Mind Phobia

Very well written and touching story. Godspeed in your new endevours.

Dusk Blade


“Dusk is the beginning of darkness in the evening, and occurs after twilight, when the sky generally remains bright and blue. It can be confused with sunset, which is the daily disappearance of the sun below the horizon.”


No one know where Dusk comes from. She came walking our of the sunset one evening, and with her twin blades has carved a name for herself in Paragon since. Darkness surrounds her, but like her namesake, she is not the darkness. Dusk is not the disappearance of the light, she is its champion, its defender, and when necessary its avenger. Her pale skin and dark eyes unnerve some people, but her actions speak more loudly then words ever could.


Dusk Blade is a heroine, that is what most people believe. She is quiet, and is surrounded by netherworld darkness, and is an unrelenting fighter for justice. No one knows her real name, or her origins, but her actions cannot be disputed.

((I have an idea for a dual blades mystery woman tha this is ideal name for, if I earn it. Also not at home so cannot give you an idea of a costume, and to be honest I would need to work on it a bit myself. Something maybe dark blue of gray instead of black, with twin swords of coure.
Thank you. ))

Was looking up Steampunk on the internet, ran across Steampunk music. Abney Park is a really good (in my humbel opinion) band, love their blend of old and new. The band members even dress in Steampunk style and have steampunked most of their equipment.

http://www.abneypark.com/

Several videos on you tube as well if anyone ends up liking them like I do. It might be silly, but when I play Gaslight Harbinger, I am usually listening to Abney Park.

Just thought I would share. Can't wait for June 1st. YAY STEAMPUNK PACK!

I just wanted to say, this group looks very cool. I am the steampowered/Victorian friend CydoniaRaven mentioned. I should be on tonight, I will try and get a tell to one of those mentioned above. My global name is @taboo. and yes there is a “.” at the end, got the name Taboo but could not get the global without the . le sigh.
The character is a Scientist from an alternate world that built her own set of Steam powered armor. I named her Gaslight Harbinger.
Anyway, look for me later this evening, after about 10PM EST. Thank you.

I would have to add my two cents here.

Carnival of Shadows peices, some kind of mask some of the ring mistress and minion garb, the corsets, boots and those back things.

Knives of Artemis, the hand mounted crossbows as a possible weapon option for archers, the cool military gears on the thighs, etc.

Malta pouches, a definate plus for all the military among the players.

And options from Praetoria. Unlockable with the proper defeat badges, like some are now. The dual energy pistols, the rifles would all look great.

That is all I can think of for now.

I was lucky, got into the game at the very beginning so I have some really cool names. My best it a tie between two of them

Taboo my sorceress extrodinaire.

Velvet Phantom my dark avenger of the night.

I also have in my collection, Icicle, Demoness and Death Shrieker. Surprisingly recent ones (within the last couple of years) I was able to get were Mighty Maiden, Silk Silhouette and Killer Tech.

Millionaire, yes I have one of those. Velvet Phantom, the money in her background is simply a means to an end. Allowed her to undergo the training needed to become the martial arts expert she is, and her few gadgets she uses in her war against crime. She is motivated by following a tradition, living up to a legend from the past, the Original Velvet Phantom. It is also an RP tool, as her alter ego of Tiffany Gates is a very public figure, on regular on the society page, so it makes it interested to juggle that with her costumed exploits.


I sometimes feel that level reflects experience, as every game I have played in, either PnP or MMO there is experience to gain and power to increase. Every hero, from Superman, Batman, Spiderman and Captain America they all started somewhere. They were all, that inexperienced hero at one point, trying to define who they were and who they would become. And I will admit I smirk behind the keyboard when I see a level 2 in Pocket D acting all tough as nails, like they are the most dangerous person you will ever meet.


Not a god, but the daughter of one and a mortal. Zeus, in his roman guise of Jupiter seduced Mighty Maiden's mother and she had a daughter. Mighty Maiden is a blast to play, she is electric melee/invulnerability scrapper and feels she is indestructible. She is kind of a super powered mall rat. Yes, she is somewhat influenced by the old Hercules/Xena series where the gods really didn't seem all powerful, she fits in as her mother is a Midnighter and of course there is Cimarora. She is honestly, not really very god/goddess like.


At the beginning of CoH, I managed to get the name Demoness, so yeah I got one of these as well. She, recently got re-rolled as a, yes you guessed it, a Demon Summoning Mastermind. I think I just have her because I have the name as I play her infrequently and she has almost no personality beyond being a demon.

My very first character I created during the pre-launch and later recreated on virtue, which was the unofficial RP server of course. She's Taboo, a Illusion/Empathy controller, still around, heck she is level 50, but not my first one. She was my first incarnate though. I made several noob mistakes with her too, took Teleport at my travel power, which took me some time to get used to using. But, I kept at it and now love it (of course adding hover helped ).
I had trouble soloing with her and usually either played my ice/ice blaster Icicle, or my scrapper Velvet Phantom (gotta love being one of the first in a superhero MMO ). I do remember working my tail end off to get her the witch hat from the Kattie Hannon TF and then being so disappointed that her hair disappeared when wearing it. As she was a magic based character I so wanted it too, so glad the new magic pack solved that. I struggled with that character at the lower levels, then hit 18. Phantom Army love at that point she was a blast. Still is in fact.

I did get two both less then a year ago, which shocked me. Both on Virtue.

Killer Tech Robots MM.
Mighty Maiden elec/invul scrapper.

The name Tiffany Gates was well know in Paragon City. The Gates finical empire began in Steel Canyon in the 1940s and grew into a multi national conglomerate by the year 2000. Walter James Gates, owned the company Omega Dynamics, the Gateway to humanity's future which currently Tiffany was the heir to, along with her older brother Franklin. Her brother was her senior by 5 years and he was already married, with a wife and two strong sons to carry on the family name. Meanwhile, Tiffany was one of Paragon City's most eligible bachelorettes. She was hounded by photographers and sociality reporters no matter where she went. This was the life Tiffany allowed everyone to see, the airhead heiress, out to spend her daddy's money. She has a lush penthouse apartment in Steel Canyon, a waterfront Beach house in Talos Island and a Yacht that cruised the watter ways around Paragon, and sometimes the East Coast. Tiffany cultivated the socialite image almost exactly the same way her grandmother, Betty Van Mark, had during the 40s, when she was the heroine Velvet Phantom.


