Wednesday, March 11, 2015

[Heromux] Masquerade Surprise

Summary: The end of the Mask plot. Loki is bad....and getting worse....Ascot Conneticut has stolen the Mask and plans to steal the god's power permanently, unless someone can stop him.
Location: Staten Island
Date: 2015.03.04
Emitter: Kilroy Capital Conneticut
Players: Bruce Banner, Loki Laufeyson, Marc Spector, Zachary Zatara, Eddie Resilver, Jack Hawksmoor, Kilroy Capital Conneticut, Lois Lane
NPCs: Cold Hard Cash
Groups: Magic and Mysticism
Tone: Heroic
Rating: Public


The Conneticut residence is well known as a source of wonder and aggravation in this section of the Island for generations. It was bought on the cheap by an unknown millionaire called Yankee, who bought the place cheap and put hundreds to work expanding and maintaining it but never spent time there. It was neglected during the war, and rented out to various fly by night want to be Gatsby's for two decades until the son spruced it up with all kinds of art and decorum. Then in the late 90's it went silent, suddenly being rented out again and left to fall into rot until Kilroy took it over.
Since it has been very well kept rot.
Until three weeks ago when SOMEONE began hiring local crews to restore everything, not just the lawn. And there was quite a bit to restore but peeks over the hedges show that it is in sparkling condition, but rumors swirl around the place.
For for the first time in decades, New York socialites have been INVITED to the residence. It is a masquerade ball, and the gilded gates have been opened. Somehow, without anyone looking, the residence has become one of the fanciest places in New York, with the party drifting out in warm weather to the hedge maze, the polished ball room, or the dining room. Indeed, all the lower floors have been opened and all manner of New York's richest and most powerful have been invited.
But there is no sign of the host. Everyone is curious if it is the scandalous mutant (or is that mutant sympathizer) Kilroy...or his DEAD father, who has had his name on the invitations hand written and hand delivered by trained actors dressed in 17th century french regalia to the majority of those present.
But there are other reasons there are some here tonight. For a Mask has been stolen, an artifact of great power. Kilroy has notified Loki of the location of the mask tonight, and his attempt to steal it back.
Lois Lane was not magical, regardless of what some might say. She was also not a mutant, nor meta, nor goddess. She was a mundane woman in a world that was anything bit. So of course she was driving a car filled with extraordinary beings. In the front passenger seat, Loki Odinson, exiled prince of Asgard. In the back; Dr. Bruce Banner, a literal Dr. Jekyll, Moon Knight, a man blessed and cursed by a god, and Jack Hawksmoor, a being who chatted with cities. "Ready to crash this party?" She asks with a tight grin, as the rented car heads towards the mansion. She's dressed well for the event, considering that things will probably get very dangerous soon. "What's the plan?"
One very uncomfortable Jack Hawksmoor, in a rented tux and doing his best to manage the optical illusion of shoes. He's going to stand out like a sore thumb. "We're a good way out from the city center, so please try to keep me from having to get into a battle of wills with a god again." He peers towards the mansion. "Also, this is CHC's turf. That gives him...certain advantages too."
Moon Knight has been decidedly anxious ever since the dog figurine appeared and stole the mask.. and right in the midst of a spell that was meant to restore Loki fully, if it had been allowed to complete... instead the result was the mask gone, Loki still powerless.. and Moon Knight still apparently the vessel for a part of the young god's wayward power. It's nothing as strong as it was before.. a blessing on the one hand, because it seems to mean he isn't automatically dyed green and obviously looking out of place.. non-Euclidean as Lois had jokingly remarked. He looks normal now, if fancied up and with a mask so as to better sneak into the party; it may surprise some, but he 'cleans up' with surprising ease. Another of his 'tenants', perhaps. The downside of course is that there is only a fraction of Loki's magic left in any state to defend the vulnerable godling..and according to Kilroy, a ticking clock before that too will be drawn back to the repaired mask, and Loki with it.. so at Lois' question he says, "I was hoping I could follow the divine bond from myself and Loki to the mask.. but this place.." he shakes his head as if he were trying to dispel some sort of fog. "It's so thick with magic, I'm not sure how well I'll be able to."
The penguin suit isn't very comfortable nor is being in the middle of the back seat. Bruce pulls a little at his collar as he listens to the talk of what the plans are while his own is basically not to break things. There is a few beads of sweat on his forehead, "We there yet? I think I need some air." no that has nothing to do with planning other than a personal thing. Plus of course they don't want him going mean and green in the backseat.
Fortunately, Zachary Zatara was already invited to the party, so he's there in the first place, in an antique-looking tux -- red instead of black, this time -- and a particularly fine mask marked with filigree and delicate little details. It's a superb outfit to have in these surroundings, but then it would be since he's also trying to make sure he can put hands on what he needs to, in as quickly as possible.
Jack Hawksmoor tugs the mask he brought...a pretty simple one...out of his pocket. "My senses are fine. I might be able to help...I've had difficulty sensing the mask if nobody's wearing it, but I still might be able to find it." He glances at Moon Knight. "Guess there are advantages to NOT being magic.

"We're almost there. It'd be suspicious if we all go in at once. If our genders were reversed, maybe not..." She tries a grin, under her sparkling mask. "So, who wants to be my date for the evening?" She doesn't want Loki going with her - the godling would be recognized by their target, she fears. She stops the car. "Well, show time, my friends. Let's go kick some butt while sharply dressed!"
Moon Knight 's mouth quirks at Jack from under his own mask, styled to suggest a bird. "Hopefully between us we can manage something. Do you know anything about this Cash person? I have a feeling I ran into him earlier in Times Square.." he snorts a laugh at Lois' remark, but agrees wholeheartedly with the sentiment.
Socialite? Nope. Part of a sneaky scheme to break in and steal a mask? Also nope. Axiom's on a mission of his own. One handed to him by one of those angels at the Infinite Embassy. He didn't get a lot of details but what he did get was enough to have him prepping for a fight. He wasn't invited to the party but that hasn't stopped him from inviting himself. While other are entering the gates and dressed for a party, Axiom's taking the back way in. Over hedges and fences and in a black version of his costume, he's sticking to the shadows and avoiding being noticed as he sneaks towards the mansion proper. It's not the same as sneaking in the city but he's had to adapt to much worse.
Wiping his forehead, Bruce pulls his black from his pocket. The mask is black with green trim along the edges. "I can escort you inside, Miss Lane. If no one else wants too."
"You go ahead, Bruce. I need to be free to move." A pause. "The mask is in the ballroom. There's also some very nasty..." He pulls out a notebook and pen, from a different pocket, and sketches a few things. "Avoid these spots if you can. Booby traps and security stuff. Exotic."
Moon Knight leans to glance across Bruce at the notepad Jack is drawing on. "Electronic?" he queries of the traps, then blinks. "-The- mask? You found it, then?"
Lois Lane chuckles. "I'd love to, Dr. Banner." She exits the parked car, looking over the grounds. She sees a flicker of movement - a familiar figure, but too obscured to recognize. She shrugs. "Alright. Bruce and I will waltz around looking fancy, drawing attention from you guys." she says. She leans against the car casually. "Well, that was simple. Guess that means it's going to be hard to obtain. Nothing's easy as it looks, I've found."
Once the car is parked Bruce reaches across Jack opening the door as a hint. Though as Moon now leans across him to look at the drawing, "Yes we will be fancy and I'll try not to stomp your feet." Climbing over Jack he gets out almost stumbling down as he does so. Putting the mask on he glances at Lois while trying to straighten his tie. "This darn thing."
"It's in a ballroom with several hundred people in it," Jack says as he climbs out of the car. "Guess what they're all wearing." He waves the mask, which is black and white, at them and then pulls it on. He doesn't wait for the others before heading into the party.
Lois Lane clicks her tongue, shaking her head at Bruce. "Here, let me." She straightens his tie with a smile, smoothing out his suit as well. She pulls a comb from her purse, and quckly neatens the scientist's hair. "Much better." With a smile, she readjusts her mask, and offers her arm to Bruce. "I'm ready."
Moon Knight gets out on the other side to avoid the pileup, but frowns. "...Guys, there's not just people in there. There's gods. Almost half a dozen, counting Loki."
Axiom's quick as he crosses the grounds but he slows down as he gets close to the building. Crouching low, he checks for any signs of alarms or security measures. Ideally he's hoping to find a way in undetected. There are supposed to be tons of people inside and he wants to try to do this quietly so there's no panic or danger to them.
There are of course guards on the outside to keep the riffraff out but once inside, they don't seem to be paid to care. That should answer the question of who is throwing this gig, but that is dashed or at least made unclear when the "host", Kilroy Capital Conneticut, is announced as such and a space is cleared in the room as he is announced. No one else has been announced, and he says, "Welcome to my home. Too many years have gone by before we hosted an event. And I thank you for your attendance." He doesn't sound or look thankful, but is diplomatic enough that he is immediately swarmed by folks, socialites, curiosity seekers and a few reporters.
No one has noticed the interlopers/heroes in the slightest.
Jack glances over his shoulder. "Got it." And then he continues into the party. Not bothered by the presence of gods, apparently. Of course, they might be on his side. He's focused, besides, on the mask. A few heads do turn as he comes in - he definitely looks like the guy who won his ticket to this shindig in a raffle.
Once Lois gets him situated, Bruce pulls out something from his pocket. This might be something Stark has given Zach stays very clear of Kilroy, not too comfortable with what he sees. He can hobnob with the best of them, but something feels distinctly off about this...not the least of which is the whole presence of major metaphysical beings thing. So, with untouched champagne flute in hand, he mills about. Maybe his senses can help pick up the mask, since he is at least familiar enough with it from recent contact. him or they worked on together. "Here." he hands each an earpiece, "Just whisper and we can hear each other." before placing one into own ear. He takes Lois' arm, "Let us go then."
A few of the patrons sneer at Jack as he comes in, a lot of the guards look at him sideways, but no one really interferes. This is too unknown a situation for them, and they consider anything to be a potential threat. The mask is not sensed, however.
Zach stays very clear of Kilroy, not too comfortable with what he sees. He can hobnob with the best of them, but something feels distinctly off about this...not the least of which is the whole presence of major metaphysical beings thing. So, with untouched champagne flute in hand, he mills about. Maybe his senses can help pick up the mask, since he is at least familiar enough with it from recent contact.
This is Kilroy's party? Wasn't Kilroy the one who came and warned Loki? Marc had the impression that meant Kilroy wasn't the host, but..perhaps this is his means of making a distraction? He accepts the earbud from Bruce with an impressed nod. "Thanks." he says, tucking it in place. Whatever the case, with Kilroy, he squares his shoulders and puts on a surprisingly charming smile as if he were slipping into a familiar coat, heading into the glittering throng and also making his way to the ballroom. He may not be able to tell where the gods are..but he is Loki's avatar, or at least Moon Knight thinks so. He's hoping he'll know the vessel containing the remainder of Loki's power when he sees it.
Lois Lane smiles and puts the earbud in, a beatific smile her companions might recognize as the one she wore while dealing with a particularly obnoxious interviewee. Not that she dislikes Bruce; it's the fact that she's hiding her nervousness and whatever else she's feeling. With a nod, she leads Bruce into the mansion. "Act casual, and don't get offend. This is the upper crust." She has no idea who - or what- may be milling around, but she's not too afraid. After all, she has a Hulk.
Axiom makes a slight face as he steps over a bear trap. He's careful to go around others, quietly thinking whoever set them up needs a good smack upside the head. He starts to step forward but pauses as he recognizes the signs of some magical defense. It takes a little squinting...literal and metaphorical...but when he figures out where the trap is exactly, he sighs silently and slips on. When he gets close enough to a window, he starts trying to get himself inside.
Jack Hawksmoor murmurs. "Also, there's somebody trying to break in," he adds to the others. Ignoring those sneering at him, he claims a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. Mostly for camouflage. "They're doing a good job so far." That's the very quietest of whispers. But...hundreds of people. All wearing masks. This is not going to be that easy.
A waiter with a tray comes up behind Lois and said, "Orderv? Horse De Vorxes?"
Jack is being ignored until finally a large body guard type looks him up and down and asks, "Who let YOU in here?"
Axiom looks like he can get in easily. Blending might be harder. Most of these costumes are not superheroesque.
Walking in with Lois as she is the belle of the ball, Bruce isn't as used to these things as others but he isn't a total street rat. Hulk..Hunk.. Indeed she has one of the two not that he himself is considered handsome like most.
Marc lets Grant mingle and laugh with the crowd..Grant even recognizes a few people, masks or no. Marc is busy in the meanwhile, thinking... the mask wouldn't be just on anyone. That red dog came and took it... he's sure it was the statuette he took off the lich in Times Square. Well..now he knows what it does. Could it be that's why the lich took it from Kilroy, before Moon Knight ended up delivering the mask anyways? If that lich took it, it wouldn't just be on anyone. He looks around, wondering if it might be on display, perhaps.. barring that, perhaps on the lich himself, so he keeps an eye for anyone with that stiff prideful demeanor, possibly on the skinny side. It's not much, but he's narrowing it down as best he can.
Zach's path takes him on a collision course for Grant's, and he doesn't notice until it's almost too late to correct; fortunately he doesn't spill his drink or bowl over the other man, but he does stop and look at his hand, lifting his mask slightly to show that, yes, this is him.

