Zoey Boey

Anomalous

Veronica Silverstone

"Alibi incarnate."

Kilroy closed the laptop and her eyes, rubbing the bridge of her nose. "That was too close." She sighed. Mary had sent them a text of a card tocontact this so called Shadowbroker.

"Nah," Veronica said, waving away the issue dismissively. "She's fine! Good old Mary. Can always count on her to talk her way out of something."

"she has the charisma of an offwhite plasterboard wall."

Veronica tsked and look down at Bloodrose who was still laying on the floor. "She's more useful than you are."

"i could be really useful. you just don't let me use my talents." She struck a seductive pose. Veronica made a disgusted face. She didn't know how she felt about the idea of her Epsilons pursuing romantic interests. Or being some sort of erotic entertainer like Bloodrose. It made her feel gross.

"That's...no. Not...not yet."

"let me fly!"
Veronica shook her head and thought for a moment. "You really want to do this?"

"yes! oh my god, yes. i'd be so good at it. you don't even know. you don't even know! i'm way sexier than you are so you wouldn't know. no offense. i could be so good at anything. something serious."

"Okay, okay. Fine! Fine. No weird stuff. Hit a night club or something. Chat some people up and see what you can learn. Okay? Does that sound good?"

"yes ma'am." With that she confidently and excitedly popped to her feet and strutted out the door. As it was about to close, she popped her head back in and smirked, tilting her head back. "They won't know what hit 'em." The door shut behind her, and she was gone. Veronica exhaled and turned to Kilroy, who shook her head and looked back at her laptop.

"What?"

"She is a rogue element."

"I can reel her in if she gets out of control."

"I certainly hope so. Speaking of out of control, how are the Twins doing?"

"I think they are getting dragged into some gang war. Trying to make a profit. I haven't check in in a while." She blinked. "Woah. Looks like things are really heating up. I'm gonna need to sit down for this." She plopped down on her bed and stared up at the ceiling, concetrating on her shared vision.

-An abandoned warehouse, somewhere else in the Shanty-

"You ready for this? Shit's about to get real. In and out, real quick." A young, tense, but eager man wearing a balaclava.

"I've never been more ready for anything in my life." Jassaliah said. She was wearing a black, tight high collar sweater and cargo pants. She was wearing a similar balaclava that left her eyes and mouth open. "What about you, sis?" She said, glancing over at her "sister".

Phoebe was bouncing nervously on her feet. "Oh, yeah. So ready. So, so ready. I was born for this." She was wearing an identical outfit to the woman she was pretending was her twin sister. The both of them wished they had Abi with them, but the leader of this operation who went by Jericho wasn't trusting of outsiders. He had four of his men with him, plus the Twins, and himself, making for a seven person operation. Mary had discovered the location of a rival gangs place of operations. There were drugs and money to be found, and with the element of surprise on their side and the numbers advantage, they should be able to get inside and take out the competition and get the money and resources for themselves. Jericho is an ambitious man, and so has hired the Twins as mercenaries which is something they have a reputation for.

"Okay then," Jericho muttered. "Remember, we don't give a shit about any of these assholes." He braced up against the wall. He had supplied them all with Uzi's and shotguns, the Twins taking a pair of the smaller submachine guns.

Damn, girls. You really going through with this? Veronica's voice apparated in the pairs head. Yeah we are. We're gonna kick some ass. Just you wait- we're gonna get a lot of fuckin' money for this. More than we've ever had. The Twins are making a name for themselves.

No response. They felt Veronica and Kilroy watching through their eyes. Plinko might be there aswell, it was hard to tell.

"Okay. Three...two...one...let's go!" Jericho kicked down the door and ducked inside. The masked twins followed behind. Phoebe's heart was racing and Jassaliah was hopped up on adrenaline, a grin plastered across her face. It was a brief gunfight. Everything faded into a muffled cacophany as shots rang out. The four gang members inside were taken completely by surprise. Two of them were gunned down in a hail of gunfire as they fumbled for their pistols laying on the table. Phoebe and Jassaliah focused fire on a young woman who's gun fired off as she hit the floor. One of the men got a shot off but missed. It whissed underneath Phoebe's arm, and she returned fire and he crumpled to the ground. Breathing heavily, she smiled and looked over at Jassaliah, who gave her a thumbs up. It was so hard to believe. Her right ribs stung and ached, as if that bullet had struck her. Phoebe felt that area, and all was well. Her hearing was still recovering and her hands were shaking.

Okay, then. Color me impressed.

