I mean we can shoe that in say It was part of finding a candidate worthy of E-B and even tell the truth its the project that let us find Mona and make her a hero.
Not even a Lie the Prometheus early stages were set up by VS, Adamant and Leizi afterall. Just mix it up with Monas cover of being found by Uirra and trained up.
Maybe say its how Leizi got handyman as a Metahuman agent for her spy network too.
Ronin gives a soft chuckle, but quickly turns serious. "Zixuan, whatever 'Project Prometheus' is, it has them running scared. If they can't get information on it soon, then it's possible they'll resort to force and justify it later. Justice Unlimited is the only organization standing in their way of domination Horizon."
Anyway the main reason I want to use E-B as cover is because of Ronins warning. We need to give them something about Project Prometheos to chew on to buy some time and make them less scared.
Talent finding project is fine, but not something worth the complete secrecy all members maintain about it to the point Leizi said fuck no to faust.
The Project for VS successor with the most Powerful armor Nora Kim ever made however is a lot more understandable in keeping secret. Especially with how Exceed was stolen and VS being both JU former Leader and Leizi best friend.
The problem is, Silvio's immediately going to claim that Exceed-Beyond is connected to the Leviathan as well, and unless we can use Dynamite to pull him behind the curtain and show him that he's wrong (which is highly unlikely, as our actions need to have consequences for the story to have stakes, and being able to undo having lost Silvio's trust would be weak), he can just claim that we're doubling down on what he accused us of.
[X] Plan Goldborne
-[X] Valiant Gold
-[X] Mainly blue with gold highlights, and a green scarf.
-[X] A golden rose, always pointing towards the sun.
Horizon, City of Leviathan's Rest– The Apiary– January 12, 2068
Luck Check: 4. Unlucky!
■
Welcome to the Hero for Hire official message boards.
You are currently logged in, Lady_Leizi_Official
■
♦ Topic: Fighting in the NID UPDATE: Crusade FTW?!
In: Boards ► Breaking News
Sweetwoman (Original Poster)
Posted On Jan 13th 2068:
Holy shit. Did anyone else hear those explosions coming from the NID? Place is lit up like a lightshow. I think a bunch of metas are throwing down?!?! Anyone there, be safe!!!!
(Showing page 1 of 3)
►icarus527
Replied On Jan 13th 2068:
dude where do you live? you seem to witness live events everywhere in horizon at once. The NID, Worker's Mitt, Corp Playground are nowhere near each other
EDIT: no, im not askign for a dox, obviously! ►BodyinaBag
Replied On Jan 13th 2068:
What is the layout of Horizon anyway? I'm new and it's super confusing. ►EarthScreamingRed
Replied On Jan 13th 2068:
Shhhh, no one tell him.
And can confirm there's a big fight going on in NID. I think it's Crusade--I can see Sunlight Knight and Seraph in the air. ►REALEarthenOwl (Powers) (Verified User)
Replied On Jan 13th 2068:
Yo, HOLY SHIT, you guys see White Hawk swoop in a crush that guy? BIRD GANG RISE UP! ►LunarCrystalY
Replied On Jan 13th 2068:
. . . why aren't you doing anything? and I think they're fighting the nazi? luftwaffle? the one who drops all of the engery bombs? ►anApple
Replied On Jan 13th 2068:
YOU GET EARTHEN OWL'S NAME OUT OF YOUR FILTHY MOUTH!!!! ►Sweetwoman (Original Poster)
Replied On Jan 13th 2068:
Oh shit, they're really struggling. They have enough fliers to get to Luftwaffe, but he just drops bombs when they do and they have to stop them from landing and killing everyone. Good thing White Hawk is apparently immune to them and super fast? Dang. ►Cure71
Replied On Jan 13th 2068:
OH SHIT ►TaurusKiss
Replied On Jan 13th 2068:
YOOOOOOOOOOO
End of Page. 1, 2, 3
(Showing page 2 of 3)
►Foot202f
Replied On Jan 13th 2068:
wow ► Piggie
Replied On Jan 13th 2068:
What's happening?!? I'm not there, don't leave me in suspense!! ►Sweetwoman (Original Poster)
Replied On Jan 13th 2068:
Valiant Justice just showed up and did something where, one second and Luftwaffe was in the sky, and the next he was on the ground. He's, uh, beating him up pretty badly. Oh well, Nazi-fuck had it coming. ►EarthScreamingRed
Replied On Jan 13th 2068:
There's a bunch of soldiers all over the roads now. They have those laser guns the GJ guys used to use. Looks like they're stopping a bunch of trucks? ►Foot202f
Replied On Jan 13th 2068:
those trucks have guns in them ►AmbiguousHinderance
Replied On Jan 13th 2068:
There's some stuff going down on the southside too. A bunch of fire people are going after Enforcer's gang. ► Piggie
Replied On Jan 13th 2068:
Who's that again? ►TaurusKiss
Replied On Jan 13th 2068:
He's the guy who can punch your internal organs. He got thrown into Wonderland 'cuz he killed that politician that sold all of the NID's hydroponics to AGL. ►AmbiguousHinderance
Replied On Jan 13th 2068:
Enforcer's surrendering. They're locking him now. Wow. Big day for Crusade! ►EarthScreamingRed
Replied On Jan 13th 2068:
I just wish they had a different name. Surely SOMEONE has opened a history book before?
End of Page. 1, 2
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►Crusade_Official
Replied On Jan 13th 2068:
The Americans insisted.
Full announcement about tonight's actions here: [link].
End of Page. 1, 2, 3
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♦ Topic: MONARCH FACES THE CRUSADE
In: Boards ► Breaking News
Crusade_Official (Original Poster)
Posted On Jan 13th 2068:
In the early morning hours of January 13, 2068, Crusade has made good on their promise to resist the vile Monarch and her hoards of villainous minions!
Crusade's top-notch intelligence program was alerted to Monarch attempting to smuggle weapons, drugs, and other contraband into the New Industrial District to feed her war machine! Crusade acted without hesitation, launching a strike team consisting of White Hawk, Sunlight Knight, Seraph, and Horizon's own Valiant Red, White, and Blue!
Our fearless protectors engaged the wretched reichsman, Luftwaffe, and defended the borough with their own bodies! Things seemed dire, but Valiant Red, White, and Blue decided he had enough and knocked out the nasty Nazi!
While their teammates protected the innocent, Plasticity and Perception led a team of loyal peacekeepers to seize the contraband! They did successfully, and denied Monarch her war material. A devastating blow against the rotten regent!
Meanwhile, the veteran heroes Été, Joules, and Ronin, alongside promising newcomer The Brass Shield, moved to liberate the south side of the NID! They struck a decisive blow against the would-be-king, Enforcer, who surrendered without a fight! Over one hundred of his henchmen will join him before bars!
