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Presented in its entirety due to small size, though it's not lacking in quality! The short girl sat on the end of the row in the large school gym. She was only half listening to the current speaker. He was a representative of the M.A.G.I. group, speaking mainly to the students who received their powers or looks from some sort of magic source. As he was closing his speech, he offered to meet with anyone who felt they could benefit from his group for a free assessment. The principle returned to the podium and introduced the next speaker. "It is now my pleasure to bring up an alumni of this very school, Autumn Saunders. The short girl fought back some butterflies as she stood and made her way up to the stage. Even as a college sophomore, her small frame could have passed for any senior in the audience. She blended in well up to this point with her black button down shirt and black pleated skirt with the gray stripe. Her friends said it matched her jet-black hair, but it matched more than just that. She walked over to the podium, shaking hands with the principle before she turned to address the fifty or so students and their parents. "Hello, My name is Autumn, and I am a registered hero. I was asked to speak to you today not only about being a hero, but a student as well. I'd like to start by telling you how I found out about my own powers, then a little about balancing what I can do with being a college sophomore. Then I'll share a few words from my grandmother that helped me through some tough times." She took a breath and steadied her voice. "Four years ago, when I was a student here, I was heading home late from a friend's house. I was approached by some guys and one of them pushed me down. I was scared and tried to get away. But then as they surrounded me, my arm started to tingle." She raised her right arm up slowly as she continued, "As the one who pushed me got closer, I tried to push him away and suddenly-" She paused and thrust her arm, palm facing up and fingers spread wide. The crowd gasped as inky darkness shot out in a thick cylinder-shaped cloud. As it traveled well over the heads of the group, it slowly faded and disappeared after a few seconds of flight. There were some excited murmurs from the crowd as they recovered from the unexpected display. | "I was able to scare them off," she continued once they returned their attention. "But just as I surprised all of you, imagine my surprise at doing that. I hope the discovery of your own talents or powers was not as bad as mine. However, regardless of how you found out, I bet you asked yourself the same questions I did at some point. Does this make me a hero? Do I have to be a hero? And do I really need to look like my underwear is on the outside?" She paused as a few chuckled at the lame joke. "The fact is, most heroes do other things in their 'normal' life." She made little finger quotes around the word, as if anything was normal in these kids lives' right now. "I am a college student that just likes to use what I can do to help people. I don't go out looking to stop crime, and I don't think twice about calling the PPD if it's something I can't handle." She could see herself reflected back on some of the faces. That uncertain look they got when all their plans for life just changed. How many of them are struggling as she had? She took a breath and pushed those thoughts aside. "I would like to leave you with something my grandmother told me. 'You are on the edge of your life. Before you are the paths that you have to choose. It won't be easy, as most changes in life are not. But the only wrong choice is to not make a choice.' A couple days after that I was down at city hall talking about my options with a M.A.G.I. rep. I believe I have these powers for a reason, and I believe the same for all of you. I would encourage you to speak to one of the representatives, talk it over with your family, and even talk it over with yourself. The choice is yours. Thank you." The people clapped as she returned to her seat. After the closing remarks she stayed around to speak to a few students and parents. It was from one of these students, a young girl with stark white hair, that she got another quote: You don't always have to go out and fight to be a hero. |
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This promises to be a hilarious time to be had by all who attend! Check out all the event details here!
Missing any Mayhem Exploration Badges? Want that shiney Invader Accolade?Well, here is your chance! Saturday, March 28th: Beginning in Port Oakes, 4PM EST Hosted by Madame Pistacio On the Victory Server Details: Join P.E.R.C. for a safe cracking, Longbow smashing good time by bringing your favorite villain(s) to rob all of Paragon's Banks. We'll start with Atlas Park Bank and work our way up to Peregrine Island! Join in by meeting at the site of the Mayhem or sending a tell to the lead bank robber (as listed below). I anticipate each robbery will last about 10 minutes. Here is the list of hits and your sneaky accomplices:
Don't worry... you'll get your cut! *suspicious darting eyes* On this Event you will:
Let the MADNESS begin!Fine print: There are no level restrictions for this event. You may switch characters if you need the badges on multiple villains. You are not required to come to each mayhem mission, only the ones you need. People will be asked to leave the team once they receive the exploration badge to accomodate as many players as possible.[/list] | |
Vol. 2, Issue 39
March 27th, 2009
The City Scoop a publication for Supers by Supers!
Read the latest publication and then join in on the community discussion!
If you have concerns regarding the content of the Scoop please direct your comments via PM to Ex Libris.
If you would like to do a feature article, or join "The City Scoop" team please PM Snow_Globe.
If you would like to place a classified ad or have an event covered, contact Cende, EnnVee, or Lemur Lad.
