The Young Avengers Initiative
- Thread starter Wightraven
- Start date
[X] [GWEN] Poole
[X] [JOIN] Yes
Probably gone with Holiday and something else.
[X] [JOIN] Yes
Probably gone with Holiday and something else.
- Location
- Winter Hell
- Pronouns
- She/Her
[X] [GWEN] Poole
[X] [JOIN] Yes
[X] [JOIN] Yes
- Location
- California
[x] [GWEN] Stacy
[X] [JOIN] Yes
[X] [JOIN] Yes
011 - The Kids in America C
- Location
- The Trash Pile
Winner: [GWEN] Poole
Number of voters: 6
Unanimous Winner: [JOIN] Yes
Number of voters: 10
You nod. "If you don't mind."
"Nah," he shakes his head, "she helped finder her, she might as well come with." He nods to the back of the bike, "only so much room back there, though."
"It's fine," you smile, "she'll meet us there." Other Gwen's ability to move between 'gutters' of the comic book she perceives the universe to be can be extremely handy sometimes.
"Where we goin'?" he grunts.
"460 West 46th Street," you respond. "It's an apartment building. Not sure which door."
"Think I can figure that one out once we're there," he responds gruffly, looking at the road ahead. Likely planning out the journey given traffic and what he knows of the roads. Logan doesn't seem to cotton much to GPS or other modern technologies. Motorcycles are just fine, obviously, and he has a phone, but he seems like the kind of guy who relies on instinct and habit more than instruction. "Well, get on."
You do as Logan says, swinging yourself up onto the motorcycle with a bit more grace and fluidity this time. Logan rights the bike and the engine rumbles to life below you as you peel off down the road. New York City either flies by or stand still around you, and Logan seems to know which paths of least resistance to take to get where you need to be the fastest. Your mind has an easier time keeping your thoughts calm tonight than it has in the past. Perhaps it's because you're fully awake in the middle of the day and this is a planned event you've been able to steel yourself for instead of an impromptu joyride. It might be the cold, and the jackets adding layers between you. Perhaps the strange seriousness of the situation is tamping things down, or maybe you're just more comfortable with both Logan and yourself. It could be all of these. It could be something entirely different. Either way, you're grateful for the opportunity to enjoy the ride and not focus on the steady, easy strength of his musculature and the growling vehicle beneath you.
...
... it helps you to not focus if you don't actively think about it, you find. So you stop. Instead, you think about how you stumbled across her. It was a quiet 'concert' from some singer-songwriter you were only passingly familiar with. You weren't sure why Other Gwen invited you, honestly, or why she wanted to go in the first place. She's more inclined toward mallpunk and other high-energy tunes. But it was nice, and there were food trucks, and you got to laugh about her insistence of still wearing short-shorts on a chilly autumn evening. She claimed the oversized hoodie was all the comfort she needed, but you could see her knees redden with the cold, along with the tip of her nose and her cheeks as the night wore on. It was one of those moments where you noticed that red nose, those flushed cheeks, and the soft, comfortable smile on her face as you looked over to make sure she was having a good time that just past her you saw the dark-haired, strong-featured, scowling-faced girl from the photo. She was still scowling, but the girl she was next to seemed to be having a much better time, wearing a heavy, fluffy scarf around her neck and a knit cap with a few tarnished buttons, smiling merrily and singing along with some of the pieces. The dark-haired girl, possibly Logan's daughter seemed more concerned with whether or not the girl in the cap -with dashes of white hair emerging from it that seemed to match her ruff- was having a good time. You welcomed the distraction, pulling out your phone to text Other Gwen to get her to notice and ask her advice. The two of you ended up sticking close to them for the rest of the concert, and followed at a distance as they made their way home. Buses were hopped, alleys were ducked down. For a time you were worried they were trying to lose you, but they seemed utterly oblivious to your presence until they disappeared together into the barred doors of what looked to be an apartment building.
You contacted Logan that night, of course, with a pic Other Gwen had sneakily snapped during the concert while pretending to take a selfie of the two of you. She took the selfie as well; it's your contact image for her now. You both looked pretty cute. #nofilterneeded Logan didn't get back to you until a few days later, late at night on Hallowe'en, and the very next day here you are. Right back on that one-way street of red buildings, now with small drifts of snow making the bright sun overhead shine that much more brightly. Other Gwen opens the barred door to meet you guys, dressed more sensibly today in jeans, a white and pink blazer, and a matching toque. She nods at you and almost forces a smile, exhaling a cloud of hot breath as she does.
