"I understand." Atsuko said. Well, it sounded like they were all being dismissed... and she nodded slightly. For just an instant, her form seemed to split and twist like some sort of living fractal, and a moment later she was simply gone. The air rushed in to fill the void she'd left behind - about the only sign she'd even been there at all.
Thoughtform seems genuinely shocked when Phantom relates that he is Russian and withdraws somewhat from the conversation as he contemplates this, to the point that his avatar fades away.
<Does it matter which part of the planet he comes from?>
Of course it did, what a silly question to ask. His ancestors might not have come from here, but this was his home and he had fought for it! But then... so had Phantom... He broods silently to himself for a few moments before starting to pay attention again.
"I have nowhere to go..." he says, the avatar reappearing with a slight shrug. He could feel a pang of loss at the admission, but without anything to tie it to it was difficult to get too upset about it.
<We can practice our abilities.>
Yeah... that worked. If they were going to fight criminals tomorrow night he didn't want to rely on Her directing him the hold time. "Hey Phantom. I need to work out my abilities a little. Where do you recommend?" he asks, his tone noticeably cooler than it was before.
The Darkstorm prepares to head out, grabbing his root beer. When he hears Thoughtform admit he has no where to go he stops.
Its been a long time, but I was at one point like that...
Hey Thoughtform, if you need a place to go you can come with me. Anyone can really. I have nothing to do anyway, my room mate is away at a party, and... no one else will be around this time o night.
As he says the last bit he looks away from the group, a little sad.
Come on, get a grip, you are a superhero. She shouldn't make you so nervous!
"Can always grab your stuff and come back here. I'm sure the Phantom has all kinds of doodads we can play with."
If that's ok with you sir phantom that's what I'll do.. Just need to get some paper and a pencil. I love to annoy teachers with handwriting.
And Maybe let her know you will be away for a bit. She does care at least a little.... right because I'm actually brave enough to even let her get suspicious of me being a superhero
The Phantom nods. Billiards. Ping pong, yes. Boxing ring, if you are so inclined. He said. Might be a good idea for some of you to use that during downtime.
Empty rooms are down the hall. I'll be elsewhere.
Darkstorm nods, and looks around. The paper can wait. It's not due till...I want to say three days from now. I actually have a few questions for you guys then I'm off to the boxing ring. Its my sister fault for getting me into it. First question is what level of secrecy should we have between us. Some of us are public figures, some little known heroes, some alien, and a delightful entity that I think is awesome. I want to be able to tell you guys the whole truth, but just want to get your opinions on the matter first.
Darkstorm pauses, taking a sip of the root beer. Second, how did the phantom bring you here. I was tracking down a gang that had a drug ring set up in my college, and found the guy I needed, knocked out with the Phantom over him. Told me to meet him here if I wanted to make a difference, or something along those lines.
After Darkstorm asks his questions and gets replies he will spend his down time either resting or in the boxing ring.
The first Masquerade was formed between people who had no idea what lied under the masks. That soon changed, though Firestorm and Magus were the only ones to reveal their identities to the general populace, and that was a decade or two after we disbanded. You don't have to tell any other members anything about you. And I won't tell you anything. He pat Darkstorm on the back. Goodnight, me and my friends have to make our rounds, if there are no more questions for the day.
"I'll join you in the ring if you don't mind. Been doing paperwork for most of the day so need to exercise the joints a bit."
Seeing as the Phantom didn't say no....Felix goes ahead and orders a pizza. Specific toppings are chicken, onions, bacon, and potatoes.
Pizza... With potatoes, too. Blue Banshee said. Can't I stay?
Yeah, this sounds pretty cool.
You're schedule isn't as flexible as theirs currently is. The Phantom said. We've got a quota to meet, today. Ten broken bones before 4AM. You couldn't tell by his tone whether or not he was joking.
Don't touch my beer, and if you do so much as scratch any of my CDs, you're off the team.
It was the same process. Meet in the back at night, and Lindsay led you to the HQ.
California Girls by The Beach Boys was playing. The Phantom was already there, this time alone.
Glad you could make it, not that I was giving you too much of a choice.
First team, Red Adder club: Felix, Tau, Atsuko, and the Doctor. I've chosen you because, as I've found out the hard way, patrons tend to get uncomfortable when you walk in full costume. That's for entirely different clubs. You are the most... subtle of the group.
The rest go to the docks. Because criminal thugs can't get enough of abandoned warehouses by the port.
Adder team will be to find one of the Cardinal's top lieutenents, Jordan Schmidts. He's going to by well-guarded.
The Dock team is going to stop a transaction of weapons. Needless to say, they will be well-armed. And I've gathered that it's being overwatched by a hulking mercenary, though besides broad shoulders, I've been unable to make out who exactly it was.