If you need some "Advice" contact Lady_Athyna, would like to "Ask The X" contact LiquidX, or need help with fashion, "Ask Arbiter Fabulous."
If you have a base you would like featured, please contact EnnVee.
Finally if you have a Recipe you would like included please contact Barron_.
The City Scoop
Vol. 2, Issue 39
March 27th, 2009
This Issue:
Community
Different Ways to Play
The People On...
Fiction
Fan Fiction Spotlight
Food
Aus der Küche von Barron
Base Showcase
PERC and PvPEC Events
Midnight PvP
Killer Clowns
Mayhem Madness
Comic
Masthead
Upcoming Events
Friday, March 27th
Justice Server
PvPEC's Chopping Block Tournament!
When: 8pm EDT / 5pm PDT
Where: Pocket D
Contact: @Galactic Blaze, @Galactic Revolution
Fight Club
When: 12am EDT / 9pm PDT
Where: Siren's Call
Contact: @Ice_Knight
Saturday, March 28th
Victory Server
PERC's Mayhem Madness
When: 4pm EDT / 1pm PDT
Where: Port Oakes
Contact: @Madame Pistacio
Pinnacle Server
PvPEC's Killer Clowns
When: 9pm EDT / 6pm PDT
Where: Pocket D
Contact: @Buck Wild
Protector Server
PvPEC's Killer Clowns
When: 9pm EDT / 6pm PDT
Where: Pocket D
Contact: @Gear Freak
In The Scoop
By VexXxa
Another Monday morning, and I arrive at my office all bright eyed and bushy tailed. I peer out my window at Lord Recluse Plaza where it is raining, and toxic tarantulas, widows, and other followers of Lord Recluse are walking about. I see a few of the baby spiders chasing each other and skirmishing as they zip around the plaza and through the crowd. "I wonder where their momma is at." I think to myself as I fill my coffee mug up with some pretty strong Ghost Widow brand of coffee.
I turn around just as the mail drops into my drop box. I eagerly nab my mail and sit down at my desk with my tushy resting on top of the donut I ended up getting over the weekend. I thought about this past Friday night on my way home from the office and how I had suffered such a severe cheek cramp from sitting on my office chair all day, that as I walked to my front door I felt like someone had literally kicked me in the booty! So now that I am comfy, sorta, I sift through the mail and find nothing worth reading. So off to the forums I go to see what the boardsters are up to.
I start wandering through the threads and view some really nice pieces. Then I stumble across Thornster's piece called "Thor's Assassin." As I closely look at the piece, I whisper to myself "'Tis a fascinating piece." So, I decide to reach out to Thornster to try to snag him for my next article. I quickly write out a letter to him...
"G'morning, Thornster! I was wandering through the forums and tripped over your collaborated piece named 'Thor's Assassin'. What an awesome piece! I would enjoy learning more about it! In fact, I am sure our readers would really enjoy learning more about that particular piece and some of your other pieces as well!
Please contact me if you are interested in being featured in The City Scoop. I'd love to write an article about you!
Thank you!
~*~VexXxa~*~"
And with that done, I address the envelope, stuff my letter inside of it and pull out my spongy bottle to wet the flap. I giggle to myself "Not going to taste that yucky flap this time!" I seal the envelope and drop it into the mail drop. I then spend the rest of my day stealthing through the threads of the boardsters, admiring the talent that I see all woven together into one huge community of artists, collectors, and admirers.
Tuesday morning has finally arrived and after getting myself a cup o' joe, I nab my mail from the drop box and sit my little tushy onto the donut pillow acting as a tushy cushion for my chair. I wiggle my tushy to the left, and then to the right but still can't get comfortable. I mumble to myself "After work, I must get a replacement for this horrid chair! Donuts are definitely not my style!" So, I pulled my feet up and sat Indian style, which seemed to be the most comfortable position.
I sort through my mail and find a reply back from Thornster. "These artists are fantastic with their quick responses!" I think to myself as I open the envelope. Thornster's letter reads "Thank you VexXxa for wanting to feature me in your article. I currently live in Paragon Island, so I won't have a problem meeting you at Pocket D. Tonight would be a good time for me since I will be traveling near the club. I'll see you there.
Thornster "
"YEA! I get to nab the scoop on Thornster! I cannot wait to ask him more about that Thor's Assassin piece!" I exclaim with excitement. I put on my coat and grab my camera as I dart out the door! "OH NO! The RAIN! I forgot about the RAIN!" I shout out as I run for the train station knowing that I am going to look like a drowned rat by the time I get to Pocket D.
