Saltwater Thief

The Mundane [Small-Town Teenage Superheroes]

I'm with @kittyluna45 here, you're a jerk.

Northwood Academy

<Snipped quote by Saltwater Thief>

Showing off? Psh. I try to remain humble if anything!

<Snipped quote by Kirah>

Being not-dead is quite nice! A secret you say? What is the plan? Feel free to PM me! Ellie is very much one to spend exorbent amounts of time in the Library. XD

@Feisty-Pants

One can be humble and still boast of new records in posting speed to a friend...

As for the secret/plan, a summary; the significant dead NPC, by the name of Amy Snow (Ellie might know her, I think she was a Junior?), had part of her powers activate after her death, and using those she revealed to each of the PCs a "secret", some factoid about the Academy itself that contributes to the mystery, which Kirah PM'd to everybody. For example, Stella's was "There are books in the library that shouldn't logically be there" and Tobias's was "The building's age is far more ancient than it should be for a school founded in XXXX" (picked those two because I know for certain off the top of my head that we've mentioned both of them in posts, in case anybody is keeping their secret, well, SECRET for suspense).

Northwood Academy

It will certainly not be the same. Don't know that I'll miss the showing off half of it though xP

Northwood Academy

<Snipped quote by Saltwater Thief>

My brain being a constant jumble isn't fun. @.@

I was already forgetful, baby is making things worse. XD

@Feisty-Pants

Oh yeah. Hormones for the loss.

Northwood Academy

Sounds fantastic! I'll probably have some time later this week or early next. Fast pace posting isn't a thing for me anymore. DX

@Feisty-Pants

Oh dear.

Well, welcome to the posting pace of mortals. It's not so bad once you get used to it though.

Northwood Academy

I can safely say nobody is dead yet!

Well, that's not true. Mostly what's happened is we all met in the gym because some important NPCs were found dead, something happened to make powers go haywire, once everything calmed down we all tried to leave in cars/buses... and then the school (the building it sounds like, not the staff) trapped us in a time loop that prevented us from leaving the grounds. So currently we're all trooping back to the gym and figuring out what the hell we want to do.

To answer the question, the Ginger Alchemist still lives. No terrible days for rain just yet ^_^

Northwood Academy

Working for the weekend. And through the weekend. Oh well, sweet sweet overtime pay will make it all better.

Sector X (Invite only)

Sophie Castellia

With Special Guest NPC Dr Tobias Rivenridge

Wednesday Morning, Boston MA

Everything had happened so fast. Sunday and Monday had been just like the days before them, simply getting out of bed, going to work, watching whatever happened to be on TV, and then going back to sleep. Less than 36 hours later, however, Sophie had started running around her apartment in a near frenzy, trying to sort out what she did and did not care about among her material possession. Most of the furniture, she decided, wasn't worth keeping, and even what was wouldn't be practical. She packed most of her clothes, the ones that weren't torn or fading or had sentimental value at least, as well as her two good dresses and single pair of nice heels into a suitcase, and the few cooking utensils she wanted to keep soon joined them. For two years of residence, she reflected, it certainly seemed there wasn't much she wanted to keep with her from the place.

Perhaps that's for the best.

The last piece to go in was a solitary stuffed bear that had sat on the camping stool that she used as a bedside table since she had moved in. Unlike the rest of the place, the bear was happy, smiling, and nicely colored. Sophie had made sure to keep it immaculately clean and cared for, even in her darkest moods. It had been a graduation gift from Moriah, and she treasured it more than anything. That, she decided, would be a carry-on. She scooped it up, gave it a hug, and then closed her eyes for a moment.

"I'm heading out, Mori. By the time you wake up... maybe by then I'll have done enough that I can face you. Until then..."

Without finishing, she zipped up the suitcase and turned her back to the dingy little Boston apartment for good.

Wednesday Evening, Arlington VA

By the time the sun began to set, Sophie had finished moving into her new apartment. Sector X had found a specific location, more than likely based on Cassie and Meghan's advice; it was a modestly-priced location in a sparsely visited neighborhood within biking distance of the offices, and perhaps most importantly, the complex itself was laid out with the apartments sized and spaced far enough apart that she couldn't make a neighbor's powers run amok through the wall if she had a nightmare. "We'll give you a few days to go and buy the stuff you need to live here," a representative had informed her, "Make sure you keep your receipts. You'd be surprised what the Sector will have you put on their bill."