Jassaliah scooped Phoebe up in her arms and gave her a huge hug. Their idenity as Twins was a fascade, but the two clearly thought of each other as sisters and had the closest bond out of anyone.

"Fuck yes! Nice work, everyone." Jericho said, kicking at a corpse. He was standing at a large wooden table. There were cardboard boxes of cocaine, and stacks of cash scattered about. Phoebe picked up a clipboard, her fingers trembling. "Looks like there's about twenty five grand worth of stuff here. Think the cops will show up?"

Jassaliah shook her head. "Nah, they rarely come round here anymore. Especially in this warehouse, this place was chosen for a reason. Clean kills." Jericho agreed.

"Alright. That's about eight thousand for you ladies." He said, counting the bills out. "Let's get this cleaned up and ready to go."

Veronica's thoughts wandered away from the Twins. Sweat had appeared on her foreheads and her palms as the pure adrenaline of combat bled over into her own body. "Wow. That was intense." Kilroy nodded and began looking back at her laptop. Her corner of the room was barren. Unlike the clothes strewn about Bloodrose's bedroll, or the books, magazines, video game console and TV Veronica claimed, all Kilroy had was a little laptop.

"You ever look away from that laptop?" Veronica asked, incredulous. Kilroy shrugged.

"It has everything I need."

-Midtown-

Mary leaned her forehead against the wall of the bathtub and let the water run down her back. Closing her eyes, she saw the image of that woman's face right up infront of her. She was all she could think about. Unbeknownst the rest of the Identia, the Shadowbroker had gotten beneath Mary's skin. The motel was okay. The wallpaper curled and the lights were dim, and the TV was curved, but all in all it was just fine. At least she was safe and alone.

Hey. Are you- oh, sorry.

Don't worry about it. Mary's clothes were crumpled in a pile on the floor of the bathroom. Her phone was sitting on a desk next to the bed in the other room. The door into the bathroom was open, and Mary could see her phone if she looked at it but was preoccupied with washing herself.

Well, I was just wondering if you wanted to take point on meeting this Shadowbroker woman you ran into last night. Mary tensed up. Shadowbroker, Shadowbroker, Shadowbroker. Mary would be fine if she never saw her face or heard that name in her life. Was that all Mary was? The Epsilon who met Shadowbroker? Fortunately, Mary thought, thinking like this is different from thinking aloud. Thinking aloud?

I don't know.

You know her best.

Couldn't someone else go?

Maybe. But you know her best. And you know the streets best.

She almost killed me, V.

You were fine! Come on. You really gonna ask Plinko to do it?

Plinko doesn't have to do anything. What about Abi?

What about Abi? She's even worse at talking than you are. If that's even possible.
Mary sighed and closed her eyes. Fine. Whatever.

Don't be like that.

I'm not. Can you back off? I'm trying to take a shower.

Whatever. Chill out. I'm gone.

Mary could feel the difference. It was like Veronica had entered the room with her. It felt odd, to have someone else in her head. Veronica tried to push in 'maximum effeciency' and have the Epsilons talk back and forth without ever saying anything. The silence, despite the room being filled with chatter, was unbearable. And no one knew whether to look each other in the eyes or not. Or when someone was paying attention. It was like anyone could call her up at any moment and she would have no choice but to answer. Veronica doesn't get it. She can just block us out. Maybe we can talk to her about it.

Mary turned off the shower and the water dripped down to the floor in erratic taps. After a few moments she gathered up her clothes and wrapped a towel around herself, not bothering to do anything to spare her hair that dangled at her shoulders, and laid down on the bed, soaking it in the process. She grabbed the remote and turned on some garbage to watch.

Anomalous

@FunnyGuy Okay, cool. If you work something out, let me know. The Epsilons can go all over the place.

Offer is still open. I can literally meet two people at once. It's all cool.

Anomalous

Anyone interested in having a run in with one of the Identia?

Heroes Reborn: Prime Earth (Superhero/Urban Fantasy: OPEN)

Static and Starfire!

January 1st, 7:44 PM
New York City, New York

Starfire wondered what Chipotle was and then watched silently on, rocking back and forth on her heels, as Clio and the woman named Karen discussed apparel. Clio’s clothes were most likely trampled on and dirty right now as they did not seem to be made of the same stuff as Starfire’s purple outfit.

After a few moments, it was just Starfire and the man named V. Starfired looked at him and smiled, and then tilted her head to one side.

