Tim

[Withdrawn] Garen Zi, Sith Apprentice, Teräs Käsi Master

<Snipped quote by Tim>

Check out my Selene WIP CS.

Dark sider not officially with the Sith, but I have to plant seeds in the CS that the Sith will get their damn hands on her, because...it's the Sith Empire.

Taken against will can turn into really really fun games, and make Sith who aren't always so happy about the Empire's status quo.

Just a similar situation you might wanna check out.

@Ruby

Yeah, I read over it a while ago (just did a quick re-read to be sure) and I definitely would not want to be her when the Sith come for her.

I myself was kinda implying that, even though his naïvaté has literally almost been the death of him, Garen is still naïve enough to believe that the Sith are the good guys, and really the tipping point for him is if he can learn to shake this before the Sith can manipulate him past the point of no return or not. Kinda shows the more subtle villiany of the Sith. Or something like that, I dunno.

But I realize that not everything on the sheet is up to par and that I haven't really been thinking enough with my big ol' brain. I definitely have to consider my next moves...

[Withdrawn] Garen Zi, Sith Apprentice, Teräs Käsi Master

@Ezekiel

Okay, thanks for the response. I'll change the status to WIP and give you a teg when I'm done, but I'm gonna address these real quick before changing the sheet:

1. That is a very good point. I didn't really think of themlike that. Sorta had the mindset of "they know how the force works, so they know the best why to fight Jedi" and not just "they know how the force works". Just sorta figured it was a young Anakin deal where he never actively used the force, so they didn't notice, focusing on the martial art.

2. If that seems too powerful, then you're probably right. Just really wanted to emphasize that he's probably up there with the strongest Teräs Käsi fighters. Like at least top 10. So I can change it to maybe the last 2-3 years he was the champion, but I just sorta show how he was always getting stronger, and when he hit the plateau for strength, he wanted to leave.

3. Okay two things about this one:

a. I didn't really know enough about the Sith Academy, so I didn't really wanna touch it.

b. I also really didn't want him to be, like... Taken against his will? I mean, he already sees the Jedi as evil, and I figured that if the Sith sort of trick him into thinking The Empire are the good guys, it would be more beneficial. I mean, he probably no doubt spent some time at the academy (for basic force understanding, then continued under his master), but I just don't believe that any Sith that witnesses his fighting potential and can sense his hatred for the Jedi, like, WOULDN'T try to trick him into coming of his own volition. Plus, I don't think there's anything wrong with a Sith Lord just picking up an apprentice. Unless I'm wrong and that's not a thing.

Also, I wasn't really sure how The Empire tracks force users, so I didn't really wanna touch that either. I mean, Tatooine isn't really a Sith world, so they'd have to be sending people out. And I mean, of course there's been Sith ON Tatooine, probably to meet with smugglers and bounty hunters or something, but this is probably just the first time one has seen Garen in a fight. I dunno. I could just be making excuses. Sorry.

Anyway, thanks for the feedback! I'll change my sheet when I can.

[Withdrawn] Garen Zi, Sith Apprentice, Teräs Käsi Master

OoC

How long do you usually write?

Usually a couple of paragraphs if it's a response, but several if it's a solo post.

Do you enjoy writing collaborative posts for things like conversations, combat, etc.?

Sure.

Is grammar and depth of writing important to you?

I mean, I suppose so. Grammar is a straight "pass/fail" kinda thing, but I can't really blame anyone for not being a very deep writer.

Are there any writing subjects you particularly enjoy exploring?

I guess writing dialogue is pretty cool. So Character Interaction, I figure.

Is there anything you really dislike and want to avoid like the plague?

People taking my character in a direction I don't really want. Like weaksauce battles or sudden mass murder. Or worse, befriending a Jedi. Eugh.

Also graphic love scenes. I mean, if he's gonna be in one, don't expect me to write anything in-depth. Not good at writing them anyway, my best shot is "*Seduces you*".

Is there something you are uncomfortable with happening to your character?

I mean, I'd be pretty sad if he died. But that ain't up to me, mostly.

Do you have any short-term or long-term goals with this character?

