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Topic: Updated! The Crow's Nest
In: Boards ► Places ► America ► Brockton Bay ► Discussions
Sidebored (Original Poster) (Veteran Member)
Posted on May 6, 2011:
Alright, let's get things settled all official now. For all the rumors and stuff leading up to this, check on the Original Thread.
Here's the official discussion thread for Brockton's latest independent hero, Crow. I'll try to keep things updated, but I'll only be included solid info here. Wild speculation is fun and all, but that ain't the way I play.
[Edit] Thread title selected by poll. You guys just couldn't resist, could you?
Now, most of this is scraped from the old thread, but some new info is included. Here's what we know so far:
Cape Name: Crow? (Semi-confirmed)
Affiliation: Independent (Ties to New Wave)
Costume: Street clothes, black hoody, cloth mask.
[Update!]Reports coming in talking about a 'freaky-ass bird-mask'
[Update!]As of 5/5/11, we've got what looks like a proper costume. Check it out here, and here, with detail on the mask here.
xxxx
Activities: Deals mostly with low-level street crime. Somebody's been dropping two-bit thugs at police stations, and from what I can get out of people, they're all being attributed to the same person.
[Update!] We've got a few people talking about Glory Girl and an unknown with a baseball bat putting the hurt on some Empire jackoffs. Sounds like our mystery cape.
[Update!] Check out the Brockton Wards thread. Kid Win's talking about meeting a new cape. Teleporation and a baseball bat. P.S. The kickass new hero is definitely a lady. For those of you who called it, twenty points. Good on you.
[Update!] Hahaholy crap. Just watch this video.
xxxx
Known Powers-
Teleportation: No limit that anyone's seen, though that doesn't mean much. [Edit] A couple people have said she leaves ash behind?
Rat Control [and Creation]: She...controls rats, apparently. [Edit] And can make them appear out of nowhere, according to her story here.
Night Vision: Mentioned offhand here.
xxxx
Photos:
[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
Videos:
[Forseberg Gallery Fundraiser 5-5-11]
PHO Wiki Entry
(Showing Page 16 of 25)
► HoraceTombs (Practical Zombie)
Replied on May 7, 2011:
Alright, we're like twenty pages in, and I have to ask. Is nobody else just a little skeptical about the ABB safehouse thing? Not to rag on the new(ish) hero or anything, but you have to admit it's a little far-fetched. One Cape, presumably without much training, operating without backup...
I mean, it makes an awesome story (even if her delivery leaves something to be desired), but can we get a little more confirmation besides 'hey I did this'?
[Edit] Yes, I'm aware that the only other witnesses in this case would be ABB. Yes, I know that most gang members aren't about to talk about having their asses handed to them by one person. I was just curious, jeeze...
► DukeBertholtWhiterock
Replied on May 7, 2011:
HoraceTombs: I can definitely see where you're coming from on this one, as cool as the story is, we don't have much in the way of proof, and the only people other than Crow are ABB and I doubt that any of them would be willing to talk. Unless there's someone who has the power to force people to tell the truth… that'd be a pretty scary Master power if used right…
Ah, whoops getting off topic near the end there.
To get back on topic, my real question is how close is Crow with New Wave as a whole? I mean, we know that she's pretty close with GG based on how often they've been seen working together, but what about the other members?
► TheSpikyKitten
Replied on May 7, 2011:
Dudes, I'm still creeped out by that bird mask. And now she can apparently control and evn create rats? Look, all I'm saying is that if there's suddenly a rise in diseases transmitted by animals- or, you know, the bubonic plague- we know who to look for.
► DukeBertholtWhiterock
Replied on May 7, 2011:
That's… a very good point…
On the other hand, think she can control/create bugs too?
► PretentiousBastard
Replied on May 7, 2011:
TheSpikyKitten If she wanted to go Willard on us, she probably wouldn't be larking about with Lady Thug-Pummeler. And if the rats she creates are infected, she'd probably be in PRT custody right now. New Wave are a lot of things, but I highly doubt they'd be stupid enough to let a teleporting pocket Nilbog follow them around without some sort of oversight.
Though, in all honesty I'm quite glad the broody ninja plague-doctor didn't go villain. Used properly, that power-set would be a bloody nightmare to deal with if you ain't a cape, and even then it'd still be trouble.