"You say you are not special. Do most people you know have the ability to summon and control lightning?" She asked. Perhaps, Starfire thought, every human or other creature living on this planet had unique and special abilities. So far she had only seen a few with powerful abilities, but perhaps every other human was just shy.

Virgil had by now pulled out his phone. It seemed like the opportunity of a lifetime to go to a little dinner thing with Karen Hernandez, the pop star of the century. That, and the opportunity to maybe fill a void that was left when he and Frieda...well...That wasn’t as important right now. Virgil needed to focus on the situation at hand.

Ricky and Sharon were still out there somewhere. However, it was as he was cycling through the apps on his cellular device, that he realized that Starfire was still there. Some part of him made him think that she’d just follow along when the girls talked about clothes and changing. They kinda traveled in packs to do whatever back in Dakota. Never judge a book by it’s cover, he supposed. He thought about her question.

“Well, I guess not many…” The young man replied sheepishly. He was mostly trying to draw attention away from himself so that he could maybe make a quick escape, though, he didn’t wanna be blunt about it now that the attention was on him.

Starfire tilted her head even more and raised an eyebrow.

"Are there...two hundred lightning wielders?" She asked, guessing an amount she thinks might be right. Where she came from, every single person had the same ability. A natural ability to harness the power of the stars, to live off the stars. Here it seemed quite different. Clio did not seem to live off of shadows, for example.

”Do you need to eat lightning?" She asked another question. Starfire had just been introduced to two other people with strange abilities and it required further investigation. Unfortunately for Virgil he was the only person around.

Virgil kept his eyes on her, narrowing them slightly in observation. He wondered what kind of angle this girl was trying to take with the first question. Two hundred? That was an odd question, though, it sounded like she genuinely didn’t know. She looked like she could pass off as a meta or ‘inhuman’, though, maybe it was something other than that. The second question seemed to confirm his suspicions.

The absurdity of it made him chuckle a little bit.

“No, I, and well humans, eat food for that. I can absorb lightning for a couple different reasons, but, I can generate it by myself.” Virgil explained, going off of his assumption that she simply wasn’t from here. The concept of aliens didn’t seem so strange anymore to him, especially considering his past in the line of hero work. Though, most of the ones he encountered were JL related.

“And, I only know one other person that could do what I can...There might be more, but I guess it isn’t all that common.” Virgil scratched the back of his neck a little.

”Going by your question, though, I can guess that you’re not from around here. Are you?” He asked a little more directly.

Starfire shook her head. "No...I’m from somewhere else." Not trying to be vague or mysterious, the subject of Starfire’s homeworld was a raw and touchy one she didn’t like to talk about, and Virgil might be able to see it on from the mixture of guilt and loss that barely flashed across her face before she got back to the conversation at hand.

"But thank you for telling me these things. My friend Mayaka is also helping me. You’re very good at noticing things, too. " She said. So, lightning powers are rare, and humans eat food. That reminded her of the kebabs she bought for Clio that the seller said was food. Something entirely different!

"Where are you from?" She asked. "Are you from New York?"

Virgil nodded and looked back down at his phone again after she thanked him for the information. As they had been talking, he had been subtle charges to his phone to text Sharon’s phone without his having to look:

‘U OK?’ He texted. What actually surprised him though, was that his phone had the little red circle at the top like it was recording something. Or..-

“Yeah, I’m fine!” A voice came up outta his phone and shook Virgil for a second. Sharon? When did she call? More importantly, when did he answer? He looked back up for a second at Starfire, wondering if she heard that.

”I’m from a place named Dakota City. It’s not too much different from here.” Virgil answered her question in hopes that she didn’t dwell too much on the voice that came from his phone. But that was kinda hard, when it spoke up again.

“Go to Chipotle!!” The voice shouted again.

Starfire nodded and looked down at the shouting box in his hand. It told him to go to Chipotle. That must be a communication device. It was much smaller than the ones Starfire was used too, and could be carried in the palm of his hand. That was a wondrous invention! Immediately, the alien was curious.

"Who are you talking too?" She said, leaning over to get a closer look at the phone. A moment later she straightened her back and looked back at Virgil. She didn’t want to offend him. "Is it private?"

Virgil smiled through a cringe.

“It’s uh…my sister...Just excuse me for a sec will ya?” He asked. With that said, he turned his attention back to his phone.

”What are you even talking about? I don’t remember this being part of your gift-trip to New York.”

“Listen to me. You having to go hero wasn’t in the plans either, but you got the chance to meet Karen! And if you get to know her, I kinda-sorta know her through you. You know what that means? I can rub it all in Tanisha’s fat lip about how my brother got to meet Karen and I got to go to the concert--” Virgil sighed at his little sister’s mile-a-minute pace.