Unaware of Jack having detected him, Axiom slips into a window. He's not too worried about blending. Once he's sure he's out of sight, he takes something from his belt. A small charm with a pre-arranged spell ready. Just a simple illusion to make him look like some charming young socialite blond meant to be there. He waits for a chance to slip into the party to mingle...and scan about for any more signs of trouble, trap, lich, or mask. Lois Lane raises an eyebrow slightly. There was a commotion, but she knew going to help Jack might blow her cover too soon. So she keeps a loose hold on Bruce's arm, lightly guiding him through a drifting walk around the room. It seems casual, but it allows them to observe as much as they can. "The mask turns invisible when on someone, I remember. Look for someone grinning like a devil."
Jack Hawksmoor turns to the bodyguard. He glances around, then lowers his voice, looking directly at the guy. "Private investigator. Client bought me the ticket. She would *not* appreciate you blowing my cover." The rest of the group will hear Jack's fairly casual lie leavened with a fair bit of truth.
In a room full of Bankers, Lawyers, Politicians, Venture Capitalists and Reporters just to name a few, quite a few are grinning like the devil though none have that particularly DEMONIC grin.
Axiom is able to blend in seamlessly with the charm, and he notices that it is working...well. Very VERY well, the magic strengthened in this area considerably.
Kilroy spots the others and keeps trying to make his way toward them but people keep coming up to him and talking and each time he stops and politely answers them. Every time.
The body guard sneers a little but shrugs and ignores Jack. He's help.
"That can be any guy when a woman walks by." Bruce happens to say in comment. Though he does glance around for anyone grinning like an idiot perhaps like a dog with its tongue hanging out. Walking along with Lois he bumps his knee against something while not paying much attention, "Oww...Sorry." he tells Lois while rubbing his kneeing.
Grant gives Zach a quizzically blank look when the mask is tipped up, though greets him cordially. He starts to offer some small talk-- it's so different Zach could almost wonder if he'd detected the wrong person in the magic saturated environment.. but then the bird masked man grabs Zach by the shoulder and hisses, "We only have until midnight to find the mask." the intensity winks out a moment later, Marc taking control to do another sweep of the nearby crowd. ..Kilroy looks rather stopped up, doesn't he? Strange..
Zach matches small talk with intensely insignificant observations! He's good at that, even if it's kind of a banal skill to have. And then suddenly he's grabbed by the shoulder, and that jostles him out of the 'upper crust glaze' of his eyes. "What, midnight? Who stole it, the Fairy Godmother?"
The waiter trips and nearly drops his tray all over at least five guests but at the last minute grabs it while something drops out of his pocket. In the chaos it is kicked away into the crowd as a gaggle of irate socialites, three of them in their seventies growl and point duck headed canes at Bruce scolding his manners.
"And I only spot one," Jack adds, once the bodyguard has moved on. And now he's trying to make his way through the crowd towards Kilroy, although he doesn't want to shove anyone or do anything uncouth that might attract more attention from security.
Lois Lane pats Bruce on the shoulder. "Take it easy." She levels glares at the old people. "He forgot his cane today, you'll forgive a sickly man, yes?" doing her best post accent. The kicked object gains her attention - what was it? "A moment, my dear?" she tells Bruce, casually walking into the crowd, looking for whatever was dropped...
As Jack and Zach approach Axiom they hear some murmurs, "I say, remarkable, singular gift. I'm impressed..."
"I know, stunning,isn't it? Where does he find the time to learn it all?"
"What will you ask?"
"Likely price of Roxxon tomorrow I think..."
"Ha!"
Marc blinks, distracted, trying to pick up the thread of the disjointed conversation with Jack. "A zombie, actually." he murmurs. "I kind of wonder if he might know." he nods to Kilroy and heads that way too.
"A Fairy Zombiemother. Charming." Zach adjusts his mask a bit and follows just behind Marc. He's casual about all of it, but he certainly doesn't miss the snippets of conversation -- it's another of his uncommon skills, used in a place like this where it's essential to keep abreast of ten different mini-conversations in order to keep oneself afloat socially.
The fact that magic is working so well, even from his simple charm, has Axiom's attention. It's a sign of things being bad. He doesn't really socialize but he gives a few polite smiles and 'excuse me's...disguised voice even having a British accent. He spots some of the others and is a little surprised to see them. He shakes it off though since that's a good thing. Humming quietly, he murmurs a small spell under his breath. One he hopes will lead him towards Cold Hard Cash wherever he is. He's pretty sure the zombie magic guy will be the source of all the trouble for the night.
It wasn't his intention of being a klutz but at least its keeping attention elsewhere. "Many apologies." Bruce tells the men waving canes at him. He coughs out while covering his mouth as she mentions him being sickly, "Yes, darling. I'll just wait here." he watches as she goes into the crowd. Going to lean against a chair it breaks and Banner goes into the floor ungracefully. "This is why I rarely get invited to anything." he says lightly to be heard over the earpieces while laying on his back.
"What's the price of this house?"
"385 billion furnished, 300 without."
"What's the price of a nice Sunday afternoon?"
"To you, $9."
"How much should I put in my kid's college fund?"
"$20,214, excuse me I-"
"What's the price of bonds in Argentina right now?"
"$595 on the 20 year yield, but I-"
The women are still chirping angrily at Bruce but the others have left him off.
Lois Lane pretends to trip, as she finds the dropped object. "Oh, I'm alright." She swiftly stuffs the small statuette in her purse, under the commotion of people helping her up. "I'm just as bad a klutz as my beloved over there." She winces as she hears a chair breaking. She owed Bruce a nice dinner for all he's going through, She stands up, brushing off her dress. "Thank you, all over you." She sits down, looking faint. It's an act. "Found the red dog. It was being carried by a waiter, but Bruce bumped him and made him drop it." she whispers. "How about the cost of this bottle of champagne, Kilroy," Jack says by way of greeting as he approaches. He's wearing a mask, but that probably won't stop the money god from recognizing him. The question is...what does Kilroy know about what's going on?
Marc frowns. Money..? All questions about money? He doesn't know exactly what's going on, or about Kilroy, frankly, but he knows something about curses. He slips close to Kilroy shortly after Jack, not saying anything for the moment..
Kilroy says, "That's nothing because it was given as a gift by a terrorist cell leader to my father, in fact I'd pay you to take it and you all need to le-"
"What's the price of the moon?" Asks a patron
"For you, priceless."
"What do I need to do to get better?" Asks another
"Go see the doctor and follow his advice....""
Getting up Bruce begins to fix himself before moving to where Lois is sitting. "So sorry, darling. Seems this isn't my night." he says pretending to check her over, "You are alright?" grabbing a glass of something as a waiter passes by he offers it to her, "Have a drink and relax."
Marc asks Kilroy, as if just offering a light joke, "How many dollar bills would I have to lay end to end to reach what I'm looking for?"
Kilroy says, "51 end to end"
"What kind of dog should I get?"
Kilroy finally gets an edge in and looks at Jack and Mark, Ackbar like, "It's a trap!"
And the lights go out.
"Lois, pull the..." Jack's too late, though. The lights go out, and for a moment, his right eye glitters red. It's dark, but he's got senses other than vision. And nobody can see him. He kicks off the fake shoes, dropping into a slight crouch there in the middle as he reaches out to establish the lay of the land, as it were, that way.
Zach was about to ask his own facetious question when the lights go out and they're alerted that it's a trap. "Well I *guessed* that much." I mean, really? A masquerade ball? Who was actually going to come to something like that and *not* think something fishy's going on? At least his initial suspicions have been proved correct, though he is left to wonder if those mega-powerful deity figures are going to show off in the darkness. Most of them don't like dark; it prevents them from being as obviously important. Not that he'd *say* that out loud.
Lois Lane takes the glass, gratefully. She's about to take a sip when the lights go out. Wonderful. She takes Bruce's hand, grateful that they're both sitting. "Stay close to me." It's a quiet request. She wasn't about to try and find her way in the dark. "Stay calm."
Moon Knight was about to take Kilroy by the arm with a laugh, keeping up the facade of a party trick when he blurts his warning and the lights go out. He hisses to Kilroy, "What happened?"
You say, "When they ask the price of something I am compelled to answer...it's the nature of the gift....Somehow father found out about it...."
You say, "He's...here...somewhere..."
Jack Hawksmoor is still in that crouch nearby. "Stick near me. I don't need light as much as most. And I suspect your daddy dearest has the mask, too. Okay. What can he do? The basics?" What can the guy do WITHOUT the mask, he means. His voice is very low.