One day, the young firebrand Tiffany was up in her father's attic, in his house outside of Paragon, where his mother lived. Tiffany would often visit her to go riding, as she loved to ride. She had come across and old trunk and uncovered the very first Velvet Phantom costume. Then she found the scrapbook and journal that uncovered the rest of the double life her grandmother had led. At age 14 Tiffany had spoken with her grandmother and learned all about The Velvet Phantom. Already an accomplished gymnast and brown belt in karate, she knew what she wanted to do with her life. The next 10 years Tiffany studied criminology, different martial arts styles, psychology, and a host of other subjects outside of her normal schoolwork. That she allowed to appear to suffer, she was already building the outside shell others would perceive. The airhead, the socialite that the world would get to see. The she was confronted, not by her father as she had suspected, but by her mother.
Lilian Gates knew her daughter, she watched her and she was once a Van Mark herself. Just before Tiffany was going to move into her Steel Canyon apartment Lilian came to her room.


“Tiffany,” the older woman said as she knocked on the door and walked in. She was dressed conservatively in a jacket, with a skirt and tastefully done in tans and browns. Her strawberry blond hair was tied in a bun. Her gray eyes, which matched those of her daughter stared at her.
Tiffany was dressed in an old Paragon City University t-shirt, with shorts and sneakers, sans socks. Her own brown hair was pulled up into a short pony tail. Her round glasses sat on her nose as she peered at her mother coming in. She has just packed her collection of stuffed animals, another part of the look she was crafting.
“Yes Mother,” she said, standing on the far side of her 4 poster bed. She still repected her parents, and besides this was behind closed doors.
“I know what you're doing,” she said simply, deciding on a blunt frontal approach.
“Yeah me too,” Tiffany answered, “I'm moving out.”
'That's not what I am talking about and you know it young lady.” already her ire was up. Lilian couldn't help it, she felt strongly about this. “She's my mother, you don't think I ever heard the stories before?”
Tiffany choose not to answer, instead she closed the duffel bag and hoisted it over her shoulder. She started to step around her mother, who blocked her path.
“Don't be an idiot Tiffany,” she said sternly, “you're going to get yourself killed.”
Tiffany sighed and put down the duffel bag, She stood there a moment, facing her mother, whom she topped by a good 4-5 inches.
“Mom, I know what I am doing.” she said confidently. “I've studied, I have prepared as best as I can. I am not taking on this lightly.”
“But you don't have any powers,” Lilian said in a serious voice, “Good god Tiffany you'll end up in the hospital if you're lucky.”
“Ni ether did Grandma.” Tiffany retorted.
“That was a different time,” she shot back, “Now there are so many. Even the street thugs have powers. Those Freak...things...”
“Freakshow” Tiffany corrected.
“Whatever” her mother said angrily. “My point is they will kill you. Sooner or later you won't be fast enough or make some kind of minor mistake and that's it.”
“You don't understand.” She said, reaching for her bag again.
“What's to understand?” Lilian said, her voice raised in anger now, “That my daughter has a death wish?”
“No!” now Tiffany's voice was raised as well, she shot her mother a look or fury. “That I want to make a difference. That I was to help protect people. That I don't just want to marry into money as my only accomplishment!”
Her mother looked as if she had been slapped in the face. Tiffany stared at her, wanting to say something. To take back what she said. But, as her mother turned and stormed out of her room she already knew it was too late.


Three weeks later Velvet Phantom made her debut as a heroine in Paragon City. She stopped a gang of Hellions and eventually uncovered a plot they had working with some city official.
Six years had passed since that day. Tiffany continued as Velvet Phantom, her costume was her own now. Latex, with kevlar weaves a large cape that hid her get silhouette against ranged attacks and a host of gadgets she used in her daily struggle against crime. She had taken the Velvet Knight identity further then her grandmother ever had. Recently she had met someone. That of course had never been part of the plan. She wasn't sure she could be involved with someone and be Velvet Phantom as well. Fortunately that someone she had met, had met her as Velvet Phantom. That of course is what made all of this so complicated. Many things did of course, not the least of which was that she had a life as Tiffany that was extremely public. She needed someone to talk to, someone she trusted and who knew her. She had thought about her grandmother of course. But she was so old now, a lot of times she was lost in her own past now a days. So here she was, outside her parent's window, dressed in the old costume. She had come from a celebration that honored the heroes of the Golden Age, she wanted to make sure her Grandmother was well represented. Now she crouched on a ledge across from her parent's balcony, starting at the window with the light on. Tiffany had just about convinced herself to leave when the door to the balcony opened and her mother walked out into the night air. She stood there, looking out over the skyline of Founder's Falls. She was just standing there when her eyes were drawn to the spot where Tiffany crouched. Then their eyes met and each was frozen in time, unsure of what to say or do. Her mother mouthed the word “Tiffany” but didn't say it aloud. Velvet Phantom nodded just once. Her mother then turned and opened the door. She walked inside and stood there. With it open, a clear invitation. Velvet Phantom cleared the space in a single leap and quietly entered the room. To her astonishment the walls were covered in framed headlines about Velvet Phantom. There were also photos of her as Tiffany at some charity event or nightclub. And there were three scrapbooks sitting a place of honor on a large table. A framed photograph of Tiffany and once of the rare half glimpsed pictures of Velvet Phantom that the papers managed to capture. The lighting in the room was soft, comfortable. Velvet Phantom stood in the doorway looking at the older woman, tears forming in her eyes. She took off her mask, and stared at her mother.
“Mom....I-I..” she began but emotion choked the words off.
The older woman simply stepped forward and embraced her daughter. The two of them just held onto each other, tears flowing freely from them both. After a time they pulled apart, looking at each other.
“Mom..” Tiffany started again.
“I am so proud of you.” she said before Tiffany could say anymore. “Honey, you have done more then I could've ever imagined.”
“I-I'm sorry about...” she started again.
“There is nothing to be sorry about Tiffany.” she said sternly. “You are my daughter, and I love you. I have always loved you and I will always love you. Nothing will ever change that sweetie.”
Tiffany again hugged her mother close.
“I love you too mom.” she said into her mother's shoulder. “I never stopped loving you.”
Her mother patted her back a moment, and they broke their embrace.
“I know Tiffany.” she said in a quiet voice. “We've both let too much time pass. Let's not do that again.”
Tiffany sniffed, and nodded laughing lightly.
The two sat in the room, each catching the other up on the past 7 years. They fell into conversation easily, as only a mother and daughter can. Tiffany shared her fears, and her mother listened, offering advice where she thought she could. Finally Tiffany came to it.
“Mom, I've met someone.” Tiffany said, sitting on a chair, leaning forward, her beret no longer on her head, but in her hands, twisted a bit. “And.....I'm not sure if I can do what I do being with someone.”
“Do you care for them Tiffany?” her mother asked.
“I think so yeah.” she answered, “I mean we just met tonight. But, it was.....intense. If you know what I mean?”
“Is it a man or a woman Tiffany?” her mother asked.
“Does it make any difference?” she said back.
“Not at all dear.” her mother said. “I just wanted a frame of reference.”
The two women talked well into the night. And although Velvet Phantom left without a clear answer, she was of light heart. She had her mother back.