"You ready for this?" she asks. You nod. "Don't ask what I did to break in here," she inclines her head toward Logan.
"I got a habit o' not askin' questions I don't need the answers to, kid." You and Logan follow her inside, and he stands in the rundown lobby area, inhaling deeply through his nose. After a few moments, he nods. "Yeah, she's here... an' if it ain't her..." he trails off, then tilts his head to look at the two of you behind him. "If I tell you to run, you fuckin' run. Got it?" You both nod in response, though when he turns back around and starts walking toward the stairs, Other Gwen gives you her 'I totally just lied to him' face.
The three of you eventually ascend to the fifth floor, pausing momentarily now and then to allow Logan to breathe deeply before moving on. He's scenting her, you're sure. He talked about it being how he tracked down Dr. McCoy until it led him to you. Even through that brief contact you had and all the time and showers that had passed since, he could still detect the man's odor on you somehow. You're sure if the girl is here... if her scent is familiar, he would know and be able to use it to find exactly where she is. You finally come to apartment 5-F; a frosted glass door with the words 'ALIAS INVESTIGATIONS' printed on it. Logan tries the handle to no avail, then after some hesitation raises his fist and raps on the door three times. Eventually it opens, and a pale woman with dark hair and about as much snarl to her face as Logan slides out. She holds the door firmly in the hand you can see, eyeballing the three of you before settling on the man in front.
"Yeah, what." 'Flippant' doesn't begin to describe her tone.
Logan nods toward the door, "Alias Investigations, right?"
The woman side-eyes her own door as though to make sure, and nods back. "Yeah."
"Well... I got a missing persons case I don't think the police can handle. Maybe you can help." The ever-present low, gravelly growl in Logan's voice is more pronounced as he speaks with this woman. This seems like a pleasant enough conversation on paper, but they're talking in a way that makes the hallway feel more cramped than it should, your coat more oppressively insulating, and clothes more tight and constricting.
"You don't have a phone?" she quips back, raising an eyebrow.
"Didn't think this was a 'phone-call' kinda situation." Watching Logan handle this is frustrating in a way; you'd rather lubricate a situation with kindness and directness, but this gruff standoff between two people who carry themselves like career badasses is starting to make your skin itch. Still, he's the expert. He's the one with years of black ops experience. You keep your mouth shut... for now.
"OK, well... what's your situation?"
Logan nods toward the room. "Shouldn't you get a notepad or somethin'?"
"I've got a good memory." The woman doesn't even shake her head. Her stare is downright steel, refusing to divert her eyes from Logan's. At the same time, you feel like she's aware of every small movement you and Other Gwen are making.
"Fair enough," he growls, "I'm lookin' for a girl. Teenager. Long, dark hair. Dark eyes. You seen anyone like that?"
She hesitates. "No. But I'll let you know if I do." The woman begins to slide back into the room.
What Do You Do?
[ ] Let Logan handle it
- Logan seems to know what he's doing, and this is his show.
[ ] Stop Logan from handling it
- He's getting frustrated and you're pretty sure she's lying. You're pretty sure he knows that, too. This could get violent.
[ ] Interject yourself
- Maybe a little reason from a fellow female would help?
[ ] Write-in
Number of voters: 6
Unanimous Winner: [JOIN] Yes
Number of voters: 10
You nod. "If you don't mind."
"Nah," he shakes his head, "she helped finder her, she might as well come with." He nods to the back of the bike, "only so much room back there, though."
"It's fine," you smile, "she'll meet us there." Other Gwen's ability to move between 'gutters' of the comic book she perceives the universe to be can be extremely handy sometimes.
"Where we goin'?" he grunts.
"460 West 46th Street," you respond. "It's an apartment building. Not sure which door."
"Think I can figure that one out once we're there," he responds gruffly, looking at the road ahead. Likely planning out the journey given traffic and what he knows of the roads. Logan doesn't seem to cotton much to GPS or other modern technologies. Motorcycles are just fine, obviously, and he has a phone, but he seems like the kind of guy who relies on instinct and habit more than instruction. "Well, get on."
