Shifting Sands [IC]

[Izaka Sazaka]

After his rather shocking encounter with some of the darker sides of the SHIELD base, Subject was definitely ready for a change of pace. The SHIELD command was still, apparently, not yet ready to brief them, so Subject was allowed a little more free time to roam the halls. He supposed that the best course of action would be to find the other avengers and at least introduce himself, in his search for said avengers, he didn't have to look very far; most of the group had already assembled in the cafeteria, which had in turn drawn a large amount of SHIELD operatives toward that same location (most were fearful of a fight breaking out, and were therefore simply looking to be on hand in case one broke out.)

Subject was able to make his way to the cafeteria in relative peace; when he entered, he found the architecture of the room to be unique, to say the least. Looking around, he spotted the other avengers down in the center of the room; typical, SHIELD would want to make them the center of attention.

It didn't take Subject long to make his way down the various flights of stairs which descended into the pit of the room, when he arrived, he walked over and took a seat at the large round table, trying his best to seem innocuous and avoid drawing attention. Taking a moment to size up his comrades, his narrowed eyes swiveled back and forth between the assembled members. Most were dressed in rather casual wear, people you wouldn't bat an eye at on the street; how in the world had SHIELD been able to pull them all together?

"And I don't like to be mad since the other two people that had my same power both died. Mainly because their anger turned them against each other, humankind, and me."

Subject tuned back into the current conversation long enough to pick up on a bit of the psychic's back-story. He wondered momentarily at the point of revealing such information: it wasn't as if the group had a context for it? But the aforementioned male again shifted the subject before the information could be pondered further.

"Now that that's out of the way, what's up?"

It was at this point that Subject finally spoke up, using his most cynical voice. "Other than the greatest super-heroes of our generation being dead, the world being in peril, and the only organization capable of retaliating being in shambles, I wouldn't say much at all." The comment didn't have any bite to it, but the tone clearly implied that he thought their chances were slim.

[AAB]

Abbie was startled to hear a familiar voice behind her, but was distracted by the former Averanger revealing his true name. "Mat the Apex," said Abbie, "not bad. Though I don't know what it means. Apparently I'm Abbie the atomic sponge, spelled with an ie, and I don't know what that's supposed to mean either." She gave the appearing girl an odd look. She obviously had a personal problem. Hearing another voice, Abbie glanced up to see a young man who looked nice but somehow-vaguely...twisted. And he was a pessimist. That was fine. It wouldn't hurt anybody.

Abbie realized another girl had shown up, too. This table was getting crowded. Abbie stood up to pull a few more chairs over. Once she had done so, she sat back down and spoke to Arthur. "So they got you, too, did they?" she asked, "I hope you don't still think poking me is funny."

[Sylvaky]

Jocelyn raised an eyebrow at Abbie. Eavesdropping as a power, no it was much more. A pang of annoyance crept through the red head and she was on the verge of using her powers to silence the 'Atomic Sponge.' She rolled her eyes and stopped herself to allow Matt to speak. Telekinesis. So he had brain power, which meant he was probably the default leader, this also rolled in another wave of annoyance.

"So, we have a disappearing girl, an Atomic Sponge, The Atomic Sponge's sidekick, Mr. Dark and Pessimistic, a Brunette, someone with anger issues and myself." Jocelyn said pointing to Admire, Abbie, Arthur, Subject, Ember, Matt, then finally herself, "I think we're ready to save the world." A friendly smile to the group played at Jocelyn's lips. It wasn't a 'bad' group but the red head could already foresee the verbal battles coming and she would most likely start them.

"I suppose I'll formally introduce myself," Jocelyn began, tucking in her chair another inch or so and folding her hands in her lap, "My name is Jocelyn Fray, fifth degree black belt, my door says 'Whisper,' and I can do just about anything with sound waves."

Jocelyn gestured to the rest of the group, expecting that they follow suit. May as well find out everyone's power, at least they would have a head start on figuring out how they could work together.

[Leonor]

Ember sat watching the others as they introduced themselves. At least working here wasn't going to be boring she thought, and finished off her bread. It was dry, grainy and tasteless, and the young woman had to gulp some water to finish it.

When the angry guy intorduced himself, the girl named Abbie replied, "Matt the Apex, not bad. Though I don't know what it means," and Ember finally spoke up.

"Apex means the peak, the summit, the vertex, or the highest point." Her pale blue eyes shifted to Matt, "Which makes you the leader. Huh. Sucks to be you,"

Ember listened while Jocelyn introduced herself. They were just about ready to get things done--this interesting meet-and-greet nearly over. She supposed that she would need to introduce herself, as the others had. Habitually flicking her hair out of her face, she sat her glass down.