Short-term: Learn more force techniques and fight some Jedi, to gain favor and power

Long-term: Be able to reliably beat a skilled Jedi in a duel, without using a lightsaber

Imperial personnel files

Name: Garen Zi

Species: Human

Pureblood percentage: 0%

Homeworld: Bunduki

Age: 25

Gender: Male

Rank: Apprentice

Master: Yaw Shondu

Former master(s): Toff Ozai (Teräs Käsi)

Sphere of influence: N/A

Imperial Intelligence Reports

_{Detailed appearance.}

Garen is an apex of human form. He stands at a little over 6 feet, his body muscular and toned from years of training, and scars scattered all over from various fights, from knives to blasters to improvised weapons. His hands are that of a laborer's, rough in general and calloused on the knuckles. His upper back holds a tattoo, tribal in design. He keeps his head and beard shaved to a stubble to avoid any disadvantage in a fight, where the black hair would usually grow medium length and wild. He has deep dark eyes, which clash against his pale skin, and bears strong facial features.

_{Report on natural ability with the Force, as well as all known Force Techniques and the skill level.}

Upon testing, it is shown that Garen has an above-average Midi-Chlorian count, but almost no prior training in the Force. That being said, he seems to connect certain techniques with those of his Teräs Käsi teachings, simplifying things. Known Techniques are as follows:

Force Speed: Known, Untrained Talent
Telekinesis: Trained Talent
Force Throw: Trained Talent
Telekinetic Defense: Trained Talent
Force Sight (Basic): Trained Talent
Force Sense: Trained Talent
Precognition: Known, Untrained Talent
Force Jump: Basic Training
Force Choke: Intermediate Training
Breath Control/Hibernation Trance: Undiscovered Innate Talent
Force Lightning: No Training (current study)
Force Empathy: No Training (secondary study)

_{Report on skills not directly rooted in the Force, including level of skill}

Garen has shown to exhibit a skilled amount of patience and level-headedness. His Teräs Käsi training has instilled this trait.

Garen appears to have a sharp, tactical mind. While not "smart", he seems to always be thinking many steps ahead when presented a challenge. When questioned, he explained that during tournaments, he had to plan for what moves his opponents might attack with.

_{Report on known combat experience, training and lightsaber training.}

Garen, while having no prior lightaber training, appears to be highly skilled at disarming saber-wielding opponents. He specializes in Teräs Käsi, a fighting style native to his home planet, Bunduki, which was created to fight Jedi (in response to the destruction of Palawa, the peoples' original planet). It appears to work just as effectively on all opponents using a lightsaber.

Background checks indicate that Garen has been the champion in Bunduki's own Teräs Käsi tournaments, consecutively, for 3 years. Other reports indicate that, during his time on Tatooine, he's come out victorious in every deadly encounter he has taken part in, with various sources citing opponents' use of blades, claws, blasters, et cetera, while Garen remained unarmed.

After his recruitment, Garen, reluctantly, studied the Form III "Soresu" style of lightsaber combat. He's trained in a basic capacity, most likely due to his own dislike of saber combat.

_{Detailed notes on political influence and associates.}

Garen has no known participation of any sort of politics on Bunduki. He continues to show limited interest in the politics of The Empire.

_{Detailed notes on known rivals and enemies, outside and within the Empire.}

Garen has displayed an open negative view on the Jedi Order, much more so than the populace of Bunduki. He claims that he can never forgive the Jedi for "destroying our planet and dumping us in the Outer Rim".

Despite the many fights he's been in, none of the enemy combatants have shown any significant malice or hate towards Garen, some even expressing respect (begrudging or otherwise).

The only people in particular who Garen dislikes specifically are a small group of smugglers, known to operate in the Outer Rim. Strong feelings of betrayal. (See Biography)

_{List and description of other known associates, including underlings.}

Garen's former Teräs Käsi master, Toff Ozai, still resides on Bunduki and continues to train the natives.

_{List of known all ownerships, including vessels, non-standard equipment, slaves and locations.}

Garen's home on Bunduki, as well as his livings on Tatooine, were spartan at best.