DukeBertholtWhiterock Your guess is as good as mine, mate. For all we know, she could be hiding precog, sound control, time fuckery, pyrokineses, and being able to transform into a giant stuffed duck under that hood of her's. Hers? Ah, damn it, I always fuck up on possessive apostrophes.
► CorvidConspiracy
Replied on May 7, 2011:
DukeBertholtWhiterock
Bug control? Really? How is that even remotely related to rat control?
Also, I'm pretty sure that she's just really close with GloryGirl, and that's why they hang out and patrol together. Think about it, GloryGirl was the only member of New Wave at the party, so it'd be a pretty big coincidence if they met through New Wave.
Despite what people like 666-Armsmaster-X-Alexandria-666 and BrocktonWallflower97 say, it's pretty obvious that GloryGirl is OnlyGirl for Crow.
Real question is, is GG's boyfriend willing to share?
TheSpikyKitten
I don't think we should be too afraid of the rats. They probably disappear or something after a while which would mean the diseases they carry dissappears too, if they carry them.
► WagTheDog
Replied on May 7, 2011:
HoraceTombs Regarding the whole ABB raid thing, its gotta be true right? I mean, you can see in the video that she beat most undersiders (though not Bitch, would've been very different if she went up against her.). seems to me like shes even better then armsmaster and the other heroes.
► TheSpikyKitten
Replied on May 7, 2011:
WagTheDog 'Even better than Armsmaster and the other heroes'? Whoa now, let's not be so hasty; that's quite a claim to make.
More likely, Crow (is that her official name now?) had different priorities from the Protectorate. She saw villains to beat down on, and they saw innocent bystanders to protect. The result tends to be the same (as in, 'stop the cause of the danger [the villains]), but it doesn't always end the same, as we saw from the video. The one cape Crow went after was easily nabbed, while the rest of the Undersiders got away for the most part, because the heroes were focused on defense.
► DukeBertholtWhiterock
Replied on May 7, 2011:
CorvidConspiracy, from what we've seen, Crow's a grab-bag cape, she could pull out the ability to shoot tornados from her hands and it wouldn't be too weird. Creating/controlling bugs is just speculation, it might not just be rats but pests in general that she can create.
Also, why are we assuming that Crow's trying to get with GG? Can they not just be friends? Oh wait, this is the internet…
► ForsakenSteve
Replied on May 7, 2011:
TheSpikyKitten That may be, but one has to admit that an entire team of Protectorate capes led by one of the formost Tinkers in the world not only failing to apprehend a single one of the Undersiders but also being completely upstaged by virtual unknown is just a tad damning. Make no mistake, a lot of heads are going to roll. Armsmaster's might be one of them.
► CorvidConspiracy
Replied on May 7, 2011:
DukeBertholtWhiterock
Are you implying that it's possible for someone to NOT try and get with GG? Sounds ridiculous, unless she was, like, her sister or something.
ForsakenSteve
What makes no sense to me is that Armsmaster was awesome enough to take down Lung on his own, but here he gets overshadowed by a newbie teenager.
Maybe it's just that the ones she took won were relatively easy to capture. Seeing how her story was about a safehouse filled with normals, it doesn't seem that she had much experience in cape vs cape fights before the fundraiser.
► PretentiousBastard
Replied on May 7, 2011:
ForsakenSteve Mate, they we're going up against a team lead by Grue in a room packed to the ceiling with civvies and VIPs. That, my friend, is what's referred to as a freaking tactical nightmare. The hell would you have them do? Fire blindly and hope they don't hit anyone who's not a villain? Quite frankly, they played it the best they could with what they had.
Also, Crow seems to be able to chain-teleport with no little to no cooldown, and can carry people with her. That is just bullshit in CQC, and it showed. Specifically, it showed on Tattletale's face the moment Crow went and yoinked her out of her little monologue.
► DukeBertholtWhiterock
Replied on May 7, 2011:
CorvidConspiracy, I am implying that. I am implying that so hard. If your theory was correct, then why isn't the relationship between the various teen heroes of the city something more akin to one of those shitty harem anime that gets imported from Aleph very now and then?
Also, it makes sense that the Protectorate would have some difficulty catching the Undersiders if they were focused on protecting the civilians, but they probably should have done a bit better…
► Clockblocker (Verified Cape) (Wards ENE)
Replied on May 7, 2011:
Hey guys, what's going on in this thr-
Oh! Are we talking about Not-Crow? (It seems like it. People don't seem to remember the 'not' very often.)