She dropped back onto the bed, relishing the fact that it neither squeaked nor groaned under her, and tried to center herself in the middle of all the changes happening. It was all happening alarmingly fast, and though nothing had gone wrong she still felt uneasy. Was this really the opportunity she needed, both for a career and atonement? What if Cassie had been wrong and they couldn't help her? Where could she go after that? What would she do then?

Her train of questions was interrupted by a quick knocking at the door. Curious, she padded across the carpeted floor to answer it. Standing on the other side was a fairly tall, skinny man in his thirties with a small mop of light brown hair atop his head. He was dressed in business casual with a long coat draped about him, and he carried a small metal case in one hand.

"Hello there," he said in a light British accent, smiling at her, "Are you Sophie?"

"I am," she replied uncertainly, "Who are you?"

"Oh, apologies. My name's Doctor Tobias Rivenridge. I'm the head of R and D at Sector X. Someone should've told you I was going to stop by today?"

"Yes, yes they did. Would you like to come in?"

"I think I would."

He ducked inside as she opened the door a little wider and looked around, taking in what decor there was at present.

"I swear the boys in HR do better every time when they go looking for these places. Making yourself at home, I hope?"

"As much as I can, Doctor Rivenridge."

"Please, call me Tobias. I'm only Doctor Rivenridge in front of the bigwigs and to my assistant who I can't convince otherwise."

"Alright then, Tobias. Cassie mentioned you would be stopping by, but she never said what for. Would you care to enlighten me to that?"

"Ah, right. Of course she didn't. Well, she did say something about us helping you rein in your gifts, I hope?"

"She did," Sophie said bewildered, "She insisted on it, in fact. But what does that have to do with you?"

"Ah, well, you see, part of that process has to do with giving you some help in keeping it under control until you can come to manage it all yourself. That help comes out of my lab in the form of..." he trailed off as he set his case down on the kitchen counter, opened it, and withdrew a small device that resembled a bluetooth earpiece. "One of these little beauties," he finished.

Sophie cautiously approached Tobias and the little device to get a closer look. "What is that?"

"It's a Subconcious Psychologic Biophenomenal Active Threshold Suppressor," He replied matter-of-factly, then turned to see Sophie's confused look and chuckled a bit. "Sorry, I do that sometimes. It's basically a limiter for psychic abilities. One of our agents, when she first joined, had a particular ability that she didn't quite have a handle on, and it posed a lot of problems with the rest of the staff. So, the boss came down and told me and my gang we needed to find a way to help her manage it. This is what we came up with, and it's helped hundreds of Sector associates and thousands more civilians around the globe 'get a grip' on their gifts, if you will."

"So it what, turns off my ability?"

"No, not quite. What it does, in layman's terms, is monitor your psychic activity, and if it detects more than the amount it's set to, it counteracts it."

"Does it hurt?"

"No, no no no. It's a little uncomfortable the first few times, but it's not painful, and you'll get used to it really fast. Now, before you can come to work, I'll need to fit you with one of these. I think... yes, this type should do!" he exclaimed as he looked at the eight or nine different devices in the case.

"There's different types?"

"Oh yes. Many different types. We've got ones that only block certain activity, ones that blanket block everything, ones that can't be turned off, ones that can, ones that adjust their strength automatically, we've even got one with a little dial that can be turned from one to nine depending on how strong the person wants the suppression. It's quite fascinating, really."

"Okay," Sophie said as she tried to keep her mind focused, "So how do you figure out which type is for me?"

"I think I already do. But first, I'd like to experience your gift for myself, if you don't mind."

Sophie's breath caught in her throat.

"I don't think that's a good idea. You might..."

"Might lose control? Hurt myself? Hurt someone else?" Tobias finished the sentence for her as he looked into her eyes. He had anticipated her objection, and he seemed unperturbed by it.

"Yes. All of that."

"Hmm. Sophie, can I show you something?" Tobias asked as he lifted up a palm. Without the slightest change in his demeanor, a crackling ball of lightning began to form above his hand, lighting the room in bluish white flickers. "This," he said, "Is my ability. I can produce lightning and electricity at will."

The lightning ball fluxed in size and intensity as he continued, growing much larger and then much smaller as he talked.

"Now, when I first discovered this... I very nearly killed a great many people. One of them was the woman I love. And because of that..."

The lightning sparked one final time and then ceased as abruptly as it began. "Because of that, I don't think you'll find anybody on the globe who's put more time and effort into controlling their power as me. I could probably stand in a swimming pool next to someone and never even tickle them if I was up to risk it. I have every confidence in myself, and I insist that you do the same. Besides, even if I'm overestimating myself, I have countermeasures at the ready. So, please, Miss Castellia, will you show me your gift?"

