FunnyGuy

Young Justice

_{E P I S O D E SIX : R E F L E C T I O N S}

DIRTY BUSINESS

SOUNDTRACK

T H E E V E R G L A D E S

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^{September 17th, 2021 | 15:30pm. | Everglades National Park, Florida}

The team had split but they were far from divided. Inside the base, Iceburn, Quiver, Rain, and Mirage were attempting to find the chemical compound being put to use at this location. Outside of the base, Stormcaller, Zatara, Nymph, and Talos drew the attention of the enemy that attacked with firearms, hi-tech weaponry, and metahuman abilities. One group was faced with the stress of facing the majority of the forces stationed at the facility, while the other was faced with the stress of trying to locate the objective as soon as possible. If one group failed, the other was doomed, though this was not unknown to them. Those outside fought against their foes with tenacity while the others within were swift and decisive against the obstacles against them.

Outside
Much was happening. A sudden thunderstorm, magic blobs, and flying metahumans. With Vincent’s attention going from one enemy to another, Daphne was left to face the woman who had the ability to send the ominous gravitational orbs. It was good that he had thrown a spear into the first one she generated, as it had grabbed Daphne’s attention. She had been busy attempting to incapacitate henchmen to notice previously. However, when Vincent had thrown the spear, the metahuman woman’s giant green orb pulled the projectile into itself. Daphne still could not understand what this ability was but she knew that she couldn’t get too close to it. Perhaps she could try what Vincent was previously attempting to do before he was hit with the bolas. Daphne decided to continue using her petal form to pacify the henchmen but in reality, she was maneuvering closer and closer to the woman using her ability to expand the green orb. The green orb seemed to have a new target now, climbing into the air while continuing to expand.

Meanwhile, a more direct confrontation was occurring as Vincent flew toward the metahuman floating above. The bearded metahuman briefly had his attention on Cora’s display in the sky but couldn’t just ignore the person flying at him. The man chuckled to himself as he found his response to Vincent’s charge rather humorous. First, he pointed at Vincent, and then with same finger, he pointed downward. Vincent would feel an invisible force pulling him down toward the mud.

At the same time, the man with the multicolored electricity took advantage of Vincent going after his associate and quickly intercepted Zatara’s path. The blonde guy squared up on Zach for half a second before attempting to do him in like Houdini, firing a swift gut punch while still wearing his charm smirk. If hit, Zach wouldn’t feel more pain than he’d expected. The punch wasn’t all that painful despite how the guy threw it… Instead, Zach would begin to strongly experience the feeling of doubt.

Inside
With the four guards swiftly taken out, the infiltration group was presented with the opportunity to enter the garage area. The option of doubling back to go deeper into the facility was also available, though it did not appear to be necessary. If the group decided to enter the doors to the garage, they’d find themselves faced with a quickly alert guard force of up to half a dozen men. The guards are equipped with the hi-tech weapons the team experienced at the bank.

If the team chose to travel deeper into the facility instead of the garage, they would experience traversing long narrow hallways lined with a few empty office spaces before coming across a large dim-lit windowless room that appeared to be empty. However, a keen eye could make out the figures hugging the room’s shadows.

Make your choice.

Young Justice

Viktor Rain | Kassy Mirage

Within the short decision-making window, the raid squad had made their choice to assault the guards in the hall. Iceburn had taken the initiative, freezing one of the four guards. Quiver made haste in capitalizing on the frozen enemy to take out the next, trapping him in his own foam. If this swift takedown were to be successful, Kassy and Viktor would need to act now.

“Mirage.” Viktor urged as he was stationed at the very rear of the group.

Mirage was third in line, impressed with the swift and clean execution. She would have to congratulate them somehow after they got home. And after she sat in the sea for a day or two. She didn't want to say it, but she was beginning to feel unwell.

Illusion masking for herself was easy. Illusion masking for 4 people was harder. She could feel her magic pushing against the bounds that Atlantis had set on it. Her head throbbed like someone was playing a drumbeat, in time with the hot pressure of the cuff on her wrist. There was no time for this, though. Nothing for it but to keep going.