Speaking of which, Valiant Red, White, and Blue has been working tirelessly with the top scientists of Allied Global Logistics, Dominion Security Concerns, and Ọsanyìn Conglomerated Industries to create a new, secure prison for the worst villains in this world! No one will escape the Kaitlyn Meyers-Williams Memorial Detention Facility—a.k.a The Brig!
More details here: [link]. Want to show your pride for the Crusade? Check out their official store: [link].
(Showing page 1 of 1)
►DrFartDFA
Replied On Jan 13th 2068:
crusade rulles!! they r da real heroes, ohters are fakers!!!! JU more like j poo. and new dawn is new done. Curasde!!!! ►AmbiguousHinderance
Replied On Jan 13th 2068:
Wow. Love them or hate them, Crusade's done a lot of good today. Kinda makes you wonder what Justice Unlimited and New Dawn have been up to. ►YeehawBody
Replied On Jan 13th 2068:
Freeing people from Marie Marionette and Dollman [link].
Everyone's doing something to fight Monarch. Crusade just struck the bigger blow. ►AmbiguousHinderance
Replied On Jan 13th 2068:
Oh wow, I somehow missed that. New Dawn and Justice Unlimited patrolling together though? makes you wonder if the rumors are true.
Only Gentleman James, Palisade, Miss Naught, and Dreamcatcher have been confirmed in the field, even if New Dawn's official reporting is different. And now JU lends them Black Swan, who is their big gun? Seems like New Dawn is worse off than we thought. ►BodyinaBag
Replied On Jan 13th 2068:
Makes you question if Valiant Silver really was responsible for the Movement if New Dawn is willing to work with them. Or maybe she was really sick and JU tried to stop her. ►TaurusKiss
Replied On Jan 13th 2068:
Unrelated, but has anyone read that story Valiant Silver wrote before she died? It's CRAZY good even if there are way too many sex scenes. I can't believe they banned @Ellie_Starfish23 for posting it! ►What? (Moderator)
Replied On Jan 13th 2068:
Look, I cried when Obdurate and Madam Dianmu finally confessed their feelings to each other, just like everyone else. But then there were thirty pages of explicit sexual content and we don't host that here. We're not prudish but, Leviathan's Blood, did it go places. ►Hyperbola
Replied On Jan 13th 2068:
The world not only lost its greatest scientist during the Movement, but also its greatest poet.
You're feeling disconcerted this morning, but it has nothing to do with the Crusade.
You have very mixed feelings on their recent strike against Monarch. On one hand, anything that keeps that woman on the backfoot can only be a boon. On the other, there is something about their heavy handed actions and jingoistic rhetoric that sets your hair on edge. Not to mention the PR coup. They've not demanded that you submit to an "audit" again, but you know that is coming soon thanks to Akane.
Speaking of her, it was Ronin who warned you about Crusade's operation a few hours before the attacks happened. Opsec was very tight—she wasn't even told about them until they were already in motion—but her tip kept you from being caught totally off guard.
What you know now is that Monarch is being boxed in from additional sides. The pressure is mounting. But you're unable to launch a decapitation strike just yet, and the harder you press, the more apt she is to feel her back is against the wall and do something desperate.
You need to start dealing with her. Soon.
You shake your head and try to focus on the real reason you're scrambling this morning: the man on the screen in front of you, Marvelous Shine.
You, Châtelet, and your second-newest member, Doctor Silver, all sit in the conference room with a video call displayed on the wall opposite you. On the call is a handsome, Japanese man in his mid-fifties. He's built like a slab of meat with a square head, large shoulders, and a short neck. But his eyes twinkle from behind a blue domino mask and his tired grin is infectious. He wears a white bodysuit with red gloves, red boots, and a red diamond across his chest.
"Lady Leizi," he says with a smile, "Thank you for taking the time to speak with me! I know it's short notice."
"It's no problem at all, darling," you lie.
Actually, his message had been something of a poorly-timed shock. Ellie had been strangely withdrawn after her empowerment, only saying she needed time to "process". You had been brooding over what it meant. . . and had been neglecting your rest. You had just managed to fall asleep in the wee hours of the morning when Marvelous Shine's message rocketed you out of bed. Only Châtelet and Doctor Silver were awake enough to join you, and even then you had to scramble to get everything arranged.
Châtelet is naturally an early-riser and looks perfectly polished, with nary a single hair out of place. Doctor Silver had actually still been awake from the previous night, putting the finishing touches on his costume and ensuring his cover was in place. He looked quite dashing, if you were being honest.
The rest of your team was either asleep, or indisposed.
Thankfully, Marvelous Shine doesn't seem to take offense at not talking to all of Justice Unlimited.
"Hmm, I hope you're just an early bird and not neglecting your rest," he says with a knowing look, "You can't take care of others if you don't take care of yourself!"
He says that with such paternal authority that you flinch. Doctor Silver laughs and Châtelet nods her head in approval.
"I keep telling her that," that traitor tells him.
He laughs again. "Good! An ally who cares for your health is a true ally indeed!"
He grins again before turning serious.
"But I didn't ask to meet in order to lecture you. I need to discuss the situation in the NID. No doubt you've heard about Crusade's actions this morning?"
"I have," you tell him, "What's your take on them?"
"Honestly?" he says, "Part of me is just glad someone is finally helping do something about the escaped prisoners from Wonderland."
You, Châtelet, and Doctor Silver all wince.
Minor Success: DC 5. Moderate Success: DC 10. Major Success: DC 15.
Stat Check: REPUTATION 32. Justice Unlimited has a collective REPUTATION 35.
You rolled: 17.
17 + 1 = 18. Major Success!
He sees your reaction and winces himself.
"That was not to cast aspersions on Justice Unlimited of course!" he adds quickly, "You were reduced to one member. To have reclaimed your home, slain a Named Behemoth, and replenished your roster to nearly full strength in a matter of months . . ."
He trails off looking at Châtelet and Doctor Silver.
"Well, it's a miracle by any means. And that Black Swan of yours is a gem! I shudder to think what would have happened if she hadn't saved those poor people!"
He rubs a hand over his face. "No . . . what I'm frustrated by is the politicking. We should all be setting aside our differences for the greater good! Not moving like a monster with a thousand heads in all different directions and fighting each other. The current state of heroics in Horizon is something I find deeply disappointing."
"It's how things have been for a long while, Marvelous Shine. Since you retired. It's what the rest of us have to work with," Doctor Silver says, crossing his arms, "Seems precious of you to criticize everyone else for what they did while you were on the bench."
"Doctor Silver!" you admonish.
"No, no, Lady Leizi. He's right," Marvelous Shine says, running a hand through salt and pepper hair, "I left the hero's life after the Susurration. I believed in Takeda's vision for what heroes could be. When he died, when I saw what was happening to New Dawn . . . I wanted no part of it anymore."
