GrayHuntress

The game token machine was only a few paces down from the Freedom Phalanx game, she purchased enough for eleven games of three rounds each…just in case they got really drawn into it. The idle game machine was cycling through pre-recorded fights, displaying the various Phalanxers fighting styles. Occasionally in versus mode, an archvillain would randomly spawn and would attack either player. The current scoreboard cycled through, with ALM at the top… Alex Lee Monroe.

Alex activated the controls and began setting the stage, they were going to be fighting outside of Grandville; she always enjoyed fighting a Lord Recluse spawn, but it was also the hardest map.

“Will Grandville be too hard for you, Blake?” Alex toyed with her friend.

After the loading screen finished, Alex immediately threw the combo for Lingering Radiation to slow Synapse’s speed and attack rate then was flying in the air in no time. “Try defying gravity, you speeder.” Alex quipped, adrenaline bringing her mind to focus.

Alex met Blake with a laugh of her own, "Ha! I accept your challenge and raise the bid to ten bucks," She was tempted by the idea of making him play Statesman, who ironically was the weakest member of the Phalanx in the game, but decided against it, "And who's pitying who now? I'll choose Posi, but you can pick your own corpse." She grabbed Blake's hand in a sturdy handshake before heading to the game.

It was a huge hit and they decided to immediately turn it into a film, but it was several months before a dozen different writers could agree on a script. And then...

Alex laughed a bit and joked, “Your grades can’t be that bad. As long as you have a high-D average, you’re still passing.”

Within a few moments, the entrance to the Pizza Port was upon them with a bright orange-red neon sign hanging above the glass doors. The doors were automatic, so they opened when the two got close enough and the dull bass from the stereo boomed out. The place was packed with teens, usually between 14 to 19 years old or so…though this place was still home to several college students as well. The lighting in the place was slightly dark, creating the atmosphere of a club; however, there was no DJ booth or a dance floor. Instead the place was built like a giant pizza, arcade machines lined the walls of the circular main room and formed the ‘crust,’ the linoleum floor mimicked this appearance before transitioning into a red sauce; this is where the table games were placed in a ring around the room, though there were several concrete pillars as well. The pizza floor became ‘cheese and supreme toppings’ at the center, and the bulk of the room was placed on top of it. Several metal tables, some able to seat up to ten people, created the dining area, and at the very center of the room was the bar-island.

The island was converted from its original purpose to serve as the order booth, where a variety of meals, mainly pizzas obviously, could be ordered as well as drinks. A cleverly hidden trapdoor with a spiral staircase led to the kitchen down below; rumor was that the kitchen was where the Tite Rod stored their contraband for local drug lords and gangs, though another rumor said that it used to house a blood altar to Leghebu, a dark god of the Banished Pantheon, and countless victims were murdered below to bid for his favor. Maybe both urban legends were true.

The crowd appeared to be mainly high school students, though a gang of Hellion wanna-be’s were hanging out at a pool table on the far side of the room. Gil, the Pizza Port clerk, was working the counter; poor guy was likely to be a kid forever, but, hey, whatever floats his boat and he was cool anyway. Paul and Maria Summerfield, the friendly owners, were nowhere to be seen; perhaps they were in the kitchen or took the day off…

“So do ya wanna eat?” Alex asked Blake, “Or should I shamelessly beat you in versus mode in ‘Freedom Phalanx?’” Alex was referring to the combat game that allowed you play as a member of the Freedom Phalanx in either single or versus. “I’ll even let you pick your hero first.”

Her face briefly lost its normally open and welcoming expression, losing some of its tenderness. Truth was that she wouldn’t know how her mother has been lately; she has not seen her in person literally for about a month. Ever since her dad disappeared, mom has been working non-stop, doing her best to keep the two of them afloat. Since she lacked any formal college education, and since dad used to take care of the family, her mom normally stayed at home or volunteered to staff local events part-time. Everything changed, and all that was left of their mother-daughter bond is a shell.