((Okay went to the Golden Age Festival on Saturday and got to RP an older toon of mine I considered more an OOC one who just did CoH content. Imagen my surprise at how much life she had in her. So, this prompt is very well timed. And, as a tribute to Rosie, I will make sure I keep up with your prompts as well. ))

CJ stands nearby, looking at the crowd around the grave site. She wasn't sure exactly what she was doing here. She didn't know the woman beyond a reputation, but judging by all the people who are standing around the grave she was greatly loved and admired. The waves of grief coming from those assembled almost overwhelmed her own psychic defenses. Stray thoughts assulted her as well, she blocked those as well. It was easy now, she had spent months practicing so she no longer pciked them up out of the air. Somehow she felt that would've belittled the moment, intrude unfairly on other's sadness and memories.
CJ didn't understand why, but she felt a profound sense of sadness and loss herself. She had never met this remarkable woman, and now she never would.


After everyone left, CJ stepped from the shadows. She walked over and looked over the grave silently for 20 minutes. Finally, she lay a single red rose among the torrent of flowers already there. She walked away, a cool rain just beginning to fall.


((Okay I know there is more going on then I am aware of. That's fine it is none of my business. However, I would like to say that the Rosie RP prompts made me explore my characters in ways I never thought of before. And always, Lady C had encouragement to post with them. If this is goodbye to her as well, then I wanted to post how much she had touched me, even though I never once RP'd with her and that is truly a great shame. *sheds rl tear*)).

((This is a great idea, and I am glad someone is continuing it. I will post something once I no longer have the plague.
Keep up the good work. I enjoyed the story, now back to bed and more meds. ))

Seer Taboo Psionic/Mind Dominator 43-49.9 (will finish very soon to 50) She was my main goal.
Mighty Maiden Electric/Invulnerability Scrapper 38-40
Impervium-Girl Super Strength/Invulnerability Brute 28-30
Indigo Rose Kinetic Melee/Super Reflexes Scrapper 14-22


All in all, a pretty nice weekend. I didn't play until my eye bled, but enough to get accomplished what I wanted. Most of the PuGs I was involved with were fun. One I had to leave after telling them my home was on fire. Did no Tfs this time around, but also enjoyed listening to the Cape while playing.

It was my honor to step in for you Lady C. I am so, so sorry for your loss and you have my deepest sympathies. I hope the new year is much better to you. I understand why you are stopping, do not do something for fun, it is it work. I have seen your art, very well done and I am glad you have an outlet for your creativity.


I as you know, enjoyed your prompts, not just for the fact they made me think, but to read your work. Which, was inspiring, well written and simply a joy to read.


I have a toon Mighty Maiden, who is for all intents and purposes a super powered mall rat. So, I think some IC questions may come from her soon. Take care of yourself, Lady C.


/leaves hot coco to go with cookies.

This is a weekly article, delivered to you every Wednesday. These articles are intended to be a fun exercise as well as a good resource for role-players to explore Character Development so please feel free to post your own characters reaction to the weekly prompt.

How does your character face a brand new beginning?

((Okay this should be the last Prompt I do, before returning you to your regularly scheduled Prompt matron, Lady C. New Year usually means a resolution or two for people, so how does your character face their new beginnings? This is a new character I just recently got out of Praetoria, and I wanted to explore her feelings a bit. As always, I hope some are enjoying, or reading or...anything. Post if you want, enjoy either way I hope. Thank you and a very, very happy new year to all of those is CoH, and especially my home Virtue. ))

Cassandra Anne Weinburg sat on the small raised curb of concrete, the doors she had came through behind her. The were constructed of steel, and opened into the sewers, well at least now they did. The first thing she noticed about this new "Primal" Earth was the smell. Pollutants permeated the air, choked off its freshness. True it wasn't quite as bad as Lamba Sector, or Keyes' Island, but you could still smell it. The next thing was the hum, almost imperceptible, but there it was in the background. Cassy didn't know what could be causing it, but she used her enhanced vision to check it out. Her hearing was better then a normal human’s as well, perhaps they couldn't hear it at all. It took her a full five minutes before she realized it came from those strange, vibrating walls of energy that surrounded the island she was on. Two large skyscrapers stood on her left, a large billboard proclaiming the virtue of a certain restaurant was displayed on one of them.

Cassy was startled out of her thoughts by the sound of jet powered propulsion sounded overhead, a hero, at least she assumed it was, flew by. He was encased in some type of high tech body armor and jets flared from his boots. She stood up and thought briefly about flying after him to introduce herself. But, she stopped, remembering what the Dark Watcher had told her. That most people on Primal Earth feared Praetorians, even attacked them. She didn't want to get into a fight her first day here.