Sophie locked eyes with Tobias again for a short moment. Dozens of trains of thought collided in her head, until finally she simply nodded once and turned her focus inward. The feeling of warm water cascaded down her back again, and she felt her power flow out into the room. But outside of a few crackles around him and some intrigued looks from Tobias, there was no sign he'd been affected.

"Miraculous..." he almost whispered.

"Doctor- err, Tobias?"

"I've never even thought that such a thing might be possible. This could change everything we know about Biophenomenon... My God, Sophie... this is truly a marvelous gift!"

"I think it more of a curse."

"I can understand that," Tobias replied as he raised his hand and watched something Sophie couldn't perceive play out on it, "But hopefully I can help to change your mind. But first things must come first. Here..."

He reached back into the case and pulled out one of the limiters. She took it from him, and after a quick look at it Sophie grasped how to put it on. It hooked around and secured to her left ear, and once it was on Tobias walked a little closer and leaned down to put his hand next to it.

"This might feel a bit odd, one second..."

With that he snapped his fingers, sent a jolt to the device, and Sophie felt like she'd been suddenly dunked underwater in a pool. She closed her eyes and sent her hands to hold her head steady as her senses tried to right themselves. Less than a minute later they succeeded, and though everything seemed the same, something felt different. Something she couldn't quite place at first. And then she realized it; there was no sensation running down her back, no feeling of her power. Hesitantly, she reached out and firmly touched Tobias's arm, fully expecting the running water feeling to return in force... but it didn't. All that happened was an odd humming in her left ear as the device neutralized the surge.

"And there we go." Tobias said, satisfied with the results. "It's going to take some getting used to, but I have no doubt you will. And we'll be seeing more of each other, I can promise you that. You might not believe it, Sophie, but when Cassie promised you could do some good in the world, even she had no idea how right she was. Ta-ta then."

As he closed up the case and headed for the door, Sophie turned and called to him. "Doctor Tobias!"

He turned, clearly amused by the new name.

"Thank you."

"A pleasure, my dear."

And with that, he took his leave.

Sector X (Invite only)

So... I actually just remembered why I haven't posted for Sophie again. I was waiting for the progression to Wednesday, if that's going to happen?

Sector X (Invite only)

Alex Mercede, with P1X1E, & Neil Maxwell

Tuesday, 12:25 pm

Sometimes, Alex thought wistfully to himself, field work had its benefits. It wasn’t every day that he got to drive what many would consider a legendary vehicle, and here he was in an open dirt lot leaning against a 1969 Impala. But then again, driving it had been the easy part of the day. The hard part was yet to come.

They’d managed to get a hold of the elusive “Pixie” again, this time to say they had the car and to appoint a spot to meet. After some discussion and debate, they’d settled on an old, unpaved parking lot near the edge of town. Lots of open space, little traffic, and nowhere near anything significant; perfect for a meeting between people who wanted to avoid attracting attention, for any reason. The sun was cresting directly overhead as Alex looked around. It was getting very close to time.

“Alright Max,” he asked as he scanned the area, “Should be here any minute. Any last-minute things you think we should address?”

”Not sure.” Max replied, still nervous about the whole thing. ”What do we do if she takes the car and drives off leaving us with nothing?”

“Simple; we don’t let her have the keys until we’re satisfied. Wait a minute, I hear something…”

The rumble of an old, trashed truck could be heard as it sped down the road and into the parking lot. It was definitely beaten up, the red paint dinged and scratched from almost all angles, and through the windshield a hooded figure could almost be seen, sunglasses obscuring most of their face.

Their identity was indistinguishable, at least until Pixie rolled the window down and hollered out, ”You guys actually brought one?”

Alex smiled in response. “We at least try to be nice to the people we get in touch with. You mind killing the engine and coming out here for a talk?”

There was a pause, and Pixie rubbed at her head. The engine turned off, but she made no move to get out of the truck. She did push up her sunglasses, though. ”This is my bullet shield just in case you do try and off me,” she informed him. ”Hope that’s not a deal-breaker for you.” Her gaze was focused on the Impala as she leaned out the window.

”We don’t shoot the people we’re trying to help.”

”Yeah, whatever,” Pixie said. ”So do I, like, sign a contract or some shit? Never done anything like this. Had a job. Whatever.”

”Well, that depends on a couple of things. Our little group has a couple of different ways it works with people of your skills and talents, and if you so felt you’d be free to take your pick from them, but getting you on the payroll has to come second for right now. The biggest thing we’re concerned about right now is getting you out of New Mexico.”