Axiom had been thinking of knocking the lights out himself...at least briefly...when they went out. He tensed, hands flexing a little. Darkness makes stealth easier so he starts moving. Used to moving in the dark, his eyes adapt easily enough and he heads for a little spot out of the way. Taking a deep breath, he tries again to seek out the source of the sudden darkness. He knows one way that should be a more effective method of searching but he's trying to hold out on using it due to it being more flashy than quiet bit of tracking magic. Moon Knight curses under his breath. He can't see.. he should be able to see in the dark..he keeps hold of Kilroy and reaches for Jack's voice, "Maybe we can use that ability. How many dollar bills away is the mask now?" he asks under his breath, starting a blind game of hot-and-cold with the alarmed crowd. "Jack, you can see?" Kilroy says, “He's a lich, and he's siphoned off my power which means he has all my old powers, he's undead, and he knows a lot about magic, and he's had 40 years to prep this place with god knows what so he likely has all kinds of magical objects. With the mask...Gods I can only imagine.”
"Are you sentimentally attached to this place?" Jack inquires, in a very casual tone. "And see, not exactly...it's not quite the same as vision."
"So...zombies," Zach quietly mentions, staying close to Moon Knight and Kilroy. "Should I produce some sort of holy symbol? Holy light? Holy *water*? I could probably manage something like that. Though it doesn't work with every zombie. Maybe um...maybe I could just make some will-o-the-wisps to distract?"
Lois Lane can do nothing but wait in the dark, as voices call out. She's keenly away of how useless she is right now. She kicks off her shoes, tucking them under the chair, all my feel. She keeps her hand on Bruce's to try and keep him calm. She didn't need a rage monster right now. "Guys, I;m sitting with Bruce. What should I do with the statue?"
You say, "Not...really. My grandfather used it to give people jobs and then it was just a tax asset. Asc-Father liked it a lot. And he's a shade, a Greek version so holy light and water should do some, but it depends on the context."
The murmur in the crowd has begun to build...people are approaching panic....there is also an unearthly silence. Why hasn't he made his move?
"Holy power?" Moon Knight echoes. "I burned him before...Khonshu did. The lich ran away in the end. How many bills away is the mask now?
You say, "Wait, you have the statue?" He 'looks' at Lois, "Call the mask! NOW!'
"Holy power can-""
The lights going out isn't something he was expecting but then again he was almost expecting some odd Stark entrance. Bruce gives the had of Lois a squeeze as he attempts taking her advice of staying calm. No the Hulk doesn't need to come out and play in the dark. Suddenly there is a crash nearby and Bruce's pants is wet in the wrong places, "Man.. Someone spilled something on me." not that he can see who or what it is exactly.
"Lois. Call the mask," Jack repeats, in case she didn't hear Kilroy. "Get it to the kid." Then, to Kilroy, "Alright. Nice to know my options are open."
Zach flicks his wrist. "Yloh gnitaolf ssorc spmal." And probably in one of the evenings more ill-advised acts, some holy floating crosses appear, and they're luminous, like lamps. It's one of the most surreal things that the partygoers have probably ever seen, but...there it is.
There is a voice in the dark. Axiom can see it. So can Kilroy (sense), Zach can now see, Moonknight is drawn like a moth to flame, and Loki can sense it quite well.
The waiter puts the mask on, alas too late, for there is a green cloud and lightning that surrounds him as dollar signs appear in his eyes, and the thick green skinned THING of a humanoid ...
Moon knight is closest, with a nod or head shake from Moon Knight ashe had asked the hot and cold questions....but it does him little good as he gets four Rai stones appear out of nowhere surrounding him in a stone cage...for the moment.
"Well heroes, I'm sure this is the moment where you all get righteous on me, and try to attack, but before you do, know that I've poisoned about half the people here...and the antidote is very specific, found only in a south side hospital approximately four miles away. They have enough for everyone here, but since none of you are speedsters or teleporters, I'd focus on that....
"A prismatic sphere opens up around him, "While I dine on the rest of your little God friend...oh and Kilroy? Some friends are here for you..."
AT this point not people or henchmen but...MICE...rather...mice spirits pour out of the walls and begin chittering at a million miles a second, likely illegible to everyone here, but not to Kilroy...and...after trying to resist...he doesn't do anything but...'chitter'...back...again and again and again."
"But by all means, let's rumble and tumble and let the good VIP's of the city die shall we?"
Jack Hawksmoor steps over to Zach, holding out the glass of champagne he took earlier. "This. To that hospital. So they can find the antidote." None of them are teleporters? The lich is an idiot...Jack can teleport, but he's slower and his method tends to mess up complex chemicals that aren't Jack. Would probably scramble the poison. If the glass is poisoned. He's gambling that it is.
Moon Knight can't see well, but he can tell four slabs of stone just walled him in even before the glow starts up. He hears Jack and Zach, close as they are, reassured about the poison even as Moon Knight fights to the surface, desperate to get the mask to Loki.. but that's not the best way to do it. Before Moon Knight can take over Marc calls into the mic, "Lois, call the mask! That statue will make it come to you!" along with everyone else urging her.
Lois Lane could almost roll her eyes at the villain's speech. It was pretty familiar to her, sadly. You all die now, yadda yadda. The glass in her hand feels cold.... Wait. Poison...? Oh no. The glass falls from her hand, shattering on the floor. Her chest hurt. "Always happens to me, doesn't it?" she grumbles. "You better beat that god up, fast..." She coughs. "I'm gonna stay here..." She takes a breath, and clutches the statue in her hands so hard her fingers ache. She's worn the mask before, remembers how it felt - hopefully it's enough to call it to her.
Zach looks like something out of Castlevania now, thanks to his cross lamps idea, but the rest of the whole introduction puts him off. Not teleporters, eh! "Hmm. Well." He would've done something really impressive, but Jack comes to him before then and he has to smirk a little bit. That's not so bad. "All right." He has one flute of champagne in one hand, one he's given by Jack, so surely between the two there's some poison that he could get an antidote from the hospital with. The others can take care of this...it's just a lich, and anyway he hates zombies especially. "Nftt," the magician intones, and he vanishes in a shower of purplish sparkles. Take that, mister 'none of you are teleporters'!
"What is this the second coming?" Bruce can be heard asking as crosses appear illuminating around. If any light on him is visible he can be seen rubbing at his pants with a handkerchief trying to dry off the wet spot. Now there is a voice that draws his attention and listening he sighs deeply. Hearing that people have been poisoned his eyes widen recalling he gave Lois a drink, "Really? Can this night get any better?" he questions with a growl his anxiety starting to rise a little. Hearing the smash of the glass he reaches a hand out to pat Lois gently on the back and shoulders. "I got to get her to the hospital. This isn't like a snake bite. I can't suck the poison out of her." he then reaches for the statue, "Here let me do it."
Glowing crosses are a momentary distraction for Axiom but the moment he sees his target, he's on the move. He starts out just walking, dodging and ducking around people as he heads for that masked lich. He wanted to do this quietly and without risk bit since the enemy has taken ths stage, he's moving on to plan B. As much as he doesn't like big flash things or the idea of a fight with so many people in the area, he knows how one aspect of his powers works and the people can be an advantage. Once he's close enough, Axiom darts forward. The illusion charm is cast aside in a dramatic fashion he'll be embarrassed by later but it serves its purpose. There's a flash of light as the illusion breaks, taking the black coloring from his costume as well. He's already starting to glow with faith power, walking faster as he seeks to get the Lich's attention. His power's good for hurting evil, undead things. "Or how about we stop you, save the people, and put you back where you belong. That sounds like a better plan to me," he speaks up loudly.
The lich spots something he doesn't like but hasn't give up yet.
There are actually MULTIPLE things he doesn't like and everyone present including Kilroy has a Rai stone sent in them, a single ton object trying to crush them....Yes, all at once.
Kilroy, distracted by the mice is helpless, though fortunately for him Veolus throws up a reactive Rai stone of his own, canceling it. He tries to stop the others but only kind of deflects them. Veolus is not ...as smart as Kilroy.
The lich can't really use his other magics effectively here though he does make some of the crowd get in the way of Axiom as he charges quite effectively, but Axiom's mere PRESENCE bypasses the prismatic sphere and causes his robes to flame slightly....the flames are doused with unholy water created by magic, but its still a distraction. He begins to chant...
Zach and Axiom would both recognize the simple spell of transfer, its a powerful brutal spell and it will mean taking the power from Loki permanently. It will take about five minutes to complete and apparently he lied about Midnight.
"Shield Lois!" That's aimed at Bruce. And yes, he knows exactly what Bruce will have to do to protect the woman. He did ask Kilroy if he particularly cared about this place. Giving the warning slows Jack's dodge, the stone hits him pretty hard, knocking the citywalker to the ground, although based off of what's been seen of his strength, he won't be down for long. He's got other plans, though. The stones, not part of the city. The house? Part of the city. The floor under the lich's feet...ripples, like waves across the ocean. NOT conducive to concentrating on magic, that.