Cassy looked herself over, she was clad in a skin tight azure top, it left her mid drift bare. A wreath of laurels was displayed in gold on her ample chest. Golden Praetorian Police shoulder guards adorned her, golden gauntlets and a resplendent golden cape trailed behind her. A short azure mini skirt left her long, lean legs bare, they ended in golden boots that came up her calf to just below her knees. She'd been called Impervium Girl in Praetoria, a heroine of the people. Her image carefully controlled and her exploits captured by TPN and sent out to everyone. Most people in Praetoria knew her, as she had been seen on TPN quite a bit. Heck, John Houston himself had even interviewed her. Now, she realized that she was helping those in power maintain control of the people, but not always for their benefit. She met the different Praetors, White, Duncan, Sinclair, Berry and Tilman, the last name made her shudder the most. She had done their bidding, never questioning orders, never considering the outcome of her actions. She had captured Vanessa DeVore, turned her over to Praetor Tilman. She had helped Praetor Berry construct and test a clone of the Emperor, but that she had at least revealed that incident to Emperor Cole. All in the name of helping the people. The memories assaulted her, made wish she'd never gotten super powers at all.

Cassy reached into her metallic gauntlet and took out the small drive given to her, in what seems like a lifetime ago. Could it really have been less then a week since Brave Knight had given it to her? She had not yet viewed the footage that was on it, but she could guess it would be more of what Interrogator Kang had showed her. War Walkers, military grade clockwork, all prepping for war with Primal Earth. She had prevented Kang from telling the people of Praetoria, she had turned him in. Was that the right thing to have done? Should she have helped him instead? She had spoken with Provost Michard shortly there after. Within the hour they had prepped the dimension portal and sent her here. But, she had met with Emperor Cole as she exited the portal to Primal Earth, they had exchanged words and not pleasant ones.

She stood up, her cape caught the breeze and fluttered behind her. She placed the data chip back into her gauntlet, she would look at it later. Now, she needed to get moving to accomplish something. She had many questions, a few regrets, but one thing she knows in her heart. She did the right thing in coming to Paragon City, to prove to them that not all Praetorians are evil.
The young woman know as Impervium Girl took to the skies, making her way towards the tram and her destiny as Paragon City's newest heroine.

((Yeah I am a Super/Power Girl fan. So sue me. Also I think Praetoria is on of the coolest new things introduced into the game. I can't get enough of the gray morality of the place. I certainly hope they do more with it. Anyway, this is my last stand in prompt. I hope some have enjoyed. Everyone on Virtue have a safe and happy New Year! ))

This is a weekly article, delivered to you every Wednesday. These articles are intended to be a fun exercise as well as a good resource for role-players to explore Character Development so please feel free to post your own characters reaction to the weekly prompt.
What does this holiday season mean to your character?

((Yeah okay seemed obvious, but has to be done. Anyone who hasn't read Season of Hope by Ascendant, do a search for it in the Roleplay section or check it out in his signature. Its awesome and its very well done story, which just happens to take place around Christmas. ))

The Winter Solstice, Midwinter, Yule, Christmas. This time of year had more names then Courtney cared to remember. She remembered the Solstice from when she was a child, her mother was very devout practitioner of the different rites of the lands that the Druids hail from from. Yule was the holiday of choice. Gwendolyn Bryne, her maiden name, was Irish born and raised, her last name, meaning Raven she gave up when she married, but her traditions she kept within the Williams household. It was at this time of year, that Courtney always missed her mother the most. To this day Courtney can recite the Yule Cat poem her mother taught her.

You all know the Yule Cat
And that Cat was huge indeed.
People didn't know where he came from
Or where he went.
He opened his glaring eyes wide,
The two of them glowing bright.
It took a really brave man
To look straight into them.
His whiskers, sharp as bristles,
His back arched up high.
And the claws of his hairy paws
Were a terrible sight.
He gave a wave of his strong tail,
He jumped and he clawed and he hissed.
Sometimes up in the valley,
Sometimes down by the shore.
He roamed at large, hungry and evil
In the freezing Yule snow.
In every home
People shuddered at his name.
If one heard a pitiful "meow"
Something evil would happen soon.
Everybody knew he hunted men
But didn't care for mice.
He picked on the very poor
That no new garments got
For Yule - who toiled
And lived in dire need.
From them he took in one fell swoop
Their whole Yule dinner
Always eating it himself
If he possibly could.
Hence it was that the women
At their spinning wheels sat
Spinning a colorful thread
For a frock or a little sock.
Because you mustn't let the Cat
Get hold of the little children.
They had to get something new to wear
From the grownups each year.
And when the lights came on, on Yule Eve
And the Cat peered in,
The little children stood rosy and proud
All dressed up in their new clothes.
Some had gotten an apron
And some had gotten shoes
Or something that was needed
- That was all it took.
For all who got something new to wear
Stayed out of that *****-cat's grasp
He then gave an awful hiss
But went on his way.
Whether he still exists I do not know.
But his visit would be in vain
If next time everybody
Got something new to wear.
Now you might be thinking of helping
Where help is needed most.
Perhaps you'll find some children
That have nothing at all.
Perhaps searching for those
That live in a lightless world
Will give you a happy day
And a Merry, Merry Yule

The message was clear of course, Yule was time when one helped others. It was funny, Courtney hadn't thought of the Yule Cat in years. It was something her mother had always talked about and taught Courtney. It was then she heard the faint meow.
At first she thought it was her imagination, then a small black cat came out of the alley way near where she was walking. She stopped, cats in Salamanca were usually attached to witches, even during Yule.
A scrawny black cat came out from between two houses, its large green eyes regarded the slim red head. Courtney looked around, but the cat didn't look anything but hungry. Courtney felt sorry for the small feline and took some small treats out of her pocket. Seeing if the cat wanted them. Suddenly the air around her felt charged, as if the electrical energy suddenly increased in a very localized area. Courtney turned and hovering not 5 feet above her was one of the Cabal witches. An Adept if she wasn't mistaken. The girl was also thin, with a white face scarlet hair and bright red lips. She had dark makeup around her bloodshot gray eyes. Her hands held the electricity at bay for the moment as she stared at Courtney.

