[Unionverse] Capecon 2010

The sculpted, magical-spandex clad rear of Rushmore was mostly muscle, rather hard, but the pinch still made him gasp, going wide eyed for the camera as one of the Vigilants manning it took the picture.

"Hey, the federal state of my rear is a no-grope zone without clearance, and the head of the Federal Comission is -real- tetchy about who gets clearance." Rushmore chided Annette, before grinning. "And just a little bigger."

Cauter could be heard just behind them. "The T-90 power cells are all well and good. In children's toys!"

"But the recharge speeds-" A girl started to argue back, before being interrupted.

"Yes, but the CDX-1100 holds more of a charge for much longer, without much more weight and size. I'd rather hold more for longer than less for a quicker recharge." Cauter replied.

"What about a mix of fast and slow power cells?" A man piped up.

"No, you'd need to add more weight in for the switching relays, plus the T-90 takes... a... different... charge." Cauter and the girl both said at the same time, looking at each other.

"I need coffee. Does anyone else need coffee?" Cauter asked out loud, before looking to the girl. "Do you? I mean, I could use a hand bringing them over too..."

"I can do with coffee." The girl said, nodding rather quickly.

"Same here, Cauter. I'll cover for you." Rushmore said, before grinning at Annette as the pair headed off, talking with animated hand movements. "... Well, didn't expect that."

Amy lifted the car with ease, balancing most of the weight on one hand but lifting it slow enough that she gave Brickhouse the chance to look like he was lifting it as well. She took Brickhouse's hand in her free one to make it look like they were shaking hands, turned and smiled as the photograph was taken.

Setting the car gently back down with a clank.

She whispered to Brickhouse, "you did great...you know you do a really good Statesman impression...sound just like him...perhaps you should look into getting into the acting gig...alright now shake his hand and you're free to go, I promise..."

The boy looked up with unbridelled excitement at Brickhouse, a look of sheer happiness on his face.

Pacs had to admit it, there was something about watching a man's rippling muscles within the close-fitting confines of heroic spandex that made her think this hero lark was worthwhile all on its own.

Dressed in a simple pair of light blue jeans, with a white tank top and thin light green hoodie with her hair in a pony tail behind her head, she thought she could probably have picked the large car up on her own, though whether she could have done it one-handed with enough ease to shake hands with the other was something she'd not tried yet. She certainly wouldn't have looked as impressive as the man-mountain who was reaching under the chassis to lift it up. Camera poised, Pacs zoomed in to auto-focus on the excellent photo opportunity.

Flashes went off all around them and some of the fans applauded. Pacs looked over her LCD screen, thinking something wasn't quite right with the scene, but she dismissed it. Hitting the correct button on her camera, she reviewed the picture she'd just taken. She was no photographer, to be sure, but was pleased with it.

The little boy cheered as he shook 'Statesman's' hand and yelled, "Go get them Statesman!" as Brickhouse departed.

Amy talked to the parents and gave the kid one of everything on her stall all signed but the little boy was too happy with his photograph to really care.

Amy chuckled as she watched Brickhouse dash off, "who was that masked man?" she quietly said to herself with a grin.

She returned to her stall and settled back down to sign what remained of her stuff for the queue of fans that had built up.

After shaking hands with the modest heroes, Ataraxis moved away from the booth. He had hoped to get into some closer discussion about the Unity Vigil and the particular heroes' work, but the appearance of the young woman who had made a comment on his name bothered him. There was just something about her appearance and her body language that he found unsavoury. He supposed it might have had something to do with a little background noise from his psychic talent as well, but all those years ago when his psychic talents first emerged the first thing he learnt to do was to train them. He didn't like the ability, and would only be forced to use it in extreme circumstances.

Spotting with some surprise a booth for the Nighthunters, he approached it, uncertain of whether Suraya would recognise him. Despite his desire for a quiet day off, he was not concerned as to whether she would notice who he was or not, he just wanted some company in this crowd of strangers. There were certainly some characters here, and the odd woman from before was just the tip of the iceberg.

He resisted the almost reflexive urge to open his psychic sense over the crowd as he came face to face with Suraya as a small boy moved away. He smiled and offered his hand. "So, the Desert Princess. It's nice to meet you."

