PatientBean

X-Men: Cosmic Crusades 👽

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Peregrine Mayfield

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Location: New Orleans, Gardens
Skills: Combative Summoning
Fit Of The Day

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It started with fire. Despite the warring emotions ending it was clear emotions were still at play. Chrysi would not go down easily. As soon as Chyrysi attempted to attack the group her spirits did their part. Mary Ellen attempted to throw her off balance and Barry shot his taser. However the girl was capable, avoiding both Mary Ellen's gravitational pull and the shock.

Perry looked around to the others before she felt a negative force heading her way. Perry was able to get out of the fire blast, feeling the heat coming off the shot, but it missed her. Chrysi wasn't playing around but Marygold was still in there.

"Words aren't going to work. Not yet at least." Ed's shield popped up and Perry waited. She looked over to her new spirit Adonatille and nodded. Adonatille understood the assignment. "Edward if that sheild falls I want you to freeze her. We can't let her leave."

Rolls

Adonatille is going to use her power to hex Chrysi and cause her bad luck, hoping it would mean any attempts of escape fail. If Ed's bubble falls Detective Edward is going to attempt to freeze Mary in place.

Recollections: Primal Sinister

Interactions: Lorenza Adel@Estylwen

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Quill eyed the woman as she seated herself. Quill let out a breath as she felt some force attempt to enter her space. It appeared that Ms. Adel was like her. Quill used her abilities in moments of need and when faced with someone similar to her it often made things more difficult. Not impossible, but difficult.

Quill listened, taking in mental notes and things to check once this woman left her office.

Quill winced when Lorenza used the word savages. It reminded her of the colorful terms used by those in power to those without. While she didn't believe there was malicious intent it seemed Ms. Adel was quite wealthy and those in wealth tended to not give a damn what their words meant. The people she was referring to could very well be monsters in the most literal of senses. In which case it also made sense to want them out and gone. Quill would have to keep an ear out for rumors about them.

And this lead, Varnan Ingram, was aware of the situation. As Lorenza spoke Quill did a quick search of his name and the first result gave her some simple information. Quill noted the bakery he works at. Even if she did not accept this job it would be worth looking into. Monsters could be very good or very bad for business.

And then the kicker came as Lorenza requested being a part of the investigation. Quill worked alone. Always had. She had resources; people she could talk to for favors or to help her out, but they remained at arm's length. Quill liked to think of herself as that grizzled detective in tv shows, the one who always did it alone because partners slowed them down. But Quill figured Lorenza would not be easily dissuaded from being a part. Clients often preferred updates on what she got done but this was the first time one had wanted in on the action.

$10,000 was $10,000 though....

"All right Ms. Adel. I will accept the case. I'll see about speaking to Mr. Ingram first and report back to you on what I find. Once that is done we can plan next steps together. I will note that this could get...interesting. If things go sideways well...it would be best if you were able to handle yourself. I trust you can, but I need to make the warning regardless. Was there anything else I should note before I get started?"

Quill also made a mental note to check Ms. Adel out. She wouldn't do so with her in the room, but it paid to be careful. Quill had to look out for herself. If she was about to get in bed with someone a Google search and background check was warranted.

Recollections: Primal Sinister

@Estylwen I will note it would be a lot easier to talk and plan on Discord but I recognize not everyone has/wants one.

Recollections: Primal Sinister

I feel like a conversation was just had with me involved and yet I said not a word

Recollections: Primal Sinister

Interactions: Lorenza Adel@Estylwen

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Quill was spinning one of her pens in her left hand as Mrs. Gardner walked out followed shortly after by the door opening. Two clients in a matter of hours? Her lucky day. Quill glanced up and saw what could only be described as the Grim Reaper if he was a woman and gave a damn about her appearance. The all-black ensemble reminded her of a funeral and Quill admonished herself. Don't think negatively about a potential client. At least give them a chance to disappoint you.

As the woman spoke Quill felt her muscles tense ever so slightly. Quill trusted her gut and felt she could read people easily, but this woman was hard to pin down. Quill had to admire her in a sense. A "I don't care what you think I'm going to wear all black and carry a freakin' parasol and fuck you for judging".

"Please." Quill gestured to one of the seats in front of her desk as the woman sat.

Varnan Ingram? Had she heard that name before? If she did she couldn't place it immediately. She would have to scour her records to see if she did work for or against him in the past. He had to be doing something if the Grim Reaper was after him.

"So Ms. Adel, you say you have a problem and it involves this Varnan Ingram? Why don't you tell me what's going on and what you need from me."

The Dead Don't Die.

Location: New York City, Repair Shop
Skills: N/A

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Verity eyed the crazed customer attempting to...what was it? Bite Gus?...as it soon set its eyes on Verity. She hadn't expected the sudden change in target as it lumbered closer to her, knocking her down. He started to bite her as Verity did her best to fend him off. She noted Gus got the customer away.

