Max blinks with disorientation as she and Joy find themselves back in the present time, as if no time had passed for them at all. Before she can get her wits about her, her teammates bombard her with exposition.
"Huh? What? Wait, wait, one at a time, please," she murmurs, already feeling a headache forming.
Once the other have said their pieces, it's Max's turn. "So we fell through a time rift back to the 1970s. We met Doctor Infinity in his prime, as well as his apprentice, Daddy Mathers. We came up with this plan to store us in a magical binding until you released us at the right time. I guess it worked.
"Before we left, I asked Infinity about the Star Pharoah. He told us the best way to fight him is to use an ancient weapon called the Shopec. If we can find it, we may have a chance to stop him."
Doctor Infinity. The person indirectly responsible for her transformation, for loosing Violet upon her and the world. He's long gone in their normal time, but here...
She grimaces and turns to Joy. "I think I know who can help us get back to the future. But from what I know, he's not the nicest person. Let's go, but be ready if he turns out to be a massive dick."
Before they go, she flips through the newspapers and periodicals to try to see if she can glean a bit more about Doctor Infinity in what seems to be his heyday.
Max reels from the radioactive goat's assault, unable to get her wits about her before the timestream washes her and Empyrean away!
Take afraid and hopeless
"Oof," the demoness grunts as she crashes hard on the sidewalk. She pushes herself up and looks around at Empyrean's pronouncement. "Yeah, it's a problem, alright. It looks like we've gone... back in time!"
She looks around for something that might help them get back to their proper chronology.
Assess the Situation:2d6 + 1 ⇒ (3, 2) + 1 = 6
That's a miss unless Empyrean spends Team to help.
When the chrono-wraiths begin their assault, Max knows it's time to take action! She reaches into her clutch and pulls forth the magic wand, activating its power. Golden light suffuses her body as the divine armor manifests itself, girding her with its might. She tosses the purse aside and charges into the midst of the wraiths menacing the crowd.
"Get behind us! Make your way to the exits in a calm in orderly fashion," she shouts to the civilians. She lashes out at the wraiths, slashing with her claws, kicking with her powerful legs, and trusting her armor to protect her from harm.
Max continues to play the room as she's accustomed, looking glam and snapping selfies with various Halcyon elite. She gets a bit of deja vu when a number of people take photos with her for a second time while acting like they hadn't posed for selfies just minutes before.
The third time it happens, Tim taps her on the shoulder while looking grim. One of the wards on his suit jacket is glowing an angry red. "Devil Dear, there is mischief afoot," he whispers in her ear.
Max frowns at the warning. "I thought something was strange. Time-twisting, perhaps? Keep your eyes peeled."
***
Max is surprised when the image of Praetoria suddenly appears in the room. She looks at the other heroine with an odd feeling. It's like a dull ache in the back of her mind, a phantom sensation that she can't quite put her finger on. They had spent some time together, sure. Fought side-by-side a few times. But...was that all?
The demoness frowns and scratches at her arm, glancing around the room as if looking for something that isn't there...
"DeeDeeeeeee! Mah girl! Bring it in! You are rocking it señorita! Lemme get a look atchu! What have you got for us tonight that we gonna be talking about for weeks!?!
"And who this on your arm?"
"This is Tim," DD replies, not giving any more details about her date. "As for what I've got in store, well, that would be telling. Isn't the anticipation part of the fun?" She favors the reporter with a wink and a dazzling smile.
The ritual complete, the candles return to normal and the entities are gone. "How you feeling? You still you?" Tim asks.
Max puts her hands to her head as her senses return. "I-I think so." She tries to remember details of her recent relationships, and there's nothing there. For better or worse, the memories are gone. "I hope it was worth it," she sighs.
***
The Gala:
Max is fashionably late to the gala, of course. When she emerges from the limousine with Tim, it's clear to her fans that it was worth the wait. She wears a form-fitting, high-slit red evening gown. The bodice is adorned with delicate gold filigree embroidery. The plunging neckline and open back show off her figure, and her feet are ensconced in strappy onyx-heeled sandals with gilded accents. Her long hair is swept back into a sleek, high ponytail, with a few artfully loose strands framing her face. She wears sharp winged eyeliner and blackberry colored lipstick with a hint of metallic gold in the center of her bottom lip. She wears a choker of gold-set onyx gems. She is a vision of elegant glamor.
Max falls into her practiced routine, smiling, waving, and striking poses for the myriad cameras...
Tim nods. "Pretty much. You offer your complete knowledge about something, and poof, it's gone. It's gotta be tempting, of course. Offering up your total knowledge of Baroque architecture is going to insult them -- unless I picked a really bad example and you're some kind of expert. Languages are enticing. Or, you could offer something unique and special to you. Like your memories of your growing up a boy."
He laces his fingers behind his head. "You could decide not to give something up, you know. Not offering anything is really dangerous, though. 'Lessons learned from the gods' kind of stuff."