You do as Logan says, swinging yourself up onto the motorcycle with a bit more grace and fluidity this time. Logan rights the bike and the engine rumbles to life below you as you peel off down the road. New York City either flies by or stand still around you, and Logan seems to know which paths of least resistance to take to get where you need to be the fastest. Your mind has an easier time keeping your thoughts calm tonight than it has in the past. Perhaps it's because you're fully awake in the middle of the day and this is a planned event you've been able to steel yourself for instead of an impromptu joyride. It might be the cold, and the jackets adding layers between you. Perhaps the strange seriousness of the situation is tamping things down, or maybe you're just more comfortable with both Logan and yourself. It could be all of these. It could be something entirely different. Either way, you're grateful for the opportunity to enjoy the ride and not focus on the steady, easy strength of his musculature and the growling vehicle beneath you.
...
... it helps you to not focus if you don't actively think about it, you find. So you stop. Instead, you think about how you stumbled across her. It was a quiet 'concert' from some singer-songwriter you were only passingly familiar with. You weren't sure why Other Gwen invited you, honestly, or why she wanted to go in the first place. She's more inclined toward mallpunk and other high-energy tunes. But it was nice, and there were food trucks, and you got to laugh about her insistence of still wearing short-shorts on a chilly autumn evening. She claimed the oversized hoodie was all the comfort she needed, but you could see her knees redden with the cold, along with the tip of her nose and her cheeks as the night wore on. It was one of those moments where you noticed that red nose, those flushed cheeks, and the soft, comfortable smile on her face as you looked over to make sure she was having a good time that just past her you saw the dark-haired, strong-featured, scowling-faced girl from the photo. She was still scowling, but the girl she was next to seemed to be having a much better time, wearing a heavy, fluffy scarf around her neck and a knit cap with a few tarnished buttons, smiling merrily and singing along with some of the pieces. The dark-haired girl, possibly Logan's daughter seemed more concerned with whether or not the girl in the cap -with dashes of white hair emerging from it that seemed to match her ruff- was having a good time. You welcomed the distraction, pulling out your phone to text Other Gwen to get her to notice and ask her advice. The two of you ended up sticking close to them for the rest of the concert, and followed at a distance as they made their way home. Buses were hopped, alleys were ducked down. For a time you were worried they were trying to lose you, but they seemed utterly oblivious to your presence until they disappeared together into the barred doors of what looked to be an apartment building.
You contacted Logan that night, of course, with a pic Other Gwen had sneakily snapped during the concert while pretending to take a selfie of the two of you. She took the selfie as well; it's your contact image for her now. You both looked pretty cute. #nofilterneeded Logan didn't get back to you until a few days later, late at night on Hallowe'en, and the very next day here you are. Right back on that one-way street of red buildings, now with small drifts of snow making the bright sun overhead shine that much more brightly. Other Gwen opens the barred door to meet you guys, dressed more sensibly today in jeans, a white and pink blazer, and a matching toque. She nods at you and almost forces a smile, exhaling a cloud of hot breath as she does.
"You ready for this?" she asks. You nod. "Don't ask what I did to break in here," she inclines her head toward Logan.
"I got a habit o' not askin' questions I don't need the answers to, kid." You and Logan follow her inside, and he stands in the rundown lobby area, inhaling deeply through his nose. After a few moments, he nods. "Yeah, she's here... an' if it ain't her..." he trails off, then tilts his head to look at the two of you behind him. "If I tell you to run, you fuckin' run. Got it?" You both nod in response, though when he turns back around and starts walking toward the stairs, Other Gwen gives you her 'I totally just lied to him' face.
The three of you eventually ascend to the fifth floor, pausing momentarily now and then to allow Logan to breathe deeply before moving on. He's scenting her, you're sure. He talked about it being how he tracked down Dr. McCoy until it led him to you. Even through that brief contact you had and all the time and showers that had passed since, he could still detect the man's odor on you somehow. You're sure if the girl is here... if her scent is familiar, he would know and be able to use it to find exactly where she is. You finally come to apartment 5-F; a frosted glass door with the words 'ALIAS INVESTIGATIONS' printed on it. Logan tries the handle to no avail, then after some hesitation raises his fist and raps on the door three times. Eventually it opens, and a pale woman with dark hair and about as much snarl to her face as Logan slides out. She holds the door firmly in the hand you can see, eyeballing the three of you before settling on the man in front.