"I'll add one more to your list," the brunette said to Jocelyn, before turning to the others, "I'm Ember Aires, Locksmith,"

Ember moved on to the meat on her plate, eating mechanically, while paying attention to the other's reactions.

[AAB]

Abbie nodded approval to Ember, silently thanking her for the definition. So Apex was in charge? That was good to know. And the red-haired girl Jocelyn was a blackbelt? Abbie looked at her. It sounded impressive, but it wasn't. Not to Abbie. The ex-substitute wasn't sure she should tell people what she did, or even whether she would be able to phrase it properly. "I'm Abbie," she said, glancing at the newcomers who hadn't heard earlier. She looked at her glass of water.

"I don't really do much..." Abbie began. That was true. Sorta. Her "power" was based on inaction. But now the others would probably think her worthless. That was okay, right? No-she had to do something. If they were in a fight, what would she be best at? She looked up, then to Apex. "I can...be a meat shield." she told him.

[Serpentine]

Matt, as she learned his name to be, did not take too kindly to Admire's sudden appearance. And what was she to expect? It is what she wanted, for if he were to react differently and push it off or even turn the situation around and toy with her just as she was with him, then it'd be boring and he'd be just like her. But no, she got a reaction out of him, he was her temporary source of pleasure.

"My apologies, Matt." She sat up and dropped her legs from the table and leaned closer to him. "I'll try and keep my magical appearances to a minimum." She sat back again. "Though, I can't promise you I won't try and do anything with that anger issue of yours." A smile slipped her lips. "Better get that under control." She warned. "Could be dangerous, and no one would be at fault but yourself." She challenged him.

His, and her, attention then turned to the rest of the table. She half-heatedly laughed at the Averanger nickname, seeing it a rather ridiculous name to come up with in the first place. Matt then went on as he talked about himself, and Admire was right to think he was a telekinetic..and a talented one at that. She listened intently on the history he revealed of himself, of how he didn't like anger because of the fate of the others with the same gift. He was afraid it would happen to him.

"Like I said," she spoke to him, "learn to control it, your anger. In return, you will have better control over your power. And you can use that energy from your anger to enhance your skills, without losing control. Otherwise, your very gift will be your downfall."

Just then, a few other Avengers appeared. All of about the same age, the same sort of loss of hope and even a twinkle of hope left. Eagerness.

One of them, a man, was rather cynical, pessimistic. Yet a sarcastic tone lingered in his words. However, the man gave way nothing of meaning to them. He gave nothing they already didn't know, and gave nothing of himself. Thus implying the man didn't do well in social situations, and didn't know the words to say.

"Pity." Admire said both to what he had to say, and of his character as well.

A girl sitting at the table introduced herself, Abbie the Atomic Sponge, was her title. Rather odd, Admire thought to herself. It was then time for another to introduce herself, this time it was Jocelyn. Admire could sense the tinge of irritation she was feeling which only made her smile to herself. Jocelyn's fifth degree black belt abilities impressed Admire, for Admire was one for self-defense and using the body as a weapon as well. Though the sound waves ability was rather foreign to her. She didn't see how that ability would come in handy. But no matter, this girl could impress Admire even more. The third of the girls, Ember, spoke next. She didn't give much about herself, as far as her abilities went. Just as Abbie did. But Admire was sure there'd be a training day coming up sometime soon in which they'd all learn of eachother's abilities.

Admire looked to Matt once more. It seemed most of the group thought of him as the default leader, which fit him nonetheless. This leader role of his intimidated her, however. She was always one to seek out the power, herself. Sort of, take on the leader role. Yet, she knew she could never do this. She hungered for power, but she could never be a leader. Not a fair one, at that. Though, she was fine with this realization. It wouldn't stop her from trying to achieve said control. It only made her want to challenge him more as a leader. Not challenge him so she could take over, but challenge him as a leader in and of himself.

She took the next opportunity to formally introduce herself. "My name is Admira Spies. I generally go by Admire, and I guess you could call that my 'superhero name'." She hand motioned quotation marks when she said superhero name. "I am a shadow manipulator and phaser. And I'm also quite the acrobat and can temporarily paralyze the human body by hitting its weak points." She smiled. "And I think it's only fair for me to warn all of you, I can be rather difficult to work with. I will give you trouble, I can assure you."

[whitestallion]

ss.jpg

Arthur entered the building and looked around.

"Greetings sir, my name is Jarvis," a computer's voice said from a speaker. Arthur looked around and saw people scurrying around.

"Well hello there Jarvis, my name is Arthur Jenson," he replied. His voice was very calm and smooth.

"Yes, we've been waiting for you," Jarvis replied.

"I would like to see whoever is in charge please, Agent Hill, I is the name I believe," Arthur replied.

