Magaskawee, you find yourself once more looking upon the shining visage that is Maximum City. From your seat on the bus you can see the massive walls that support the interior infrastructure of the metropolis. At this distance the monorail is a silver streak darting between skyscrapers like a minnow among reeds.
You can almost pretend as if you belonged there among their silver spires. That is until the bus screeches to a halt.
Hey mutie! Here's where you get off! The bus driver rudely motions for you to take the nearest exit.
Enjoy the walk! The driver cackles as the door closes and the bus drives onward. He's dropped you off a good 100 meters or so shy of the actual bus station.
Your destination today is the small apartment in the sub-city that surrounds Maximum City on the east side of the river. It is mid March and it has only been 3 months or so since the Freak Wave upended so many lives. Damage to the main section of the city has mostly been repaired but some of the services are still on the fritz. You have just returned from re-connecting with your family on the reservation. Given the recent changes to your body the reunion was a bit...strained. Especially since Uncle Mika kept calling you cursed and trying to exorcise the evil "goat-spirit".
You should probably try to reconnect with your friends in the Sinkhole (this is the local term for the same sub-city I mentioned earlier). You are also a bit tight for cash as the Freak Wave had put a hold on your burgeoning singing career. Might be good to try to contact your manager, Slim, at some point as well.
i quickly move quickly forward from the bus station. i take out my phone and call my boss Slim.
Hey, i'm still working tomorrow evening shift correct?
huh, if i work tomorrow evening, i can spend the evening partying until the wee hours. i don't have much cash, but i can manage to spring up some grub, some booze, and use lil kami's Karaoke machine
as i wait for Slim to pick up i jump up into the fire escape and climb to my 4th floor apartment.
i call out at the window and get my pet rabbit to come to the window and unhook the latch allowing me to get inside. i close the window and lock the latch behind me as i drop off my duffel bag and survey my apartment. one of the light-bulb's out, the numerous potted plants surround the edges of the apartment and lead into the paintings and quiltwork of home. i follow fluffigtrov (bunny) to his food dish, fill it up with alfalfa, drop my bags on the floor and plop down in my bed. i raise my feet up and run my hands through my hair.
uh, guess i am not wearing any sandals, heels, or moccasins again. also, what sort of treatment do horns need? i don't want them to chip and i want it to stay sleek, strong, and have a nice shine
Slim's reedy voice shoots back, Heeeey kid don't worry, you're all set up. Got you top billing at the Horns n Halos. Nothing uphill yet but hey, if you do good in the Inferno surely you'll reap a heavenly reward.
Your place is in a crooked apartment building in the Inferno that is slowly sinking into the Bones section. The lower entrance is actually at the second floor and the entire first floor is barricaded to prevent entry from the Bones district.
After you feed Fluffigtrov you hear steps coming up the stairs.
-and here is where you'll be stay- Ms. Grentwol, the landlady, opens your door and stops midsentence as she sees you. Oh. You're...back. Turning to the burly mustached man behind her. As I was saying, the loft is all I have available at the moment. Would you care to see it?
She gives you a frightful scowl as she shoos the new tenant up the stairs to the roof. The door slams behind her.
Lil Kami shoots you a text, YOU'RE BACK! I win the bet lol. Tell me you are still down for a party tonight? The gang is all here and we have stuff to show you too!! >:D *emo emoji*
as i mutter to fluffigtrov
it sounds like work is going to be fun tomorrow, but i will get rent, or part of rent and keep Ms. Grentwol off of my back and out of my home
i pick up my phone and crack a smile as i see lil kami's text
yeah, lil bun bun, lets forget my troubles for a night, and lets see what we can get into
i shower and get dressed in a good outfit for the culb, slightly loose for dancing and a bit revealing, here's to hoping for some free drinks.
i pick up a guitar and start strumming, as the music comes easier and easier to me as i play, skill and practice make most instruments come easily to me
i get up and head out to the window, have the rabbit lock it after me, and look out at a destroyed city, with the fire of a sunset shining over the concrete graveyard.
lets paint this town red for a bit
Fluffigtrov's ears point away as he pretends not to hear you and starts to hop away. As you reach back for the window he takes a giant leap onto the window latch locking it, his nose twitching mischievously.
One by one the streetlights flicker on as the last ember rays of the sun cease. The shadows here are long but familiar and you find your way quickly to your destination.
As i hum a song to myself, i think a little danger could be fun, and an intro to tomorrows work sounds good as well.
through group text
Hey guys, lets get the freak wave on in the Horn's n Halos, we can have a good time, and let loose
i keep moving towards the bar, and check out a side alley clear of people.as i go in i decide to take out a harmonica from my purse, and play a bluesy tune
i summon up some flasks of the strong stuff, a bit of mixer, and some glasses for the guys, along with a few paper hats and beaded necklaces. i put on a small hat and a few multicolored beads, then stuff the rest in my purse.
i wait outside the cub for my friends to arrive
Hey Kami, you look great. that dress works so well. as for how i'm feeling, lets get a bit naughty tonight. here have a shot before we start.
