Pandaemonium
Posts 278
Power Level 25
|
Post by Limen on Aug 26, 2016 16:01:48 GMT -7
One of the best things about trying to find Aurora was that it was never very hard to do so. Dusk was beginning to fall over the fair Emerald City, and the lights that would make the night sky look like a thick sheet of granite with a few holes punched in it were beginning to turn on. Limen was haunting the docks for tonight’s hunt. Her bow was on her back, and her quiver sat beside a backpack full of various supplies. This was going to be a relaxing evening, if she had anything to say about it. She had asked along Skelator, a super she had only met on one other occasion but had already decided she liked. He had been nearby when she first hatched this plan, and he had just the portal powers and cool mask she needed. It was perfect and therefore she had approached him and explained what needed to be done. This had been yesterday; it hadn't taken the whole of today and the day previous to set everything up, but the timing had to be right. She had met up with Geata about thirty minutes prior, allowing for time to check everything was ready and find their rainbow. As one might expect, it didn’t take long. Limen made sure Aurora was alone. Their chances were already not what she would call good betting rates, and outside influences were not going to be helpful. She waited for anyone nearby, even those who might be inclined to eavesdrop, to take their leave or for Aurora to take hers from the area. Then, she gave the signal to Skeletor, dropped from her perch atop a nearby roof, and approached Aurora from the shadows. She had a perfectly innocent look on her face when she greeted the woman. Her step was wide, as was her grin, and her tone of voice made her sound more like she had come across Aurora by a lucky chance rather than sought her out. “Hey Aurora! Geata here and I are going stargazing. Great night for it; nice weather, not many clouds, and I know a great spot. You coming with?” Geata Aurora Disicio
|
|
Pandaemonium
Posts 381
Power Level 31
|
Post by Aurora Disicio on Aug 27, 2016 15:56:04 GMT -7
The docks were mostly back to the way they were before the dragon attack, with the few things different being mostly positive changes. There was a bit more grass, a few more flowers, a few of the streets were a bit wider now, and there were some actual streetlights here and there. For most people, their lives had returned to normal, except they probably had to deal with a little bit less extortion and gang violence. For them, things were probably better. Because of that, it was becoming increasingly difficult for Aurora to get more support in improving the area further. Things were okay, but they could be better. The fact that people didn't seem to care about this bothered her.
Aurora was pacing along the side of the road considering what to do next. The clanking of her boots against the ground made her presence even more obvious, not that it was necessary. Her aurora was large enough and high enough that it'd give away her presence for several blocks. She had just finished planting a few small trees along the side of the road. In ten years time they'd be large, sturdy oaks, but for now they were just small saplings. There was still dirt on her gloves and her knees that she hadn't bothered to clear, making it obvious she did most of the work herself this time. She declared the docks hers already, and thus felt obligated to make them as perfect as possible. It would never be done, she was aware of that, but she was okay with that. It meant she'd never run out of things to do.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a question. Aurora's expression flattened, but that was the only thing that showed that she even heard Limen. She continued pacing, her response was almost immediate, and she quickly went back to gathering her thoughts about her next steps.
"No."
|
|
The Keepers
Posts 357
Power Level 31
|
Post by Geata on Aug 27, 2016 16:27:46 GMT -7
Geata had been interested and confused when Robin Hood approached him with her proposition. He was only happy to agree to help, seeing as of how there were multiple reasons not to decline. First, Limen was the first Panda that he had decided he actually liked. The closest competition was Aurora, who the plan centered upon, and it was more that he respected her than actually liked her. He didn't dislike her, though, either, and that brought up reason two. It would do Aurora some good to have a night off, whether she wanted to admit it or not. There were a few other reasons, too, but those alone were enough to him to agree.
Making sure Aurora was alone before approaching her was terribly boring, but Geata made sure to appreciate the quiet moments. Once everything really got started, he was expecting to get an earful. At best. Still, when he saw the signal, he was kinda excited. It was definitely going to prove an interesting night. He followed Limen from a short distance, giving the appearance of her showing him the way somewhere. It didn't seem that it mattered, though, as it seemed the sparkly super didn't care enough to spare them a second glance. Or a first one, for that matter. Okay, well, everything according to plan so far, it seemed.