I've met her a couple of times, you know. I mean that really literally. Nobody knows anything about her. Except maybe Glory Girl. Which is interesting.
p.s. why does her thread have more replies in a day than mine has had in a month?
p.p.s. Kid Win has informed me it's because I am 'a gigantic toolbox' (but what does he know? He's a grumpy grump that doesn't do his paperwork and reads people's forum posts over their shoulders like a creep)
PretentiousBastard
'Broody ninja plague-doctor'. I really like this, and you should definitely call her that to her face if you ever meet her in a dark alley.
TheSpikyKitten
Hitting the nail on the head, man. There were a ton of people there, and Grue is generally an asshole in a fight. The whole thing was basically a giant hostage situation, even if nobody just up and said it.
I mean, yeah, Crow still kicked ass. Just, you know, if it'd turned into a free-for-all, a bunch of civvies would've wound up stomped by Hellhound's monsters.
DukeBertholtWhiterock
Now I kinda wish that theory was right.
Not because I want a harem (and, I mean, c'mon, who would, right? ) but because I want to see Gallant fumble trying to manage half a dozen relationships at once.
It'd be hilarious. I know you all agree with me. In fact, you should all speculate endlessly on the various potential romantic entanglements that Crow could upset or improve.
Come on, PHO. Don't let me down, here.
► DukeBertholtWhiterock
Replied on May 7, 2011:
Clockblocker
In regards to your post script, consider the fact that you are no longer a new cape, whereas Crow is new and mysterious.
In regards to the fumbling of relationships, I have no doubt that everyone would be fumbling those relationships, and it'd probably be hilarious to watch. Especially given the fact that if this were as shitty as those anime (anime? Animes?), the villains would eventually get entangled and then it would get really messy.
To be more on topic, might Crow be disrupting the bonds between the members of New Wave without the romantic entanglements.
► ForsakenSteve
Replied on May 7, 2011:
DukeBertholtWhiterock
Possibly, possibly not. While looking like the main antagonist in a slasher flick doesn't exactly mesh well with New Wave's theme of bright, white, and spangly, I'm not seeing a reason why her apparent alliance with Glory Girl would be inherently detrimental to NW's overall group cohesion, unless they somehow take offense at their members working with outsiders.
► PretentiousBastard
Replied on May 7, 2011:
ForsakenSteve
Other than the fact that she royally pissed off the Protectorate when she flat-out stole one of Shadow Stalker's crossbows?
► ForsakenSteve
Replied on May 7, 2011:
PretentiousBastard
Granted, that particular instance may cause some friction, but her ultimate combat effectiveness in matters regarding infiltration, stealth, evasion, and scouting makes her an exceedingly useful asset, and one moment of obstinate belligerence to a third party doesn't strike me as sufficient motivation to alienate her.
► TheAngryWombat
Replied on May 7, 2011:
ForsakenSteve
So you're saying that as long as she's useful, she can get away with being a total bitch?
► ForsakenSteve
Replied on May 7, 2011:
TheAngryWombat
If there's any merit to those rumors floating around, one could make precisely the same argument regarding Shadow Stalker.
► CorvidConspiracy
Replied on May 7, 2011:
Maybe a little tinfoil, but maybe not-crow is already working with the PRT? Seems to me like a spy/infiltrator/scout is a lot more effective if people don't know you have them. All this PRT-Crow conflict could just be manufactured to create the impression that the relationship is strained, while she's secretly a ward.
Would explain why Clockblocker is being so nice about her, seems like a weird thing to do if she just stole his teammate's crossbow.
The way I see it, it's either that, or BrocktonWallflower97's crow-blocker ship is correct, and we all know how little sense that makes!
End of Page. 1, 2, 3 ... 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 ... 23 , 24, 25
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Topic: Undersiders Discussion Thread
In: Boards ► Places ► America ► Brockton Bay ► Discussions
Pizzaria (Original Poster)
Posted on January 20, 2011:
It's a thread. About the Undersiders.
Profiles for:
Grue - Tattletale - Regent - Bitch
Known actvities
Suspected activities
Let's talk about Brockton's up-and-coming lesser evils, huh?
