Regitnui

Epic City: Starburst

Dragon stopped a good ten feet back from the snapper, scanning the crowd. Though there were many cameras out, nobody was approaching it. A shadow crossed over him. "I expected you'd be here."

"Piss off, Jace," Dragon remarked, not turning around.

"Now now, Hunter, that's no way to talk to your better," the voice sneered. He couldn't help it. Dragon snickered a little. A hand forced him to turn, a strong push on his back shoulder. "What makes you so happy??" Blacklight demanded.

"You're just funny, little brother," Dragon remarked, messing up his hair. "So overdramatic."

Blacklight's eyes narrowed. "You're hiding something from me. I will find out what. Just like I learned the secrets of the Snapper."

Dragon blinked. "Jace, what did you do now?" He asked with weariness dripping from his voice.

Blacklight shrugged nonchalantly, a hint of excitement in his eyes. "I've grown."

"No, you've found some new petty way to feel big." Dragon reached out to grab Blacklight by the wrist.

Blacklight slipped away, laughing. "I've stolen from a Beast. I've grown." He grew serious. "And now I'm going to break you until you tell me what has made you different, Hunter. I'll start with you fingers, one by one, and break every bone in your body if I have to."

Dragon sighed. "I'm getting tired of fixing your screwups, Jace." He folded his arms and started looking around. Best that he get ahead of whatever scheme Blacklight had come up with now.

Blacklight slapped Dragon in the side of the head. "I. Said. Tell. Me. What. Changed." He said, dangerously quiet.

All humour dropped out of Dragon's face. He punched Blacklight in the chest. "You answer my question. What did you do?"

Blacklight straightened up, all sparkle gone from his eyes. "Eldest before youngest, Hunter," he said with a growl before throwing a whip of dark energy at Dragon's face.

He batted it out of the way, shouting to the crowd to get clear before tackling Blacklight and carrying him to a less populated part of the park. "Which is why," he said, using the momentum to throw Blacklight to the floor, "you answer my question first."

A tendril of dark energy sneaked out and flipped Dragon off of his feet. "Why do you think the Snapper is active, brother?" He asked as he rolled to his feet. Another whip slammed down towards Dragon's chest.

"You stupid son of a bitch," Dragon groaned, slapping a hand against his forehead and casually swatting Blacklight's tendril with a bolt of lighting. "Of all the monsters in the city you pick the one that's absolutely harmless unless hit first. Were you going to take it home and keep it as a pet?" He rolled backwards to his feet, giving Blacklight a disappointed look Dragon didn't realise he'd inherited from their father.

" DON'T YOU PATRONIZE ME! " Blacklight screamed, sending whip after whip of energy at Dragon in a fury.

Dragon walked forward, grimacing as one of Blacklight's tendrils found a momentary hold. The crowd around the snapper had noticed the fight here, and Dragon groaned. "I told you people to stand clear!" He shouted, sending a bolt of lightning directly into Blacklight almost casually.

Epic City: Starburst

@AtomicNut, let's just say the EC Zoo holds a little more than the NYC Zoo did.

Epic City: Starburst

@floodtalon, sorry, I just realised I haven't responded. That looks good to me.

Epic City: Starburst

@ihinka, snapper is in Central Park. The task there is to contain the snapper.

The harpies are a puzzle encounter. They're in the "middle of town" vague location.

Epic City: Starburst

@AtomicNut, no. Unless you want a human-sized bird pooping on every surface in your apartment.

Epic City: Starburst

Alright, a short description for those of you who want to take on the monsters;

Harpy

Resembling humans, the harpies of EC have grey, iridescent wings instead of arms, a tail fanning out from above avian legs. They all appear female, though this is because they follow avian anatomy instead of mammalian. They're not very bright, and favour plant life and carrion, though they do scavenge sickly or unlucky homeless people who can't chase them off.

Snapper

A snapping turtle the size of a minibus capable of burping fireballs and possessing a hard shell that reflects energy attacks. Usually contained in Central Park, where they periodically emerge to snack on trees and the wood in park benches.

D&D 5e - Lost Mine of Phandelver

@JBRam2002, guess y'all will just have to remember who's who of Cas' personas. But those all look great.

Epic City: Starburst

@thewizardguy

The High Island was silent for a glacially slow moment, then asked;

{Is that what you think we have done? Maya, I sympathise with your pain. I know what you have seen. Know that I am apologising to you on behalf of all my siblings for what you experienced. I offer you a token, then: We are the guardians. This City is an ark. A Deluge is coming, and Epic City will withstand the tide.}

{Will you work with us, or against us, in the work of preservation?}

---

Spectrum tugged her hood further over her face as Alex paid for their coffee date. It's not that she couldn't afford Heroes' Cafe, but that Alex insisted. While absent-mindedly trying to make her sleeves look less ragged, her eyes were caught by a woman making a light show on the table in front of her. The figures fought, and Roxana's eyes were soon drawn to the full-size spectacle of an angel and devil fighting in the street.