He looks down. "I thought by not participating I was making a stand for what I believed heroism was. Instead, I let it degrade to what it has become today."
"That's what happens when you take your ball and go home," Doctor Silver says, crossing his arms, "You lose your vote in what happens next."
"Doctor Silver," you repeat, "Enough."
"It's no more than I deserve," Marvelous Shine says with a wave of his hand, "All I accomplished was removing my ability to influence what was happening in order to preserve my sense of moral superiority. Foolish."
He shakes his head ruefully and chuckles. "My goodness, are you a father, Doctor Silver? I feel like a child again!"
He gives another chuckle and smiles, and the tension eases.
"How are things on the ground?" your second-in-command asks, keeping you all on task.
"Dire," Marvelous Shine admits, serious again, "The NID is sealed tighter than a drum. No one comes in or out."
"How are the people taking it?" you ask, worried.
"Surprisingly well," he replies, "Monarch, for all her crimes, runs a tight ship. She's successfully kept her lieutenants in line and exiled the metahumans won't cooperate. There are murders and killings here and there, but not enough to set off any kind of panic. People will endure nearly anything if you let them largely live normal lives."
"You make it sound like she's actually . . . governing her territory," Doctor Silver says.
"About as much as any corporation does," Marvelous Shine replies, "There's no real law enforcement, but neither are the streets burning. And now that she's taken control of aid distribution . . ."
"Aw, crapbaskets . . ." Châtelet sighs while you do likewise. Doctor Silver looks around in confusion.
"Anybody gonna try to teach an old dog new tricks? What is Monarch doing?"
Châtelet looks at you, but you nudge her to explain. She's as knowledgeable about this as you are.
"Uhhh, me? You sure? Me? I mean—uh, it's a common reputation laundering scheme with organized crime?" Châtelet explains, "You're a criminal organization in an area hit by disaster? Seize control of all aid coming into a territory and then redistribute it yourself. Then you get to claim credit for doing the 'right thing' and slander everyone else for doing 'nothing'."
She turns to Marvelous Shine, "I don't think the NID has much in the way of hydroponics? And certainly no cropland. They import most of their food. And with the borders being closed . . ."
"We're running out," he says grimly, "That shipment Crusade intercepted was mostly food and medicine. Food and medicine to prop up a monster to be sure, but we needed it. And now Crusade has only further entrenched the blockade. It seems they want to starve Monarch out."
"What's she after?" Doctor Silver says frowning, ". . .legitimacy?"
"Exactly," you say, "That's exactly what she wants."
You gesture to Châtelet to take the lead again. You are determined to build up her confidence. Everyone turns to her, and she ducks her head and blushes. But she very quickly gathers herself and speaks.
"Monarch has to know there's a target on her back. She and everyone else from Wonderland are convenient boogeymen for people like Crusade who want to be seen as doing 'something heroic' and 'fighting the bad guys'. Moooostly because they are actually the bad guys, to be fair."
Châtelet says that last bit with a shrug.
"The only way she's going to achieve any protection is to be viewed in the same category as something like, uh, I dunno, The Frozen Throne? Y'know, no one likes it, but it's more trouble to deal with than just ignore."
"And having a loyal—or at least dependent—civilian population is an excellent way to ensure that," you add. "Anyone trying to unseat her will face a hostile populace."
You turn to Marvelous Shine. "Has she already started with the rhetoric?"
"That she has," he confirms, "A lot of 'you have been abandoned', 'we will protect you from a hostile world', 'they care not if you live or die'. . . Most know to ignore it, but she's found some receptive ears. It was no great help that a number of innocent bystanders were killed in the battle with Luftwaffe—a battle that Crusade started."
"Nor," a musical voice behind Marvelous Shine says, "Does the fact that Enforcer was beloved in the NID despite being in Wonderland. And many people had a family member or knew someone arrested and detained for 'collaborating' with him."
A dark-skinned woman with short black hair sticks her head around Marvelous Shine's shoulders. She's wearing a golden domino mask and golden armor over purple robes. She gives an apologetic smile while elbowing Marvelous Shine.
"Apologies for interrupting," she says, "But I believe my uncle forgot to introduce the rest of his team."
The tips of Marvelous Shine's ears turn red. "I was just getting to it! I hadn't forgotten!"
The woman raises an eyebrow.
". . . okay, I had forgotten. But no time to make up for it like the present! Ahem," Marvelous Shine coughs into his fist, "This is my step-niece, protege, and the woman who dragged me out of retirement, Samsara!"
Samsara rolls her eyes, "I simply asked for training, Uncle. You're the one who insisted on a whole regime before I was allowed to don a mask."
"Yes, well, it's a dangerous world and I wanted to—"
"Ensure my survival, yes, Uncle. I'm well familiar. But we're being rude, ignoring the people we asked to meet with us."
Marvelous Shine flushes again while Doctor Silver laughs in sympathy and says, "I know that feeling! Don't argue with kids, Shine—they're smarter than us."
Samsara rewards him with a smile. "Quite. Speaking of which, please let me introduce you to the final member of our group. Gerridae, can you step on camera?"
Samsara looks off-camera. A moment passes and no one appears. Samsara minutely frowns in annoyance.
"Gerridae . . . please?"
You hear a loud, put-upon sigh and another figure steps on screen. She's a tall woman, maybe six feet, wearing a helmet that fully encloses her head. Straw-like blonde hair sticking out the back of her helmet, and terrible scars run down her neck and under her clothes. You can see more marks on her arms as she sullenly crosses them. Strapped to her back is a large tank of water—it looks heavy but she moves easily enough with it.
"This is Gerridae," Samsara introduces, "She's a new metahuman and member of our team. She—"
"Enough of this," Gerridae interrupts, moving in front of Samara. Then to you, "Are you helping us hit Monarch or not?"
Samsara pushes her way back to the front, "Excuse dear Gerridae, please. She—"
"You don't need to speak for me," she interrupts, "Marie Marionette likes to collect other hydrokinetics. I was one of them. Then, she got tired of me and sold me to Stitches. Now, I want payback."
"Leviathan's Blood," Doctor Silver breathes while Châtelet's eyes go wide. You second the feeling. That certainly explains the scars.
"Gerridae, you can't—"
"Don't tell me what to do you—"
"Girls, enough, please," Marvelous Shine says, no longer smiling. They both stop and sit up straight.
He turns to you."Lady Leizi, I apologize for this display and wasting your time. I'll get right to the point. I have two requests for you: supplies for everyone in the NID—food, medicine, clothes, other necessities—and your help with a plan to cut off Monarch's stock of drugs for her followers."
"The first is easy," you say, "There's some risk running around Crusade's blockade, but I'll see what can be done."
"Wonderful," he says with a relieved smile, "I know good people here who can make sure they get to the right places."
"But the second," you say, "That's intriguing. What did you have in mind?"
