Sibling

"Sir," Martin was pleased to see someone of appropriate dress, but his only indication was a lessening of the wrinkles on his high forehead. "We make provisions for early arrivals, but the full menu will not be ready for some time. Representatives of the City," an almost imperceptible nod towards the name badge, "are welcome at any time."

He motioned to the room, all the tables prepared and empty. "Would you care to sit near the plants? I will have Beth bring out your choice of beverage, but the liquor board states definitively, no greater than eight percent volume beverages shall be served before five pm." The accent was intentional, it tended to bring order.

"I know the soups are prepared, and we certainly have bread. A moment and I shall provide menus."

"Oh....my." Was Martin's comment as the girl faded from sight. His demeanor unflappable, one of the reasons Gal very much valued his presence. The somewhat stuffy Englishman was one of the few civilians to have ever visited the Shard Realm, or seen the plaque in Eden or any one of a thousand other adventures. After being an escort to The Lady, very little surprised him.

"Miss," he began, as though this was an everyday occurrence. His measured steps crossed the room, hands clasped behind his back. "I do believe that we can find seating for you, should you desire. Peanut Butter," he seemed pained at the mention of that food, "may take a moment."

Gracefully, he indicated she could follow him. "Would you care for a booth or a table?" He studiously ignored her discussion with the plants, she was not the only one who considered them intelligent.

((OOC: Welcome back Bas!))

Well, to Finnish, the only Godmode that can hurt you is if you believe in their god. Personally, we don't, so they are just imagining it if they think they can hurt us. Being mind controllers, we usually allow them their sick fantasies in their own mind, while we force them to disrobe and paint themselves blue, then run around the Atlas Tram screaming "Will pay for PL, meh, 1 i2 teh 5uxxxx0r1111"

That isn't RP, that's BS. Please tell your daughter that our SG would gladly come to her aid, and bring some friendly tutoring to this misdirected character. Nothing says behave like forty very angry women wielding swords and maces (or claws, or lightning...)

We always RP, no other way we know of to live, and apologize for this oafish person's actions. Guardian is the place we call home, but you can find other Sisters on Triumph, Infinity, Freedom.

For you Shard: What do you mean you can't find RP-ers? What are we, figments?

Sibling were very sensitive about using their powers on others, it was something they would never do unless asked or as a last resort. Contact with minds was a very intimate thing, so the twins rarely used their powers around friends.

The comment about whether the Sister had mind control powers struck them as shocking at first, did he think they were talking about their being attracted? Then, almost instantly, they realized that was not the intent, and Sibling's soft laughter could be heard. Ad well knew their affections were not for men, but the instant thought was funny.

"Oh Ad, you had us for just a moment. As much as we are flattered, you'd have to deal with Gal over that." Their smile widened at his look, as he realized how his comment had sounded.

"We knew what you meant, but sometimes not understanding can be fun, too." Sibling laid one tiny, delicate hand on the topmost crate and concentrated for a moment. The sound of bottles shifting, then the pop of wood being stressed as the three crates rose a few inches off the floor. Sibling's eyes stayed closed, concentrating for a moment longer.

"We figured if we could lift a Warcry, why not do something more constructive?" The green light from their eyes brightened. Once they had the lift in control, they could relax a little. One thing the twins had noticed, it was easier to just fling things as hard as possible than it was to lift them and control them.

"We don't have the skills yet to just send the boxes, so we have to walk with them." They smiled again at Adavan. "And now who's the mind reader? As a matter of fact, the Sister mentioned is a Mindy, someone who can be trusted to keep her mind to herself."

That Ad would bring this up, in a way troubled Sibling. They knew he had a somewhat stormy past where he was from, and asked only cautiously about it. They understood dark times and pasts that brought pain with their memories, but occassionally talking about it helped to deal with it.

*Heh*, Cliff's thoughts echoed in their mind, *Not everyone has a live in shrink, sis.*

*Or a perfect case study, brother.* Angela replied.

"Let us give you the five dollar tour, Ad. Gal is in the kitchen, we can pass through on the way back, then maybe you would care to talk about it?" The small controller patted his sleeve once, a show of the kindness Sibling felt towards him. "We still have a couple of hours before Martin will let anyone in."

((OOC: All in good fun Ad, but you know Sib could never let you be down in the dumps. ))

"Don't worry so much about Gal," Sibling smiled slowly, "We have our ways of getting her to relax. We are heroes after all, sometimes we have to do dangerous things."