Alex continued to survey around the place, looking both with his eyes and sending out some of his psychic waves every so often. Despite how calm he seemed, the truth was that he was exceptionally nervous about the whole situation.

”Bro, just chill,” she told him. ”I’m watching the CCTV cameras on the way out of this place – if someone’s skulking around, I’ll see ‘em. But anyway – logistics.” Pixie cracked her knuckles, and opened the door of the truck to let her legs hang out. ”I don’t want to live in a dorm in whatever superhero complex you’re taking me.”

”You can live wherever you want. I live in an apartment. I know a few people who live in houses.”

”Hell, if you really felt like it, you could toss a bed in the back of your car and live out of it. All the work does is find ways to put people’s abilities to good use.” Alex smiled again, the kind of smile only someone else who plays competitive games would recognize. ”Better than putting the little 13-year old foul mouths to shame I mean.”

”What’s wrong with that for a pastime?” Pixie asked, completely serious.

”Absolutely nothing, I do it myself. Hell, I do it at my desk if I get all my work done in a timely manner, and my boss doesn’t care because she knows I’m good at my job and I’ll do it when I’m called to. It took me some time to prove that to her, but I always liked a challenge.”

”Uh-huh.” Pixie hummed contemplatively, eyeing Alex critically – almost like he was too old to play video games, or at least to old to talk to her about them. Abruptly, she changed the subject. ”So can I get the keys?”

”Well, that also depends on-” Alex’s attention was suddenly diverted as one of his waves bounced back with something different than empty space. Someone was approaching their little meeting. They were walking slowly, almost casually, but they were there. Thoughts began to speed through his head. Only Neil and he had clearance to be out here from S-X, there were contacts in Albuquerque PD keeping the civilian authorities out of it, and Pixie was well noted as being a total lone wolf. That left only one answer.

”You may want to get back in your truck. Neil? Get down.” Alex said as his face went from confident smile to focused stare. Pixie pulled her legs up and back into the truck, closing the door but still peering out the window at the newcomer. Neil did as he was told as well.

A young woman in cut-offs and a tank top walked over, popping a piece of bubble gum and sighed. She lowered the sunglasses on the bridge of her nose and sighed. “This is the best they had to offer. I was informed that I’d have more of a challenge here. But I see I got pencil pusher and… what? Who are you trying to kid with those headphones? This is a waste of my time. Yo! Pixie! I got someone who wants to meet ya….”

”Sorry lady,” Alex responded, ”But Miss Pixie’s appointments for today happen to be filled. Perhaps I could encourage you to reschedule?”

The woman rolled her eyes at Alex. “Who are you? Her secretary? I believe she’s her own grown ass woman who can talk to me, and not through some flunky of the poorly named Sector X.” She blew a bubble as she looked at Alex. “Besides, my friends really wanna meet her. I’m sure your colleagues have told you what happens if we don’t get what we want. Arlington got a bit fucked up yesterday, or didcha not hear?” She popped the bubble and looked at Alex.

”I’d like it if your friends all had a meeting with a speeding 18-wheeler, but we don’t always get what we-”

“Out of curiosity – like, morbid curiosity – who is it?” Pixie asked, twisting around to see even though she kept one eye on the Impala.

“Your friend from yesterday luv. He has this major crush on you and wants to take ya out to dinner. However, apparently your friends here are being a bit of buttheads. Let me see if I can get them out of our way. Have some girl chat.” The woman's hands started sparking as she walked towards Alex.

”Now, now,” Alex said as he put both of his hands up, as if he was surrendering, ”Let’s not let this get out of hand. I’d hate to be the guy who trashed a gorgeous car like this one by accident trying to protect himself…”

She smirked. “I wouldn’t be damaging the car handsome. You know that the human body runs on electrical impulses yes?” She looked at Alex, holding up her hands, sparks flying between her fingers. “I know just where to hit to make you punch yourself in the face.”

”I see. Guess I’ll just have to make sure you don’t hit me there then.” suddenly a spot on the ground just in front of where the girl was walking exploded upward like a landmine, throwing dust and debris in her face. ”Watch out for that first step, it’s a doozy.”

“Well fuck. Alex Mercedes. I should be honored. However…” The woman’s voice echoed across Alex’s mind, barely a whisper. There was a shot of lightning that flashed out, hitting the car and sparking. “I don’t need to see to do what I do!”

”Cool. Have fun with that.” And with that, Alex threw his raised hands forward, throwing a massive shockwave forward to slam into the woman. ” Neil, stay with Pixie, and get some backup out here! Pixie…” he said as he reached into his pocket, tossed her the impala keys, and opened the door for her, ”If you know what’s good for you, get in the Impala and DRIVE!”

