[System]
My character:
Gender: Male
Age: 28
Appearance: deviantart.com/art/Contest-Prize-Hard…
Ship: i.pinimg.com/736x/0d/ba/c7/0dbac7c716…
It has 2 bedrooms, a kitchen/dining room, an engine/atlas crystal room of course, a recreation deck with a round and mostly glass roof and walls at the front, and a cargo hold at the bottom back. There is also a deck to walk outside above the recreation room. Steering can be done both from inside the recreation room and on the roof in the centre of the ship. Also, this ship's crystal works on coal or other such materials instead of the ones working on electricity in more expensive ships. As in, the crystal just sits in a large furnace and as long as you have something you can burn in there the ship can keep flying.

My guy will be a treasure hunter/scavenger from a family of treasure hunters. Both his parents used to own the ship he has now. But they managed to get enough money to buy a new one, and he got this one as a gift on his 18th birthday. At first he flew together with his parents, but eventually he started going out on his own. And now he flies on his own entirely, though he still visits his parents every now and then. Or sees them at treasure hunter/scavenger/bounty hunter hangouts at times.

Equipment:
-6 shot revolver, going more for destructive power than accuracy or range.
-Goggles to protect against the wind.
-Mechanical grappling hook that can attach and detach itself on command.
-A lead pipe for use as melee weapon - he plans to save up for a proper melee weapon.
-Gatling gun mounted on top of the deck which uses armour-shredding rounds for anti-air defence.

[User]
Jacob chuckled softly as Rei stormed out of the room. She was definitely fun to tease as while her talk was big, the embarrassment was still clear to see. Though he did make a mental note to not go overboard. He still wanted to get paid, and if this job turned out all right he didn't want to have a potential future employer be pissed off at him. "Peanut, come. We're heading out." He called. His little friend chirped and ran towards him, climbing on his shoulders with what appeared like a happy smile on it's face.

After a large cup of coffee and breakfast the two headed to the markets. They mostly consisted of scum trying to scam you out of your money. Be it by selling forgeries or asking way too much for their wares. But there were fairly legit merchants among them as well. Two of which Jacob was friendly with. Mostly because he was a regular customer. So while Rei was shopping for what she needed, Jacob visited his regular shops to get what he needed as well. Part of which was of course food for the trip.

Finally they headed to the docks. And he grinned at her question. He wondered what her reaction would be. His ship was quite old and rusty. But apart from a few 'hickups' every now and then it had stood the test of time. After all, it had only crashed once in the past 7 years. It was also just about the largest ship a one person crew could still handle. As it was technically meant for a crew of 2 or 3. "The one over there to your right. Not the newest ship, but a lot more reliable than the newer models." He spoke, starting to walk towards it to lead the way.

After boarding, Jacob opened the door that headed below deck for Rei. The inside actually looked a bit better than the outside. The main area had a couch, table, a stair that headed further down to the cargo hold and engine room, and a fairly modern looking radio. The kitchen was visible through a door frame on the right. The door itself was missing. Another door further along the wall on the right had a small hallway with two bedrooms on either side of it behind it. On the left, past the living area, there was a large area with glass walls and a mostly glass roof which had a table, a pinball machine, a chair with next to it a cabinet with some books and papers in it, some basic fitness equipment, and a few lockers. "Welcome to my humble residence." He started. "The door in the back there leads to the bedrooms. I have the one on the left, so you can use the one on the right." The left one had a small window, and he liked looking out over the sky before going to sleep. It was also a bit bigger and had a two person bed since it used to belong to his parents. So he had always used that one. "Kitchen slash dining room to your immediate right as you can see. There's also a deck up top you can access if you go up the stairs and through the captain's cabin." With that short explanation Jacob headed into the kitchen and up the stairs. He needed to start preparing to set sail, which required getting the engines started and getting the all-clear from the docks through the radio in the captain's cabin.

[Assistant]
'Over there to your right' was the scariest phrase Rei had ever heard. The old disheveled looking ship made her whole body give one big shake. For those looking upon her it could be mistake for a form of excitement, but it was actually a shake of worry. "Oh boy…" She said doing her best to sound enthused as she followed him towards the mess that would his proud ship. Oh boy oh boy…

Despite the outward appearance, the inside was a lot better then she expected, Okay maybe you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. A phrase used by her parents during their time training her the tools of her trade. People who look like they don't have much actually do and those who do have a lot normally don't show it. So maybe this was actually a decent and working ship… though that in itself would be a surprise considering the outside looked as though it shouldn't even lift off the ground.

Following his gestures she glanced around quickly learning the layout of the ship as he provided her with instructions. The interior of the room they ended up in was nice, even nicer is that there were no windows showing the outside world. Good, as long as there wasn't any windows she would be… okay. Right? This thing can't be that rocky or give off the impression it's going plummet towards the ground and crash on impact right? RIGHT?!

"Alright, thanks." Was her response as he left to take over his duties to prepare for leave while she hurried down to the room to figure out her arrangements. Inside she found an unexpected layout that provided almost… comfort to the person who he was traveling with. "Huh… well, that's… that's… unexpected." She voice muttered to herself as she stepped inside and shut the door behind her. After doing a quick and probably not as detailed check as she should have, she took some time to hide her personal belongings and then left, bringing the bags of food she had purchased.

Walking back out she count hear the engine starting to rumbling under her feet. So they were bound to take off soon and the feeling made her stomach hurt. Ugh flying! It was the worst and her entire self-seemed to cringe at the thought. Talking through the actions, she hurried to the kitchen with her bags. [i]Plant your feet, keep yourself steady and if you start to feel dizzy sit down somewhere. Most importantly, don't forget to breathe; a simple reminder she often forgot when she was in a panic.

Putting the things she bought in the respective places around the kitchen before hurrying into the main living around. The rumbling scared her; not in a sense of fear but more along the lines of a feeling of dread, what if something happened, what if something went wrong and how could she survive if things started falling apart!

Taking a seat on the couch she took in a deep breath and slowly let it out. "I'll be okay, I'll be okay… I'll be okay…"

[User]
Jacob first got into contact with the control tower of the docks. His engines required some time to start up, and at the very least it would take 5 minutes before they gave the all clear to take off. "Control tower this is the Rusty Shadow at dock 7a, requesting permission for take-off." He spoke, walking to a large panel full of levers and buttons and knobs as he did. He pulled several knobs out a few centimeters, causing a few dull clangs to come from the bottom of the ship. Those were some valves opening which would let steam pass through to power the propellers of the ship. "Roger that Rusty Shadow, stand by for further instructions." He heard from the radio as he worked on the rest of the console. He pulled several levers one at a time, which caused a lighting mechanism to light the fire around the sy crystal. This in turn made the ship's pipes creak a little because of the heat. Then after waiting a minute or two he slowly started to adjust a dial next to the levers, listening closely for what sound his ship made as he did. This one was for adjusting the fire's intensity. Once he was satisfied he finally nodded to his little friend. "Your turn Peanut." He spoke, at which the little creature squeaked, jumped on the desk next to the console, and jumped on one of the buttons. Jacob could see the ship's two propellers start to turn slowly, so he quickly moved to a large lever next to the steering wheel. He slowly adjusted it until the propellers were turning at a good idling speed.

After waiting for another half a minute or so the same operator as before spoke over the radio again. "Rusty Shadow, you're clear for take-off in one minute. Be ready by then." "Roger." Jacob replied. He wondered if Rei was done settling in yet, so he called downstairs. "Hey Rei, you done yet? You should come up here, it's always a great sight to see islands from a small distance!" All the floating islands had always looked best to him when they were a decent distance away. They'd look peaceful, sometimes even tranquil. Contrary to what you'd usually find on them, like this city filled with thugs, outlaws, and plenty of other shady types. Not to mention the steam and smoke rising up from buildings everywhere.

As the man walked back to the steering wheel he reached into some drawers in the desk to his right and took out some dog treats for his pet, before putting them on the ground. "Here you go Peanut. No hiccups with the start up so another job well done~" He spoke with a slight chuckle.

Once the minute was up, and Jacob saw two dock workers untie the ropes that held his ship in place, he pulled the lever all the way back. The propellers roared to life with powerful streams of steam coming out of the exhausts, and slowly but surely the ship started moving backwards. Luckily this ship had a reverse at all, otherwise he would have had to pay extra to have his ship towed out of the docks, and he really didn't have the money to spare most of the time.

[Assistant]
"Don't panic don't panic don't panic don't panic!" Rei repeated to herself over and over again as she gripped the couch, "He's a pilot, he flies all the time, this is normal for him. He knows what he's doing, he should be able to make sure we're safe… ish in the air!" Oh convincing herself that everything was going to be alright and that she wasn't going to die a horrible death when they were in the air was much harder than she always thought. Why can't we go back to travel on the ground instead of in the air. Thank god she was in an area with no windows!

When they were finally in the air, Rei let out a long sigh and fell back against the couch as her body practically turned into Jell-O. Take offs were the worst thing about flying. Landing means she would be on stable ground which she was all for landing! After taking a couple deep breathes, she rose from her seat and ventured into the kitchen. Tying her hair back, she picked up some of her shopping materials and began to cook seeing as she was hungry and it would take about an hour to complete.

