I missed the difference between the check and VG+VJ's Rep, I only looked at the numbers you presented, whoops. Gore17 is right - you should include the actual penalty in the math.
The penalty isn't (Stat check - Stats of relevant characters), it's [(Stat check - Stats of relevant characters)/2]. Hence part of the confusion.
I wonder if there's actions we can take this turn to increase the number of BlackGold fanfic since we skipped out on the interview. Maybe we do "a daily life at the Apiary" series of videos as part of our global actions that give a +1 or + 2 to Rep ? It could be a Global Action.
Speaking of Global Actions, we need to get those shipments for the NID... Which means spending more money...
And we need an extra slot for the Apiary too, and maybe that community center as well.
(I think the community center should give more than bonuses to Rep, maybe extra candidates per turn. As it is it's kind of lame)
I wonder if there's actions we can take this turn to increase the number of BlackGold fanfic since we skipped out on the interview. Maybe we do "a daily life at the Apiary" series of videos as part of our global actions that give a +1 or + 2 to Rep ? It could be a Global Action.
Speaking of Global Actions, we need to get those shipments for the NID... Which means spending more money...
And we need an extra slot for the Apiary too, and maybe that community center as well.
(I think the community center should give more than bonuses to Rep, maybe extra candidates per turn. As it is it's kind of lame)
In my experience, you can have two characters repeatedly express the wish to murder each other, express violent repulsion at the thought of being in any kind of relationship, and trigger PTSD flashbacks of the other's horrible childhood, and only about 10% of their fanfic will be hate and a toxic relationship as opposed to a childhood friends AU were they're perfectly fine with each other or some shit.
The writers will just see Mona as a fumbler, especially if she drops a comment about how hot she finds Ellie.
Nah, Maddie will made a comment about Ellie being a masochist who likes this sort of thing, and so the belief that they're a SM(emotional hurt type) couple flourishes.
Maddie laughs about this until someone points out the amount of Bestiality porn featuring her that will haunt her entire life.
The hilarious part is that this would be one of the few times they would be right! Something I think even the shippers themselves would be flabbergasted by
The hilarious part is that this would be one of the few times they would be right! Something I think even the shippers themselves would be flabbergasted by
Shipping is already a pretty vibes-based endeavor, not something you really do with your brain but rather your chest. But when it comes to shipping real-life people who most fans will never get to personally meet? It's very easy for fans to delude themselves into just thinking that it's all just good fun instead of remembering that these are real people.
See: People shipping Opale with Ete (and apparently she was previously shipped with the rest of her former family...); people speculating like crazy that Adamant must have essentially had a harem despite Towarri being with Ophelie, Nora explicitly being in a relationship with Uiara and Eve not having a physical presence; and people shipping Swan with Valiant Gold despite their first interaction was Mona being about as hostile and rejecting as she could be towards him without starting a fight and him basically going 'you guys literally nearly caused the apocalypse and I will stop you all'.
Compared to all that... yeah, no, BlackGold will probably take off like a goddamn rocket the instant you record the two in their natural habitat, because there is a genuine chemistry that everyone can see.
I wouldn't be surprised if people started writing some stuff about Doctor Silver X Handyman. Something along the lines of how Handyman needs the good doctor to help manage his dysmorphic condition? Elaborate fics about how DS needs to go elbows-deep into Handyman's chest from time to time to insert one gadget or another into him for his own safety and comfort?
Frankly, the only one on the team that's safe from shipping is Maddie, because she's 14 and looks even younger than that.
RPF has to be absolutely insane in universe for real...
"No see, I only ship their hero identities, shipping the real person is icky cause like that's their personal life ya'know?"
"Coward. I bet you won't can't even ship Black Swan X Mona Merola-Morales"
"...They're the same person?"
"Doppelgangers obviously"
"...Didn't you go to school with her?"
"She understands the game"
"I mean..."
"No I mean she does, she's left comments."
"...Can you even look her in the-"
"And I quote The Mask Stays On"
"....WHY THOUGH?"