Richard, Melissa and Marie cheerfully strode through the gaps in the crowd, and if a few people seemed to bump into nothingness, there were enough people with powers around to make it seem almost commonplace.

Even so, minutes later, the sight of a gathering cascade of energy in front of the Unity Vigil tables drew any number of eyes, as well as murmured whispers of uncertainty, that lasted until the three of them suddenly appeared, the armoured man flanked by two body-suit clad women in combat poses.

Inscrutably, Shadowe cast his gaze around, ignoring the gasps of surprise, the claps, the wolf-whistles directed at the women beside him. One young lad was whispering animatedly to a friend - Helena thoughtfully amplified the volume on that conversation enough for him to hear it clearly.

"... and those are two of the women he has living with him - he's got hundreds of girls hanging around him all the time, and Mom says she'd like five minutes alone with him... and then she blushes lots and goes quiet..."

The battle-suit was great for attracting attention, as well as hiding the grin on his face as he tried not to laugh.

"So," he rumbled, his voice distorted by the suit's audio equipment, as he turned to look at the handful of figures manning the Unity Vigil stand. "Where do we queue for autographs?"

Wolf was staring at the crowd, flat white visor angling back and forth slowly. Behind the helmet, narrowed eyes picked apart the multi-sprectrum filter from the HuD.
Silently he reached over, picking up his Redding Rifle and going to check the clip. But, of course, the Chief and Lyndon had already swiped all his spare mags, and the one in the rifle was empty; for show only.

Gods damn, gods freaking damn. This was doing his head in. Worried about him, huh? They should be worried about the Rikti, back in the warzone, worried about the criminals that no doubt lurked in the alleys around this entire zone, around the whole city...
Worried about that shimmer in the crowd.

Wolf glared, trying to track it. Problem was, heat-sensors were only good in a warzone, where the targets were naturally spread apart. Here, there was so much body-heat, all crammed in together, that it was nigh impossible.
"Wolf? Are you sure you're ok?"

Wolf glanced up as the Chief loomed next to him.
"Stealther. In the crowd. Can't get a fix on 'em..." Wolf muttured quietly.
The Chief glanced around.
"Hmm...maybe someone not wanting to get mugged by fans? I wouldn't doubt it, today. Or the odd power show off once in a while. Spotted someone teleporting a minute or so ago..."
"I know what I saw, Chief."
The large Kaarinian glanced at Wolf, before turning back to the crowd, optics narrowing slightly.
"Look, if anything kicks off, we'll investigate, ok? But not before then. Relax, alright?"
"Hnn," was all the answer Wolf gave, eyes still roving restlessly.

Then, of course, the trio materialised by the Unity Vigil stand.
"See?" Chief chuckled, clapping him gently on the shoulder. "Nothing to worry about."
Wolf growled, clapping a hand to his face for all the good it did beneath the helmet.
"This is getting me down..."
"Then get out there. Wander around, stretch your legs. Remind yourself that theres more to what we do than just war..."
Wolf looked up, then. The Chief didn't have the same expressions as humans, his mouth area covered by a visor plate that moved in time with his words, but he did have incredibly expressive optics. Right now, there look was one that was both gentle and yet unyieldingly firm. The sentance had the layout of encouragement, but the tone of an order.
After a moment, and with a silent nod, Wolf slung the empty rifle across his shoulder and tentatively moved into the sea of bodies.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zwillinger GG, I would tell you that "I am killing you with my mind", but I couldn't find an emoticon to properly express my sentiment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain_Photon NOTE: The Incarnate System is basically farming for IOs on a larger scale, and with more obtrusive lore.

Amy was busy dealing with her fans, she was use to the throng of publicity.
__________________________________________________ __________________________
MEANWHILE....

"Ooh I can't believe I'm running so late," came a worried little electronic voice.

"So many people...I think the anti-grav should stop me being kicked around," there was motorized whirr followed by a dull whum noise as the owner of the little voice hovered to head height.