(Showing Page 43 of 43)
► OnceAndFuture
Replied on May 6, 2011:
Welp, it finally happened. The Undersiders must have been buying into their own hype, because they actually thought they could hit a Fundraiser full of big-wigs and what's got to be half the heroes in the city...and get away with it.
Spoiler: They didn't.
Video.
► ForsakenSteve
Replied on May 6, 2011:
It appears that someone made a gif of the precise moment Tattletale was snatched away by a teleporting Crow.
To it, I respond thusly:
► TheSpikyKitten
Replied on May 6, 2011:
And now someone just needs to put it to horribly inappropriate music for the situation. Apparently, she's a Thinker of some kind?
Guess she never thought she would become a meme, huh?
...Alright, that was a bad pun. MY BRAIN CAN'T BE TRUSTED!
► mr_bob_dobolina
Replied on May 6, 2011:
Aww man that sucks. Taking on all those capes was a stupid move but watching them go down like punks just aint right. Least Grue got away. He threatened to break my legs one time but at least he's been sticking it to those ABB sons of bitches.
► OnceAndFuture
Replied on May 6, 2011:
Are you for real? You know what the fundraiser they crashed was about, right? The Protectorate and PRT wrecking the ABB?
But you know, hey, if you want to thank the Undersiders instead, that's cool. I bet there are a lot of people in the Docks who would totally agree that they've been helpful.
Here, check it out. There's even some talk in other threads and in the news about how helpful they were helping the E88 wreck about fifty thousand dollars worth of private property and cause a few dozen near fatal injuries.
Seriously, they're practically heroes. And they totally don't deserve to be chased down, arrested, and made fun of on the internet.
► VeganPiranha
Replied on May 6, 2011:
Did they just take too many stupid pills that morning, or are they genuinely that dumb? I mean just... Seriously? Seriously? You seriously thought it was a good idea to assault a fundraiser attended by every Protectorate cape in entire freaking city, plus half the independents? Are they just desperate to see the inside of a jail cell or did they come down with a severe case of Doltus Duficus Moronicus? Perhaps my standards are a little high, but I would expect that any villain team worth their salt to have a collective IQ higher than a brain-dead goldfish in a bowl of fermenting pond-scum! Mother of Christ, these imbeciles are an embarrassment to the human race. Thank god half of them are looked away, so I don't have to worry about losing braincells just by breathing the same air as them.
► WagTheDog
Replied on May 6, 2011:
OnceAndFuture
Shut up they totally could've won, and they only lost Tattletale and Regent, they still have their leader and their most important member anyway and crow would totally have lost against Bitch
VeganPiranha
Shut up your stupid Bitch and the Undersiders are awesome and they totally could have run at the start but didn't run because they're not cowards like you!
► CorvidConspiracy
Replied on May 6, 2011:
WagTheDog
Yeah, they would've gotten away with it if it weren't for those meddling kids!
So, anyone else wondering what happened when not-Crow and Tattletale teleported away together? Anyone else up for some Tattle-Crow?
► VeganPiranha
Replied on May 6, 2011:
I said that if the thought process behind this attack is indication, the Undersiders would be hard-pressed to outwit a moldy fruit basket, not that they're a bunch cowards. And if you love them so much, why don't you go join? I'm sure they'll be looking for worthy cannon-fodder minions now that they've undergone... downsizing. Yes. Downsizing.
► DukeBertholtWhiterock
Replied on May 6, 2011:
WagThe Dog
I know that you're enamoured with Hellhound (in fact, I doubt that there's anyone on this website that doesn't) but I think you're discounting how useful those two probably are to the Undersiders. You can't assume that they're perfectly fine, especially since they literally just lost half of their group.
In regards to a fight between Crow and Hellhound, I'd reckon that Crow would be more likely to win. Teleporting is a really strong power, and I assume that Crow would be smart enough to separate Hellhound from her dogs as fast as she could.
CorvidConspiracy
Given how terrified Tattletale looked when Crow teleported back in with her, I don't think it was anywhere near as romantic as you're imagining. I wonder where they went…
► ForsakenSteve
Replied on May 6, 2011:
VeganPiranha
This attack may not have been as ill-advised as you seem to believe, on account that the only reason that two of their number were apprehended was the meddling of a particular corvid, not the might of the Protectorate or the wrath of any of the innumerable independent capes that were in attendance. I must admit, I might that exceedingly... disturbing.