The controller stood a short distance from Adavan, not moving to shake hands or hug, as old friends normally would do. Ad understood the way Sibling felt about physical contact, they had been in enough fights and traveled enough together to know. Almost since the controller had picked up a badge, the blaster had been there, a great tutor and friend.

"Speaking of such," Sibling handled the bottle gently, admiring the brand and the humor in it. "One of the Sisters that...visited, asked if you were spoken for." The woman's sparkling green eyes dimmed slightly, a sign there was humor and no little mischief in the comment.

"We told her we would ask, even though we already know. Maybe it would boost your ego some," her smile curled up at the corners, showing dimples. "You are far too modest."

((OOC: Ad, you wound me, to think they would hold a grudge, any of them Nothing like standing down an AV that con's purple and has more HP than Statesman. Ah, the good times...))

"Deliveries," Martin looked askance at the man bearing the crates, "are generally handled through the back." He looked over the man setting the crates down. Sunglasses, short, trimmed hair, stocky build.

"I will need to get the manifest, and will meet you at the delivery entrance," he purposefully looked over the crates, "with your delivery."

The place was empty, still some time before the restaurant or Bar actually opened. In the back, pans and plates could be heard, voices of the staff. Beth and another young woman were laying out the dinner ware and flower vases. Typical pre-open operations for Gal's.

"Who are you talking to, Martin?" Movement behind the pass-through from the kitchen could be seen. The long opening allowed the main kitchen to move food through to the front without always using the doors, and allowed a short female face to peek through to the front area.

Adavan was still concealed by the entrance drape, his crates between Martin and the door. The woman could not see who was there, only the wooden boxes.

"Vegas is at the dock now, is that part of the wine shipment?" Sibling pushed the kitchen doors apart and entered the restaurant, loud cooking sounds echoing behind them as the doors swung. They were dressed in a loose silk jacket and long skirt, casual wear for the twins.

"I can have someone come around for the crates..." The female voice trailed off as Ad's head stabbed through the curtains.

"Ad! Where have you been?" They hurried across the floor, soft leather slippers sliding over the polished wood. Sibling paused a step away, bowing and still smiling wide.

"Martin, tell Gal that her special wine is here. And realize this is our friend, Adavan." They didn't have to be mind-readers, but it helped with Martin. "Yes, that Adavan. It all turned out well, we and Diva made it back safe, even Gal has forgiven his company."

They winked at their friend, and saw Adavan's smile return. Martin paced away in his typical detached way, likely to put a sour spin on the arrival. Gal would know.

((OOC: Welcome to the esteemed Adavan, there's time before open for a beer if you like. Sibling has some stories to tell you, that the debrief didn't cover. ))

They left the village the following morning, Sibling keeping a firm watch on the young blaster's mind. By afternoon they would be close enough to the City to start working on their plan.

The travel was punctuated by spells of fidgeting from the young blaster, Par. By foot, the trip was a good two days, and flying or speeding simply wasn’t an option if their plan was going to work. Ekanga and three of his men were now wearing the powered armor, likely that no one would recognize the normal guards until they got much closer to the city.

Par had arrived in a conveyance, something like a levitating carriage, which made the trip a lot easier. The trolls had to walk, but their armor provided for speed no organic body could sustain. Those who had been in the armor originally had decided that being on the side of the Sisters was much preferable to serving as slaves to their old master. Tyranny did not breed loyalty here any more than it did in Paragon. It was almost funny, even Par had seemed happy to shed his place with the possibility of returning and actually being a hero again.

Their conversations were mainly one-sided, after Diva and Sibling had learned about the layout and defenses of the capital. Par was hungry, and now the twins had learned, basically lonely for anyone other than the people he had come here with. They lived like kings and queens, but had no friends outside that circle, for someone in their twenties, it was terribly lonely. Sibling could understand, they had been alone for many years on Paragon’s streets before being found and helped. Maybe that was why the twins had argued for letting Par help them, a sort of atonement. Diva had not been happy, but had accepted the judgment call, she still was going to get her pound of flesh for the way the refugee-heroes had treated her people.

“So, we won the war?” He had asked for the twentieth time.

“That would depend on who you ask,” Diva said into the air outside, not meeting his eyes, not trusting herself to be civil to him. “I was not in the actual battle, but many of our Sisters did not come back. Parts of the City are still wreckage, and the Rikti still roam the streets in some places.”

