Lady Seraphina

Unlikely Heroes

Kirra

Jenna Baxter and Daniel

"Either way it looks like we are too late now." Daniel said with a small sigh as he continued to try and focus on finding Sam and Christian. "They are too far now."

"What do you mean they are too far? We can't just loose them just like that." Jenna said, the tone of her voice slightly rising as worry and panic settled in. "We have to go. We have to find them again. We have to..."

"We can't." Shaking his head sympathetically, Daniel turned towards Jenna. "My powers can only go so far and without Josiah here with me to help rapidly catch up and find them, we're S.O.L. Once we get back to the base we can regroup and Josiah and I can go out and search for them but there isn't..." Confusion was written on the man's face as he paused and closed his eyes to block out any unneeded stimui.

"What's going on?"

"It can't be them but I think I found another pair of Charlies. I was too focued on the other source that I didn't notice them and from what it looks like, they are not too far away. Let's go investigate."

It didn't take too long before the van pulled up in front of a park. It took Daniel a few seconds to look around from the parked vehicle and identify where exactly the two Charlies were. "It looks like the street preformer and the angry foreigner is our winners." The man said pointing out the two.

"We're going to ruin their lives now aren't we? Everything changed when you and the TSP got involved and now here we are doing the same exact thing." Jenna said looking at the two.

"You got it wrong Jen. Everything changed before we were involved. Your life was different ever since the crash whether or not we got involved. Even if they refuse to join us, the least they deserve is answers." Daniel said before exiting the van. "I'll hop in if I needed but I'm going to leave this conversation up to you three."

Garrett and Dr. Wilson

"Guys! Guess who's here!" Garret said with excitement as he opened the door to the infirmary. Although his hands were wrapped up from the accident that happened earlier, it didn't dampen his mood in the slightest.

"Masaru." Wilson said looking up from his desk in the corner of the room.

"How did you know?" Garret said a bit surprised.

"I asked Josiah to get him earlier. Now will you please settle down. This is an infirmary and Vida was trying to sleep before you came in."

"Sheesh, you can be such a party pooper sometimes." Garret said, this time in a calmer voice although the excitement on his face stayed the same. "They wanted me to notify you of their arrival so that you can catch up. But I also thought since the two of you haven't had the chance to meet Masaru yet, you might like to. That is, if you're feeling well enough to do so."

Unlikely Heroes

BlessedWrath (Weaver)

Josiah and Masaru - Kurosawa Dojo, Corner of Ninth and Pine

Josiah paused outside, mentally rehearsing what he was going to say. Masaru had been there for the previous run of supers, and it hadn't gone well. Part of why the program had been discontinued had been the unpredictability of some supers' behavior; both before and after the change. Masaru had been no exception.

Before the end, Masaru had shown a deep contempt for the program's administration and policies. He had disobeyed orders, had interfered with investigations and pursuit of targets... Ironically, this was precisely what the Reformers needed. It was not fear that kept him beneath the decorative awnings outside his dojo; it was worry.

"Ok," he told himself. "Let's not screw this up."

He got as far as the front counter before he noticed the kneeling form of a man in the center of the practice mats, facing away from him. As Josiah had already had his fill of surprises this week, he decided that discretion was the better part of valor and resolved to sneak up on the man. After all, TSP forces had already blackbagged an entire generation of supers; what was to stop them laying a trap here?

"We agreed you would not come back."

Josiah immediately recognized the voice as belonging to his old colleague. It was not a hostile tone, but there was still a little ice hanging from his words. He wondered if that meant Masaru would be unwilling to help.

"How'd you know it was me?" he inquired, instantly regretting the commission of a movie cliché.

The kneeling man rose, bowed to the room, and calmly returned to the counter. Here, he indicated several recent newspaper clippings relating to the bus crash.

-Bus Crash Kills Twelve
-Several Still Missing from Downtown Bus Crash
-Mysterious Incidents Plague New York. Police Baffled.