As a gift for completing his lightsaber training, Sith Lord Yaw Shondu gave Garen a pair of Gauntlets, the armguards and hand made of Phrik and the palm of Cortosis, protecting his forearms and hands from lightsaber blows and allowing him to disable caught sabers. When questioned about this expensive present, Lord Shondu claimed that it was not a gift, but an investment: he'd commissioned the gauntlets to make up for Garen's mediocre saber skills.

_{Psychological evaluation of candidate.}

Garen has displayed a likeable and friendly personality. He has shown to not want or desire that of the material. Unlike the common citizen of the Empire, Garen frequently expresses mercy. More training is needed to phase these values out. As a positive note, he is well-liked by those of the lower class, strengthening morale.

This being said, if his enduring patience is broken, Garen can have a raging temper. Several reports on Bunduki as well as his own account on Tatooine confirm this. While he hasn't yet lost his temper during his service to the Empire, this trait can be used to our advantage, if manipulated correctly.

Garen's only true desire is to become more powerful. The Sith Empire is, by code, created for desires like these. The Empire can give this man all the power he could ever need, and as such, can steer him in the directions most beneficial for The Dark Council.

_{List and description of known and suspected flaws. To be put into restricted database.}

Garen has shown a negative disposition in using his lightsaber, and as such, in the case of 1-on-1 duels and fights in which he has the clear advantage, he will use only Teräs Käsi, using the saber as a last resort in these cases. This can prove dangerous if dueling a skilled opponent.

Garen's disinterest in politics will hinder his growth in the Empire. He needs to learn this if he wishes to ever become a greater Sith.

Garen's personality is not ideal for the Sith Empire. His softness and merciful attitude, not only an affront to the basis of the Empire, will also impair his progress towards greatness, or worse.

_{known interests of the candidate.}

Garen's interests are, through questioning and observation, as follows:

Sparring
Meditation
Exercise
Friendly Conversation
Reading
Holochess

_{Major achievements on record.}

Enabled many Sith civilians to escape a collapsing building on Korriban (five stories high, cause of collapse under investigation), using The Force to keep the vital structures stable.

_{Major failures on record. Confidential.}

During a political mission to Kamino, an unknown assassin attempted to take the life of Yaw Shondu. Unsuccessful, Garen pursued the fleeing assassin, but ultimately failed to capture the target.

Interview

_{Personal biography, as detailed by the candidate for use in imperial archives. Acquired shortly after last achievement of note.}

Garen Zi was born on the planet Bunduki in 3672. His parents, much like most of the planet's population, were members of The Followers of Palawa, an ancient order that had once studied the Force on their home planet of Palawa, before it's destruction at the hands of the Jedi. Garen was trained at an early age the fighting style of Teräs Käsi, as were all children of The Followers, under the lessons of Toff Ozai. He was exceptionally skilled, and was able to go most bouts without taking noticeable damage. In hindsight, this is most likely due to his latent force abilities. On that note, it is unknown if the Followers knew of the boy's force potential: all records gathered by Sith Intelligence show no sign of any prior force training. Strangely, not even a standard Midi-Chlorian test was on his record. Further investigation is required.

At 13, when he'd reached an age where he could understand, he was told his people's past, the fate of Palawa, and the reason for Teräs Käsi. He hadn't taken the news exceptionally well. The Jedi had destroyed his people's home planet, stranding them on some remote replacement far from the Core Worlds, and he was angry at them. It took him a while to get over this initial anger, but he has never forgiven the Jedi. His reaction to the history is more extreme than others on his planet have taken it. Garen himself reported that he had met and fought a few Jedi in the following years, but refused to speak with them or interact outside of combat. It is theorized that these Jedi had sensed his connection to the Force during battle, and may have attempted to recruit him.

By the time he was 16, he had already won many tournaments held on Bunduki, earning him the praise of his peers and the respect of other Teräs Käsi users. He'd just won the official tournament for the first time. At around the same time, however, his father had fallen ill, and after a few months of a bedridden state, succumbed to this unknown illness.

For the next couple of years, Garen expressed sentiment to leave Bunduki. He was reportedly the strongest fighter on the planet, and his desire for power could no longer be fueled on his home planet. At 18, having met the crew of a supply ship and arranged for a position aboard, he said his goodbyes to his mother and friends, packed whatever essentials he had, and left aboard the ship.

