Hermie

Hunter smiled very slightly and glanced at Nyte. She was starting to remind him of someone from a long time ago, someone he deeply missed.
"I have never met anyone like you before," he stated truthfully. "You're rather...disarming."

Hunter didn't speak until they were a bit away from the building and Mable.
"My apologies for back there," he said in a very quiet voice. "I'm not familiar with how an empath's power functions, but that must have been jarring for you."

Is there a way to setup a bind that would target a specific player? Like if I wanted to just hit "b" to heal player named billy.

Thanks

Hunter gave Nyte an apologetic smile.
"I'm sorry to dash, by I have an appointment to keep," he said to Mable. "Nyte, I was wondering...could you show me to the DSPA offices in this part of the city? I've only just arrived today, and I'm afraid I don't know my way around yet. If it's not too much trouble."

Hunter was a bit caught off-guard by Nyte's explanation of her abilities. He consciously buried whatever he was feeling in the back of his mind. He had a feeling she might take to some of his problems like a moth to a flame and the last thing he needed was to put her danger.

"Come on, Precious. Oh! Another hero! Two in one day! We are the most blessed building on the block!" Mabel beamed as she and her dreadful little dog puttered down the stairs toward them. "Oh, Hunter. I almost forgot. You're father asked me to give you this."

Panic and terror shot through his mind before he could hold them back.

"My father?"

"Yes, he was here with the movers," Mabel continued, walking toward them and handing him a cell phone. "He said you forgot it." Hunter was visibly relieved as he took the phone from her.

"How careless of me," he smiled. "Thank you, ma'am. That was most kind of you."

"I'm Hunter Black," Hunter introduced himself to Erik and Blake. He turned his head to Nyte.
"Yes..." then he scowled slightly and muttered under his breath.
"Oh lord, here she comes. I think our little gathering has attracted her attention." Sure enough, coming down the stairs behind them all was Mable and her ferociously barking little dog.

A young woman in workout clothes jogged over and started stretching beside the bench.
"You're late," he remarked without looking at her.
"Sorry, sir," she answered. "There was a police barricade a few streets back. I had to take a detour."
"Were you followed?"
"No, sir."
"Good," he set the briefcase next to the bench and stood. "Everything you need is in there. There is a list containing all the known leaders in the city. Go to each of them and inform them of our intentions to meet. The meeting is in three days. The location and time is listed in an envelope that you are to give to them. I am counting on your discretion, Silver Six. The Defenders have stood alone for too long. It's time to work with our fellow humans, regardless of powers. It is the only way we can move forward."
"I understand, sir," she replied without looking up.
Lochlan left the messenger to her task. Contacting all the known "villains" of the city would take a long time. He just hoped they saw the need to come together as clearly as he did.

Hunter was rather overwhelmed by the seeming flood of people. He took a few minutes to observe and listen, nodding where appropriate to show interest he was sure he was supposed to feel. The only part of the conversation that truly interested him were the references to the Ritki, the Hellions, and the Vahz. He had a feeling that's why he was in Paragon city. When the Vanguard arrived, Hunter tensed and almost took a step back.
Easy, he told himself. We're all on the same side now.
"Yes," he replied to Eric. "Just moved in today."

"Old things, mostly," Hunter answered. "Histories, philosophy, old fiction. I think the most recently written thing I've read of late was probably The Hobbit."

OOC:
I haven't seen any active threads for villain rp. So, I thought I'd start one and see who wants to jump in. I would really like to see some villains interested in becoming Defenders of Man--villains who see themselves as the heroes. There would be some restrictions to who could join the Defenders as they are against the "unnatural." Any villain who's powers lie in the realms of science and technology or just natural talents and abilities would be free to join. Magic users could but they would be lower ranking as the organization wouldn't trust them much. Sadly, no non-humans, former humans, or mutants (although they can still rp in this thread--just not as a Defender). So if anyone's interested, please jump in.

__________________

Lochlan stared up at the superhero monument not far from his hotel with a disapproving scowl. He wore a dark suit and sunglasses and held a black briefcase in his left hand. He was aware of the stares from passersby, probably thinking he was a fed. Nothing could be further from the truth. Gold Defender One, Commanding General of the European and African Theater, was waiting for his contact from Gold Defender Two--the General of the Western Theater. It had been a long time since Lochlan had left his territory to deal with other factions personally, but this was a matter of personal interest and he would trust no one else. So here he was, sitting on a stone bench deep in enemy territory. He glanced at his watch. His contact was late.

"I've never lived in one place for long," Hunter replied. "Although..." He hesitated. He wondered if he was giving up too much information about his past.
"Moving was always necessary," he stated and left it at that. A lot of people move from necessity, he decided. It was a safe thing to admit.

Hunter found himself smiling slightly. He had seldom been around such light-hearted people. It almost made him feel normal.
"Ah, moving's not so bad," he commented. "Lived in a lot of places, have you, Miss?"

Hunter hesitated slightly before shaking her hand with a gloved hand of his own.
"Hunter Black," he told her. "I'm a new resident here as well. Miss Monroe here was just telling me about the local book sellers. Do you need a hand with your things, Miss?" He felt a bit embarrassed by the deeply ingrained prejudice he still sometimes felt toward those with powers. As always, he buried them away in the back of his mind.