"Let me think," Masaru said quietly, leaning on the wall next to the counter. He put a finger to his lips, parroting Wilson's favorite musing. "There is a large accident, several people go missing from the scene, and a week of abnormal incidents later, I get a visitor too nervous to enter my dojo."

"Yeah, I get it." Josiah grumbled. "Fine, Sherlock. If you're so smart, then you tell me why I'm here."

"If I had to guess, I would say Wilson has finally run into an enemy who will not settle for words and promises."

"You're half right. We've got two missing, and we're not sure who's got 'em. Could be TSP, could be street thugs. We've got an idea of where they might be, but things could get..."

Josiah trailed off. He didn't like the look in Masaru's eye.

"...messy?" Masaru finished the thought for him. Josiah nodded.

Without a word, Masaru took the keys to the front door and locked it. He emptied the till into the drop safe and shut down the main power to his dojo. When he returned to Josiah's side, he simply held out his arm.

"We're wasting time."

Unlikely Heroes

Izkripp

Vida Curacio

Vida was extremely uncomfortable with the doctor. She could tell that he was angry, but she could not tell who he was angry with. With no one specified she just assumed that he was angry with her. She avoided looking at him a little too obviously as she kept her head turned away from him as he dressed her wounds. She did not even notice him take a piece of her skin; even if she had the day had been too long for her to care anymore.

When he spoke she jumped a little. She knew that he would say something eventually, but she was not excepting it to be so… distant? She turned over if that was the right word that she should be using. Without protest she did what was told of her, but not before picking up her jacket. As she lay down she pulled the jacket over her head so that her face was covered. Honestly she was still in a lot of pain from her wounds, but she had never been one to voice out her discomfort to others.

Why are you crying again?

She was not crying.

You know what will happen if they catch you crying.

The familiar voice that played in her mind was one that she had not heard in a few years now. She was not crying, but she did feel like she could start at any moment. Laying there under her jacket she felt her eyes getting heavy. She was tired again and she was hungry. Since she was told to stay where she was there was no way that she could go get food and even if she could go she did not remember where the food was. Left with only one option she ended up closing her eyes so that she could drift to sleep.

Unlikely Heroes

dpickle

Patrick "Pat" Anderson

Pat got to his feet just as Josiah disappeared with the two seriously injured members of the party. It was a bit disorientating to suddenly be looking at empty space where three people had been a moment before. Why couldn't he just teleport us all back? It's not like there's anyone left back here to notice. Pat knew that he could sure use a teleport right about then. A soft bed and about a million pain killers wouldn't hurt either. Pat's back had mildly improved from when he had first stood up, but he still wanted to get out of his current standing position as soon as possible. As if reading his mind, Callie suddenly appeared with a makeshift cane.

Upon being offered the cane, Pat quickly accepted with a short thanks. Under ordinary circumstances Pat may have protested, but he was far to sore and exhausted to consider refusing some help. The added support significantly reduced the pain of walking around, a big boon considering the van was a fair ways away. The trip back to the van gave Pat just enough time to be embarrassed about the previous events. Pat considered himself very proficient at masking pain Callie seemed to see through it right away. Granted there's a drastic difference between migraine pain and "Just been in a gang fight" pain, but it still stung the ego none the less.

Once they were all back in the van, Pat got a bit of relief and they had to decide on what to do about the missing members.

"I also say that we should also go back to base. If Sam and Christian aren't in any danger they can wait for a while and if they are in danger we're not in a position to do anything about it."

Unlikely Heroes

Cerulean

Adam Cooper

This wasn't the first time someone shouted during a performance and, it sadly would not be the last. At least the song was over before the heckler did anything more. He looked over to the park bench to find that the asshat was blindfolded. Of course the guy had a blindfold, because why not? Debating whether or not to bite his tongue, instead of the man's, someone came over and dropped a few dollars in his case. It simmered him down enough to not say anything and just hope that maybe Stevie Wonder would wander off or a meteor would hit him. Just stick with it a little longer and then break time.