Max’s tail lashes back and forth behind her. ”Well, I don’t want to forget who I was before this. I feel like that would be fundamentally altering who I am as a person. But maybe I could give up my memories of past relationships? Ones that... that didn’t end so well. Do you think that would be sufficient?”
Wandering aimlessly around the campus and lost in her dark thoughts, Max doesn't immediately realize that Tim is walking next to her until he speaks up.
"Rough fight, huh? If you want me to banish myself, I will. But if you're looking for something to do, I could use a Second for a little ritual I'm working on."
Max looks over at Tim. "Sure, I could use a distraction. What's the ritual entail?"
Max watches helplessly as Statian is whisked away to get medical attention. Feeling guilty and insecure, the demoness wanders aimlessly across campus, avoiding her teammates...
Max's face pales as she sees the extent of Statian's injuries. Though it was indirect, she knows that this is her fault. For all her power and strength, she couldn't protect her friend. Her teammate.
"No! Sam, I'm... I'm so sorry!" she cries, tears welling in her yellow eyes. She steps back, wrapping her arms around herself as she withdraws, shaking slightly. Her stare is distant and she doesn't respond if anybody tries to talk to her.
Max drops the Effigy's head as Andromeda smashes its body like a tin can. She breathes a sigh of relief that the danger has passed, but winces at the destruction caused by the blast. "Oof. This is gonna be an expensive clean-up."
She makes her way over to where Statian has been knocked around and kneels down beside her. "Hey. You okay? It looks like you got the worst of it. Let me give you a hand." She offers the Brain her arm and she tries to pick her up and dust her off.
Max curses as she accidentally hits Andromeda. ”Damn! Sorry!” She whirls back to the Effigy, trying to keep the pressure on it, unaware that her teammate is losing control...
Max had noticed the odd feline changes to Chroknight's costume, but refrained from commenting. She had plenty of her own secrets she hadn't shared yet, after all.
Once the battle with the Effigy began, she circled from a distance to try to sneak up on it from behind. When it begins to blast Andromeda, she dashes in and tries to leap on its back! "I'll keep it distracted!" she snarls, claws poised to rip and tear!
Directly Engage:2d6 + 1 ⇒ (3, 1) + 1 = 5
Well, great first post back! Gaining potential at least, will decide advancement later.
Max sits near Tim. "Alright, that's more than we had to go on before. Maybe we should try to talk to any members of the Alliance who might know more about the weapon. There has to be some way to track it down."
Max moves her hand back down. ”I’ll wait for some privacy, then.
“Not to sound ungrateful, of course. This is a nice power boost here. I’m sure it will come in handy the next time a super villain shows up to cause trouble.”
Max starts to trace her finger over the symbol but pauses and regards Tim with narrowed eyes. ”It falls off and my normal clothes come back, right?” she asks.
"It's pretty sweet," Max says, flicking a claw against the silver breastplate. She flexes, feeling her strength enhanced by the mystical armor. But she gives Tim a dubious look. "This is from your father? What's the catch? There's always a catch..."
Once Indy leaves, Tim turns back to Max with a grin since he noticed that her teammate didn't recognize her. "Keeping the human look on the DL. I can respect that."
Changing subjects, he gestures to the wand. "So before we were interrupted... wait. Do you want more privacy? I could call up a veil if you want. Otherwise, just do your thing to demon-ize yourself. It'll be cooler if I don't tell you any more. Just see what happens."
Max nods to request the veil. Once it's in place, she changes back into her demonic form as she holds the wand out. With a shrug, she wills the wand to activate.
A shockwave of radiant energy bursts from the wand, swirling around her like a cyclone of divine power. Max gasps as her casual clothes dissolve into golden mist. In their place, plates of gleaming armor materialize, fitting her form perfectly. A cuirass molds to her torso, adorned with intricate engravings. Silver greaves clasp around her legs, and pauldrons shaped like unfurling wings rests upon her shoulders. A flowing white chiton drapes beneath the armor, rippling as if caught in an unseen breeze.
Max can feel the intense magical power thrumming through the armor. She looks down at herself in awe before looking back to Tim. "Holy crap," she breathes.
"ARRGH!" Max shouts as her body convulses from the energy. It's too much for even her demonic form to take, and the Star slumps unceremoniously to the floor. As she passes out, her last thought is, This won't be good for my brand...
DD's audience comments alternate between those cheering her on and chiding her for her mistakes. She shakes off the dust from the collapsed masonry, trying her best to swallow her pride and ignore the negative comments (even though some are getting under her skin).
Take Insecure.
She rushes through the convention hall until she sees V'orpl again, this time approaching more carefully before attacking from her flank!
Max shakes off the disorientation that V'orpl caused, returning to her senses. "I hate it when they whammy me!" she groans. Seeing Andromeda giving chase to the alien, DD follows in her wake. She throws herself at V'orpl in an ill-advised attack!
