Keep her Talking: 87 + 10 (Orator) = 97 High Success
You're plan almost works.
Key word: almost.
You look at the woman, mind going through all the different things you could say to keep her busy. You're not sure about the Dullahan, but if Ana could get a bead on her it would be enough. You briefly entertain the idea of intervening yourself, but think better of it. You would probably get sliced up by that knight before you're even able to get close. Even now, it stands coiled and ready to strike at its assumed master's command.
There's no easy way to go about this, so you decide to try out the only thing you can think of.
"Soooooo, what's a cutie like you doing in a place like this?"
….
Stupid! Like that would actually—
"Wait, did you just say I was...cute?" the woman actually sounds genuinely surprised. In fact, when you look at her closely, you think you see her….blushing? "No one's ever called me that before. Most men just see me as some sort of ball buster and stay away from me."
….Like you were saying, you are a genius and a smooth talker! "Well clearly they have no appreciation for one such as yourself." You were laying it on a bit thick you'll admit. Though she is quite attractive. At least to you anyway. But while you speak, you glance to your side and are relieved to see that your daughter is currently stalking around the sofa to flank the newcomers.
Though it does slightly bother you how silent she can move when she wants to, it does not stop you from focusing on your task, "And I'm sure, that if they just got to know you they would love your personality! In fact, they would love everything about you!"
You're not sure if you have any actual charm, but it is certain it is working on whoever this is. Her hands are on her cheeks and she keep shaking her head at your compliments, "Oh stop it! Do you really think so?"
"Absolutely! They would all fall at your knees when you tell them about your...uh," crap, you're running of material. Where's Ana?
Ana Sneak Attack: 23 + 15 (Physical Augment) + 15 (Telepathy/Telekinesis) + 20 (Biological Augment) + 10 (Energy Ball) + 5 (Level 2) - 10 (Armored Opponent) + 15 (Howard Distraction) - 30 (???) - 20 (???) = 41 Success
Just when you think the woman might get wise to your schemes, your daughter dashes into the fray. She's a blur in the air, moving faster than your eyes can see. One hand is outstretched, turned into a wicked looking claw, while the other holds an ball of crackling energy. All of it is aimed at the woman you've been talking to.
She's just passing by the Dullahan—
Dullahan's Perception: 98 = No Sneak Attack Bonus
Dullahan's Attack: 33 - 10 (Eldritch Opponent) + 15 (???) +10 (???) + 10 (Armed) + 15 (???) = 73 High Success
When it fucking grabs her arm out of mid air.
You're speechless. How did it move that fast? How did it see her? You didn't even see her, or it for that matter, move?!
It hold Anastasia in one arm, as she thrashes in its grip. She's snarling like a trapped beast, trying to bring her clawed hand around to swipe at the Dullahan. But the undead creature seems nonplussed by her attempts at escape. Any time her claws swipe against its armor, they slide across it dealing no damage.
The woman is staring at your thrashing daughter, her eyes wide with how close she was to losing her life.
??? Roll: 1 Crit Fail
Then you see them narrow with rage. Her hand reaches back, and you're moving before you know it.
They're can't be more than five feet in front of you, yet somehow you don't make it.
"You insolent, little shit!"
You hear the slap of flesh on flesh.
Time seems to slow down. You stand in the middle of the hallway.
In front of you is an Undead Monster that holds your sweet, little girl that you picked up in that basket all those weeks ago. They seem like years now, as you stare at the person who just slapped her across the face.
Who just slapped your daughter.
Who just hurt your Anastasia.
Who just made the biggest fucking mistake of her life.
You feel something well up inside of you. It's the same thing you felt that day when Volkar insulted Anastasia to your face. But it's stronger this time.
It's…
[] Red hot, burning rage. An inferno that will burn away any and all who dare to hurt your daughter. Right now, that's the bitch who dared to strike your beautiful Ana. (Belief Power: Raging Inferno)
[] Ice cold, calm rage. You're not sure why, but you feel calmer than you have in years. Oh you're angry. No doubt about that. But it's the calm kind of anger. The kind where you can think of nothing, but how to most efficiently destroy the bitch standing in front of you and her pet monster. (Belief Power: Tranquil Fury)
[] Write in…(Subject to QM Veto, and different Belief Powers)
Basically, the roll for the woman was to see how she reacted to Ana trying to attack her. A high roll would've meant she was calm about it, and Howard would've had to step in and fight.
But she got a 1.
That means she took the most irrational and dumbest option.
Which was to slap Anastasia.
Now as for the vote, this is essentially the first time Howard has ever gotten truly angry. He's been mad before, but this is pure fucking rage/Papa Bear mode right now. Since this is the first time he has ever been this mad, I wanted to let you guys decide how he let's it out.
It will have an effect on the story. Primarily, what Howard does when people make him mad (i.e. start to grind his teeth, give a creepy smile, ect.) and how his Belief is shown in battle.
Is it a Raging Inferno, that others throw their kindling into to add to the flames?
Or is it a Icy Fury, that others will make colder so that their enemies may freeze?
Or do you have a better idea?
I'll leave the Vote until tomorrow at 2:00 and check to see if a consensus is reached. If it isn't, I give it another 3 hours. If it still isn't I'll roll between the highest choices.
As always, criticism, questions, and otherwise are welcome.
*Vote Closed*
Edit: Realized I forgot about Ana's +5 because of her Level. Though the Dullahan still beat her out by a good margin.