► LividLazer
Replied on May 6, 2011:
So anyone got any predictions on the future of the undersiders? Will they break out their imprisoned members? Are Grue and Hellhound going to continue going at it with just the two of them? (And are they going at it? I know Bitch is kinda ugly but Grue can just turn the lights off can't he?) Will they recruit someone else? Move to a different city where they won't get taken down by a single rookie?
ForsakenSteve
I'm not so sure if Regent and Tattletale would've gotten away if it weren't for Crow, it's Grue and Bitch that have the Mover/Shaker combo that allows them to escape, they could've failed anyways.
► PretentiousBastard
Replied on May 6, 2011:
ForsakenSteve
There's a reason for that, mate. The Undies were coming in with just about every natural advantage you'd care to name into a scenario that forced every hero there to play turtle. Between the rampaging dogosaurs and not being able to see or hear a bloody thing, it was all they could do contain the Undersiders and keep the panicking civvies safe, and going on the offensive against the bastards would put the ball firmly in their court.
And that was exactly the plan: by forcing the heroes to go on the defensive and cluster up around the civilians, they could herd them into smaller groups and pick them off one at a time.
Aye, Grue and Bitch were probably on crowd control, with Regent and Tattletale on take down duty. All in all, it was a fairly solid plan, but they forgot one thing: No plan ever survives contact with the enemy. In this case, they didn't account for Crow being able to close and take out their enforcers before Grue had time to react and cover, and when they lost the people responsible for thinning out the heroes, the remaining Undersiders either had to bug-out or get worn down through sheer attrition.
Their primary problem was that they relied too heavily on momentum, of being able to smash apart and contain the enemy before they had time to recover and regroup. Crow, by virtue of being more bullshit than the Undies were anticipating, was able to essentially stall and defang them, buying the heroes enough time to finally get their shit together and start going on the offensive.
LividLazer
The Undersiders took a huge loss in this, and pretty much everyone knows it. To survive, they're either going to have to move, recruit some more capes, hire a battalion of goons, and they have to do it pronto. If they don't, they're either going to get captured and hauled off to prison by the PRT, or get picked off/absorbed by one of the other gangs. Honestly, I'm not seeing them recovering from this, and unless they get a freaking miracle they'll be gone in a couple of months at the most.
► ForsakenSteve
Replied on May 6, 2011:
PretentiousBastard
Are you implying that the likes of Armsmaster, Miss Militia, Assault, Battery, Velocity, the legions of PRT troopers, and the small army of highly trained heroically inclined capes are all liable to to be easily defeated in one-to-one combat by a pair of spandex-clad teenagers who are barely old enough to apply for a learners permit?
► DyingEarth
Replied on May 6, 2011:
The Undersiders bounced back after being targeted by Lung, robbed a bank in the middle of the day (and smacked down the Wards + Glory Girl) with minimal help from the Travelers, and were taken down by a wildcard that even you guys admit has been kind of bullshit so far.
So personally? I would be keeping my eye out for their next move. Because it's make or break at this point.
► DukeBertholtWhiterock
Replied on May 7, 2011:
DyingEarth has a point here, as much as one would say that the Undersiders are small time, they're small time in Brockton Bay. Most small time groups get ground out by the ABB, E88, and the Merchants, or they get assimilated into one of them.
But, now they're down literally half of their group, likely in a vulnerable position, and probably not doing to well in terms of morale. If someone puts the squeeze on Grue and Hellhound, they might crumble.
► LividLaser
Replied on May 7, 2011:
DyingEarth
Good point about the travelers, I wonder why they'd work together on the bank job, but not on this fundraiser attack. makes you wonder what the purpose of the whole attack was.
► DyingEarth
Replied on May 7, 2011:
LividLaser
You're definitely not the only one that wants to know.
End of Page. 1, 2, 3 ... 42, 43, 44
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Topic: Wards Thread Numero Tres
In: Boards ► Places ► America ► Brockton Bay
Serkos (Original Poster)
Posted on January 1, 2011:
A New Thread for the New Year!
Wards Thread the Second
Current Roster
FAQ and Guidlines Reminder (Please, for the love of god read these)
(Showing Page 96 of 96)
► Orcandle
Replied on May 7, 2011:
VinnyVeracity
Exactly. There's no reason for us to even assume otherwise.