I take out the flasks out of my purse
so, a tropical blue Hawaiian, a sexy martini, or a cool daiquiri. i know i'm having a prairie fire
i remove the tequila and hot sauce to prepare me for the evening. i shoot it back before entering, and i prepare to have the supplies disappear if the bouncers get suspicious of outside beverages.
i head my way into horns and begin to feel the music
as i dance some troubles away, i may not have the most athletic or vigorous dancing, but there is just something about me that captures the eyes as i dance away some troubles. no worries about rent right now, no troublesome exorcism for goatmaan, no worrying about my appeal to mainstream audiences, or the dirty looks from people about my form. here, right now, i can float off and just be me.
Dark Side here we come. Kami takes a long pull of the flask you gave her before stashing it in her handbag. She pulls you along into the Horns side of the bar. The bouncers glance at the two of you as you enter and they take notice of the flask Kami is carrying.
No outside food or drinks, Miss. One of them firmly grabs the flask and makes a show to pour out the flask's contents onto the ground. Only...nothing comes out. Perplexed, they slowly hand it back to her and let the two of you through.
The interior is filled with hazy smoke and lots of red neon signs advertising various liquor. The speakers are filled with just enough music (hard rock) to drown out most of the conversations in the crowded bar. The bartender is quite unusual as they appear to be made entirely of ice. You hear them referred to as Box.
You maneuver past the crowded tables to find your friends, nearly tripping over a prop scythe belonging to another patron. Pete flags you down. Dave is wearing an unusual hat and has his face buried in his arms on the table. You refill the flasks with your ability.
Skinny Pete: Hey there Pocahontas! Kami! I ordered some nachos, I hope you remembered the drinks? His eyes light up when you show him the flasks. Do share! He take a sip from Kami's flask. WOOO!!!
Over the next hour you make some small talk and catch up on the last couple months of news and what's been going on. Dave barely talks, the dragon tattoo on his forearm peeking out from his sleeves as he fidgets with his big shapeless hat.
The temperature drops a degree as the bartender walks up to your table. Dressed sharply in a vest and tie, their limbs are mostly transparent...including the head making features a bit hard to make out. They nod curtly to your friends before addressing you.
Ms. Dowanhowee I presume? The name's Box, I co-own this establishment. I must say I am surprised to see you here tonight. We weren't expecting you until tomorrow. I trust there has been no miscommunication?
I pat Dave on the shoulder and then ruffle his hat.
Hey, somethings got you down, but your among friends. and even if you're hiding a zit or a new mutation, hey we're mutants here. you're in good company
i lean over and give him a hug. then i turn smiling to Box
Yes, i am Ms. Dowahowee, it is a pleasure to meet you i stand up and offer him my hand to shake No, there was no miscommunication, i know that i am performing here tomorrow. i was looking for a place to relax a little, and i wanted to scout out the place i'd be performing tomorrow. i know it'd be better to check acoustics when its quiet, but there is something about a live audience that you can imitate. Now, is it Box, or Mr. Box? I must commend you for doing a great job with this club and getting on the mutant friendly setting up and running so quickly. it really is a nice place. though, i still have yet to check the restrooms yet. it's a pleasure to meet you and will i be working with you tomorrow or your other business partner . . .s?
Just Box is fine. No labels allowed in here. In truth Horns n Halos was established before...the Change if only by a month or so. It was mine and Israfiel's idea to create an atmosphere of outward conflict to foster a sense of inward serenity. A little bit of reverse psychology if you will. Little did we realize how much a little serenity was going to be needed. Box trails off a bit of pain in their eye.
Forgive me, I seem to have interrupted your evening with talk of business. Here is the information for tomorrow evening. He hands you a carefully folded piece of paper. Be sure to rest up a bit for tomorrow night, the Troubles are a bit...intense.
As Box walks briskly back to his post behind the bar, Badger joins you apparently coming from the restroom. O M G ! It's really you Mags? I haven't seen you since the Wave... Oh, but you really should accessorize more, maybe hang something from those horns of yours. If you got it, flaunt it I always say.
Dave snorts at her and buries his head in his hands again. Badger rolls her eyes at him.
Ugh Dave it's not that bad. Look I didn't get any magic powers either. Here I brought you something to ease the pain. Badger slides some pills across the table to him. He promptly swallows both of them. Hey I think your new look is great, once the right one heals they said they'd do the other one because you paid for both, right? So you've got nothing to worry about.
Badger leans over to whisper to you. Dave is just grumpy because he wanted to have cool powers too. When Pete and Kami's powers manifested on the same day we didn't seem him for over a week. When we went looking we found him half crazed with pain from some uhm...surgery he spent a bunch of money on. Got a loan for it too I believe. Not financially advisable, he's probably stuck in the Sinkhole for the rest of his life now but...well just get him to take that hat off sometime.The pills he just took are just some extra-strength painkillers from my nursing job.