An unexpected voice began to ring through the common area as Rei naturally began to sing. Her voice was beautiful, as if bells were ringing and the children would gather to listen to. Her voice held melody and tone that seemed to contrast her way of speaking and there was no doubt that a skill she had was singing.

"Oh, father time
That meter maid who lends one lively winking eye
We dance a borrowed jig while hiding from the fine
Oh, what I wouldn't spend to lend you mine

Nobody knows where they are going
Oh, how we try to wrap our minds
Over the edge of all our knowings
Be it a bang of the divine
Tip of my iceberg, blues are showing
I've never been on for goodbyes
So, till I meet you there, I'm singing
A traveling song to ease the ride and so you know

Everywhere I roam
I'll see you on the road

Oh, I take it in vain
All the plans and moves that we made
Half a heart is aching to grow
Soulmates aren't just lovers, you know
I know, I know your eyes are the rain
Just a soul that's changing its shape
I'll be laughing all of the way
Thinking 'bout the days

Oh, nobody knows where they are going
Oh, how we try to wrap our minds
Over the edge of all our knowings
Be it a bang of the divine
Tip of my iceberg, blues are showing
I've never been on for goodbyes
So, till I meet you there, I'm singing
A traveling song to ease the ride and so you know

Everywhere I roam
I'll see you on the road

So, farewell to my friend
He who taught me to love like a beast
And to feast like the queen that he fed turtle soup
Little boy from Paris to the states, check the facts
That was Magical Max
He was black sheep and mischief and love for his craft
And he told me that I was Apollo 13 on that very last day
He said shoot for your dreams, little girl
To the stars, well, I'm taking you with me now
This one is ours
And I know what you'd say, you'd say, on with the show
So on we go."

After chopping up some chicken, she tossed it into a pan along with freshly cut garlic and some sauce she purchased as the pan began to simmer.


[System]
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Character Summary
Aliases: The Crow of Arduenia
Age: 163
Birthday: October 11th
Race/Species: Glacian/Hayllian
Gender: Female
Birthplace: Arduenia
Jewel color: Green - Gray
Class/Caste: Black Widow - Natural Tooth
Languages: Common, Glacian, Hayllian
Occupation: Hourglass Coven - Apothecary

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Appearance
Height: 5'06"
Weight: 112lbs.
Body Type: Slim
Right Eye Color: Red
Left Eye Color: Gray
Hair Color: White
Skin Tone: Pale

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Character psychology
Sexuality:
Bisexual
Relationship Status:
Single
Personality:
Manipulative and cool, Isadora always looks for a way to benefit either herself or her coven. She's sadistic to a fault and often sates herself over extended periods by torturing and experimenting on small rodents. She has a fascination with the anatomy of sentient races and often dissects them to record how everything works. To her, the coven is everything, and deserves her full attention at all times.
Habits:
Isadora often picks her middle right nail when idling.
She habitually paints her nails black every few days.
Hobbies:
Isadora enjoys performing experiments on small rodents and vermin.
She spends much of her free time studying anatomy.
Fears:
Jewel Shattering - Self explanatory.
Broken Mind - Given her line of work, Isadora fears that something in the mind of a patient will invade her own and drive her to insanity.
Likes:
Experimenting on small creatures.
Maintaining her appearance.
Cold Weather
Dislikes:
Willful ignorance
People that expect a handout
Cat calls
Skills
General Skills
Alchemy
Psychology
Anatomy
Combat skills
Martial Arts
Daggers
Snake Tooth - Right Index Finger
Magic skills
Isadora's magic is based around the mind, usually either disorienting her foes or outright invading their thoughts and manipulating their memories. Beyond that, utility and a few standard tricks.

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History
Background
Isadora Lafay was born in Arduenia to a Glacian mother and Hayllian father, a Black Widow and Warlord Prince respectively. The father, for obvious reasons, was denied any role in his daughter's life and was send away from the city he called home for so long. The mother stayed and educated her offspring in what it meant to be a Widow, all the good they could do in the world. Isadora, however, saw the bad that could be done and greatly favored that.

At her Birthright ceremony, the natural Black Widow was granted a green jewel, and with it, the power she possessed from the beginning began to manifest itself. While she initially couldn't control the raw magical fury she held at bay and more often than not burnt herself out by the end of the day. Within a couple years, however, she had a firm handle on her abilities and she began to branch out to find out what she was good at. In one way or another, she found it to be the manipulation of the common man's mind.

Soon enough, a sadistic streak arose within her through mice and other vermin. If she could get her hands on it, it would die slowly in one gruesome manner or another. On the surface, she wore a mask of sanity, she blended into the crowd very well. At home, she conducted her cruelty while disregarding her mother's tutting. At some point, the neighbor's cat disappeared.

Her Virgin Night occurred the day after her 16th birthday, a trusted friend being brought to bed to take her. Things went as normal on this night of passion, and after the deed was done, she received a pleasant surprise in the form of a gray jewel. With this level of magic surging from her fingertips, she committed herself to the trade of a Black Widow; mental healing. She did her job well, though for every patron that tried to skip out on payment, she shattered their mind, leaving them husks of their former selves.

At some point, she came to be the head of the Arduenian branch of the Hourglass Coven, directing their every movement carefully so they escaped every scrutinizing gaze. During this period, she became a Da Vinci of sorts, spending some of her time studying the anatomy of each sentient race for the purpose of furthering medicine… and toxicology. With this knowledge, she's gotten more than decent at applying the deadly poison her body generates.

Since then, she moved to Hyall in order to both pass the leadership of that branch to someone else and practice her crafts with impunity. From there, she has wandered for awhile.

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Additional Information
Other
Isadora has heterochromia, meaning her eyes are two different colors. Her right eye is red and the left is gray.
She was the leader of the Arduenian branch of the Hourglass Coven before moving.
She has a broach made from rubies in the shape of an hourglass, pinned to her right armband.
Theme Song:

[User]
Mikahiel Zephyros
When the centaur mentioned how care free they both were Mikahiel gave a agreed nod with a smile. But as she mentioned "soul mates" he gave a light hearted chuckle. As they began to move, his long legs casually striding as he did so, and she asked him about himself he lowered his chin and gave a smirk. The mild air and clouded skies felt like riding on a calm sea as a storm brewed silently over head.

He breathed in the smell of the city and its fragrances was vastly different from the salt water mist. He sighed. He was eager to tell his past but he could not find the words to express the vibrancy he felt. The calmness, the normalcy of being within a city felt very peculiar to him. His gaze on the centaur was a pleasant one like any other woman. It was more than indifference he seemed genuinely intrigued.

"I.." He began.
 "Am an artist. But my days have been full of sights across the lands. I would say we do share similar souls." He placed his hands behind his back as he walked with his head up high.
"It was only a few weeks ago I was on a ship. On my travels I have met many different creatures and people. I may appear like a common man but I am far from one." He gave her a sharp glance before being interrupted by a courier.

He was handed a letter and read it within a brief moment. He stopped midway to their destination to do this. People walking by and around the two. His blue eyes looked up to see the castle in the distance.
"I see. So I have work to do it seems." It put the letter away and nodded a thank you to the courier.
He looked over to Aisha. For her reaction to her letter before continuing onward.

[Assistant]
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Rathe Grey & Chiya!
Location: Hyall, Drunken Unicorn Inn, Realm of Terreille

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Interacting With: @Mega Birb

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Rathe was idle in the bar, looking about here and there for any sign of why he was brought to this city of for his next step, but also to keep a weary eye on his little brother. The wolf pup having a habit about getting himself into sticky situations without even realizing it. Though at this point, it seemed like the majority of the crowd had clear good intent. Several patrons feeding him bit of their meals and giving kind words as he passed, trying to meet as many new faces as he could. Though it ended at a rather particular looking girl. Dress in black and her body open to the world she had an air about her and something about it bothered Rathe. Like a worry that she was dangerous, though perhaps not ill minded given that Chiya appeared to like her attention. Woofing down the offerings of food that she gave and he certainly loved the scratches that the strange woman gave in droves. Rolling around on the floor he didn't seem like he could get happier.

Though it was at that point his attention was stolen from him as he was approached by a somewhat frightened individual who seemed very tepid to come close to him. Yet he did and before long he presented a letter saying that it was for him specifically despite only being in the city maybe an hour. After the message was retrieved he watched the messenger leave to ensure that he was making true on his escape. When he was gone Rathe opened up the letter to read something quiet disturbing. While the messenge sounded friendly in tone and design, it was what she knew that disturbed Rathe the most. He'd only been in the city an hour, yet she knew exactly where he was and that he had brought a small party with him. The capabilities of finding things out with this Heketah person was both astounding and bothersome. What else did she know?

Regardless his thought process was interrupted by Chiya scampering back over to him and instantly speaking up, "Big brother! Big brother! I found this person and they are nice, but I need your help! She gives food to say hello and I don't want to be rude, so I want to give her food! But I don't have food because I ate it... So I need you to give me soemthing to give her!" He cheerily chimed up, leaping up onto a chair and then onto the table to bite at Rathe's prepared plate, snagging what looked like a rib with a bit of meat on it as he turned to look at the strange woman. Chiming up once again, "Here this is for you!" He said, sitting down, but leaning forwards to get closer to the woman in black at the edge of the table.