Max smiles indulgently at the bespectacled man. "Thank you, but we're actually looking for somebody. About yay tall, big eyes, white hair, nonhuman. Have you seen somebody like that?"
Max grimaces at the mention of the elder Mathers. "That's all you, buddy. Let me know what you find out." She shrugs. "It wasn't a total waste, I guess. He did mention something about the 'Houde of Geb.' Maybe we can find out more about that, too."
Max whips out her phone, quickly making a post to see if anybody in her audience has reported sightings of somebody matching V’orpl’s description.
Ask the Audience:2d6 + 1 ⇒ (5, 4) + 1 = 10
***
DD and Tim:
Max shudders and sticks close to Tim as they leave the foul place behind. ”Well, that makes the list of things I never want to do again. And we didn’t even learn too much more than we already knew,” she grumbles.
Swallowing against her apprehension, Max squeezes Tim's fingers for strength. "Um, well, there have been rumors and portents of Ahk'nathal's imminent return. I'd like to know exactly what his plans are. His allies and servants, his strengths and weaknesses. Basically, anything we can use to defend this world if and when he arrives."
Max blanches a bit at the sight of the vampires. Her tail lashes behind her in agitation, but she forces herself to maintain calm as she follows Tim through the curtain.
Max stiffens as she follows Tim into the hallway. She fears she’s getting in over her head, so she tries to stay alert as the bloody scent reaches her nose.
Sacrificed social life, will give Tim Influence over me.
Legacy Time Passes:2d6 + 1 ⇒ (1, 1) + 1 = 3
On a miss, something you did stirred up the hornet’s nest—expect several members of your legacy to meddle with your life.
***
DD and Tim:
Max arrives at the bar in casual clothes, as requested. A T-shirt, jeans, and comfortable jacket. She gives Tim an apologetic smile. ”Hey. Sorry I haven’t seen you much since... Well, I was cramming for my test. Didn’t leave much time for socializing. I hope you can forgive me.”
She looks at the entrance to the speakeasy. ”Alright, I’m ready when you are.”
Max sighs. Well, better give the audience what they want. But she can’t fight crime in these borrowed clothes. She makes her way back to her room, where she puts on a mundane version of her red costume. She concentrates and unleashes her demonic essence, transforming into Devil Diva. This time, she’s ready for the intense rush of sensations, and after biting her lip and weathering the sensual storm, she heads out to find some crime to fight!
"Oh! Mmm, right there," Max grunts and gasps as Tim's magic fingers do their work. Realizing that the magician doesn't seem to have anything sinister in mind (at least at the moment), the demoness allows herself to relax and enjoy his touch.
Not sure if this counts as sharing a triumphant celebration. If so, it's not part of the show, so Tim can shift Max's labels and Max would clear Afraid.
Max attempts to get a better read on Tim and his intentions...
Pierce the Mask:2d6 - 2 ⇒ (6, 2) - 2 = 6
...but she's tired, and stressed, and a back rub does sound rather nice right now. She smiles, the light seeming to glow and sparkle even more brightly around her. "Sure, I'll take a massage."
Tim passes the mezcal while chuckling. "Pfft. Demons, devils, fey, things-that-shall-not-be-named, I've dealt with all kinds. None as hot as you, though. Now when you say 'aliens,' you mean the Outer Entities, or just, like, dudes from other planets like Ordnance?"
"Bigger than Ordnance," Max says. Her heart starts to beat faster as she remembers what happened in the museum, and she quickly knocks back a swig of the mezcal, wincing as it burns down her throat. "Ever heard of Akhenaten the Star Pharoah? I've been hearing some rumors that he might be turning his attention to this world again. If you've got any intel on him, I'd certainly appreciate learning what you know. Perhaps we can come to a mutually beneficial exchange. You scratch my back, and..."
She raises an eyebrow and lets Tim's imagination fill in the rest.
"You're an eager one," Max says with a smirk. She glances around the room, taking in its arcane accoutrements. "You seem to be well versed in magic. Are your interests solely focused on things devilish and demonic, or do they expand to broader areas? Alien beings from other worlds, maybe?"
Max lowers her voice and leans closer to Tim. ”So, what’s a demon got to do to get a real drink around here? I’d sell my soul for some tequila if I hadn’t already.” Her breath is warm on his cheek, and her tail idly brushes against his leg.
Max returns Tim's smile, her perfect teeth white and dazzling. "I'd love to get you to know you, too."
Of course, Max already began the process of learning about Tim earlier in the day, cyberstalking his socials...
The gossip mags:2d6 + 2 ⇒ (4, 3) + 2 = 9
Asking: How could I make them vulnerable to me?
She turns to Chroknight and Beebee as they approach. "Oh! Yes, you seem to have grown rather cute tails!" she says with a giggle. Her own tail wags back and forth behind her, seeming to leave a trail of glowing glitter with each movement. "And, uh, you made a crow friend? Hello, CORVIS."