Neil climbed into the passenger's seat of the Impala.

Pixie, who caught the keys, kissed her truck goodbye and darted into the open door of the Impala. The door slammed behind her with a little bit of telekinesis. Rolling the windows down and starting the engine, she called out, “The keys are in my truck if you need to make a quick getaway!” before screeching out towards the exit of the parking lot.

“WAIT NO GET BACK HERE!” Another streak of lightning flew across the sky, but hit nothing in particular.

“Tell Shadow he has to ask me himself!” And they were gone.

”Well then. Just you and me now. Mind if I ask who I have the pleasure of entertaining today?” Alex said as he spread his legs apart in an action-oriented stance.

“Mind if I ask you to kiss my ass?” The woman reappeared as the dust settled, a smirk across her face, sparks flying every which way. “Besides, I doubt you could entertain me anyways sugar. I bet the big headphones are to compensate for something small in your pants, right?”

”Nah, but they’re fantastic for tuning out psychotic tramps. Like so,” he said as he flipped the phones over his ears.

She smirked. “That was a dumb ass move. Electronics over your ears? Now I just have an easier channel…” She pointed her fingers at the earphones and sent a bolt of lightning at them, pretty much frying them.

Alex winced sharply as the sparks from his headphones shorting out shocked him, and he staggered back, closing his eyes in pain and doubling over.

“So… the infamous Alex, taken down by your own equipment. So…” He could hear her heels clacking on the ground as she moved closer. The ozone around him had the smell of storm. He could start to feel his hairs stand on end due to the static. “You have no backup.”

”And you…” Alex said before his voice went from painful straining to calm and collected in a heartbeat’s span, ”Have no clue!” he yelled as he dropped the rest of the way to the ground and kicked out in a leg sweep accompanied by another force wave. As soon as the kick was done he rose and thrust his hand out again, throwing another shockwave at the woman. He was smiling; Shadow agents ALWAYS fell for the wounded gazelle tactic.

The woman had managed to avoid his leg sweep, but the force waves pushed her over. She growled as she looked at him. She did seem a bit dazed as she looked at him, and smiled. “A fighter. The last agent I fought couldn’t even hit me once. I’m glad for a challenge… especially from someone as handsome as you. Too bad you have to work against me. You’d make an excellent Shadow agent.” She charged forward, sending bolts of lighting out at him.

As soon as her hands moved to throw the bolts, Alex darted to the side and out of the line of fire. ”Now that’s just insulting…”

“What’s insulting? The truth?”

”The notion I’d work for a bunch of psychos like you.”

“Now that’s insulting. Psycho? Really?”

”Truth hurts.”

“You know nothing about me... “

”Already know everything I need to.” he said as he pushed up his glasses on his face.

She frowned and shot out more bolts of lightning as she ran around, trying to hit him. It seemed like she was out of banter at the moment, as the air started to crackle more as she shot more lightning.

Suddenly she paused in her actions and lowered her hands. She grasped the sides of her head and winced a bit. After a moment she looked at Alex and narrowed her eyes. “I don’t have time for you...Agent. However, I would have won this fight.” She growled and ran off in a hurry, disappearing among the buildings.

Alex warily watched her leave, and then sighed relief when she was out of sight. As much as he hated to admit it, she was right; every bolt he’d dodged only charged the area, and before much longer she would’ve had enough to simply blast the entire lot with lightning. Given how little his waves had done to her, it certainly seemed his reputation as a field agent had led to some precautions on Shadow’s part against him. He’d been lucky, this time, but if somebody more ruthless, skilled, or cunning had been there…

He shook his head back and forth to clear it. What was most important now was hooking up with Neil and Pixie and getting back to Arlington. Thankfully, things had worked out just the way he’d wanted. As he sauntered over the Pixie’s truck, he smirked at the various electronics in the back. He’d have to make sure he got Pixie a new computer, he thought, as he picked the pieces out of the truck and tossed them very unceremoniously to the ground. As good as Pixie’s defenses were, she could still be tracked through her system that she took with her everywhere. But, with her getting away in the Camaro, all whoever was tracking her for Shadow would find was some slight movement in a dirt lot in the middle of No Place Important, New Mexico.

As he cleared out the last of it, he got in, turned the keys, and drove off on a long and winding route to shake any physical tails. A few miles down the road, he pulled out his phone- thankfully unaffected, though that could be relied on when the guy who made it could throw thunderbolts of his own- and made to call Neil.

@Kirah
@McHaggis