The dog was kind of..stunned from being kicked around on the floor so much, but it blinks, wakes up and barks. In a red flesh it runs through the prismatic sphere like it wasn't even THERE, grabs the mask right off of Ascot's face and PULLS it off with its teeth, then it rushes back and plants it right on Lois's face.
The mask...is not meant to be pulled off this way....combined with the roiling of the earth beneath his feet and Ascot is PISSED!
The ritual is ruined....
"What was that phrase you used to use Kilroy....in your dnd game? Oh yeah....Rocks fall....EVERYONE DIES!"
He reaches his hand heavenward....
Moon Knight takes over completely as the new stone appears overhead, crashing down onto the four already pinning him in. It's a pretty claustrophobic situation, but Moon Knight doesn't hesitate. He crouches down to see in the dim light through the hole in the middle of one of the stones, pulling his truncheon out of his jacket. He fires the grapple right at the lich, imbuing it with as much energy from Loki as he is able to. He stands then, bracing a foot on the stone to yank hard if it catches the Lich, adding another degree of distraction to Jack's as the lich starts to cast something that sounds very bad indeed.
As soon as the mask is on her face, Lois feels the rush of energy, just as she did before. But there's no urging to steal Thor's underpants this time. "Good dog." she pats the statue/creature affectionately. "Guess who just got a mask?" Of course, there's that stone coin dropping on her. That's a problem. Instinct takes over. She knew what she wanted - a chance to be the hero for once. The mask's energy swirls, deflecting the stone coins from her and Bruce, who's still near her. "Hey Ascot? I'm attacking the darkness!" She *pushes* with magic, and a surge ripples, launching the coins at Ascot. Of course, it's not a precise throw...
It may not be a precise throw, but then there's Zachary Zatara to help it out. "Senots hsurc ym eof!!" He adds to the energy and intent of Lois, to ideally direct the strange and dangerous stones back at the sinister villain. Maybe he's helped a little with that, though with the mask he's fairly sure the plucky reporter will have enough to at least direct the ones nearest to her. He has the hospital working on an antidote though! So that's definitely a heroic measure. Maybe he'll get a nice write-up.
A deep growl begins to emit when Lois seems to be transformed by the mask. Even though she knocks the coins away Bruce can no longer tame the beast inside of him. With a loud raging roar he transforms into Hulk punching another coin as it comes towards them causing it to break before catching another twirling it around to throw it at the glowing sphere. Fear the Hulk! Feeling a cane whacking him in glances at one of the old ladies from earlier taking the cane he cracks it in half but before he can do much else a coin comes towards them and he saves the old woman by knocking it away.
Axiom smiles as the mask goes flying. But then Ascot is calling out internet things and Axiom tenses. Eyes scan the room quickly and a plan comes together in his mind. "Zatara! Head's up!" he calls out as a warning. The blue glow around Axiom flares brighter as he applies a boost to the magic user. Even as he increases Zatara's power, Axiom's copying it. Another flash of light emits from Axiom and his costume can be seen becoming a blue and white version of Zach's suit. His eyes settle on Kilroy and his spectral pests and he calls out a spell loudly. "Tsohg ecim kcab ot rieht gnitser secalp!" he's trying to banish the squeaky, chittering spirits.
And just like that POOF POOF POOF POOF the spirits of the red (not exactly ghosts but the magic doesn't care) are gone....Kilroy IMMEDIATELY starts creating counter Rai stones to stop some and destroys many others, but his father has stolen power and is boosted, so the amount dropping continues....but its been significantly slowed.
And then the tide is turned by not one, but TWO streams of rocks at his face.
Now, for those who don't know, Prismatic Sphere is a pretty nasty spell and rocks wouldn't work to good against it....except...WELL, when you're trying to steal Loki's POWER then power has to be let through, just like the power from the rocks right ot the face.
Now, as an undead, he's pretty touch but not tough enough to keep the spell up one he's hit in the face with twelve ton of rock.
But he has many contingencies and another sphere is just about to come up with Zach's spell slams through.
Continengices and stone skin...ruined...
No problem....He is about to unleash the Frost of the Underworld on them, a little gift from Hades, when Moon Knight slams through the rocks (though...hehas to climb a bit) and grapples Ascot in a death grip, chocking him solidly...Ascot begins to shimmer and ripple...And then he crumbles, out. But too drained even to phase into the floor.
The old woman looks at him and says to the Hulk, "Thank you young man, you're much nicer than that lout who spilled his drink on me." Glasses. McGoo level.
"Oh, good. I didn't have to drop the roof on him. Now, let's get Loki his power back and the people who need it the antidote?" Of course, slight problem. That tux isn't in great condition any more. And it's a rental...Jack's going to be in a certain amount of trouble. He turns toward Axiom. "Good timing." Oddly, he's not remotely surprised the other hero showed up. Well, he did say somebody was breaking in.
Moon Knight chokes Ascot with the grapple beam and all the divine energy he can muster until the lich crumbles to dust on the floor. He gives a sigh, scanning the room.. but even with the stones all over and Axiom appearing in a bright imitation of Zach, he ends up focused soundly on Lois.. She has the mask, and it's overwhelmingly his priority right now. Especially when it's next to the Hulk, who broke it before, and could possibly break it worse if he tried. "Zatara," he calls, gesturing to Lois. "We need to finish what we began before." no quips or breath catching.. he makes his way over to Lois, standing between her and the Hulk....just in case.
Well that was entertaining, certainly. The bemasked Lois looks, and feels, pretty confident. She still has a hold of the red dog statue, for some reason. "Now that's that, um... now what? The mask's power is keeping the poison from hurting me, but we need to be fast." She shakes her head, trying to think straight with the surge of energy through her. "Guys... I'm having trouble staying sane here." She takes a breath, then another. "Please hurry."
"It's all right." Zach has taken the time to move to Lois's side, but he's still attentive enough to his surroundings to make sure he's not going to be taken by surprise by some new, unlikely threat. "We're going to need to get to the hospital, but we should still have enough time. By the time we get there, they'll have enough antidote to administer to everyone, just in case." Which is far more than Zach could've just carried back by himself, especially since he rightly guessed there was a threat pressing.
A large hand reaches out patting the old woman on the head. Hulk turns back towards Lois as Moon steps in front of him. "HULK SMASH MASK! MOVE!" he grabs Moon by the throat lifting him upwards while roaring in his face.
Marc is murmuring quietly, "After we take care of the poison; people's lives are at stake, and there's some time.." he doesn't add aloud that he's still nervous about what will happen when they lose their connection with Loki.. and of the gods he detected when he arrived, one of them was blatantly familiar; Khonshu. He has no idea what would bring Khonshu to earth, but this isn't the sort of situation he's in a hurry to find out in.. though then he's being held up by the neck by the Hulk?! Moon Knight is darkly satisfied, if anything; the Hulk is planning just what he feared and he managed to get in the way of it. Now if only he could -talk- to explain.. breathing would be nice too.
Bit by bit, the house slowly responds as Jack systematically removes any traps. He can't get ALL of them, since some are too weird even for his senses, but he does get a LOT if not almost all of them.
Meanwhile, the police show up, and much to everyone's surprise, Ascot does NOT manage to get back to Hades and is taken to the Raft. It appears Cold Hard Cash has reached Super Villain Status.
Lois Lane turns to Hulk; she couldn't miss that yelling. She grips her head. "Hulk, I'm.. okay. Let him go." It was so hard for her to concentrate. "We have to... help Loki, right?" She shakes her head, "I can't get the mask off. I could before, but now I think it's stuck."
"It's all right. We'll handle it, as he says, *after* we get everyone antidoted. Or whatever y--" Zach's brow flattens immediately as he hears the backwards-speak. His eyes narrow a bit. "What..." But these questions will have to wait until later for their answers. Now is hospital time.
The grip isn't all that tight other than just holding him by the neck. Hulk can hear Lois trying to calm him but he tosses Moon away towards some of the tables. He could try ripping the mask off or breaking it but instead he attempts to pick Lois up over his shoulder and run towards the exit. "Lois need help. Hulk get Lois doctor." he says.
Axiom frowns as he walks towards Lois. "I can help," he says, flashing a quick sheepish smile Zach's way. He reaches into his pocket to take something out. But then Hulk is throwing Moon Knight and running away with Lois and Axiom squeaks as his plan fails. Still a Moon Knight to worry about though. "ElbaT ot gabria!"
The lives of the socialites were saved. Reputation on the party was mixed. Horrific, but interesting. Many would return if another thing was had....But only if Kilroy through it.
No one wanted a Dead Man's Party.