Deciding to give his voice a rest, Adam took a deep breath and began to just play a little instrumental music. It was classical, in composition, and baritone in Db. Overall, the day have been pretty good so far. The sun was shining when clouds didn't cockblock it. In his head, there were ideas swirling around as to what he should do if the heckler goes off again. A stinging one liner should do the trick.

Or something.

Unlikely Heroes

Perry

Maxim "Max" Emillianov

Max had no fucking clue of how late or soon in the day it was and he could not care any less. The only concern he had with the time was how long he had until the painkiller's effect faded enough for him to need the next bunch and how long until Viktor was back from the job interview and took him to a fucking doctor who could finally fix this whole shit. Viktor had left him on a park bench with a bottle of ice tea, a blindfold, and the promise of seeing a doctor who was not a complete retard in less than two hours. Juicy Russian swearwords kept mixing in his mind with whatever it was the retarded street musician was singing in the park. The guy was at least honest enough to admit that he even remembered losing his mind, which he might as well have not found yet, for all Max could tell.

»Does that make me crazy?
Does that make me crazy?
Does that make me crazy?
Possibly«

"Fuck yeah!", Max muttered somewhat loudly when the guy kept singing if something made him crazy. Max was sure he had already heard whatever it was that should have made or not made this lunatic crazy, but keeping track of the text was tougher a task than he had known before all this. The drowsiness from the painkillers he had swallowed after lunch – and the past days – and the growing impatience about not knowing what the hell was wrong with him – which he shared with at least two doctors – made him wonder if maybe he himself was going to share the insanity with this guy in the park who had smoked whatever had made him think he was a fucking wizard. Maybe that was what could help him with the blindness and the headaches. Why not? Modern medicine seemed to be as clueless as any other person on the streets, so maybe he needed a wizard instead of doctors and hospitals. And for what Max knew whatever this dude had smoked could be much more effective than regular painkillers.

"You said too many fucking words." Max said loud and clear this time, right after he sang if people were listening to a word he was saying. "Not a single, too many singles."​

Unlikely Heroes

Ryver et Rhine (Dear Karma)

Daniel, Jenna, Callie Wright and Pat (+ unconscious Tom) - Alley

"And don't worry about the grabbing thing, just give me a warning next time."

“S-sure. I’m glad you aren’t upset,” Cal looked visibly relieved. She was a little upset that she seemed to have annoyed Christian earlier today, so no offending a second person so soon would be great. Even though the old man managed to get back on his feet, Pat’s expression showed that he was in a lot more pain than he let on. She had to find a way to help without actually touching him, she concluded. Her eyes fell on a nearby a nearby dumpster.

She ran over. Seeing the lid was closed, she wiped the drying blood onto her shirt and threw the lid up. A quick rummage unearthed a long metal rod, possibly an old curtain rod, which could be used as a temporary cane. “I – you look like your back’s hurting.” She paused as she offered him the rod. “I can’t carry you, so maybe a cane will help? It’s just a short distance to the start of the alley …”

“Oh...” She remembered the van. Josiah, that arrogant jerk, mentioned they had to get back to it. Wait! Since he was with Daniel, it meant that this other person was in-charge. She sighed and took a deep breath in an attempt to clear the fog building inside her head. The burst of oxygen provided a small relief. She was just so goddamn tired now that the adrenaline ebbed. Still there was work to do and now one else asked the obvious. “Oh Daniel! Do you think we can back the van closer towards alley?”

She walked over to him. “Maybe we can decide on the more important things once we are all comfortably seated.” She looked discreetly in Pat’s direction, trying to see if he was alright. She fished around for an excuse that didn’t put the man in the spotlight. “I still aching from earlier and you don’t want to deal with me when I’m grumpy.” She pouted.

“Not that I’m not worried about Sam and Christian,” Cal added quickly. “I think it’s more private and comfortable discussing the matter in the van … and yeah hanging out here any long is a baaad idea. There were several shots earlier.” She paused to catch her breath. She didn't realize how fast she had been talking. "And we appear to have a body." She pointed to the unconscious Tom.