"C'mon, Aurora," he said, his voice pleading yet jovial before becoming serious. "It would do you some good to take some time off and relax. Overwork yourself and the quality of your efforts just might decline." He glanced at Limen as he spoke. If Aurora wouldn't agree for the sake of her work, he didn't think it likely that she'd agree at all. Still, this was Limen's show, so he'd wait until she gave the word before resorting to the drastic measures.
|
|
Pandaemonium
Posts 278
Power Level 25
|
Post by Limen on Aug 27, 2016 17:41:44 GMT -7
And shot down, just like that. No reason, no thought, not even a parting glance; just ‘no’. She was almost disappointed. She’d been hoping for at least some kind of reaction, not outright dismissal. Not sparing a second of thought for her future subjects, was she? Hope Aurora wasn’t expecting her not to push her deal harder.
She met Geata’s glance with one of her own and nodded. Her grin took on a bit of a sly edge as she trotted to take a skipping stride beside Aurora.
“Sorry, did that sound like a request? I meant you are coming with us. We’re plenty willing to bother you into agreeing.” She said sweetly.
The chances of Aurora agreeing? Limen put them at perhaps 2%, and that was allowing for if she’d already taken her anger out on someone, bought a nice lunch and or dinner, and had no less than five people hold the door open for her. But, she didn’t want to jump to slightly more forceful methods before giving her a chance to join them for something objectively good for the soul like a sensible person. Or at least a bit of a warning.
|
|
Pandaemonium
Posts 381
Power Level 31
|
Post by Aurora Disicio on Aug 27, 2016 18:48:27 GMT -7
Aurora's expression flattened as the pair continued to talk. It could never be as simple as saying she wasn't interested could it? Of course not, because it wasn't about her or wanting to do something with her, it was about them. Always. She had no interest in humoring these people anymore, especially not Limen. Her voice lacked the usual power, but it had no shortage of sternness or irritation.
"I'm not overworked. I'm perfectly fine. You don't have to worry about me, I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself."
Despite saying that she still couldn't remember the last time she slept and she wasn't sure if she remembered to eat again today or not. The fatigue showed in her movements, but as far as she was concerned, she wasn't hallucinating yet so everything was fine. The events surrounding the dragon showed her that she had been taking things too slow. The events surrounding the police getting slaughtered not once, but twice, proved to her that she was getting too complacent and was too willing to wait for the right moment for things. It was becoming increasingly clear to her that not only did she have to do things herself if she wanted to get anything done, but that she couldn't afford to wait anymore. It was important not to rush, but everything had to be done as quickly and efficiently as possible. She couldn't afford pointless outings like this anymore. She felt fine anyway, she enjoyed working more than she enjoyed relaxing.
"Was that a thread?" she looked at Limen out of the corner of her eyes, and her aurora started to slowly make its way towards Aurora. "I said no, I'm staying here. I have no obligation to do what you want, or to care about it. If you have this much time to waste then do something actually useful with your time and help me figure out how to get better internet access though here."
|
|
The Keepers
Posts 357
Power Level 31
|
Post by Geata on Aug 27, 2016 22:57:15 GMT -7
Geata watched Limen with curiosity before following suit, without the skipping. He walked on Aurora's other side, and winced at Limen's retort. If they were going to get Aurora to come peacefully, that probably was not the way to go about it. Not that they really expected her to in the first place, but that wasn't the point. Still, fair warning and all that, he supposed.
Aurora obviously seemed to agree with his line of thinking. He sighed and looked at her out of the corner of his eye. It was looking like he was gonna be getting actually yelled at tonight. Oh joyous day. Her command on helping her with the internet sounded interesting, though, and he supposed he would have to come back soon and see what he could learn about all of that, but as it stood other plans that took precedence.
"Sorry, Aurora, but I'm no good with technical stuff like that," he said, figuring it would probably be explanation enough. "Besides, I wouldn't be any good as is. I've been running around, doing all sorts of crap for everyone since the dragon attack. I need a break. And if I've worked myself to the bone, knowing how busy you are, you're probably way worse off than I am." Any moron who hadn't met her would be able to see the exhaustion in her step, but he wasn't going to comment on it.