Sunday, March 1, 2015

[Heromux] Want Some Candy?

Summary: Bacon and Siricco take on a witch.
Location: Danny the Street
Date: 2015.02.25
Emitter: N/A
Players: James Cunning, Zahra Shamoun
NPCs: Mandy the Witch
Groups:
Tone: Gritty, Weird
Rating: Public

James has tracked an evil witch here, not of the green skinned melty variety, but of the eating kids for spells variety sure enough. But while he is not a full blown mage, he can sense power and looks around at the poeple and places. He is...curious...and cautious at the same time. He looks at one of the signs that bids him welcome.
Innocuously, he waves back but is non plussed.
This is one odd place. And it's not always in the *same* place. Zahra Shamoun has learned to...well at least to try to...roll with these things in a way Zaid Shamoun never could have. Skirts flowing around her ankles, she walks along the street...and quite possibly the femininity of her carriage and dress is appreciated by the cross dressing road.
James gets out a small little stick that is detecting magic, and its all over the place here, but not the right kind. He keeps walking, spots the door to the Oblivion bar, and shakes his head. She's near, but not. He spots Zahra and looks her up and down. Nope. Not her either, but he politely waves, "Oh, er...hi."
Zahra Shamoun is not a witch. That's one thing she isn't. But she does resonate with magic, of a sort. When she's greeted, she turns slightly, hair shifting as dark eyes rest on James...and his magic detection wand. "Hello," she greets in a voice that doesn't quite match her appearance. She looks Egyptian or Arab. She sounds like a California girl.
Bacon says, "My name," he considers for a moment of his many identities, and finally picks on, "Is James Picklywicket. I'm a studier of the supernatural. I'm looking for someone. Do you live around here?" He is about to ask if she has seen anything unusual and spots a man walk into a nearby wall and out again. He skips that part."
Zahra Shamoun shakes her head. "Live, no, but I find this place rather...fascinating." She then offers her own name, "Zahra Shamoun. And who are you looking for?" She glances at the man who just walked into the wall and then back out again, then shrugs. She's definitely getting used to weirdness.
"Mandy Lysenko. She's...well, rumor has it she has done some bad things to kids, but I wanted to see if my paranormadetectorator would work. I'm thinking of doing my thesis on it. Nice to mee tyou Zahra. That's a neat last name. Is it arabic?"
"It's Egyptian," she says, simply. "And I'm afraid I don't know that name." Paranormadetectorator? She peers at the stick, assuming it hasn't vanished into a pocket or something.
He nods, "It detects magic its attunded to." It glows a bit pink near a candy shop. "No way." He grins, "How cliche is that?" He looks at her like he just found gold.
Zahra Shamoun glances at the candy store. "Remind me not to buy anything from there. It's probably run by the Weasleys." A reference James might or might not get. Then she turns back to Picklywicket...who also sounds like he might be from the Potterverse. "It does seem to be working, though."
James totally gets it. "I totally got that." He might...or might not...have made this fake ID based on that book. He cautiously opens the door to the candy shop. And...it's a candy shop. Full of candy and children buying it with their parents. "Uh...." he seems shocked for some reason.
Zahra Shamoun considers, then follows him into the store, glancing around. "This doesn't quite fit the location, does it." Most of the stores off of Danny's are for men. Not kids. And she's not sure she saw any of those kids out on the street.
James....suddenly reaches into his jacket and pulls out a 44 magnum. "OK Kids, time to run out of the store in terror."
The look at him disbelievingly then he shoots the ceiling, "Seriously. Run."
Having no idea why he did that...but suspecting him of sensing something she didn't...Zahra moves neatly to the side so she doesn't get trampled by fleeing children (or, worse, parents) and studies the place intently.
The gun fire is enough to make all the kiddies get out of the place. He mutters to himself, "Too much like how Vicki would..." and then looks at the woman behind the counter, who appears in her thirties. "Alright lady. Come clean. Stop messing with the kids."
Tilting her head slightly, Zahra turns to regard the woman. Is this the witch he's looking for? She has no way of knowing, so she just shifts her stance and waits to see what might happen.
The witch just looks harmless,"What....please don't hurt me. Take the money in the register." James reaches into his jacket and pu...wrong ID, pulls out another ID and says, "James Smallberries. Agent of SHIELD. You're under arrest lady, hands on the counter." She is doing no such thing, reaching for a jar of gummis.
Zahra Shamoun doesn't move from that ready position. The guy's clearly not actually SHIELD, she doesn't buy that for a moment. She's actually not sure who she should be protecting from whom just yet.
Mandy laughs, its a high pitched cackly laugh, "You have got to be joking? YOU? In shield? What ARE you? A hunter?" She throws a worm at Jacob which is suddenly a worm the size of a python and wraps around his arm. He takes out a knife and stabs at it....it hurts the worm but doesn't stop it. Which is the point at which the very harmless-looking Egyptian woman...doesn't move an inch. But her eyes move to fix on the witch. That just answered her question for her, and then the shop becomes full of controlled wind. It's pushing towards the witch, to push her back. Several jars of candy fall to smash on the ground.
As the candy falls to the ground, giant spiders, roaches and other disgusting things appear and begin to scurry about the place, running away as fast as they can.
The witch howls, "Oh you'll pay for that dearie! May you only speak in Iambic Pentameter for a day and a night and a da-" and she grks as Jacob takes the knife outta the worm and tosses it into her throat.
What Zahra meant to say was probably something like "Was that really necessary?" What comes out was "Was her dying truly needed? What vile deeds has she committed?" Apparently...the curse worked. Poor Zahra.

Bacon says, "Wha? Oh, lady this witch has killed at least three kids I know of, likely more but she aint dead...yet." He takes the silver bullets and loads them into his gun, "But she will be ...." He begins to take aim while the witch pulls the knife from her throat. She sure LOOKS harmless right now."
"Think you not the law can hold her?" Zahra says. A genuine question. As for the witch being harmless...the wind is currently pulled tightly around Zahra, causing her skirt and hair to flow around her. She's ready to do what she needs to do.
Bacon says, "Well...uh..." the law...holding the witch. Normally, not, but maybe in New York. "Maybe. But...we'd have to lock her down, and...what if she escapes?" He's kind of enjoying the skirt flowing and his resolve to waste the witch is temporarily somewhat reduced. "We could gag her I guess...." The witch points a finger and looks like she's about to start another curse."
It's...hard to speak when there's a wind blowing right in your face. Like there suddenly is. "The NYPD has to have a team for dealing with magic stuff, as much of it as there is around."
It's...hard to speak when there's a wind blowing right in your face. Like there suddenly is. "With all the magic in this town, the cops must have their dealings down."
The witch mutters some curse and suddenly begins to do the jig.
Jacob laughs, "Well I'll be damned." He doesn't normally carry NON lethal methods of subduing his foes...so he just punches Mandy in the face. A lot. She folds.
"We need to get that hex off you but I can't be here when the cops arrest the b...witch. Meet me somewhere in two hours?"
Zahra Shamoun laughs. "Did I just turn back on the witch, the curse that sought to make you twitch?" Yes, she'd LOVE to get rid of this curse. Rather than speaking again, she nods to him.
gives a thumbs up and then calls the police. "Hello police? Hi, my name is Harry Dresden, and I've made a citizen's arrest at 555 Danny The Street Lane. I'm waiting. Bye!" HE then leaves.
James Cunning gives a thumbs up and then calls the police. "Hello police? Hi, my name is Harry Dresden, and I've made a citizen's arrest at 555 Danny The Street Lane. I'm waiting. Bye!" HE then leaves.
James Cunning meets up with Zahra and uses a fairly complicated spell that involves drinking something very nasty tasting when they meet at the cafe later.
Bacon says, "Well? Did it work?"
"It...seems to have." As nasty as the potion was, the curse was more annoying, and given the witch got cut off before saying the duration. "Thanks." Now she'll have to drink something nice tasting to deal with it, but...
James Cunning hands you a flask of silver, "Or I could order you a soda, but I prefer this stuff..." he shrugs. "That wind stuff was handy. Shut Mandy up but good.
"You're corrupting a minor," she quips, knowing what's likely in the flask. She drinks from it nonetheless. "It's...it's what I do. Keep it quiet, though. I don't want to be descended on by paparazzi looking for the latest superhero."