XxVoid_CowboyxX
Which is why you need to chill the fuck out, man.
► XxVoid_CowboyxX (Temp-banned)
Replied on May 7, 2011:
[User recieved and Infraction for this post]
► Heavy_Seltzer_Water (Moderator)
Replied on May 7, 2011:
We're dealing with this crap from you on three different threads now. I don't know what's got you so worked up, but have a temp ban while you cool off.
Anyone wants to continue this argument, then they can join him.
► LavenderGooms
Replied on May 7, 2011:
So is that confirmed anywhere? I know that Clockblocker has a habit of talking up just about everything (and normally it's pretty fun!) but usually I can find someone with the actual story.
[Fake Edit] This is tallyMark btw.
[Actual Edit] Ooo, someone's in trouuuble...
► Orcandle
Replied on May 7, 2011:
Heavy_Seltzer_Water
Yeah, I wasn't really helping there.
But anyway, just checked the thread for Crow again, saw a post. Made me think: if miss Scary Mask did join up with the Wards (which, considering her apparent thing with New Wave, doesn't seem too likely), how do you think she'd fit in?
Synergy-wise, I mean. Don't think we know enough about her to get wrapped up in the interpersonal stuff
► VinnyVeracity
Replied on May 7, 2011:
I think the most obvious would be Clockblocker. I mean, pairing the insta-capture Striker with the teleporter just makes sense. If what tallyMark's saying is right, too, then Crow knows that too.
Thought I saw her with a baton in that video, and she talked about using a bat, but neither of those are really game-changers. Give her a crossbow *heh* or one of Kid Win's laser pistols, though, and you get mobility+reach. Not limited by Line of sight (from what we've seen), and assuming her teleports are practically instant, the fact that she can teleport other people makes her more versatile than the other movers on the team.
I'm more curious how she fits into New Wave tbh. They've got plenty of movers already. I guess she rounds out the close-combat side of things a little bit, but next to Manpower and Brandish I doubt it's very much.
► Orcandle
Replied on May 7, 2011:
VinnyVeracity
That's assuming she's worked with (or is planning to work with) anyone other than Glory Girl. As a pair, they seem pretty well rounded.
Mover abilities are different (meaning more options), but probably roughly equal in terms of mobility, so they can keep up with each other on the fly. GG Is a solid, flashy Brute, and while Crow's obviously more squishy, she's obviously leaning toward stealth.
Crow's got those rat projections, and can obviously control them pretty well (She mentions using them as a distraction while in another room here) so that's prime recon material there.
Basically my take is that Crow sets things up, Glory Girl knocks them down. Pretty baddass
► VinnyVeracity
Replied on May 7, 2011:
Orcandle
'Crow sets up, GG knocks down'. That's frickin' sweet, man. Can I sig that?
► tallyMark
Replied on May 7, 2011:
LavenderGooms
Normally I'd agree with you, but considering this time he was talking up somebody else (when he could have claimed all the credit) I'm inclined to believe it.
Which, btw, props to him. Proving yet again why he's Best Ward.
► Hummingbird_Saltalamacchia
Replied on May 7, 2011:
I still think it's cool that the Wards (and Glory Girl) were able to get at least a little bit of payback for Bay Central. Who wants to bet with the Undersider's gone they'll start on the Travelers?
► Clockblocker (Verified Cape) (Wards ENE)
Replied on May 7, 2011:
Whoa whoa whoa...whoa.
Whoa.
Okay, first off; Vista is Best Ward. There's no arguing that.
Second, While a little proxy-revenge is nice, we've got bigger things to worry about in this city than a group of b-listers that have probably already moved on.
Third...I don't actually have a third. It just seemed wrong not to try and include it.
P.S. Gallant, I know you're reading this. I just got a threatening text from a very annoyed someone-that-will-not-be-named. Turn your phone on, man.
End of Page. 1, 2, 3 ... 95, 96, 97
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Dean sighed, logged out, and pushed away from the computer. The familiar amusement practically radiating off of Dennis was reassuring, in some ways, but he would have prefered it wasn't at his expense. A quick turn and there he was, sitting across the room with his phone and…
"Where did you get the binoculars?"
"Gift shop." Dennis lifted them up to show the metallic blue 'Armsmaster' logo. "Picked 'em up a couple days ago and they've really come in handy so far."