Kami:Hey Mags, once we've had some fun here tonight we wanted to show you how we've changed too. Maybe find someplace in the Bones where we won't be disturbed. Heh, maybe Dave will take off that goofy hat too. She takes another swig from the flask.
Don't be too worried about singing in this hole. I heard Saffron Celtis, yknow that famous opera singer? Yea she's publicly revealed she has a mutation as well. Something about sonic pulses. And they are still letting her perform! Maybe there's hope yet. She takes another swig.
the music is going over the drum of the crowd
kami, that sounds fu. it is really good to see you. also, i wanted to show you a new trick i leanred while i saw my family. they didn't teach me it so much as i got some insight. come, even you Dave, especially you Dave. lets go try to the roof. you will really enjoy it. i promise
i look for someone who works here that isn't box, and when i find them restocking something i go up to them
this club is amazing, like so amazing. you must have such a good time working for an amazing place. i mean, everywhere has its downsides, but to work here must be amazing. i was wondering, if it would be cool if you could let us up onto the roof, you can almost see the regular city from there, and it would make our evening be so spectacular. can you do that for us? please.
i bat my eyelashes a bit as i try to convince the employee
i want to try this out as honestly it is a cool power for regular day uses, combat useful some, but its real power and use is in everyday little going outs like this
There isn't anyone restocking per se but you do notice a bouncer by the name of Samuel blocking the door to the roof (it's an outside stairway leading up). His eyebrow raises as you rattle through your spiel. He frowns and pulls out a red plastic clipboard.
Only those on the list can enter the VIP lounge. it says here... He looks back up to you, a little flushed.
...you are on the list. Please enjoy yourself Ms. Downhowee. He opens the door for you and your friends.
The stairs are solid enough as you climb to the next story. The outer walls here are scrap metal welded and bolted haphazardly in place. The interior however has been furnished richly in soft carpeting and thick foam-like walls. The far end overlooks the central gathering area and it appears the edge of this story serves as a stage that can be viewed from the central area. The VIP room is separate from the stage but you can access the stage through the sliding windows at the front.
The room has two soft couches, a low round table and a functioning HD widescreen tv in one wall (protected by plexiglass and a steel frame). The news is playing on mute. What has to be a heavily doctored footage of some large lizard destroying a coastal city seems to be the current story.
Kami immediately drapes herself over one couch while Badger and Pete grab spots on the other couch. Dave sulks behind all of you and sits in the corner. His pained frown has turned to more of a dismissive smirk.
Kami: Oooh this is so nice! You didn't tell me you had this kind of pull. Ok i was going to save this til later but I can't wait! She leaps up rubbing her hands together.
The lights from downstairs were cramping my style a bit but up here I've got plenty to work with! She begins waving her hands at an empty corner of the room. At first there is nothing but with a bit of concentration...the shadows begin to move. As if she was pinching the edges of the deeper shadows she plucks and then throws a sliver of darkness through the air...and it embeds itself in the foam bedding of the wall before dissipating. Kami squees with delight and spins on you showing you her ears which she had been hiding under her voluminous curls. They are pointed and have a slender curve to them. Very Elvin like. I also had all of my nails turned black. I thought I had some kind of disease at first. Pete can fly!
Pete: KAMI! I wanted to tell her! Pete is now hovering a couple inches off the ground. A sudden breeze blusters through the room equivalent to a heavy fan. My bones became hollow and my skin is covered in a thin sheen of transparent scales.
Badger:He sparkles! Badger belts out a laugh while Kami giggles. You think you even hear a snort from Dave.
Exasperated, Pete cancels his effect and drops onto the couch. So what else did you have to show us Mags? You changed the most out of any of us. Did you get electricity powers? Super strength? Maybe you can tell us the winning lottery numbers?
you all are in a treat, apart from some increased running ability these legs give,
i do a little gig clogging my hoofs
i also got some other nice abilities. one is the one that makes it so i always have stuff for our little get togethers, but the cream of the crop i just got the hang of while i was with my family. i need a volunteer, and Dave, you've been pouting so you will be my volunteer. this works a bit better if i have a piano or an instrument i can play without blowing into, but harmonicas can allow for a bit of talking in-between.now i don't know if there is a limit to the distance you can go after I've given you this so stay within 100 feet to be safe. now Dave close you eyes, and if you're pleased, show me whats under the hat.
i take out my harmonica and start weaving some magic into some Peral Jam. using skill expertise i take 10 and succeed in making g a dc 24.
out of both mine and Dave's back, large snowy white owl wings sprout, as our eyes sharpen in the night and our minds open up a bit.
do doo do do don't fly to hight do doo do do i can grant this to the rest of you do doo do do seriously i don't know if there is a range limit do doo do do i don't know what happens if there is and you fall do doo do do i kinda wish i hand a ukulele do doo do do this is kinda annoying do doo do do
Dave seems to resist your attention...at least until the wings spring from his back and propel him forwards onto his face. His hat flops forward to reveal...a small black metal horn attached to the top right of his head. The area around the horn has been partially shaved but is quickly growing back. The base is carefully wrapped in some bandage-like material and the skin around the area looks irritated but the job looks to have been professionally done, you can't see any rivets or attachment points. The horn is about 5 inches long and curves backwards gracefully. The edges are sharp but designed to not increase his height or interfere too much with head clearance.