Bacon says, "Hey, I'm wanted for the cops. We did kill the voodoo guy. Most of what we kill isn't human but sometimes humans are rotten enough we have to. I am a hunter, like the witch said." He takes a swig from the flask himself."
"I'd rather avoid killing, and as for things not being human...is that a reason?" She does seem to be considering it, though. Assessing the morality of what he's saying.
Bacon says, "well I mean..." he puts his hand behind his head, "not like...not human human I mean like eats people monster type of not human. I don't kill aliens or mutants or stuff. Monsters. That eat people.""
"I suppose it depends on how intelligent the monster is. And I can see that sometimes in the heat of the fight, you might not have the choice." She gets it. She just isn't entirely sure she wants it.
Bacon says, "Most of what we put down are curses...transferable curses like vampirism that can hurt a lot of people. But yes, choice is rare. The witch still...maybe...had enough in her." He shrugs."
"The curse she cast on me was annoying. She could have really hurt us with magic, right?" Zahra's got a point. "So...hunter." Her lips quirk into half a smile. "Just as long as you only hunt the bad guys."
Bacon says, "THAT I can promise you no matter what certain people who insist on REPEATEDLY attempting to get me arrested might say otherwise." He smilesback, "Yeah, she was dangerous. One of the worse I've faced actually.""
Zahra Shamoun nods. "So, why didn't she do worse to me?" It's a serious question. Maybe, Zahra thinks, some vestige of humanity. Or, of course, the witch was just playing with her food.

Bacon says, "The thing is...monsters....the ones that look human, are sometimes specialized...she does kids stuff, right? So normally if going after a person she'd just claw you to death and eat you or use an axe....the spells are...weird for her kind. It's not like she's Doctor Strange or something."
Zahra Shamoun nods. "But instead, she was casting...childish curses. Silly stuff."
Bacon says, "That's my guess and what the book said. But I've had to teach a lot of this stuff to myself." Zahra Shamoun nods. "Don't look at me. I know how to blow things...and sometimes people...away, and I know Egyptology, but I don't know a lot of occult stuff." Maybe she should fix that, now.
Bacon says, "Egyptology? Neat. We've killed...some...stuff...from there. I might be able to lend you a few books or teach you some stuff. I'm not an expert but I know a few things."
Zahra Shamoun brushes back her hair. "Be careful and don't piss off any gods," she warns, a bit of amusement in her tone now.
Bacon says, "I've heard of some other guys who have, but not me personally yet." He grins and hands you a cell number, "Call me some time, I'll bring some books"

[Heromux] Moon Knight Finds a Mask

Summary: Moonknight finds a mask.
Location: Staten Island
Date: 2015.02.25
Emitter: Kilroy Capital Conneticut
Players: Marc Spector
NPCs: Dairy Queen Guy, A small boy, and an alligator. Oh and Loki_Laufeyson
Groups:
Tone: Comedic
Rating: Public


Edgar P. Bloomthwait took the mask off and looked around. He was a giant green Gorilla swinging from nearby trees. He looked at it with horror. What...WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT THING? The sun had only just set, but Edgar had put it on at the most convenient time, dropping it at the Dairy Queen at the corner of Snip and Spin Streets, where it lay there, harmless looking.
It's hours later, nearing dawn when an old cab with a dent in the front pulls up to the Dairy Queen, to pick up a fare. They're a little early and no one's coming over, and the cabbie things to snag a quick blizzard since there's a minute. He does glance in the alleys though, to verify the fare isn't hiding.. and spots the strange mask in the street. The cabbie immediately frowns fiercely, something striking a chord.. what is that?
The mask sits there, shimmering greenly. Though as the Cabbie spots it, the guy in the dairy queen does to, as does a small passing boy with a propeller beany and an alligator that is coming out of the sewer.
Wait a sec...what?
Yes, that's right. An alligator is coming out of the sewer. It's about two feet long and looks annoyed.
The cabbie..does indeed do a double take, looking from the other suddenly transfixed bystanders to..an alligator?? with a sudden chill. He scoots one food back towards the cab, but then commands himself, "Stop. This isn't your field anymore.." and without further ado he tucks his wool cap in the pocket of his jacket and dives for the mask, a crescent shaped blade in his hand when it reappears from his jacket, since that alligator especially looks like trouble. He no longer seems the least bit disturbed by the oddities, and snaps at the little boy, "Back off!@"
The little boy backs off but remains very nearby, ready to grab that mask if he can. He looks well put off by the fact that Moon Night is here to stop him. This is his destiny!
The man in the dairy queen is also slowly creeping up. The mask fascinates him and he wants it. He WANTS it, his precious.
The alligator doesn't really seem to say much of anything but just keeps waddling slowly toward the mask. Maybe the streetlight is catching its eye?
Moon Knight, for that is who he is, even if he's dressed as a slightly tatty cabby, dives at the mask, grabbing for it with the hand not brandishing that crescent blade against anyone who might interfere. He blurts, "But -why- is there an alligator?" but meets this with a perfunctory, "Later!"
Green Mask has now been added to your inventory.
The Alligator keeps going forward and passes the mask it would have surely put its face in had not someone swiped it.
Beany Billy moves to one side and has his eye on the sword.....
Dairy Queen Dude is more aware of his mortality and stays farther away.
Moon Knight gets his back to the alley wall so he can more or less face both the alligator and the boy-- it's almost comical how he seems to regard them as equal threats. Since it's the boy who's between him and the cab he edges in that direction...
He is able to get back to the cab, albeit with great difficulty. The kid seems like he's always a step away from taking it, a hungry and unnatural look in his eyes.
Moon Knight actually raises his hand to attack the kid at one point, sharp blade and all-- but grunts, muscles briefly locking up. The kid might actually get his fingers on the mask before Moon Knight twists away and swings himself into the cab and slams the door.
Billy the Beany Kid yelps with pain. At this point, Dairy Queen guy takes out an ice cream cake and hurls it at the cab. "Asshole!"
The Alligator, meanwhile, enters a nearby laundromat and screams come from inside.
Moon Knight prepares to drive off-- he expects the cake to just be a gooey splat on the windshield-- but this is an ice-cream cake. He curses as it ends up shattering his passenger side window instead. He gets the car started but mutters, "You can't just leave that alligator on the loose, Those people need protection!" he hesitates, but as soon as any of them start running out of the laundromat he makes a disgruntled sound, driving only far enough to be right next to the nearby laundromat. He jumps out, the mask now in an inner pocket of his jacket, and wades in to see what the alligator is up to.
The guy grabs another cake and is trailing Moon Knight. Hungry Billy is not far away, both eying that pocket.
It's ridiculous. They are definitely acting unnaturally.
The Alligator is doing...nothing. It's just climbing into a dryer....People inside have fled in panic though.
Though Moon Knight doesn't visibly react to the strangeness of the Dairy Queen Man and Beanie Billy being so rabidly interested in that mask, he does take pause at the alligator and the dryer. "..." his words are a bit more normal as he mutters to himself, "That's what surprises you? --I thought they were all being controlled. It's not acting hostile. --Don't complain about that! Just..come on--" he starts ushering everyone out until the place is empty, and tries to lock the beastie inside. Animal control can be called later as long as it's contained.. though this left his cab off on it's lonesome for a few minutes.
The Alligator hisses as it is locked inside but nothing really stops MK from doing it.
Dairy Queen Guy throws the ice cream cake though it is easily dodged....but...is it a ruse?!
Moon Knight is suspicious, apparently treating this man like some divinely controlled interloper..but top priority now is securing this mask. He can feel the divine energy coming off it in waves, especially from so close.. this is something that should rightly be in Khonshu's control, clearly. If the thrown cake doesn't stop him, he gets back in his car, hoping for a nice tidy getaway.... Moon Knight wonders in a different tone, "Where'd the little boy go?"
The cake is just an ice cream cake. He is aware of the kid at the last moment, dodging his attempt to pick his pocket, but the cake does whiz the back of head. He runs toward the car and makes it. The kid pushes his face against the window.
The alligator enjoys the heat inside the dryer.
Moon Knight leans back at the kid's face pressed on the glass, and hits the gas. Time to get out of here!
The car leaves!
Billy runs after the car but his stumpy little legs carry him far not at all. The dairy queen guy wipes his eyes and lets the alligator out of the dryer, "Hey, I wanna take you home..."
The alligator lets him.
Well, a happy family unit is formed under the watchful eye of Moon Knight, and all is well in the city..! ....or at least that's what he's going to tell Frenchie if he asks.