The owner of the little electronic voice was a walkie-talkie toaster. His casing custom painted in the American flag, a patriotic star painted around his single blue glowing eye sensor. Two anti-grav jets protruding from the side of his casing and a small red cape billowing in the air conditioning was fastened around him.

With him he carried a small bag, containing his document of citizenship to Paragon City, he always kept it close incase someone tried lay claim to the now free Walkie-talkie toaster. It also contained a small scrapbook of his 'exploits', nothing fanciful, a newspaper clipping of him recieving his citizenship and one of his first and so far only arrest of a purse snatcher.

"I hope I can get them all to sign my scrapbook!"

The little Walkie-talkie toaster hovered through the crowd slowly, being careful to avoid bumping in to people and made his way to the Unity Vigil stand.

BODICIA looked up from her game of pattycake with a young girl in a pushchair. "Ah, Shadowe and friends. Making quite and impression as well, I see." Rising up gracefully, BODICIA stretched her neck, rotating her head a little before smiling. "Cauter has gone off to gather coffee and inquire about specs with a young woman, but Rushmore is here. Currently with Annette hanging off him."

Tilting her head slightly to the side, BODICIA accessed the scheduled appearance list for the Unity Vigil. "In thirteen minutes fifty seven seconds the following heroes are due to arrive: Cindersnap," There was a cheer, and some fangirlish squealing from the fans nearby. "Carrying on, along with Cindersnap we can expect Alraune and Madame Midknight." Some wolf whistles this time.

"Or, you could get a signature from me. I am not a hero though. I just monitor them twenty four seven three six five always vigilant always helpful and always excellent. It's how I roll."

Steven smiles "Always a pleasure to see you too BODI, though I have to admit the squeeing is perhaps a bit much; does Ryan get that everywhere he goes?"

((LAAAAAAATE! D: ))

Richie Stacker, the Crazy Dragon, looked like he had seen better days as he shuffled through the crowd to the Unity Vigil table in his now-standard white trouser suit, doing his utmost best to avoid spilling the contents of the small can in his hands and bearing once again yet another black eye, only weeks after copping a golf club in the other eye.

"'scuse me! Comin' through! 'scuse me! Sorry! Aye, I know I'm an idiot, but shift please! Let the idiot past!" he repeated in no particular order before finally squeezing through the final row at screaming girls and oversized fanboys to reach the table.

"Soz I'm late, like." Richie apologised as his free hand slammed onto the table to prevent him from tumbling into the few figures that were supposed to represent himself. "Something came up on the way."

The Durham lad then took a moment to take a quick swig from his can, before noticing something a little bothersome - to himself at least - about his figures. Needless to say he didn't look the least bit chuffed.

"Uh... alright, who's smart idea was it to pose me in the Night Fever stance?"

*****************

Just a short distance from Sean O'brain's table was that of Molly Longstaff, who sat cheerfully in a formal pink dress that to some clashed with the silvery greys of the small pylons around her. She had already signed enough of the publicity photos she ordered to kill any other normal person's arm, but had the benefit of the nanomachines in her body giving her own writing arm a microscopic massage whenever they passed through that part of herself.

With each photo she signed, she also included a DVD in a professionally-designed gatefold sleeve that read "Longsword OS: Public Edition".

"Erica," Molly uttered to the towering robot butler behind her with a smile. "We might wanna order some more photos in right about now. I totally underestimated this crowd, didn't I?"

"One step ahead of you, Miss Molly." Erica responded, only barely giving a light nod to go with it.

"Ooh get you." Molly said with a giggle before returning to the photos. "Okay guys, once this stack's gone, I can get to showing you all my toys, because you all wanted to check those out, didn't you all? But don't worry, I'm getting some more in as I speak, so stop panicking, okay? That means you as well. Yes, you in the Statesman T-Shirt."

Annette handed BODICIA her autograph book with a grin. "I'd love your autograph, Bodi. You're a hero to me. Anyway, I've got Richard's." She looked around at the gathering throng. "I'm beginning to wonder whether I should've worn my costume. She glanced back at BOCICIA. "Can be arranged, if you'd like?"

The young man moved dextrously through the crowd, looking oddly out of place in what was very obviously a store uniform with a jacket thrown over.

