World Traveler

Singing Through Protection

“Just trying to help.” Devin said. Shortly after the conversation thankfully switched over to a more casual tone with Devin’s personally life now in the cross hairs. “Folks live in Seattle. They are retired so they snowbird down in California in the winter. My sister is going to school in Chicago.” He then gave a chuckle when Savannah mentioned the food being good here.

“Overpriced and all French.” He said with a clear, but minor amount of disdain. “Would be better to go down to Doyers Street. You are lucky. Not many hotels can say they are situated a few blocks from the best Chinese restaurant in the city.” They then made their way down to the lobby, put their coats on, and headed out into the busy streets of NYC.

The reason Devin had insisted on them leaving the hotel wasn’t just for the good Chinese food. Instead he had every intention of using the little field trip to better equip Savannah for what it was like being protected. He knew she was still perhaps a little on edge after the hotel room scene, so he wasn’t going to jump in with the lessons just yet, but more wanted to watch and see how she conducted herself in public traffic.

They made their way to Chinatown and quick as they came arrived at Devin’s recommended restaurant. When they walked in the place was small, no more than 15 chairs for customers to sit. The door was equipped with bells that rang as the walked in and an older woman smiled and welcomed them into the restaurant. She said it would be about a five-minute wait which Devin gave a friendly nod to and then stood with Savannah off to the side so as to not block the door.

Singing Through Protection

Devin saw the wheels spinning in the young woman's head and the hand break was starting to falter. He was about to stop her when she took out the whiskey, but felt it wasn’t entirely his place to start monitoring her consumption. Still he planned on closing the mini fridge. That shot of alcohol likely cost over 20 bucks if he knew anything about hotel pricing.

Talking someone down from anywhere was never really a strong point of Devin’s communication skills. He had already used his one proven piece of advice with the whole focus on one person bit which clearly wasn’t enough to stop the wings from falling off. “Calling in sick isn’t likely allowed. Especially considering the concert is in…”Checking his watch he looked at the time. “Less than 6 hours away.”

Maybe brutal honesty was the key. “You are right you know. He started. “More than likely there isn’t going to be a single person in that show who bought tickets to see your act. Jason and Beth are the headliners. The pressure is on them to actually bring the show.” He turned and faced the TV which was showing the hotel amenities on a loop.

“Right now you have everything to prove, but nothing really to lose. I am sure people are telling you this is your big break, but the reality is you aren’t being introduced to the world until your first album is released.” Devin had done a bit of reading and learned some of the hard numbers on what opening acts carried with them.

“To be honest you have already gotten ahead of the game. Most of the time an opening act only follows the headliner for a few shows and then is replaced by another local group for another leg. Name recognition is your friend. Don’t blow them out of the water or try to outstage anyone, including yourself. Just go out sing and smile.” He mentally shrugged at his pep talk. Unlikely to make a movie scene, but the numbers made out in his head.

At times Devin’s analytics sort of took over and he talks with numbers instead of emotions. His family and friends say this comes off as weird to most, but it is how many things in life make sense to him. He hoped this at least made sense to Savannah. “Also we should get you something to eat. I don’t know if you have had breakfast or lunch but while it was one shot I am not interested in that being what your breath smells like when we get you to your rehearsal later tonight.

Mahoukyo: A Tale of Three

Character Sheet UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

Devin Coal

Essentials

Full Name: Devin D'Artagnan Coal

Nickname(s): Dart

Gender: Male

Age: 22

Birthday: April 2nd

Affiliation: The Rikimaru Family

Personal

Personality: Devin is perceptive about systems and strategy, and often understands the world as a chess board to be navigated. He does this largely due to the fact that for so long kids his age would avoid him due to his lack of sight. As if wondering on a chess board he quickly grew up observing people and therefor learning and studying. He wants to understand how systems work, and how events proceed therefore allowing him to navigate them: As he got old he found himself often having a unique ability to foresee logical outcomes. He enjoys applying himself to a project, and putting in concentrated effort to achieve their goals.

Devin has a lascivious hunger for knowledge and strives to constantly increase his competence; he is often seen as a perfectionists with extremely high standards of performance for himself and others which can make working with him difficult. He at times rarely asks for help when needed, but that isn't due to him not wanting, but more his competitive nature of trying to solve whatever obstacle or puzzle himself.