[Heromux] A Dragon's Rage

Summary: A Dragon attacks. Heroes stop it.
Location: Time Square
Date: 2015.02.25
Emitter: Kilroy Capital Conneticut
Players: Marc Spector, Eddie Resilver, Miles Morales
NPCs: Ascot Conneticut, Mumblebeard, Shades, Loki
Groups: Magic and Mysticism
Tone: Heroic
Rating: Public

The work day has just ended. The sun has set on the far zenith, and folks are starting to relax and go to plays and bars and enjoy things. A few street performers make music swing in the background and the sky is clear even if the weather is frosty. A few stars shine in the sky impossibly visible against the light pollution.
Kilroy is simply standing in Time's square, enjoying the ambiance and the city in general. He was told at one point it loved him. Does it still? He hasn't tried talking to it. Would Jack feel he was cheating on it somehow? COULD he still talk to it? Kilroy hasn't talked to a non human since....
Since... His reverie is interrupted by a tell tale hook ripping reality behind him. Kilroy reacts faster this time, but the hook does a new trick and instead cuts a second time in FRONT of him catching directly in his chest as the dragon enters from the first tear.
It roars and behind him there are four shades. One of whom is arrayed in fine robes etched with eldritch runes, wielding a staff with an onyx on the end. "Hello Kilroy...how have you been?" says his fathers haunted disembodied voice.
Moon Knight ...is having a -very- strange night. He's out on his rounds as he often is, but something's..something's very wrong. For one thing he seems to have metal skin, and an armored hood in place of his cowl which he can sort of get behind... Khonshu does want him to leave an impression on the people who cross him, after all.. but the greenish tinge and total lack of explanation...those are mildly troubling. And the others...something's off with them too-- he's still puzzling over it when he feels the tear in reality like heat on his skin-- his kind-of skin-- well. Little things like his own problems can wait for later-- he's fairly sure whatever might be causing that, that duty is calling.
It's been a slow day for Axiom. Mostly helping people avoid ice and snow related troubles and one attempted bank robbery. At the moment, he's just out as Eddie though. He's been planning on going to a certain candy store in Times Square to buy a present for a certain boyfriend. He doesn't notice Kilroy until that roar catches his attention. The teen tenses and looks around quickly. When he spots the trouble brewing, he goes a little pale. "Oh that's n-not good..." he trails off. He glances around and starts heading for an alley. Time to get changed for work.
Most of Miles' friends are likely having fun or doing homework around the Academy of Tomorrow dorms. Not Miles. He's finding his own fun as he travels along the Metropolis streets swinging from web to web, with an occasional pause to run along the walls of a building for a couple seconds before swinging again. There's not much to compare to life as a Spider. Unfortunately, as he swings his way through Times Square, he's distracted from that fun by screams and... a dragon? He stares a moment, almost causing him to crash into one of the screens that line the square.
"Hello Kilroy. I understand you have an upgrade now. Well, good for you, but you have some of my power....and I mean to get it back." He touches the Onyx staff on Kilroy's forehead.
The dragon is PISSED, and divides its attention between the crowd and keeping Kilroy onits Tail but it comes all the way out of the tear until there are a total of six. The dragon breathes fire and then people begin to panic. It is a crowded square and folks begin to move in all directions.
Kilroy controls their money to help keep the crowd somewhat organized, but between the tail and the power drain that's hard.
Moon Knight reaches the square... and even if he's feeling oddly scattered at the moment, he recognizes that dragon attacking Kilroy..he's seen this scene play out once before. "I thought you were banished!" he exclaims. He was nearly incinerated the last time he crossed this thing, but for some reason now more than ever he can't even consider backing down from a threat. He reaches for one of his crescent blades...though it might take a more impressive form than one usually would.
The chaos he hears gets Axiom moving faster. Once he's somewhere nice and out of sight, Eddie takes something out of his pocket. Just a little metal disc he etched a few mystic symbols into. A bit of quiet chanting under his breath and the object glows. He strikes a little pose and with a flash of light, changes from civilian clothes into his Axiom gear. Once he's sure everything is in place, the masked teen heads out of the alley and towards the trouble.

A couple of *thwips* later, and The Spider is swinging in at high speed towards the dragon, coming at the head from the side. At the last moment, trying to get the dragon to look up for a kick to the face, he calls, "What is this, Hobbit 4: Modern Times?"
The Lich is still pontificating about some garbage or another when he spots Marc with the glowing green swords, and the faint green mask like edge on his face, "My....God....." He smiles. Then he reaches, curiously, of all things, into Kilroy's pocket, pulling a small statue of a red dog from his pocket. The Lich looks at the Dragon and says, "You won't be able to kill him....but nothing says you can't maim him. Fly up over the crowd and drop him from two hundred..make it three hundred feet...oh, and watch out for the heroes....breath on the crowd, not them, it'll distract them."
He looks at the shades, "Distract them. I've got places to be."
And with that, he begins to move, running toward a subway entrance.
The four remaining shades all take out Cross bows and begin firing into the crowd at a fairly rapid rate. No one has died, but there are many many wounded.
Rai Stones appear between the crowd and the bolts, but only a few....less so as the Dragon flies up into the air, breathing fire towards Axiom as he takes off into the air.
Moon Knight ..can't fly. Or at least if he can right now, he hasn't noticed yet.. but he has recognized the lich as the one that seems to be pulling the strings here. "You'll pay for every death you're responsible for!" he shouts, as if he's more concerned with avenging anyone who might be hurt rather than avoiding it. He rushes after the fleeing caster.. Any shades that get in his way he slices at, the usually knife size blades now somehow ridiculously huge glowing green swords that are so decorated and impractical looking with their moon motiefs that they look like they came from World of Warcraft. Wahtever the case, his first priority is barreling through anyone who gets between him and the lich, weather this leaves him open to attack himself or not.
Axiom is forming a plan as he goes, delayed by stopping to help anyone that's fallen and encouraging people to help one another. He glows faintly, the effects of his powers seeping into the crowd. Just that power he doesn't even know about, inspiring people to be better to stop and help one another, to not shove or trample one another. And to cut down on the panic. He also starts tapping into his self-boosting power, feeding off the faith and hope of the crowd. He doesn't recognize the dragon but he does recognize the lich. The fire coming his way gets a little yelp and Axiom jumps. He can't fly but aided by the boost he's getting, he does head a lot higher into the air. And he's trying to land on the dragon.
And... The Spider is completely ignored by the dragon. Which makes sense, he's about as tiny as a spider compared to the dragon's size. Momentum carries him right through where the dragon was, but he shoots out another web to reverse his direction to land on a wall above the crossbow-wielding shades. He shoots a web from each arm, each towards a different crossbow to try to snatch away. "I'll take those."
It wasn't so much as the Dragon ignoring the spider, so much as the strength of his flight and the turning of his head barely felt it. He also senses innately who Axiom works for and regards him as a target, justifiably so as Axiom is able to grab hold...not as cleanly as he planned, but do so nevertheless, as Axiom can get hold of a wing.
The crowd,between Kilroy and Axiom is remarkably ordered and leaving quite fast. The shades have less to shoot, though unfortunately that will mean less to boost Axiom shortly.
The Spider is able to stick two of the shades, two more missing. They're faster and more skilled than they look since Ascot had the pick of the underworld for his escort. They ignore the shade's orders and the other two shoot cross bows at him.
As Marc barrels past them, one of the shades is able to get a slash with his demonic blade but it just BOUNCES off him harmlessly. It should have cut, but it didn't. He looks shocked.
The Lich turns around and smiles. Well, this might be simpler than he thought, and he extends a hand, a spectral telekinetic hand reaching for the knight.
Moon Knight is focused on one thing; catching up with the lich and knocking him down. When his target turns and grins, Marc sends up warning bells, the armor and even weapons shifting to something more noir-practical and less completely fantastical, but only for a moment before Moon Knight launches himself forward again, the pommel of one of the again-ridiculous swords striking for the lich's head as his full armored weight tries to knock the caster to the ground.
The plan is going about half according to plan. Maybe. Close enough. Axiom grabs onto that wing and holds on tight, quietly wondering how mad the team will be at him for crazy plans like this. At least the crowd is clearing out as planned. The downside? That means not as many people to fuel his self boost. He can still draw from anyone watching from nearby buildings and if those fellow heroes have any faith in him but he won't be going full charge. "H-hey! Dragon!" Axiom calls. "It's time to land and go back where you came from! We can settle this peacefully!" he's the type that tends to offer that chance.