“You also realize, Par,” Angela’s voice was more gentle, “You will all have to answer to the Phalanx when you get back. When we get back.” Sibling looked across the space at the side of Diva’s head, her eyes still watching the landscape pass outside the door. The troll woman had a lot to think about, being home again, Ekanga, the conversation with Tasmirin and Malthu…

Sibling had been speaking to Par in the council chambers when Malthu caught Diva’s eye, signaling her to come closer. The dwarf’s expression was cagey, a smile pulling at one of her lips, but the elder Troll was all grin. With the elf securely locked in a closet, guarded by several trolls that would be happy to let him test the door and his thoughts watched by Sibling, there was nothing for Diva to do but wait. She looked twice to the twins, involved with Par, and stepped into the close counsel of the remaining two councilors.

“Divya,” Tasmirin spoke proudly, “Ekanga says you are much more than you appear. He talks about you with a lot of respect.” Her sour face did not wear a smile well, but she tried, showing a gap where a tooth had once been in her smile.

“More than respect, I think,” Malthu added, a twinkle in his eyes. Diva bowed her head a little, embarrassed and blushing deeper green. “No need to be shy, I can understand why he looks at you. He’s my son, and a good judge of character.”

“Bah, enough about her love life.” The dwarf smiled wider, in her family, jokes about romance tended towards the crude and graphic. “Malthu and I were talking about being short one member of the council. Rules are rules, there must be three, and once this gets out, that you have managed to unseat one of the most despised royals so easily, we know who will be chosen.”

Diva was still thinking about how her behavior with Ekanga had been seen. They had spent very little time together, she’d actually only been on this world a couple days, but everyone seemed to think they were an item. Well, he was handsome and courteous, but things seemed to be moving a little fast for all that. Still, it had been a long time since she had felt comfortable with any other troll, Paragon didn’t have many decent males, and most of those weren’t true trolls, not from this world.

“Well?” Diva had missed something from the tone in the female troll’s voice. “Would you take it?”

“I…I’m sorry,” she tried to find what they had spoken about, something about the council and rules.

“Would you take the seat on the council?”

Diva snapped back to the carriage, the memory almost too fresh. Sibling was watching her, interested but not staring. She knew the twins would not eavesdrop, but her emotions must be easy to read, as chaotic as they were. Par was rattling on about how bad the food was here, how he missed the steakhouses. A gesture from Diva, *It’s OK*.

Sibling’s hand answered, *Friend, no doubt*.

They rode like that most of the afternoon, morning would bring them to the outskirts of the city. Ekanga passed the window several times, peeking in and meeting Diva’s eyes, and she smiled every time. Little winks, expressions, Sibling saw them, and was happy their friend was able to be at ease.

“Huh?!” Sibling’s hand moved to their side, a buzzing surprised them. The badge from Portal was humming and vibrating, then the one Diva wore started as well. “What the?”

Sibling held the badge in one hand, after a moment the vibrating stopped and a soft crackling replaced it. They had assumed the thing was only a piece of coded plastic, apparently a lot more was inside than just their photos.

“You there?” A tinny voice came from the badge, still recognizable.

“Adavan!” Angela’s voice carried relief, surprise and a little frustration. “Where are you?”

“Eh, question is, where are you? Accident in the lab, and we’ve been working hard to get through. Diva there? You healthy?” Like the mission guide he was, to the point, important stuff first.

“Yeah, I’m here, too.” Diva spoke towards the plastic card she held, turning it over as though she expected to see his face.

There was a pause, some sounds came from the card that weren’t voices, then a loud bang and some cursing in another familiar voice, deeper than Ad’s.

“Love! Are you there?” Gal’s voice drifted away for a second, maybe she was talking to someone else, “Could you have made this thing any smaller? Damn it,” her voice faded again. “Nikky, will you hold that little thing for me?”

Sibling had to smile in spite of the situation, and Diva was almost laughing. If Gal was trying to hold one of the cards, she would have had to use tweezers, her own hands too large.

“We’re here, lover, and we’re well. Calm down.”

“Calm down, Hell! Ad gets you shot off to Goddess-knows-where, his crap breaks down and then he says the same thing to me.” Her voice was louder and softer, like a bad phone connection. “The Lady knew more about what was up than he did.”