I wouldn't be surprised if people started writing some stuff about Doctor Silver X Handyman. Something along the lines of how Handyman needs the good doctor to help manage his dysmorphic condition? Elaborate fics about how DS needs to go elbows-deep into Handyman's chest from time to time to insert one gadget or another into him for his own safety and comfort?
RPF has to be absolutely insane in universe for real...
"No see, I only ship their hero identities, shipping the real person is icky cause like that's their personal life ya'know?"
"Coward. I bet you won't can't even ship Black Swan X Mona Merola-Morales"
"...They're the same person?"
"Doppelgangers obviously"
"...Didn't you go to school with her?"
"She understands the game"
"I mean..."
"No I mean she does, she's left comments."
"...Can you even look her in the-"
"And I quote The Mask Stays On"
"....WHY THOUGH?"
When told "Go Screw Yourself" Mona tilted her head a moment, generated a second construct body in her street clothes, had a subconscious "dayum she's hot" moment which was not as under her breath as she'd have hoped, and asked for the direction of the nearest closable door so she could have some time alone with her other self.
Or at least that's how the opening blurb of the AO2 fic would go.
She's probably in fanfics as the little sister of JU, and some might involve handholding, but I choose to believe people are too terrified of her for anything more than handholding
Quito, Capital of Ecuador–January 4, 2068, 3:00 AM
Quito, this city in Ecuador is known as one of the oldest of all South American capitals, Quito is notable for its well-preserved old town,thriving craft beer scene, plenty of parks, and surprisingly good food. It could be said that its one of the few peaceful places in the American Territories; well if you ignore whatever the Hell the Americans are doing on a daily basis that is. But let ignore that dumpster fire that has been burning for last few decades (at minimum) and concentrate. Quito, like many others places, has had it fair share of changes after the start of the Hero Age. A villain here, a vigilante there, the occasional crackpot theory; the usual. But I do believe I am rambling, the reason that I'm telling all of this is just to set a little scene. While Quito has had its fair share of metahuman related activities, you cant forget that there are normal criminals here and there, just like in any other city. Crime is universal you know. Anyway, why am I Telling all of you this? Simple. As much as there is petty crime, there are people that are willing to stop it. Some of them are altruistic and do it for the greater good, some just do it to get paid, Just look at Hero for Hire, For every Black Swan, Lady Leizi and Valiant Silver, there's a Scarlet Maturity (Monetary Wise, not power Wise). The individuals we are about to see fall in the in between these two lines, they are willing to help those in need, but if you want some heavy-duty jobs, you better be willing to pay… unless it involves screwing with the American Government, then you get a massive discount. Who are they? Well…
"Hey, You ever wonder why we're here"? – Said a male voice. This individual was average in height, had a light tan and was dressed in what seemed like an armored uniform, a machine gun held in his arm.
"It's one of life's great mysteries, isn't it? Why are we here? I mean, are we the product of some cosmic coincidence, or is there really a God watching everything? You know, with a plan for us and stuff. I don't know, man, but it keeps me up at night." – Responded another male, taller than his partner, dark skin and wearing the same armored clothing than his friend. A shot gun hanging slightly to his side.
Goon 1: … What the hell are you talking about? I meant why are we here, outside of a random ass warehouse, in the ass crack of dawn, freezing our balls off! What's this about God for Leviathans Sake!?
Goon 2: Oh… Uh… Hm… Nothing. Nothing at all.
Goon 1: …Do you want to talk about it?
Goon 2: *Sigh* Maybe later? I've had a rough couple of days, I think it's getting to me.
Goon 1: Sure buddy. Maybe we can grab a couple of bottles and just chat for a bit. But going back to my question, do you know why we are here?
Goon 2: Thanks man. Oh yeah, last I heard? Some Hot shot is smuggling some goods From South to North. Drugs, Guns, exotic animals; you know the usual shit. Most of the troops were hired to guard the stuff from anyone trying to steal it. The Reason WE are here is because we drew the short straw, so we get the shift from 12 AM to 4 AM, while everyone else gets to sleep in a warm bed.