"Yeah, what." 'Flippant' doesn't begin to describe her tone.
Logan nods toward the door, "Alias Investigations, right?"
The woman side-eyes her own door as though to make sure, and nods back. "Yeah."
"Well... I got a missing persons case I don't think the police can handle. Maybe you can help." The ever-present low, gravelly growl in Logan's voice is more pronounced as he speaks with this woman. This seems like a pleasant enough conversation on paper, but they're talking in a way that makes the hallway feel more cramped than it should, your coat more oppressively insulating, and clothes more tight and constricting.
"You don't have a phone?" she quips back, raising an eyebrow.
"Didn't think this was a 'phone-call' kinda situation." Watching Logan handle this is frustrating in a way; you'd rather lubricate a situation with kindness and directness, but this gruff standoff between two people who carry themselves like career badasses is starting to make your skin itch. Still, he's the expert. He's the one with years of black ops experience. You keep your mouth shut... for now.
"OK, well... what's your situation?"
Logan nods toward the room. "Shouldn't you get a notepad or somethin'?"
"I've got a good memory." The woman doesn't even shake her head. Her stare is downright steel, refusing to divert her eyes from Logan's. At the same time, you feel like she's aware of every small movement you and Other Gwen are making.
"Fair enough," he growls, "I'm lookin' for a girl. Teenager. Long, dark hair. Dark eyes. You seen anyone like that?"
She hesitates. "No. But I'll let you know if I do." The woman begins to slide back into the room.
What Do You Do?
[ ] Let Logan handle it
- Logan seems to know what he's doing, and this is his show.
[ ] Stop Logan from handling it
- He's getting frustrated and you're pretty sure she's lying. You're pretty sure he knows that, too. This could get violent.
[ ] Interject yourself
- Maybe a little reason from a fellow female would help?
[ ] Write-in
- Location
- The Trash Pile
Nah, there's also Loki.
Xyshuryn
Not A Morning Person
- Location
- On the Shade Train
Well~!
Both Gwens are absolutely adorkable so crushing on them is totally permissible. And Logan is... Logan. He has his own appeal.
And this is just what I needed. I've been sick and this is just as good as a can of Campbell's chicken noodle soup.
Only this comes in bytes instead of bites.
Both Gwens are absolutely adorkable so crushing on them is totally permissible. And Logan is... Logan. He has his own appeal.
And this is just what I needed. I've been sick and this is just as good as a can of Campbell's chicken noodle soup.
Only this comes in bytes instead of bites.
- Location
- The internet
So there's a lot we could say here, but trying to keep it to stuff we have in character justification for.
[X] Interject yourself
-[X] Use Tilt the Scales to make the check Precise.
--[X] Be friendly, but insistant. Give her our contact details and maybe show her a picture (Vilina's judgement on that one)
---[X] Explain that we aren't here to make any trouble for anyone, and that we just want to make contact.
----[X] If Alias investigations does find the girl and she wants a meeting, we could meet here, or somewhere public, whichver she judges would be more comfortable for the girl.
So this is a bit calling her out without calling her out, and putting the ball entirely in Jessica and Laura's court. Logan might be mad about the delay, but this looks like the kind of person who doesn't bend to up front pressure, so it's better to let her breathe, and if The Girl is anything like her possible dad, then being cornered wouldn't be likely to illicit a good reaction.
Also, being pragmatic even if Alias does end up being a dead end Logan has a lead now, he's pretty hard to shake with one of those.
[X] Interject yourself
-[X] Use Tilt the Scales to make the check Precise.
--[X] Be friendly, but insistant. Give her our contact details and maybe show her a picture (Vilina's judgement on that one)
---[X] Explain that we aren't here to make any trouble for anyone, and that we just want to make contact.
----[X] If Alias investigations does find the girl and she wants a meeting, we could meet here, or somewhere public, whichver she judges would be more comfortable for the girl.
So this is a bit calling her out without calling her out, and putting the ball entirely in Jessica and Laura's court. Logan might be mad about the delay, but this looks like the kind of person who doesn't bend to up front pressure, so it's better to let her breathe, and if The Girl is anything like her possible dad, then being cornered wouldn't be likely to illicit a good reaction.
Also, being pragmatic even if Alias does end up being a dead end Logan has a lead now, he's pretty hard to shake with one of those.