With the other two revealed, it did lessen the strain. And Rain could handle himself. "Go. Quick." She disappeared completely with that. There was a brief look of note from Viktor, his tinted visor masking his raised eyebrow. He had presumed she'd try to engage at least one of the enemies but that possibility was dead and gone as his body instinctively moved to dispatch their remaining foes.

Rifle in hand, Viktor rushed forth, firing a taser round into one of the two henchmen's legs as they reacted to the speed in which their colleagues were being taken out. He barely yelped before Viktor closed the distance between them with his inhuman speed, crushing the man between himself and the wall. With the first man pinned and losing consciousness, Viktor had his barrel raised to the next who had already had Viktor in his crosshairs.

"Gh-"The soldier gasped suddenly, the crosshairs of his gun wavering. Then the gun dropped as he clutched his neck. Kassy flickered in and out of sight like a dying bulb. Her gold-gauntleted arm was wrapped firmly around the soldier's neck, and the man's panicked gasps were terribly silent. It was like a horror movie on mute.

She stopped squeezing as soon as she felt her foe lose consciousness and slump in her arms. She kicked the fallen gun aside before setting the man against a wall. "...phew." Slowly, she exhaled as she pushed back her damp white curls. "Well done."

“Yeah. No more cloaking for now. I think we should hit the garage next. What we're looking for might be inside as well as a vehicle we can use for extraction.”

Kassy nodded, looking off for a moment before deciding to speak her mind. "Have I gotten used to failure… or is this too easy?"

Avalia

Time: Morning
Location: Lumineer Cottage, North Pass
Interaction: Zeva @Pink Khione
Mention: Bardulf @Lava Alckon
Equipment:Fancy Ring, Cold Ring (with Zeva), Oak Wood Staff, Brown Leather Fingerless Channeling Gloves (not worn), Transmission Bracelet, 659 Amas.

---

Mister Luum had been grinning ear to ear as his finger pressed against the skull indicated on the map. It would present the group with much needed mental and physical stress. The perfect challenge!
The elf brimmed with an excitement that helped him forget the cold of North Pass.

Unfortunately, it had not distracted him from the soft patter sound of water droplets against the map's surface. Mister Luum turned to stare at Zeva, smile vanished and eyes wide as she mentioned the skull on the map. His emotional response would be to simply move her from hovering over the map but the sight of his cold ring on her finger reminded him of the remaining ring still on his hand. Contact with her in that way was out of the question.

Where is that staff? He thought as he found his hands free of the magical channeling instrument.

“Zeva,” He addressed calmly. It was all he could get out as another droplet fell but he was quick to catch it in his index and middle finger with a wince before continuing. “Two things. One, you are dripping on the map with your thawing.” He pointed at her hair with one hand while the other slid the map away from her. “And two, what do you mean by skull?” He drew his full attention to the map, the skull now smudged to the point where it was unrecognizable. His smile returned, this time with a glint of playfulness.

“Skull or no skull, it's an old ruin of a place that might have some clues in helping Bardulf do the big thing he's meant to do!” He briefly raised his arms to denote the ‘big thing’ as vaguely as anyone possibly could. “Don't worry, Ears, it'll be the North Pass finale… I think… uh, I hope. Yeah.” Mister Luum shrugged as if it didn't matter either way.

Avalia

Time: Morning Meeting Time
Location: Lumineer Cottage, North Pass
Interaction: Zeva @Pink Khione Bardulf @Lava Alckon, Rue @Potter, Bowyn @Helo, Brigitte, Masako @dreamingflowers
Mention:
Equipment:Fancy Ring, Cold Ring (with Zeva or Bardulf), Oak Wood Staff, Brown Leather Fingerless Channeling Gloves (not worn), Transmission Bracelet, 659 Amas.

---

With things slowly rolling along and the party moving toward hashing out their respective roles and responsibilities for today, the meeting smoothly transitioned to a close. It was subtle, yet natural, like their goal in maintaining their cover. As good as things were, Mister Luum knew well enough it would not last. King Zanithel was aware of the rebellion and the humans summoned from elsewhere. To make matters worse he had a decent track record of defeating his foes and was at a good start having executed a human so soon.