???: So we have another hour before the next guard shift huh? Good to know.
Goon 2: Exactly so we just have to…wait, who sai-
*Slam*
As the guard was about to question the voice, he and his co-worker had their heads slammed into each other knocking both out. Had they looked up perhaps they would had seen a small displacement in the air, or the green reptile skin that just smashed their heads together.
Agent Veiled: Hmm… Amateurs, They never look up. This is Agent Veiled reporting in, I hope you got that Whisper.
Leader of Team D.A.R.K a Veteran Mercenary and former Agent/Spy of the American Government. David Anderson aka Agent Veiled used to work for an affiliated Mercenary troop that was regularly hired by different High Ranking American Officials, but after his troop, including two of his friends, were made scape goats of a mission gone wrong, he decided to split off and started to work as a solo agent taking the occasional work on Hero for Hire. A Chameleon Dysmorphic, Agent Veiled is capable of silently crawling on flat surfaces like walls and can even turn himself "invisible," by changing the color pigmentation of his skin and clothes (To a much greater degree than a normal Chameleon). His team usually specialized in Black ops or information Gathering missions. Will usually work for lower prices if it involves giving the American Government a Black Eye.
Whisper: Yah! I heard them old man. Don't worry, if anyone tries to call them, I can give them false info. Hurry up and get in, Chain and Welding are waiting for you near one of the roofs. We got 1 hour before the next shift, so make it count.
Agent Veiled: Heh… You don't have to remind me. I haven't gone senile yet, besides, I should be the one saying that. Those 2 aren't exactly the picture of stealth.
Whisper: *Snort* You don't need to remind me. Ten bucks Welding breaks something before you get there.
Agent Veiled: 20 on Chain, breaking something trying to stop Welding.
The R of team DARK, Rachel Ryder, Codename Whisper is a young American Woman in her late 20's. Chestnut colored hair and eyes. Main support unit of the team, usually forwarding info to the rest of the team from a safe distance, be it an empty building or the escape van. Whisper is capable of manipulating sounds to a certain degree, capable of copying any sounds she hears perfectly, making her perfect for causing interference in chaotic environments. Additionally, she can remove all sound in wide area, making her allies the only ones capable of hearing sound while within. Likes to eat Chocolate while on stakeouts.
As the Chameleon slowly moved into the complex, he remembered the details pertaining to their current mission. A group of Smugglers were plaining on bringing illegal goods Northward, Including some rather HEAVY ordinance, including Sniper Rifles, Bombs, RPG'S and more. A local Militia group learned of the operation, but were incapable of attacking the warehouse without tipping off the guards, so they contacted the team via a long chain of proxy emails on Hero for Hire. Their mission is to find the details of the transaction including as many names as possible, so they the city could hire a bigger hero force in order to take the operation down. The intrusion will cause the smugglers to move, but as longs as they can get the information, the city will be able to pick them off at their leisure. Which sounds stupid in hindsight, but they were hired in order to get information, so that's what they will get.
Agent Veiled: Well, well, well. It seems you two actually managed to hold off storming the place. I'm surprised. I guess neither Whisper nor I are getting our money.
???: Oh Har de Har Har. You are a comedian old man; I learned my lesson after last time. Don't have to worry bout me blowing something up and worsening the operation.
Agent Veiled: He, he. Sorry Al, but when you get to my age you need to learn to enjoy the small things in life. You understand don't you Chain?
Chain Dagger: If I learned anything from my marriage is to not poke the proverbial bear too much, especially if the can melt your face off. So I rather not make Welding angry.
Welding: It was 1 time! And it was a Copper Behemoth! Don't be such a baby, Chain.
Alex Almeida, Welding
Age: 22
Tags: Elemental Manipulation, Energy Manipulation.