“We have a little problem here, and are on the way to fix it.” Angela’s voice was relieved now, hearing Gal made things seem a little better.

“Ad says he thinks they can get you back soon. Says they’re workin’ on the portal. We’re helping him along.” Sibling knew that tone, and glanced up to Diva, who had a blank stare.

“We?” They almost knew the answer, they knew Gal.

“I gots forty-seven Sisters here, been camping in the control room since yesterday. Once he gets that ring fixed, we’re coming.” The black tanker’s voice came over flat, determined.

“Forty-seven? Gal, that’s crazy. This is my home world, we’re alright!” The troll woman’s face broke into a smile just short of laughter. Par was very small, trying to be invisible next to her.

“All that would fit in the room and leave space to work.” Her friend’s voice echoed, Shock Bubble must have been there listening all the while, and that was even better news. “Hiya, D’.”

“Connection’s gonna go,” Ad’s voice in the background.

“Listen,” Diva spoke up, “We have some coming with us, refugees that will need restraint. Can we call using these things?”

“Should be able to, just use it like your Comm badge from the City.” Ad answered. “Don’t count on instant response, more like a phone.”

“Good, we’ll call you. There’s some work to be done. Twenty-four hours.” Diva nodded to Sibling.

“You ain’t called by then, I’m gonna bring firepower, babe. Love you, Ang.”

The card grew quiet, the connection gone. Tomorrow, they would be in the City and it sounded like maybe they would be home before sunset. Sibling smiled wide.

"Well, white is basically the presence of all color," Angela's soft voice carried over the street noise, maybe because she spoke more to minds than ears. "It also tends to be seen as good, so we guess it would be white."

"Unless you count that we also like black, which is the absence of all color. That's more neutral, or more forceful," the voice coming from the woman's body took on a sudden change, several octaves lower and definitely male. Even the stance altered when Cliff was dominant.

"We guess grey would be our favorite, together. It's terrible to see the world in only black and white."

Sibling smiled at the confused look that returned. Two people speaking from one body could do that.

Dan,
Only a military brat, or soon to be ex-SOF troop could fully appreciate the story. To be honest, I think it was extremely well written, and very intriguing. You would find a character I RP, MaDeuce, on the Recruits thread in RolePlay. She talks, thinks and acts very much like this.

My own brother has similar experiences, and I admit to a few years of polishing my Matterhorns before 5AM and checking the headspace on my Browning obsessively. The story is quite good, but will find a limited audience because it isn't "heroic", more like real life. I like that. My characters all have real lives, fights with their sig others, homes they live in, histories, etc... The little details like the Harley, the HALO drop, those make the story real.

Personally, I'm curious, because you don't find many...175th? 3rd Group? Screaming Eagles ('All American' Baby myself)? Not much in the world like looking DOWN at the clouds from the bird, is there?

Anyway, I like, great set-up for the rest of his story. I hope there is a rest? Him and Ma would get on pretty well, but she would like to know...index or second finger pull?

((OOC: OK, hello all you wonderful players. If any of you cruise the boards, you know Sibling has been having issues since I4 arrived. Petty, spiteful issues, but issues none-the-less.

To allow for cooling off, to hopefully allow for resolution to the numerous bugs and defects that are negatively affecting my game, I will be taking a two week sabatical from CoH.

Have fun at the Bar, enjoy the Recruits and good hunting otherwise. Me? My unhappy meter is pegged with the problems that are being visited upon us. I love those players that post with me, game with me and otherwise enjoy being with me. To you who are RP-ers or players, thank you. You will see me in two weeks, when I will decide if I can play again.))

((OOC: Never kick you out Jack, Gertrude might get miffed, lol.

OK, new day, and the sign says:

"Squid and Calamari Special, Fresh Caught in IP"

Yes, Gypsy got the Squiddie!))

"For you, rich and handsome, I think I can make time." Her smile was a blend of saucy and sincere, just enough of both to make him wonder. "And don't worry about keeping me, I'm not out of here for another hour. Have to get the stock, fill up the bar shelves, feed the bar and tables, clear the register..." She trailed off, catching his surprised look.

"Oh, you surprised about clearing the till or the tables? Nar won't touch money, none of the girls in their SG will. The tables, well, let's just say they get some water and vitamins." She winked and held out his change, when he made no move to take it, she reached for his hand and laid it in his palm. An earnest and somehow serious look came over her face.