Flynn got to work real quick, knocking the man off of her and, much to her lack of sympathy or shock, crack his skull in. Verity took his proferred hand and stood up, brushing herself off. "I'm fine. Same can't be said for our friend there." Just what the hell was this? Did this have something to do with whatever was going around?

Verity watched some horror movies in her time and this was starting to seem like one. "We should check with Gus. If that man was sick there may be others also."

X-Men: Cosmic Crusades 👽

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Peregrine Mayfield

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Location: New Orleans, Gardens
Skills: N/A
Fit Of The Day

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Perry felt the emotions play out, gauging their flow. Perry remained hopeful that Mary would win out in the end. So when the emotions seemed to dissipate, as if one had finally taken control, Perry looked at Mary.

But it wasn't Mary.

Pietro had managed to grab her, Aniie, and Guin, though just barely. It seemed the Phoenix had won out. Perry knew that no amount of talk was going to resolve this. Not right away. Perry stepped back a bit, her spirits in tow. Perry lowered her voice to a whisper. "Not sure how this is going to play out but I would like her to remain relatively unharmed should the worst come to me. Mary Ellen and Barry, I'm relying on you."

So Perry waited, hoping someone may get through, but prepared for the inevitable anyway.

Roll Request

Perry is going to use Combative Summoning should Phoenix try to attack them again using Mary Ellen's gravity disruption ability to cause Phoenix to get imbalanced and Barry to attempt to tase her, hoping to knock her out.

Recollections: Primal Sinister

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File Name: Maria Gardner

Loading File.....Loading File.....Loading File

Name: Maria Gardner
Age: 42
Occupation: CEO of NurtureInc
Marital Status: Married to August Gardner
Children: Raven Gardner (15), Alix (12), August Jr. (6)
Job Status: Not Complete

Date Section: Maria Gardner came looking for help regarding her husband, August. Per Maria, August is engaging in "questionable" behavior and has recently been blackmailed. August Sr. initially denied behavior despite objective proof gathered. Blackmailers threatened to reveal photographic and digital proof to the media if they were not given $50 million in three days. Maria offered substantial payment if blackmailers "taken care of" and all proof is wiped.

Relevant Information Gathered: Looked into August Sr.'s actions and they can only be described as...well why am I trying to downplay it? He likes 'em young. All the more ironic that his wife is the CEO of NurtureInc, a nonprofit dedicated to helping single-parent households with employment, housing, groceries, etc. According to what I could find he has been in contact with, at least, 10 underage girls ranging from 12 to 17. There was also an 18-year-old though according to August Sr. she was "of legal age" when he first contacted her. Information garnered showed she was just shy of her 18th birthday.

Information on blackmailers coming in. Interesting that the blackmailers knew intimate information re: the Gardner family such as the color of daughter Raven's room considering Maria just had it re-painted. Means blackmailers are being lead by someone the family knows. Would assume it is someone in dire financial straits but history and experience has told me that even rich people just want more and more. Currently tailing prime suspect: Yesenia Blake, Maria's younger sister. Reason being that Yesenia, by all accounts, loves her sister and her family. No one spoken to has a bad word to say about her.

Which means she is guilty as fuck.

Last sighted at nearby cafe where she overtipped the barista. Appears to be headed home but made an interesting detour.

File Closed

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Cloverfield had seen better days. After the Cataclysm it tried to rebuild itself. And, to it's credit, the north side had painted over everything in gold as a means of distraction. A not-so-subtle way of telling the populace "hey we know what happened but if you want to continue sipping your nonfat venti white iced mocha frappes while scrolling through Instagram you would do well to forget it."

Quill didn't. Part of her job was remembering details. It paid to know information as information was as good as a black AmEx card. People either wanted information or they wanted information kept secret. Information took down dictators and presidents as well as bumped up unlikely heroes. And information was always controlled.

Outside November reared its head. Quill enjoyed this time of the year. Fall was her favorite season. She felt her phone vibrate and looked down at the name. Goddamn Maria. Calling for updates. She flipped the phone so she could avoid staring at the screen. She was waiting for her mark to exit the building she had entered. Interesting that it wasn't her home. A quick search on Zillow as well as a deep dive hacking job (sorry FBI agent!) revealed it was the home of the Crane family. What was even more interesting was that Mr. Crane was at work while Mrs. Crane stayed home to take care of their one year old.

So what was Yesenia doing here? Quill chuckled inwardly. She knew from a quick search of Millie Crane's socials. Money didn't mean intelligence and some people quickly forgot that no matter how hard you scrub your internet presence is never fully clean.

Quill saw the door creak open slightly and then a little more as Yesenia stuck her head out. Her oversized sunglasses not doing much to hide her obvious intention of leaving without notice. Quill grabbed her phone and put it in her pocket, opening the door to step out. Quill leaned against her car watching Yesenia creep (actually creep like in the old TV shows) away. Thinking she was scott free she began to walk.

"Ms. Blake. A word."