"Yes..." Hunter said, rather distracted by the wings. He had very seldom met anyone with extra-human powers. And when he had, it was never friendly. But that was all in the past now. Now he would be working with such people on a regular basis.

((Let's say Galaxy City, heavily populated and lots of official offices and stuff))
"Thank you, I'll have to...check it out..." Hunter's voice trailed away as he watched the approaching movers and the strange person with wings sprouting from her back. He backed up slightly as they entered the building.

"I'm new," Hunter told her. "First day, actually. I was told I ought to look around a bit. To be honest, I'd be happy just to find a good library." He wondered in the back of his mind why he was still talking to the girl. But Jones had told him to meet people and have fun. He doubted his handler's idea of fun meant burying himself in some dusty old book no one's read in decades.

Hunter smirked slightly.
"Hunter Black," he told her, shaking her hand with a gloved hand of his own. "Nice woman, Mabel. Lovely dog she has there." He wondered if Alex would pick up on his sarcasm. Not many people did.

Name: Lochlan MacMorough
Alias: Gold Defender One
Affiliation: The Defenders of Man
Age: 50

Description:
Lochlan has short black hair and steely grey eyes. He is tall, around 6'3" with an athletic build. He's in really good shape for someone his age. Lochlan is currently Gold Defender One of a villainous organization known as the Defenders of Man. He is a highly trained soldier who rose through the ranks of the Defenders to his current position.

Dossier: The Defenders of Man
From the desk of Collin Jones, Deputy Director, DSPA

Formed: March, 1947
Founder: Howard Brentley of London, England

Philosophy: The Defenders of Man believe in the power of mankind. It began as a response to the horrors of World War II, proof that mankind could work together. They have been instrumental in fighting off alien threats. Their philosophy became twisted by 1960 to a more militant stance. They now commit acts of terror against what they consider the "enemies of mankind." Their list includes mutants, supernatural beings, paranormal beings, extraterrestrials, extradimensionals, and anyone who willingly chooses to associate with such beings. They are responsible for numerous terrorist attacks on governments and private citizens around the world.

Known Members: Lochlan MacMorough, Gold Defender One; Kian MacMorough, Silver Defender Seven

Ranks and Numbers: Gold (3), Silver (9), Red (18), Yellow (36), Blue (72), Green (144), White (288), Black (576), Grey (11,783)
All numbers are estimates based on all available known data.
((anyone wanting to write a Defender, feel free))

Hunter stopped and looked at the girl that had just shouted at him. He wondered if she lived there as well. He walked down the steps toward her before answering.
"I'm the new resident in 207," he replied quietly. "Is this your building as well?"

Hunter stood in the hall of the apartment building with a long duffel bag in one hand and backpack in the other. Everything he owned fit easily in the two bags. He set one down and pulled a keyring from a pocket. Apartment 207. He scanned the hall and saw the door down on the left-hand side. As he picked the bag and moved to the door, a neighbor came out into the hall. She was an middle-aged woman holding a yappy little dog in her arms. The dog squirmed and barked and broke free of her.

"Precious!" the woman exclaimed. "Get back here!" The dog bolted for Hunter, its owner bustling after it. It stopped just shy of his foot, barking and growling. Hunter ignored it.

"Bad dog!" the woman scooped up her pet. "I am so sorry. She's normally a good dog. I can't think of what could've come over her." Hunter smirked slightly. He had heard the dog barking as soon as he had entered the hall.

"Quite alright, ma'am," he said politely. He turned to look at the woman. She had the look of a busybody; frumpy hair, a housecoat, and an eager look on her face. He knew she was about to start casually grilling him for information about himself.

"I'm Mabel VanGrus of 204," she smiled. "You must be the new tenant. Lesley told me the Feds were putting someone in our building. He said it was the witness protection program." Her voice dropped to a whisper and she looked at him expectantly. When he didn't respond she continued.

"Well, I figured it must be you," she said with a fake look of symapthy. "There were officers and movers all over 207 the other day, and now here you are with just two bags and looking a bit lost. I can tell you all about everyone in the building. There's no one here you need to worry about. We're all pretty quiet, keep to ourselves." She looked expectant again.

"I'm Hunter Black," he told her with a small smile that she likely wouldn't catch. "I assure you, ma'am, I'm not in witness protection. I am currently working with the police and the Bureau of Super-powered Affairs. As I am new to this city, they were kind enough to find me housing."

"Oh, you're one of them," she said, now looking rather excited. "A super in our very building. What can you do? Can you fly? Do you have some secret powers?" Hunter had to supress a laugh.

"No, ma'am," he said. "I have no powers to speak of. I'm just very good at what I do."

"What do you do?" she pestered.

"I kill people," he said with a smile she couldn't miss. Mabel stared at him. Hunter knew she was trying to determine if he was being serious or joking. He saved her the effort and laughed aloud.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I've been told I have a wicked sense of humor. No, I'm just good in a fight and they need people, so here I am. We're all just doing our part, after all, to make the world a better place." Mabel smiled, looking a bit relieved.