Alex knew her mom loved and cared about her, that’s why she worked so hard with double shifts; but she has lost her spirit and warmth. In order to receive the human connection Alex desired, she did what she could to help the locals and, more closely, her fellow apartment tenants. She briefly mulled over her response.

“She’s doing well, I guess. Work has been keeping her away and drained, so she’s usually tired and sticks to her room,” She attempted to brighten her statement, “Well, she is still with me, right?”

Alex tried to ease out of the subject and her expression lightened with sarcasm, “But hey! I still have Mabel to play Mother Hen, and she’s persistent enough keep my day both action-packed and filled with unwanted attention. Did you know that she coincidentally has begun taking her overgrown rat on walks every time I head to ‘school’ in the morning? I wouldn’t put it past her that she’s been nosing around the high school to see if I’m still going there.”

The astral form of Tina Turner came to me in a beam of diva-light and gave me the Karaoke Crown, with a warning that with great power came great responsibility, and then...

I jumped off the grill onto the karaoke stage, just as they started to play Tina Turner's "Private Dancer" song, and then...

I was back in the chinese restaurant, and then...

Alex smiled at Blake’s offer, “The Pizza Port is just a couple of blocks down the road. We could play some pool; maybe try out the arcade as well.” The Pizza Port was a popular hang-out for kids in Galaxy. Apparently, it used to be a bar, called the Tite Rod, filled with gang activity and shadowy deals; when hero activity picked up and through the efforts of one of Galaxy’s very own, the Rod was shut down and considered condemned.

However, in an effort to revitalize the City’s image, a lovely young couple and avid entrepreneurs had the place renovated and set the theme for young adults under 21. Even though the place still has the general appearance of a bar, it doesn’t serve alcohol and smoking isn’t permitted on the premises; an extensive arcade was installed as well as several table games, like billiards and air hockey. Unfortunately, the gang activity wasn’t completely banished, and sometimes young Hellion wanna-be’s hung out in the Port and caused trouble.

Despite that, the Pizza Port was still the hottest spot to hang out in Galaxy. “You take care of the food; I’ll take care of the games.” Alex slid the edge of a twenty-dollar bill from her pocket, and then pushed it back in.

Alex slowed down before they reached a crosswalk and glanced back at the group to see who got tagged. Erik made his own escape unscathed, but poor Hunter seemed to have been caught by Mabel again and Nyte was sticking with him. She took a moment to let her breathing return to normal and her heart to calm.

“Well that was close,” she half-laughed at Blake, “Granted both Hunter and Nyte would be people more interesting to Mabel at the moment, I didn’t want her to start acting like my mother. Who knows what she would say to embarrass me.”

“I can still get something for Candice, Blake,” Alex offered with a smile, “I haven’t seen her for a bit, or would a pizza be better?”

“Hey Erik,” Alex smiled at the resident of 216, she always thought the fact that he was an albino was cool…if not that she was shamefully, sort of, a little bit, but not in a creepy sort of way, kind of attracted to him. And not in the love interest way, but the ‘Hey, he’s kinda cute way.’ She slightly blushed as these thoughts ran through her head, and then became redder at the thought that he might get that impression.

Alex immediately tensed up when she heard Mabel was approaching the group; her first thought was an escape plan. The group could probably disperse like the four winds, but the last one to leave would likely be caught in the clutches of Mabel. Too bad the most direct path to room 107 would lead her directly in the path of the busybody; she shifted from foot to foot.

“1, 2, 3, not it…” Alex muttered among the group, then raised her voice to a normal pitch to announce her escape, “Well, it certainly was a pleasure meeting both of you, Hunter and Nyte. Again, welcome to the apartment. Hey Blake! You know I just realized I forgot to get your sister a birthday present…last year, mind helping me pick out something for her?” She turned away from the group and began to briskly walk down the sidewalk to no shop in particular.

((Hehe, I don’t mind at all doodaa))

[ QUOTE ]
"welcome to the city and watch out for the rikti" he said with a laugh as he walked closer to the Alex and Hunter

[/ QUOTE ]

Alex smiled at Ramon’s half-joke, though it was sound advice: The Rikti were still among us. She was always welcoming of Ramon’s presence, even though he seemed like he was afraid to show himself.