Ahh! I have wings! He flaps his arms and wings around as he tries to stand upright.
I...have WINGS! He stretches them out and back seeming to forget his earlier obstinance. Whoa, Maggie, I...sorry for being a jerk. This is amazing.
Kami:Mags! Do me to! I've always want- Kami is cut off by sirens sounding from the parking lot. The music in the bar stops as someone begins to shout into a megaphone.
Glancing from the upper window you can see five S.H.R.U. armored vehicles outside the bar and a greasy-haired man in body armor and a worn trenchcoat watching the scene among 15 or so S.H.R.U. officers in full riot gear. In the distance you can spot several more points of light where some kind of checkpoints are being established simultaneously with this announcement.
but we live here. i need to be quick, sorry guys, but we need to pack. sorry you did not get to use those wings.
i make my way down with the crowd, and then speed down my way until i reach my apartment. something tells me they won't allow me to pick up my items if i am slow about this. using my spreed i should quickly get to my apartment i quickly hobble together my best clothes into two large back packs, pick up two instruments, and capture flufigtrov and put him in a bag with the rest of his food.
if i cannot quickly get past some people i will try to use persuasion to get past them to at least get some items from my home before the shelter.
The SHRU officers are specifically trying to corral all patrons at the Horns n Halos through a security checkpoint. You notice more than a couple mutants trying to sneak past them only to be caught and forced to sit along a concrete wall for questioning and delayed processing.
Kami: Aww hell. Not more of this &@#^. We've got to get out of here. Your friends try to jump the stairs and over the high concrete wall to the unguarded freedom of the street. The gap is small but in the open.
Kami, Pete, and Badger scramble over the wall but Dave stumbles at the last second falling to the ground and alerting the officers. Seeing no choice with them pointing tazers at him he submits to their security checks. They take one look at this horn and his suspicious entrance and put him against the wall with the rest of the "troublemakers".
Choose your Challenge:
You are able to sneak past the SHRU blockade and speed towards the apartment.
Coming up on the apartment, you are able to spring to the fire ladder and access your apartment. Fluffigtrov is agitated by your speed but consents to being manhandled into the half empty bag of alfalfa. You are able to get together two bags of clothes and sundries and two instruments.
You are now left with the rest of the night to find a place to stay. All of your friend's places are inside of the large reconstruction area.
The emptiness of the Sinkhole beckons...
You are able to bluff and cajole past the SHRU officers despite your appearance due to their focus on the other detainees. You are able to speed back to your apartment quickly.
Coming up on the apartment, you are able to spring to the fire ladder and access your apartment. Fluffigtrov is agitated by your speed but consents to being manhandled into the half empty bag of alfalfa. You are able to get together two bags of clothes and sundries and two instruments.
You are now left with the rest of the night to find a place to stay. All of your friend's places are inside of the large reconstruction area.
The emptiness of the Sinkhole beckons...
SHRU officers assume the worst and fire their tazers at you as the trenchcoat squad leader takes notice.
If you Succeed, read through the Slip into the Shadows spoiler.
If you failed, jump to either 1st or 2nd challenge failure depending on which this is.
SHRU roughly shoves you against the concrete wall to wait with the other obvious mutants. It takes over two hours for the SHRU to finish questioning you and them before they send you on your way. Dawn is not far away as you head to your apartment. The SHRU provide you with a flimsy paper bracelet indicating you have been processed. it has a number, 32FFG, which they say can be used to get shelter on Sloop street.
You return to the apartment to find Ms. Grentwol on the street surrounded by several bags of stuff and her rickety old van. She seems to be leaving. Seeing you she says It's no use they already been here. Took my keys those pompous dolts. Seeing your concern her face softens, if only a little.
Here, this is yours. She shoves an oversized rucksack into your arms. Fluffigtrov peeks out of the top happily munching on one of your sweaters. [b]I was only able to grab what was in plain sight. Should be a couple changes of clothes and that instrument of yours.
You are now left with the rest of the night to find a place to stay. All of your friend's places are inside of the large reconstruction area.
The emptiness of the Sinkhole beckons...
***
Or you may simply Submit to Security Check now and they will delay you the same as the rest of the "troublemakers".
You may attempt a different skill check but at a -2 to all rolls. If you fail a second time you will be detained by SHRU as resisting an officer and likely spend the night in jail.