”So, wait, wait, hold up. You mean to tell me, that you’re gonna use me to put down your arch-frenemy? What kind of--”

“Oh my gaaawd V, just do it! I won’t ask you for anything ever again! Please!?” Virgil was quiet for a few seconds, eyeing Starfire for a few as well. He knew the probability to be impossible that she’d never ask him for anything again, but he didn’t want an earful from his dad at home. He caught sight of the ladies and his uncle making their return. Virgil shrugged his shoulders a little bit.

“Alright, fine. I’ll go.” Virgil gave in. After all, it wasn’t like it’d be something terrible. Plus, he didn’t need to hear his Uncle J try to roast him about not going out with three girls and being engaged to Ricky.

“Yes! Oh, and make sure to take a pic and send it to me. BYE!” And just like that, she hung up. Virgil took off his hat and combed a hand through his dreads. Looks like Chipotle it was. As such, he nodded in greeting when they were all back in a group again.

Starfire was waiting patiently and had wandered a few steps back, trying to not listen to Virgil’s conversation but doing so anyway. It was obvious she was listening, because as soon as Virgil hung up she slowly walked back to where she was before.

Karen and Clio reappeared, Clio with new clothes on that looked much less ornate than her outfit. If everyone was going to the Chipotle, then so was Starfire.

"Yes. Let us go to Chipotle. There we will all get food." Starfire had never had food before and she was eager to try it out. She looked between Virgil, Clio, Karen and Jones. Today was going very well. This concert was much more exciting than she was expecting it to be.

Blood's Jewels (High Casual Fantasy Revolution)

Dareen Kahina

There are two types of arguments. Those of words, and those of swords. One is meaningless, pointless, and a waste of time. Scholars in ivory towers pointing at their books and saying ancient phrases as if it grants them the right of way. The other is glorious. An argument of swords is one of progress and clarity. The winner and loser are obvious. He who had the will to win is the victor. He without, is discarded.

...I don't think killing someone proves you're right.

Doesn't it? There is nothing truer than steel.

Dareen awoke slowly, crawling her way out of the memory that replayed itself in her dreams. The commander haunted her with his words even now. He was a wise, brave, and powerful man, and Dareen hated him terribly. Perhaps it was because he reflected the worst parts of herself. The majority of her one might say. Blinking slowly, the Pruulish witch inhaled the morning air that had made its way into the room the brothers thoughtfully granted her. She was half expecting to sleep on the couch. Opportunity had presented itself in the luxurious bed, an opportunity for a great nights sleep. Instead, Dareen had spent most of the night trying to get comfortable and staring at the ceiling or the back of her own eyelids. Maybe she was worried there would be nightmares. Maybe she was worried there would be memories. Or maybe it was simply the fact that she was living in the house of someone she would have been paid to find and kill just a month and a half ago.

Dareen caught sight of her mostly naked body in the mirror. It had been a long time since she's seen herself in a mirror like this. It was easy to forget just how much of her body was marked in lines. They wrapped around her arms, around her chest, down her abdomen and circled her back and shouderblades. They spiralled down her legs, looped around, and went all the way back up once more to the base of her neck. There, they met, and followed the her scalp until it peaked out of her hairline and onto her forehead, where they created the memorable insignia on her face. They were a reminder of yesterdays past.

But today was a new day and there might be work to do. She had not expected to see another sunrise. She dressed herself in her clothes from the day before and took a moment to look around her room for her weapons which she was still stripped of. Mikhail had suggested that she not drink the coffee, and she did not intend too for she did not need it. Well, she didn't used to need it. Something about this place made her tired. Perhaps it was all the greenery or the way she sank into the bed like mud. Still she woke up early, far earlier than most people would. The morning was the best time to travel, to spare oneself of the harsh desert sun for aslong as possible.

Lingering in her room a little bit, Dareen finally worked up the nerve to leave and make breakfast. Turns out, breakfast was already prepared. She half expected Faeril to be sitting in a dark corner, ready to cast wrathful judgement, but instead there was no one. Bread and cheese. Uncertainly, she reached out for the bread and took a bite. It was soft and delicious.