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[X] Interject yourself
-[X] Use Tilt the Scales to make the check Precise.
--[X] Be friendly, but insistant. Give her our contact details and maybe show her a picture (Vilina's judgement on that one)
---[X] Explain that we aren't here to make any trouble for anyone, and that we just want to make contact.
----[X] If Alias investigations does find the girl and she wants a meeting, we could meet here, or somewhere public, whichver she judges would be more comfortable for the girl.
-[X] Use Tilt the Scales to make the check Precise.
--[X] Be friendly, but insistant. Give her our contact details and maybe show her a picture (Vilina's judgement on that one)
---[X] Explain that we aren't here to make any trouble for anyone, and that we just want to make contact.
----[X] If Alias investigations does find the girl and she wants a meeting, we could meet here, or somewhere public, whichver she judges would be more comfortable for the girl.
Loki could seduce a horse. The strike zone for a shapeshifter is deep and wide
Xyshuryn
Not A Morning Person
- Location
- On the Shade Train
[X] Interject yourself
-[X] Use Tilt the Scales to make the check Precise.
--[X] Be friendly, but insistant. Give her our contact details and maybe show her a picture (Vilina's judgement on that one)
---[X] Explain that we aren't here to make any trouble for anyone, and that we just want to make contact.
----[X] If Alias investigations does find the girl and she wants a meeting, we could meet here, or somewhere public, whichver she judges would be more comfortable for the girl.
I'm going to go with the others on this. As I have said in half a dozen other quests on nearly as many forums, "I am an idiot." This is one of those situations where, despite my first impulse, I am sure the Leroy Jenkins School of Strategy is ill suited.
Though it would be fun to watch.
-[X] Use Tilt the Scales to make the check Precise.
--[X] Be friendly, but insistant. Give her our contact details and maybe show her a picture (Vilina's judgement on that one)
---[X] Explain that we aren't here to make any trouble for anyone, and that we just want to make contact.
----[X] If Alias investigations does find the girl and she wants a meeting, we could meet here, or somewhere public, whichver she judges would be more comfortable for the girl.
I'm going to go with the others on this. As I have said in half a dozen other quests on nearly as many forums, "I am an idiot." This is one of those situations where, despite my first impulse, I am sure the Leroy Jenkins School of Strategy is ill suited.
Though it would be fun to watch.
- Location
- Winter Hell
- Pronouns
- She/Her
[X] Interject yourself
-[X] Use Tilt the Scales to make the check Precise.
--[X] Be friendly, but insistant. Give her our contact details and maybe show her a picture (Vilina's judgement on that one)
---[X] Explain that we aren't here to make any trouble for anyone, and that we just want to make contact.
----[X] If Alias investigations does find the girl and she wants a meeting, we could meet here, or somewhere public, whichver she judges would be more comfortable for the girl.
-[X] Use Tilt the Scales to make the check Precise.
--[X] Be friendly, but insistant. Give her our contact details and maybe show her a picture (Vilina's judgement on that one)
---[X] Explain that we aren't here to make any trouble for anyone, and that we just want to make contact.
----[X] If Alias investigations does find the girl and she wants a meeting, we could meet here, or somewhere public, whichver she judges would be more comfortable for the girl.
- Location
- Germany
[X] Interject yourself
-[X] Use Tilt the Scales to make the check Precise.
--[X] Be friendly, but insistant. Give her our contact details and maybe show her a picture (Vilina's judgement on that one)
---[X] Explain that we aren't here to make any trouble for anyone, and that we just want to make contact.
----[X] If Alias investigations does find the girl and she wants a meeting, we could meet here, or somewhere public, whichver she judges would be more comfortable for the girl.
-[X] Use Tilt the Scales to make the check Precise.
--[X] Be friendly, but insistant. Give her our contact details and maybe show her a picture (Vilina's judgement on that one)
---[X] Explain that we aren't here to make any trouble for anyone, and that we just want to make contact.
----[X] If Alias investigations does find the girl and she wants a meeting, we could meet here, or somewhere public, whichver she judges would be more comfortable for the girl.
Bemossed
Edge of the Sphere
- Location
- Null Space
[X] Interject yourself
-[X] Use Tilt the Scales to make the check Precise.
--[X] Be friendly, but insistant. Give her our contact details and maybe show her a picture (Vilina's judgement on that one)
---[X] Explain that we aren't here to make any trouble for anyone, and that we just want to make contact.