Witnessing Bardulf offer Zeva his enchanted ring was something to be noted. He wondered how the man could be so generous and kind. Mister Luum might assume Earth was a soft place, yet Bardulf’s scars and his outburst after the slaying of the owlbear left much to be uncovered about him and his world.

Perhaps this world will fix him to my liking. War is returning after all.

Once the meeting was over, the group split into those going into town for bounty posters and those who would remain at the cabin. Those who went out to the town square would find a vastly different scene than they saw in passing just yesterday. More soldiers and guards were roaming the streets since the announcement of humans, clad in black leather and hide armor. Most were dark elves but not all. There were nearly as many demihumans in their ranks, with dwarves and orcs making up the minority of the troops.

In the town square, there were a few things that might catch the group’s attention.

Abuse of Power
With the search for rebels and humans becoming such a high priority, soldiers and city guards had free reign to search, seize, and detain at their discretion. It was disgusting how openly they pulled patrons from inns and drug citizens across the cold cobblestone due to perceived suspicion. Most times, those under suspicion were dragged to the North Pass guard post for “further questioning,” but other times, the soldiers had no shame in conducting their interrogations for the public eye to see.

Shops
Though no longer the priority, shops were open and available for the group to indulge in. Besides standard weapons, armor, and general shops found in most places in Avalia, guests of North Pass could quench their thirsts at The Winter WIllow or experience the local North Pass cuisine at Utada’s Hot Food restaurant. The Winter Willow bar not only serves alcoholic drinks, but hot drinks to warm up for two amas per serving, while the restaurant offers their local dishes for eight amas per serving.

Utada’s Hot Food Menu
Noodle Soup with the catch of the day, seafood broth, eggs and vegetables
Rice cakes wrapped in leaves
Rice bowl with choice of meat, vegetables and soybean sauce
Fried rice with tajokel sauce
Chicken curry
Shrimp and seaweed wraps
Onion pancakes with a tajokel-snowberry sauce
Dumplings with any filling

Notice Board
This is what the group was looking for! Many people looking to earn some amas crowded around the notice board that offered several jobs. There were posters for criminals including known rebels, posters for violent creatures, and odd jobs that needed to be taken care of. The odd jobs were the quickest to be snatched from the board, followed by hunting of less dangerous quarry. All that remained were posters offering amas for vicious foes. An aggressive pack of dire wolves in the area, a gang of elusive bandits, the ever-hungry twin ogres named Gorm and Mrog. An additional poster served as a warning for no one to enter the ruins of the far north of the island.

Rue
With everything else occurring, this might be most difficult for one to notice. Whether keen or fortunate, attention might be drawn to Rue being bumped into hard enough to let out a soft grunt in annoyance. It was hard to say it was that brushed against her so hard since the group had been moving through the crowded square with much around them grabbing their attention. Rue’s annoyance soon shifts to confusion as she feels something tucked into her leather belt strap. Rue grabs the small crystalline object, a memory glass. The magical image-storing item could display moments captured within it ((snowglobe meets photo slideshow)). She only needed to view it for a mere second. Her eyes widened in shock before she tucked the memory glass away and pretended nothing was amidst.

…

Back at the cabin, Mister Luum got himself up off the floor and ventured through the cabin to Brigitte’s leather bag. He mumbled a few curse words as he dug through it, not being used to its organization.

“Found it! Haha, who wants to help me plan our adventure?!” Mister announced excitedly as he held up a folded-up paper map. He took the map to the cabin’s dining table and splayed it out. “Masako, could stand watch out front?” He asked the warforged who gave a slight bow before providing her assistance. “Thank you,” he grinned as he looked upon the map of none other than North Pass. It was old but had much details to the parts of North Pass few ventured. The map was riddled with markings for creature lairs, shelters, and spots marked with question marks. Mister Luum smiled as his index finger pointed to a marker to the far north depicting a skull. “This should be our last stop, I think.”