SHRU officers take you down with force. They cuff you and shove you into one of the armored vehicles to await their return to the nearest station.
looking at my oppressors in front of me, i decide to attempt to to talk my way through.
this check is to see if any of the officers find me attractive. i go towards one of the one that i get the most vibe from that they're checking me out with their eyes, and if i don't notice any of them then i go to a more muscular men and begin talking my way through.
i take my violin and my ukulele along with my two bags of clothes and head out into the city.
talking to myself [b] hmm, i need a place for tonight at least,. why don't i find a rooftop and sleep there for the night. using the knowledge local check earlier i find an area in this district that is not being redone, and climb the escape up to the roof and find a quiet corner by the ventilation shaft, and put my back to the column and instruct pull in the bags tight and try to get some light sleep
You have to walk a ways through the Inferno district until you are outside of the S.H.R.U. blockades. The officers are very cautious around you as if they were afraid to touch you. They scan the paper bracelet the officers at the club gave you and wave you past.
Once past the blockades, you lose yourself in the maze of mercantile shops and back alleyways until you come to an out of the way grocery store with an easily accessible roof. From what you recall, this area is one of the safer Inferno locations with fewer reports of crime.
Slumped against the large HVAC box you stare up at the smog-covered sky and wonder about your friends. Sleep does not come easily but it is welcome when it does.
You are awakened by the squeak of rubber on metal. Your eyes lock on the fire escape which you used to get to the roof. A man in a grey suit wearing dark shades is hurriedly trying to get on to the roof. In his right hand is a handgun! He sees you awake and yells, S+&+! Demetri, she's seen us! Call it in!
You are awakened by the press of cold steel to your forehead. You snap awake to the sight of a man in dark shades and a grey pressed suit aiming a handgun at you. Now hold it, sister. We've gone through a lot of trouble tracking you down and I don't want any funny business. The boss just wants to talk.
A second man in a matching grey suit is at the far end of the roof watching guarding the escape ladder and keeping an eye of the alley below. Judging from the bulge inside his overcoat, he is also packing heat. The man in front of you steps back a couple of feet and flips out his phone. Hey boss I found her. Not three blocks from Joey's place. Yes, horns just like you said. She doesn't seem to have the pictures on her. No camera either. Just a small guitar or soemthing. Yea roof of the Hot Shop-ic. WIll do.
He puts the phone away and smiles creepily at you. Boss is going to be reeeal happy with us for finding you so quickly. I mean did you really think you were going to get away with it? Taking pictures of our perfectly legal dealings with our client so you could...what? show em to some snoopin' S.H.R.U.? Well we are going to sit right here til the boss shows up. So get comfy, princess.
guys you seem to be mistaken, and maybe a bit racit. not everyone with horns is the same person. i know of three in my my friend group alone who has horns. now please back off. You want me to wait, fine i'll wait downstairs in the grocery.
Demetri, fetch some snacks would you? The man guarding the fire escape seems ready to argue but thinks better of it and makes his way down the ladder. You can here the sound of him entering the grocery store below through the back entrance.
Oh, there hasn't been any mistake Ms. Moore. The thug casually pulls a polaroid from his jacket and tosses it to you. The picture clearly shows you talking to a gentleman with wild red hair and thick spectacles. You are wearing army fatigues and a pocket-filled vest and have a professional camera hanging from your neck.
The man with the red hair is Dr. Cliff Treble, a consultant for the US Army. He specializes in jet propulsion theory specifically related to designing new fuels.
Now Ms. Moore- Can I call you Fiona? Fiona is such a pretty name. Fiona, a little bird told us you had been speaking to our client and asking a lot of rude questions. Another little bird claims you even took some pictures of a deal we had with the good doctor. Now it'll go over waaaay easier for you if you just cooperate and tell us where you've stashed those pictures. What'd you say? Friends? Besties?
Honestly, that doesn't look like me. have you seen the horns, mine have a glassy sheen while the ones in the photo are rough. Secondly i have never been to what appears to be a military compound in hte are. thirdly i have receipts showing that i have been outside of the state until yesturday. honestly that is someone different. now let me get those reciets for you.
i reach into my purse and pull out random receipts and my harmonica
He flinches as you reach for your harmonica, leveling the gun at your head. Nice and slow, doll.
Seeing you pull out the harmonica and your bus tickets his oily smile returns. Here just toss whatever that is over here...oh and how about you play us a little tune to pass the time. Just keep both of those hands where I can see them.
He waits for you to start a melody before snatching the ticket from where he had you throw it. He glances at the ticket and for a moment his aim is off. Magaskawee? No way that name is real...
i take my harmonica and decide to to play a more joyous sound.
i activate everybody dance now, dc 20 will save for both, and if the other guy hasn't entered the store yet, he is affected as well.
my actions will be determined by what happens next
As you play your catchy tune, his hips begin to sway rhythmically of their own accord. This tune! It can't be...I...I LOVE this song!
His gun still clutched in one hand and the bus ticket in the other he begins to start a very awkward but animated shuffle.