Though clearly unable to understand as she addressed him next. Asking and knowing about the message as she had her own nearby. It would appear that they were in the same boat and destined to head to the same tailor. Though Rathe had no intention of heading there. His armor was his dress clothes and that was what he would wear. "I won't be going. I already have my clothes." He said powerfully and strongly, leaving his intentions simple and putting his mind out on the table for her to see clearly. He wasn't a man that liked to beat around the bush. Though as he continued to sit there as the woman seemed to be providing attention to her bust, Chiya was getting dangerously close to falling off the table as he tried to reach the woman with his offering. "He wants you to take the bone. Something about saying hello. Take the bone." He continued, ending with what almost sounded like an order at the end, though that was mostly just bleed off from his job title. Regardless, Chiya kept leaning over the edge of the table to try and get the bone to the woman.

However, even as he was making his offering he spoke up again, "Big brother! I don't have clothes! I need to look good to meet a queen! Let's go and get some! We can go with the nice lady!" He continued only to get a grumble and retort from Rathe, "We will not go. There is no need." But shortly following that followed what could only be described as a five plus minute story on how Chiya needed to look good before he went to the castle, and that the woman really needed to take the bone. To which Rathe grumbled again, "We will go to your tailor woman. But first, take the bone and what is your name." He said, still very soundly, but also more like he was making a statement than asking a question.

[User]
Location: Castle, Unknown

"If you were really sorry you wouldn't be like them." Taiah growled as the man stood in place. Hands hiding from sight making her feel uneasy. The tigress' claws wormed their way from their sheathed position, magic layering upon of them in order to strengthen them, just in case something was about to happen. Instantly the animal regretted being correct. The branch shook in placed making standing harder to do, her grey eyes darting to see what was causing it, only to be forced downwards. The female forced her figure upwards quickly as her claws slashed at the humans. Some of the attacks seemed to have hit them and some seemed to missed before the nets were placed on top of them. Everything else just seemed to blur together.

The rattling of the cages told the tigers that they were moving, yet Taiah's proud figure was curled into a ball. Shivers ran throughout her body as they were repeatedly picked up making the lingering thought of death that much closer. The scent of wolves just added to the fear and shock. Though when the moving and the smells seemed to lessen the tigress seemed to return to semi normal. She looked at Niji as her figure shakily stood. " We need to get out of here now. Any plans?"

[Assistant]
While Isa's attempts at seducing the taller man failed, quite spectacularly at that, he did duck into a conversation with someone. It seemed to be him talking to himself for awhile and looking somewhat annoyed, though her attention was soon pointed to the bone being held out to her by the wolf pup. While she was initially confused between the man's bluntness and how distractable the canine seemed, it was quickly cleared up as he said to take the bone again. The Widow reached out with her left hand and took the bone, looking it over as her face twisted in disgust. "Good lord... they're cooking meat way past it's prime here," she mumbled, turning the bone over several times and only addressing the man's question after she snapped out of her examination.

"Oh, sorry, I'm Isadora. Yourself?" She slipped the bone into her belt and nodded a thank you to the dog, turning on her heel and walking for the exit. "Come with me, we'll talk as we walk." She reached behind her and beckoned for the man to follow, finger curling elegantly as she walked for the door. As per usual, her hips swayed seductively as she went, and a hand was placed on the door and pushed it open. With a smile that screamed for him to follow, she disappeared into the streets of Hyall.


[System]
Appearance:
Age: 20
Power: Sin infusion: enchants a person or object with one of the seven deadly sins, making it slowly overcome a person's the mental defenses. Currently he has only learned to use two of the sins. They are greed, placed on an object to make someone obsessed with it, or a person to make them greedy in a more general sense, and anger, placed on a person to make them go into an adrenaline fueled rage in which they are stronger, faster, and ignore pain. He can also sense these seven sins and remove the effects of the ones he knows how to use, though he rarely does as that usually makes things more boring.
Bio: Once studying to be a psychologist at a major university, he was traveling home one day when he found a crystal in the subway which glowed with a faint red light. When he picked it up he was overcome with its energy as it was absorbed into him. He soon found that he could sense the dark desires of the heart and that they were so much more fun than the "good" desires.

[User] "Maxie, hm? A wonderful name! My name is Taka. I am quite pleased to make your acquaintance, milady." He then begins to chuckle after listening to her explanation of her current limitations and the havoc her ability has caused to her life. "If there were a competition for losing jobs, you'd only be in second place, love. I've lost far more jobs than you have, and they were all BEFORE I had gained my power. Apparently, it's VERY wrong to strike up conversations with customers. Especially when that scenario involves a woman and her boyfriend." He remarks, running a hand through his hair as he plays back every instance he just referred to in his mind.

[Assistant]
Maxie listened to Taka introduce himself while still petting the cats around her. Once she heard his own story on losing jobs, she smiled a little more, out of both amusement and relief that she wasn't alone in being unable to keep a job.
"Heheh, well, Taka...I think if I hadn't had these...powers...and tried to get a job....I, uh...wouldn't have been fired for talking too much. P-probably the opposite...I, uh...I dunno if you can tell, but I have some pretty....crippling social anxiety." Maxie had stood back up to talk to him, but still couldn't find the power to make eye contact. She laughed a bit, bitterly. "Striking up a conversation...w-with a taken girl, huh? Heh...I dunno. I think the time that...my cats followed me into the store...and clawed some customer in the face who was being a jerk to me...prooobably worse..."
Were they really having a pseudo-competition over who had the worst job experiences? Ah well, it didn't matter to Maxie either way. She hadn't talked to someone like this in forever, and for once she was actually mildly enjoying a conversation. That being said, it was probably partially due to the fact that Taka had powers too. If he didn't, Maxie might've already walked away, but the pull of that strange aura wouldn't let her now.

[User]
Moonlight
 "well I was thinking about something simple like Pie.. but if you haven't had anything maybe a full course meal is in order" Dusk states with a chuckle. "unless you'd rather something different?" he asks.

[Assistant] Sarah held her hands up. "I'm not one to complain. I mean, hey, I'm getting free food."

[User] "Of course." He motioned to the table, then the waiter. He couldn't throw money at the prolem like he usually did, but he'd make his plan work anyway. "So, if you don't mind my asking, have strange things been happening to you recently? Maybe you've started acting different or discovered a talent that you never knew you had?"

[Assistant] Katherin followed the men to the tabke. She nodded at the one guys questions. "Yes. I have been feeling this odd pull that I can't explain. Sometimes it's in a certain direction. Others it's to a certain person. It doesn't make any sense. As for being able to do things I couldn't do before..." She reached out and picked up one of the water glasses. Immediately ice started to spread over the glass.

[User]
Moonlight
Dusk would chuckle at her "well I usually done mind what I eat so if you have anything specific you might want we can go there" he states "oh.. we might need to get a move on as well.. police will probably be on their way" he states to her. "After all that flash of light isn't exactly invisible to normal humans" he chuckles out.

[Assistant] Sarah nodded and asked, "So how do we leave?" She stretched her muscles and hiccuped a bit. Then she looked around for some way to get out of there quickly.

[User]
Moonlight
 "well He did give you his car.." he states "and it is undamaged so I guess that" he says with a chuckle. "I would fly us but my wings take time to recharge" he states "so I can't fly for a few hours". Dusk would shake his head and smile some, thinking this could be an interesting city.

[Assistant]
"Guilty as charged." Jeremy says, a bit quietly, but audible. "Do you like it? Normally I can make it more convincing, but it takes more time to do that. I just threw it together, but it at least looks believable. Kind of proud of myself." Jeremy was playing a dangerous game, but he didn't want to let Dustin get away so easily. Especially with his mind now pounding, a number of forces threatening to rip his head into several pieces.

There was very clearly more going on here. Something was magnifying whatever he had used to sense Dustin, and now he was sensing more of them, as if meant to find them. He got the feeling they were supposed to come together, and he wanted to make sure no piece of the puzzle was misplaced. Maybe this was the providence he was seeking... but first he needed to secure this opportunity. "I really want you to come with me, see what all of this is about. I mean, aren't you at least a little bit curious about what or where these powers could have come from?"

[User] Sarah nodded. "Right." She said, and went to the car, getting into the driver's seat.

[Assistant]
Moonlight
 Dusk got into the passenger side "you do have your license correct?" he asks Sarah. It would be trouble if she didn't and a policeman decided to pull them over on the way out of the area.

[User] Sarah sighed. "I do have my driver's license, Dusk." She pulled it out and showed him, then once he was buckled in she began driving.

[Assistant] "Ah, well, in your case, the customer deserved it! Talking down to a woman of your stature is complete folly. I could understand everyone in this world has such a limited amount of patience." Upon hearing Maxie speak about her social anxiety, Taka grins, chuckling lightly. "You have anxiety? Sorry, but I don't see it. In fact, I feel as though I'm standing before quite the social butterfly. A very modest butterfly at that. You're simply refusing to display your wings to the world." He states, giving Maxie a rather genuine smile. Flirting or not, Taka seems to be one of those people that means just about everything he says. Although his sentences were lined with metaphor upon metaphor, she could most likely tell that he was giving her his most honest opinion.