Daniel, Jenna, Cal and Pat (+ unconscious Tom) - The Van

The last bit, while an odd addition, seemed to galvanize them into action. Callie was the last to board the van. She shut the rear door and made her way to the driver's seat. Pat was currently sitting shot gun, while Jenna was directly behind and Daniel sitting opposite Jenna. Cal adjusted herself in such a manner she could see most them. “Now back to all important question. Are we feeling confident about rescuing Sam and Christian or do we want to head back and regroup?”

She composed herself and did a brief headcount. “I mean there’s only Daniel, Patrick, you – Jenna – and me. The Fed doesn't count since he's still out cold at the back. And oh, Vida and Ester went back with – ” She stopped herself from saying Jerk-siah. “Josiah. No offense, Dan. I’m sure you’re a great guy and all, but yeah. We lack the numbers.”

She deliberately avoided mentioning the fight earlier. Killing the morale wasn't going to help their missing friends. Callie watched Jenna closely. “I prefer going back, but I’ll follow if the rest of you want to do this.” She smiled warmly at the brunette. “Trust me, I want Sam and Christian back safe too.”

Unlikely Heroes

BlessedWrath (Weaver)

Dr. Wilson and Josiah

It didn't take long for Wilson to diagnose Vida's injuries. The necrosis was identical to Garret's injuries, if more severe. He still had no idea how to treat the condition, but first aid was a clear starting point. Wordlessly, he worked to wrap up her hands, but not before taking a skin sample.

He avoided her eyes. He didn't want her to see what was in his. Without realizing it, Wilson had been a little rough with his attentions. He was angry. No...not angry; angry wasn't the right word. He was offended. He had risked all to save this group of people, to establish a better life and a secure future for them, and they had -on their first outing tangled with a common street gang. Was there any thought to their own safety at all? And what had been the reason? He'd have to remember to ask that when everyone else arrived at the base.

Hopefully, without New York's entire criminal population in tow. He thought bitterly.

Vida needed a drip, just in case her body's fluids had been depleted by her ability. It was standard medical practice to prevent dehydration, but in Wilson's case, it was all the more important. They still hadn't fully explored the effects of the Charlies' abilities on their own physiology. For all he knew, the use of Vida's powers could have far-reaching and lasting side effects, which could be dangerous or even fatal.

"Lie back and stay here," Wilson said quietly. There wasn't enough force in his words to come across as gruff. His tone was hollow, subdued. It almost sounded like the voice of a man who'd given up.

"Ester, your turn."

It had been a while since Wilson had to sew up a wound. On examination, it appeared as though the bullet had made just enough contact to produce a nasty gash in her side, but it had thankfully done no more damage than that. He spent a few minutes to stop the bleeding, then administered a local anesthetic to numb the area while he worked to close the wound.

"Keep still and don't touch it," He told Ester. "We'll start you on antibiotics if there are any signs of infection."

With that, he turned to face Josiah, who had seen this expression on his face precious few times. Wilson did not need to indicate that he wanted Josiah to follow; it was understood. The door clicked gently closed behind Josiah.

"I don't care," Wilson started, with a forced calm in his voice. "I don't care how this started, I don't care who's responsible, and I don't care how much you want to get back at them. It stops, here and now."

"They still have Sam and Christian."

There was dead space in Wilson's grand speech. Those few words knocked the air out of his lungs. They crippled his ability to speak. He took off his glasses and absently worked to clean the lenses while he struggled to come up with a response.

"Who?" He managed weakly.

"Don't know," Josiah replied. "But, from what Daniel said, it seems like they took them to a separate facility. We don't even know if it's the same people the Charlies tangled with. It doesn't really seem like their style, if you ask me."

"Daniel could sense them?" Wilson inquired, waving off the rest of Josiah's opinions.

"Well...yeah, but he said it was at the edge of his range. We can't really be sure it even is them. He hasn't spent enough time with them to tell them apart from other supers."

"We obviously don't have the skills to take on a street gang. We need more information, more training, more... more time."

Wilson paced while he talked, his brow furrowed to the point where it more closely resembled a freshly tilled field than skin. He stopped abruptly and, without turning to face Josiah, simply uttered the words: "Can you still find Masaru?"