Recording: "Spacebound"

"I just felt very... Stagnant, on Bunduki. Going to the same places, talking to the same people, doing the same things over and over... I felt as if I wasn't really challenging myself anymore. So, after my birthday, I promised myself: Next ship that comes by, I'm getting on it."

"And so you did. Tell us about the ship that came by. About what you did after you left."

"Well, it wasn't a week that passed aboard when I found out they were smugglers, just hired to supply my planet. But we had a deal, so I did my part, and things went smoothly. And, I will admit, the few months I spent with them were pretty enjoyable. Saw a lot of places. Eriadu, Farstine. Terminus, too. Strange place... But after that... Well, I wish I hadn't been so naïve..."

6 months after joining the crew, the ship had stopped on Tatooine, in the settlement of Anchorhead. Refueling, picking up supplies, delivering others. The smugglers had decided to rest here, purchasing some lodging for the night.

Recording: "Stranded"

"So we all had drinks, had a good time, and went to bed. I don't know why or how I woke up so early the next day, maybe it was just routine, maybe it was some sort of fate trying to warn me... Anyway, I woke up early, did some stretches, and went to check on the others, knocked on their doors and everything. I remember feeling like a nuisance for trying to wake them so early. No replies from anyone, so I decided to step outside, kill some time. But I was stopped at the door by the owner of the place. 'Slept in, huh?' he said. 'What do you mean?' I asked. 'Your buddies left not too long ago. Might be able to catch up.'..."

"So you were just informed that your crew-mates had left, you having knocked on doors to empty rooms. How did you respond?"

"... I panicked, ran outside back to where the ship was parked just outside of town. I was thinking that I had messed up somehow, that I missed some important detail last night and had run late. When I got there, I saw them packing up the last of the supplies. I shouted at them, waving my arms around like an idiot as I ran towards them, 'Hey! Sorry I'm late! Hold on a second!'. And they saw me, and just... ran inside the ship. Closed the ramp. The ship had started up as well, lifting off the ground, and I got a look into the cockpit. I made eye contact with the Captain, and the ship kept taking off... And then I realized that they were going to leave me. Purposefully. I reached out at them, futile, grasping at them like a child trying to grab the moon... And that's when I felt... Strange."

"Strange?"

"Yes. I couldn't really explain it at the time. The ship had stopped moving, hanging in the air like someone had captured the moment. For a brief instance, I thought they were going to land, welcome me back on, explain that it was some sort of cruel joke... but then the engines kicked into full, and the ship shot up into the sky. Gone in a couple of seconds. I stopped, looked up at the sky for what seemed like an eternity, and..."

"And?"

"... Well, I threw a tantrum. Kicking the sand, pounding my fists, cursing, screaming into the nothing. For about half an hour. Then I made my way back into town."

After his abandonment, Garen spent the next five years in Anchorhead. Whatever meager possessions he had were on the ship, leaving him with nothing but the clothes on his back and the credits in his pocket. He attempted to gain passage back to Bunduki through various passing ships, but to no avail. Whatever ship that didn't deny him asked too high a price. His time on Tatooine had exposed the young man to the true scum and villiany that plagues the galaxy. He was in a fight almost every day, be it a bar fight or a robbery. He worked for scraps, knowing he was being cheated, but his determination allowed him to contruct a small shack on the outskirts of the settlement. Slowly, Garen gained a reputation on Anchorhead. He was a hard worker, generally polite, and never lost a fight. He also practiced some of his force abilities, simply lifting objects and such.

Garen, 23 at this point, was working as hired muscle for the very same cantina he'd celebrated in on his first day, years ago. At the same time, in the same place, Sith Lord Yaw Shondu was holding a casual meeting with some bounty hunters for a clandestine mission. Some of the patrons had gotten a bit violent, and it was up to Garen to neutralize them.