----[X] If Alias investigations does find the girl and she wants a meeting, we could meet here, or somewhere public, whichver she judges would be more comfortable for the girl.
-[X] Use Tilt the Scales to make the check Precise.
--[X] Be friendly, but insistant. Give her our contact details and maybe show her a picture (Vilina's judgement on that one)
---[X] Explain that we aren't here to make any trouble for anyone, and that we just want to make contact.
----[X] If Alias investigations does find the girl and she wants a meeting, we could meet here, or somewhere public, whichver she judges would be more comfortable for the girl.
- Location
- The Trash Pile
Hey, kids. I've been doing a lot of thinking since coming back from my little 'break'. Time away from the quest has given me a lot of insight into how much time I actually spend every night writing for this thing, even when I don't get out a very long update... and never you mind how long the ACTUALLY meaty updates take me. As much as I love this story and the interactions and the community... I'm not feeling it as much now as I was on issue 9 and before. Some of this may be seasonal; it tends to go that in the first half of the year I want to do mechanics and crunch for RPGs and stuff, and in the latter half I want to be creative and write. I don't know why it does, but it does. I'm well far off from wanting to give up entirely; I like Vilina and I like this story and I actually really like the ideas I have for this chapter now that we've picked up some steam. I'm pretty proud of that last post. But I sat down tonight to write this one and... it's just not in me.
So, until further notice I'm gonna be running every other day updates. I'm not super fond of the fact that I've been updating less and less frequently as this quest goes on, but here's hoping I can at least get through our college years before the gas tank finally taps out and I need a more indefinite reprieve.
Thank you for your patience and understanding. The fact that so many people give a shit about my writing and ideas is literally a visceral part of what keeps me doing this, and it has done wonders for my confidence and peace of mind over these last few months.
So, until further notice I'm gonna be running every other day updates. I'm not super fond of the fact that I've been updating less and less frequently as this quest goes on, but here's hoping I can at least get through our college years before the gas tank finally taps out and I need a more indefinite reprieve.
Thank you for your patience and understanding. The fact that so many people give a shit about my writing and ideas is literally a visceral part of what keeps me doing this, and it has done wonders for my confidence and peace of mind over these last few months.
011 - The Kids in America D
- Location
- The Trash Pile
Winner: Interject yourself
- Use Tilt the Scales to make the check Precise.
-- Be friendly, but insistant. Give her our contact details and maybe show her a picture (Vilina's judgement on that one)
--- Explain that we aren't here to make any trouble for anyone, and that we just want to make contact.
---- If Alias investigations does find the girl and she wants a meeting, we could meet here, or somewhere public, whichver she judges would be more comfortable for the girl.
Number of voters: 5
"Wait a second!" you suddenly erupt, putting a hand forward as though you were just going to let her slam your fingers in the door. Thankfully, she stops closing it before your hand ever even gets there. "I know my friend can be... intense, but he's just got a lot of questions that he's been waiting a long time to find the answers to. We aren't here for a fight. Let me give you my number; if you do find her and she does want to talk we'd be happy to meet somewhere public. Somewhere she's comfortable. Anything on her terms." You focus your power on your words, and on the way the woman in Alias Investigations is receiving them. You want her to pick up on your exact intentions with no confusion. You're speaking the truth, as far as you know it. You need her to trust you.
The woman regards you through the cracked door for a moment, then passes a business card through the slit. It's only when you read it that you realize who you've been talking to and you have to contain your surprise; between the name of the company and its street address is listed the name of the apparent proprietor; Jessica Jones. 'She looks different in real life' you tell yourself, and immediately own up to the fact that she most definitely does not and you just sort of forgot that's who Jessica Jones was. Perhaps it's just one of those things; you don't expect someone to be in a place, so when you see somebody who looks like them you just assume it's not them? You're not sure. You push past feeling stupid and listen as Jessica talks.
"My number's on there. Don't call before noon, texting is preferred. Lemme know it's you so I have your number and if I hear anything I'll let you know."
"Thank--" she slams the door, finally, and you hear a chain latch.
It's quiet in the hallway for just long enough that the energy of the encounter dies down and you press past the keening noise of 'nothing is happening anymore' to tune in to the other sounds around the building; a TV blaring daytime dramas loud enough to permeate the walls with their unmistakable sound but not enough to understand a word being said, a couple cooing at each other in front of their door on their way out to get lunch, heavy feet stomping down the stairs above. Logan growls.