I...can't stop? I...don't want to stop?!
He associate, Demetri is inside the store downstairs and is apparently out of range of your ability.
I compel the gangsters to break their cell phones as their standard actions. i continue to place and see if they are still compelled next round
The gangster in front of you takes out his cellphone and begins to rythmically clap his hands together cracking the screen. Seemingly frustrated at his progress he drops it and then begins two-stepping all over it until it's a pile of scrap. He seems superbly lost in the zone of his freestyle Gangnam Style dance.
the next round i have them remove the clip from their guns, toss them off the building and remove the bullet in the chamber then throw the gun off the building as i get to the edge and make my way down.
It takes him only 1 round to perform those actions as he seems to be skilled and comfortable with the weapon. He removes the the clip and bullet and tosses the whole mess off the buildings edge with a awkward heelspin as he then claps his hands and continues to boogey.
As you head to the fire escape, you hear the second thug open the front door of the grocery store (out of line of sight of you) and yell up, Hey! Jared! Did you want a cinnabon or like just snack cakes? They have both!
There is a pause as Jared seems too intent on perfecting the spin from earlier to listen to or respond to Demetri.
Oh...Ok then. there is some swearing under Demetri's breath as he closes the front of the store seemingly having gone back inside to finalize his "purchases".
i make sure that my rabbit is in the bag, then go down and duck through a couple back alleys using my speed to make sure they can't see me through the buildings and supports.
You quietly drop the rest of the distance from the escape ladder to the ground and make good your escape. You wind past several back alleyways using your speed to put a good amount of distance between you and those thugs.
The rest of the Sinkhole awaits.
It is early morning, and despite the interruption you did get some rest. Fluffitrov senses your anxiety and offers you one of his pellets in commiseration.
Someone has been impersonating you without your permission, you are presumably going to be hunted down by those thugs, you probably should find some kind of shelter, and you haven't seen your friends yet today.
What would you like to do?
with knowledge of where they likely hang out, i move away from those areas, and try to find an area on the top area, as close to badger's family karaoke bar
As you catch your breath, leaning against the alley wall you piece the information together in your head. Jared and Demetri had no tattoos or other obvious signs of affiliation but considering their connection to Dr. Treble (recall your earlier success on analyzing the picture they showed you) it seems likely nay certain that these two work for the Siberians.
The Siberians are a group of Russian anarchists that live by the rule survival of the fittest. They live for the day that they can overthrow the current Russian powers that exiled them from their home country. They deal primarily in weapons and have claimed a few warehouses in the Bones district as centers for storage and distribution. Their leader is North Star, a savage and ruthless man counterpointed only by his daughter Rose, a magnetism based freak wave mutant.
If the Siberians are using Dr. Treble to get their hands on cutting edge jet fuel technology, they must be gearing up for something big.
Even as you recall this information, you work your way to the nearest access point to Purgatory and edge towards Badger's cousin's place. You get only a few streets towards the club when you spot a SHRU checkpoint. Badger's club is right along the street that SHRU has designated for the homeless shelters they are establishing. You realize that even if it was still open, it would be overrun by refugees.
You get a text from badger. Hey girl where are you at?! We'll pick you up!
She sends a selfie with her and the group (minus Dave) inside of some kind of dark brown van.
i sigh a sigh of relief. they are safe. or at least all but Dave. poor Dave, he has terrible luck. poor Milhouse of our group.
hey girl, good to see you all. i am near where your old family club is, just out side the gates. i haven't found a place to stay yet, so i got my stuff. had some rude customers wake me up earlier but i dealt with them. where can i meet you?
i wait for a return text and have an idea
i quickly text dave
Hey Dave, i haven't seen you since early last night, i hope your doing well. would you like to meet up?
You coordinate with Badger and they arrive to pick you up in short order.
Dave texts back SHRU just now let me go. I'm near Badger's cousin's club. Some "kind" souls here have informed me that they've already demolished my place. <explosion emoji> So there's that. Going to miss my game system and all of my spare clothes. :(
Easy enough to pick Dave up outside of the SHRU blockade. His pass-bracelet is a different color than yours for some reason.
Dave: Where we heading? I want to get as far from these corporate-fed piggies as we can.
Dave turns to you. Any chance of some snacks? They kept me in a cell last night with no rations. I'm starving.
no problem, what are you feeling right now? sliders, veggies, liquid diet of alcohol? whatever you want
i summon up what he'd like with my ukulele.
so is your bracelet what a non freak wave individuals looks like or is that your prison rep for being a tough guy?
i make sure to put air quotes over freak wave.
they haven't told me yet, but i voice for someplace possibly on the outskirts of the city, some place with a bit of open room, no cops, and i feel bad about last night of giving you wings and those guys showing up and you not getting to use them. best used in open areas
Dave: Oh, yea this bracelet is what they gave me after they processed me. Seems like all of the "troublemakers" from last night got the same color. Guess so they can better track those that resist.