Roxana pulled on Alex' sleeve, intending to draw her friend's attention away from the cute Batista, when a different screech echoed down the street. Running out with the crowd, Spectrum looked up to see the harpies explode from the top of a nearby skyscraper, sending detritus and dirt falling to the street below. Whipping their wings and screeching in frustration, their attention seemed focused inside the building.

Spectrum debated for a moment: disappear with the crowd and hope nobody got hurt, or ruin these clothes and suit up? Then the horror hit her. She was looking up, at empty space. Going on. Empty and open and going to swallow her. In a panic, she frantically pushed her way back inside, hiding under one of the booth tables and curling up into a hyperventilating ball.

---

Dragon strolled into the bar with the satisfied attitude that comes from a good night. He wasn't sure if Maria was on duty today, but this was an easier place to talk to her than that crowded apartment where you were guaranteed six eavesdropping ears. He sat down at one of her tables and waved when he spotted her.

The place wasn't too busy, all things considered. Compared to the night before, it was positively relaxing. When Hunter walked into the place, she noticed him immediately, even though he hadn't seen her yet. She sidled over. "Hey there, stranger," she said, in a goofy, cartoonish voice. "Haven't seen you in a hot minute."

"Well, I was busy," Dragon responded with a smile. She was one of the few he'd allow to get away with his real name. Maybe he'd tell another girl soon... "Saving people, irritating paparazzi, making women drop their dresses on the floor. You know how celebrity is."

"You know, as a matter of fact..." Maria tapped her pen against her pad. "I have no earthly idea. What has the mighty Hunter been up to in his spandex and cape?" She let her voice relax to normal. "I'm sad you came today: I'm singing here tomorrow. Been a while since I got to sing here, and I love this place."

Dragon mentally slapped himself. Way to rub in the difference in their situation now. "Some advertising company actually tried to get me in spandex, you know? I walked right out before they even told me what product they had." He slouched casually in his chair. "I was actually hoping to get some feminine advice. I need to make my place look all romantic and shit."

"You want that advice before or after something to drink? I don't hang around here to give advice, Smaug." She chuckled at her wit. "I'm a workin' lass! You still have the same tastes, all these years later?" she asked, pen popping out. "I'll tell you this much, though: if you want to make a place romantic, don't mention 'shit' anywhere within three miles of the place."

"Well, yeah." The answer sufficed for both the question and the advice. "I practically had to bite my tongue with Spectrum. You..." He stopped and put a hand to his forehead. "You go get me my drink, and one for you, and then you sit and help me get my head back on straight. Haven't had a woman mess me up like this since..." He trailed off, a smirk on his face.

Maria tilted her head at him, a lazy smile spreading on her face. The pen popped back into its case. "Since...what? Hun, it has been a long time since you been in here." She shrugged. "You want anything to eat, too?"

"You guys still serve those chicken wraps with the lettuce and the special sauce?" He asked, folding up the menu.

"Last I checked. Sit tight." She snapped up his menu and strolled away, heading into the kitchen for a minute or two. On exiting, she carried a pair of mugs and a plate, balancing them expertly on her arm. "All right, Clay," she said, slipping into the seat opposite him. Her voice switched into that of a drill sergeant who was trying not to yell at a fool. "I got ten minutes. What can I do for you?"

"Well, tell your roommates that whoever guessed Spectrum is a lady was right," Dragon said, wiping a bit of the wrap off his cheek. "And she's a hell of a curvy lady. First thing she does when I get her back to my place is take off her dress and shoes." He went a little pink, and covered by taking another few bites out of the wrap. "She's goddamn gorgeous and cute too."

"Will do," she said, taking a sip. "But how does that concern me? Unless you're just coming to brag to someone, which is fine. Still," she said, leaning back, "There's gotta be something more to this than you coming to me to gush."

Dragon waved a hand at her. "I promised her dinner tonight and I have no High clue what to make. I need a second brain on this. You've had guys try to wine and dine you. What'd they do?"

Maria tilted her head. "Well, they bought me wine, and then we dined." Another sip. "After that, if I was feeling it, we went back to the apartment. Kenny and Hannah always teased me about it. IF you wanted to know what they did, well..."

She raised an eyebrow. "They dressed well, but not too well. Taking me on a date in a tux? Please don't, unless it's a god damn gala. I'm sure you know plenty of those, don't you? They offered to pay for the meal, but didn't insist on it. They listened to me when I talked about my interests. Most importantly, they didn't interrupt me."

