils from a hard-won conquest all over a nearby table. The girl walked over to Xoxi and smirked. “You must be Anomaly. Kairi told me about you, earlier. My name is Marwa Seif - also known as Hourglass - and I’m the leader of the Boston Wards.” Whether she had been given the cape name due to her powers or curves was another matter entirely. She pointed to the boy. “He’s Aedan Lark-” He cleared his throat. “I’ll do my own introduction, if it’s all the same to you.” A hand popped out from somewhere in between two large packs of crisps and gave a skewed peace sign - the best he could manage while still holding the goods upright. “Aedan Lark. Broadside. Also known as baby Pallas, since I basically do everything he does but a bit worse.” “-which is why he was transferred to Boston. To become a better tinker.” Marwa looked at the two controllers. “Ah, my sister had a gamecube when she was younger. It’s been ages since I played anything, though - being leader sucks. All you do is paperwork.” There was a mischievous glint in her eye. “Still, we’ll need more of these, huh?” Picking up the unused second controller, she threw it to Kairi who caught it with deft precision. A flare white energy arced off the pad and back to Hourglass. On the way, the trail of light twisted and solidified into a third game controller, which she tossed at Aedan. The same milky-white energy created a fourth which headed to Gestalt, and a fifth appeared in her own hands once again. She sighed. “Shame I can’t do this with food.” Nola spoke up. “Sorry, guys, I can’t stay. I’m going out with family tonight.” She placed down the controller, and Marwa waved a hand. The pad splintered into fragments of white glass-like energy before disappearing completely. “Sorry to hear that,” she said, “but have fun!” With a smile, the younger girl nodded and left the room. Kairi sat with a look of raw determination on her face. “So, we doing this or what?” [@Banana] [hr] [centre][h2]The Circus Maximus[/h2] [h1]Victory Road[/h1] [sub]21st January, 2011[/sub][/centre] “It’s quite comfortable, actually,” he retorted. “Most people hate the idea of every crossing my path. Yet I offer you a reprieve, and still you insist. You are a strange one.” A flicker of [i]something[/i] stirred inside him. [i]How cute,[/i] it said, [i]let me have her.[/i] [i]No,[/i] he thought. [i]I’ve cracked something. Fighting in this state would be stupid.[/i] [i]And exhilarating. Or are you saying you don’t think I can win?[/i] From the corner of his eye, he didn’t miss the figure reclining on the bars. He growled. [i]I know [b]I[/b] can win, but risking a permanent injury is pointless. I have too much riding on this gambit to be put out of comission by another lucky punch.[/i] A cough rose up from his gut. The familiar taste of metal in his mouth was almost comforting. That probably said far more about his mental health than his little imaginary friend. A trickle of blood ran from his lips and dripped from the bottom of his mask, splashing against the red jacket and blending right in. [i]Aww,[/i], the voice cooed,[i]she made you bleed.[/i] At the sight, the haze around his thoughts grew a bit thicker. More intrusive. [i]Quiet. I’m busy.[/i]. Looking up at the offered hand, he finally replied. “I think Pipeline would have a problem with us taking up his arena for an unsanctioned fight - given that you've already won. That made me a rather tidy sum of money, by-the-by, and cost others far more.” He took the hand, and pulled himself up. As he did, something slipped and a grin spread from ear to ear under the mask. With his face only an inch or so from Automaton’s ear, he spoke with a tone devoid of all emotion, save for an almost giddy and sadistic glee. “But if you really [i]insist[/i] on dying…” “Meet me outside in five minutes.” [@Migyudon][@Duoya][@Lasrever][@Old Amsterdam][@SkinnyTy][@PlatinumSkink]