"She's in there."
"I know," you put a calming hand on his shoulder. He tenses up, and for a second you're afraid he's so keyed up that he's going to strike you on sheer reflex, but in the end it's only tension and he allows himself to relax. "But we can't just barge in there and demand answers. She's young. She might be scared. Who knows what she's gone through in the last few months? Nevermind what we saw in the picture."
He ponders it for a moment, then nods. "Yeah, OK. Her terms."
"Good!" exclaims Other Gwen, "now everyone pose for a selfie!" You think the sudden bewilderment is both an impediment to a quality picture and the only reason Logan isn't scowling as hard as humanly possible in the photo. Other Gwen texts it to you afterward. "Send this to that number so the girl knows what we look like."
"Good idea," you commend her, and do exactly that.
"So... what now?" Logan asks gruffly, "we just wait?"
"It's what we're going to have to do."
"An' what if she decides she don't wanna talk?"
"Well, uh..." You turn a sympathetic eye to him. His shoulders are tight, but forced into a lower position to seem relaxed. His jaw is set and his eyes are narrowed. To most people, Logan would look casual and a little grumpy. To you, someone who has seen how he acts in moments of vulnerability... he might as well be wearing a wounded puppy face. You wish you had brighter things to tell him, but sugar-coating things for the former mutant hitman doesn't seem like a wise or worthwhile effort. "... if she doesn't wanna talk, there's not much we can ultimately do about it. Maybe you'll get lucky and run into her again, but if she thinks she has a reason to be afraid of you... she might not."
"She ain't got a reason to--"
"I know," you hold up a softly forestalling hand, "I know that. You know that. She doesn't. We don't know what she's been through. All we can do is hope she'll want to talk to you and work from there."
Logan grunts, and the three of you ultimately return home.
The weekend comes and goes, as does the first day back to class. All things considered, it was pretty normal. You're just getting ready for bed Monday night when you get a text from an unknown number.
?????
Hey.
?????
I could use a pizza. Meet me at Latrattoria ASAP and buy me a pie. We'll talk.
You hesitate for a moment, then look up the location to see their hours. It just so happens to be only about a block away from Alias Investigations. Convenient. This means you have just enough time to get there before it closes and still get a pie without making the staff mad at you... but only just. You can't really go around and rally the troops to join you... but does this anonymous texter even want that?
Vilina
Should I bring my friends?
?????
No. Just you.
Vilina
Are you the dark-haired girl?
?????
Guess you'll have to come buy me pizza to find out.
Hm. You do have a 6 AM class tomorrow; hence why you're going to bed so dang early. But...
What Did You Do This Weekend?
[ ] [WEEKEND] Hang out with ___________
- Fill in the blank. Up to three people. Literally free friendship. Rates differ depending on who you were hanging out with.
[ ] [WEEKEND] Write-in
- There are a lot of options here. I might be willing to hand out a lot of bonuses or divulge some info, etc. Get creative and it may well be rewarded.
Do You Go to Latrattoria?
[ ] [PIZZA] Yes.
[ ] [PIZZA] Yes, and try to bring someone anyway.
[ ] [PIZZA] No.
- Use Tilt the Scales to make the check Precise.
-- Be friendly, but insistant. Give her our contact details and maybe show her a picture (Vilina's judgement on that one)
--- Explain that we aren't here to make any trouble for anyone, and that we just want to make contact.
---- If Alias investigations does find the girl and she wants a meeting, we could meet here, or somewhere public, whichver she judges would be more comfortable for the girl.
Number of voters: 5
"Wait a second!" you suddenly erupt, putting a hand forward as though you were just going to let her slam your fingers in the door. Thankfully, she stops closing it before your hand ever even gets there. "I know my friend can be... intense, but he's just got a lot of questions that he's been waiting a long time to find the answers to. We aren't here for a fight. Let me give you my number; if you do find her and she does want to talk we'd be happy to meet somewhere public. Somewhere she's comfortable. Anything on her terms." You focus your power on your words, and on the way the woman in Alias Investigations is receiving them. You want her to pick up on your exact intentions with no confusion. You're speaking the truth, as far as you know it. You need her to trust you.