"Don't hurt her." the witch said in an almost pleading voice.

"I wasn't going to." Courtney answered carefully, she held out her open hand and showed the witch the handful of small treats she had. "She looked hungry."

The two women stared at each other, then the witch dismissed her lightning and settled to the ground. She knelt down beside her cat, a look of sadness in her eyes.

"She is I am sure." she said, her voice soft. "I-I haven't been able to keep us both fed is all."

She look ashamed to have admitted that to Courtney, she kept her head lowered, petting her cat as it purred.

"What's her name?" Courtney asked.

"Corkey" she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Well that's a fine name." Courtney said, "Mine's Courtney, no wonder she likes me."

Courtney knelt down next to the black clad witch and held her open hand before the cat as it ate the small treats.
Again the two woman remained silent for a time. The witch looked over to the red head dressed is jeans, a pink sweater and sneakers. She didn't seem to fear the young witch, and that meant she was likely a hero or some kind of super powered individual..

"You're a cape aren't you?" she asked the woman next to her, a suspicious glint in her eye.

Courtney turned and looked at the young witch, she looked barely over 18, if that.

"Not tonight." she answered. The scooped the cat into her arms, it still purring away. "So don't worry. Tonight I am the woman taking this wonderful cat and feeding her a proper dinner."

The young witch smiled and started to turn away.

"Where are you going?" Courtney asked stopping the Cabal witch before she could leave. "You have to come with me. How else can I return Corkey here to her proper owner?"

The Cabal witch stopped and stared at Courtney for a few moments, the silence stretched between the two of them.

"No ties," Courtney added finally breaking the silence. "No promises, no commitments necessary. Just come with me, eat get your cat fed. That's it."

The young Cabal witch nodded and fell into step beside Courtney, still allowing her to keep the cat in her arms. They stopped as they entered the street. Courtney looked over to young woman.

"Okay, I am going to teleport us to my boyfriend's apartment. It is shielded, but if I bring us in we can pass without harm." she handed the cat back to the witch.

"Jennifer," she said, taking her cat. "My name's Jennifer. Just thought I would introduce myself before you take us."

Courtney smiled and nodded. "Pleased to meet you Jennifer."

"Call me Jenn," she said quickly, the added."All my friends do."

"Well my friends call me CJ." the older woman said.

"Thank you." Jennifer said, her head looking at the ground. "You are very kind."

Courtney reached out and took her hand. Jennifer looked up.

"What are friends for?" she said, a smile on her face, as they both disappeared off of the street.

((Happy Holidays to all, may each and every one of you find joy and happiness this season. ))

This is a weekly article, delivered to you every Wednesday. These articles are intended to be a fun exercise as well as a good resource for role-players to explore Character Development so please feel free to post your own characters reaction to the weekly prompt.
Your character is given a second chance, what would they do with it?
((Okay my next prompt. I told Lady C I would do these and I will. I hope some are enjoying them.
This story is about the personality that got removed from Seer Taboo and what she's doing with her second chance.))

The blond woman walked down the wooden planks that cover the docks in Cap Au Diable, a rather nasty bit of work in the Rogue Isles. Walked, wasn't quite right though, she more stalked along them, her high heeled boots making a very audible clunk, as if each step was a statement. She was dressed all in black, not an unfamiliar sight in the isles, black trench coat, leather flowed behind her like a cape, black pants, tight black tank top shirt, and of course, the aforementioned black boots. Her eyes were hidden by and expensive pair of designer sunglasses, and concealed under the tailored coat were a pair of modified desert eagles, complete with laser sights.
She was in the area near The Devil's Coattails, a tailor shop that also specialized in some rather questionable plastic surgery, mostly to disguise underworld figures. People stepped aside, you didn't live long in the Isles if you couldn't distinguish the dangerous predators from the pretenders. This one was pure predator.
Her name, Amanda Winters, and she was a woman on a mission. She had been, until very recently a semi-docile passenger within the mind of a heroine by the name of Seer Taboo. Now that she was extracted from the simpering girl she had some living to get back to. And the Rogue Isles were just her style. She had used her own mind to subtly influence the young woman to track down the source of some of the drug traffic that came into Paragon City. Now that she was free, she took back up the hunt that Seer Taboo had abandoned. Her target, an underboss of the Marconi Family by the name of Scarletti, Mario Scarletti. He was on the run from someone, Arachnos from what the rumors she'd been able to gather. She didn't care, he was her link to the source of 'Dyne that came into Paragon, and she needed that source. Trouble was, at this point, she wasn't exactly sure what she was going to do with it. Time was, when she was an up and comer in the Syndicate, she'd run drugs, protection, and even some hits. That wasn't her anymore, or at least it didn't have to be. But, what other life could she lead? Its what she knew, how she'd lived.
She entered the run down building that housed what were called the Facemakers. Clad all in black leather with buckles and masks, the place had an aroma between blood and bleach. Half sterile, half back alley doctor. Most people didn't really want to be recognized, so they showed her their backs, or leaned back into shadows. That was okay, she didn't need to see faces. Her blue eyes turned crimson behind her dark shades as a leather clad girl approached her, her face was bare, a sick version of a nurse in this establishment.

"May I help you miss?" she asked curtly, standing between Amanda and the hallway that led further into the building.

"Looking for Scarletti." she said simply and then proceeded to read the young girls mind. He was in the room in the back, furthest one on the left.

"I'm sorry we don't..." she began but was pushed aside by Amanda's mind, a telekinetic thrust that sent her into the far wall. She shouted "ummph!" as she hit and lay still.

Amanda didn't need to turn around, she heard the sound of chairs moved across floor, people standing up and most moving to the exits, only 3 stayed. Bodyguards or just people who believed they were tougher or meaner then she was.

"Yo babe!" one of those with more muscles then brains called out behind her. "Dis ain't no cheap joint that you can jus' come in and throw yer weight around in, you get me?"