“Heh,” Alex spoke to the other two, “He’s right you know, though I’d keep a lookout for Hellions and Vahz. They seem to like to hang out around this neighborhood.”

[ QUOTE ]
Blake nodded his head as he came within earshot, saying "Hey Alex, how's it going?"

[/ QUOTE ]

“Heya Blake,” She greeted him warmly, “I’m cool. Just greeting a couple of new residents to our friendly abode; Hunter and Nyte.” She motioned to each of them in kind, “I’m glad I was able to greet Nyte before Mabel; it would be terrible if she scared her off. Though the old hag already got to Hunter.” She ended that note as if that was a horrid fate for anyone.

Alex warmed a bit as Blake came closer. He was a cool kid…er, guy; even though he was a couple of years older than her she didn’t feel the awkwardness some kids felt around each other if they weren’t the same age.

Alex quickly accepted Nyte’s hand in greeting; the young teenager couldn’t help but let her eagerness go unchecked, after all, how often do you actually meet a hero? Sure, you can catch a glimpse of a half dozen if you spin around fast enough, but they’re normally too busy to stop.
“Heya, Nyte. Alex Monroe, room 107.” The fourteen-year old quickly followed Hunter with her own offer to help the hero move in.

Alex followed his gaze and moved out of the way with him as the movers approached. Her eyes widened a bit upon seeing the woman with wings. She whispered to Hunter, "Wow, another new resident...and a hero at that! I think she'll be the first one in this apartment..."
Obviously, Alex was unaware that this winged woman was joining the ranks with Hunter and Ramon as hero tenants.

((If I may ask, what zone of Paragon City are we in?))
Alex smiled that Hunter seemed to be a bookworm and was happy to offer him advice, “Well, the closest public library is the McVain Memorial Library on Brooks Street. Alister McVain was an ‘old money’ aristocrat of sorts, but rather than let his children inherit all the family wealth when he passed away, most of it was donated to the construction of a library. I’m going to guesstimate at least twenty million went into the project; its three stories high and filled with countless books from floor to ceiling…and some tasteful art in between. Library cards are free there. There are also two nearby bookstores: Hand-Me-Down Texts, a small cornerstore down the street that has a good stock of books that have been recycled, and The Great Library, a more exclusive bookstore that specializes in world mythology and the arcane but that one is a good hour or so walk from here and in a back alley.”

Alex caught on to what he meant; she didn't believe anyone was foolish enough to truly think Mabel was a nice woman, and not a two-faced devil-woman. Ok, maybe that was a bit harsh, but that woman has pushed her bounds in Alex’s space way too often.

“Oh, she sure is,” Alex played along, “If you’re lucky she’ll invite you over for 5 o’clock tea. She has a killer tea kettle. Heh, so are ya new to the City or have you just moved from a different district?”

At that moment, she noticed the man from 210 leaving the building and it appeared as though he caught sight of the new guy. She gave a wide wave to Ramon, who always seemed to be hidden in his coat, though she remained attentive for Hunter's response.

Alex sized the man up as he approached her and tried to get a feel for who he was; she got the impression that he was the mysterious, brooding type of guy, someone who liked to keep to themselves if they have a choice. The key word was ‘if’; since he was a new resident, she would do what she could to make him feel welcome.

“Yeah,” she began to answer his question, “The movers were making all sorts of racket trying to move you in. I’m in number 107, right below you, the name’s Alex Monroe.” She extended her hand in greeting.

“You must be important. Some of the ‘movers’ wore suits and sunglasses; obviously agents…the biggest cliché in the book. They performed an inspection of all the apartments before your arrival too. That nosy bat, Mabel, made such a big fuss over it; I figure ‘Hey, as long as you don’t ruffle through my underwear drawer feel free to tour my apartment, I ain’t got nothin’ to hide…’” Alex consciously stopped talking; she didn’t mean to go on and on like that.

Spring Fling? Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't we still in Winter until March 20th?