The obvious next question was 'what for?', but he wasn't feeling up to falling into that particular trap. Better to focus on what sounded like another potential headache. (And he hated thinking about it that way)...his civilian phone was as readily accessible as the one the PRT had issued, tucked into one of several armored pouches built into his armor. A quick check confirmed why he hadn't received any recent calls.
"I'm...going to go charge my phone."
"Awesome. So I can tell Glory Girl she doesn't need to sicc her feathered friend on me?"
"What, are you afraid of Crow now?"
"I'm pretty sure your girlfriend could convince her to drop a few rats on me when I least expect it." Dennis slumped back, prickling with frustration and, yes, a small spark of apprehension. "And I can't even do my usual freeze-tag retaliation."
"Right, well...good luck with that."
"Uh-huh…"
Grabbing his helmet off the desk almost as an afterthought, Dean wasted no time ensconcing himself in his cubicle of a room and plugging in his phone. A few moments to get it turned on, and check the shorter-than-usual string of missed calls and texts…
But she'd also gone through the trouble of contacted Dennis to get his attention. The least he could do was not get distracted by those and just call her immediately.
The phone rang. She picked up.
"Hey, it's me. Is something wrong?"
"Yeah, you're not picking up your phone is what."
Alright, so she sounded annoyed. But not angry, or afraid, so it couldn't be anything terrible. "I'm sorry. But, you know, you could have called my PRT phone."
"Yeah, right. That's not going to happen." A pause. "So listen, I could use a little Wards-style insight. Can I ask you a few questions?"
That...didn't sound like a good conversation. Dean sighed, rubbed at his face, and sat down on the edge of his cot. "Alright."
He'd been right. Half an hour later, he was wondering why he'd assumed it would be anything else.
"So…" That was Dennis, standing by his open door. "I take it this whirlwind romance is back in the 'off-again' stage?"
xxxxxxxxxx
"And here I thought I was the empath."
"Dude, you were on the phone for longer than ten minutes. That pretty much guarantees it."
Dean glared, but couldn't put much actual anger into it. Dennis could be an ass, sometimes, but he meant well. "It...does always seem to be over the phone, doesn't it?"
"Makes me wonder why you bother, sometimes. Doesn't really seem worth it, in the long term-" A buzzer sounded, and they both jumped. "Ah, crap. Left my mask…"
And he was gone. Dean sighed, and reached for his own helmet to pull it on. Lock it into place with a familiar click. Another part of the routine, just like Dennis' jokes, the tour coming through...and, apparently, an over-the-phone breakup.
Were they really in that sort of rut?
A sharp buzz. This time, his PRT phone. An alert from Armsmaster, who was...apparently in the building, too.
Well, meeting with their illustrious leader would be a decent distraction, if nothing else.
Dean tucked his PRT phone away, left the other on a side table to charge, and slipped out of his cubicle. On the other side of the HQ was Dennis, suited up and cheerfully freezing couch cushions in the air to the delight of the tourists on the other side of the window. He offered an offhand wave and a friendly smile, himself, before heading directly for the door out.
Making his way through the halls was something he could do in his sleep, now. He'd certainly taken this route half asleep more times than he cared to count. Left from the HQ, two intersections, then a right. Straight onto the elevator, and one Tinker-tech smooth ride later he was two doors down from the briefing room.
Armsmaster was there already; the stern frown and rigid posture were as inscrutable as ever, but even he felt. At the moment, it was...well, sharp. Like curiosity, but colder. 'Focus' was about the closest description he'd ever been able to attribute to that particular feeling, and it meant that something specific had caught his attention.
"Gallant. Close the door."
He stepped in and did just that, drawing himself up to show that he was paying the proper attention. "Sir?"
Armsmaster was never one for mincing words. He turned away from the whiteboard he'd been examining (the remains of one of their brainstorming sessions for dealing with the Undersiders), and adjusted the halberd holstered across his back. "Tell me about Shadow Stalker."
That...had to be a coincidence.
"You know, you're the second person to ask me that, today."
A spike, irritation, more focus. And Dean became very aware that he'd drawn Armsmaster's full attention. "Then it's fresh on your mind."
"I guess it is." He paused, sighed, and reached up to adjust his helmet slightly. "Where do you want me to start?"
"Her relationship with the other members of your team."
So, that's where he started.
Answering questions took significantly longer than half an hour, this time.