"Monarch has been buying from Lethal Anodyne. The drugs help her keep her more unruly followers in line," Marvelous Shine explains, "The transactions happen at one of his nightclubs. Too many civilians in the line of fire to risk a direct assault, but—"
"Perfect for an ambush," you finish.
"Exactly. We know Lethal Anodyne lets in any young women of a certain . . . attractiveness. I believe Samsara can get in—"
"But I'm ugly and he's old," Gerridae says.
"Gerridae . . . " Marvelous Shine sighs.
"What? I am. I know it. It's fine."
Marvelous Shine shakes his head as if he's resigned to her expressing this kind of sentiment. He turns back to you. "We could use your help scouting and planning an interception. Back up for Samsara too if you can risk it. But I understand if you're otherwise engaged."
"We'll try to help. It's promising," you assure him, "And we'll see about the supplies."
"Thank you, Lady Leizi," he says with a smile, "I'm . . . happy there are true heroes like you. It makes me rue my missed opportunities all the more."
You exchange a few more pleasantries, and eventually the call ends.
"I think this guy's the real deal," Doctor Silver says, "I don't envy him trying to keep up with those girls of his though. I know what that's like."
His smile is bittersweet.
"I'm worried about Monarch's plans. I mean, when you think about it, there's depressingly little daylight between her and someone like Faust," Châtelet says, "If she can get the NID's population on her side, any action against her will be nasty."
"Are people really that foolish? We just heard two of her lieutenants were trading folks," Doctor Silver protests.
"John Henry, darling, you would be astounded what people will tolerate so long as it doesn't affect them directly," you say.
"Yeaaah, I guess you're right," he sighs, "It's depressing as all get out, but you're right."
You all sit in silence before you move to the other thing on your mind.
"How has Ellie been?" you ask carefully.
"She comes to dinner every night," Doctor Silver says, "She tries to be social too. Sandra loves it. She's fine, Zixuan, just has a lot on her mind."
"And you're certain what you and Black Swan experienced—"
"It was Nora," he says simply, "I dunno how I know, but I do. The person who told me to help Ellie was Nora."
You close your eyes. It means nothing. You repeat the same lie you've been telling yourself for days. It means nothing.
But if there was anyone in the world who could think of a way to cheat death . . .
"Zixuan," Doctor Silver says gently, "It was probably a failsafe built into the EXCEED-BEYOND. That's something she would do. Don't . . . don't go wishing for miracles, okay?"
"Of course," you say, maintaining your composure. It means nothing.
Unless it means everything.
* * *
You are Rhys Garnder, also known as Handyman.
Right now, you're hitting a speed bag for all it's worth in the Apiary's gym. Physically, it doesn't actually do too much for you. You can grow and change your muscles anytime you want, and boxing is more a sport than a serious combat art. No, you're doing it because you like doing it. It's calming.
Centering.
You never really fit in as a kid growing up. New York City was a lot better off than a lot of places in the States, but everybody knew to avoid Manhattan like the plague. The rich folks made their homes there and made it clear who was and was not welcome. Growing up in Queens was a little easier, even if you nearly got kicked out of school for napping through Bible-study.
As a kid, you never really stood out. You weren't too tall or too short; too fat or too thin; too quiet or too loud. You were just kinda there. Unobtrusive. Easy to overlook.
When your old man made it clear there was no money for college and he expected you to work the pumps like him, you signed up for the military. You figured you'd get shipped to the Mid-East or South Pacific, keep your head down for a few years, avoid getting killed, and then you'd have some capital to set yourself up at home. Sure, you had to hide your preferences, but that was easy for you. Again, unobtrusive. Easy to overlook.
Which is probably why Naval Intelligence approached you in Basic.
They had a deal for you: pick up your whole life, move to Horizon, and feed info to good Ol' Uncle Sam, and they'd pay you enough to keep your sisters in silks. You couldn't have leapt at the chance faster—Horizon was a dangerous place stuffed to the gills with metas, but no one gave a shit who you spent the night with or who you woke up next to in the morning. You packed your bags, moved south, and probably would still be a good little Spook if you hadn't fallen in love.
You and Gus met at the bank. Some maniac wizard was turning people into animals, and Gus pushed you out of the way of a laser and blocked it with one of his super-metal shields. You mean, dang, how could you not date him after that? Sure, you two hid in the bathroom until Inmaculada showed up and calmed the transformed folks down. And then you three had to wait even longer until Abby and Hye-jin beat up Percy or whatever, but it was special!
It was the first time you had really connected with some in basically . . . forever. You liked that Gus actually saw you, and he liked that you didn't demand too much. You were content to just be together. It was nice, easy even.
At least at first.
You two dated for . . . six years? Maybe five and some change. And it was great! But . . . by the end you started wanting a little more. You were twenty-eight now. Nearly thirty. And you wanted to know if you and Gus were gonna be in it for the long haul, y'know? But Gus . . . guy was so private. Nearly died of a heart attack when you found his fursuit in his closet. You never really got a read on how he felt. You were certain he loved you—but marriage? A family? House in 'burbs or something less mind-numbing dull? Guy was a fuckin' cypher when it came to his wants.
Then he fuckin' died, and now you'll never know.
Thank god Lady Leizi found you. She was always a great boss—you quickly realized ONI did not have your best interests at heart and jumped ships immediately—and then she gave you superpowers? Made you a hero? Shit, it was everything you ever dreamed of.
It's just . . . she, Opale, and Doc Rhodes are busy meeting with friggin' Marvelous Shine. Man, were you kicking yourself for oversleeping, but that's kinda how it went. Double L and Opale ran the show, and Doc Rhodes seems like he'll slot right in with leadership.
Maddie and Mona are running some deliveries to those poor ice-girls, and the two of them were like sisters. Not to mention, they were kids. They were smart and you'd trust them with your life, but you'd feel weird just hanging out with them all the time, y'know?
Chaucer is on a date with Mona's ma, and the Ibises are . . . well, you're happier not knowing what mad science they're up to. So, you're all by your lonesome in a big Apiary. Which was fine! Fine! You're a big boy. You can take care of yourself.
It's just . . . becoming a pattern. You love your team—you really do—and you don't feel neglected. It's just that you're . . .
Unobtrusive. Easy to overlook.
The timer goes off and you stop with the bag. You sigh. This did nothing for your mood. You wipe down the equipment—you don't sweat but it's still polite—and you're about to leave when you bump into someone unexpected.
"Handym—Rhys," greets Ellie. She's wearing a loose t-shirt over a sports bra with black leggings. She looks you over and nods her head. "Perfect. I wanted to talk to you."
"Ah, sorry," you say insincerely, "But I'm busy. Talk later."
You try to push past her, but she doesn't let you by. She's surprisingly strong.
"You don't like me," she says.