Potency: 2-3
Stats: HIT 4, ESPIONAGE 3, REPUTATION 3, OPERATIONS 3
The A of team DARK, Alex Almeida or Welding while working is a young woman from New Orleans, Dark skinned with black hair and green eyes. Alex is one of the teams main form of offense. Her Meta human ability is to generate a flame a couple of inches from the tip of her skin. She usually generates up to 5 "Candles", usually protruding from her fingernails. If this was everything she could do, she would not be considered one of main "guns" of Team Dark. She earned her codename thanks to her ability to change the intensity of the temperature her "candles" can reach. Much like her name, Welding can increase the heat of her fire up to 6,000 to 10,000 Fahrenheit, temperatures that are capable of melting most metals and the flesh of most metahumans that aren't specialized in defense. She usually uses this power to cut open holes in metal objects like safes. Likes eating spicy food.
The final member of Team Dark, Kingston Miles or Chain Dagger is a Tall Caucasian man with Brown Hair and Eyes. The second oldest member after Veiled, Chain Dagger Forms the second Half of the teams main form of offense. Kingston is capable of generating long chain like energy constructs in order to attack his foes. This "Energy" is physical in nature and is rather hard to break, although not impossible. Alongside his enhanced strength which let him move even cars with ease, Kingston is the "Hammer" of the group, and usually helps by carrying the less mobile members of the group during operations. Has been a Widow for 6 years and has a young 12-year-old Daughter.
Chain Dagger: *Rolls Eyes* I rather be safe than sorry. Besides, we might need to go loud soon if things go south.
Agent Veiled: Let's make sure it doesn't. Let's go.
W and CD: Roger!
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
7 Hours Later (10 Am)
Alex: Hah! Another mission accomplished. They didn't know what hit them.
Kingston: Hmm True. I honestly expected some more guards, but there were only a couple of them inside the warehouse itself. I guess they didn't expect to get targeted.
Rachel: Well their lost is our gain. I'm going to use my cut to get some groceries, maybe get some ice cream. You guys want anything?
David: Pistachio, but before you go, I need to talk with you guys. We are going to have to move soon.
Alex: … Fuck. What happened this time? Did those Bureaucratic bastards sell us out?
David: If only. Remember that mission we took 2 months back? The one with Corrupted Church officials? The ones that turned out to be a Leviathan Cult?
Kingston: Oh don't tell me…
David: *Sigh* yes, sadly it seems they had some friends in High places, we got a fresh set of bounties. Sore bastards, they seem to be concentrating in some regions of North America, but I got a heads up from one of my old associates that they are looking over in this direction. So we need to move.
Rachel: Leviathan Dammit! Are they seriously THAT much of a sore loser? Ugh, screw groceries I'm getting several pints of ice cream, maybe some of donuts from that coffee place a couple of blocks from here… I'm going to miss that place; they had a cute Barista… and a Cute Waitress.
Alex: Ignoring the Virgin's crisis (Rachel: Fuck you too Alex!), any idea were we should go David? Should we continue south? Double back up North? Leave the Country All together?
???: How about Horizon?
At the 5th voice, the rest of the room turns towards the corner of the room. There reading a book sat a Brunette girl, she was holding a weird spiky animal (A hedgehog) in one hand and the book in the other. This was Marial Miles, Daughter of Kingston Miles.
Alex: Horizon!? Isn't that the place with the 2 eldritch monstrosities? The one with the controversy currently going on? The one with the American team, Crusade or whatever? No offense little M, but you may want to explain yourself.
Kingston: I agree with Alex. Why are you suggesting Horizon Maria, its not exactly the first place I would choose to go.
Maria: That's exactly why I'm suggesting it. Not many people, especially mercenaries, would want to go there because of everything that's going on. It would be the last place people would expect us to go, not only that we can use Crusade to our advantage. I don't know why they are there, but as far as American Hero teams go, they seem to be more concentrated on everything that's happening, so Its very unlikely they would bother looking for a random "hero" group in a massive city. Add the potential new clientele…
David: And we could be well off, at least for a couple of months. I still don't exactly like the idea, but I have heard worse. Plus we do have a nest egg in case of emergencies…
Alex: I'm not particularly up for it, but the place is known as one of the most Metahuman dense places in the world, we could see if there are any potential recruits, we do need some new blood…
Rachel: …There's potential… but I'm not that sure. Kingston, weren't you from Horizon Originally? Got any potential insight?