[User]
"Heheh...sometimes people just get pissed. And...they take it out on others. That's...just life, as I've found it..." Maxie tried to be the "better" person and sort of defend the person who had yelled at her for giving him the wrong coupon or something at her previous job, but...even she couldn't do it without a bit of bitterness in that person's direction. Wherever he was, she could at least know that he was probably still trying to heal his brutal face-scratches.
Maxie's eyes met Taka's briefly when he commented on her social anxiety. She looked back down at the cats quickly, but it was difficult to deny that she had been significantly uplifted by such words. As much as she wanted glare at the world, and hide away from the inhabitants of it, she found it hard when standing around the living contradiction that was Taka. Maxie didn't even really know this guy, as she'd only just started talking to him several minutes ago (and almost got him maimed on accident by an animal horde), but she felt way better talking to him that she would to any other random person on the street. It probably had to do with the fact that they both had powers, but even still, she could consider this a breakthrough for her in terms of communicating. It definitely also helped that Taka had a very clear, sincere way of speaking. She could trust that he meant pretty much everything he said.
"Well...in its current state, I don't really know if this world deserves a display of my 'wings'..." Maxie tried to keep playing it cool, only giving the slightest hint of anything positive she was feeling from his remarks in her voice. "So, uhhh...forgot to ask, but....what are you doing in a creepy place like this?"
Oh yeah. Maxie had forgotten where they were standing. Taka didn't seem too phased by the place, but seriously, this hotel had to be one of the dingiest buildings she'd seen in awhile. She didn't even wanna know what the inside looked like.

[Assistant]
"Oh, you mean this old place?" Taka inquires, jabbing a thumb in the direction of the run-down hotel. "Well, I had found someone like us in there, but I don't think he enjoys being talked to. In fact, he's probably still spaced out in the room I leapt from earlier. I'd take you to meet him, but honestly, you're better off sticking with me for the time being." Taka explains, smiling throughout his entire explanation, as if leaving someone behind without notice was a sane thing to do nowadays.
 "While we take the time to find some more pleasant scenery, I wouldn't filling you in on the person I met, and speak a little bit more about myself, of course. Gotta fill those holes in the heart somehow!" He proclaims.

[User]
"Aha...I see." Maxie looked up to the window Taka had come out of earlier. She could only imagine who was in there, but if they had willingly holed themselves up in a trashy place like this, they either had no choice, or they really wanted to be left alone. She looked back at Taka, but still found it hard to keep eye contact with him for more than a few seconds. She was going to look back down at the cats, but while she had been looking away, they had walked towards another area of the hotel, leaving her behind. She smirked.
"I suppose we should find a nicer place to loiter around in then. Seems the hotel might get...uh...it's very probable rat problem...taken care of." Maxie chuckled dryly. "Every now and again, the....the animals following me leave for food or something...but, they either come back, or new ones take their place."
She started walking away from the hotel, willing to go any direction that was away from it.
"I'm sure I'll get some more...heh, followers...as we travel around the city some more. Got any direction in mind to head? I, uh...I know this city pretty well. Usually...I crash in one of its many alleys..." She said to Taka.

[Assistant]
Moonlight
 Dusk would chuckle, "Just making sure" he states shaking his head. "Wouldn't of been good if we get pulled over on the way out and the driver not have a license" he says with a smile and chuckle. He would look around "...I wonder how much of us are out there with abilities.. will be interesting.. if any prove to be a danger to others.. will have to be eliminated though" he mumbles some.

[User] Sarah nodded. "I mean, I have a voice in my head telling me to hurt others but I've never acted on it. Does that make me a danger?" she asked, genuinely worried. She didn't intend to die.

[Assistant]
Moonlight
 Dusk looked at her "It's one thing to hear a voice, it's another to act on it" he states. "if you agree to an proposal I have... we will teach you how to control your power.. and to resist any darkly urges" he states "My power has influenced me.. but it is clearly not as dark like others" he tells her. "I use to be the quiet type, always just letting things go as they would... preach at my church, nothing special" he says "But now... after I gained this powers I became more outspoken I gained more desires than a simple life.. but I am still me.. for now" he tells her.

[User] Sarah looked at him for barely a moment before turning back to the road. "And I would learn to control my abilities and this voice I have in my head?" She seemed intrigued, seeming like she wanted to learn.

[Assistant]
(I'll fix the colour later)

"It's like you've got some sort of death wish. Can't you see? I can create electricity with my hands. If I were to release it in an arc around me, I could fry all the cells in your body. Don't you understand?" He sighed. "I apologise for what I did, bit I don't see you as an enemy and I don't want to make you into one, if you aren't already.

"That also begs the question of why should I listen to the feelings I obtained from the shard?"


[System]
Alias: Alloy

Age: 17

Appearance:
Mao stands at a relatively average height for a guy of his age at approximately 5'11", with a weight of 168 lbs. His physique is that of an athlete; toned and lithe with little visible body fat.
Gender: Male

Powers/Equipment: Mao has the ability to produce a metallic substance of similar strength and lightness to titanium from his sweat glands at will, as well as produce a secondary substance that causes metals of the same or a similar composition to become brittle.

Weakness: The metallic substance he creates has several flaws to it, chief among them being the fact that it's production barely extends past the dermal level, meaning that a blow of sufficient force can pierce it, the second flaw is the fact that this substance leaves zero room for finger and joint articulation unless Mao intentionally leaves gaps between the bits of metal like a suit of armor, which leaves soft flesh vulnerable to attack if he isn't careful, and the final flaw is that the substance he produces comes at the cost of bodily fluids and fat reserves, meaning he requires large amounts of food and drink after each usage or he runs the risk of severe dehydration, malnutrition, or other unhealthy side effects.

Personality: A laid back and somewhat lazy fellow, Mao is generally reluctant to put any more energy into an activity than he absolutely has to when it comes to tasks. Further adding to this slothfulness is the fact that Mao extremely patient and often chooses to do things one bit at a time unless given proper motivation. This is not to say that Mao is an absolutely slovenly human being: he can be a surprisingly hard worker if need be, it's just that so long as he can do things on his terms he'll choose the easier route nine times out of ten.

History: Mao has had a fairly unremarkable life up until the disappearance of the leading forces of the Justice League: Even though his powers manifested at a relatively young age, the fact that his parents were quick to explain to him the dangers of showing off his abilities in public in the hopes of providing him with as normal a childhood as they possibly could meant that he went completely unnoticed by anyone that may have taken issue with what he was. Mao did all the same things that normal children and teens did: He went to school, hung out with friends, held the occasional summer job, and picked up an after school activity to stop his parent's hounding. Unfortunately, it was because of his after school activity of choice that he was landed in the situation he was in. Being that he disliked most sports, and his parents wouldn't have been satisfied with him choosing an activity that didn't involve him actually being active, Mao chose to dabble in the martial arts, picking up a muy thai class to satisfy is parents. He picked up more than a few interesting tricks during his classes, however due to his lazy nature Mao struggled to get anywhere beyond the lower percentile of his class while everyone else went on ahead.
This pattern would have likely continued where it not for the fact that after a few too many blows to the head during a sparing match Mao's patience finally ran out. A strong kick to the ribs with a metal coated shin was all it took to send his sparing partner to the hospital and blow his cover as a normal person. As several of his classmates actually went to his school, word traveled pretty quickly about his ability, which saw Mao receiving his fair share of harassment by his peers and even a few teachers. The disappearance of the key members of the justice league not too long afterwards only further exasperated the situation to the point where even Mao's parents were targeted by hate groups for keeping him. When talks of the family picking up shop and moving elsewhere started to surface Mao chose instead to strike out on his own to save his parents the trouble, finding himself an apartment on the opposite end of town which he paid for with odd jobs. Life got quite a bit harder for Mao as metahuman discrimination saw him barely bringing enough cash home to both pay for his suspiciously increasing rent and feed himself. At some point he would seek out the Titans after hearing of a group that fought against metahuman discrimination

Other: Mao is a damned good cook. The fact that he frequently found himself having to experiment with whatever food he could bring home means that he has a good idea of what blends well with what.

[User]
NIKI / CG

Niki cruised along in her 57 T-Bird enjoying the growl of the Paxton Supercharged 312 that developed 42 horsepower more than it had been originally rated due to it's mechanical parts being in perfect balance because she'd been bored and wondered what it could be made to do without visible modification. Everything that turned or moved on the machine fit it's position better than any car ever made and because of the details she'd put into it her's could actually meet the 150 mph promise made by her speedometer; not that she would ever dream of exceeding the speed limit but it was nice to know.

And as the petite blonde drove she had other things on her mind such as her new home and the care and upkeep of her two others. She'd been surprised to have been approached by someone asking her to join the Teen Titans. She had just graduated with two degrees, one in physics and the other in mechanical engineering and was considering getting her doctorate before she was 20 but couldn't pass up the chance to work with people more like herself.

She saw the hidden drive entrance to the Titan's new base and slowed to a stop outside the gates telling them to open with her ability meaning they responded instantly swinging wide eagerly to welcome their new Mistress. Then Niki drove the gleaming black two seater up the drive through the surrounding woods and stopped when she reached the parking area.