Dareen sat down in a chair with a napkin and a small serving of the meal and ate. Nothing to do. The light filtered into the window, and the yellow jeweled witch finished the breakfast quickly. She just had to wait. Wait for her fate to be told to her. Restless she stood up from the chair and began wandering around the rest of the house. There was an exit into what looked like a garden. The green barrier one of the brothers set up earlier was gone. Dareen took a tentative step outside and saw Faeril sitting in a chair. Intaking air sharply she retreated back into the house. It looked like she was sleeping, actually. Well Dareen didn't dare disturb her. Heading back into the house, still tense, she made her way back to the couch to sit and wait.

Intrigues of Venedig - High Fantasy Mature RP

@Letter Bee sure!

my character is more anti-hero than hero. she'll be the hero if she needs to be, but only if it's in her self-interests. her main thing is getting revenge on Karl Maximillian.

Intrigues of Venedig - High Fantasy Mature RP

@Letter Bee right, i'll edit that in. i got it wrong. i thought he spoke when he did not, and did not think he spoke when he did. i am a great RPer don't worry everything is under control

edit: and yes they will. i'm not sure how much freedom this RP has but Jehenne is not going to be a very nice person. but step one is getting freedom

Intrigues of Venedig - High Fantasy Mature RP

Jehenne Alcroft

---

Jehenne turned and stared at the brand, dread written across her face. Louise Ester Von Hammerwhirl. Daughter of Steven Hammerwhirl. Poor girl, the slave thought. She wore that insanity on her face. The staff that spoke, and the flames she wielded. Jehenne was confident she was being purchased by someone unstable. Speaking on unstable, the boy spoke of conspiracy, fraud, and lies. Jehenne had little to say. It hardly mattered at this point. Maximillion did this. If some shadowy figure was gave a word this way or that...good for them. Karl Maximillion. The Reich. This religious boy perhaps believed that some extraordinary wrong was being done, and Jehenne didn't think he was lying, but rather she believed that it did not matter. Old Gods...men in black hoods. It didn't matter! Not unless they got in her way. She looked sadly over at that oncoming burning iron that promised more pain.

Brand me? Brand me! Someday, Jehenne thought, I will seek this Auction Master down and melt his lips together so he may never speak again. Someday. But until then...Jehenne leaned into the magic-restricting iron. Let's get this over with.

"GrmmmmmmmMAAAAIIIGH!" Attempting to stifle her scream was futile. She cried out, voice cracking, as the brand seared and scarred her flesh. It was pulled away, and Jehenne was a trembling, sweaty wreck. Like cracks forming in a mask, the heat of the iron was no comparison to the fury in Jehenne's heart. Her brother was gone, and everything was taken from her. Her family, her wordly possessions, her dignity, her freedom, and now, her magic. There was nothing left to dedicate her life too except revenge.

Inhaling greatly, she glared over at Louise. "Very well. Shall we begin?"

Intrigues of Venedig - High Fantasy Mature RP

@Letter Bee thanks for reminding me, i'll get a post up within the next few hours

Heroes Reborn: Prime Earth (Superhero/Urban Fantasy: OPEN)

Starfire!

January 2nd, 7:38 PM
New York City, New York

It was always satisfying to land a kick. Like solving a puzzle, Starfire felt a boost of accomplishment run through her veins. It seemed Clio had moves in store too, and unleasehd an attack on the downed intruder. Starfire dodged back when the tendrils of darkness pummeled the prone man into submission. He stopped moving, knocked unconscious. Starfire dropped her defensive stance through her hands into the air triumphantly. The security began to take him away. This was a good day. The intruder was defeated and the celebrations could continue. A security guard was badly burned but Starfire had already forgotten about that.

"Victory! You did it, Clio!" Accidentally saying her friend's real first name, she ran over to Mayaka and gave her a big hug. Pulling back, she placed both hands on her friends shoulder and smiled. "Your abilities are incredible. I'm glad you went easy on me!" She said genuinely.

She looked over to a man with electricity in his hands. He had powers aswell, it seemed, and Starfire noticed him save Clio. She took a few bouncy steps over to the man. "You are very brave, too. I am Starfire, and this is my friend, Cl...Mayaka." She looked over her shoulder apologetically at Mayaka. She didn't know why she wanted two different names, but Starfire forgot to say the right moniker. Clio when in the apartment, Mayaka anywhere else. Apparently. Remember that. Shaking her head she looked at the electric man.

"What is your name?" She asked Virgil. Much like that day on the rooftop, Starfire had folded her hands behind her back and was rocking back and forth on her heels. The orange-skinned woman was unaware of any potentially urgency remaining in the conflict. It was more than likely that either Virgil or Mayaka could simply leave while she was talking, but Starfire seemed happy to just stay on stage and chat for a little bit despite everything.