Kingston: …Horizon. Horizon is… Difficult sometimes, I left years ago when I Joined the Team, so I'm not up to date with what's going on. But If everything is at least somewhat stable I do Have a House near The Worker's Mitt, should be able to hold us all. Might… might be good to see Jane again, put some fresh flowers in her grave… But the choice is really yours David, you're the leader.
David: …The first chance things seem to go south we will leave, but its probably as good as we can get at such a short notice. Very well, Team Dark is going to the Hell hole that is Horizon. May God watch over us.
Maria: ALRIGHT!!! We are going to Horizon! I need to tell Belladona and Delta! C'mon Edge!
As the young girl leaves towards her room the other members of the Team turn towards each other.
Alex: …I still can't believe she named the Roomba.
Ambrosia Candidate:
Name: Maria Miles Age: 12 Stats: HIT 1, ESPIONAGE 1, REPUTATION 2, OPERATIONS 2 Tolerance: 6 Daughter of Team Dark Member Kingston Miles and Jane Alvarez (Deceased). Maria is a Healthy young 12-year-old girl and honorary "Member" of Team Dark, I.E She's the Mascot. Usually has a kind demeanor, Maria likes reading, stargazing, and playing with her pets, A Hedgehog named Edge, A Fruit Bat named Belladonna, and a Roomba named Delta (said Roomba has an A.I that has declared war on all grime, don't ask how they got it. It involves a Yard Sale, A Rouge Algernon and 3 pounds of Rocky Road). Her Dreams is to be able to go to different places with her family, so she hopes that her dad and Grandpa David can recruit a Flyer or Teleporter so they can visit new places faster.
Well I didn't expect to write this ngl. But anyway here's a new "Hero" team, Team Dark. A group of mercenaries that specialize in info gathering and infiltration, and they are planning on going to Horizon (Oh the poor fools). If you read to much into it you guys could probably guess the inspiration. But to those that don't know its mostly Sonic inspired. David was based on Espio (His dead teammates being a Honeybee Dysmorphic that was killed by someone who was afraid of Apiary and Hated Dysmorphic Metahumans and a Crocodile Dysmorphic that died saving David from the mission gone wrong), and The Bio lizard, and Maria Miles was based on Maria Robotnik (With her "Pets" being based on Shadow, Rouge, and Omega aka Team Dark). The rest were based on maybe pushing a bit more into the elemental and Energy Tags (Fire, Sound and Energy).
The fates of the team will honestly depend on Bitterman. Will they be recruitable? Will they all die? Will some of them Die? If anything let either Kingston or David live so they can take care of Maria. She will be so traumatized… Or kill them all and let's make Maria go through her Shadow phase. I wonder who will be her "Amy" and make her remember about the good In the world. Keep her away from Doctor Silver, The trauma would just amplify things.
On thinking more about it, Maddie's only really doomed if another person around her age joins the team. People would be making jokes about her and this other hypothetical teammember holding hands until marriage.
Honestly, if Maddie does show up in any fanfic, it's gonna be as the annoying little sister (the interview with Chihiro was pretty memorable), a wingwoman (to be replaced later once Yara comes on scene), or as a plot device (Mittens/Shelob is stuck in a tree and Maddie's out of Apeps! We'd need two people to go up and get her…)
I haven't Actually! Planning on watching it with my cousin next year before my next Semester. I Am a fan of Sonic Though.
This mostly came from my want of adding a couple of Elemental and Energy manipulators to the Dna sample pool along side Necro Dancer. Well if it happens. Who knows.
Also the fact I made a 12 year old candidate was a complete coincidence.