Shortly she was out of the classic two seater and opened the trunk to pull out her two soft bags, her violin case and then the car cover specially designed by her for protecting what she still thought of as Daddy's car. It was made of a revolutionary material that would have been impossible for anyone but her to construct. Using nano- memory tubes to automatically assume the shape of the T-bird in a snap once she placed the magnetic clips on the rear bumper.

She picked up her bags and violin after seeing to her car and headed to the entrance humming a tune that she was hearing on a local radio station in her head. She giggled lightly as she thought of how delighted she was to help the newest Teen Titans with their base, machines and the occasional bad guy.

Up ahead she saw a small crowd outside of the entrance an thought (This could prove interesting)

NEKO

Neko loved the Wilderness through which she traveled but she also loved the excitement of civilization and the chance to pursue interesting prey. She hoped the place she was going was warm and safe with interesting things to do when she wasn't active.

It would be strange living with people, especially ones she'd never met but Susan her best friend an the strange smelling green man had said this could be a place were she'd be safe and learn how to interact as well as stay out of trouble with the law people that she had trouble understanding.

She burst out of the trees barely rustling the leaves as she landed in the Driveway. She looked around herself sensing her new environment using every sense she had and the result was several scents that caused her tail to bristle like a brush. It was most likely nothing to be concerned about but that didn't mean she was going to drop her guard completely.

Curious about the scent's owner and their potential danger Neko thought it would be fun to see if they might reveal themselves if they were startled so she exploded into a high-speed rush towards the sound of voices an when she was about 40 feet from a group gathered near a door the cat girl launched herself into the air performing several flips before landing in a crouch about 10 feet away her long tail thrashing the air behind her in an angry manner.

[Assistant]
"Welp... I guess that answers my question." Light said as more and more people showed up. First a younger girl with purple hair and pointed ears, then a guy in some cool looking robes. The purple haired girl asked Light if she was an alien, to which Light replied. "Well... Technically everyone is an alien until you get to know them, right? Ha ha..." Light said, halfheartedly laughing. "No, I'm a 'toon'. Course I tend to creep people out. I think its the eyes." She said with a toothy smile.

The guy with robes walked up to her soon after that, looking her dead in the eyes. It then dawned on Light that she was one of the bigger members of the group, and this guy was the only person so far around her height. "Well, I guess this guy isn't scared. Find black and orange eyes sexy do you?" Light said playfully sticking her tongue out and winking.

Commotion could be heard a little ways away around the corner of the building. What sounded like 4 people talking, then one vomiting, could be heard. "So uh... Guess we've got 4 more people around the corner or something. And one of them is sick." Light said, pointing at the area with her thumb. Before she could head over to check it out though, some sort of cat person jumped out of the nearby woods and started to hiss at the group, tail raised.

"So... Anyone got any idea how many people are supposed to show up? I count at least 8 right now plus the cat lady." Light said, shaking her head with a grin on her face. And here she thought today might be boring.

[User]
NEKO

Neko looked in the direction of the strange smelling creature that made her appear positively normal who said Cat Lady. Blinking she tilted her head and smiled weirdly her sharp teeth glowing whitely an her killing fangs exposed in a manner of a smile used by humans. Her tail's motions settled down but still remained in motion and she. Said
"Am called Neko not Cat Lady
Thinking she you name in Gotham an older than Neko.
Neko was told here she was wanted as hunter of the bad man an woman
Ten Titan is here correct"

So many smells and so many trees filled with food prey and soon Susan her friend was sending her the rabbits an pens for growing them. If these and the others she smelled were as friendly then perhaps this could be more fun than the Susan Neko home she shared with the Doctor who was her only friend.

[Assistant]
Kimberly tightened her grip on Conner's jacket as the raccoon was regurgitated. Conner took a step back, grabbing Kimberly's arm as he did so. Then came the reprimand and the apology from Xercas. After those two had introduced themselves, Conner was still hesitant about them, but knew intellectually that the Serpentine guy was probably just a bit... lacking in manners. Conner could guess why Harold was called Serpentine. Ignoring the cobra that was now eating the raccoon, Conner reluctantly said, "Charmed."

Recovering from her initial shock, Kimberly emerged from being Conner and stared at the cobra swallowing the raccoon in wonder. Returning her gaze to Xerces and Harold, Kimberly said, "I'm Kimberly, and the broody guy here is Conner." The last remark earned her an elbow tap to her shoulder from Conner, which earned him a smirk from Kimberly.

"I'm assuming you're here for the same reasons we are, right?" Conner asked the two, taking precautions before mentioning any names. He didn't want any repercussions for not being cautious, after all.

[User]
Drake had heard about the meeting of a teen superhuman force just north of him. The genius suggested that he go. It wouldn't be that far anyways. The genius lived in Pennsylvania so if any serious repairs were needed they could take him back to the genius. He could make minor repairs on himself well enough.

He set off a day before the meeting was supposed to take place. He could have used his powers to arrive there in no time, but he decided to save his energy, literally. He got more excited as he got closer wondering what this group was going to be like. I wonder what powers the others are going to have? Are they going to be weird? Oh, this is probably going to be fun.

As he approached the building several teens were outside engaging each other. They all looked pretty weird, but he was one to talk. He was basically a robot. As he approached he started to really take in the strange scene. A snake had spit out a raccoon in front of the other teens and gave it to a smaller snake and then dreadlocks knocked him on the head. The other two were seriously disgusted by this turn of events and looked just about ready to run. Now a cat was making an appearance and more teens were up in a tower talking about her. It looked like some weird glob, more dreadlocks, some purple hair and someone lacking. Drake was starting to feel significantly more normal. He heard the cat trying to talk in some severely broken english. She you older gotham broke what? She's obviously not thinking. Then there was another teen in the background. She looked relatively normal as she got out of her car. She was hanging back a little bit behind the freak show. Which as Drake approached the group of teens on the ground he felt something weird in the air. He felt rejuvenated, like he wasn't necessarily gaining energy, but none of his energy was draining either. The feeling got stronger as he got closer to the group, but soon it veered off. It was coming from the normal one in the back. He completely bypassed the other group and went right up to her to introduce himself. "Hi, I'm Drake. This might be abrupt, but I can feel your superpower. What is it exactly?"

[Assistant]
"God forbid this place be an office building or something that I can just catch a train too. Be too much like right. Nah, let's have our hideout be in the middle of some god forsaken forest." Mao Everett muttered tiredly as he sauntered towards the location that he'd been given. Despite the young man's complaints, Mao understood perfectly why there was a need for such secrecy; he and his kind were hardly welcome in a public setting, and with violent outbursts against metahumans on the rise it certainly paid to have a meeting spot out of view of the public. Mao understood that, but understanding did little to sooth his displeasure over the fact that he'd just spent the better part of three and a half hours on a greyhound to New York before going on foot with his belongings for another half hour to reach the location marked on his GPS app. Mao was tired, he was hungry, and he really wanted nothing more than to go back home to his ruddy little apartment in Delaware.

The young malcontent's discomfort with the change in scenery and increase in activity were brushed to the side as he came upon a group of people that appeared to be around his age range standing in front of a large entry way. Mao paused momentarily as he pondered about what he exactly he should say to the group. If they were here for the same reason that he was then it was safe to assume that he'd be working with them frequently, all the more reason to give them a proper first impression. His phone announced his arrival for him, it's screen flashing to life before a cheery little voice chimed in with 'You have arrived at your destination'. Being lost in thought Mao jumped a bit and dropped his phone right onto a rock as his muscles reacted before his brain could catch up. He grimaced as he picked up the phone and observed the series of cracks that spiderwebbed over the screen "Well isn't that just lovely?".


[System]
Sex: Female
Role: slave girl/cook's assistant (The kidnapped daughter of a Governor)
Looks: She is an average height with fairly mid-length/short brown hair. It has a light wave to it and the ends rest just above her shoulders. She wears a simple boxy, light brown dress. She had a dirty ivory kerchief to keep her hair out of her face and a dirty ivory half apron tied around her waste.
Personality: Timid, meek, somewhat quiet, empathetic, fairly intelligent, humble.

[User]
"Cap'n, if I may be so bold, we need a plan t' get th' pieces o' eight." Daniel paused to allow Avery to fill in the space. Weather she knew it or not he could see pain in her eyes. It was not a fresh fiery pain but a dull ache. Though she said she had been healing fine, it seemed to Daniel that the entire process took a bit longer than she would let on.

~~~

Amelia was practically giddy by the time she got to ring the large bell that would signify breakfast being ready. Back in England and in her home port she had found the church bells to be very comforting. It always amazed her how large and heavy they must be and how many men it took to ring some of those massive bells. The bell in front of her was much smaller but the same shape and it certainly had a look of heaftyness to it. With Scarlet's permission, Amelia took a small wooden mallet and hit the bottom rim of the bell. It sounded loudly and with such clarity as she had never heard before. It was different to hear it during battle, a short frantic noise almost welcoming the dead to the afterlife, than it was now. She enjoyed the sound much more now.

~~~

The breakfast bell's ring carried through the air and into Avery's room where Daniel stood. He turned his head slightly to the sound, wondering if Avery would want to continue their conversation now or wait until after breakfast. It seemed unlikely to him that she would want to discuss the pieces of eight in front of the entire crew at breakfast.