Recording: "A Real Challenge"

"I'd walked over to the group that was causing trouble. 4 guys, hired guns, must've just hit it big with some job because they were buying drinks left and right. They start getting violent with some of the other patrons, so I stepped in. Tried talking them down, get them to leave: one spit in my face. At that point, I knew that they must have not been from around there. Hit the spitter in the jaw, caught his arm and dislocated it, then hit him in the jaw again, and he was out. So his friends step in, I counter attack, et cetera. I don't remember the details, I'd been in so many that they all sort of just blend together, but they all end the same: I barely have a scratch on me, and everyone else is injured. One of them even pulled out a knife, as if it would help him not get his wrist broken. So it's just me and the last one, he most likely has a few cracked ribs but powers through, props to him. He reaches into the satchel on his hip, I think he's going for a blaster or something so I approach him. He pulled it out faster, though, and I sure am glad he did."

"And what was it that he retrieved from his bag?"

"A lightsaber. A damn lightsaber. Started boasting about how he killed a man for it or something, wasn't really paying attention. I was just so... thrilled. I was finally fighting someone who I was made to fight. All my training had led up to this moment."

"You felt no fear at all? The lightsaber is an extremely deadly weapon."

"Well, perhaps. I had considered the possibility of getting sliced in half for a moment, but I was confident in my abilities. After years of repetitive drunken brawls and boring street fights, I had a very unique sentiment: 'Finally, a real challenge!'"

After a few moments of circling each other and feeling defenses, they both attacked. Garen was able to dodge each saber strike and land a blow with each miss. The wielder backed away, battered, and closed up his defense, not giving Garen an opening. In response, Garen used The Force to throw a bottle at the back of the man's head, stunning him, and allowing Garen to land the finishing blow.

Yaw Shondu had seen enough. He ended his meeting, approached Garen, and immediately offered Garen a position as an apprentice. Offered a chance to improve his skills further and harness the power of The Force, he accepted.

It has been two years since that day. Garen is currently 25. At Shondu's side in most instances, his training has been progressing well, but he still has much to learn.

Adventure! - Stories of different worlds and realities (Private)

Hawke had sat by, barely saying a word as the groups interacted. He was too busy planning ahead, thinking on just what he was going to do once he got out. His time in the army was long gone, he would be wanted fugitive, and bounty hunters would most likely track him relentlessly. Sure, he'd be ready for them, but for how long was he willing to be constantly looking over his shoulder? He was considering joining the adventurers, but just then the bloodthirsty noble had struck down their new companion, starting a lightshow of flames.

Might be more effort than it's worth, with friends like these.

That small noble, Kris, always seemed to be scheming something, and getting into trouble. He didn't really know much about the spellbreather, Diana, but he didn't really trust anyone who could kill you with a word. Then again, they probably wouldn't even have him. He was an ex-con with a very big sword. He could see that the fox boy, Scar, looked at him with intense malice behind a mostly disinterested front. And Hawke supposed that the strange noble girl wasn't to blame for her condition.

Well, he'll cross that bridge when he came to it.

For now, he wielded Aether like a massive shield, standing in front of the party and ready to hold back the horde, using the guard's sword in his offhand as a spear. They would not pass.

Heroes Reborn: Year Six (OPEN)

February 22nd, 8:05pm
Hub City Realty, Hub City

"Oh shit, he's coming this way!"

Arsenal quickly turned to leave back the way he came, but he heard someone coming from that direction as well. Looking in the opposite, it was a dead end with a single window. Seems like his only option.

This was a recon mission, so I didn't bring enough arrows or ammo for all the guards and criminals that were around. And I didn't really wanna risk a civilian worker getting hit in the crossfire if I decided to wreck the place, so I just decided to leave and come back with a plan.

Leo quickly went for the window and shimmied it open. It needed to be oiled or something, because it kept getting stuck. He heard the door open behind him and froze for a second, before the footsteps started walking away. Arsenal started to climb through the window, just over the shipping area, and he'd almost gotten through when he heard the guard down the hallway say:

"Hello, Mr.- HEY! YOU! STOP!"

Looks like he rounded the corner a bit earlier than expected. As Arsenal jumped from the second-story window, he heard gunshots follow him as broken glass spewed forth. As he both tucked and rolled out of the fall, he knew that every guard was most likely alerted to his presence. He looked toward the guards posted at the shipping area as they ran to stop him, some firing on him, and he bolted down the alleyway.