He frowns for a second then rips off the bracelet and throws it out the window. #&^$ them. He turns to you. Chips and dip please!
Badger: Not in the car you don't! How about some sandwiches instead?
You summon some food for the group while you discuss places to stay.
Pete continues to drive around, Badger pointing out possible locations while Kami pulls out a map of the Sinkhole.
Each spot that Pete and Badger see is collapsing, guarded by gangs of thugs, or already occupied by other new refugees from the reclamation zone. These refugees are huddled together for warmth, the luckier of whom have already built temporary shelters from old camping equipment and broken down wooden pallets.
Kami and Dave point out a few possible locations on the map where you might be able to procure some kind of living arrangements.
well, none of these options are great. the cathedral sounds like death, and the bazaar is just waiting to be shot it looks like ooze run it is. Have the rest of you found homes yet or am i taking you with me to there?
Kami points her finger forward and yells, ENGAGE!
Pete: Aye Cap'n I'm givin her all she's got. As he pulls a U-turn to get back to the turn off for the Ooze Run.
* * *
15 minutes later the massive hydroelectric dam looms over your group as you enter the area known as Ooze Run. The dams function both as filters , providing clean drinking water to the city, and as bridges into the city proper from the Sinkhole. Because of the height difference, the Sinkhole side of the dams are massive ramps allowing vehicles to cross the Mississippi river. This leaves the area around the base of the ramps as relatively flat ground. The view of the Mississippi River is all but blocked on the Sinkhole side by the massive retaining wall built during the early days of Maximum City because of the very real risk of flooding and importance of the dam providing power.
As Pete carefully drives through the muddy slurry of a road you can spot nearly a dozen open overflow pipes along the retaining wall. A small number of ramshackle huts with waterproofed roofs have been established right along the wall itself careful to avoid the overflow pipes and sluices as best as possible.
The first dam is relatively crowded but the second dam is relatively clear of people. More than a few of the ramshackle buildings have collapsed, apparently not as waterproof as the builders had thought.
hero point from being homeless for investigation
+10=16
after finding what i think is the best area that is a bit far away from others, then i use my create party supplies to create my preliminary structure, a un-inflated bouncy castle, the inflater, a generator that runs on propane, and pure grain alcohol. this may be split up through multiple uses of my ability. then i proceed to create tiki torches to set up the boundary, citronella candles to keep the bugs away. then comes the summoning of folding tables, water proof banners with a Happy 4th of July. this will be used to make an old school fort that then supports the banners. reading the ability of my poison ivy ability, the plants and vines that i grow last until i choose to get rid of them or destroy them, so i use it to grow over the structure, using selective to make sure it goes over the structure, and then use scissors to prune away the rest of it. also i line the are around with vines for 6 feet tall and 10 feet thick.
You spend the better part of 2 hours searching for a suitable spot to set camp. You can find open spots easily enough but none that seem to offer any natural protection from the elements. You are about to pass on yet another open sluiceway area...when you spot some greenery.
This area is between the north and central dam supports and there are about 6 ramshackle houses strewn about. From your observations at least 4 of them are occupied. Most hide when you pass but you were able to spot some telltale signs of still burning cigarettes, darting movements at the edge of your vision, etc...
One house in particular sits on a small raised section right against one of the dam struts and has a 30 ft by 30 ft area of worn grass in front of it. The house itself is one of the plasticrete pre-fab jobs and is exceptionally sturdy...if not for the gaping hole in the roof. It is completely empty except for a weird smell and some discarded newspaper. It can reasonably house 4 people, 6 if you squeeze.
There is a semi-circular indent at the back wall inside with a metal access door with a Maintenance Personnel Only sign. This wall appears to be flush with the dam strut.
You are able to setup the bouncy house outside just fine, drawing the guarded stares of a few of your neighbors. The other hut though...well the vines seem only to want to grab and hold stuff, not really create a wall or roof. Although they do a great job of anchoring some of the tiki torches to be used as support. You have woven the waterproof holiday banners together to form a sort of roof but it's probably not going to keep much rain out.
Kami: Dibs on fun castle.
Dave: I'll just sleep in the van.
Badger:Maybe Mags can fix the roof on the one?
Pete: Wonder if we could grow something here?
I try to summon some ping pong tables and a tent canvas, i use the ping pong tables to gap any holes in the roofs, and use the pavilion style tent tarp to cover with a water proof exterior. i secure the tent tarps into the ground and use my poison ivy ability to secure the tent stakes and rope further, [ooc] since you said it did something for the tiki torches, may as well try it for stakes in the ground[/b]
i think the ground might hold some crops, but that not something i can get, maybe some uncooked seeds from food, but we will be picking tomato seeds, pepper seeds, beans, corn and some fruit seeds from veggie platters and fruit bowls, and salsa. now that i think about it, strawberries, raspberries and other berries might work getting, but i don't know if they'll grow here.
as for heat lets find a barrel, i have grain alcohol, we can keep warm. clothes, i can make costumes, but nothing that really is thick
anyone got any ideas, and i can summon some food, should we share with the new neighbors? have a pot luck?