"Please?"
|
|
Pandaemonium
Posts 278
Power Level 25
|
Post by Limen on Aug 28, 2016 0:52:04 GMT -7
“That’s a matter of perspective and circumstances.” Limen hummed. She looked around the area, spinning in her step to get a look at all of the various electrical devices and structures she’d already found for ulterior motives. “I could probably set you and the next ten blocks up with some free wifi. I know how to get into those internet lines the big monopoly companies like to lay under the street and charge premium cash for access to, like it’s not part of the commons.” She chuckled. “It’s technically illegal, but no one’s going to find out unless one of those big wigs literally trips over my wire. Or someone actually checks the logs, but who does that? I’ll gather the stuff I need give it some work later this week.”
She appreciated Geata’s attempts at diplomacy - he was good at it; she made a mental note to grab him next time she needed to sell a used car - but she was not keen on walking the next two blocks trying and failing to get Aurora to listen to reason. Limen quickened her pace so as to gain some ground ahead of Aurora. She paid no mind to the approaching aurora; indeed, she welcomed it.
“So, I know you’re the sort who doesn’t like to be lied to or manipulated, so I’ll be good and honest with you here for a second. Skeletor's on the mark when he says you don’t look so good. Like, from me to you, you look really awful. So, as your colleague, faction member, and friend, I’ve decided that you’re going stargazing with the two of us. It’s for your health, well being, and other reasons you’d ignore if I tried to explain to you. I won’t try to trick you into this. You can either come along with us all friendly-like, or,” By this point she’d gained several steps’ lengths on Aurora. Limen spun on a single heel to face her and stopped, one hand raised in the air beside her ear.
There was something she’d been wondering about pertaining to Aurora’s powers ever since the capture the flag match had set her to thinking as to how to get stuff departicalized. She hadn’t had an opportunity to try theory number one during that match, but Limen’d had plenty of time to set up for this this encounter. That was part of why she’d needed a bit of extra time before approaching her.
With a snap of her fingers, all of the sprinklers in the area sprung up and began to happily spew the contents of their pipes anywhere that took their fancy. There weren’t many, but something was needed to keep all the nice new plants watered and alive. There were plenty for Limen’s purposes. It was perfect for both testing her hypothesis of ‘what happens when you make Aurora’s aurora wet’ and, should that prove inconsequential, extending the range of her good old stunning electricity. It would also get everyone overall very wet. She extended a silent apology to Geata for adding that to the list of threats she was lumping on him presently, right on top of ‘getting yelled at’, ‘getting punched/kicked’, and ‘getting something large dropped on his head’.
“Well, there’s two of us and one of you, my friend.” Limen said cheerfully.
|
|
Pandaemonium
Posts 381
Power Level 31
|
Post by Aurora Disicio on Aug 28, 2016 14:35:54 GMT -7
"I don't need any technical expertise from you, having portals would just save me the trouble of digging up the street. It's not a matter of stealing it, it's a matter of having it in the first place. The infrastructure out here is embarrassingly bad," she paused, blinking slowly a few times. "I already said no. Do what you need to do for you, but leave me out of it. That kind of thing's never worked for me because the only thing I'll be able to think about is how much more there is to get done and how I'm not doing it because I'm doing something stupid instead."
Aurora was already largely tuning out Limen's speech. She used far too many words to say something simple and Aurora just didn't care. Even if she couldn't get them to agree to help her right now, there were a million other things she could do on her own, and a million other things she needed to research in order to pull them off. She would have no shortage of things to do tonight.
"I already have 10,000 feet of cord and I should have every tool you could ever want. I have a fucking Halligan Bar, whatever you need I'm going to have already. Calling us 'friends' is also laughable. Don't think I haven't noticed that you only show up when you want something from me and are nowhere to be seen when I could actually use some help. Commenting on my looks or dragging me away from what I need to be doing hardly qualifies as being helpful."