A couple of thugs came from the other end, both with pistols, one advancing. Arsenal, avoiding the pistol fire, ran up the side of a dumpster, then onto the wall, kicking off it and landing on the closer guy as their gun clicked empty, taking him out. He grabbed the gun, throwing it at the farther guy, hitting him in the face and taking him down as well. Arsenal ran for the corner as his brain picked up more thoughts.

SURPRISE ATTACK

Looking behind him as he ran away, he didn't see anyone directly chasing him, so he looked back ahead as he turned the corner-

THUD

The ol' "hit em from around the corner as the run by" trick.
Works every time.

---

March 2nd, Unknown Time
Unknown Location, Hub City

We all caught up now? Cool. Now let's see what happens next.

Leo's sitting in the chair, another punch just landing on his face. Burly shakes his hands for a moment as he lets his knuckles recover from such rigorous treatment. He looks over at Lanky.

"You got anything on your end?"

Lanky sighs in frustration.

"Like I've been saying for the last two weeks, how am I supposed to get information about him from a broken bow, a smashed camera, and some fancy-schmancy arrows?! I mean, he didn't have a wallet or a notebook or anything that would help?!"

He holds up Leo's phone, showing Burly.

"All we got is his phone, and the only thing we're getting from this is fucking SELFIES! I mean, goddamn, how self-centered do you have to be to have this many?!"

Lanky scrolls quickly past all the selfies in Leo's gallery, showing Burly the amount. Arsenal gives a cough, and pipes up.

"You call it 'Being Self-Centered', me, I call it 'Scrapbooking'."

Burly quickly gives him a punch, nearly tipping the chair. Leo lets out a grunt of pain.

"...Ow... You Dick..."

Lanky sets the phone down and points to him.

"And him! Two weeks of nothing but snark outta him! Are you pulling your punches or something?!"

Burly looks clearly offended. He steps up to Lanky.

"You want me to give you a taste test?!"

Lanky is still pissed, and not giving any ground.

"What, you gonna hit me? That all you good at? Must not be good enough, if Robin Hood over there can still hold a debate!"

"And what the hell are YOU doing about it? From the looks of it, you just stand over there with your thumb up your ass while I do all the heavy lifting!"

"I dunno, I don't got shit to work with, so I guess I'm just here for emotional support in case you hurt your fists and start crying."

"Ladies, Ladies, you're both beautiful."

Burly does a 180 and punches Leo in the face, and blood from his nostril begins pouring over the dried blood. This was gonna be a long night.

Heroes Reborn: Year Six (OPEN)

March 2nd, Unknown Time
Unknown location, Hub City

The room is dark. No light to be found, except some seeping under the door. It's cold, and not just any type of cold. The type of slightly-below-room-temperature cold that, given enough time, freezes you to the bone. Typical for the midwest this time of year, but there HAS to be an AC blowing somewhere...

Footsteps can be heard approaching the door, and after a few clacks of locks opening, the door opens, the light illuminating the room slightly. A lone figure sits in a chair in the middle of the room, and two more figures enter. One of them flicks the light switch with a click, fully lighting up the room.

Leo Cash, unmasked and shirtless, sits in the aforementioned chair, hands and feet bound to it, looking quite beaten and battered. His mask, as well as his other possessions, lie upon a table against the far wall. His bowstring is broken, and his camera is smashed.

One of the two men who just entered, thin and lanky, closes the door, locking it behind him. He speaks up:

"Well. Here we are again. Let's see how this plays out."

Him and his much more brute-like companion (here on referred to as "Lanky" and "Burly", respectively) approach Leo. Lanky rubs his arms.

"Whew, is it chilly in here... How are you feeling, guy?"

Arsenal looked up at the man, tired.

"Peachy."

"Cool, cool. You gonna talk now?"

"... Nah, I'm good."

"Ah. I see. Maybe you just need to soften up a bit. Take your time."

He signals to Burly and walks over to the table, inspecting the gear for clues. Burly walks over and cracks his knuckles, giving a large punch to Leo's face. Then another to his gut. Then another. Then another. After a good amount of punches, Burly takes a moment to rest his fists, talking to his punching bag.

"Come on. We know you're that internet guy, we're not stupid. But how'd you track us, huh? Who sent you?"