"Don't" was all Amanda said in response.

He wasn't the real threat, the other two, one who was remaining both quiet and moving with an almost gliding motion to her left, he was dressed in all black, a mask concealed his face and a short bladed sword was on his back. The other man hovered off the floor about 2 feet, a long cape billowing out behind him, he was dressed in metallic blue armor and the sound of electricity crackling about his hands. Muscles however, was just coming right at her, his meaty hands reaching out to grab her. She waited and then spun on her heels, moving to the left and ducking under Muscles grasp. She pulled her desert eagles as she did so and placed two shots directly into the Mr. Silent before he had taken another step. Her attack surprised him as he thought she would deal with one of the two obvious threats. He went down, he sword on his back still in its sheath.
The man with the cape smirked and sent a cascade of lightning her way. She ducked back behind muscles, but the other one didn't seem to care about him either. Amanda gritted her teeth as both she and muscles were engulfed by the electrical blast. Fortunately muscles took the brunt of the electrical blast. Amanda was up and moving again even as another blast hit the area where she had been. She leveled one of her pistols and fired at the man in the cape, it proved ineffective as the bullet got caught in the electrical field and lost its momentum. She cursed under her breath and he switched his attention to her. She stared him down, keeping her pistols firing at him, but with the same result. She also kept on the move, trying to stay ahead of the burst of electricity. She saw the far wall coming up quickly and knew she was running out of room. She stopped and the man in the cape gave an very self satisfied grin as he hovered before her.

"Outta room I see." he sneered.

"Don't need it." she said back and ducked.

He gave her a strange look right before the impact in his back. Apparently muscles didn't appreciate the charged lightning bolts being tossed his way. The man in the cape smashed into the wall directly above Amanda's head, broke through and landed with a splash outside, just beyond the wooden walkway behind the building.
Now muscles was staring down at Amanda as she crouched below the hole, a feral grin on his face. He cracked his knuckle.

"Well babe, looks like its you an' me." he said with satisfaction. "An' don't bother wit' yer pea shooters. I'm every bit as tough as I look sweet cheeks."

"I said don't." she repeated her earlier statement. Taking the moment to stand, her guns still in her hands.

"Don't what?" he asked simply.

"Don't. Call. Me. Babe!" she emphasized each word and shouted the last and released a wave of psychic energy directly at muscles adding a telekinetic push.

He flew back the other way, landing in a heap against the far wall, a blank expression on his face, overall an improvement Amanda thought.
Amanda walked calmly into the back of the building, in the room were several worn medical supplies, gurneys, dividers with stained green cloth and sitting calmly in a chair, Mario Scarletti. Behind him, off to the left was one of the facemakers, her leather clad form cringing in fear.

"My, my aren't you the tenacious one?" Scarletti said calmly, a drink in his hand.

"I have questions." Amanda said, a cold note in her voice. "You current state of health depends largely on how these questions are answered."
She raised one of her desert eagles and pointed it directly at him, its laser site a small red dot in the middle of his forehead.

"You can't kill me or you lead dries up and you have to start all over again from scratch." he sneered at her, still sitting down now wearing a smug expression. "So, lets discuss how much this is worth to you Ms. Winters."

The blond haired woman raised an eyebrow, her arm still straight out.

"Oh don't be surprised Ms. Winters." he said, still sitting, still smug, "I have contacts in Paragon, it wasn't too hard to find out your origins, or who used to be pursuing the source of the 'Dyne. Now, please put the gun down and lets discuss this like civilized people."

She continued to stare at him, her arm never wavering her gaze cold, unfeeling.

"I will ask one more time." she finally said in her hard voice, low husky without a hint of compassion in it. "Who is your source? Who do you get the 'Dyne that you send into Paragon from?"

The direct question was a trick that Amanda had learned in her time inside of Seer Taboo's head. It brought to the surface the answers a telepath was looking for. This was no exception The next link in the chain was exposed and Amanda had her answer. Still, she waited, staring him down. Seeing if he was going to trick her.

"Look you dumb broad..." he began, but he was cut off when Amanda pulled the trigger and the desert eagle roared.

"Don't call me broad." she said through gritted teeth.

A few minutes later Amanda Winters was walking out of The Devil's Coattails, her stride confident as she made her way towards the Rogue Isles Ferry. Her next target in the forefront of her mind. The answer to what she would do with the information however, was still one she had not entirely decided on.

((Okay next one in a week. Thanks for reading.))

((Sits at work blown away. WOW that is great! Thanks a ton Bayani. Now people can at least see what she looks like. ))

This is a weekly article, delivered to you every Wednesday. These articles are intended to be a fun exercise as well as a good resource for role-players to explore Character Development so please feel free to post your own characters reaction to the weekly prompt.

What is your character's biggest regret, looking back over their life?

((Okay the next prompt is here. I hope people enjoy and some have a chance to post as I know its busy during the holiday season. Thanks all for reading.))

Courtney stood before the closed store looking in the window, a small doll started back out at her. It was a simple doll, made in the replica of human woman, with the lower body of a fish. A mermaid, from what the title of the box said. It wasn't the non-human parts that had captured Courtney's attention. But, the long tresses of red hair. She also had bright blue eyes, which brought tears to Courtney's eyes. She could see her own reflection as a faded shadow of herself, like a mirror that didn't quite show everything. She looked worn, tired. The chill wind of fall in the northeast United States bit into her through the light pink jacket she wore. She had taken to wearing quite a bit of pink since her....ordeal with Amanda.
But the doll reminded her of her mother Gwendolyn.

She was only 10 years old, her mother was downstairs and the town was being evacuated. The Devouring Earth were on the way, and the military couldn't hold them back. Marcus Cole, the hero of the people at that time, was busy elsewhere with a larger contingent of them and could only spare a couple of his his super powered forces. One had been killed, and the other couldn't stop the Devouring Earth before they moved on the town, so it was time to get out.

"Courtney!" came her mother's voice from downstairs of their small house. The sky outside had a strange greenish tint to it and no animal noises could be heard.