Aurora didn't change her pace any when Limen sped up, though the sprinklers spraying everywhere made her stop. The water didn't do anything to her aurora but make it a little wet, but it made Aurora herself narrow her eyes, looking more irritated and exasperated than actually angry. This was what she meant by the infrastructure being bad. The sprinklers shouldn't even be shooting water this high. She needed to add that to her list of things to fix. At least that one was relatively easy with her power. In the mean time, her aurora rose over Limen, spreading out a fair amount. Once in place, several coils of wire poured from it directly above Limen and all the places she was likely to move to dodge. Getting hit probably wouldn't cause that much damage, but it would certainly hurt. Once they hit the ground, Aurora picked them up with her power again and continued on her way as though nothing happened.
|
|
The Keepers
Posts 357
Power Level 31
|
Post by Geata on Aug 29, 2016 12:04:14 GMT -7
Geata wasn't too surprised when his attempt didn't get Aurora to agree. She wasn't the type to to see reason easily, not whenever she already had her mind set on something, and he had never really found words to be his strong suit anyways. Still, it'd been worth a shot. It seemed Limen was going to attempt a more diplomatic approach herself. Or, rather, it seemed that way up until there was water spraying everywhere. He stared blankly at Limen as the cables dropped. She'd understand him not helping her out, of course.
When Aurora started walking away again, though, Geata sighed. Peaceful tactics were not going to be working here. He looked at Limen and shrugged. Her plan didn't seem to work out, so it was time for him to do what he was recruited for. "Sorry, Aurora," he said quietly as he looked up at the sky. He wouldn't have time to map out where they would be going, so making sure they were clear of the risk of portaling into a building would require taking to the sky. If he took the time, they'd run the risk of Aurora getting away, so it really was a lose-lose situation. "The outcome of this was already decided."
With that, portals opened up underneath the three of them, dropping the three of them high into the air before closing almost immediately after they passed through. Geata kept the distance relatively short; it was only a few hundred feet up. He didn't trust himself with his full range, as he hadn't been lying when he told Aurora that he was exhausted and he wasn't willing to push his limits while he had an aerial view of the docks. He also wanted to be sure that the sparkles wouldn't be able to interfere as much as possible.
He left a gap roughly a foot in distance between where they emerged and another portal that would place them another few hundred feet horizontal from their previous location, directly towards Evergreen Hollow. He repeated this until they got to the woods. There, the portal they fell through opened on the ground and shot them upwards. Once gravity took hold and they started to descend, one last portal opened and they dropped just a few feet before they hit the ground.
Geata landed on his back. It was actually on of the softest landings he had done like that, surprisingly. Aurora and Limen wouldn't land too much harder, either, so the worst they'd experience is mild discomfort, hopefully. "Again, sorry," he said as he climbed to his feet. Once there, he prepared himself for whatever Aurora might do. Asking Limen the way to her preferred stargazing spot could wait for now.
|
|
Pandaemonium
Posts 381
Power Level 31
|
Post by Aurora Disicio on Sept 3, 2016 21:04:33 GMT -7
Aurora didn't even notice the portal opening under her feet. Under ordinary circumstances she might have, but even then it would have been difficult to react in time given her aurora wasn't properly placed for jumping out of a hole. She tumbled through the hole, letting out a surprised squeak once she realized the ground was suddenly gone. Before she knew it, she was sitting on the grass, surrounded by trees, with the city lights far in the distance. It took her a moment to get her bearings, and for her to realize exactly where she was and what just happened. She rose to her feet, looming like a bear that was getting ready to maul something, when a sudden flash of color caught her attention. She wasn't surprised in the least that her aurora was catching up to her, but she was surprised by how fast it was moving and what happened when it collided with the trees. It tore through them like they weren't even there, even going as far as to cut several of them in half, and causing many others to shoot splinters of wood in several directions.
"What the fu--"
Aurora's eyes widened as her aurora settled around her. For a moment, all she could do is stare with her jaw dropped in silent horror as she realized what likely happened to everything, and everyone, between where her aurora was and where she was taken. As always after her aurora returned to her location, it surrounded her in a highly condensed form. She was glowing a bright white, bright enough that it was difficult to look at; not that different from looking at the sun itself. She stomped over to Geata, her boots somehow managing to clang against the soft grass as she moved because of how heavy her footfalls were. She grabbed the collar of his shirt and lifted him up off the ground assuming he didn't pull some other stunt to stop her.
"What the HELL was that?" she screamed, her voice harsher than her usual yelling. "Do you have any idea what you just did? Send me back RIGHT NOW so I can make sure you didn't destroy everything I've been working towards for the past month, or that you haven't suddenly disemboweled someone!"
|
|
Pandaemonium
Posts 278
Power Level 25
|
Post by Limen on Sept 6, 2016 11:45:18 GMT -7
It was a little hard to say to which degree Limen’s plan had failed. She made mental note that water did nothing to Aurora’s aurora besides increase the local air saturation. And then she got tackle hugged by a large wire coil.