You quickly go about patching the roof as best you can and the ping pong table is just the right size. Covered with a waterproof tent tarp it actually acts as a reasonable substitute for a roof. The vines secure the pavilion tent at the corners and you now have a new home!
Your troupe quickly set about staking a claim to whichever corner they find most pleasing. There are four super small bedrooms and a main living/cooking area...and a bathroom. These pre-fabs are really only meant for temporary living arrangements. There are some arguments but they eventually settle on you in the 1st room, Kami and Badger in the second, Pete in the third and Dave in the 4th room. Because they are sharing a room, Badger has claimed the supply closet and Kami demands first use of the bathroom in the mornings.
Magaskawee thinks to herself, maybe we should be nice to our new neighbors. Guys, why don't we meet the locals. why don't we move a bit way from our home, ill bring up some tables, balloons for any kids, hot dogs, hamburgers some picnic fair, maybe even a cotton candy maker, and share some food and drink with the neighbors, learn some tips of the area, and possibly get to know some faces so if people do go missing we at least have an idea. off, pulled pork is always a crowd pleaser and some mac and cheese
in the clearing where our residence is i summon the tables, cooker, cotton candy machine, and i deflate the bouncy castle to move it. also summon some tiki torches and plenty of citronella candles. then i move the items out form our cubby to closer to the shanty town. then i start cooking and inflating the bouncy castle and set up the candles to remove insects. after the sells get wafting, i make sure there is a cooler of chilled soda and water.
i make some persuasion checks to get people out of their shells.
You spend a good hour packing up the bouncy castle and setting up. You manage to summon some cheap foldable ping pong tables to set food on and begin to snap your fingers multiple times creating a smorgasboard of food and party favors.
Badger and Kami set about taking bottles of soda pop (you can't summon water, weird) and walking up and down the area between the dam supports handing them out to anyone they find.
Meanwhile, Pete and Dave keep you company setting up each new table and trying to keep everything organized.
Pete: Soooo...you can just keep this up? Does the food disappear after you eat it? I've never really thought about it when you made snacks before but I'm always hungry later...but I guess that's why they call them snacks? Heh.
Dave: We should sell this. We can't just give this out for free right? We need to make money where we can, life isn't just going to get better. We could maybe sell food out of the van? I mean no overhead costs means it's 100% profit...
to Pete honestly i don't know. i believe you can sustain yourself on it, but none of it is the healthiest of foods. also weird restrictions on what i can create and what i can't. but i am really accurate about it.
turning to dave
selling food would be useful, but i don't want to take away from these guys who have probably less then we do, and thats saying something. as for others sure, this and booze sell well. but we'd need a truck and i know that is too big for me to create. i think a motorcycle is small enough but i can't make one, I've already tried. got any ideas. also i wish i could summon some calamine lotion, bug spray i can create but not something for after they bite. thankfully there is no shortage of bug killing candles. also i'm thinking churos next time. and i can't charge kids for eating.
when we are alone again, i turn to them and say
so, i have an idea for some fun later on. i'm curious how well your flight goes Pete, and i owe Dave some fly time. fancy a race? also i have some other totems i'd like to test out. the jack rabbit is fun, especially when doing chores, and the salamander can help with healing.
noble buffalo is always a power trip. plus i'd like some better control over this if you don't mind letting me experiment.
Pete: Sure! He smiles broadly and turns to Dave. I'd love to kick your butt in a race!
Dave looks a little put back by your speech about giving the food away to the less fortunate but seems mollified that you are considering the idea of starting a food business of some sort. He finishes with one of the tables and slinks off towards the van.
As you and your buds are chatting, you keep catching glimpses out of the corner of your eye of a haggard woman who is trying to hide behind an L-train support column. She is wearing bright orange shorts and an over-sized, messy sweater while aggressively petting some kind of animal in her arms. The folds of sweater make it difficult to make out what the animal is except that it has long hair similarly colored to the sweater (white-tan-brown).
Just as you look for the woman a third time, Kami returns with three new people. In the lead is a man in threadbare khakis and hawaiian shirt holding a cardboard cutout of a ukelele, which he mindlessly strums. Behind him walks a tall thin woman nursing a black eye but is dressed well. Behind all of them lurches a man of ruddy complexion, a bottle inside of a bag in one hand and a bottle of Cliff Wet soda in the other.
Kami: Badger said she saw a few other members of our new community further down the road. I could use a snack though and wanted to invite these three to our party. She turns to the group and tells them to help themselves.
Hawaiian guy goes by Grubbs. The fancy lady says she's a judge? Hard to beliive but her first name is Cassie anyways. And our final contestant here goes by Rudolph..on account of y'know She pantomimes drinking a wine bottle.