Leo lurches over in his seat, coughing.

"... It... It was..."

Burly grabs him by the hair, and Lanky looks over expectantly as they hear this. Burly holds Leo's head up.

"Yeah?! Who was it?!"

"... Your mother. We're real worried about ya. Please come back home."

Lanky gives a sigh and a facepalm, and Burly lets Leo's head drop. He rolls a shoulder.

"... Well. Back to it."

Another punch hits Leo's face.

Record Scratch
Freeze Frame

Yup, that's me. You're probably wondering: "Arsenal! How'd you get into this situation?!" Well, let me tell you. It all started about a week ago...

---

February 22nd, 8:00 PM
Downtown, Hub City

I'd been handling some street crime the first day I got here, but I'd stumbled upon various bits of information pointing to some larger organized crime. Shipping manifests, notes, multiple scared goons begging for me not to hurt them- all adding up. Led me to this place Downtown, Hub City Realty.
Seemed legit at first, but with the amount of traffic that place gets? I had to investigate.

Arsenal leaps over the side of the building, landing on the rooftop of the adjacent one with a roll, seamlessly transitioning into a sneak as he moved to the ledge. The Realty office was just across the street. Removing his camera from his chest, he looked at the electronic screen and zoomed it in at the building.

"Alright, boys and girls, let's see what we got here..."

The place was strangely lively, with delivery men coming through the service entrance on one side, a man guarding the side door on the other, and a group of fine-dressed men entering right through the front door. Looking through the windows, there were still a few employees working, but the rest of the people inside looked a lot more dangerous than normal security guards...

He'd spotted a small balcony which appeared to be an outdoor smoking area on the second floor. That's his way in. Putting the camera back on his chest, he readied a rope arrow, aimed for the balcony, and let the arrow fly. It stuck itself in the wall just above the door. After tieing the rope around a nearby AC unit, he tightened it and double checked it.

"All right, let's do this."

After getting a running start, he jumped onto the makeshift zipline, using his bow as a handle. He near-silently zipped across the empty streets, right above the guards, and onto the balcony, landing with barely a sound. Trying the door, he found it unlocked. Probably didn't expect an intruder entering through here. He stepped inside to the dark break room, quietly.

I'd done my fair share of recon, and I was pretty confident that I'd be able to slip in, find out what was going on, and get out without being spotted. But, at the time, I assumed that this place was, at worst, a front for some shady dealings done by some shady guys that'd probably die all the same with a few well-placed arrows.

In hindsight, this could not have been a bigger underestimate.

Arsenal, finding nothing of note in the break room, stealthily made his way into the similarly unlit hallway. Had to find the main office, oh where could it be...

"And the packages?"

"Two retrieved so far."

"Disappointing. Yet not entirely unexpected considering some of the ... talent."

That sounds nefarious. Our hooded hero followed the voices to the door of what must be the main office, the door slightly ajar, allowing him to peek in and listen to the ensuing conversation...

Adventure! - Stories of different worlds and realities (Private)

With the battle over, Hawke quickly spun Aether around in his hand, getting the blood off it, as he wiped away what was left with his palm. More of a reflex than an action, really. He'd helped the noble girl to release her urges a small amount in a slightly more productive way: "productive" being "not attacking him", but hey, it was a start.

It wasn't enough, though, and he could tell. After that brief moment of pure bloodlust, she was only barely in control of herself. Enough so that she could warn him. Hawke knew what she was feeling. The rush was like no other.

"... I understand."

Upon regrouping, Hawke had caught the tail-end of the conversation. Another maniac from The Pyre. He'd heard one was here, but he wasn't expecting to ever meet him. Great. Well, it's better than nothing. What choice did he have but to play along?

"My name is Gabriel Hawke. I was a high-security prisoner here. I met this merry band of misfits not too long ago."

Heroes Reborn: Year Six (OPEN)

February 14th, 10:45
Downtown, Central City

Just as Arsenal had pressed the button, he'd felt something press aginst his cheek for the briefest of moments, and the camera flashed. He turned to look at Velocity, but she was gone, the charged air being the only sign she was there in the first place. Lightning traveled across the horizon: she's just as fast as they say.