She was getting up just as she began, again, to fall. It wasn’t her best of plans, she would admit. She hadn’t personally succeeded in more than getting a glare from Aurora. But it was far from her worst, and she would happily take those results. It wasn’t the worst of landings either. Limen had fallen on harder stuff from (technically) greater heights, so she earned herself a bit of a umph upon hitting the ground and she and gravity could call themselves even.
She just had to dodge out of the way of the incoming ball of fiery death. And mitigate the one that had her backup by the collar.
“Oi, Aurora.” Limen rolled onto her knees and hopped up to her feet. “Don’t take this the wrong way - or out on Geata if you don’t mind - but this wasn’t his fault.” She paced towards Aurora, squinting in trying not to avert her eyes from the Pandaemonium’s glow. “We didn’t know that was going to happen, and we did give you the option to, you know, just come with us. Several times. Since you knew your aurora was a power magnet and we did not, I think this,” she guested to the topped trees, “rests pretty squarely on your shoulders and if you’d put a bit more thought into the cause and effects of your aurora plus Geata’s portals - which I know you know he has - all of this could’ve been averted. Now,” she rekindled her grin. “You going to come with us friendly-like, or should I tell Geata where my good star gazing spot is?”
|
|
The Keepers
Posts 357
Power Level 31
|
Post by Geata on Sept 6, 2016 13:01:35 GMT -7
Geata watched the light show fly in with a mix of fear and fascination. He looked to Aurora for a possible answer, but quickly looked away, back at the destruction, when he realized that trying to look at her was not worth the effort. He still tried to keep her in his peripheral, though, so he was aware that she was approaching him rapidly. He made no efforts to interrupt her actions, but he continued to look away, as much as he would've preferred to make eye contact. Limen's attempts at smoothing things over was appreciated, but Geata was willing to accept full responsibility for anything that went wrong. If anything went wrong.
"Judging by how fast it was going," he said, his voice quiet and contemplative, "I'd say your aurora probably did nothing more than scape against the edge of a building when we first took off, if anything at all. We went straight up at first, so it's likely that it would've gotten above anything it could've damaged. I took care to avoid any particularly tall buildings, too, for other safety reasons." He sighed as he tried to make eye contact, but couldn't hold it.
"Sorry about scaring you like that. I'll keep this in mind in case we ever find ourselves in a situation where we need to make a hasty retreat, if that's any consolation." With that, he dangled there silently, waiting for Aurora to make her next move. Whatever she did, he had no intentions of stopping her. He just hoped she would undo the bright lights so he could look her in the eye.
|
|
Pandaemonium
Posts 381
Power Level 31
|
Post by Aurora Disicio on Sept 7, 2016 20:35:27 GMT -7
If Geata had sent her back, his words would have been enough to defuse the situation and she would have gone back to her business. However, the combination of him not doing that and Limen's intervention made her anger flare up further. Her grip on Geata's shirt tightened, enough so that her nails were digging into her skin despite wearing thick gloves. She was visibly shaking, and Geata would start doing the same if he stayed limp in her grip.
"I can't say I've ever traveled that far that fast," her voice was oddly calm, though there was a bit of a shake to it. "So no, I wasn't aware that would happen. And now...And now you're trying to claim that it's somehow my fault that you to morons decided it was a good idea to quite literally kidnap me and that it's somehow my fault that the two of you made that decision?"
Aurora dropped Geata and pushed him forward, just hard enough to prevent him from being able to have a solid stance on the ground. Then, she quickly kicked Geata in the side, right in the soft spot between his ribs and his hip, as hard as she could. She wasn't a trained fighter, but she wasn't lacking in raw strength and the toes of her boots were solid steel. At this point, she didn't care if she just broke his hip or most of his ribs; she had a lot of pent up anger and it had to go somewhere. If she aimed her kick right and hit, it would also cause him to go flying right into Limen. She may have been more known for using her fists to fight, but that was only because it was an easy way to hold back. Her legs were much stronger, as tended to be the case in humans, so if she really wanted to mess someone up she'd be more inclined to use her legs or feet.