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

_{Mr. Deacon}

Time: Evening “Where has the time gone, princess?”
Location: Funnel Cake Stand
Attire: Alexander’s attire
Interaction:
Mention:

---

“Ahhh…” Alexander exhaled with his eyes admiring what Sorian Amusements had to offer this evening from his spot in line for funnel cake

There were so many more people here. So many had found their way to this city simply for this one-night event. One could remind them that this is a traveling circus, yet who could blame their decision to come here to experience it? It is in this city where the display will be the grandest, the food will be the richest, and the talent will be either perfect or perceived as such. It was a night to rival the ball receiving the foreign nobles without a doubt but…

I do what I must. Especially for my beloved.

This nostalgia he was chasing here on these grounds was not his own but he would find enjoyment here tonight… their enjoyment—the rich laughter from the children running about, excited cheers to a man winning his date an adorable stuffed toy, the sly grin from the host of a rigged game, the aroma from various snacks that were guilty pleasures of even those with the strictest of diets. It was one night after all. A night to give in to the festivities and forget about the troubles of this city. Sorian Amusements was where bliss, ignorance, wonder, and desire shamelessly entangled in the night.

Enjoy it my love. For you, this is a gift… For me, another veil to hide my deeds.

“Next!” A gentleman servicing the funnel cake stand called, grabbing Alexander’s attention. Flashing a winning smile, he stepped forth.

“Good evening, I think I’ll have-”

tldr

Literally, Alexander is standing in the funnel cake line deep in thought before he gets called up next to order. He is in the middle of making his order before I cut the post short.

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

Time: Morning
Location: Public bench with a view of the Royal Curd
Attire: Alexander’s attire
Interaction:
Mention: @Helo Callum Danrose, @Silverpaw Wulfric Danrose, @TpartywithZombi Violet Damien, @princess Charlotte Vikena, Marek Delronzo, Count Calbert, King Edin, and a Countess

---

Alexander Deacon seated himself rather comfortably on a bench with a view of the Royal Curd’s grand opening from a distance that kept gathering the grossest of details. Fortunately, the man was only spying for the highlights of the comings and goings of the new establishment. More specifically, the status of his impoverished associates’ entry. He now grasped a newly purchased umbrella in hand to avoid spotty drizzles of rain that had come on later in the morning. In his other hand was half a loaf of freshly baked bread. Food like this did nothing to satiate him but he would never rid himself of tasting even the simple things he once hungered for. As long as he still had the choice, he would choose bread over blood. He raised the loaf to his mouth to take a bite but suddenly looked toward the large tree beside the bench.

“Hmm, I guess you’re proof I might not need the umbrella… but I don’t quite trust the branches and leaves to keep me dry.” Alexander shrugged, lowering the loaf to his lap and returning his gaze to the Royal Curd.

“Today has been quite interesting, let me tell you.” Alexander glanced at the tree with a smirk. He figured he could have fun while playing stakeout in the rain. “Not as interesting as last night with Lady Violet and stable boy Darryn… at least not yet. Do you know that she’s still missing?” Alexander took a small bite of his loaf. “Mmm… I had nothing to do with her not returning by the way. I don’t need you spreading rumors to others, especially to Marek,” He sighed and shook his head thinking about what the young woman could be doing.

“Her extended absence isn’t all bad, however. For one, we are not charged with keeping her from her home, and two, the goal was to make her father squirm. If squirms longer than planned, that’s even better. A win-win… plus one. A win-win plus one. Sounds good huh?” Alexander chuckled like a fool. It was a good thing the dreary weather kept most inside, leaving the man talking at a tree with no witness to what might be perceived as madness. “You lack optimism… but it makes sense considering your position.” Alexander frowned. “But if she does not turn up in a few days, I will personally go searching myself. And a few days is fine. She just fed, so it’ll be several weeks until she needs to sink her teeth into something.” Alexander squinted his eyes and leaned forward as he focused his sights on the Royal Curd.

“Look at that, my tattered-clothed associates are making their way into the restaurant. Another win… Then again. It was either this or King Danrose further ruins rapport with the impoverished community within Sorian… Right, the latter would have been more promising. Prince Callum, the hero, presents an opportunity to the peasants only for his father, the villain, to smother that opportunity. The prince looks good either way, but perhaps this shows that he is capable of influencing his father to favor peasants. More trust toward Callum.”