Miles's venom strike isn't alas very effective on the dead man, but the smell of burnt flesh causes smoke to fill the air. But the webs have caused full on frustration. One of them leaves through the tear in reality, unable to get the cross bow free. Another attempts to shoot Miles and misses...twice...
Their leader would chastise them but he cares FAR more about the mask that Moonknight wears, and grabs for it, folding down with him in a wrestle, with suprising strength, pulling the mask off his face, but it flies through the air onto another nearby....The Lich curses and now desperately tries to disengage a likely somewhat confused Moonknight (though less confused htan most who take it off)
The Dragon finally has had enough and has gained 150 feet, not enough to maim, but enough to hurt, and shakes Kilroy off his tail, and jabs at the hero. 5rKilroy falls, and while not able to fly yet thanks to the power drain, makes a nice soft pile of quarters to fall into.
The Dragon turns its head from Axiom and breaths down into the crowd of people. Two are caughtin the flames and instantly catch on fire, but the rest are pulled out of the way by others or protected by a single Rai stone.
Marc Spector blinks alert, disoriented for a moment, yes, but also somewhat used to waking up in the middle of fights or strange situations.. so even as he's trying to sort out what just happened he manages to keep fighting. If punches don't stun his emaciated opponent, he tries to pin his limbs to the ground with his knives instead, exclaiming, "What the hell was that??"
Yelping slightly when jabbed at, Axiom evades as best he can and hopes the dragon ends up stabbing itself. He's about to comment when the dragon starts breathing fire again. And on civilians. "Fine, if you want it that way..." Axiom scowls. He pushes off and jumps, diving down. Along the way he focuses on Miles and applies his boosting powers to The Spider to increase his abilities. There's a flash of light as he mimics Miles too, costume shifting into a combo of his own and the Spider's. Weblines snap out as Axiom swings, headed for a fire hydrant to pull open so he can put out the fire.
The Spider wrinkles his nose under his mask, not that anybody can see, at the smell. "Ok, bad idea." But, he changes tactics back to webbing quickly, shooting another line of webbing at the shade still shooting at him, even as he jumps away from the bolts. Caught by surprise by the sudden boost of power, he pulls perhaps a little too hard on the line.
The hydrant puts out the fires rather easily. Though it is dragon fire, he isn't trying to burn the concrete, just the people. But the dragon turns his head at Miles, suddenly noticing him. It's like...he can SMELL him getting the power from Axiom and suddenly uses a gout of flame while swinging low in the crowd, tail dragging and cutting a few folks before a rai stone floats stopping it, but then is cut in two.
The dragon speaks, its voice a thundrous roar, "Aaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrr,nice trrrrrrrrrry Kilroyyyyyyyyyyy....arrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...." And it breaths fire at Miles in a wide jet.
The punches do little but the knives in the concrete do. "You....stop that!" The lich mutters something, and then speaks a single word. It is a powerful yet temporary spell that might render Marc blind if he hears it.
The shade is not only pulled by the webbing but slams in front of the dragon, burned to a cinder. That is ONE shade that is NOT going back tot he underworld. Two more are retreating with his one shooting a bolt stubbornly at Axiom.
The mask is picked up by a small child with a propeller beanie...who runs off into the crowd.
Marc recoils when the unnatural word strikes him, blinking in sudden darkness. "Damnit..!" he doesn't know how to banish these creatures like Constantine did last time.. but he is pinning the lich down, knowing generally where he is even if he can't see, and with luck those blades will hold the creature's arms for now. Not sure what else to do he pulls out the ankh from under his costume and presses the holy symbol to the Lich's forehead, praying fervently to Khonshu to do something... he's charged with protecting travelers in the night in Khonshu's name, but a literally undying wizard is a bit beyond his ability to handle alone. He can never tell when Khonshu might decide it's actually worth his intervening or weather Marc can handle it on his own, but still able to hear the dragon shouting in the distance and having seen this guy come back from what may have been hell once already.. it's worth a try.

When the fires are out, Axiom quickly squeezes the hydrant closed. Borrowed spider sense goes off and Axiom bends back like he's doing the limbo, the bolt sailing over him and sticking into the nearby building instead. He scowls and turns a glare at the shade. "Hey. Get back to where you c-came from before I come over there!" he demands, still glowing with his faith power. The Dragon's roar gets the teen tensing and getting ready to jump once more. He gets an idea though, looking around quickly for Kilroy. He's pretty sure Kilroy should know what the dragon's deal is. The Spider leaps just barely in time, his powerful legs carrying him just out of the wide path of the dragon's fire. "Oh, sure, /now/ he notices me." Shooting out a web, he swings as fast as he can. If he can circle the dragon and get close enough to touch without getting blasted by fire, all the better, but if not he can at least lead it on a hopefully tiring chase around the square.

A lich is higher level than Marc can turn but it HURTS, oh God does it hurt and the holy symbol burns into the lich's forehead and he suddenly catches fire. "AAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiii!" He begins to dance the crazy I'm on fire dance still pinned to the knives.
Kilroy looks at Axiom and shrugs, "He's...a pirate, that got cursed by gold, and I tried to take it from him ...'twice' so he hates me? A lot."
The Dragon roars, and remembers indeed how much it hates Kilroy. Kilroy has recovered some at this point and stands but the fire is intercepted by a rai stone...then another stone, but the heat is maximized and red hot stone lava drops to the street below hissing....
The shades decide this is bad juju and take up Axiom on his offer.
Miles might have been in danger of being hooked by that highly dangerous tail if the dragon wasn't so busy trying to Kill Kilroy. He's on the thing but under its belly.
Moon Knight grits his teeth and presses on-- it's clear it's hurting the thing, and he himself doesn't know how to kill it-- maybe if he can hold it till Kilroy can suggest something...though even blinded as he is he does recall the strange figurine the lich stole... with his free hand he starts trying to find it.
"A pirate...man, n-never have a giant robot when I need one," Axiom murmurs, remembering one of the crazy Tokusatsu movies Billy had him watch. He shakes it off when the fire comes in, quickly shielding his face from the light. "Look out, Spider!" he calls, having faith Miles could avoid it even without the boost. With the boost, he's even more agile than normal. "Okay, I d-d-don't really have an anti-dragon powers right now...so d-do you have ideas?" he asks Kilroy.
The Spider twists and dodges mid-air to avoid the tail as he comes in and grabs hold of the dragon. For lack of any other idea, and not wanting to hold onto the dragon for long, The Spider uses his (now boosted) venom strike again, leaping away before it can go off so he's not caught in it. "Thanks," he calls back to Axiom, as he swings around again.
The Venom strike hurts the thing soundly, as it shrieks in pain, now giving Mile's his full attention asthe wicked tail turns around to cut and strike with surprising accuracy...
"Duplicate my powers...hit him with Rocks...you know the right kind..."
As the dragon looks at Axiom and Kilroy he's not DUMB and roars with fear finally and begins to try to make another hole in the fabric of reality leaving him quite vulnerable....
Kilroy makes not one, not two but a machine gun blast of 25 Rai stones hitting him in the face one right after the other...
The priest, meanwhile, has had enough of this nonsense and grabs the staff, slowly phasing into the ground, butnot before Marc is able to pull the small doglike figurine. It might not be divine, but he can sense it is VERY valuable.
Marc scrabbles in surprise when the lich priest just...vanishes into the rock. He snatches up one of the blades, raking it across the ground blindly as if to verify his opponent is really gone...and then curses under his breath. He scoots back until he can find a wall to put his back against, and only then does he rub a thumb over the figurine.. what is this? It feels.. important. But this whole night has been confusing, and he has no chance to seek out the boy who ran off with that mask either. He shouts, "How are we doing??" back in the direction of the square.. he remembers seeing Axiom before; they talked once before about the impersonator Wonder Woman.. he seemed like a level headed kid.

Nodding, Axiom takes a deep breath. "Heads up, Spider! Switching boosts!" he warns his fellow hero. He returns briefly to his usual appearance as he stops boosting and mimicking Spider and instead switching to Kilroy. There's a flash as his outfit becomes a combo of his costume and Kilroy's outfit and Axiom puts a hand to his forehead for a moment. "Like c-copying a telepath but worse," he mutters. He pushes past the headache though, raising his hands and starting to fire off Rai stones as well. Hearing Moon Knight, Axiom glances his way. "Still g-g-got a big dragon to deal with!"
The Spider makes a sound very similar to 'eep' as his spider sense goes off so suddenly and sharply, as the tail speeds towards him. Thankfully that spider sense is enough to keep him alive, as he twists into an acrobatic spin and tumble to avoid the tail, though it's a close enough call that the tail just catches his costume and rips down most of the length of one arm. Landing on a wall to catch his breath as the dragon starts getting pelted with stones, he calls, cheering Axiom and Kilroy on, "Get him!" He's done about all he can against the creature, so just watches now as he catches his breath.
A boosted Kilroy is a ridiculously dangerous thing as suddenly the Rai stones are hitting the dragon with the force of a Kryptonian and Kilroy finds that he has to actually PULL his strength a bit to keep from killing him. Down tumbles the dragon, which also has a danger of falling on top of him.
A distant crowd cheers.
A boosted Kilroy is a ridiculously dangerous thing as suddenly the Rai stones are hitting the dragon with the force of a Kryptonian and Kilroy finds that he has to actually PULL his strength a bit to keep from killing him. Down tumbles the dragon, which also has a danger of falling on top of him.
A distant crowd cheers. Moon Knight ...huhs. So there's still a dragon. Great. But then he notes encouragingly, "Well, at least that means the archers are go--" he blinks in surprise as he can abruptly see again. What the..? He freezes up as there's a very tense internal dialogue, eyes darting around to see if there's any sign of the lich.. or alternatively the little boy with the mask...though he probably gets distracted by the dragon crashing down into the middle of Times Square. ..So. They can check off the dragon too, it looks like. He heads back to the Square as well, though looking far more hesitant in his actions than he had been to this point.
Moon Knight notes to Axiom, "Looks like you managed alright with the dragon."
Cheering helps. It keeps Axiom charged and in the fight. As the dragon starts falling, Axiom yelps. He stops firing stones and moves to create a large one to try to catch the beast so that it doesn't crush anyone or anything. "Still w-working on the dragon."
Now /that/, The Spider can help with. He starts shooting webs, using the last of his webfluid and weaving a large web between buildings under the falling dragon even as Axiom tries to slow the fall with the large rai stone. The webs alone won't stop the dragon, but together with the stone it might. Moon Knight just keeps back until it's clear weather there will be a dragon sized crater in the square or not...there's little he can do at this juncture, especially when he's not, strictly speaking, his usual self.
Moon Knight just keeps back until it's clear weather there will be a dragon sized crater in the square or not...there's little he can do at this juncture, especially when he's not, strictly speaking, his usual self.
Eventually, SHIELD comes and scoops the dragon into a giant crate before flying it off.