I trust there will be questions?
Atsuko looked faintly amused by his reasoning. Subtle was... one way of putting it. (Another was that unless someone was very abnormal indeed, they wouldn't find it easy to notice her when she didn't want to be noticed. Normal people certainly wouldn't, and she was often happier when she could avoid drawing too much attention to herself).
"What would you like us to do once we've found Mr. Schmidts?" she inquired, mainly for the sake of clarity.
Get him to talk. Said the Phantom. No collateral damage, though. I'm afraid I've already reached this month's limit for that.
Subterfuge, threats, just plain dragging him out to that alley with my favorite bloodstains, I don't care. Just make sure there's enough left of him to drag back to the ECPD for his due process.
As far as any of the Masques would be able to tell, it'd at first seem like Masumi was a no show. It'd have been close to when Lindsay came out to meet the group, when... something else arrived. The creature had leaped from somewhere in the darkness, landing with a thud some distance away from everyone else. It's eyeless gaze slowly turned up towards the group, and a wide maw of numerous sharp teeth was it's only facial feature.
It had dark grey, smooth skin. It's limbs were out of proportions with it's already large body. Legs that ended in stubs, yet amazing held their balance once it stood to it's full eight foot tall height. It's two almost comically sized forearms ended in massive four-fingered claws, a liquid seemed to drip from one of them. A single black spike was on it's right forearm, thin green lines across it gave off an ominous glow, and thick veins seemed to spiderweb out from where it met skin.
Most would recognize this as the being commonly refereed to as Ravager in the media, a savage and brutal creature that was rumored to attack at random when the night was dark. In the time Lindsay would come to retrieve everyone, it wouldn't have made any show of aggression, and simply followed along in silence.
Felix was intently listening to the game plan, didn't want to ask for refreshers in the middle of something important. Then the Ravager walked into the room. Though....it didn't make any sign of hostility.
All right...lets go over the facts. Phantom hasn't attacked yet so its probably allowed to be here. Let's see, let's see...The doctor? No he couldn't risk this kind of experiment, not his style anyway. It doesn't look like any sort of animal so I'm ruling out the Prince. The invisible guy doesn't even have a body, and Darkstorm would have probably mentioned this last night since he was eager to share. Could be the Jester, pulling some kind of illusion prank, or even the Alien that can transform or something. Heck, it could be one of the two Asian girls, but that doesn't seem likely...
"Uh...Can I ask which of our esteemed comrades you are?"
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She smiled nervously, which in this form would seem like more of a maniacal, hungry grin. 'This was a terrible idea! Why did I come like this‽ Why didn't I even tell them about this yesterday!' Ravager's mouth opened as if to respond, "WAAAGGH. URAHHHH." ...but all that came out was guttural and deep noises, spoken seemingly at maximum volume. 'Idiot, you can't talk! Why did you do that‽ We're just full of great ideas today aren't we!'
The Doctor looks over the group, noting Felix' cogitation. "Oh, I think we can do this non-lethally."
"That would be uh... damn, what was her name." Thoughtform murmurs as he shimmers into being, frowning at the Ravager. She may look very different but her mind hadn't changed, and he found himself relying on that more than what his 'eyes' told him anyway. He'd spent a very enlightening day re-familiarizing himself with the city and accustoming himself to his new relationship with... She still hadn't given any sort of name, or information about Herself and he hadn't decided whether or not to question Her directly yet. Still he was feeling much more comfortable with both his abilities and himself; he might not be any closer to his family, but he was making progress at the least.
Masumi would feel a presence intrude upon her thoughts before the voice of Thoughtform spoke. My apologies but I was distracted yesterday. What was your name again?
'Ah-whoa!' All her other thoughts and worries came to a screeching halt, feeling Thoughtform's presence within her mind. She hadn't had the chance to experience such a thing yet, only having heard him initially when he was using that illusion. 'I, uh, M-Masume, Masumi Kusatsu- Ack, I didn't mean to say that! I mean, to think that! I mean, ah... Er, I can't... talk like this. Can you tell them that?' Her thoughts read out, before she finally takes in what Thoughtform looks like for the first time.
'Whoa! That's so weird, I mean, I don't mean that badly! You look just fine but I mean I'd just never seen something like that before!' Thoughtform would easily note, that her 'gaze' has yet to leave Felix, yet she still seems to see him.
Well. I'd say the feeling is mutual, you look quite 'weird' yourself. he shares with a smile, shifting his gaze from the monstrous Ravager to the rest of the group. "It's Masumi. I recall she said something about looking different yesterday. This is apparently that. She says she can't talk in this form."
The Darkstorm noded to Thoughtforms statement on the ravager. Stop a weapon shipment? Sounds good.