“I do wonder if we should consider Prince Wulfric more. He’s the crowned prince, seems capable, smart, and… I guess he would be difficult to manipulate. Perhaps it is something to be discussed during the next meeting with Marek. He knows the board of the game we play better than anyone.”

“Speaking of which… The next move in our game is the Countess… and Charlotte?”

“Leave Lady Vikena to me.” The cold tone emitted from behind the tree quite forcefully this time.

“Sure, Marciano… but no promises. She is an interesting one after all.” Alexander smiled as he took another bite out of the loaf only to grimace slightly. It had lost much of its warmth thanks to his colleague of the Black Rose showing up.

Avalia

Darius by@FunnyGuy and Dante by @Alivefalling

Time: Morning
Location: Gaurav Village
Interactions: Phia, Cyrus, Menzai
Equipment: 2 shot glasses, 1036 Amas total, Flowers from Phia, Dante’s cellphone, Dante’s knife, Cobalt splint-armor, Cobalt Half-plate-armor (Weightless)

---

Dante had narrowed his eyes at Darius but refrained from escalating anything, identifying his brother was just lashing out. Dante knew he had the luxury of not remembering when the group was nearly at the mercy of the roc’s wrath. Sure, he had his own troubles thinking how he lost control of himself but Darius had been there to see it all. A human who had known nothing of real monsters and magic until his short time here in Avalia.

On the other hand, Darius was already beginning to feel a tinge of guilt as he had allowed his words to carry the feelings he had kept tucked away for days. It was so sudden and unexpected for even himself but it was the price of bottling strong emotions. He averted his gaze from Dante, feeling as if he had struck his brother with more than just words. Darius nearly slinked away into himself but Phia’s delicate touch kept him.

Looking up into her soft amber eyes, it was difficult to keep up a rigid disposition. He might later ponder upon how Menzai accomplishes such a thing but now it was just Darius facing Phia and all the kindness she felt he needed. How could he not agree with her words?

“Yeah…” He gave her a small grin. “That’s exactly what we should aim for.” He clasped his other her and against hers and mocked her tap. “No heavy hearts.” He declared to her.

“I get being cautious but we should put our best foot forward with some optimism. We need to plan our approach to this flyer thing. Like… using a third party to vet people. And who’s better at vetting than animals?” Dante smirked.

“Realy?” Darius was deeply wounded by the use of that pun.

Avalia

Time: Morning
Location: Camp of the misfits
Interaction: @princess Mari, @Apex Sunburn Scathael, FIVE @shiningsector

---

Count me shocked… She didn’t fuckin’ yell. Thraash thought, finding the feat rather impressive. He might have asked how she managed it but Aerlyn was right there to remind the group about the infamous manticore and his ruthless band of goblins. The dragonborn found her priorities a tad off considering breakfast was announced as ready AFTER the reminder of the bounty. Regardless, he got himself a single serving seeing as there were two more mouths to feed this time around. Taking food from Aerilyn and Mari was one thing, but hoarding food from a kid was crossing a line.

“Listen, I’m game to hit the scum that attacked the village or the band of monsters in these woods but not including his ears, Scathael has a point about the kid.” Thraash poured the contents of his bowl into his raised maw, indulging in just his meal for a moment. “Gobs’ll kill anything, so the squirt ain’t gonna be safe unless she’s close to someone trailing the group.” Thraash took one good look at each person at camp. “I have an ax and Ears got a hammer. We’ll be in close and personal. Tincan.. He’s solid but I don’t trust him with the kid.” He shrugged at Five. “No offense bud, but we can all probably agree you’re far better at killing than protecting. So that just leaves the two elves, huh? Unless you got a better idea.”