Courtney was busy throwing things she didn't think she could live without into a carry bag to take with her. She was still only dressed in her long nightshirt and a pair of white socks.

"Courtney Jane Williams!" this time the voice was directly behind her and carried the unmistakable air of her mother's anger and disappointment. The anger was easy to handle, the disappointment always made Courtney feel like she'd let her mom down, and that was hard one to take.

"Mom look I'm sorry I..." she stopped as she turned and looked at her mother. She'd seen her angry, sad, happy and even embarrassed. She'd never seen the look of fear that she did now and it chilled her to the very bone.

"Courtney this is just things...." she stammered walking to the closet and throwing clothes at her daughter, who to her credit started getting dressed without complaint."Its not important. Oh honey, I'll get you new stuff, better stuff but sweetie, please we have to go now."

It was then that a limb, an honest to god tree limb had smashed through Courtney's window. Her mother had gathered the new dressed girl into her arms and used her other hand to hurl a bolt of lightning at the limb to hold it back. All Courtney remembered was screaming as they made their way from the house. She had never looked at her mother the same way again after that fateful day. She didn't understand then, like she does now that her mother had powers, gifts, but she had chosen a family over that life.
　
It was years later, Courtney had been accepted to Praetorian University, a prestigious school. She and her mother had argued over her going.

"Courtney," her mother used the tone of disappointment, but Courtney was no longer a little girl. "I've told you that you can't go there. Its Praetoria. They'll find you. They'll take you away."

"Mom I already told you I'm not a freak like you." she said sternly, purposely ignoring the hurt look on her mother's face. "I don't have any powers."
'Oh really?' Her mother thought to herself, however she kept silent, just looking at her daughter.

"Yes really." Courtney answered, she stood in her room, they lived just outside of what used to be Boston, it having been lost 4 years ago to the Devouring Earth.

"I didn't say anything Courtney." her mother said simply. "You can read minds honey. That's what they are searching for. I can protect you, I have friends who can..."

"I don't need protection Mother," she shot back sternly. "And stop trying to trick me. I am not a freak, I just guessed what you were thinking. And I don't want a bunch of weird people watching over me."

Courtney paced in her modest room, the posters of her youth having give way to some neatly stacked book shelves, a wall mounted monitor that she used for school work as well as entertainment. Her bed was a single, attached to the wall and folded into it with the press of a button. Functionality, as well as aesthetics was the word for most construction now a days. And of course a lot of synthetic materials were used, as most people feared things made of wood, or any kind of plant based fibers. It was silly to think your table might suddenly come to life and kill you, but people were paranoid about the strangest things. Clothing was little different, as Courtney herself sported a skirt and shirt both made of synthetic material as opposed to plant based. There was a brief testing of holographic clothes, but a couple of very embarrassing battery failures had killed that industry quickly.
She went back to her aluminum alloy suitcase and continued to pack in silence, the tension in the room was almost palatable.

'I wish you'd listen to reason Courtney,' her mother thought worriedly, 'things are happening in Praetoria and not all of them are for the best.'

"I know Mom," she said, quietly this time. "And yes I did read your mind. But, don’t you understand. I don’t want any of this. I want to find someone special and get married, raise my own family."

Courtney turned and faced her mother, it was like looking into an funhouse mirror of herself, Gwendolyn Williams was older, a bit heavier then her younger daughter, but except for a few stray stands of gray, their red hair, blue eyes and facial features were almost identical. Gwendolyn looked at her daughter with sad eyes. She understood, but she didn’t think Courtney would have a choice. She had spoken with the Oracle, an elderly Wican who saw images of the future and who had trained Gwendolyn in the use of her own powers. She signed quietly and walked over to her daughter, she gently held her by her shoulders and kissed her lightly on the forehead, murmuring arcane phrases as she did so. She hoped the simple spell of hiding would suffice and feared it would not.
Her daughter also sighed, she bowed her head and accepted the kiss and what she felt was the needless protection.

"Mother," Courtney said quietly, "I’ll be fine. Trust me."

"Of course I trust you honey." She answered sadly, remembering the Oracles words, but carefully keeping them from her thoughts. "Just be sure and write okay? And come home once in awhile so we get to see you. I love you Courtney."

Courtney picked up her carry all, nodding to her mother giving a self assure "Sure thing Mom." And then she was downstairs and gone.
　
That was the last time she’d seen her mother. She hadn’t even told her she loved her. She stood still staring at the small doll, rears flowing freely down her face. She then felt a tug on her skirt. Looking downward she saw a small girl, also a red head. In her hands she held another of the small dolls, the red headed mermaid clutched in her arms. She couldn’t have been older then eight.

"Don’t cry lady," she said, and then thrust the small doll at Courtney, "You can have mine."

Courtney laughed through her tears, taking the doll for the moment. She looked it over, her regret of not having stayed with her mother. Of not being there for her, of not stopping her from dying were sharp pains. And here was this little girl, giving her a doll to make her happy. Her heart warmed as she knelt down beside the girl, holding the doll out to her.

"Its alright sweetie," she said kindly, the girl stared back at her with wide green eyes, "the doll just reminded me of my mother. You take your doll back."

The little girl however was adamant, she crossed her arms but regarded Courtney with very intelligent eyes. She shook her head at Courtney.

"No lady, keep in with you and think of your mommy," she said, her little voice strong for someone her age. "That way she’s never too far away."
The gift touched her so much she it took a supreme amount of willpower to hold back more tears. Instead she took the gift, and looked at the remarkable little girl.

"What’s your name?" she asked.
:"Dorothy," she answered, "but my friends calls me Dee Dee cause my middle name’s Denise."

"Well Dee Dee," she said a smile on her face, "My name’s Courtney, but you can call me CJ. What do you say that we find your Mom okay? Cause I’d like to take you both our for some ice cream."

Dee Dee was overjoyed and grabbed Courtney’s hand and pulled her along to find her mother. Courtney just smiled and allowed herself a moment to think of her own mother, regrets aside she had loved her mother, and in her heart, she felt that she had known it.

This is a weekly article, delivered to you every Wednesday. These articles are intended to be a fun exercise as well as a good resource for role-players to explore Character Development so please feel free to post your own characters reaction to the weekly prompt.

