[x] "Hego, I like the new outfit. It's a great homage to Mr. Incredible. I'm glad Olympia treats you better than they did capes like him. That's why I quit after all. So just be careful, okay? (Pause with sad smile)
-[x] "By the way, there's something about these attacks that makes me feel uneasy. You have friends in DEI, and even if we've had our differences, I hope you know that if you need help. Please, call me if you see something (Gives Hego her phone number).
Hego smiled at the compliment.
It was nice to see Mirage- or Elizabeth, as her name apparently was- again. Not all his memories of DEI were tinged with disappointment. There had been plenty of good people, even in that den of… Hego struggled for a word that could encapsulate his feelings on the matter without being unfair, and settled on evil-ness. It was in the name.
She was in a rather fetching black dress herself. Perhaps he should return the compliment? Better to wait until she had a chance to reply.
Yes indeed, he should give her a chance to interject.
…It, he admitted, had been a moment since Elizabeth had last spoken. Was she expecting something further from him? Was there something in his teeth?
Just before he felt the need to say something, Mirage blinked once and continued smoothly.
"I like the new outfit. A very nice homage to… Mr. Incredible." The pause was almost imperceptible, but it was there.
"Ah, you noticed that." Hego chuckled sheepishly. "He, well… he was my idol, growing up. You can imagine why. I like to think I'm… carrying on the legacy, in a way. Whatever happened to him, wherever he is now. That I can keep a spark of his story alive."
Hego reflected, for a moment.
"Maybe even start a new fire with it."
Hego Intrigue check: Notice anything wrong
70+7=77
Opposed Intrigue check
32+31+3+29=95
Failure
Hego noticed a small sparkle in the corner of Mirage's eyes. Perhaps she had been a fan as well.
"I'm… glad Olympia treats you better than they did Capes… sorry. Supers like him."
"Hm?"
"Back when it was Kronos, I mean. That's… why I left. I… I can't help but worry."
"Oh, no need!" Hego declared immediately. "The Deavors have worked to bring the company in a more progressive direction since the day the board elected them! Olympia is a friend to heroism everywhere. Why, tonight is our moment of triumph!"
Mirage hesitated for a moment, as if even she could not articulate the source of her concern. "I know. Just… be careful. Won't you?"
She gave a sad smile, laden with meanings Hego did not understand.
Mirage Diplomacy check: Be careful, won't you?
74+26+20-5=115
Hego contest
10+11+33=54
Critical Success
A large part of Hego told him to brush the incident off. To reassure the damsel and carry on with his day. But… well. There was another part telling him that Mirage always knew a lot of things, and it paid to be cautious. Surprisingly, it won.
"What's got you concerned?" Hego asked, looking around despite himself.
"I've been following your work around Nevada, Hego, something about these crimes… they make me uneasy."
Hego wanted desperately to ignore the echo of his own misgivings, but before he could hope to dismiss them Mirage continued.
"I don't know what it is," she lied, "but you have friends in DEI, Hego, even if things didn't go… the best. I hope you know that. If you need help… I can help."
"Hrm." Hego considered for a moment. "I suppose we could find some means to keep in touch-"
"I… could give you my phone number?" Mirage suggested quietly.
"Oh, of course, silly me." Hego chuckled. "Not ah, exactly the circumstances a hero expects to receive a lovely lady's phone number. But I will take the offer gladly in the spirit it was given. Thank you for your concern Elizabeth. It's good to know I left such a… positive impression."
Before Mirage could respond, Hego saw the head honchos calling him over. "Oh! I believe I am being cued. Time to prepare for the big moment. I'll keep my eyes out!"
As Hego walked away, he could have sworn he saw something approaching a blush on Elizabeth's cheeks. Could she…?
No. Surely not.
Hego beamed as he walked up to his ever-present patrons. Winston Deavor practically radiated excitement, whereas his sister Evelyn allowed herself a sort of tired satisfaction that was the closest she ever came to it. The poor woman must be working into the early hours nearly every morning, Hego thought to himself, given the bags under her eyes. He'd have to make sure she got a rest once the great work was concluded. She deserved it.
"There's the big guy! You ready to help make it a night to remember?" Winston cheered.
"How's the man of the hour?" Evelyn asked languorously.
"Always ready for justice!" Hego replied. "And I feel excellent. So much work has led up to this."
Despite himself, a flicker of uncertainty must have slipped through. Winston frowned. "Are you sure, Hego? You look a bit concerned."
"Oh it's fine! Nothing, nothing. Well… I suppose it is something. I hate to admit it, but something… concerns me, about the last few crimes I've foiled."
"Concerns you how?" Winston asked, as Evelyn sat up.
"I can't put my finger on it, but something feels… wrong, every time. Oh, I wish I knew what the greats would think of all this. Perhaps I'm simply being paranoid."
"I don't know a single hero who ever got far without trusting their gut." Winston replied. "So what do you think?"
Hego thought for a moment. Then, a growing resolve crossed his face. "I think we need to look into this."
Winston nodded. "Then I believe you."
"Once the party is over, you'll need to tell us everything you can remember." Evelyn said, taking hold of Hego's hand. "Just try and get through the night, alright?"
Hego Intrigue Check:
32+7=39
???
37+40=77
Failure
Hego nodded. "Right. Can't let this get in the way of the evening."
"That's the spirit." Evelyn said lazily. "You've done a lot of good work. Now's the time for a victory lap. We can start the next race tomorrow."
A bespectacled waiter walked up to the three. "A drink, sir?" he asked stiffly.
"Hmm. I normally do not partake, but I suppose a celebratory glass might be in order."
"Enjoy yourself!" Evelyn waved him on. "We've got a great night planned."
Hego took a glass of ruby red wine off the man's platter, swirling it around gently and savoring the aroma.
Hego Intrigue Check: ???
DC 90/150
91+7+10 (Anyone Can Cook)+30(Won't you?)=138
Partial Success
Hego sniffed. And then sniffed again. He was no sommelier, but ever since he started cooking, Chef Gusteau had recommended he familiarize himself. There were notes of something he could almost recognize, something vaguely chemical.
Hego frowned. Tonight was an important night! It wouldn't do to spoil it by drinking bad wine.
"I'm terribly sorry." Hego said after a moment. "But I think the seal might have broken on this bottle. I'll find a glass later, don't worry."
"Are… you sure?" Evelyn asked after a moment.
"Smell for yourself." Hego said, handing the glass over.
Evelyn sniffed it. "Well. I suppose I'd better go check with the kitchen to make sure nothing else is going wrong." she said, taking a moment to crack her back. "I'll find an alternative."
Hego nodded absentmindedly, still trying to puzzle out just where he'd smelled that odor before. It bothered him as he took his seat, it bothered him as he gave his speech, and it bothered him as the reception began. It bothered him right up until he recalled the scent of a rusted waste, and the dazed stumblings of a cartel's most potent cocktail.
Hego bolted upright. "I need to warn-"
And then there was fire.