The split up seems good.... Hey Masumi, is there any possible way to communicate in the form? Don't want any of us getting hurt badly on this mission. While I have never done this before, maybe we should come up with a plan. The worst fire power I have encountered was a shot gun, but that was in an area I could move through walls easily enough to not get badly shot.
"Well... I'd have thought that a mind reader with no physical form would be good on the stealth information gathering mission, but I'm happy to get to test out my new abilities on something a little simpler. As to Masumi communicating..."
He pauses to mentally regard Her presence.
<We can communicate with any number of minds.>
"I should be able to relay information if needed. Perhaps we could use hand-signs or the like for more immediate signalling? Something to think about if we end up on different missions in future."
Sounds good until you realize that they have most of those weapons loaded as a precaution against vigilantes. Try not to develop a series of new holes. Costumes are expensive.
Thoughtform would be right. Meet, Masumi, again. The Phantom said. Or as she is now, the Ravager of Eden City.
She fiddles her currently large hands together, a bit very uncomfortable having drawn attention to herself. 'I was uh, going to bring something, but I ended up forgetting... A-ah, if you don't mind helping me, Thoughtform, I'd really appreciate it. Though, I mean, not like I talk much in the first place...' She stands there for a few more moments, before realizing she was 'staring' in Felix's direction, she turned to face Jaster. It was always hard to judge just who she was really looking at like this.
"Welp, I'm ready to head out."
Felix is wearing sturdy leather jacket over a graphic T-shirt displaying what appears to be a Dr. Apocalypse branded shirt (A depiction of a mechanical moon with a stylized "A" engraved on it). Most likely created without the good Doctor's consent, and no where near what the moon actually looked like during his brief control.
His magic bag was securely placed inside the jacket's inner pocket, and his his throwing knives were hidden in most of his outfit, placed discreetly so they would go unnoticed.
After the interactions between the... faceless... thing... and Thoughtform, Atsuko looked like she was semi-seriously reconsidering her options and just how much she wanted to be associated with everyone here. She was looking for acceptance, after all... but she also knew more than anyone else how deeds were more important than words or looks.
Darkstorm floats up from the ground. Ready to go when you guys are.
He is in a dark outfit, with a white mask covering his face.
It's fine Masumi. I can hardly complain about someone looking a little strange. I'm pretty sure I died over 40 years ago. he responds with a mental chuckle.
"Ravager, hmm." he muses as Phantom shares Masumi's alternate identity. "Yes, I'm ready as I'll ever be." He says, allowing his avatar to fade away. "Just call if you need to talk to me and I'll connect to you. Then just think!" says his voice from where his avatar had been.
The doctor will reluctantly remove his lab coat and goggles. Beneath it he's wearing slacks, a white shirt with sweater vest and a tie. "I think I may need something more appropriate for a club." He turns to their host, "I assume you keep disguises around?"
Alright, well, Thoughtform, you're hardly the first active superhero to have died at least once Hasn't happened to me, yet, but I know a few guys. Rogers comes to mind. That reminds me, there are wavers that need to be signed at a later date. It should also be noted that if any of you were to be brutally murdered on the job, would you like your next of kin informed of how? They will be recompassed either way.
Ermmm... My "kin" don't need to get recompassed. They all have successful lives. There is someone I would like to be told in the even though.
Felix shrugs.
"They'll know. No need to tell them."
She lowers her head, her posture loosening. 'Ah... I didn't really think about that? Maybe it'd be better that way if... I shouldn't think about that right now.' Not having any other form of communication, she shakes her head in the negative.
Atsuko's mouth twitched in a sad smile. She probably wasn't going to need it - for reasons she had no intention of mentioning to anyone else - but you never knew what weird things you'd run into. Might as well sign it once the papers were available.
"I don't believe I had any powers though... I'm just...borrowing some now I think. I don't really understand it." he replies before looking to Masumi in confusion.
Ah the somber aspects of this line of work...
He had been a few tight scrapes himself, but death still had that sobering effect it should. He was grateful. In a world where lives were in the hands of any super being that may be nearby, he was glad that most humans and metahumans still treated life with respect and caution. It was those who didn't that drew the ire of both sides.
"I'm sure we'll do well enough tonight." Felix remarked. He did turn his attention to the Ravager.
"Forgive my curiosity, but how does this-"he references her monstrous form, "-take place? Do you require a certain amount of time to transform or perhaps it needs a specific material."
'Maybe I shouldn't let them know about the- no wait, d-don' think about- A-ah, Thoughtform, I hope you're not reading my mind right now! I-if you are, please stop if you can, I mean, I really appreciate this b-but it's not as if i can think any other way right now and I'd prefer to no think about embarrassing things like that boy from Home Economics with the really cute b- No no! Not think about that! Agh! P-please tell them if you're listening, that I'll be fine and, and I'd rather keep some certain things about this form to myself- And thoughts too please! This is way more complicated then I thought it was going to be!'