Roll 12 + 2 = 14. Heroic success!
The woman regards you through the cracked door for a moment, then passes a business card through the slit. It's only when you read it that you realize who you've been talking to and you have to contain your surprise; between the name of the company and its street address is listed the name of the apparent proprietor; Jessica Jones. 'She looks different in real life' you tell yourself, and immediately own up to the fact that she most definitely does not and you just sort of forgot that's who Jessica Jones was. Perhaps it's just one of those things; you don't expect someone to be in a place, so when you see somebody who looks like them you just assume it's not them? You're not sure. You push past feeling stupid and listen as Jessica talks.
"My number's on there. Don't call before noon, texting is preferred. Lemme know it's you so I have your number and if I hear anything I'll let you know."
"Thank--" she slams the door, finally, and you hear a chain latch.
It's quiet in the hallway for just long enough that the energy of the encounter dies down and you press past the keening noise of 'nothing is happening anymore' to tune in to the other sounds around the building; a TV blaring daytime dramas loud enough to permeate the walls with their unmistakable sound but not enough to understand a word being said, a couple cooing at each other in front of their door on their way out to get lunch, heavy feet stomping down the stairs above. Logan growls.
"She's in there."
"I know," you put a calming hand on his shoulder. He tenses up, and for a second you're afraid he's so keyed up that he's going to strike you on sheer reflex, but in the end it's only tension and he allows himself to relax. "But we can't just barge in there and demand answers. She's young. She might be scared. Who knows what she's gone through in the last few months? Nevermind what we saw in the picture."
He ponders it for a moment, then nods. "Yeah, OK. Her terms."
"Good!" exclaims Other Gwen, "now everyone pose for a selfie!" You think the sudden bewilderment is both an impediment to a quality picture and the only reason Logan isn't scowling as hard as humanly possible in the photo. Other Gwen texts it to you afterward. "Send this to that number so the girl knows what we look like."
"Good idea," you commend her, and do exactly that.
"So... what now?" Logan asks gruffly, "we just wait?"
"It's what we're going to have to do."
"An' what if she decides she don't wanna talk?"
"Well, uh..." You turn a sympathetic eye to him. His shoulders are tight, but forced into a lower position to seem relaxed. His jaw is set and his eyes are narrowed. To most people, Logan would look casual and a little grumpy. To you, someone who has seen how he acts in moments of vulnerability... he might as well be wearing a wounded puppy face. You wish you had brighter things to tell him, but sugar-coating things for the former mutant hitman doesn't seem like a wise or worthwhile effort. "... if she doesn't wanna talk, there's not much we can ultimately do about it. Maybe you'll get lucky and run into her again, but if she thinks she has a reason to be afraid of you... she might not."
"She ain't got a reason to--"
"I know," you hold up a softly forestalling hand, "I know that. You know that. She doesn't. We don't know what she's been through. All we can do is hope she'll want to talk to you and work from there."
Logan grunts, and the three of you ultimately return home.
---=====---
The weekend comes and goes, as does the first day back to class. All things considered, it was pretty normal. You're just getting ready for bed Monday night when you get a text from an unknown number.
?????
Hey.
?????
I could use a pizza. Meet me at Latrattoria ASAP and buy me a pie. We'll talk.
You hesitate for a moment, then look up the location to see their hours. It just so happens to be only about a block away from Alias Investigations. Convenient. This means you have just enough time to get there before it closes and still get a pie without making the staff mad at you... but only just. You can't really go around and rally the troops to join you... but does this anonymous texter even want that?
Vilina
Should I bring my friends?
?????
No. Just you.
Vilina
Are you the dark-haired girl?
?????
Guess you'll have to come buy me pizza to find out.
Hm. You do have a 6 AM class tomorrow; hence why you're going to bed so dang early. But...
What Did You Do This Weekend?
[ ] [WEEKEND] Hang out with ___________
- Fill in the blank. Up to three people. Literally free friendship. Rates differ depending on who you were hanging out with.
[ ] [WEEKEND] Write-in
- There are a lot of options here. I might be willing to hand out a lot of bonuses or divulge some info, etc. Get creative and it may well be rewarded.
Do You Go to Latrattoria?
[ ] [PIZZA] Yes.
[ ] [PIZZA] Yes, and try to bring someone anyway.
[ ] [PIZZA] No.