Likes: Being around people cooking / Movies / Baseball

Dislikes: Tardiness / Lack of Attention to Details /

Strengths: Quick, Imaginative, High Self-Confidence, Hard-Working, Determined and Strategic Mind

Weaknesses: Judgmental, Overly Analytical, Competitive, Defensive

Relationships:

Backstory: Devin was born right on time according to the doctor. His parents were overjoyed with his clean bill of health, but were later surprised to find that due to a small complication Devin was born blind and his prognathous likely meant he would never see. His parents quickly molded to their new responsibilities and surrounded him with everything one would need to achieve a normal life. The most important member he has a young adult was waking up in the middle of the night only to open his eyes and be able to see.

In his shock he learned that he was in the Zero Time. It seemed that instead of not being able to see in the sense that a normal person would expect. Instead Devin was able to see magic. Those with high or even mild abilities quickly started to become less of a darken blur and became crystal clear in front of him. He quickly began to seek out those he could see and soon enough learned everything there was about Zero Time from members of the The Rikimaru Family.

Earning a family crest it was through an extremely difficult and painful process that he had his implanted in one of his eyes causing him to use next to no effort to use his gift to see while in the Zero Time. He now almost always wears sunglasses due to the stone being awkward for people to stare at even if he can't see them outside the Zero Time save for those also gifted with magical ability.

Since being discovered by the 13 gangs he was quickly initiated due to his high intelligence and rapid ability to learn. Unfortunately his personality often made him butt heads with many members of the family resulting in more than a few internal battles that Devin often lost. It wasn't until it was too late that people realized every time they fought Devin he was getting better and better. His reaction would start to almost seem more like precognition.

Since then there has been mass speculation that many of the fights he got in were on purpose, though his personality seemed to perfectly fit the bill for inspiring them. Currently Devin is given individual tasks or secondary orders when working with larger groups. Namely due to the fact that while people respect him they aren't big fans of working with him.

Magic

Expert/High/Talented

Devin's magical powers revolve around his ability to summon wolves to fight along side him. He has hyper fast reaction time due to his stone being attached to his sight. He fights with two nightsticks that can combine into a white cane for when he walks around outside of Zero Time. The weapons were selected for him by Akio.

He has called the twin weapons "Night Sticks" Due to the fact that through his abilities when he lands several hits in a row his opponent will begin to lose their eye sight. Devin has little control over this; however, it is believe he could hit different sense out of a person leaving them trapped in their body without any way to break free.

Other

Devin owns a real seeing eye dog, though he still holds onto his cane due to it being a weapon as well. His dog is named Nyx and is a German Sheppard that he has constantly trained to work and sometimes fight by his side.

Singing Through Protection

Devin noted several similarities to Savannah and his little sister. They had very similar nervous ticks including pacing back and forth and talking for talking's sake to try and distract themselves from their thoughts. Still the same pressures on a 16 year old in the school glee club wasn’t able to hold a candle to what Savannah was about to attempt. Devin thought it was cute to see an artist so many people already were buzzing about freaking out.

When she asked about his ability to protect he didn’t take it personally as he had already figured the talking for talking sake out. He wasn’t sure how to answer this question. In actuality he had little experience actively protecting a person. Instead he was someone who studied and assisted those who protect people. Still it wasn’t like her production budget could afford an actual security team so he was his friends only option.

A white lie was likely the best in this situation. “I work with a lot of people who want protection.” he then continued. “My job is normally more abstract; however, I study places and confirm where protection is weak and needs updating. At times I am protecting intellectual property and other times it is a group of people. I also worked at a school for a contract on occasion.”

He smiled when she finally just demanded that he talk to get her mind off the impending public performance. “Well if you want my advice don’t focus on the crowd.” he stood up and walked over to his charge. “A friend of mine is a really good shot and he gave my little sister some advice once that worked for her.”

Standing in front of Savannah he looked her in the eye. “Pick one person out in a sea of people and sing right to them. You connect with that person and I am sure you will connect with the crowd. Find some girl who is so clearly happy you are there that you can do no wrong. Just sing to her and when she smiles you will know you are doing okay.” he then took a sip of water and returned to looking through the room. “After that just have fun.”

Blue Shield

Jordan and Devin continued to chat for the next few minutes about how it all happened. She apparently really didn't have a clue it was happening, which surprised Devin considering how networked she was. While not openly spoken Devin realized he had actually assumed some people already knew about him and Harper, but just weren't saying anything. A week ago she had accidentally worn one of his shirts to work. A little oversight she quickly corrected by rushing off during lunch to buy a new one.

"So what was your first date?" Jordan asked with a smile. "I mean you do have a reputation for being the go to guy for first date ideas." She seemed to have fully switched from friend threatening a friends new lover to complete gushy gossip.

Devin thought about this question for a moment and then started to think so more. Had they actually gone on a date? I mean they had gone out and done stuff like a concert or a movie, but he quickly started to realize that in a blink of an eye they just sort of started dating. There was no line crossed or box checked.