As I step off the train, I see that there is a break in the rain, so I shuffle my little feet as fast as I can to get to the club before the rain drenches me some more. Fortunately, I have long hair that doesn't mind the rain. It just becomes very wavy, so I run my fingers through my tresses to spruce it up a bit and enter the club. As I wander through the crowd of toons yet again, I don't see Thornster anywhere. Then suddenly I spot him! He's up on the dance floor with the DJ reading a newspaper! As I approach him, I see that he is reading The City Scoop. I say as I smirk, "You must be Thornster." With a big smile, he replies. "Why yes I am. And by the looks of you, you must be a drenched VexXxa. Nice to meet you!" We both laugh as Thornster folds up his newspaper and walks with me to the upstairs bar. We settle into the booth nearest the monkey cage, where it is quiet since the Monkey fights are on hiatus for the evening and everyone is out on the dance floor or elsewhere in the club.
I order a Ghost Widow Special this time, which is similar to a Kamikaze but much stronger. Thornster just ordered a pitcher of Manticore beer. As we chatted, Thornster told me that he has lived in Paragon for 53 months and currently resides in a nice English style brownstone in the City of Croatoa. Thornster tells me how much he loves the ambiance there and all the ghosts and whatnots that wander through the city. "Sounds like my kind of city!" I say with a smile.
"Just out of curiosity, at about what age did you first realize you had artistic talents?" I ask Thornster as he takes a big gulp from his mug. He replies, "Well, the interest has always been there ... but I would say my working with a vectorial application on downtimes at my first job is what really gave me the impression I might be able to do something worthwhile.
Thornster goes on with talking about his early days. "My first things were more maps and stuff for PnP RGP games ... then I tried stuff like THIS as the portrait for my PnP games. But, CoX is a great artistic inspiration and one day someone asked for their sketch to be colored ... so I gave it a try and Pai Hu Shi was my first CoX colors.
It all sounds fascinating to me. "So what type of canvas were your early pieces created on?" I ask. Thornster replies with a grin, "Most probably either Photoshop or Corel Paint since those are the only 2 painting tools I use.
" Thornster, out of all the different pieces you have created and worked on, which is your most favorite?" I sit with anticipation of his answer. He replies with a big smile "Not too long ago I would have told you that my favorite piece was my colors of an imagesbyalex piece of Twins I played with a friend of mine BBB Twins . But since then I have found things I would have done differently that could have made it better. Now I would have to say that the piece worked on that featured the famous Thor's Assassin would be my new favorite Thor's Assassin ... it was a great COLLABORATION. TA had a sketch by Graver that got inked by Taclobanon, all that on a night where I felt like coloring and I really like how it turned out." I exclaim to Thornster, "I saw that piece and I totally loved it! That piece inspired me to want to write about you! Thor's Assassin was beautifully done!"
I go on to ask Thornster, "Do you have any up and coming pieces waiting in the wings for us to be looking for in the near future?" Thornster thinks for a moment and then replies, "I usually work intensely on a piece or I'm not working on any... so I rarely have next pieces. I usually get inspired then work until I'm done ... but, if I were to name one I have an INK done for a sketch by imagesbyalex and its waiting for me to find a new technique to try or something so I throw myself into the colors of it."
"So tell me Thornster, where do you get your creative inspiration? I ask with curiosity. Thornster replies with a smirk "I'm still trying my hand at drawing ... but I am too hard a critic and I don't practice enough so ... other artists' sketches are one of my inspirations. I like reading tutorials so ... sometimes after reading one I just want to try it out and other times it's just because I feel like coloring."
I tell Thornster "I would really like our readers to have the opportunity to see more of your work, are there any links that people can go to see more?" Thornster says, "People can see more of my work at http://thornster.deviantart.com/ and under the art, cover, and comic cover of my character site icewing.
"How about commissions?" I say to Thornster and continue with a smile, "I'm sure that many of our readers would love a commissioned piece done by you." Thornster grins as he replies "I prefer working when I feel like it rather than when I have to... so the best way to make sure no one is disappointed because they are waiting after their commission is to not take any."
"Well Thornster, that pretty much does it. Is there anything else you wish to add?" Thornster thinks for a moment and then says, "Well I am more of an art appreciator that decides to color once in a while ... so I have a lot of pieces made by other artist and a few colored by me. One fun fact in my colorings though is that these two Nyghtingale by Destiny Knight and Nyghtingale2 by Destiny Knight were colored in the same week. I learned a lot that week and that really inspired me to continue.
Thornster and I finish off the last of our drinks and I express to him my appreciation for his meeting with me for this interview. "Thank you so very much Thornster for meeting with me and for allowing me to feature you in The City Scoop. I know our readers will enjoy learning more about you." Thornster smiles big and as we shake hands, he says "Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of the Scoop!" With that, Thornster walks out onto the dance floor where I lose sight of him in the vast crowd of dancing toons. I then return to my office to get started on my scoop of Thornster.
"Bring me your visions" - VexXxa