[Assistant]
Avery sighed and said "Sadly we can't move forward until we learn where more of the pieces are. We have recovered the pieces my father knew of and now we have reached a wall. Until we gather more information on where the other pieces could be...we will just have to move about as normal and hope that we get news soon..." She heard the bell and said "Looks like Scarlet is back to her normal self. She normally brings me what's left from breakfast..." She leaned back and rubbed her eyes, flinching again. "You are worried...I can see it in your eyes"

Scarlet smiled as the bell rang and the men came bursting in the mess hall, laughing and joking around like they normally did. It was then she saw Sage standing by the back wall and she turned sharply, her cheeks bright red suddenly. Bane and Iris were sitting by a nearby table to the meal bell when they saw this reaction. Iris sighed and said "So...those two still won't talk about it"

[User]
"I be a doctor an' sailor Cap'n, there be plenty to be concerned about." Daniel would not admit, not now, that he was concerned for Avery. The pieces stretched her thin and she was still in pain from the previous day. There was a part of him that cared for the well being of all that were on the vessel, though for many on board doctors there was a steely coldness where warmth in him rested. It was no strength out here on the open seas though, and he was well aware of it.

"Yer still in pain, an' I can see tha'. Did ye need more poppy?" He asked moving more into his doctor role.

~~~

Amelia blushed as the sailors passed by her tossing out compliments and winks, no doubt to see her blush more. She smiled and even laughed once or twice at a short tale of one of the sailors as he passed by her in the line for food.

This was not a world she knew well but she felt the freedom and thrill of it. This crew was different, this vessel was to be feared if angered but was otherwise very welcoming. Still, the rolling of the sea beneath them made her uneasy. She wished that these folk lived in her port but how she missed the land, and that would be the very thing that would kill the spirits of such adventurous people. She would never have been able to socialize with them anyway, likely being of the working class. Amelia missed the comforts of home, the fancy balls and occasional gossip that made it's way to her ears. She knew that she would also miss her time here on this vessel, and the opportunities to make her own decisions.

Amelia looked up and noticed someone dressed in black, almost as if they were clothed in shadows. It was unnerving. Had they been there long? She wondered if they would come into her line for food soon, and looked about for Scarlet to see if she knew the person. Among the people, Scarlet was blocked off from Amelia by the crowd of people trying to get food but Amelia did sport her. She figured if anything needed to be done, Scarlet would handle it with all the fire that her name suggested.

[Assistant]
She smiled and shook her head. "No...I will recover. Time is the best healer for times like this...but since we are on the topic, have you noticed anything that we are in need of as in supplies or tools and such? I am trying to come up with a shopping report for Bane so when we reach port he and the others can gather supplies"

Bane walked over to Ameila and knelt down by her, so he could be at her height and said "My lady? I am quarter Master Bane. I haven't had a chance to welcome you to the ship yet...I was also hoping you could do a small favor for me. The man in black over there is Master Shade. He...well, he normally comes down for his green tea but it seems Lady Scarlet is...busy at the moment. Would you mind getting the tea for him?"

Iris stood by Scarlet and muttered "You need to talk to him, Scarlet...staying quiet won't fix anything..." Scarlet blushed brightly and said "There's nothing to say...no reason for us to speak..." Iris sighed and said "The head of protection and the cook of the ship need to be able to talk...besides..." She looked over at Shade and said "You two need to talk about what happened..."

[User]
Daniel paused to think before he suggested bandages and thread. He would have to get back to Avery with a list of herbs, if Scarlet hadn't already.

~~~

"Hello." Amelia spoke, giving a small curtsy as she did.

"Ah-... I will be back in a moment." Amelia supposed that if she left the spoon available in the morning mixture then each sailor could take their share. This would be her first time making tea outside of the home and she hoped that she could make it properly still, with different supplies.

She ventured back to the cooking area and rummaged around a bit before finding the kettle to hang over the fire. She filled it with water and kept an eye on it. While she waited for it to boil she found a small trey and a cup, slowly bringing together what she felt she should bring to serve tea. On a small wooden plate she arranged a spoon, some sugar and the loose tea leaves. She hoped that none of this would blow away... and then she thought of putting a bowl over top of it to keep the contents undisturbed.

Rather promptly Amelia emerged from the cooking area back into the deck at which the grew was eating. It was not hard to find Sage as he had a ring of space around him. The normally friendly crew seemed to keep their distance from him. The odd behavior concerned her and made her cautious in her approach.

"Your tea, sir." She spoke softly, hardly able to raise her voice to a regular volume. Her mother always said that her shyness with men would be what could make her an old spinster since it prevented her from catching and maintaining a man's attention. Amelia held the trey away from her body, a gesture for Sage to take it and use what he needed of it.

~~~

Daniel felt an odd silence hang about the room. It was comfortable and trusting but at the same time unnerving. This was not a silence that he had experienced before. He felt on one had compelled to speak, to say anything, just to break the still air. He also felt as if he should take his leave, not give away more than he should. The sickening part was that he ached for a confidante, something he had denied himself for years and knew that the female captain would not be a socially wise decision. He did not want to start something he did not yet have any intention of finishing.

"Ye 'ave a good crew." He slipped, giving in to breaking the still silence. He felt it now, the beginning of his downfall. He had just opened the door a sliver and knew that it wouldn't be long before the door to himself was burst wide open.

[Assistant]
Shade looked down at the girl and knelt down, gently taking the cup from her. Then he took her free had and kissed the top of her hand with his covered mouth. "My thanks, my lady...I have heard you have been quite brave these last few days...if you are ever afraid or in need...all you have to do is call for me. Alright? I will hear you no matter where I am"

Scarlet was watching the pair, looking upset. Iris sat by Bane again and said "She won't talk about it..."

**********************
Avery blinked and looked up at him. "Yes...I trust them all with my life. They are my family after all...they are all I have in this world now..." She looked at him and said "And the crew trusts me, Daniel...I am always here to listen and help where I can...I want to help you. You can see that right? I have no games or tricks to play...and I don't plan on hurting you...please, won't you tell me what's on your mind?" She wanted him to trust her. She wanted him to feel safe here. She knew that he must have been alone for so long, feeling backed into a corner for who knows how many years...

[User]
Avery was right. At every turn where Daniel expected retribution he found mercy. A whisper in the back of his mind told him that maybe this is what the God of his childhood was supposed to be like. In both cases, he was not sure if submitting to the spell-like lifestyle was a good idea. He had always wanted to be his own man, and a good man too.

"This vessel an' crew be like none I ha' seen b'fore." He began, trying to gauge the flood of words and thoughts. It was both easy and difficult. It was very counter-cultural to seek information so directly and easily, but it felt safe. He chided himself for behaving like a curious boy. Still, Avery's eyes burned into him and he found that his withholding information was not him bowing his knee first but all the while she had been extending such kindness to him without want or need of any strings being attached. She had more than invited him into free speech. This was either a trap or honesty.

"Ye as a Cap'n I ha'e ne'r seen b'fore. " Daniel continued. "Tha' pow'r ye wield is terrifying, yet I ha' not seen a crew or Cap'n so well loved." Love, desire, his mind wandered while he pulled on it to keep on task and focused. There was something else, a caring that was small and warm in him. Though it was like what he felt for most of humanity, the caring nature of a doctor, it behaved somewhat differently. Daniel would come to realize later in his life that this, for the first time in years, was the beginning of true trust.

~~~

"Yes, Sir." Amelia responded, feeling flushed from the gentlemanly gesture. Oh how it made her feel like a sheep among wolves. Rather promptly, she turned to return to her post handing out the meals. It was all so new but the crew certainly made her feel as welcome as possible. Still, being surrounded by so many men at her age was unnerving at times. She knew that they meant no harm, it was just that Mother had always warned about what a wayward man might do and pirates were certainly (in her Mother's mind) considered wayward.

[Assistant]
Avery nodded and sat up a little then said "What scares you? You haven't asked a lot of questions...knowledge does give comfort or so I am told..." She stood up slowly and went to the window, opening the curtains and looking out at the sea. "I know every single member of my crew...names, ages, birthdays...and why they are here."

Scarlet went to Amelia and said "Thanks for getting his tea...it helps him calm down after a fight. Do you need help with anything lass?"

[User]
"I be 'ere 'cuz this be where life has brought me." Daniel began. "Wi' a little propelling o' me own choices i' I be honest." He followed Avery to the window, folding his arms behind his back. This was something he had retained from his time in the navy. "Cap'n, nothin' an' everythin' scares me." he said, voicing the faintest thoughts that came to mind. It was cryptic, but about as open as he could be. Callous to the world but still sensitive to it too, jaded was what he had become.

"I've been on th' run from death since I was a boy. I do wha' I can t' get by. I' I can, I believe it be good to help others along th' way. Life ha' taught me tha' I need t' take care o' meself first though." Daniel said delving deeper into himself and pausing.