You sigh. "Look, it's nothing personal. We're gonna be teammates and I'll have your back—"
"You don't like that I pointed a gun at Menagerie Witch. It makes you mad everytime you see me."
You narrow your eyes. You're way stronger than her. You could make her move if you wanted. But that would be rude.
Rude like what she says next, "But it's not really me you're mad at—I was never going to shoot her. I didn't when I had the chance. You're mad because looking at me reminds you that you suck."
"Yo, the fuck did you say—?!"
"I suck too."
That brings you up short. "Wha—?"
"You've been a liability on nearly every combat mission you've been on," she says, "I have no formal combat training and have been trusted with world's most advanced power armor—for some reason. We both suck. So, let's train and suck together so in the future we can suck less."
"Uhh. . ."
"The sex joke was unintentional," she sighs, closing her eyes, "I also suck at talking to people. And now I've said 'suck' so many times that it doesn't feel like a word anymore. So can you please put me out of my misery and come punch me in the training room?"
She walks toward the training hall behind the gym and you find yourself following her. Maybe it's because this is the most she's ever spoken to you, or maybe you really are that lonely, but you find yourself going along with her to train. She turns around to face you and takes a stance. You look her over and hesitate.
"So, uh, you know I lift cars and stuff, right? Training's fine, but I don't wanna hurt you—"
"I'll be fine," she says, holding up her wrist. You didn't notice it before, but she's got a big watch on. And now it's . . . glowing and getting bigger?
"Hey, what's—was that a transformation sequence? Oh, damn that armor is awesome—ohshitfuck you're punching me!"
* * *
You are Black Swan.
". . . and then I go visit her in the infirmary! And I know the food there is yucky and I would want sweets if I were there, so I bring her that cheesecake they sell at that bakery—the really cute one—and it's topped with strawberries! But then she gets annoyed because she's deathly allergic to strawberries and it's 'in her personnel file'. How was I supposed to know?! I haven't read all of it yet!"
"Mona," Maddie says, lifting her head from the back of her Nevermore, "It's been two hours. Shut the fuck up about Ellie."
"Language!" you scold, "And it hasn't been that long!"
"You're right," she says slowly, "It's been days. You've been talking about Ellie nonstop since you met her. I am so tired of hearing about your chronic fumbling. Please, talk about something else. Anything else."
You glare at her and pout.
She glares back, but scary. She's gotten good at that lately.
You hold your pout for a little longer.
"Why doesn't she like me?! Everyone likes me!"
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!" Maddie screams into her mount, "You want to know? Fine. I'll tell you. It's because you made a terrible first impression, and now you're trying way too hard. Anyone would be annoyed if the person constantly chasing them down was thirstier than a guy eating crackers in the Sahara."
"I don't know what that meeeeans," you whine, "It's not faiiiiiiir! I want her to like me!"
"Why? Do you even like her?"
"I don't know! I don't know her that well, because she doesn't like me!"
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!" Maddie screams so loud that the real Nevermore flaps his wings and regards her reproachfully.
You and Maddie are in the air bringing supplies to the magical girls that everybody but you got to meet. Ellie wanted to come, but Lady Leizi said it would be too provocative to let the Ghost Dragon Triad see their enemy's leader returned to them. So, instead, Ellie entrusted you with a packet of letters and begged you to deliver them.
"Please take this seriously. Please. I don't care if you don't like me, but make sure my girls get these. Please."
You pout furiously. Of course you were going to deliver them! What kind of butthead did she think you were?!
Maddie is with you, supplies ladened on her Nevermores. She's now scrolling on her screen, earbuds in so she can't hear you. You stick your tongue out at her. Everyone is being so mean today!
You're about to go make her listen to you when both your screens go off. Maddie sits up straight and you focus. You've hit the Ghost Dragon Triad's territory.
You're on high alert when you see figures flying in the distance. They're wearing skirts. They're sparkly. They're blue.
Magical girls.
You resist the urge to squeal as they approach you.
Minor Success: DC 5. Moderate Success: DC 10. Major Success: DC 15.
Stat Check: REPUTATION 10. Black Swan and Menagerie Witch have a collective REPUTATION 14.
You rolled: 14.
14 + 2 = 16. Major Success!
The magical girls, however, squeal freely.
"Ohmigod!" one dressed in cerulean shouts, "You're Black Swan! You're Black Swan! You're sooooooo coooooool!"
"Black Swan, I love you!" a periwinkle one shrieks.
"Are you here to help us with the big assault? I knew MAGICAL was planning something! They didn't just ditch us!" a sapphire girl says.
"Oh wow, you're all real! So cooooooooooool!" you shout, joining the girls in their excitement.
Maddie is less enthused. Spoilsport. She narrows her eyes and asks, "What did you say about MAGICAL?"
"Uhh, they've been in the Apiary Jr. since Double L came to visit," Periwinkle says, "No one's seen any of them except White Tiger, and she won't answer any questions."
"Yeah!" Cerulean seconds, "And we're out of power gems! White Tiger says we can't hand them out anymore."
"And we can't carry around mana anymore," Sapphire pouts, "We have to go pick it up and ration how much magic we can use. Can you tell them to give us more?"
"Weeeeell," you say carefully, "I'm certain there's a good reason. Double L doesn't do anything without a plan. You'll just have to be careful!"
"Awww," they all groan.
"But you can fly with me and tell me all about being a magical girl!" you say with a grin.
"Yaaaaaaaay!"
You fly off into the distance, magical girls in tow. You're already having the best day.
". . . at least she stopped talking about her fucking crush," Maddie mutters under her breath. Then, she kicks her Nevermore and follows.
* * *
You are Rhys Gardner.
You lie on your back, exhausted, next to a similarly-tired Ellie. She's no longer in her armor, chest heaving as her lungs greedily gasp air.
"That armor is so fucking cool," you say looking at the high ceiling.
"Right?" she gasps, ". . . I picked the colors myself."
"They're rad."
"Not too gaudy?"
"No, no," you reassure, "It's fucking sweet. That scarf—"
"It's for my mom," she says. And then you two fall into a companionable silence.
Luck Check: 13. Lucky!
You feel . . . better. That was a hell of a spar. Ellie is fucking scary. Not so much because she knows what she's doing, but because she just doesn't stop. She's got a good head on her shoulders, and nothing seems to rattle her. Next time you get into a scrap, you'll be glad to have her watching your back.
HIDDEN BONUS: Ellie has a bonus trait!
Reach Heaven Through Violence
Ellie's cool head under fire is contagious. Any time there is a HIT check where Justice Unlimited is subject to an ambush or sneak attack, add +3 to the roll if Ellie is present!
Beyond that, it was just good to get some combat practice in. You feel like you've learned a few tricks for the next time you're in a fight.
Handyman gains +1 to HIT! Valiant Gold gains +1 to HIT!