She stopped to look at him. "Want me to keep going? You with me so far?"

"I meant like food," Dragon clarified, swigging the bottle. "Surely one of them tried to cook you something to get you to stick around." He took another bite of his wrap. "She's the kind I'd like to keep, you know?"

Maria laughed. It was a musical sound, as if all her possible voices were modulating her own. Everyone in the restaurant pause for a moment, and their eyes closed with bliss. Then it was over. "They tried to cook? You kidding? Most of them couldn't even drink as much as me, Hunter."

She winked at him. "It takes a special kind of guy to satisfy me." Then she softened. "Tell you what," she said. "My roommate Ernie is an excellent cook. He's a pyromancer, and damn, that guy is a master. Something he made for me would have melted my heart, if he wasn't such a devoted boyfriend to his lovely girl. Chicken Marsala, and broccoli. I didn't even know I liked broccoli until he made it for me. If you want, I'll email you the recipe or something."

Her face grew more thoughtful. "What's special about this one, Hunter? I've heard about a few of your escapades. Snapchat, remember. I haven't seen any about this one."

Dragon smiled, and thanked her. "I don't know. Those snapchat things were just for fun, or some girl misinterpreting politeness and a little drink. One of them was even paparazzi from that ENTV place. That was embarrassing." He finished his food, and put the cutlery across the plate and pushed it to the centre of the table.

"Spectrum is... Gorgeous, vivacious, silly, cute and affectionate. I could tell she liked me, but I didn't feel like she wanted anything from me." He looked up at Maria, tipping his drink. "She feels honest and happy. Most people we meet want something, and she was happy to just be with me. Like for me, not Dragon."

"Hmm..." Maria thumbed her pen idly. "Sounds like you have a nifty new person in your life. Me too, actually. But...and forgive me if I'm prying, does this girl even know your real name?"

"No, and I don't know hers either." Dragon's tone shifted dangerously, "So that somehow makes it less valid? I'm thinking of making her dinner, Mari. How many women have I done that for? Except you?"

Maria held up a hand in peace. "Easy there, man," she said in his own voice. "I wasn't invalidating anything, and I think it's sweet that you're putting in the time for her. That's good. I just know friends of mine who have been hurt before from diving into things too quick."

Then her voice changed to rippling water. No one could listen to it and stay angry. No one she'd met, at least. "I care about you and your well being. I'll get you the recipe. Hell, if you both want to stop by some time, I'm sure my friends would be happy to meet you both."

Normal voice, now: "I'd like you to be happy, Hunter. That'd be nice, I think."

He held up a knife, though with a smile on his face. "Listen, you stop using wiles on me." Waggling the knife like their old Math teacher used to his finger, Dragon eventually sighed. "It's not an easy thing, you know, telling her my name. I'm quite happy with the world thinking Blacklight and I are comic-book archenemies, not..." He waved his hand for her to fill in the rest. "I might, you know. Tonight. If things go well."

"Well, let me know how it turns out." She smiled back. "Names are fickle things, you know. They have power. And I'm not talking about some fantasy world of magic: names, especially nowadays, are dangerous. But when you really care about someone, that's a risk we gotta take."

She laughed musically again, and this time two men across the room dropped their forks and shivered. "All right, okay. Break time's over. I've got some people to take care of now." She stood, pulling the receipt from her pad. "Pay at the counter when you're ready. Come back soon, you hear?"

Maria winked. "Bring that girl by this place sometime. I'll text you the days I'm singing. Or you can stop by the apartment. Either way, it'll be fun." She walked away, and the two men from before watched her walk with undisguised rapture. Not that it as their fault, though.

Dragon rolled his eyes. Whether it was overexposure or being in love, Maria's voice didn't even make him blink. "I'll bring her past here first. I pity the person who's got to meet all of your crew at the same time." He downed his bottle, leaving it standing on his plate for cleanup. Just as he was paying, a voice echoed.

<Snapper in Central Park. Civilians please keep clear. Epics exercise caution. ECPD will be on scene for containment.>

He looked up, cracking his knuckles. A snapper turtle wasn't an immediate danger if people behaved themselves, but there was always some hotshot who tried to use their powers on the animal. He set out at a light jog, building the speed slowly and keeping himself fresh. This should be an easy job, no fuss, and he'd have plenty of time to shop for dinner.

Epic City: Starburst

@floodtalonh, post it again, with the changes, and I'll say then.

Epic City: Starburst

@floodtalon Index and middle. I would make nylon your weakness, but it might be humiliating to be rendered powerless by a lady in stockings.