Her thoughts rambled on and on, as she gripped her head, somehow seeming very worried. "RAGH, RAGH!" She screeched out. This whole display likely looks extremely strange coming from a tall scary monster.
"Umm, she'd rather not say. I think anyway." thoughtform sounds puzzled.
I'm not reading your thoughts... it's more like... you're shouting them at me. Just calm down, and uhh... think quietly.
'O-oh, okay...' Masumi rubs her non-spiked forearm with the other hand, her shoulders sunk as her head faces somewhere away from the others... yet still, she's forced to see them all anyway. 'S-so, we're leaving soon right? Please'
Alright, if you're all ready, get a move out. Need anything urgently and I can have police support there in under five minutes. You're all getting comms devices tuned to each other and myself , additionally, yes, we foresaw that some of you might not be dressed appropriately, we got you some night-gear to look like clubbers.
The Red Adder was alive, a pulsing heart in an otherwise dead street. The repetitive beat of the dance music could be heard from blocks.
Inside, it was a bombardment of colors, from the flashing lights down to even the drinks, there was hardly an empty table in sight, and the bar seemed to have a line stretching for miles.
Hell by the Sea, as was it's nickname, the docks lived up to it. A bored vigilante could have a field-day here breaking up drop-offs and keeping tabs on the local gangs. That wasn't why you were here. You were here for the weapon's smuggling, though in the midst of what was going on presently, you hardly knew where to start.
Darkstorm flies overhead, keeping an eye out for the movement of large quantities of things.
Nice view from up here guys. You can almost see the danger
Felix cocked his head to one side.
"Any ideas on how to get in?" he asked to no one in particular.
I don't think I can do that... he thinks as he watches Atsuko stroll inside.
Keeping his invisibility active, Mick glances around and surveys the area from the top of a warehouse nearby on-scene, speaking lowly into his comm device, "If your positioned is compromised, I will do whatever is necessary to ensure you are not succumbed. Your backside is had by me." The alien nods before crouching down and resuming his watch, feeling satisfied with his expressed camaraderie.
Just how did she hear things anyway? Did she have weird alien ears somewhere? She had no idea how to verify nay of this! She was starting to worry she'd end up dropping it somewhere. Worrying about her lack of ears was starting to distract her from all this, as she was just determined to figure out where they even were.
"Uhh... I'm not sure I can use a radio..." Thoughtform observes with a slight frown. "Or Masumi."
Thoughtform appears suddenly at Ravager's side, looking around in amazement as he finds himself on the edge of the docks. He'd been having trouble keeping up with even the slowest of the others on his team when She had popped up with another suggestion.
He was still a little reluctant to admit it, but he really did need her, it seemed they could do quite some amazing things... like honing in on somebody he knew and simply... popping up next to them. He would have caught up to Masumi sooner but Her explanation had begun to give him a headache; all he knew was, for them it seemed distance was... quite flexible. Incredible.
Well. Lets see about these smugglers then. he suggests to Masumi.
Even when he wasn't projecting an illusory body he still couldn't help but think in terms of having a physical form. To Masumi's ether piercing 'gaze' the ball that is Thoughtform floats and settles down to the ground and becomes more translucent as it swells lightly. While in Simon's mind he settles himself into a comfortable seat on the ground and attempts to expand his mind as They had been discussing and practicing earlier during the day.
First Darkstorm sees it, one faint light peaking from an otherwise unlit warehouse, so too, did Mick see it, his eyes like an eagle's, he was able to pinpoint that exact location. Thoughtform only confirmed it, sensing a compact group of minds within the lit room, one of them slightly more alien than the others.
The bouncer lets the trio in, the mass of bodies already thereproved that this was going to be a difficult task ahead of you in finding which one was the man you're looking for. Luckily for you, with his natural knack for people, Dr. A noticed that the bartender looked much more nervous than he should be.
This way Masumi! he says into her mind, starting to move off before remembering he wasn't projecting his image at the moment. He frowns, wondering if he should just do so, but he felt that would be detrimental in this situation.
<Make it so only she can see.>
What? Simon 'stares' at where he thought of her being, before mentally gaspingin astonishment as she once again shows him how limited his own mastery of their abilities were. Though unnecessary in this situation a glowing orb of light appears, overlaying Thoughtform's form to Masumi's eyeless sight, and hers only as he begins to move towards the occupied building.
AS he does so he shifts his focus to the mind that felt... different, much as Mick's differed from the rest of the team; or... several or the others come to think about it. They were an odd lot Phantom had assembled.
He focuses his mind in on that strange individual and attempts to pierce his thoughts.
Then he will keep hitting him with Mind Reading until he either reacts or he fails to make a save :p DC 17