"You're alright, kid," you admit, "You're alright."
"Thanks," she replies, "And thanks for helping me test 'Rock'. You're sure you're okay?"
"Yeah, yeah, that power null thing was weird, but it didn't hurt," you reassure her, "I just couldn't change my body or regenerate. I could still move though. Wonder if it'd work the same on Black Swan?"
"As far as I can tell from Nora's notes, it shuts down any active instance of a power," Ellie says, "I think it would disable her construct body. If I could ever get close enough to hit her with it . . ."
She grumbles that last part.
You laugh, "Hey, Mona's a tough cookie. No shame in losing to her. Just ask Scarlet Maturity!"
"Hmm," she grunts. Then, "You feel better about what was bothering you?"
"Whaddya mean?" you say quickly.
"You were brooding. I know brooding, and you were definitely brooding," she says, "You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to, but . . . sometimes it helps."
She says that last part with such certainty—like she knows for sure it will make you feel better—that the words spill out.
"Gus' parents invited me to dinner."
Ellie gives you a blank look.
"My, uh, boyfriend. Old boyfriend. We didn't break up; he died. He was Vulcan in SLAYERS. Before the Movement, I mean," you say quickly, like ripping off a bandaid, "We were together for six years and he . . . he never told his parents we were dating. They just thought we were 'roommates', if you can believe it."
You close your eyes. You know Gus didn't tell his parents much of anything—they didn't even know he was Vulcan—but that shit . . . hurt.
"That's bullshit," Ellie says immediately.
"No, no, he had his reasons. He just—"
"Bullshit," she says, giving you a look.
You close your eyes and exhale. "Yeah . . . probably. But either way, they keep inviting me over. And I have no clue what I'm supposed to do about it. They don't even know how he died, y'know?
"Do you want me to go with you?" Ellie asks.
"Wha—?" you ask, nonplussed.
"Do you want me to go to dinner with you?" she repeats, "Will it help if someone else is there?"
"No, it would . . . actually, yeah," you say, "It actually might help."
"I've gotten good at family dinners," she explains, "They're fun but so stressful."
You laugh at her. Ellie's alright! She reminds you of your baby sister, Jessica. God, she must be, what, twenty-three now? All grown up. You let your family know you were alive after the Movement, but you haven't seen them since coming to Horizon.
You probably won't see most of them ever again. Uncle Sam doesn't take kindly to people who go AWOL.
You and Ellie sit there, recovering for a bit, until she says something else.
"Can I ask you two questions?
"Weirdly specific number," you say, "But sure. Shoot."
"Do you like . . . tennis?" she asks with an oddly intense gleam in her eye.
"Actually . . . yeah. Tennis rules. I haven't played in forever though."
"Ms. Del Rosario and some other residents got a court set up," she says, "I know where we can borrow rackets. You wanna play?"
"Yeah . . . yeah!" you say, liking the idea more and more, "That sounds great."
"Good."
She keeps looking out into the distance.
"Sooo . . ." you venture, "What was the second question?"
She furrows her brow. "How do you know if you're gay?"
". . . so we rent these rackets or what . . . ?"
"Rent," she confirms," . . . so tennis first?"
"Tennis first. And then after: I have questions."
* * *
You are Black Swan.
If meeting all of the Elizabeths and hanging out with real-life magical girls was a dream, then this is like waking up into a nightmare.
The whole neighborhood gives you the creeps. You've never been this close to The Frozen Throne before, and you feel like you can hear whispers coming from its direction. Everytime you look at the icy border, it feels like it's a little closer. You want to leave as soon as you can.
But that's nothing compared to the warehouse you're in. There's four or five dozen adolescent girls in various states of being frozen. The most human-looking of them have pale blue skin and milky eyes, while some girls are little more than blocks of ice with spindly limbs. In the very center of the room are several large shipping containers filled with carefully-packed glass vials of a shining, golden substance: goldnine.
The warehouse itself is sparsely decorated with cots strewn everywhere. The girls were wary when you and Menagerie Witch first arrived, but you assured them that you were with the "real" Justice Unlimited. You were brought to two of the oldest girls there—Jenny and Dee—who Ellie left in charge.
You're speaking with them when someone recognizes you.
"You're Black Swan!" a little girl squeaks, "Wooooow. You're so pretty!"
She can't be older than eleven and her skin is as blue as a corpse. But she has a big toothy smile and twiddles her thumbs shyly.
"Thankies!" you say, flying over and kneeling down, "What's your name?"
"Juanita," she says without making eye-contact, "Are you here to take us all home? I miss my dad. And my dog, Biscuit!"
You feel your heart shatter into a million little pieces. You scoop up Juanita in a big hug.
"No . . . not yet," you admit, reluctantly. You keep a big smile on your face for her, "But soon! Ellie is helping Lady Leizi find a cure for everyone!"
"Ellie?" she says, her eyes sparkling, "She didn't forget about us?"
"Never!" you say with your hands on your hips, "She even sent letters to everyone! And if she did forget you, I'd beat her up for being a meanie-pants!"
Juanita giggles as some other girls come nearby.
"Ellie sent letters?"
"What's in the crates?"
"You're like real Justice Unlimited, right? The real one without a stupid name?"
"Yes, go check it out, and yes!" you answer in turn. Maddie opens up one of the crates, and it's filled with . . . blankets and screens?
"Awesome," one girl says, grabbing a screen, "It's been so boring here! I gotta check my Hero for Hire DMs! Wow, My Dad is a Lawyer, My Mom is the Demon Lord, and I'm Not Sure Who's More Evil! has nine new updates?! Sweetwoman needs a life."
The other containers are filled with books, movies, pillows, board games, posters, and other various forms of entertainment and decoration. You spy a stuffed rabbit and give it to a delighted Juanita.
"We don't need to eat and we can't sleep," one of the older girls says, "So our biggest problem was getting bored. Thank you for all of this. This will keep everyone's spirits up."
"Can't you just go home?" Maddie asks, "Even if you look . . ."
"Cool?" you offer.
"Shut-it, Black Swan."
The girl smiles sadly. "Once you get to the point where the gem merges with your body, you need 'mana' every few days. It's not safe to keep it near anyone without our condition. It's . . . lonely."
For a second, the mask slips and you see how scared she is.
"The screens are read-only," Maddie warns her, "We can't risk one of the girls posting something or contacting someone. If people found out The Frozen Throne was involved, they'd try to destroy everyone here just to keep it from spreading. No matter what the consequences may be."
"We understand. And, again, thank you."
You look around. Everyone feels so . . . sad. For every girl who's delighted with your delivery, there's one staring into the distance or not talking. You've given them some distractions, but that's it. No one is really feeling much better.
You have to do something.
"Hey, everyone!" you shout while flying into the middle of the room, "Menagerie Witch and I have to go soon, but, before we do, I challenge you!"