"Well, welcome to Paragon City, young man," she said. "If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to ask. I'm sort of the unofficial mother of the building. I just like taking care of people. It's my nature I suppose." She looked very pleased with herself. Hunter determined that his initial impression of Mabel was correct. She was very likely the most dangerous person to him in the building.

"Thank you, ma'am," he smiled again. "I will keep that in mind." He turned the key in the lock and opened the door. Mabel was now talking to her dog, but hanging around to see the inside of his apartment.

"Bye now," Hunter smiled at her as he closed the door. He sighed and let the smile fade away as he surveyed his new place of residence.

It was rather spartan, which he liked. The carpet was a drab tan color. Facing one wall was a blue sofa. A television sat against the wall, its remote control on the arm of the couch. There was one small book shelf next to the tv, and a little end table beside the couch. Behind the sofa, a counter and two black bar stools divided the living room from the kitchen which was big enough for a small square table, one chair, a fridge, and a stove. On the counter sat a microwave.

Hunter tossed the bags on the sofa and went to the kitchen to inspect his food supply. The cabinets and fridge were well-stocked with all the essentials. There was no junk food, which Hunter wouldn't eat. It seemed they had a pretty good understanding of his diet. This disturbed him slightly. How long had they been watching him? He closed the cabinets and investigated the rest of the small apartment. There was one bedroom with a brown and blue color scheme, just as drab as the living room. The bathroom and a linen closet were the only two other doors in the place.

Hunter got to unpacking. He was sure they had placed surveillance equipment around the apartment to keep an eye on him. He set his tanto and katana on their stand and set it on the counter. Then he hung out his clothes and arranged his books on the shelf provided. He dug his laptop from the backpack and plugged it in before stashing the bags and a few things he didn't want to reveal to the suveillance equipment in the linen closet. He sat down on the sofa and turned on the computer. He found the wireless network they told him would be there and set up his computer to access it. As soon as he was online, a face appeared on his screen.

"Agent Black," the face of an older gentleman in a suit not dissimilar to Hunters stated. "Good to see you're settled in. I hope you find everything to your liking."

"It's fine, sir," Hunter said quietly. "Although I would've left out the television."

"Gotta stay current," the man told him. "Watch the news, see what's going on. You should try watching some regular programs, too. You might find you like them."

"I prefer reading," Hunter said blandly. "You know, books. Words. Literacy seems to be something forgotten in this country."

"Well now you're in this country, maybe you can try to blend in a little," the man stated. "Don't be so grim. It's not healthy, especially for someone your age. You're, what, twelve?" Hunter smirked slightly.

"Close," he stated. "Twenty-seven. Which you know, as you seem to know everything else about me."

"Just about," the man sat back in his chair and his face receded slightly on the computer screen. "Don't worry. I'm the only one with access to your file. Your identity is safe. Work with us and you won't have to worry about being found."

Hunter scowled slightly. The threat was there but veiled. He knew if he went against the Bureau they would leak his whereabouts to the people hunting him. Oh it would an accident of course. They would apologize and investigate how it could have happened but only after he'd been roughed up...or worse. He doubted they would let it go too far, they were supposed to be the good guys after all, but still he didn't trust them. And apparently they didn't trust him much either.

"People without choices only cooperate for so long, sir," he stated in almost a whisper.

"You have another choice, son, which you are perfectly aware of," the man said unsympathetically. "I could always send you back to prison. But that's such a waste of your talent. I would prefer it if you work with us. The question is, do you prefer freedom or your cell?"

"This is hardly freedom," Hunter whispered. He sighed. "But, I have given my word. And this cell is much more comfortable." The man smiled.

"Relax," he told him. "Try to live a little. Who knows, you might actually enjoy yourself."

"I'll try, sir," Hunter stated.

"I'm not your enemy, Hunter," the man said. "I'm looking out for you. Try to remember we're on the same side, alright?"

"Alright," he replied quietly. "I'll check in tonight at 2100 hours as agreed."

"In the meantime, go do a little siteseeing before meeting your contact," the man stated. "Familiarize yourself with the city, and...I don't know catch a movie. Do something fun."

"Goodday, sir," Hunter said with a small smile. He terminated the conversation and closed the computer.

He picked up the remote for the tv and stared at it for a moment. Then he put put it down as he shook his head. He went to the counter and grabbed the tanto off the rack. After hiding it in a sheath beneath his jacket, he went to the door. He listened for a moment before stepping out into the hall and locking the door behind him. He walked out into the city, not quite knowing what to expect.

Name: Hunter Black
Age: 27
Occupation: Agent for the Federal Bureau of Super-powered Affairs

Description:
Hunter is roughly 6'2 with a fit build. He has brown hair and blue eyes and is always clean-shaven and immaculate. He always wears a dark suit, hat. He wears glasses, although his eyesight is nearly perfect without them. He always wears black gloves.
Hunter is a grim man who seldom truly smiles. When he laughs in generally sounds forced. He is very polite and distant in his conversations with others. He prefers listening to talking and is always observing his surroundings with keen eyes.