"You don't have to pay me to sit here, Jack. I'll take a fair tip, and a little spare for good measure, but that's way too much." She folded his fingers over the remaining bills gently and pecked him on the cheek quickly before moving off to help Narshawn.

Funny the people you meet in a bar...

Our four cents (two brains, why not?).

New Recruits:

Janice, Ma, Sartain, etc...: My character, lots of baggage, but like a rock. Kick your axe if you offend her, walk a thousand miles over broken glass carrying a VW to save you.

Patchy: Sometimes comic relief, sometimes the man to ask. Quirky but reliable.

Vulpa: What can I say, two troubled women on one team? Attention might wander, but I'd trust my back to her any day.

Raymond: A little valiant, but ready to take it on the chin. ("Step back dammit! You're blocking my line of sight!")

Radon: Timid or brave, still deciding.

Celes: Holey spit, would not touch her boyfriend, but would make a few rude comments. He loves you girl! Tortured soul, good and bad, probably makes a mean daquiri.

Still contemplating the others...

Gal's Place:

Gal: the matron, mother of everyone who walks through the door.

Beth: Young, made some mistakes, but working on it.

Gertrude: Middle aged, troubled marriage and in support group. Flirt, but dead serious about friends.

Narshawn: Hey, she's an alien, ten years old and made of ice. What do you think?

Gypsy: Aloof, but earnest when you get to know her. She protects friends and Smites enemies and learned how to knife fight before she could walk.

Nice idea Senor, and I misunderstood the title, had an NC-17 rated post ready, lol.

((OOC: OK, not to rush you all out, but I have a request to start a new night so some friends can spend quality time together. Consider the last call going around, thank you for your patronage ))

"Jack, Nar's gonna need help closing the bar, but you sit and relax. I can make an exception if you want to keep your feet up, let you enjoy a little longer..."she looked aside at him and batted an eyelash, "I sure am enjoying."

Standing, she patted his hand on the table and gave him one of her REAL smiles.

((OOC: She likes you Jack.))

((TO Jack))

Gertrude looked a little unbelieving, but earnest in her interest. After all, not many civvies saw intelligent robots that weren't stripping old Chevy's for the King's diabolical plans.

"He has a personality, programmed, but that is his?" She wondered how that worked. "Can you just...turn him off if he gets out of control?"

That occurred to her to be better sometimes than children. Maybe an "off" switch on her son...

"Seriously, Jack, that sounds like some kind of roomie you have there."


((TO Betty))

"Be well, my sister," Narshawn ((belatedly)) called to Betty as she left through the doors. "I will keep a place for you, should you stop in again."

She glanced at the money left on the bar, well more than the few drinks cost. Gertrude handled money, Narshawn would not touch it, no Sister would handle money except to transfer it to another. She knew the young waitress was still on her break, so it would sit until she returned.

It looked as though there would be a healthy tip left over. This made the small woman's smile widen, she personally liked Gertrude's children, and would send them gifts from anonymous sources. It was easy with a Sister as head of the Shelter, she often wanted to rush to meet Lady Gemini when she came in, but this was not the place. Another sly smile as she thought that Gertrude would not know how Lady Gemini could know so much about her...

((OOC: Sorry, have been off whining about some issues with the latest patch, and let this slide. OK, off my trip now, please accept my apologies and chat away!))

((OOC: If somehow, in the melee, I have forgotten to respond to someone, my apologies. I try hard to give each patron a personal response, and never mean to slight anyone. I get a little behind sometimes, but please don't take it wrong. I am having a great time here. If someone dropped the ball on you, tell Gal, she'll straighten them out and I'll make sure not to do it again ))

Gal kicked the kitchen door open hard enough to bring Martin, unflustered but quick.

"Dam! I got people out there waitin' on food, drinks. What's going on around here? I let Beth have one minute of privacy, and some time off, and you all think this is the holidays!" Her smile was small, but it showed this was all about bluster.

"Ms. Gal," Martin's unflappable voice, "I shall see to it. Consider the staff warned, the written documents will be on your desk in an hour, and placed in personnel files."

Gal looked right into the much shorter, much paler, much more refined man's eyes, and neither blinked. Seconds passed, Gal's shoulders slowly rolling over and her tiara growing warm.

"I joke, mum." Gal's jaw dropped, here out of view of any guest, in company the tight Englishman felt was of equal stature, he had actually made a joke. Then he turned, his mouth souring again for public display, and strode back to the restaurant.