Yesenia Blake jumped probably 10 inches off the ground as she swiveled on her heel facing Quill. "Who the hell are you? Paparazzi?"

Quill shook her head. "Ms. Blake, you aren't famous enough to warrant a single papparazzo. No I am here for a simple message. Leave August Sr. alone."

Quill was not 100% certain Yesenia was guilty but that shot up to 120% when Yesenia's tanned skin all but turned ghostly white. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Let's cut the bullshit. You have dirt on him and are using it to blackmail your own sister into giving you money. Hell I get it. It's a gig economy."

"You're wrong! I don't need the money.."

"No you are right. You are very well off. No I don't think you are doing this for the money Ms. Blake. You're doing it to hurt your sister."

"I love my sister! And her husband and children! I would never harm them."

"It's a cute act. Be the loving sister and sister-in-law, the best aunt, all the while watching as their lives burn. No see, I know you want to hurt your sister. And do you want to know how I know? Because even a little digging showed August there is not just into young girls. He wants to keep it in the famiy. How long had you been sleeping with him when you found out what he really liked?"

Yesenia took a step back like she was about to run. Which would have been stupid. "I don't know..."

Quill sighed. She both loved and hated this part of the job. "Ms. Blake I asked to cut the bullshit. I know it all. I know what you did. I know what he did. And I know what you were doing in Mrs. Crane's home and it wasn't to admire her new kitchen countertops, though I would not be surprised if you both broke them in nicely. And before you ask no, I am not here to out you. I cannot promise the same to Mrs. Crane though."

Yesenia took off her sunglasses and Quill could tell she was cracked. Not broken, not yet. "What do you want?"

"As I said, I want you to stop blackmailing the Gardners. Delete all evidence you have, I will know if you do or not, and pretend like it never happened. I will give you to the end of the day and if you have not done as I asked I will release any and all information I have on Mrs. Crane's activities and ensure the two of you will never be together. You may not want the world to know but I know she will lose more than reputation if her husband found out."

Yesenia stood there for a moment before she took out her own phone. She typed a few things before responding. "Done. I'll wipe my computer when I get home."

Quill nodded. "Very good Ms. Blake. I hope for your sake we never have to meet again."

Quill turned to get into her car before Yesenia spoke again. "How can you do this? Protect that man knowing what he is?"

Quill paused before turning her head. "I don't have to like my clients Ms. Blake. I just do my job." Quill got in her car and started it, peeling off the side curb and into the city proper.

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"So it's done?"

Quill stood in her office. Mrs. Gardner sat on one of her dark purple chairs facing Quill's desk as Quill scrolled on her phone. True to her word Yesenia deleted the files and wiped her comptuer clean. Quill had taken the liberty of relieving Yesenia of the physical copies the day prior.

"It is. You shouldn't be getting any more blackmail messages. Life can resume as normal."

Mrs. Gardner let out a light, airy titter. "Yeah, as normal as can be." She reached into her bag and pulled out an envelope, handing it to Quill. "Your fee."

Quill took it and stowed it in her desk, turning the key befor pocketing it. "Appreciate it. There's just one final thing to take care of before I close this file permanently."

Mrs. Gardner had been ready to leave; most likely to get ready for the charity auction she had planned later tonight. "What's that?"

"When did you find out your husband sexually assaulted your sister?"

Mrs. Gardner was better than her sister in that her face didn't shift to show emotion. Mrs. Gardner, after all, had to deal with lots of people in her line of work and, more often than not, the interactions were not pleasant and it behooved her to not show her hand. "What do you mean?" Her words were laced with a light venom, a warning to tread carefully.

"You knew your sister was behind this. Hell if I had to guess the two of you orchestrated the whole thing. A layman would assume you did so after you found out your husband played with non age-appropriate toys but you knew that going into your marriage." Each word spoken shifted Mrs. Gardner. Quill didn't need to read her thoughts to know that if the woman had a gun in her Gucci purse she would unload the clip on Quill. "Now I am all for supporting women's rights and wrongs so why you got into a marriage with a..you know...is not my business. What is my business is the job you hired me for which is to find the blackmailer and put a stop to it. So this is me warning you as well as your sister that the information I have can and will be used should it need to. I would highly encourage your husband to cease his actions going forward. Now with that being said our business is terminated. Should you need my services in the future, please don't hesitate. Oh, and tell your friends!" Quill handed her a business card. Mrs. Gardner snatched it and tore it up. "Bitch," she said as she storemed out.

Quill smiled warmly. Job satisfaction, it was a beautiful thing. Quill returned to her desk, closing the Garnder file, before reaching for a piece of gum.

It was a hard job. A necessary job. But it was rewarding. Should August Sr. not decide to remain loyal she would see to it he faces justice. But she figured Mrs. Gardner was a force to be reckoned with and would see to it in her own way.

So Quill sat and waited for the next client to roll in. She was hoping it would go as smoothly as this last job, but what was the fun in that?

Heroes Underground

Looks interesting.

P2e - Threshold of Knowledge

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