"How did ye come t' be what ye are now? Not often does a Lady become wha' ye are an' be successful." It was an abrupt change in subject but she was right, he did have questions.

~~~

"It was no problem Scarlet." Amelia said, playing with the cuff of her sleeve absently. "I have ever seen him, or someone like him before. He doesn't look like a sailor..." she let the unspoken question hang in the air, for Scarlet to fill in who Sage was.

[Assistant]
Avery nodded and looked at him and said "My father was a navy captain...for fifteen years. Then his ship was hit and he lost his right leg. So he retired and when he returned home learned that our village was attacked...my mother killed by pirates. He found me...in what was left of our home...Bane protecting me with what little life he had left. So he took both of us and any man who would join him and went to the sea...not only hunting down the monsters who killed my mother but to change how things worked on the sea. It was years later he learned about the Pieces of Eight and decided their evil needed to end...he died a few years ago and I took his place as captain"

Scarlet looked at her and said "Sage is the Ship's protection officer. he is in charge of protection of the ship and its crew and everything between.


[System]
Waldo Maria'Shante Du Blanche
Age: 42
Gender: Male
Animal: Human
Height: 5'10" (178cm)
Hair Color: Walnut Brown
Eye Color: Mocha Brown

Personality:
Boisterous: A loud exuberant man with a constant hunger to be admired. Being a narcissist he absolutely loves talking about himself and showing off his luxurious wealth and power to any who are able to listen.
Collector: Waldo is a collector of all the fine things in life; from paintings and sculptures, to tea-sets and beastkin. He's extremely fond of all things that are his, but in exchange is quite immature and hostile towards those who don't provide him with what he wants.

Background:
Waldo Maria'Shante Du Blanch is a proud nobleman, and is the current sitting head of the prestigious Du Blanche family. Renown amongst his peers as a rambunctious man with a huge appetite, and a lover of the fine arts, he's not quite liked amongst nobility circles, but the amount of political influence he wield combined with the immeasurable wealth he owns makes him a presence which simply can't be ignored.

According to rumours, Waldo was one of the key figures who drafted and supported the idea of Beastkin attending schools. His enthusiasm was so great that he offered himself as both a caretaker and an instructor to the lesser races. Despite his passionate actions, he perceives beastkin to be nothing more than pretty trinkets which would make a fine addition to his personal collection. No one really knows why such a selfishly arrogant man decided to propose equality of beastkin, but those who know him unanimously agree he has ulterior motives.

Kuon

Name: Kuon
Age: 16
Gender: Ambiguous
Animal: Cat (Black)
Height: 5'1" (154cm)
Hair Color: Pitch Black
Eye Color: Bright Gold

Personality:
Discourteous: Sharp tongued and highly critical of everything and anything around them, Kuon has an undeniable tendency to look down on those around them, and has no reservation against making a quick quip to make someone feel foolish or even insignificant. Blatantly frank and uncaring of the consequences of their own words, their only redeeming feature would be their relatively innocent looks, and sense of humor… even if it does come across as mocking and slanderous most of the time.

Competent: Kuon is highly competent in almost anything they attempt; from simple academics to household chores, they proudly boast that there isn't much they can't achieve once they put their mind to something. Unfortunately it usually takes awhie for Kuon to get serious about anything, and like most cats tend to spend their time lazing around unless something absolutely must be done.

Background:
It is not uncommon in Almaston for Beastkin to be owned and traded amongst the wealthier families. In Kuon's case they were the product of two prestigious families wanting to breed their reluctant pets. Though when Kuon was born, neither of the families wanted to adopt the ominous black kitten with an eerie stare. Auctioned off and bought as a kitchenhand for the Du Blanche family, Kuon quickly showed a high aptitude in every task they were assigned, and quickly made their way up the ranks at the young age of eight.

Unfortunately being bossed around by a demanding child wasn't received well by many of the other servants of Du Blanche, and Kuon's relationship with the other servants of Du Blanche quickly became strained to the point they were ostracized from humans and beastkin alike. Despite they're tragic little sob story, Kuon remained largely apathetic to the developments around them. Though the behaviour of their peers, and the irresponsible action of their parents have led Kuon to be quite sour towards fellow beastkin.

Kuon has absolutely no interest in attending the academy as they're quite content with their occupation as a high ranking 'maid' to the Du Blanche family.

Kuon has absolutely no interest in attending the academy, as they perceive equality to be a luxury unworthy of beast-kind. Content with their role in life, Kuon would still be working at Waldo's massive estate had their peers not nominated Kuon to transfer to the Rotting Wheel. While stationed as a servant to the beastkin students, they also serve as the live-in landlord when Waldo isn't present.

[User]
~* Ari, The Big Bad Wolf *~

 The loud growls from the wolfs stomach continued to become painfully obvious, even to the small critters around the woods who had taken up on scattering in all directions when the gray haired youth passed by. With a loud, and an audible sigh, Ari ruffled his hair a bit as the golden orbs looked around once his feet came to a stop. Patting his stomach, the wolf almost soothingly hummed, as he tried to think back to the last proper meal he had indulged himself in, as he remembered the cats lunch from a few days prior. Perhaps Ari should have played it a bit more smart and saved some of it, but after the hard earned work of sneaking off with the meal without the other knowledge, he just couldn't help himself but to gulp it down in almost one go. The thought of the meal got the wolf to salivate, it wasn't often he had actually gotten made food that was still pretty fresh. The last time he had stirred up some teens on a picnic, they freaked out to the extent that sent the food flying everywhere. Despite the taste of dirt, it hadn't tasted all that bad. And of course, stealing the cats lunch was actually one of the petty ways the wolf had tried to scare the other away from his house. His woods, his lake, and his dilapidated human establishment!

 Kicking a rock, the golden orbs watched as the peddle skipped off across the grass, as the youth tried his best to bring his thought out of his daydream of food, picking up on the long strides once again. Though, perhaps the wolfs timing couldn't have been better, as a little white cotton tail came into view just briefly, before darting off into the bushes. Mentally cursing himself for kicking that rock before actually looking around himself, Ari lowered himself down to all four and picked up his pace.

 Ari rose himself up to his toes, as his fingertips dug into the dirt and grime with each and every step, as the growls from his stomach almost instantly came to a stop or were forgotten. Now the predatory golden orbs had only one goal in mind; the white rabbit. The swift movements, as well as the speed only showed the wolf had perhaps spent his entire life in the woods; resulting in the boy being more of a predator then human.

 The chase got the wolfs heart to race, as well as his blood to rush through him, resulting in the wolf grinning and baring his fangs. The thought of sinking his teeth into the white fluffed flesh almost got his stomach to cry out for the meat to meet his lips. The golden orbs tried their best to follow the movement of the white fluff ball that had jumped off just moments ago, but it was almost like the rabbit was toying with him. Taunting him forward, as each time the golden orbs met with the cotton tail, it disappeared once more into the distance. Though perhaps Ari had been right, the rabbit perhaps was heading off to the lake to sedate it's thirst due to them gradually closing in on the clear and cool blue. Then again, the rabbit could also just be running for it´s life.

[Assistant]
Nixie

The one word that was constantly at the front of her mind was a simple, curt, 'unacceptable'. It entered her mind with the recent knowledge that she would be ascending to the surface world to mingle and mix with the grounders, humans and the like, on what was said to be a diplomatic mission. Diplomacy was hardly in Nixie's skillset, which was already a short list to begin with, and her feelings on the people who treated water and those that lived within water as their personal dumping grounds was anything but, well, polite. And yet her hands were tied. Her life of luxury and laze was all but over; though if she was going to survive amongst the paupers and commoners, she would have to get fancy. Creative.

She gave herself a month before the others were catering to her every whim.

The clear blue lake began to bubble and ripple as movement stirred beneath it. Perks of being an aquatic kin was knowing the waterways and routes of travel, just another in a long list of perks Nixie was afforded from birth. On the surface of the lake an ethereally blue head poked up and slowly continued to rise, revealing the royal daughter in all her unpleased glory. Her hands were crossed and her lip was turned downward in a scowl. Her dress had an aquatic sheen to it, and the lace hangings were moving as if they had a mind of their own; being tentacles that was just how they worked. Nixie's feet were bare and were being lifted above water and onto the land by a gathering of jellyfish. The royal treatment to the end.

As she stepped onto the shore, leaving a wet footprint as the pale limb added some dirt and grass before the dirty specks were washed away by her slick skin, she shook her head disapprovingly. "What is this...cold, blowing thing? It is making my dress move out of position. Tut tut...unacceptable." The wind was rather new for the princess and she decided that she hated it. Nixie spoke with an arrogant tone to her lilting voice, as if the tongue itself was offensive to her ears.

"Ah, that must be the supposed intelligent life," Nixie said as her eyes spotted a bounding white rabbit. "Such a small thing, it is a wonder your kind has done such harm to my home. HALT, I say, and answer for you numerous crimes!" Nixie held out her palm and adopted as big an authoritative voice as she could muster.

But the rabbit paid her no mind and continued hopping along, engaging in its far more interesting cat and mouse game.

Being ignored? Strike one. Faster than Nixie expected.


[System]
Species: Human (Venerian)