Who is/was the most influential person in your character's life?
　
((Okay, so this is me, subbing for Lady C with the weekly RP Prompt. I hope people enjoy, and let me know if I messed up. ))
　
Courtney's eyes opened slowly, at first she couldn't focus, all she saw was white. Then, slowly the yellow walls of her room came into clarity. She glanced at her window, the day was bright sunny, she caught the sound of birds outside her window. She sat up in bed, her yellow pajama top was emblazoned with an image of Emperor Cole's smiling, benign face. She got up, looking over her room with its stuffed animals, interactive computer unit, and state approved posters. She walked on bare feet to her window and gazed out at her small backyard. A wooden fence visible from her window.
Courtney was a slim red head, stranding a little under five feet five inches, she had bright blue eyes. She was only fifteen, but had already experienced seeing the Devouring Earth.

"Courtney!" came a female voice from downstairs, it carried up the narrow stairway that led to the small landing, which the three bedrooms were off of. "Hurry up dear, you're gonna be late logging into school!"

"Coming Mother." she said in an exasperated voice.

'Don't take that tone with me young lady' came her mother's telepathic retort.

'Sorry Mother..' she thought back, apologetically.
　
A few minutes later, the fifteen year old Courtney came down the stairs, dressed in her school uniform, a gray and black plaid skirt, knee high white socks, with sneakers a white shirt, covered by a gray sweater vest. She looked at her mother, her purple hair fell to her shoulders as she smiled at Courtney.

'I don't understand if we can use telepathy why we even have to speak to each other Mother.' she communicated as she sat down at the breakfast table.

'Because dear Courtney not everyone can talk like we do.' she thought back to the young woman.'It is impolite to exclude the mundanes like that.'

Courtney giggled and started in on her breakfast, she oftne looked up at her mother, marveling at her beauty, poise, and intelligence. Even though they looked almost noting alike, Mother had purple hair, a very full figure and deep brown eyes.
"So where's my brother?" Courtney asked between mouthfuls of cereal.

"Courtney dear, you don't have any brothers," Mother answered sweetly, "only sisters."

Courtney's face froze a moment, she bit her lower lip, as her eyes seemed to focus on something no there. She knew she had a brother, and for that matter where was her father? Didn't he need breakfast too?

"Seymour, that's his name." she said turning to Mother, "And where's father?"

Mother stopped puttering around the small kitchen and looked hard at Courtney. Her brown eye flashed angrily at the young woman.

"They're not important young lady, only your studies are." she said through clenched teeth.

"Why is your hair purple Mother?" Courtney suddenly asked, "Its not supposed to be, its red, like mine. Who are you?"

'I AM MOTHER!' the thought hit her like a physical blow, causing her to fall out of her chair onto the cold floor. As she did so, the carefully crafted illusion faded from around her. The brightly colored walls of the kitchen faded to the sterile white walls of the Mother of Mercy Psychiatric Hospital, Courtney aged approximately 6 years to 21, gone was the school uniform, replaced by a faded gray hospital gown. Her red hair was hacked short, her blue eyes recessed, with dark circles surrounding them, and she looked thinner then when she was fifteen. She looked up at Praetor Tilman, who called herself Mother a defiant look in her azure eyes. Standing just outside the room, looking into it through a large two way mirror stood 4 Seers, classified as Beholders, some of the strongest psychics available to Praetor Tilman. Two of them lay motionless on the floor, having passed out during Praetor Tilman's outburst.

"You're not my Mother." Courtney said angrily, "she had long red hair like mine, she had blue eyes like me. She was kind, caring and beautiful.."

The blow cut off Courtney in mid sentence, her hand went immediately to her stinging cheek. Unshed tears welled in her eyes, but she didn't cry out, refusing to give into the urge, she just stared at Praetor Tilman.

"Now Courtney, do you see what you made me do?" Shalice Tilman said in her sweetest voice. "You made Mother angry. I don't want to hurt you dear, I want to help you."

"Then let me go home." Courtney said stubbornly.

"You can't dear," she said, still with her sweet voice. "You are a powerful telepath, your powers left unchecked could cause untold misery."

Shalice Tilman turned and walked to the doorway, she stopped and turned to face Courtney, her voice lost its earlier sweetness, it was now hard and cold.

"Besides dear, Gwendolyn Williams is dead."

Courtney simply started at Shalice Tilman for a moment, trying to believe she was being lied to. But, she could sense the truth of her words and a ragged scream tore from her throat.

Shalice simply turned her back on the crying woman and opened the door to allow the orderlies entry into the room. A doctor in a lab coat follow behind them, she held out her hand.

"Make sure she is medicated tonight Doctor," she said, her voice soft and sweet again. "She gave me a headache today. I trust that will not happen again?"

The doctor paled as the Praetor walked out of the door.

"You will be mine my daughter." she said to herself, as she stalked out the door.

((Alright, please feel free to post as well. Thank you.))

((Well it took some time, but here it is. Hope people enjoy and that everyone had a great holdiay. I think this story is a reflection, as if you think about it, don't we all have things to be thankful for?))

((Another really, really good story. Such talent, excellent writing, good art (from other posts I've seen). Its always a tough act to follow.
Okay back to my main Taboo, her time away from Paragon, at least some of it. ))

((Okay another difficult one. Also, some of our rules at work have changed, so I am writting these from home now, which is why it takes a day or two to post. Thanks again for doing these Lady C, in addition to your (as always ) excellent story telling. ))

((Great read both of them. I enjoyed them a lot. Now, the story I did some may recognize as one of the missions from Praetoria. I hope you enjoy my take on it. Now, just a little background. I got into the closed beta for Going Rogue, so I was doing this mission with Seer Taboo and like 2AM, it was dark and everyone in the household was asleep. There is a point where that creepy gowl happens in game. I almost jumped out of my chair, that feeling of fear I discribed, happened to me. I guess its pretty cool when a video can actually scare you. I hope its okay I used Ghouls instead of Zombie, but they work the same I think.))