*Boring* he said, *Guys go around throwing forklifts, chopping up giant robots and shooting lasers from their eyes. Boring?* She thought not, but it might be just the crowd you run with.

"Gemini," she smiled, "Lady Gemini is her correct name, should use it more. I act like she's a friend, when she only knows me from saving my butt. She's really quiet, sort'a mysterious I guess. Maybe you saw her in here the other night, with her group?" His stare and shake of the head indicated no.

"Well, she's a member of The Order, Sisters, Ladies of the Lake. All that, the women that live on the Island out in Talos. Gal's one, and Nar," she hooked a thumb at the minute woman tending bar. Supergroup, you know. She rubbed at one arm, under a heavy sleeve. "Basically, she is bad news with a katana wrapped up with razor wire, but she has a bod to die for. Nar says she's from the Ming Dynasty, but I don't know if that was her old group or what.

"She always seems to be there when I really need it, like a guardian angel," she paused, considering, "one that swings a katana. She pulled me an' the kids out of a building during the Rikti War. Later, when my old man was getting rough, she shows up, Bang! Out of nowhere." Her tone indicated there was some time in-between, "and gets us all out. Took us to a friend of her's, lady named Jing, that runs a battered women's shelter. Been living there since, the only place I feel safe except for here." Her hand had been constantly rubbing at the arm, unthinking but definitely a habit.

She had been involved in the story, not paying much attention to Jack. Finishing, she looked up, sheepishly, at her rudeness.

"More than that about Lady Gemini, I couldn't even guess at. I remember watching the attacks from some caves in Talos, her and a group of Sisters evacuated a whole bunch of civvies there. There was an Island, never saw it before, one of their ships was attacking it and she wanted to go to help. Don't know what happened, they shoved us all into the caves and left a few to protect us.

"So, enough of that Jack," she took another drink of the Cola, watching the time. "How'd you end up with a robot partner?" She casually crossed her legs, the modest skirt tucked just above the knee and showing that for middle-age, with calves like that, she had to work out. "I got some time left on my break."

((OOC: No harm, no foul Lusus. That Arena is definitely pulling the RPers. I love having you, and Gertrude would wait in the rain, in the cold on Friday night holding a bowling ball for Jack. He'd have Hel to pay, but she'd wait ))

"Eh, just saying that I lead a fairly normal life. I don't know how normal a hero's life is, but mostly mine is work, kids, work. That kind of thing." She drank the soda, realizing there wasn't too much exciting about her.

"If you're ever interested in being bored to sleep, ask me what I do for fun," the tired smile crept back. "My latest thriller was getting my license changed back to my maiden name."

Just chatting was actually very relaxing. She might have looked tired, and was, but it was welcome.

((OOC: Darn 10 hour board maint!))

"Just a cola, though something stronger would be welcome," she had seemed to deflate, much of her bravado gone. There was no one else to see her, and he had been persistent, so she allowed her fatigue to show.

"Yeah, the mess was my making, screwed it up from the start and am just glad I managed to find some friends to help me." She had more to say, not many men she felt she could talk, even a little, to. And as good as Gal was, some things she didn't understand. She waited for Jack to return.

"Okay, detective," she leaned back on the stool. "I got two kids, both by the same guy, and he's my ex. Not a nice one, but I got Gal and Gemini, and they watch over me like angels." Her tone was cynical, but her eyes said she truly believed it.

"You tied up with someone right now? Just making time with a waitress?"

Couldn't have said it better ourselves.

Damn if this doesn't make us, hard-core all-time CoH fanatics, really, really mad. Played since the new issue, have been dealing with the whole controller bash that totally smacked Sibling down. Hey, let's nerf the nerfest class so some whiney scrapper can win in PvP. Now, our dark scrapper with SS swings like a freaking windmill! Oh, the difference is noticeable, oh hels yeah!

Hey Devs, here is a serious, respectful suggestion. The <insert proper adjective here> Arena has been on test for a while, why not keep it off the main servers and insert the debuffs and nerfs there? It's going to be so painful to play straight so these Arena <insert...> can fight. We don't want to fight other heroes, how does this do anything, any single thing but bad, for the game I bought? City of Heroes, fight villains. Did the villains get nerfed?

((OOC: Must be that cursed I4 "OoooooH! PvP! Now I can smack my friends around! Grumble grumble.))