"I knew there would be a lot of people in costume, but I'd really hoped I wouldn't be the only one..."

Will sighed to himself. Getting the afternoon off had been hard enough, he'd lost enough time without going home to change into something more appropriate.
Though looking at some of the crimes against fashion, it may not have been a good thing...

He checked his programme again. He still had some time before the power demonstrations.
Wielding a camera in one hand, and an autograph book in the other, the young metafan made a beeline for the nearest set of booths.

As BODICIA took Annette's autograph book, the blonde gynoid procured a pen and started to move her hand in a similiar way to one of the old fashioned printers, creating a black rectangle with her name in uninked white, along with the Unity Vigil logo.

Behind her, one of the android Vigilants, a man with dark skin and dreadlocks perked up, his voice shifting to the feminine tones of BODICIA. "H, Richie, I am glad you two could make it. Cauter has gone off to get coffee and talk to an engineering-minded young woman, so we could use some help meeting, greeting and talking with the crowd. Especially if any teenagers are here interested in joining the New Vigilants. Plus, you have to admit Richie, that the Travolta dance move look -does- suit you."

BODICIA passed back the autograph book to Annette. "It is a shame they would not let me bring Noodles in. He could have given a paw print. Apparently-" her voice started to shift to a more malevolent one when she realised some robosexually-minded man in his twenties had a hand on her rear. "The organizers of this convention did not f-f-feel that it was-was-was NeCessarY to pRoviD-d-d-e mE with accESs to-to-to the o-o-ONE living c-c-reaTURe that c-c-can reSTRaIn m-m-me from oblitERATinG thE f-f-foolish man wHo th-th-thiiiiinks he caN lay his-his-his PATHETIC putrid-rid-rid haNDs on mY DIviNE MAjeSty."

Whirling around to face the now trembling man, BODICIA puffed herself up, her costume starting to break away with her skin as she unfolded her arms and upper chest, revealing power cables pulsing with energy and a selection of energy-based weaponry. "FLeE, you pa-pa-pathETIC mmmmEATBaG!"

With a shriek, the man grasped his bag and made a run for it, sobbing and crying as he did so. With a satisfied little nod, BODICIA dropped out of combat mode and turned to the people around her, putting on a big, happy smile. "I am not fond of those who take liberties with my chassis. And I do so looooooove to do that to that sort of person." She added with what could almost be considered a shudder of pleasure.

"... So, where were we? You can come if you wish today, Annette. I would be happy for the company here."

Three hours of waiting and shuffling along with the queue saw Dr. Portia Carr reach the front, pay her entry fee and head into the convention centre. She'd wanted to fly in, but she knew that had she done so it may have given away her identity as Dishonesty. Granted, there were probably scores of felines with flight, but Portia wasn't taking any chances.

Nor did she take any with what she wore. Not blessed with the lovely long legs that were a hallmark of most other catgirls, she'd avoided a skirt and gone instead for a loose-fitting pair of leaf green jeans and white polo shirt. Knowing she'd be walking and standing about a lot she'd also picked her most comfortable black slip-ons.

She stood to one side as the flow of geeks, nerds and other metafans surged by her, casting her green eyes over the crowds. She knew by now she'd missed out on all the exclusive convention items, but that was fine. She was here for autographs; those of any Nuclear 90 she could find, and any feline hero or heroine.

She didn't need to find a higher vantage point to spot the towering figure of Amy Zon looming over the heads of everyone around her, so she slipped through the crowd and made a beeline for Amy's table.

Reaching it, she had a little wait before the fans before her had their keepsakes and it was with a cheery smile she reached the front.

"Hey there," she opened with her tail behind her betraying her excitement. "May I have your autograph ma'am?"

Annette wandered to the back of the stand, where the light show wouldn't blind everyone, and murmured the sequence of meaningless sylables a Vanguard mage had taught her. She vaguely wondered, as the brilliant green sigil and accompanying light enveloped her, whether there was a fraction of a second where she was naked during the costume change. It was just the kind of joke she would expect.

A second later, dressed in her leotard and thigh boots, and with her daisho strapped around her waist, Nitoichi made her way to the front of the stand, still sucking on her lolipop.