"One moment," Jarvis said. A few minutes later a woman in a S.H.I.E.L.D outfit walked over.

"You're Arthur?" she asked.

"Ah, yes, I am Arthur," he replied with a slight bow. Another woman in a shield outfit walked over. She was gorgeous with long blonde hair and blue eyes.

"Arthur, this is Agent Weston," Agent Hill introduced her. Arthur knelled down infront of her and kissed her hand. She immediately pulled away and stepped back.

"What was that?" She asked disgusted.

"I'm sorry, I was overtaken by your beauty," he replied as he stood back up.

"Well stop it ok? I don't like it," she replied.

"I apologize, I just-"

"I don't want to hear it," she replied, "I'll show you where your room is and then take you to the cafeteria," she said as she immediately began walking down the hall. Arthur quickly followed her. He caught up to her.

"I'm deeply sorry," he apologized.

"No, I know how guys like you are, you think you can be all sweet and charming, but you guys only want one thing," she said.

"Ah, the scorned woman, like a tempest on the sea," Arthur replied. Agent Weston stopped and pushed him against the wall.

"Listen, I don't want you to talk, I don't want you to even look at me, I'm going to take you to your room and the cafeteria and after that I don't want you around me got it? " she asked. She let go and briskly walked off. Arthur followed behind, he decided it was best not to say anything. She took him to his room and before he could even open the door and put his stuff away, she began walking to the cafeteria. Arthur decided it was best not to protest. She brought him into the cafeteria.

"There you go, have a nice day," she said and then immediately walked away. Arthur looked around and saw people eating. He didn't know any of them, but he would need to know them soon. They were his team after all. He got his food which consisted of a nice steak and some mashed potatoes and looked around for a seat.

[Mozag]

Matt felt awkward as the others began to assume he was leader. He had no knowledge of being chosen as the leader, and in fact felt like too much of a loose cannon to become one. However, he waited and listened to the others, and just assumed that he was the leader, until someone told him otherwise.

The others introduced themselves simply, and tension between the group seemed to build subconsciously. Matt saw some of the agents in the room with a hand on their firearms. They must have seen this before with the first generation of Avengers. Matt wondered how long it would be until a fight broke out.

Matt listened to the comments from the intruding girl, known as Admire, and her suggestions. “Thanks for the tips, but I think I’ve got myself covered.” He said politely. “And anyone here would be a fool to get me mad. I’m not saying that I’m stronger than all of you, but it’s the people around me I’d be worried about. But don’t worry. The last time someone got one of my kind angry he only destroyed half of Seattle. Unfortunately, I got him mad. It’s a darn shame I had to kill him”

The sarcasm in the last few sentences came out sarcastic, and hoped that this would stop any ill-fated attempts to “piss off the leader” for everyone’s safety. It wasn’t that he turned into the Hulk or anything, it’s just that, when you’re that angry, you tend to not care about anyone. It’s almost like being struck down to your most primitive urge to kill.

He glanced to Abbie. “Meat shield?” He asked. “You might need to explain that a bit. It sounds rather interesting.”

His tone relayed genuine interest.

[SquishyMath]

Arthur was about to answer Abbie when someone referred to him as her "sidekick", he was about to comment on that when the girl began introducing herself, so he sat back and waited for conversation to die down.After Admire finished her introduction, Arthur raised an eyebrow, and got up, figuring it was his turn to speak. "My name is Arthur Brown, the name on my door was "The Blacksmith", so I guess that's my superhero name, I don't think there's much point going into detail on what I do, I'll just say I make things, swords and armor and such, I'll leave it at that for now. I think that's really all I need to say if I do need to say anything."

Arthur began to sit down when a thought struck him. He stood up with a jolt and addressed the sound wave manipulator, "and I am not her sidekick! I am actually her brother, I just thought I'd clarify that, In no way is she superior to me except for her ability to stop a charging bull with one hand.." Arthur began to trail off after the word "except" as if saying that sort of defeated the whole purpose for him talking. He then sat down and waited for the next introduction, he noticed the newcomer seemed to be having trouble finding them, and debated with himself on whether or not he should wave to him.

[AAB]

Abbie rolled her eyes at her brother. He had introduced himself as a blacksmith? Nobody here looked like they wanted armor-or horseshoes, for that matter. Out of the corner of her eye, Abbie saw another man enter. His garb reminded her of Zorro, and yes, he carried a sword. Perhaps Arthur would have some business after all.

Abbie turned toward Apex, who was still looking at her expectantly. She scratched her neck, not sure how to explain what she did. She couldn't even remember the words someone had used to describe it. They were really good words, too. Something redirection? Well, there was one way to clear up the whole issue. If these were her teammates, they may as well find out. Abbie looked Matt in the eye. "Hit me," she said, "as hard as you can."