"Yeah, I think so."

"Do it."

Unlikely Heroes

Cerulean

Adam Cooper

"I got the magic in me
Every time I touch that track in turns into Gold
Every body knows I got the magic in me
When I hear hit the floor the girls come snapping at me
Now everybody wants to press the magic"

Adam was trying out something different. Not busking. That he has done plenty of times before, with about as much success as you can expect from such an endeavor. This was his first attempt at mixing songs to tell a different story. His voice matched the transposed note and it filled him with warmth because this story was about his own expression of self. Perhaps he wasn't actually swarmed by girls, but it was nice to think of what that would be like. It was him coming out of his own shell and that feeling never ceased to amaze.

Pressing fingers to keys, on his little keyboard, he hummed a little bit. The composition was treated with a methodical grace and now the performance was starting to warm Adam. He was really getting into it now, adjusting in the comfy chair that was never left at home. The voice had a deep, gruff tone to it. It was the voice of a future star. At least, that was the goal.

"I remember when, I remember, I remember when I lost my mind
There was something so pleasant about that place.
Even your emotions had an echo
In so much space

And when you're out there
Without care,
Yeah, I was out of touch
But it wasn't because I didn't know enough
I just knew too much

Does that make me crazy?
Does that make me crazy?
Does that make me crazy?
Possibly"

Adam can frequently find his mind is different places, but this was the one thing that could hold together long enough to get something wonderful out. It helped him battle back his demons and at the same time make other people happy. This in turn made him happy...er.

"Ha La La La La
Now listen closer to the verse I lay
(Ha La La La La)
It's all about the wordplay
(Ha La La La Love)
The wonderful thing it does
Because, because
I am the wizard of ooh's and ah's and fa-la-la's
Yeah the Mister A to Z
They say I'm all about the wordplay

I built a bridge across the stream my consciousness
It always seems to be a flowing
But I don't know which way my brain is going
Oh the rhyming and the timing
Keeps the melodies inside me
And they're coming
Till I'm running out of air
Are you prepared to take a dive into the deep end of my head
Are you listening to a single word I've said"

He had finally opened his eyes, as the last phrase fell out. The last sound that was made come from the chord on the piano.

Unlikely Heroes

Izkripp

Vida Curacio

The trip was sudden, way too sudden. When the room came into focus she stumbled and caught herself on one of the beds. She was already feeling dizzy and weak before the jump, but she was feeling even worse. Her stomach turned as her mind struggled to keep up with what just happened. She wanted to vomit. She reached up and put her hand over her mouth just in case something was going to come out. Josiah left them in the room. What they were saying was true she figured he was not the nicest of people. She did not bother to see how Ester was doing; she seemed to be handling herself much better than she was. Vida gave up on the struggle and let herself fall onto the bed to rest. She was sure she would feel better if she could just lay there for a minute and let everything settle.

Too much had happened already. They ran off, got into a gang fight, she had a hole in her memory, and then they were teleported. She heard Josiah return with the man from earlier, what was his name again? She lay on the bed letting him assess Ester, then she heard her name. She continued to lay there. Maybe if she pretended to sleep then he would leave her alone. Not possible she decided. She sat up in time to see Ester and Josiah leave. Her eyes hovered at the door wondering just what was between them.

Suddenly she remembered that the attention of the older man fully on her now. She nervously turned her attention to him, their eyes met for a moment then she dropped hers to the floor.

She heard some movement and then heard him speak. “Take off your jacket.”

She reached up and gripped the jacket with white knuckles for a moment before she slowly unzipped it and pulled it off. She still did not look up at she sat there with her wounds showing. The wound on her face and neck still looked bad with black dead cells towards the middle, but on the edges light pink lined the would showing that there had been worse and it had already started to heal. As she was looking down she noticed her hands, parts of her fingers were still missing, but they didn’t look as bad as before. Over all she looked awful and she had started to get thinner again. Most of the morning’s breakfast had gone to recovering from the night before, which left her with little nutrients to get her through this mess.