Avalia

Darius by@FunnyGuy and Dante by @Alivefalling

Time: Morning
Location: Gaurav Village
Interactions: Phia, Cyrus, Menzai
Equipment: 2 shot glasses, 1036 Amas total, Flowers from Phia, Dante’s cellphone, Dante’s knife, Cobalt splint-armor, Cobalt Half-plate-armor (Weightless)

---

Phia questioning about the Garden of Eden gave Darius a slight grin before biting into his pear once more. It was his subtle way of leaving the explanation to Dante. “It’s just some old story from Earth but with all that’s happened I don’t think it’s true.” Dante replied to Phia quickly glancing over at Darius as he caught the apple rolling towards him taking a bite.

“I can share it with you on our way to the city.” Darius stoked her embers of interest while creating yet another social distraction for himself.

Both Dante and Darius leaned slightly in when Menzai mentioned tensions being heightened outside of the village. And just as he was going to elaborate… he choked on his words.

Darius raised a brow at the sudden awkward pause before Menzai looked away from the group and to the window closest to him. Even a blind person could have detected the wolf’s unease.

“The recent incidents seem to have affected me more deeply than I realized. We can discuss this further, but for now, I need to excuse myself.”

Something's up.
Kinda sus…

As tempted as they were, the brothers refrained from making any comments concerning Menzai. One brother hoped Menzai could bounce back from whatever was ailing him, while the other wished he'd be the first person to break the ice in laying their troubles out on the table.

Cyrus answering Phia cut through the brief silence at the table. He revealed details about his family while letting the group know why the distribution of flyers was a sensitive matter.

“Then I guess we should leave the determination on who to trust to you then.” Dante nodded in Cyrus' direction.

“Ehhh, sure but if someone who was trustworthy has flipped in the time you've been away…” Darius shrugged his shoulders as he let what he said sink in. “Besides, it isn't that simple when Cyrus is a member of the family the enemies consider criminals.”

“Negative much?” Dante grimaced causing Darius' eyes to narrow back.

“Yeah. I am.” Darius snapped back, nodding several times for emphasis. “We can't sit here and act like what happened two days ago didn't happen. Phia almost got eaten! Menzai lost his fucking arm! And YOU had a mental breakdown that could have killed everyone sitting here! So yeah, sometimes I'm gonna criticize shit you think seems simple.”

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

Time: Early Morning
Location: Sorian Ghetto
Attire: Alexander’s attire
Interaction:
Mention: @Helo Callum Danrose, King Edin

---

The morning air of the Sorian slums was as welcoming as some who called it home. Alexander, looking presentable, found himself conversing with a geezer of a peasant who wouldn't stop scowling at him. Alexander assumed his very presence in a place he did not belong was offensive in a way.

“I don’t believe this. Free?” The old man's words were lathered in doubt. Even so, Alexander remained calm and easily displayed the event section of the newspaper to him.

“Clear as day on the newspaper.”

“I can’t read.” Alexander was half a second from moving on from the man but another piped up.

“I can! It says it right there! The grand… opening of the… Royal Curd…” Though he could read, he took his time in doing so. “Here attendees will have the op-… opperto-... opportunity to dine in the presence of their beloved ruler, who….”

“Graciously.”

Yes uh… graciously offers to pay for the meals of all in attendance! Free food for just showing up? Kinda like the pancake event we didn't hear about until it was all over.”

“Well, that's why I'm here to spread the good news.” Alexander rolled up the paper with a grin.

“Hmm... I wanna know the damn catch. What’s a fancy sort like you doing here in the slums handing out chances for a free meal?”

“Good point. What’s the deal?”

“I am simply supporting Prince Callum Danrose’s efforts to ensure the less fortunate have access to more opportunities within the kingdom.” The confidence in his delivery was frightening if his true intentions were known. “The prince has made these efforts a priority. And it only makes sense that he would desire to sprinkle such courtesies into his father's events. Prince Callum is the prince for the people. The real people.” Alexander flashed a grand smile. “Spread the word. The more who attend, the more frequent these opportunities will become. Now with that, I bid you farewell.” Alexander nodded quickly and continued with his rolled newspaper in hand.

“Hmm.”

“Support Callum and he supports us?”

“And all we have to do is show up… Let's round up some grumblin' bellies and see if the newspaper got some truth to it.”