". . . to what?" someone asks.
You eye the big boxes of dominoes you spotted earlier. A predatory gleam flashes in your eyes, born of the yearly cutthroat Christmas competition in your home.
"Ever play . . . Mexican Train?"
* * *
You are Madeline du Marseille.
It's four hours later and Mona is preening after demolishing everyone at dominos over and over again. You have no idea how she did it, but you two walk back into the Apiary and she's still smug.
Still, the golem-girls loved it. Mona promised to come back next week, and, as you left, you could still hear them playing and strategizing on how to beat her nex time. Defeating her had become something of a shared goal, and everyone seemed much more lively.
You smile and shake your head as Mona greets everyone you pass by. As much of a blockhead as your best friend/quasi-sister is, she's a hero down to her nonexistent bones.
Plus she finally shut the fuck up about—
"Yeah, so I never really clicked with any of the girls my family introduced me to. No sparks, no butterflies in the stomach, no heat, y'know? I just thought that was what romance was like and the "how great love is" stuff was Hollywood crap. Then, this guy, Mike Bledsoe, and me were seriously vibing at this party and all of the sudden he leans over and kisses me! And then, bam, I was like, 'Ohhh, this is what I've been missin' out on!'"
Mr. Rhys and Ellie walk around the corner carrying tennis rackets. Mr. Rhys is in his human form, while Ellie is wearing a tennis skirt and tank top. Her body shines with a thin layer of sweat. You see Mona's pupils dilate as she stares slack-jawed and flies directly into a wall.
"So there's no way to know for certain?" Ellie asks, not yet noticing you and Mona.
"Yeah, it's all about getting out there and figuring out what makes you comfortable. Don't feel like you have to put labels on things if you don't want to either. Whole thing's a spectrum—everyone's a little different."
"I see," Ellie says, tugging on her lip, "Thanks, that's really helpful."
Mr. Rhys scratches his head. "So what brought this on anyway—?"
"Ellllllliiiiiiieeee!" Mona cries as she flies into Ellie, giving her a bear hug.
"Get off me. Get off me right now."
"I met the ice girls!" Mona sobs, "It was so . . . sad."
Ellie freezes. "Are they okay?"
"Yeah!" Mona says, "I gave them your letters and we played Mexican Train for hours. I just feel so bad for them. Junita is so young . . ."
Ellie looks down. "Yeah."
"They really miss you," Mona says, "But I told them that you're here looking for a solution and you're still thinking about them."
You sigh and take out your phone. Cue Mona fucking this up in five, four, three, two, one . . .
"It's just so tragic!" Mona wails, "They didn't have blankets! They didn't have anything! They had to rely on you until the real heroes showed up and saved them!"
Ellie's smile falls off her as she shoves Mona away. "What does that mean?"
"Yo, Mona, what the hell?" Mr. Rhys asks, looking surprised.
"What?" Mona says, "I just mean Lady Leizi saved them? She pretty much fixed almost all their problems all at once. They don't even really need you!"
"What. Is. Your. Problem?" Ellie says through gritted teeth.
"What do you mean?! I was complimenting you!"
"You were being passive-aggressive!"
"I'm not passive-anything! I'm aggressively nice! I'm trying to be nice to you!"
"You don't care about being nice to me. You just can't stand the fact that someone doesn't like you."
"No! I can't stand the fact that you don't like me!"
"Well, I don't!"
"Why not?! I'm cute!"
"Not that cute!"
You sidle over next to Mr. Rhys as you keep recording. He's staring aghast.
"She's not even doing it on purpose," you whisper to him, "She's just got the curse of the turbo-fumble. The giga-botch. The omega-flub."
He shakes his head in wonder. "Holy shit. I don't know whether to laugh or cry."
"Welcome to my life," you say, "Also, Mr. Rhys?"
"Yeah, Mads?"
"Sorry we haven't been hanging out much, it's just . . ."
He gives you a smile. "Hey, it's cool. It's been as much my fault as anyone's. No one likes a brooder. 'Cept you, of course!"
You nod. "Ellie's agreed to not chomp my flavor."
"Nice," he says watching the two girls go at it, "So, I'm getting back into tennis. I, uh, know it's not too 'goth', but if you ever want to learn to swing a racket. . ."
"I'd like that," you say, "Anything to get away from having to watch this trainwreck."
"Yeah," Mr. Rhys agrees, "Mona sure doesn't get the idea of 'know when to fold 'em', huh?"
"She only doubles down," you agree, "She'll take a hint eventually when Ellie—was that a transformation sequence? Wow, can she move fast in that armor."
* * *
You are Lady Leizi.
You wake up on the floor, in the dark. You're . . . in your room? Ugh, your head. Why did you drink that much? What—oh.
"Lady Leizi, can we talk?"
"Of course. Sit down. What is it, Ellie?"
"I . . . I met Nora when I bonded with the EXCEED-BEYOND armor."
You desperately grope for the light, only to wince when the illumination sears right through your eyes and into your pounding head. Your room is a mess. You need some water.
"She's not alive. She's not dead either. Someone is keeping her . . . between. I don't think she's aware most of the time."
"Where is she?"
"I don't know. But I think she needs help."
This has not been your finest hour. You own a great many people apologies, Ellie first of all.
"You just left her?! She saved you and you left her in that place?!"
"I didn't have a choice."
"Go back. Go right now and bring Nora back with you."
". . . I can't. I don't know where she is."
"So you just abandoned her."
"Even if I could find her again . . . Lady Leizi, she's gone. The most we can do is give her peace."
"You don't know that."
". . . I do."
"You don't know that. Out. Get out!"
"Lady Leizi—"
"Get. Out!"
As soon as Ellie left you stormed over to your room and drank yourself into a stupor. You shake your head in disgust and then clutch it as it starts pounding. Alcohol has never been your vice, but you've been drinking more than you'd like lately. After this . . . display, you'll be teetotaling for quite a while.
You hiss as your door opens and more light scorches your retinas. A figure walks in while you're blinded and hands you a glass of something.
Well, if they meant you harm there would be easier ways to do it right now than poison. You put it to your lips and find that it's water. You then guzzle it down.
"Lady Leizi," a voice whispers, "Are you alright?"
"Yes—Ellie?" you shout in surprise and wince at your own volume.
"Shhh, drink up."
"Ellie, darling, why are you here? I treated you badly. The things I said were unacceptable—"
"It's fine," she says sitting down next to you, "I didn't take it personally. And I wanted to make sure you were okay."
"Okay?" you hiccup, "I don't know about that."
Hot tears burn in your eyes. "Why can't that woman find peace even in death? Why must the world insist on digging up her grave to make her suffer again?"
"I don't know," Ellie says, pulling her knees to her chest, "It's not fair."