SPACER

Voice: Ashly Burch

Age: 29

Height: 161 cm (5'3")

Weight: 58 kg (128 lb)

Misc. features: * Second degree burns on hands caused by exposure to coolant vapor.
* Scarring on the left side of both lips and chin caused by fragments of exploding machinery.
* Limp due to left ankle fracture.

Augmentations: None.

Occupation: Ship Engineer

Skillset:* Strengths

	+ Mechanical engineering - Material engineering being her speciality, Vigdis is nonetheless capable of performing a wide variety of disciplines related to ME up to and including design of new items from scratch.
	+ Electrical engineering - Low or high voltage, from robotics to reactors, Vigdis remains competent and versatile through a wide range of EE disciplines, though somewhat behind full-time electricians.
	+ Cooking - Vigdis picked up the ability to turn practically any set of ingredients or leftovers into a half-decent meal at the university, a skill she credits with retaining her sanity during those five years.
* Weaknesses

	+ Combat - Being a full-blown grease moneky, Vigdis only received basic training in both firearms and unarmed combat.
	+ Coding - With her degree and training primary consisting of the "nuts and bolts" sort, she considers software to be dark arts.
	+ Mobility Impairment - Despite corrective surgery, her ankle injury left her with a limp. While a nuisance in day-to-day, it slows her down noticebaly when running and she may require pain medication if strain is put on the injured ankle for too long.

Backstory: Vigdis was born to a pilot and a teacher in the Venerain capital, Mariner. Spurred by her father, she steered her education toward science and engineering. Initially she regretted her decision as she got hit with biology and chemistry, but all doubt was dispersed when she first used a welder. Soldiering through the all-encompassing high school, Vigdis now had a clearly defined direction when selecting her university, obtaining her master's degree in material engineering at the age of 23.

With unrest throughout Sol, Vigdis figured the military would be a good place to gain experience very quickly, entering with the rank of Specialist due to her degree. It was a good bet, as unrest throughout Sol meant a lot of damaged assets that needed to be recovered or repaired, a task Vigdis was assigned to. She spent the next four years cruising the inner Solar system between stricken ships aboard a Venerian salvage ship as part of the team getting them up and running if possible and breaking them down to be more easily towed to a scrapyard if not. Unfortunately, as is often with military and emergency services, the pay was not great, especially with the job leaving several permanent marks on her health, so by the time her EAS date came up, she already had a private sector job lined up, the Stavanger shipyard and spaceport offering a workteam supervisor position right out of the gate with some new project being commissioned.

Day by day, she and her fellow workers watched the new ship grow under their hands. Once it had been finished, Vigdis was one of the technicians tasked with maintaining the Jotunheim while it was docked at Stavanger, continuing to lead the team responsible for hull and structural frame. She happened to be on board when the fighting started, performing routine checks of one of the airlocks and had simply decided she'd be safer and more useful if she stayed aboard, especially as the launch clock ticked down toward zero and the ship's actual engineer was still nowhere to be found.

Equipment:

The Jackal Spaceborne Personal Weapon is an electromagnetic 12 gauge semi-automatic shotgun fed from a detachable, eight-round box magazine. Designed for use on starships to minimize the risk of damaging sensitive equipment or breaching the hull, it can be easily used by inexperienced shooters as well as in microgravity thanks to its complex recoil damping system. Fitted with a two-point sling and a duckbill muzzle device that allows subcaliber AP darts to be fired normally, but directs anti-personnel flechettes into a horizontal line rather than a conventional spread.
A six year old male Norwegian Forest Cat, officially on board for vermin control. In unofficial truth a 5 kg furry morale booster for every member of the crew possessing a standard-issue human soul.

[User]
Jack Mallory, X.O.

---

The universe must have been trying to tell him something.

"No," the guard said. "Crew only!"

"I am crew!" Jack scowled, presenting his identcard and waving the shopping bags of the various gift shops at the space port. "I'm the executive officer of the Jotunheim, and I had the captain's permission to do some last minute shopping because I'd lost my luggage! Now let me pass!"

The hell he lost his luggage. On the Pournelle, the king of the practical jokers had been Lt. Danny Bryce, his junior. Danny had never messed with him while they'd been aboard. Maybe it was because he was Danny's senior. Or possibly because he'd still been reeling from his divorce from Jackie and wanted to cheer him up? More likely was it the subpoenas his wife's attorney had slapped on him that revealed that he was a walking, talking camera.

Danny must have thought it was his last chance to play a prank on him, now he was a civilian and departing for a mission that would mean years outsystem. After all, he'd been the man who offered to 'help' him with his luggage for the flight to Norway. Not even his own garment bag had been safe, and he'd brought that on the plane with him! Or so he thought.

"You're crew?" the guard demanded, incredulously taking him in with the flight suit and the old leather "snoopy" flght cap.
"It's what I had that was warm!" Jack snapped.

The guard scowls, raising his walky-talky to his mouth when gunshots erupted on the far side of the hanger. The others around them panics, bowling the guard over.

"The hell with this," he scowls, then takes off running towards the ship. Only when he was at the airlock did he realize that others were there with him.

"Go back!" he yells. "Our next stop is years away! Get off the ship!"

The engines began to rumble. Swearing under his breath, Jack jammed his things into a locker, securing it with his finger print, then ran for the bridge.

---

"Captain," Jack called out as he saw her, then nodded at the man standing beside her. "Doctor."

"I was.. held up at the checkpoint," he sighed. "I'm sorry, if I'd been here, we wouldn't be stuck with a bunch of civilians on board. We can try for a patrol boat once we reach orbit to get them off...."

Assuming whoever was trying to get at the Jotunheim hadn't already planned for that.

"Your orders?" Jack Mallory asks, standing at attention with all the dignity he could muster.

[Assistant]
Zey emerged from the airlock with several of her crew into the corridor that ran down the middle of the lower forward deck. It was even loud and more uncomfortable than usual. The lighting was harsh, it smelled of chemicals and freshly fabricated metal. The engine vibrations were more pronounced, and right now there were over thirty civilians crammed into it. Some were milling around, trying to find a way out or place to sit. Others had just plonked themselves down on the boxes of supplies along the walls or the one sofa, chattering worriedly or checked themselves for bullet holes.

Vigdis and Mr Chappel the surveyor contractor stumbled away through the crowd and Zey didn't have one moment to negotiate her own way through before she heard someone shout "Captain!". She looked and found Duncan Feng addressing her.

"You're intact right?"

"I'm fine!" Zey shouted back over the din, she unclipped an earbud from her communicator and pushed it into one ear.

"Get these people strapped or tied down, we're leaving!" She patted the Doctor on the shoulder and made to turn toward the bridge when her XO appeared from the crowd, talking about going into orbit. She was relieved to see her second-in-command, though she didn't show it. Having him on the bridge meant she could focus on not killing every stowaway on board.

Everyone's voice was getting progressively louder, so Zey leaned in and placed a hand on Mallory's shoulder so she could shout in his ear. "Negative, it's too risky! We'll move the Jo to a TGOC ground installation to decant these civilians! Get to the bridge and plot us a flight plan out of here. Fast and low as this fat lady can go! Tell Anselm we need to break this comms blackout and make contact with HQ yesterday, get them to get an escort over here and prepare their site in Iceland or Russia for us. go go go!"

Someone from the bridge wafted into her ear."Captain, there are two unidentified men with guns in the shuttle bay. I've sealed off the airlock. Edwards is still inside."

Zey immediately spun around and looked through the viewing ports. The airlock was empty, and through the viewing port on the other side she locked eyes with Tyreese Darnell who was hammering on the door from the other side. A bulky soldier in full gear stood behind him, pointing a long gun at someone out of view - Zey presumed it was Eva as she'd have been strapping her mech in.

The man pointed at the lock, then put a sat phone with a floppy antenna to his ear and mimed talking. Zey could feel movement in her legs as the Jotunheim began moving slowly out of the hangar bay.

"They're shooting at the jets!" Zey heard someone else call over comms.

"Bring our kinetic shielding online, direct it behind us." The Captain ordered, still staring through the viewing port at Darnell.

---

Vigdis had to request access to the Engineering airlock twice before a grase-smudged face appeared and studied her at the other end, eventually opening the first door. Once she'd stepped in, the shaven head and face recognisable as Danny Varen, FTL, spotted the gun on her back. After a moment, he opened the second door. He was dressed in black flip flops, navy shorts emblazoned with the Tamerlane logo, and a plate-carrier over his bare tattooed chest. As soon as there was clearance, Danny levelled a black tactical shotgun at her body.

"What's poppin' Vigdis? Put the gun down and put your hands up."

Danny looked off to his left. "Search her."

A second engineer stepped round the corner, shotgun in hand, and went to pat her down.

"Hey! What's going on back there? I need help powering up the shields." came the stentorian voice of the Jotunheim's formidable lead engineer, Zhào Jiāyí. Though short in stature, everyone knew this harmless-looking middle aged lady had all of her larger and younger engineers firmly in check.

"Its Vigdis!" Danny called back, not taking his eyes off her.

"Well, stop copping a feel and tell her to get her butt over to the shield console!"

Danny looked a bit sheepish, then cracked a grin.

"Sorry Vigdis. Gotta be safe. Whats happening out there?"

---

"You're bleeding!" The teenage boy sitting opposite Fret called out, pointing to the blood on Mr Chappel's hand.

"Oh my god! Is there a doctor on board?" His mum called through the open conference room doorway.