"Don't you get it you dumbass? My aurora travels towards me in a straight line, that much I know from experimenting with it. And you just sent me to the other side of the god damn city! What the hell do you really think happened? You really think we're so high up that it wouldn't have gone through anything? You can take your fucking stargazing spot and shove it up your ass."
With that she turned around and started walking back towards the city, the fury in her still evident in the way she was walking. At this point, she was just looking out for a big enough clearing that she could take to the skies and head back to the docks. Her aurora remained around her, making her glow as brightly as the city in the darkness. At least if they tried to grab her, her aurora would eviscerate their hand or whatever they tried to put near her if they moved too fast. How much damage it could cause when condensed like this was one of the reasons she normally kept it so spread out.
|
|
Pandaemonium
Posts 278
Power Level 25
|
Post by Limen on Sept 9, 2016 16:36:03 GMT -7
She had to say, it’d be a while since someone had used another person as a projectile against her. Limen would normally be inclined to dodge the incoming object intent on imparting blunt force, but she was more inclined to keep Geata from having to land on the ground. She reacted quickly, raising her arms to catch his under the shoulders and letting him hit her chest in place of something more along the lines of an elbow or shoulder. The impact drew a grunt and a step backwards.
Limen set Geata down carefully, be it to his feet or the ground and hazarded a glance to the vanishing sun. “You okay?” She whispered to him.
She slipped on a brass knuckle from her pocket and took a moment to make sure everything fit while she considered the possible effects of trying to grab Aurora through that blaze of sparkles. Poor for everyone involved, she settled on, unless she could get a little help.
A sly grin crossed her lips. “Say, Geata, get me to Aurora, and I’ll get her, yeah?”
All she needed was a portal, and when it appeared, Limen didn’t hesitate. She did mutter a quiet apology to Aurora, though, before she lept through the portal, arm out, to tap Aurora on the shoulder. The brass knuckle, upon contact, would impart a brief but very strong jolt; Limen doubted she’d get a very large window in which to shock Aurora, and so she had turned up the voltage a good bit.
The good news, if it hit, it wouldn’t knock Aurora out. In itself, that was; if she got unlucky and hit her head on a rock, that still might do it. The second good news, for Limen, anyway, is such shocks had the tendency to remove one’s abilities to control their muscles and often left fatigue behind for the effort. The bad news was it would hurt. Limen was aware that shocking someone was generally a bad way to get them to agree with you (or like you), but options and time were limited. Besides, It wasn’t like they were trying to cause Aurora any harm. And so Limen was tasering Aurora for her own good.
|
|
The Keepers
Posts 357
Power Level 31
|
Post by Geata on Sept 9, 2016 18:08:07 GMT -7
Geata was about to defend himself, accepting the blame of his actions and explain to Aurora exactly why he was sure there was no reason to be worried, but he was suddenly dropped. Then pushed. Then sent flying via kick. He accepted the kick- he did still deserve it, even if there likely wasn't any reason to be worried- but the impact surprised him and he didn't realize where he was kicked to until Limen caught him.
When she asked if he was alright, all he could say in response was "ow". When she asked for a portal, he created some, Limen sized, one in front of her and one between Aurora and the sparkles directly behind her. It exposed her back, and the aurora that went through the portal would be stuck in a loop as it went straight back to her, right through the portal over and over again. Once the portals were up, Geata turned most of his attention away.
He gingerly raised his hand to his side and applied a little pressure. He winced and bit the inside of his cheek as a rib gave way, which he was pretty sure was definitely not supposed to happen. He was still able to stand, though, so he was pretty sure it was only his ribs that had broke. He wasn't particularly happy that anything had broke in the first place, but he was willing to accept a little victory like that.
He lowered his arm and started to mumble, to himself or to Limen if she cared to listen. "My portals only have a few hundred feet of range. I used about half their maximum range, and it took a lot of portals to get here. Her aurora was following us pretty closely, so everyone should be fine." He paused a moment and his face fell. "Right?"
He then looked at Limen and smiled weakly under his mask. "Which way are we going?" he asked quietly. "I'll at least get you there, but I don't know if I can stay. She already broke at least one rib, and I'm not really wanting to find out if she broke more, but I should go see about getting it fixed, probably."
|
|