You half-laugh, half-sob. "Ellie, truly, why are you here? I'm not—"
"I miss her too," she says, staring at her knees, "I only knew her for a moment, but I miss her too. Like I miss my mom."
That brings you up short. You let your head loll.
"What a pair we make. Sitting in the dark, miserable."
"Take a piece of my heart," she says, "And I'll take a piece of yours. Then maybe the holes won't feel so big."
Those words sound so familiar that you can't help but smile. "You truly believe that, don't you?"
"Of course I do," she says, "I'm Valiant Gold after all."
"Valiant Gold," you muse, "It has quite a ring to it, doesn't it?"
You chuckle.
"Any other ways you wish to remind me of my dearest friend?"
". . . I might be gay."
Your laughter flows out of you and fills the room and some of the empty spaces in your chest. You sit with your newest member for a while longer before finding your way to bed. As you do, you think about your old, first family.
And about your second, new one.
You fall asleep, not happy, but not bleeding either.
When Lady Leizi awakens, she will have a half-dozen angry emails from Chihiro waiting for her. The memorial is next. You have three speeches scheduled. Lady Leizi is expected to give one, though is not required to. It will, however, seem odd if Justice Unlimited leader does not speak.
Pick who will speak at the memorial and whether they'll do it in their heroic or civilian capacity. For different people, this will mean different things. Lady Leizi has no meaningful civilian identity, while "Maddie" and "Menagerie Witch" are thought of as different people by the public:
[ ] Lady Leizi
[ ] Mona
[ ] Rhys
[ ] Maddie
[ ] Opale
[ ] John Henry
[ ] Ellie
[ ] Chaucer
[ ] Dr. Ibis Sr.
[ ] Dr. Ibis Jr.
[ ] Mendicant
[ ] Wolong
[ ] Gentleman James
[ ] Palisade
[ ] Miss Naught
[ ] Dreamcatcher
[ ] Write-in (Subject to QM veto)
Next, you can have up to four members working the crowd. Everyone else will be running security. A person cannot both work the crowd and give a speech. Choose up to four:
The problem is, Silvio's immediately going to claim that Exceed-Beyond is connected to the Leviathan as well, and unless we can use Dynamite to pull him behind the curtain and show him that he's wrong (which is highly unlikely, as our actions need to have consequences for the story to have stakes, and being able to undo having lost Silvio's trust would be weak), he can just claim that we're doubling down on what he accused us of.
VG is obviously connected to Exceed and No other way to explain it. The fact VG is out means Crusade is gonna use that claim immediately so JU will need to deflect it somehow. I'll leave it to Leizi and JU how tehy can deny it in the debate.
Also even if we use The STage I doubt Silvio trust will be regained since he's too focused on blaming JU on the movement.
The main thing is Making them Believe Project Promtheus is all about the Armor instead of making Metahumans, to buy us more time.
That first luck check was about how much of the PEVAIL's armor's capabilities would you get info on. Not much!
Sorry this was later today than I'd like. I thought my writing slowed down, but looking at words per week, it's way more than I used to post. Just fewer updates. Do people like this? I think I'm happy with where it's at.
This update brought to you by achieving heaven through violence.
Speech:
1. Lady Leizi
-New Leader of JU even with her Low Rep she needs to do it. That said I'm open to another member with Higher Rep do it maybe Chatelet as 2nd in command and represent other Heroes since shes a New Member.
2.Black Swan
-JU big star and with highest Rep no brainer. Someone who can give people hope, while maybe still connecting with others
3.Wulong
-Represent ND who probably lost the most Heroes in the Movement. He's been a Hero for a Long time and should have decent Rep and Operations.
I'm not exactly sure what working crowd means though can you explain that QM?
Speech:
1. Lady Leizi
-New Leader of JU even with her Low Rep she needs to do it. That said I'm open to another member with Higher Rep do it maybe Chatelet as 2nd in command and represent other Heroes since shes a New Member.
2.Black Swan
-JU big star and with highest Rep no brainer. Someone who can give people hope, while maybe still connecting with others
3.Wulong
-Represent ND who probably lost the most Heroes in the Movement. He's been a Hero for a Long time and should have decent Rep and Operations.
I'm not exactly sure what working crown means though can you explain that QM?
I can't believe Crusade actually did something productive. I also can't believe they're sticking with "Valiant Red, White, and Blue" as his actual name. Come on! Just take Valiant Justice, literally everybody is calling him that! (Edit: He seems to have unlocked the Power Nullification aspect of Exceed, which is just great)
Nora really was the world's greatest poet. 30 pages of explicit material, a fanfiction of her own relationship? I... I am in awe.
Mona cannot catch a break. I guess she had to balance the scales somehow; in exchange for the mindset and prowess of a '90s magical girl, you must sacrifice your rizz.
oh god, Mona and Ellie's relationship is basically how Usagi and Mamoru act to each other outside of the Sailor Moon/Tuxedo Mask outfits, I'm now realizing.
oh god, Mona and Ellie's relationship is basically how Usagi and Mamoru act to each other outside of the Sailor Moon/Tuxedo Mask outfits, I'm now realizing.
Do you mean to say it'll be odd if she gives the speech, because she wasn't the most well-known member of JU? Or do you mean it'd be odd to not give a speech, given that she was the only original surviving member?
Do you mean to say it'll be odd if she gives the speech, because she wasn't the most well-known member of JU? Or do you mean it'd be odd to not give a speech, given that she was the only original surviving member?
Do you mean to say it'll be odd if she gives the speech, because she wasn't the most well-known member of JU? Or do you mean it'd be odd to not give a speech, given that she was the only original surviving member?
[ ] John Henry
Remember Justice Unlimited
Idea is this is about connecting Justice ?Unlimited to ahappy time John Henry will talk about what they were like and Ibis will talk abut a bunch of their human traits.
As for working the Crowd
[ ] Mona
-Our star
[ ] Rhys
ESP
[ ] Opale
-Secondi n command will get a feel for how they will workin team
[ ] Wolong
- Operations
[ ] Miss Naught
-If not Wolong... charming and Esp
Plan Heroic Speech and Candidates
Speech
-Lady Leizi
-Wulong
-Dr. Silver
Crowd
-Black Swan
-Handyman
-Opale
-Chaucer
Alright for this Im Having Leizi and Wulong represent JU and ND as leaders with Joh being someone Known by the public but now New Hero to represent the new members.
For the Crowd which Is about finding and Recruiting candidates.
I decided to go with Black Swan for her rep to get us a lot Powerful candidates. I said it before but I think the candidates are more important than possible rep gain.
Besides having both Leizi and Wulong should work well in giving the speech.
rhys espionage to make sure the people picked are trustworthy.
Opale as second in Command
Then Chaucer since Like Swan hes well known and beloved with excellent Social skills so he should be able to get us some great Characters. Plus he is our head of operatiosn so I think we can trsut him with Recruitkng candidates.