I saw Jason Voorhees in the ski mask aisle, 'cause apparently he broke his while he was doing...whatever he does, so with his experience with different ski mask brands I got a good deal in choosing what I was looking for. And then...

Alexis Monroe swung her empty, tan backpack back and forth as she walked down the street with a slight skip in her step toward home. By her appearance, it didn’t look like she had much. She wore a pair of well-worn jeans with several holes along the legs, and her white sneakers were pretty beat up and covered with dirt streaks and grease spots from when she made her rounds through the City. She wore a black T-Shirt with the sleeves torn off; she preferred wearing dark colored tops, because they could hide the grim for a bit longer than lighter tints could.

She preferred the name ‘Alex,’ and the preference matched her tomboyish appearance. She kept her light blonde hair short and shaggy; long hair was difficult to care for, and it would only get in her way and bring unwanted attention from the undesirables of the city. As such, she also avoided any make-up or painting her nails, and she was grateful that she had brown eyes, a very common trait among most people.

However, to say she was filthy was a bit unfair. She kept good care of her personal hygiene, and her clothing, albeit dirty, didn’t smell of body odor. Rather the smell of the city clung to her clothing: smoky from the cars, sometimes tempting from the smells of the plentiful street side food vendors, and occasionally earthy from the few times she did go searching for treasures most people throw away.

Her stroll along the street was interrupted by the cracked, but warm, greeting from a homeless panhandler sitting between an alley and a local drug store. His appearance was severely unkempt, a journal to catalogue the many years he’s been out here. But when he had caught sight of Alex, his heart warmed as she crossed the street.

“G’Day Miss Monroe,” he called out to Alex, “Another beautiful day for a walk, eh?”

“Heya Henry,” She smiled brightly at the older weather-worn man, “Every day is a perfect for a walk, even the rainy ones. How’s business?” She joked.

Henry looked inside his open can, “I’m doing alright, I’ll have enough to rent an apartment soon enough.” It was the same phrase he used every day. Alexis came closer and dug into her side pocket.

“Well maybe this will help you out,” She pulled out a handful of quarters, nickels, and dimes, “Found about $5.40 along Madison Avenue.” The change sang as it fell into the can, the music of the streets of Paragon City, “You have a good day, y’hear Henry.”

“Best day of my life,” Henry responded with his normal farewell.

Alex knew he wasn’t quite right all the time in his head, but she was fond of the older man and knew the City’s system had never been kind to him. Henry was usually her last stop before returning home to a normally empty apartment. Her mom worked double shifts six days of the week, and her dad, well her dad hadn’t been around for quite some time.

She was about fifteen feet from the stoop of the apartment building when a tall clean-shaven man in a dark suit and hat exited through the door. She never saw the likes of him before around this area.

“Heya mister!” She called out to him, “Are ya a visitor or new resident?”

Name: Alexis Monroe

Age: 14

Physical Attributes: 5’4; 105 lbs; short blonde hair and brown
eyes

Classification: Non-metahuman civilian of Paragon City

Record: Monroe lives in an apartment being raised by a mother who works double shifts. Her father, a Paragon City bus driver, disappeared five years ago after a mob of Vahzilok hijacked his shuttle and kidnapped most of the riders. He was classified as a missing person, since his whereabouts are still unknown. The event sent Alex and her mother down a rocky road; since then her mother has become so detached that the most interaction they have is when she slides a twenty-dollar bill under Alex’s door every week. Meanwhile, Alexis has dropped out of school outside of her mother’s knowledge, instead she wanders the streets digging through trash, cutting deals with local businesses, and sometimes petty theft from other shops to redistribute the goods among the homeless, or near homeless, of Paragon City.

Thread: A Day in the City

She reanimated and turned into a cat girl, and then...

Do you like parties? Dude, I met this totally hot chick at a rave last night. I'll just say that the party didn't end where it started if you know what I mean. I got her name and number though; <insert your girlfriend's name> has such a sexy ring to it, we're meeting again tonight.

They brought me a steaming plate of Chicken Teriyaki, but just as I was about to dig in I saw a toe nail embedded in it. And then...

He was never heard from again. And then...