Descending from the air was a small index card, flipping rapidly, trying to keep itself afloat as it hovered in front of his face. Arsenal snatched it from the air. The edges were singed, but he could clearly make out the note:

- Next time call first, we'll make a date of it~ V.

His heart stopped for a moment as he slowly flipped the card around. Sure enough, there was a phone number handwritten on the other side. Leo was more a little excited.

YES

YEEEEEES

YESYESYESYESYESYES

SO MUCH YES

As he went to immediately go put the number into his phone, he'd noticed the picture. It was him, posing normally, and Velocity next to him, giving the camera that wink she was so well known for. Leo's face got almost as red as his mask. She's even faster than they say.

He quickly saved the number to his phone, and gently put the card into one of his vest's pockets. Picking up his bow and putting away his phone, he ran across the rooftops, filled with newfound energy.

---

February 14th, 11:30
Central City

Opening the lock, Leo opened the door to his motel room, carrying in his duffle bag and throwing it to the side. He closed the door, locked it, bolted it, and put the chain in. He made sure the blinds on the window were shut, and that drapes covered that. Never can be too prepared.

After making sure his room was secure, Leo plopped down on the bed, staring up at the ceiling with a sigh. After a moment, he got out his phone and updated his status on social media.

"You guys would never believe who I ran into after the stream.

No pun intended."

After looking at the picture again for a moment, Leo uploaded it, attaching it to his post, and sent the thing. Not a minute passed, and it hit over 500 likes. I guess getting cozy with the big heroes are what people wanna see.

... Well, he wouldn't mind getting cozy with Velocity, but I mean, who wouldn't?

Thinking of Velocity, Leo sat back up in his bed, stretching and yawning. Better do this now before he gets too tired and forgets. He gets up, grabs his notebook from his belongings, and heads over to the desk, opening up to a fresh page. He writes the topic of consideration at the top of the page:

VELOCITY'S ARROW

He begins thinking up potential methods. Slippery substances, a two-part arrow, quick-drying liquid adhesive... He doesn't enjoy thinking of hurting her, but he needs an arrow for every situation. Before he can even see her again, he needs an arrow for her. He already has that EMP arrow for that Lightning Bug lady, so it's cool for them to hang out again.

Leo stops writing for a second, and grins when thinking about meeting Velocity again. That'll be a good time.

Best

Valentine's Day

Ever

Adventure! - Stories of different worlds and realities (Private)

Hawke stared back at Macy, knowing the look in her eyes. It was the same look his superior officer had that day. It was the same look Hawke himself most certainly had at one point in his life. When that look is around, things don't usually end well. Hopefully, this would end quickly.

But in the meantime, Hawke had to deal with keeping the noble girl controlled, but satisfied.

"You want blood? Stick with me."

Hawke gestured for her to follow, and rushed the two magic users, avoiding the group. Too much blood to be spilled there. Seems like these two were trying to cast a spell.

"Oh no you don't!"

Hawke made two quick, powerful slashes at their arms, hoping to sever a hand, or at least a few fingers. Magic's pretty intricate, and most spells require some form of fine input.

And hopefully, the noble girl followed him.

Heroes Reborn: Year Six (OPEN)

Febuary 14th, 10:40
Downtown, Central City

oh my god she watches the stream

SHE PAYS MONEY TO WATCH ME DO STUFF

Arsenal internally shrieked in hype.

He was actually quite surprised that she also had a vlog. And a normal one at that. He'd figured that she was really busy doing hero stuff. Thinking about it, super speed isn't exactly the most time-consuming power to use. She HAD to have had a job, what to eat and all that. She probably eats a lot and never have to worry about it, with her power probably taking a lot of energy. He'd started to wonder if she worked out, or if her thighs were just naturally fit due to all the running, when she'd started talking about the downsides of being a hero and how you don't get paid.

"Oh, yeah! Unless you're like me, am I right?"

I pay a different toll...

"But really, I get it. You're obviously really busy trying to balance normal life with hero-work. I should probably get going so you can do that..."

Arsenal perked up for a second and pulled out his phone.

"Oh! Before I forget, can I get a selfie?! If it's not too much to ask!"