Jordan started looking annoyed. "Devin Coal you go up there and you take that woman on a first date!" Her tone wasn't one to be argued with and to be honest Devin completely agreed with her. He wondered if this meant something deeper, but decided to just fix it rather than ponder about it.

Leaving the cool medical floor and riding the elevator back up to his desk he walked over to Harper and looked her dead in the eyes. "I want to take you out on a first date." He said with a rather serious tone.

Legally Binding: A Tale of Two Roommates

Still interested in doing this? I know you said writers block was hitting you hard earlier.

Harry Potter - Future Faculty

Quick Announcement - All characters will be from the same year. I made this decision as it will allow us to better streamline character interaction and some important plot points later on down the role play.

If anyone has any questions about this please let me know. For now I will alter the ages on everyone's character sheet so that they are 26 /27 years old. I know this might change a few character interactions, but I hope you understand that this will pay off greatly down the line of the role plays plot.

Blue Shield

Devin was distracted by their moment being discovered by Dan. "I'm fine with it. Just not sure what the Captain will think." Devin said with a somewhat concerned look, but then brought some humor back to ground him So I guess I gotta shoot him before he tells him." He then broke the hug and started towards the rooms exit with Harper. "I'll talk to him." He said as he opened the door, "And yea the whole ponytail and baseball cap look is like catnip." Something about it just has a really finished look.

After he left Devin looked for and found Dan coming out of an elevator... A stern look told him Devin wanted to talk and they made their way to the break room.

"Okay who did you tell?" Devin said with his interrogation voice.

"No one." Dan said quickly in what was obviously a lie. The look Devin gave him showed that he was going to have to answer again. After some awkward silence Dan finally broke down. "Okay I didn't tell anyone, but I might have texted someone." Again the stare took a moment but finally Dan broke. "I texted Jordan alright." By the time he finished the name Devin was already making his way down to the medical examiners floor.

As soon as he walked in Jordan was standing with the biggest grin on her face that he had ever seen. "Hey Devin.... Up to anything?" She said with a tone that told him all he needed to know. Jordan had read the text and was ready to have the most enjoyable time of her life with its content.

"Hey Jordan." Devin said as he walked into the room and sat down. If this was going to happen it might as well happen now.

Blue Shield

“Indian Shrimp and Lentils” Devin said to the dinner question. He let himself cool down as it was clear fun time in the evidence lock up was not on his partners mind. At least not this time around. His ears perked up; however, when she said she was fee to go to the baseball game this coming weekend.

A big smile on his face at the news made him very easy to read. “Well then we better get you a baseball camp. I love that look with the ponytail coming out of it too if you are taking notes…”

Devin was interrupted by the crash of a box hitting the ground. Looking over he saw down at the end Dan standing and staring at them as if he had seen a ghost. Crap… Devin thought as he quickly stepped back from his partner. Still the damage was done. How else do you explain a hug and kiss like that.

Never one to win a game of poker Dan seemed to try and act surprised to see them but the cat was out of the bag. “O hey you guys…” he was already sweating and Devin started to wonder just how this guy was ever going to interrogate a suspect on his own.

Having moved well apart by now Devin didn’t know really what this suddenly meant for Harper. Was she scared? Worried? Ashamed? For the first time in a very long time Devin felt out of control in a relationship and he didn't like it. “Dan. Leave.” He said and as quickly as he appeared Dan bolted for the door and straight to Jordan with the best gossip this precinct had ever seen.

Devin looked over at Harper with his hands on his hips. “So what now?”

Blue Shield

“Never hurts to know where the eyes are Harper” Devin said as he nodded over to the fact that the camera in question was aimed towards the more delicate cases and confidential information boxes. Where they stood in the arms of each other was a blind spot. He knew this, not because this was a regular occurrence, but because he had to work a case where a cop was mishandling evidence and accidentally switching them around due to a poorly drafted organization system.

The problem wasn’t fixed due to budgets but they moved the camera to better protect the more important parts of the evidence lockup. Moving in and kissing Harper he figured he could put her at ease.”Trust me not a camera on us.” He then kissed her again and this time with a little more lust behind it. He wasn’t expecting something hot and heavy, but at the moment he was in full blown Harper mode and he never could promise anything when he was like this.

He moved his hand under her shirt to the small crease in her back. The skin to skin made his hand nearly light on fire. Her skin was also so smooth and welcoming to the touch. Pulling her in slightly more he kissed her again and said. “Let me make up that two point difference.” The make out session quickly lead to naughty thoughts flooding into Devin's brain, but he was able to keep them in check for now as he continued to enjoy his hands on his partners figure.