"That was it, Jack," she paused, "All I have to do is tell Nar, and put my apron behind the bar. My next twenty are free. I think everybody here has gotten their orders."

She shook her hair, ready to sit down for a moment and stepped back to where the bar opened. Nar was watching a huge black man and Vegas, but she dropped to the floor and came to Gertrude's wave. The tiny woman nodded, smiling and shoved the apron into a shelf.

"So, hero, what did you want to talk about?" She hopped up on a stool across from his bowl, letting out a sigh. One hand absently ran through her hair.

((OOC: What, some health inspector come in that I didn't see? It's gotten awfully quiet. ummm, I mean ))

“It happened during the invasion,” one of the guards carried a glass of water to the prince. They had placed him in one of the chairs, and Diva stood to one side, keeping him aware he was in custody. “We were part of one of the small teams near City Hall. Six of us, friends since high school and a guy who promised to power level us, had just come from Lady Liberty. None of us were heroes, or any kind of them. Jeez, I mean, I just got my third level clearance.”

His lordly manner had dropped as soon as he started using English again. From the way he held himself, Sibling guessed he was just some young man that had been in a bad place at the right time. He didn’t look into anyone’s eyes, more embarrassed now that someone knew his secret. He had been taken easily, no way to really test or train here, so what powers he had were slow to develop.

“One of the Rik’s, popped up right next to the steps, maybe twenty feet from us and Jeremy,” he noticed Sibling lift one hand, asking for more detail, “Yeah, Jeremy, he’s a friend, he was there, he’s an Empath. So, anyway, this big freakin’ Rikti just stands there, and was no way we were going to tackle him. His back was to us, and we were blocked by a wall. No travel powers yet, you know. That sucks.” He took a drink of water, just being able to speak English again felt good.

“This big black swirling thing was right between us, and more of the aliens come walking out. I almost peed my pants, but they kept walking away, probably figuring they had only the wall behind them. You ever see one of those swords?” Now he glanced up, trying to catch Diva’s eyes, afraid to meet the mind controller’s. “Jeeezus big, all glowie and stuff. They were hacking away at some high levels, big fight.

“One of the heroes, he blasted this big Head-guy with some bomb thing, blew up a flying robot, too. That knocked me and Jeremy through the swirly,” he didn’t seem to know the terms or words for the higher level threats. Headmen, Drones or portals. “Pop! Show up here, and a minute later, the others come flying through. Then the swirly disappears and it sunk in, we were stuck and had no flippin’ idea where we were.”

Sibling believed the story, partially because they could see the truth in his mind, and partially because the story sounded familiar. There were tales of people going missing after the invasion, and the twins knew the portals could send Rikti through, why not people. Maybe they just didn’t have good accuracy, or the people’s biology caused them to shoot off somewhere else. Diva snickered, his head came around with a scowl.

“Sorry,” the big green woman said, “It just seems funny that you come here and become villains.” Sibling felt no humor from her, the smile looked real, but something was wrong with her thoughts.

“Well, yeah,” he shrugged, assuming she did think it funny. “The other guy said we could run this place, no talents even our level. Be kings and stuff.”

His chair almost shattered when it fell backwards, his legs well off the floor and eyes like saucers. Diva’s smile had become an outraged sneer, holding him within inches of her prominent canines, eye to eye. One handed, she could lift appliances, his weight was nothing. To punctuate her words, she shook him in rhythm.

“I lived in this world, you rotten little fop. These are my people, the one’s you treat like cattle!” The councilors had walked closer, now drew back and Ekanga stepped near, placing a hand on her shoulder, and reaching up to do it.

“Divya, he isn’t worth your time.” There was a gentle note in his voice. He was impressed with her forcefulness, her willingness to call them her people. As strong as she was, the eyes she turned on him were soft and gentle.

“You’re right, I’m sorry.” Her words in the Troll tongue. The blaster still hung in the air, her fist nearly as large as his head, twined into the front of his regal jacket. “But you,” she turned back to Par, and spoke English again, “You are going to take us to these others. They will either agree to leave or I will break them. They will leave, do you understand?” His head bobbed at her shaking, but he nodded finally.

Gertrude walked back into the pool room, noticing that the bowl was covered. She smiled.

"Jack, did you bury it or just couldn't stand to look at it anymore?" She crossed her arms, pushing her chest up and cocking one hip to the side. He turned, and his look was priceless.